“The San Francisco School Board is going to end high school football,” Cal said.

“That’s terrible,” Marie argued. “What’s the problem? Too many injuries?”

“Nope.”

“Cost too much?”

“Maybe it does, but that’s not the reason.”

“I give up,” Marie said. “Why are they ending football?”

“Cause of what they decided about Junior ROTC!”

Marie just stared. Then she ordered a drink from the waitress, settled down and said, “Run that by me again.”

“Let me help,” said Grady with obvious anger. “The San Francisco School Board voted to eliminate Junior ROTC from the schools, you know the Reserve Officers Training Corps. That’s despite the fact that the program had 1600 members who learn important life lessons and had the support of students and parents.”

“I thought we were talking about football,” Marie said confused.

“We are,” said Cal. “But you got to get the ROTC part first.”

“I don’t get the ROTC part. Exactly why are they doing this?”

Grady said, “School Board members in San Francisco who oppose the ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ policy for gays and lesbians serving in the military want to show their disgust by closing down Junior ROTC to punish the military.”

“And they end up just punishing the kids,” said Cal. “They can boast about their accomplishment of running the military out of town, meanwhile some kids won’t have anywhere to go unless they head out to the streets. A bunch of parents and others who recognize the importance of the JROTC program to bring discipline into the kids lives just qualified a ballot measure to keep the program.”

“But you know what the real reason is?” Grady continued. “The reason they want to shut it down? Cause they don’t like the military, period. They think Junior ROTC teaches militarism. The courses really teach students leadership and responsibility but the adults want to send the message how they feel about the military. Get out of town!”

Cal added, “Only a few of the JROTC kids go into the military.”

“Fine,” said Marie, exasperated. “Wonderful program. I wish I could sign up. But what’s that got to do with football?!”

“It’s the next logical step,” said Cal.

“Logical,” repeated Grady.

“In football you throw the bomb. You blitz. You battle plan. See? Just like the military. The same language. The same attitude. Those San Francisco activists can’t let football survive. Too militaristic. It’s next on their agenda.”

“Well, guys,” said Marie sitting back in her chair when she finally understood. “Maybe they won’t make the connection on their own. In other words, if you don’t tell, they won’t ask.”