It is obviously difficult to have a full understanding of the person pontificating at the other end of the Internet connection in the world of blogs. Too often we know very little about those with whom we agree or disagree. For example, one might not suspect given the passion behind some of Stefan's posts that he's one of the most amiable, unassuming fellows you could run across in a social setting. Certainly some of the commenters who disagree with him, sometimes in not very polite terms, wouldn't think that. So, here's a personal tidbit about me: I'm a huge fan of world-class swimming.
Thus, I'm currently engrossed in keeping close tabs on the World Swimming Championships in Melbourne, Australia. Other aquatic events such as diving kicked off almost a week ago, but the swimming events which interest me most began Sunday. Even casual observers of the 2004 Olympics might remember American stars Natalie Coughlin and Michael Phelps who again highlight the US team. Local natives Tara Kirk and Megan Jendrick (Megan Quann at the time of her gold meld success in the 2000 Olympics) are also competing and have reasonable hopes to medal. Since local papers provide mediocre coverage at best, especially with the seventeen-hour time difference playing havoc with newspaper deadlines, interested readers can find coverage at Swimming World Magazine.
Why swimming? I competed competitively in high school and my first two years at college, before wrecking my knees and serving as assistant coach the last two years at my alma mater. Obviously, passion for the sport has stayed with me.
Of more timely interest, I won a trip for two to the 2005 World Swimming Championships in Montreal through a local media contest that some readers may be familiar with. More on that here once March Madness ends and the contest in question renews its annual rite of passage.
So, there you go, a few factoids about this blogger, so you know I'm not just an angry soul banging on the keyboard, cursing at the screen...most of the time.
Posted by Eric Earling at March 25, 2007 06:45 PM | Email ThisYou're an angry soul banging on the keyboard who likes swimming.
:-)
Posted by: Obi-Wan on March 25, 2007 07:38 PMI appreciate your posts although you are often a little more wordy than necessary. Your posts do not portray a lunitic fringe.
Some on our side (conservative, not necessarily Republican) often error towards the extreme. MOST on the LEFT error to the extreme. They are not convincing, they are only offensive (Very offensive - Think Rosie).
Civility is one thing we must strive for if we wish to influence someone's position. Often that is not easy, because the left comes at you with venom and without a logical argument (Hate Bush, can't tell you why).
The country is out of control. We need to take it back, with civility, but with strength. Bush should, but probably will not, stand up to the Dems, who are out of line in all respects.
Posted by: Dick on March 25, 2007 07:44 PMAs for our Country---
We are in a cultural war.
Too many so-called Conservatives are more concerned with being loved and bound up with this so-called civility obsession....that we are losing the war. I am very disappointed in George Bush. Look at the government spending & debt??!
How can any smaller government Conservative be pleased with that? Also, the fiscal management of the War. Bush wants what amounts to a blank check with little or no internal controls in place to safeguard PUBLIC funds.
The Democrats are worse.
It's a war Eric.
Perhaps attending too many swim meets has dulled your sense of outrage & urgency??
I'm sure you are a nice man.
Who gives a sh*t about that!
and I love to fly Helos.
Posted by: Army Medic/ Vet on March 26, 2007 08:54 AMIt's ironic that in response to a post about amiability, you assign most of the blame to the side you're not on. There are plenty of mean-spirited extremists on both sides. Some rightist extremists shoot abortion doctors and say gays will burn in hell. And some leftist extremists throw rocks at police. There are many more examples; my point is that there are extremists on both sides who deserve our disapproval. And there are even more moderates on both sides; those are the folks who swing elections, and right now most of them are leaning Democratic.
"Often ... the left comes at you with venom and without a logical argument (Hate Bush, can't tell you why)."
To the contrary: Many liberals -- myself included -- can tell you very clearly why we hate Bush, both on a personal and a policy level.
Posted by: Bruce on March 26, 2007 10:02 AMIt used to be the women's branch of the University of Virginia and didn't go co-ed until the late '60's...and is still well over 60% female. It's a great liberal arts college with very selective admissions (especially for out-of-state students), plus its public too so the cost isn't as brutal.
If your son is looking at something in the Division III ranks of NCAA swimming and would like to try a totally different environment from the Pacific NW then I recommend giving it a look.
Posted by: Eric Earling on March 26, 2007 11:29 AMYou are planning to run for office someday and if elected you promise to continue the Mainstream Republican tradition of stabing the party in the back when it hurts the Republicans the most and/or you can get something personal from the betrayal, al la Rodney Tom and Sid Morrison/
Posted by: S on March 27, 2007 12:36 AMThey are really the county clubs types that the Left tries to tar all of us with. The Mainstreamers really lack no moral foundation so often you might see mass murders (Bundy) or Pedophiles (Corrigan) working around them.
And they love to betray the Party. I know Eric will betray the GOP someday just like his heroes Sid Morrison and Rodney Tom did. At the same time that they will themselves betray the party at the drop of a hat, they demand that conservatives stick to party loyalty and just shut up and support them even though they are even more liberal than many Democrats.
Posted by: Eric Sucks on March 27, 2007 12:47 AMHe throws people who are trying to protect our borders in jail.
He talks about the war on terror, but he won't allow the soldiers to do the job in Iraq. He throws them into jail to.
Well, perhaps HE is the one who should be thrown into JAIL.
All conservatives should hate Bush. He is not a conservative. He is a LEFTIST! And he wants no borders between the US and Mexico.
Posted by: Hate Bush on March 27, 2007 12:53 AMNote to "Steve": your constant reference to Bundy always gives you away. That and the subtle "S" instead of "Steve" or "Sue" really confused me for a bit. Really, it did.
Posted by: Eric Earling on March 27, 2007 08:15 PM