Dara Torres-Amazing

You are now learning if you say anything from a conservative slant, you are tarred and feathered as someone who is not educated or stuck in the dark ages. Typical liberal ways of disagreeing. Welcome to the USMS forums. Um, I believe Elise used the words "dark ages" and I simply agreed! :) ("I will admit I'm stuck in the dark ages.") And even us liberals bake cookies.

Which is exactly why more women need to speak up about these expectations being outrageous! This is not "liberals bashing conservatives" as much as it is women not complying with outdated societal expectations. Thank goodness women don't have to sit on the sidelines while all the boys play all the sports because sports are not ladylike! There was a time when most "conservatives" thought that was the way things should be. Being pro-women isn't necessarily a "liberal" point of view, is it? O.k. I've enjoyed being on this forum too much that I am going to be late for the meet. I'm pro-woman but I would say I'm conservative. I may just celebrate different things in a woman than some liberals might. I come from the Dr. Laura school-of- thought. I don't think she is in the dark ages, but she scolds women about not focusing enough on their families. Women do have a choice now and whatever they chose should be o.k. I do wonder what Dr. Laura thinks about what Dara is doing.

Sorry, society still has these expectations I mention. They are not mine, but society's. Which is exactly why more women need to speak up about these expectations being outrageous! This is not "liberals bashing conservatives" as much as it is women not complying with outdated societal expectations. Thank goodness women don't have to sit on the sidelines while all the boys play all the sports because sports are not ladylike! There was a time when most "conservatives" thought that was the way things should be. Being pro-women isn't necessarily a "liberal" point of view, is it?

You are now learning if you say anything from a conservative slant, you are tarred and feathered as someone who is not educated or stuck in the dark ages. Typical liberal ways of disagreeing. Welcome to the USMS forums. What a Liberal with all that whining! Smiths - hand over some hankies to Perry, he's bubbling up, people are mean to him!

I do see your point and it is quite valid, and appreciated. Thanks. I have only boys in my house so, though it's also good for them to see strong women (even unconventional ones), they probably aren't getting as much inspiration from any of the women athletes. Who knows, maybe they'll end up being comfortable around strong and athletic women as they get older. That would be a good thing...

Sorry, I really can't buy this at all. What makes her a role model - that she can train hard and dream? This is her job and it's a really cool sweet job we'd all love to have but that's really about it. I don't get the role model/hero status that people are heaping upon her. Everyone out there at trials has an impressive story, they just don't get the press and drag their kids on the podium. If you set aside the PED discussion I will gladly grant she is inspirational or motivational but is she someone you want to emulate, up to you I guess. I happen to be familiar with the mother of one of our Olympians. What she has done for the local swimmers and her family to support Olympic dreams is much more worthy of praise. When you see hundreds of people come up to her to thank and congratulate her, well that is much more of what a role model should be. Agree 100%. We don't have enough of that now! We don't hear enough about it. We have too many people making statements like this one, "I wasn't some Tammy Wynette Stand-by-Your-Man woman. I didn't just stay home and bake cookies." Proud to be a cookie-baker and a "Stand by Your Man" kind of woman!

I'm not saying Dara should be considered "Good Citizen of the Year" but her achievements might help more women believe in themselves a little more. I definitely agree with you and it's a great point. There are many fine women athletes for my daughters to choose from today, representing superb progress. If you have young girls in your house you might find she is irrelevant. I would hazard a guess that most girls under 15 have never known anything other than significant athletic opportunities. My girls found Hoff, Coughlin and Hardy much more interesting and appealing from a female motivational perspective. Torres to them was a side show, of sorts. A 41 year old mother who is in great shape is nothing new in our house but a cute college educated or high school swimmer is easier to relate to. I do see your point and it is quite valid, and appreciated.

Sorry, I really can't buy this at all. What makes her a role model - that she can train hard and dream? I get what you're saying but would counter that it's still relatively new (as in this has all come about in the last 30 years or so) that women can be freely athletic. I have quite a few women friends who never played any sports. They don't have any idea what the human body is capable of. They see themselves as victims of their bodies as opposed to the one in control. I think sports, and women sports role-models are especially important for young girls. To see that women can be successful athletically is hugely inspiring. I'm not saying Dara should be considered "Good Citizen of the Year" but her achievements might help more women believe in themselves a little more.

I found pictures from back in 2001 where she is standing next to Gabby Reece and Tommy Lasorda....makes them both look pretty puny as far as the guns go......I just don't see this drastic transformation y'all are talking about. I never really thought of Tommy Lasorda as having guns. Jowls, yes. But not guns. :)

No, we're not all listing our accolades and state titles. I'm sure some could even use a bit more cockiness. I won't throw an egg. You can live in the dark ages if you choose. Just don't chastise the rest of us for not embracing the stepford wife model. . LOL. My thoughts exactly. Thank Zeus that women don't all have to fit into the same robotic model as "the good old days". I think I could have used a good shot of that cockiness when I was younger. Humility is nice but feeling like you are as great as anyone else is a better prescription for success.