tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7745081.post2399608804008504542..comments2023-10-25T12:01:08.734-04:00Comments on A Political Season: The Agony of Defeat.....Political Seasonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09609253738367441591noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7745081.post-54008339749235138312008-08-21T15:28:00.000-04:002008-08-21T15:28:00.000-04:00Aaron + Alaine, thanks for the response. You do h...Aaron + Alaine, thanks for the response. You do have a point concerning Doug. Here is a link from the USA today blog, expressing a similar sentiment as myself concerning IOC Rogge's comments concerning Usain Bolt. http://blogs.usatoday.com/gameon/2008/08/did-rogges-comm.html<BR/><BR/>Funny Rogge never mentioned Lin Dan's performance after winning the gold medal in badminton! He rolled on the floor, took off his shoes, threw them into the stand, threw his racket into the stand, took off his shirt and did the same. I could be a bit sensitive, but hey I that happens sometimes... :-)Amentahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13876681992868014576noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7745081.post-91302285871717814642008-08-20T22:41:00.000-04:002008-08-20T22:41:00.000-04:00An additional thought as far as Long Island Realto...An additional thought as far as Long Island Realtor was concerned, I didn't find anything to argue about with his comment. When Richards came off the track in her initial interview, my first reaction to the hamstring story was a bit of disbelief. I'm not sympathetic to that kind of stuff and as a former athlete, there is no shame in getting beat. On the replay, I think I could detect a moment when something seems to have happened, when she seemed to react to something. She described that last homestretch as having been all over the lane and I'm not sure I saw that either. But, like Doug I gave her the benefit of the doubt since she has had major physical issues last season. But I have to say that I had the same reaction to that initially as Long Island Realtor. <BR/><BR/>And yeah, that was a big honking rock on her finger.Political Seasonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09609253738367441591noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7745081.post-8231546283265680892008-08-20T22:35:00.000-04:002008-08-20T22:35:00.000-04:00@Ensayn, I understand your reaction. Doug's though...@Ensayn, <BR/><BR/>I understand your reaction. Doug's thought was slightly awkward in its phrasing and reading it, I think you have to decide whether you want to read it as a subtle but prejudice fueled backhanded slam, or if you want to give it the benefit of the doubt. I decided to give it the benefit of the doubt because Doug appears to be a thoughtful person of goodwill, but I can say honestly that I had an initial reaction similar to yours.Political Seasonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09609253738367441591noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7745081.post-72467825275052006242008-08-20T20:15:00.000-04:002008-08-20T20:15:00.000-04:00Thats a darn shame that happened to her. I bet she...Thats a darn shame that happened to her. I bet she will never forget what happened. Imagine training your whole life for that and that happens.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7745081.post-39036966086239087362008-08-20T18:24:00.000-04:002008-08-20T18:24:00.000-04:00I didn't see either race. My Mom saw them and sha...I didn't see either race. My Mom saw them and shared similiar observations with me this morning. I'm going to share link to this post for her to read directly.<BR/><BR/>I'm glad to see that these two sisters showed great 'home training' in their public comments.<BR/><BR/>peace, VillagerAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05001965827509309490noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7745081.post-89274953707814538652008-08-20T17:10:00.000-04:002008-08-20T17:10:00.000-04:00Aaron + Alaine, I really appreciate your response ...Aaron + Alaine, I really appreciate your response to Doug. However, in both comments by Doug and Long Island Realtor I smell a hint of something else they don't seem to have the will and strength to say directly. This is the very brick that's thrown that smacks of a back handed racial insult covered in the veil of sports bias and not racial bias. "Seemed to be a totally different culture for runners versus swimmers." Really? Really? Why didn't Doug just say "Seemed to be a totally different culture for people with heavier melanin versus those of lesser melanin." Then maybe we could have a serious, heart to heart to open a door of overstanding concerning the different reactions to wins or losses by those with more melanin than others.Amentahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13876681992868014576noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7745081.post-5807585241347201802008-08-20T16:22:00.000-04:002008-08-20T16:22:00.000-04:00Man Did you see when the race ended and she blamme...Man Did you see when the race ended and she blammed a cramp. I didnt see her stretch once. But she doesn't need to be fast with a ROCK like that on her hand! Jesus did you see that thing. It was HUGEAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7745081.post-56916890684848373862008-08-20T10:18:00.000-04:002008-08-20T10:18:00.000-04:00Welcome Doug, always excited to see a fellow blogg...Welcome Doug, always excited to see a fellow blogger stop in. I think your observation is generally true with some notable exceptions such as Phelps and company winning that relay following Lezak's stunning come from behind finish, when they literally roared with triumph. As a former runner, I can attest to the different culture of competition, particularly in the 100m thru 400m races. In highschool I recall in highschoo, those runners, especially on the men's side in the states often come from the ranks of football players and their is a lot of bravado, intense rivalries at times, and showmanship. Bolt of Jamaica nearly epitomizes that, with his effortless victories and victorious machismo. As long as people heads don't just explode with ego, its usually fun and adds some excitement. <BR/><BR/>I think the other element in play for Jones and Richards was that they were favorites, victory WAS literally in their hands and then they lost it AND this may have been their last opportunity. Richards had battled back from a debilitating illness last year, and the odds are against Jones returning as a contender in London in 2012. So in both cases, their Olympic shot may have been a one time opportunity, never to be regained. All of that played out in front of millions. If I ever experience such a bitter defeat in that fashion, I hope I manage to hold it together as well as they.Political Seasonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09609253738367441591noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7745081.post-15155658409911576382008-08-20T07:12:00.000-04:002008-08-20T07:12:00.000-04:00Seemed to be a totally different culture for runne...Seemed to be a totally different culture for runners versus swimmers. The swimmers didn't act out their disappointment at losing that much and their joy at winning was more subdued as well. At least based on the few races I watched last night and the several swims I watched last week.Doughttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11424730556609713021noreply@blogger.com