Anti-skateboarding column uninformed

On Nov. 6, The News Record Entertainment Editor Chad Reid questioned whether or not skateboarding is a crime in his column "Case of the Mondays." In summary, yes it is.

Trespassing and vandalism are just two charges skateboarders are often hit with, but I think we are all missing the big picture: It sort of bothers Chad.

And don't pull that "Clifton should look into getting a skate park" card. You are either for skateboarding or against it. Suburbs like Anderson, Milford, Florence and Wyoming have all dropped concrete turds in recent attempts to keep skateboarders off the streets.

This tactic will never work in the Clifton/Downtown area because the hills and innovative architecture create natural spots for skateboarding that cannot be replicated.

Ask any of the dudes that hang out at the top of Wheeler Street every day if they think Clifton needs a skate park. They will tell you the same thing. The streets are in our blood and our blood is on the streets.

Plus, if skateboarding is in fact a crime, why put up a park that promotes it? I, for one, would rather see an "open container" or "disorderly conduct" park open up in Clifton.

Skate park or no, skateboarding is not a sport. A crime, yes. Sport, no.

Does it bother you when people drive their cars or ride their bikes to class? How about their unicycles?

If skateboarders couldn't control their skateboards they wouldn't be "weaving in and out of" the hordes of students on their way to class. Just relax and watch where you are going and no one is going to hurt himself or anyone else. That goes for skateboarders, bike riders and walkers.

Chad, it also seems to bother you that skateboarders have fun and use their creativity on campus. A fountain's original use may not be for skateboarders to ramp off, but if no damage is being done to the fountain, why make a big fuss about it?

The further I read the column, the more I realized that it wasn't a joke. It is probably one of the most self-centered and close-minded things I have ever read.

I guess skateboarders should simply choose something else to be passionate about because what they live for is disruptive and slightly dangerous.

Forget close-minded, this is borderline clueless. Yeah, blame Tony Hawk for college students finding a faster way to get to class.

Since the first skate park did not open until over 30 years after kids started attaching roller skates to wooden planks, it is safe to say the whole "skating-wherever-you-please bit" started long before the video games.

As for the danger in skateboarding, after over 12 years on a skateboard, I can count on one hand the number of times I have fallen on my head.

Yeah, I've been through physical therapy for my ankles and I can't bend some of my fingers back or move my right knee like I should be able to, but wearing a helmet is not going to fix that. It's just going to make me look like a dork.