First they came for the diving boards...

...and I did not speak out - because I was not a diver.

Then they came for the jump ropes, and I did not speak out - because I'm neither a jumper nor a roper.

Then they came for the swings, and I did not speak out  - because I'm not a swinger.

(via Playing in the World Game)

Well, that didn't quite go as planned...let's skip that part and get right to this story:

Killer Swings and Other Playground Myths

Seems insurance companies are pressuring schools to eliminate anything that might result in an injury now and then.

Remember climbing to the top of the gymnasium on a rope?  Don't see many of those around anymore, do ya?

And, of course, the reporter managed to find that nervous mom who is more than willing to back the school for this insane move:

Muge Kaineoz's daughter will be starting school next year. She's in favor of the decision to remove swings. "When she starts elementary school, those swings can get crazy! 

CRAZY! Just crazy. I mean swings go back and forth and high in the air. There are no straps keeping the kids on the seat. There isn’t a net to catch the kids if they go flying into the air and for goodness sake, they do this swinging thing in the open--there's no fence placed around the swingers to protect kids who might walk by and not notice the human wrecking ball flying through the air!  OF COURSE THESE KILLERS SHOULD BE BANNED. So really, everything should be banned because everything is potentially dangerous, right? EVERYTHING CAN KILL.

(via 1000 Awesome Things)

Since schools have removed just about all the hazards insurance companies can think of, those premiums they charge must be down to about zero by now, right?