gosh... I did not see anywhere on that mural where it clearly stated that the Tigers, Panthers or anyone else for that matter was a lesser team than the Wildcats. Picking on WHS is a sport in itself for some "grown-up" bloggers on this site, I know for a fact the students could care less! I have two kids at WHS and proud of it, but I also attend other schools to watch events even if WHS is not participating, it's no big deal unless you make it one.

If a WHS fan would have made the same comment you just made, "the Tigers ROARED while the Wildcats meowwwed..." we would have been called classless!

Wow, enough with the hating on local schools.

Every school has a mural of their mascot and many of them are located in their gyms/fieldhouses.

Should we mock the Starr's Mill mural since their basketball team didn't do well this year? But wait, both Whitewater and Starr's Mill have good wrestling teams and they wrestle in the gyms, so maybe....

This is high school athletics - a mural on the wall isn't for arrogance, it's for school spirit and students are supposed to have school spirit whether their team is 3-20 or 20-3.

Take a pill.

The commentators are not hating on any specific school, they are not criticizing the teams. They are simply voicing their opinions over the slogan publicly visible during the games. No one is mocking the Wildcats because they lost, they are simply stating that the slogan is incorrect. The team is not the ONLY cat in town. They technically were the third school to enter the county with a cat mascot. The incorrect slogan should be changed because it makes the school sound arrogant and that is one trait that no one should wish to be associated with. Attending the fayette v. whitewater game in which the pictures were taken, I overheard some people mentioning how they did not like the slogan but they did not mention anything about the school, they went back to watching the game. They did not relate the slogan and the loss of the wildcats to the slogan being incorrect. They just believed that the sign was unappreciated because it was demeaning to the other schools with cat mascots.

Dutch,
I agree with you about the slogan. However, it's obvious that at least one commentator here has a personal grudge against WHS that is verging on obsessive hatred. The latest personal attack on Michael Boylan is just one example of over-the-top venom that has no place in civil discourse. There is obviously something more at stake here than a high school slogan. I don't know what that might be, but there's way too much emotion being expressed for it to be just about the slogan.

Personally, I have better things to do with my time than indulging in perpetual flame wars. Too bad Muddle went away. We could use some friendly philosophy discussions around here.

I know several Whitewater parents and students, they don't think too highly of the mural.

I'll admit I am partial. I have grandchildren who attend FCHS. A fine school I might add.

Good luck to the FCHS boys basketball team. Some of my family will be there tonight, cheering you on to your next win!

Go Tigers!

Whitewater is the only school I have EVER been in that has a gym mural that belittles anyone else - especially in the same town. Can you cite another example?

"The ONLY real cat in town"

I guess the Tigers had something to say about that - let them roar. If you are going to play with the big cats - you're gonna get scratched.

Rebuking poor sportsmanship by a Tiger while defending it from a Wildcat, is a bit hypocritical don’t you think Michael?

But why get so upset about it?

And don't you think that your taking pleasure in a girls basketball team losing to a superior opponent is rather silly?

You obviously take exception to the phrase, but I just wonder why even waste time caring about it or giving the old Nelson Muntz "Ha-Ha," when they lose. It's not like the Whitewater girls basketball team was going around dissing other teams and acting like they owned the place.

All I'm saying is stop trashing the kids. As far as I know, they didn't paint it on the wall and they could care less what it says. Overall, I see good sportsmanship from all student athletes at every county school. I'm sure there are instances where people at all schools are poor sports but I see more handshakes and hugs than anything else.

Seems you are a bit defensive about being called on the hypocrasy Michael. I personally despise basketball so I couldn't care less who wins.

I do like wrestling though and it's on the wall then too...as it is in Vollyball and throughout the day in P.E..

Attitude, growth, charachter and sportsmanship (root word sports)is what sports are all about - or so I thiought.

I am actually much more concerned about your one-sided view at this point since you are a "journalist".

So, do you support the slogan and teachings of the "Only Real Cat in Town" mural? Or, do you think it reflects poorly on the school?

Maybe this time you can take a stance and make the call - and by the way - who "trashed" the kids, the "Unreal Cats"?

The initial comment - 55-28 - said he didn't have a kid at either school, so I wasn't rebuking one school and defending another. I wasn't being hypocritical.

My stance? I don't care. Until today, I never even gave it much thought and I would say that a majority of the students at the three schools with cat mascots don't give it much thought either. I'm sure they have a lot more on their minds.

Is my view point one-sided? I can see your point and I'm sorry this phrase has hurt your feelings so much. If you go to MyPetition.com, you can start a petition, get everyone who agrees with you to sign it and you can present it to the school, the principal and the Board of Education to try and get it removed.

And if they paint over it, I'll write the story about it for the paper - not caring either way.

All I am saying, and have been trying to say is, why waste your time?

