professional vs. amateur swimming.

Originally posted by Sam Perry It just amazes me that again many on the Left voted to support this move based on the same intelligence (I use that term loosly), and now that the intelligence was flawed, come back and say war is wrong. I just wish hindsight being 20/20 that people would admit being wrong once in a while. What I remember is demonstration after demonstration supporting NOT going to war and lots of car bumper stickers reading "Attack Iraq? NO!" Then again I'm in Seattle. Your mileage may vary. Any lefty who supported the Iraq war should be tarred and feathered.

Originally posted by Sam Perry Kwan is evil because she supports Bush, she drives an SUV and owns stock in Halliburton. I read it in the Washington Post which we all know as the bastion of truth and unbiased views in news reporting... (I couldn't resist) Now that's funny! :D

Originally posted by knelson So since Aaron Peirsol has already won several Olympic medals should he recuse himself from competing from now on? Explain to me how Kwan's situation is any different. The Scott Hamilton example makes no sense. Scott Hamilton is 47. I know it seems like Michelle's been around forever, but she's still only 25 (and only turned 25 in July). Not only that, there's no way Hamilton could compete against the top male skaters. He's still a good skater, but you don't see skaters attempting a whole lot of quads at Stars on Ice. You always seem to be looking for an argument. So, you'd have no problem competing against Peirsol, Crocker, or Hansen? I would! The governing rules/bodies of swimming are different than the rules/bodies of figure skating which is a shame. That's all.

I am rather enjoying watching everyone flailing away at each other, esp. the two Smiths, as they seem to have so much history to taunt each other with. Kidding aside, I don't mind a good political discussion even on this swimming site, but is it really necessary to gratuitously insult each other just for having contrary opinions? It seems to me that just puts off reasonable people from an honest difference of opinion if insults come with it.

Kidding aside, I don't mind a good political discussion even on this swimming site, but is it really necessary to gratuitously insult each other just for having contrary opinions? Don't you think the phrase "gratuitously insult" is a bit strong? I don't believe I have made one personal insult to anyone. All I am trying to do, obviously not too well I might add, is to make a case that short term events should not be used to make long term, poorly thought out decisions. I am on the Right side obviously, but that doesn't make me blind that we don't do things wrong, i.e. many aspects of The Patriot Act, that many people on the Left voted for also I might add. Or for that matter quickly goiong to war. It just amazes me that again many on the Left voted to support this move based on the same intelligence (I use that term loosely), and now that the intelligence was flawed, come back and say war is wrong. I just wish hindsight being 20/20 that people would admit being wrong once in a while. That being said, Iraq may not have been where the war on terror started, but I would much rather have the terrorists fighting us there rather than on our own soil like they achieved on 9/11. But to say that this discussion has devolved to "gratuitous insults" is a stretch.

Sam, the gratuitous was more applying to the quote by Jim that got you a little steamed. Rather than look at what I said for personal criticism, please take it as a more general comment meant to prevent debate from devolving to ionic proportions.

ionic proportions Nice adjective! Point well taken and sorry if I came off a bit defensive. (Ionic proportion I think that phrase has some definite long term potential here...)

Go ahead george and sign the accords.......even though two of the largest/fastest growing economies in the wrold (China/India) as well as most developing companies would get a pass......ohh and regardless about where you stand on our current overdependence on oil lets put those restrictions in place and cripple an econonmy in recovery. You must be a trust funder Jim!! PS: Get the US on a fast track to alternative fuels, hold all nations to the same standards, rewrite the accord then sign it! PSS: global warming has nthing to do with the recent spate of hurricanes, warmer temps actually have the effect of reducing the magnitude of such storms.

Originally posted by PeirsolFan You always seem to be looking for an argument. So, you'd have no problem competing against Peirsol, Crocker, or Hansen? Forums like this wouldn't be very interesting without arguments, would they? Anyway, no, of course I wouldn't mind competing against those guys. Yes, my butt would be soundly kicked. Peirsol could probably lap me in a short course 200 back :) But that's what competition is all about. When you're talking about something like the Olympics or World Championships you expect the best competitors to be there. I don't want to see the second tier up-and-comers just because the top dogs dropped out "as a courtesy." edit: and as my wife pointed out, do you think Irina Slutskaya should give up amateur status, too? she's been competing at a high level as long as Michelle has and she just won Worlds this year. Maybe she should quit to give others a chance, too? Your entitled to your opinion, of course, but I just don't understand it at all.

Originally posted by geochuck Why not attack the hurricanes before they get to landfall. What ever happened to salting the storms with Dry Ice so they would get rid of the moisture. I'd say this would be something like trying to drain New Orleans with a bucket brigade.