As I dropped off the kids this morning at Grandma's (who took me to meets almost EVERY weekend as a kid) I started ranting about the Worlds. She said, "Could you believe he was hitting her?" To which I replied, "Huh?" I was talking about the world records.
She didn't know details, but it made the news that a man was literally hitting a female swimmer, close-fisted. She was trying to defend herself and run away... not too much information, as all she saw was the trailer.
What the heck? Can someone fill me in?
Former Member
Who says?
In this case you are clearly correct. However, if I am getting flogged by a woman I am sure as hell going to defend myself. I am all about respect for women but I am more about respect for myself. Sorry.
If the only way to save your life or prevent severe injury to yourself is to clock a woman, well, OK. But if that is the case, let me gently suggest that you might give some thought as to your relationships. Other than that, even if you do get smacked a bit, so what - walk away. (Or run away. Fast.)
In college and grad school I was a poster child for "Smart Men Who Date Psychotic Women" and I never had to hit anyone. That includes one who was paranoid schizophrenic, another who, during an intimate moment, decided she should resolve her gay/straight issues by raking her nails across my eyes and another who tricked me into a position where I couldn't get away and proceeded to use a heavy boot on my ribs, severely brusing several. (Can you see where my love distance swimming has its origins?) In the latter case, when I finally got away, I exited the house carrying my clothing and got dressed in the middle of the street about 2 blocks away.
But no hitting.
-LBJ
I watched two hours of coverage on Fox tonight without seeing this mentioned. I hope it is not "the" story of the meet.
As Jim Clemmons said, I think this is a case of whack-a-dad. Good reason why dad should not be coach. Dad should not be discussing boyfriends right before a race -- control yourself and take it up later in private. It was pretty inappropriate at that venue in front of a crowd. But she looked pretty adept at whacking to me in that vid. It didn't look like a first time occurence. I don't think anyone needs to get whacked. But if it's the culture, whack in private if you really must, not before a national audience so that you end up on youtube. If you have to whack in public, don't complain about the publicity backlash.
The guy should not be expelled for life for that. I think what Skip Kenney did was worse and more of an abuse of what he considered unquestioned power. This guy apparently freaked out that his daughter was having "boy" issues and she freaked out back. Bad overreaction. Very unfortunate. Hardly newsworthy. Better for US Weekly or some other tabloid.
It's interesting the dad is taking all the heat. What about the swimmer? Was her behavior so great? If my kid did that, she would be tossed from her travel meet faster than I could blink.
Barb:
If some guy actually slapped me hard, I'd be hard pressed not to slap back. That's unacceptable. If I was alone or in danger, I wouldn't think twice about it if it would help the situation. Happened to me once in law school when I was getting out of my car. I launched a well placed kick, heard screaming and ran. No regrets.
LBJ:
I'm glad you gave up the psychotic women and got a cool wife who worries about your dreams of swimming off into the distance ...
If the only way to save your life or prevent severe injury to yourself is to clock a woman, well, OK. But if that is the case, let me gently suggest that you might give some thought as to your relationships. Other than that, even if you do get smacked a bit, so what - walk away. (Or run away. Fast.)
In college and grad school I was a poster child for "Smart Men Who Date Psychotic Women" and I never had to hit anyone. That includes one who was paranoid schizophrenic, another who, during an intimate moment, decided she should resolve her gay/straight issues by raking her nails across my eyes and another who tricked me into a position where I couldn't get away and proceeded to use a heavy boot on my ribs, severely brusing several. (Can you see where my love distance swimming has its origins?) In the latter case, when I finally got away, I exited the house carrying my clothing and got dressed in the middle of the street about 2 blocks away.
But no hitting.
-LBJ
Yikes, you've had some rough relationships! Nothing like that here, that is for sure. Thank God.
I guess I just saw your statement as a little absolute and I wanted to share that I can't make such an absolute statement. If broken bones or wounds that require more than neosporin and a band-aid are possible..well, you have to take some action for your own well being. Hopefully, and most likely, this series of circumstances will never materialize.
I watched two hours of coverage on Fox tonight without seeing this mentioned.
It made the 10 pm news, just saw it. No mention of swim races though and they barely mentioned what meet it was.
It made the 10 pm news, just saw it. No mention of swim races though and they barely mentioned what meet it was.
Blech. This is why I don't bother with the news anymore.
If the only way to save your life or prevent severe injury to yourself is to clock a woman, well, OK. But if that is the case, let me gently suggest that you might give some thought as to your relationships. Other than that, even if you do get smacked a bit, so what - walk away. (Or run away. Fast.)
In college and grad school I was a poster child for "Smart Men Who Date Psychotic Women" and I never had to hit anyone. That includes one who was paranoid schizophrenic, another who, during an intimate moment, decided she should resolve her gay/straight issues by raking her nails across my eyes and another who tricked me into a position where I couldn't get away and proceeded to use a heavy boot on my ribs, severely brusing several. (Can you see where my love distance swimming has its origins?) In the latter case, when I finally got away, I exited the house carrying my clothing and got dressed in the middle of the street about 2 blocks away.
But no hitting.
-LBJ
Leonard. I admire your chivalry, or good sense. I've only ever gotten one "conflict caused" black eye in my life...from a Woman (no Bork, not for what you think). Fuming as I was I told my friends to get their stuff as we were leaving the party...and I was the driver...I was worried about my eye closing.
The only reason, in a situation like the one you described with the booting, that would stop me from knocking her out cold, is that she would get sympathy from the Police, and you a night in the cells at minimum. Other than that she was no longer a woman in my eyes when she assailed you in such a fashion.
However we're now entering a different realm from what was posted. I could not see punches; more like a tussle...and both slapping each oher...who knows what it was about, or what was going on. He should definitely not coach his daughter though. It was a family issue, and I know first hand that some eastern European families can get fired up quick.
Good call about being off topic SwimStud. My fault and I do apologize.
Regarding the original topic, I don't know how illegal any of it was but without question it was entirely inappropriate. At home or on a pool deck.
Good call about being off topic SwimStud. My fault and I do apologize.
Regarding the original topic, I don't know how illegal any of it was but without question it was entirely inappropriate. At home or on a pool deck.
Definitely not at a meet. At home...depends on the rules of the house. If she lives there she should do as he says etc. I just think that a family issue has now become a big media story and the man will get perhaps more punishment than fits the "crime" because of the focus. He my just have been trying to get his kid to do as she was told, and it got out of hand.
I don't know how true it is but CNN is reporting that the altercation was over her dating someone her dad didn't like. And she had just gotten out of the pool and had won (her heat I'm assuming).
Alison
Aw jeez. Now that would be truly ridiculous.