Is this what you really want to do? Is this the only cause you can get behind and champion? Is this how the Anti-Harry Potter mom got started?

It seems that everyone here (Spidymann, myword_mark,Tug13, itwonthelp, and later even Proud2BWcat, who stated “as a WHS parent I have been against this mural since day one, but as you stated our voice is not heard.”) views the slogan “The Only Real Cats in Town” as being in poor taste but you Michael.

Although earlier in her post Proud2BWCat stated: “gosh... I did not see anywhere on that mural where it clearly stated that the Tigers, Panthers or anyone else for that matter was a lesser team than the Wildcats.” I know that any adult who cannot understand that “The Only Real Cat in Town” refers to the other “Cats” in “Town” (i.e. the Tigers and Panthers) is either and extremely moronic, highly naive or just a liar trying to defend the indefensible. I would have thought you too would posses those powers of observation Michael.

Trust me on this one Michael, I have many good friends who are nice folks, that as Whitewater parents (not unlike Proud2BWcat) do not appreciate the arrogance or the condescending repartee that is epitomized by the "Only Real Cat in Town" slogan. But you are a ‘journalist’ and you know much better than we all do.

Actually, your ignorance of how the community sees this issue is only surpassed in magnitude by the sarcasm contained within your last diatribe. I hope you are able to someday clear the dust of defensiveness off of your rose colored glasses long enough to know that there are levels of concern that do not rise to the level of a petition (as you suggested) and that speaking out in the community is not reserved for slow thinking sports commentators with a bias that permeates their every comment like you.

As for what cause I will champion, since you are so concerned;

I think today it will be me intellectually chewing up and spitting out an arrogant, novice sports 'journalist' who is as condescending and sarcastic in his blog as he is inept in his small town newspaper column. And to answer another of your concerns, no, I do not think having books like Harry Potter removed from a library shelf is somehow related to putting ones opponent in a negative light in an attempt to edify ones own team. But hey Michael, if you somehow do, I'm certainly not surprised.

Of course, that’s just MY opinion.

Let's disagree on this but don't get so worked up over it brother! Its just some paint on a wall, there are more important things in this community that we need to address!

I think 'the community' as a whole could give a rat's ___ about high school rivalry. Cause Mark, that's all this really is.

Your gripe has NOTHING to do with the kids. You know, the ones who actually PLAY the games and learn from the joy of victory, the agony of defeat and the benefits of hard work.

Most likely, the slogan is the hare-brained idea of a well-meaning adult who didn't know he'd offend the delicate sensibilities of parents who take athletics too seriously.

Mark, stop trying to live your glory days through your kids and instead appreciate how sports shapes them into better people.

Sometimes that means the kids have to "tune out" the lunatic adults, like most everybody at WHS seems to be doing here. For that, I applaud them.

and at one time I found it be very comical. I thought that, perhaps, he was working for the paper, or one of the advertisers, and that his job was to keep the readers riled-up. However, this latest attack on Michael is totally out there. Now my belief is that he has some serious issues. Maybe he'll just go away.

myword-mark has a right to his opinion, same as everyone else. Don't go away mark!

This was about a mural that is in bad taste, nothing else. My WHS friends don't like the mural either.

My family supports all FCHS's, except when they play the Tigers!

Go Tigers and congratulations!

I am every curious as to who your WHS friends are that don't like the mural. I realize that you will never print their names and that the general public will never know who these mythical people are. However, if what you write is true, you should recommend to them that they voice their opinion (with their names) to Dr. DeCotis. Perhaps that route will yield some answers and possibly some satisfaction. Who knows? Honestly, I've yet to meet a parent who has a complaint regarding the mural, but according to the blogs, there is a large group of parents in the WHS community that have a big problem with it. If said parents are not willing to back their opinions with their names, then I would ponder that it is not really an issue. What do you think? By the way, so you don't think that I'm down on all of the other schools, I have children that have attended FCHS (before SMHS was built), graduated from SMHS, and that will attend and graduate from WHS in a few years. Oh yeah Tug....I'm also a grandmother of two!!

I am one of those WHS parents (two sons) who do not care for the mural; however, I do not care for the controversy either. I hope Tug13 considers me one of her WHS friends that are against this, but again, it pains me to see guys like myword_mark get so worked up over this because I consider him an integral part of what keeps the “blogging” alive and well on this site.

I like myword-mark. I agree, he contributes a lot on here. I've learned a lot about the school situation from mark and Enigma.

I have also learned a lot about politics and Iraq from Hack, Jeff and several others. I don't always agree with them, but they're much smarter and more informed than I am.

Git Real makes me laugh. Dollar is smarter than some think he is. So, in my opinion all the bloggers have something interesting to say.

wildcat objected to myword-mark then practically called me a liar. So go figure.???

I do consider you one of my WHS friends. I hope you consider me your Tiger friend.

