Dara Torres-Amazing

How about changing that line from 'giving up thier career' to 'changing career tracks'. The only thing someone 'gives up' when deciding to become a full time caregiver, is a paycheck. Plus let's ditch the 'stay at home' portion here, my wife is almost never home between swimming practice, soccer practice, doctor's appointment, music lessons, after school activities, etc. Excellent point! You put it much better than I did. It is nice that people are giving up more money to focus on family. Some folks have made the point that Dara is doing the comeback thing for money. I don't think so.

I could further digress (I like swimming too) and say something about which I've recently been thinking. I think we are living in the most "kid-centered" society ever. Never before have we obsessed so much about kids. Not that it's all necessarily a bad thing. I'd much rather not have kids out in the fields working from age 3, but I'm also not sure that our current climate doesn't encourage raising kids who are less fit for "real life." I stay at home because that's what my mom did and I like seeing my kids during the day. Would they be ruined in some way if I worked full-time outside the home? I don't necessarily think so. Sometimes I realize that it's almost as easy to be caught up in my own thing while I'm at home (as I sit here writing with the kids watching SpongeBob)... I'm not sure there is one right way to do much of anything. Dr. Laura seems to think there is one formula that everyone should adhere to. I think that's much too rigid. I know this is "drifting" a bit from the thread topic...but it's an interesting track given the hero/role model status being debated here. As I said before its hard to compare yourself to someone who lives such a completely different life...and in a completely different world than most people. Regarding the stay at home part of this...have had some conversations with my young (19), recently married niece about this stuff...here's one of the topics: "Cost of being a stay-at-home mom: $1 million" articles.moneycentral.msn.com/.../CostOfBeingAStayAtHomeMom.aspx

You have a Dara obsession. Wow! Talk about being judgmental. Just trying to stick with the subject. Proud to be an obsessive personality. Didn't somebody point out in an earlier post that these types achieve the most in life? Of course being obsessive about Dara is not going to get anybody anywhere. It is still fun to talk to/with people on this forum about it. We can all thank Dara for this lively discussion!

*Happy Birthday FINA: the international federation was founded a century ago today*

Then came the post accusing USMS of being a Liberal conspiracy that was trying to squash conservative opinions. And with that one post, this thread officially moved from being merely a pathetic spectacle to one of pure comedy gold! I know! And it was Elise herself who said she was "stuck in the dark ages." Meanwhile, Elise and I have something in common. :eek: We're both obsessive. :D (And we have a speedy mutual friend. :) ) Thanks for reminding me, Paul, that I'm mostly wasting away financially while I bake cookies and carpool. How will I afford meet fees?

Let's review: Dara has been accused of the following.... Doping in the 2000 Trials/Olympics. Doping in the 2008 Trials/Olympics. Not actually being very good when she was young. Being a cheater. Being a liar. Being a golddigger. Not being humble enough. Having abs that are too big. Being a bad role model. Being a bad mother. Being a bad wife. Then came the post accusing USMS of being a Liberal conspiracy that was trying to squash conservative opinions. And with that one post, this thread officially moved from being merely a pathetic spectacle to one of pure comedy gold! Bwahahahahaha!! Pure. Comedy. Gold! Keep it up guys...this is awesome.:wine: Sucked you in though didn't it? Even got the legendary Tim Garton to make his first ever post...good friggin stuff!! Contrary to what most people probably think when they dare to venture in here is that the vast majority of us have met and in many cases have become friends (except for Geek, who's only "friend" is his $7000 tricycle)...and this kind of banter...usually...should be taken as good discussions smothered in sarcasm, barbs, baiting and anything/everything else that keeps (most) of us coming back.

Excellent point! You put it much better than I did. It is nice that people are giving up more money to focus on family. This is really insulting and the type of "left-handed" statement my wife has lived with for 10 years now. It implies a lack of family focus by working. Nothing could be further from the truth. It is not either/or. It really really bothers me to read this and if you were to say it to any working mom, you could expect a steely glare in return. In many cases money is the prime reason but for many others a career is also rewarding, with the money being a nice bonus. Oh yeah, swimming is good for you. While I may own a $7K trike, at least I haven't spent that much on size 64 extra husky tech suits like the civil-union Smith couple.

Sucked you in though didn't it? Even got the legendary Tim Garton to make his first ever post...good friggin stuff!! Contrary to what most people probably think when they dare to venture in here is that the vast majority of us have met and in many cases have become friends (except for Geek, who's only "friend" is his $7000 tricycle)...and this kind of banter...usually...should be taken as good discussions smothered in sarcasm, barbs, baiting and anything/everything lese that keeps (most) of us coming back. Yeah, Clydesdale is right, none of this being nice stuff. Does Geek still have the little bell on his tricked out tri bike?

Yeah, Clydesdale is right, none of this being nice stuff. Does Geek still have the little bell on his tricked out tri bike? yeah its pink...and a Kerry/Edwards sticker on the back.

It is nice that people are giving up more money to focus on family. There you go again ... Blech. I think Dara will get a nice chunk of change from her most recent comeback. But she likely has other motivations as well.