Joe, I agree with pointing out BAD ideas. My perspective is that EVERY Nats location has been a bad idea - in SOMEBODY's book, anyway.
EVERY location we've had or ever will have) Nats has given a "home team" advantage to one or more teams.
EVERY location we've had (or ever will have) Nats has caused hardships - expense, travel distance, time off, climate, allergies, availability of alcohol :) etc - for individuals, for entire teams, for entire classes of people.
EVERY Nats we've had (or ever will have) favors either those who like to have half their days open for other things, or those who want full days of competition with LONG periods between events - but not both groups at once.
I think it is a GOOD idea to spread both the wealth of opportunity AND the hardships of participation around the entire Masters swimming community. For most Masters that contemplate going to Nats, this is a long-term sport. If you don't get things your way this time, you will eventually (just don't count on getting them all at the same time). On any given day, life ain't fair for some people. But, over time, things have a tendency to balance out.
Think of it another way - If the Hawaiians (and all the others who are fired up about a Hawaiian Nats) can't have it their way every once in a long while, then YOU shouldn't ever get to have it YOUR way either.
Joe, I agree with pointing out BAD ideas. My perspective is that EVERY Nats location has been a bad idea - in SOMEBODY's book, anyway.
EVERY location we've had or ever will have) Nats has given a "home team" advantage to one or more teams.
EVERY location we've had (or ever will have) Nats has caused hardships - expense, travel distance, time off, climate, allergies, availability of alcohol :) etc - for individuals, for entire teams, for entire classes of people.
EVERY Nats we've had (or ever will have) favors either those who like to have half their days open for other things, or those who want full days of competition with LONG periods between events - but not both groups at once.
I think it is a GOOD idea to spread both the wealth of opportunity AND the hardships of participation around the entire Masters swimming community. For most Masters that contemplate going to Nats, this is a long-term sport. If you don't get things your way this time, you will eventually (just don't count on getting them all at the same time). On any given day, life ain't fair for some people. But, over time, things have a tendency to balance out.
Think of it another way - If the Hawaiians (and all the others who are fired up about a Hawaiian Nats) can't have it their way every once in a long while, then YOU shouldn't ever get to have it YOUR way either.