Most of my family are at McIntosh tonight for the basketball games.
Good luck to coach Andre Flynn and the Tigers!
(And Whitewater if they beat McIntosh)
God Bless

Mythical?? I don't lie wildcat. I don't know for sure if my WHS friends have complained about the mural. I have heard that it's a waste of time to complain to the BOE about anything. I will give them your message.
One of my children graduated from McIntosh and is loyal to the Chiefs except when they play the Tigers! They were at the game last night.
It's wonderful being a grandmother, isn't it? My grandchildren have played sports since they were tikes. They are great kids, are taught respect and good sportsmanship at home. Some of their friends attend WHS and SMHS!

Wow, someone REALLY needs to get out of their self indulgent little bubble and take a course in polite debate. mark, I find your verbal rant about Michael Boylan rude and offensive and extremely low class. Your personal attacks are anything but a good representation of the “good sportsmanship” you are ranting about. I hope the kids you are wanting to teach good sportsmanship to aren’t being led by your example, because your attitude and approach to making your point are anything but...

Of course, that’s just MY opinion.

That's my opinion too, and lots of other people. The Whitewater mural is in bad taste.
I wish the nice Whitewater parents and students luck on getting it removed.

Hardly.

You've merely shown folks once again your tendency towards histrionics and overwrought hyberbole when someone doesn't agree with you.

Grow up.

myword_mark is right. Maybe you need to grow up, and address the issue and stop attacking mark. That's just my opinion.

If you've read most of what Myword_mark writes, you'll notice his distinct habit of taking it personally when someone disagrees with him.

He's done it to me AND we share a lot of the same philosophies politically!

I think he was absolutely overboard on attacking Michael Boylan's professionalism, as well as calling him "moronic" and "a liar" simply because he didn't like what Mr. Boylan wrote. It was uncalled for.

It is my opinion that you're enabling this childish behavior, Tug.

Respectfully,
Bas

I think he's the same person!

(laughing hysterically)
No, we are not the same person. I am a grandmother and might be old enough to be myword-mark mom. I have children in their 30's.

Do you approve of the Whitewater mural? I'm just curious.

You can't seriously be criticizing me (or anyone else) for using terms that clearly pale in comparison to your frequent, irrational, personal attacks on bloggers here. That might be the most laughable thing I have seen in weeks. I see hypocrites flock together - how nice for you that you have company.

Several of us do not even respond to you anymore on here because of your personal (slack jawed, open mouthed, mouth breathing, inbred, etc. etc,)and baseless rants. This will be one of those rare instances when I address you so enjoy the attention.

Despite the fact that I disagree often with the likes of ArmyMajRetired, I would NEVER use the comments, or hurl the adjectives and insults I have read from you directed toward him. I have read blogs you have written to OldSchool Football, George Bush, Git Real, Muddle, Enigma, and a host of others that were an embarrassment to anyone of even average intellectual capacity. I have seen the most extreme points of view and the most condescending and improperly juxtaposed arguments I have ever seen. And YOU are going to tell me that my defense of a Tiger fan’s criticism of a pathetic attempt at some motivational mural is unjust? YOU are going to tell me how to speak in such a way as to not be offensive (like the pictures of Bush/Hitler you promoted for so long? YOU are going to tell me how to respect an opinion while you belittle mine?

While I have always believed that you were actually dollaradayandfound, I have learned that, unlike you, he actually has a sense of humor. You on the other hand are just a pathetic simpleton in need of attention. Guess what basmatirice boy? Today you got a little….so enjoy it because we won’t be talking again.

You just keep defending Michael's views and I will keep speaking my mind.

I think Michael was out of line and mark called him on it. Go back and read Michael's posts again please.
The Harry Potter and take a pill comments were uncalled for.

Respectfully,
Tug

It may be a school mural, but it is in bad taste. As an adult, I would help them pick one that showed school spirit, but didn't make them look like jerks when they lost, and everyone does loose sometime.

I have read at least 10 comments in Citizen blogs or Free Speech (this week has one) about this mural and was amused to finally see it.
I don't think it reflects school spirit at all, but a direct put down to all the other "cats" in Fayette. Just my thoughts, and from what I've read a lot of other folks too.

But past experience tells me you are pushing water up a hill with a sieve. The good parents I know (and like) from Whitewater ARE embarassed...there are just too few of them to change the attitude and perception of the school regarding sportsmanship and community.

as a WHS parent I have been against this mural since day one, but as you stated our voice is not heard. Maybe we can present to the school that the sign is old and we need a new slogan, heck, I don't know! The first graduating class is leaving and we need a new one, who knows.

The comment you made to mark about the mural was really nice. Believe me, you're not the only WH parent who feels that way.
I know a few Whitewater students who don't like the mural. They get too much grief from their Tiger and Panther friends!

Some of my Tiger family members enjoyed the Whitewater play!