You’re all going to think the world has gone to heck in a handbasket (well, it kinda did *comment removed*, but let’s not get into that), because I’m about to say words I never thought I’d say. Here goes:
Below is a link to a good article written in the New York Slimes (er.. Times) about proper warmup, specifically stretching before a workout.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/02/sports/playmagazine/112pewarm.html?_r=1&oref=slogin
Basically, my thoughts on this are, don’t do static stretching if you can avoid it, but if there is a specific muscle group that is limiting your range of motion to correctly execute a movement, and static stretching is the only way to stretch it, then obviously, go for it. For example, with me and speedskating, my back needs to be able to go extremely round to get into the proper position to skate, and it’s normally too tight to do that. Static stretching allows me to get into that position.