My demented editor (I know he doesn't swim, but I can only hope he isn't a closet masters swim forum lurker) has recently proposed sending me to Afghanistan, which I can't even spell, in order to do a story not on the resurgent Taliban or even the ups and downs of the opium trade, but rather on the enduring popularity of male body building in that ruined country. Supposedly, despite all the troubles over there, muscle gyms abound in Kabul--testimony, in my editor's eyes, at least, to the ineradicability of male vanity.
Why he wants me to write about this is a more complicated story, but I replied that I thought his essential premise was flawed--that men don't body build out of vanity/desire to impress the distaff gender; they do it (in my opinion--must check with evolutionary psychologists for verification; the attached poll is a way of gauging feminine sentiment regarding hypermuscularity) to keep other guys from beating them up. The largest per capita rate of male body building in the US goes is in prisons in states where the respective state legislatures have not banned barbells (hoping to prevent super criminals from being released en masse upon the flabby public when their sentences are over.) My editor was undeterred by my theories and objections--he still wants me to go.
For a variety of reasons, including a probable State Department ban on tourism to countries we're at war with (again, more research needed), I doubt I will actually be going to Afghanistan. But in the remote case I do go, does anyone know places to swim over there?
If I am to be the first "journalist" beheaded during the Global War on Terror, not for investigating this, to be sure, but while reporting on muscle gyms, I would like to at least be able to get some final relaxing laps in before losing my head.
PS if anyone is interested in coming along as a personal masseuse on this junket, let me know your measurements for the prerequisite burka (I think Amanda Beard might model these on the Speedo web site, but I'm not sure.) I'm thinking a good neck rub might serve to relax the cervical muscles, eliminating any knots that might otherwise impede the scimitar's progress, making my moment of dispatch as speedy and pleasant as possible
In this way, I--and not my demented editor--will get the last, albeit very short-lived, laugh!
If it's all the same, can you take your political opinions to a more suitable forum.
Hey, what about your political opinions? I just read that they are now going to regulate TFs in DC restaurants too.
Exactly, Kirk. That was the word I was refering to.
What's that? Breaststroke? I agree. That is a bad word :)
Here, Here! The most profund and important point in this whole thread!
"Just say no breastroke"!!
Hey, what about your political opinions?
I think we all have done a nice job of being more aware of this being a swim forum and the forum is vastly improved. I have apologized time and again my role in it's demise, including the TF discussion from a few months back. I'm happy to continue to discuss my past poor behavior or move forward with the new and improved forum.
Take that, SMITHS!
If you really want to know what Afghanistan is like, read "The Places in Between" by Rory Stewart. He is a Scottish journalist who walked across the country after the fall of the Taliban. He did not mention any pools.
Actually, the genesis of that picture is a long standing joke on this forum about the "hillbilly" nature of North Carolinians. We don't have dictionaries in NC either so I can't look up geek. You are the stud so I defer to you.
Geek: a carnival performer who performs sensationally morbid or disgusting acts, as biting off the head of a live chicken.
I know what it meant but I just copied a nice concise wording. So I couldn't be blamed for what it says.
If the cap fits...
"I decapitated with my blessed right hand the head of the American Jew, Daniel Pearl, in the city of Karachi, Pakistan," Mohammed told a U.S. military panel Saturday. "For those who would like to confirm, there are pictures of me on the Internet holding his head."
I wasn't being argumentative. As a fellow "American Jew," I just find jokes about beheadings particularly offensive these days.
I'm not pointing my finger at anybody in particular here (b/c otherwise that would make me a major hypocrite)....but just a reminder:
Jim Majystek made it clear after the last thread closing that if you find a posting offensive, then report it to the mods or PM the person about it....BUT do not respond to it on the public forum. I personally think this is a good idea b/c it avoids forum fighting. Everyone seemed to be getting along pretty well for almost a month or so before this minor bump in the road. There is still time to just leave it alone before it escalates.
Also IMO I believe there is a difference between disagreeing with a person's comments and tactifullly pointing that out (and why) in a public response verses a non-tactiful comment that expresses disagreement. Admittedly though there can be a fine line between these two approaches...and it is subject to personal interpretation. So, if things start to spiral out of control...maybe thats a sign to leave the debate alone and post about something else....Just a thought only (so please don't take offense).
Newmastersswimmer