tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7743530438680774250.post1560676958923149791..comments2023-11-02T05:04:59.172-04:00Comments on Third Base Politics: How a Swim Meet Provides an Insight into CapitalismNick (aka Bytor)http://www.blogger.com/profile/15826772166599084105noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7743530438680774250.post-4817790982667662802011-07-05T17:29:50.744-04:002011-07-05T17:29:50.744-04:00@Duke - if you read my comment you'll see that...@Duke - if you read my comment you'll see that I wrote, "if you were born white/suburban/middle class AND work hard you will be greeted with success..." (capitalization added in this post).I never claimed that sucessful folks didn't have to work hard. You made that assumption based on the fact that you perceived me to be liberal and, thus, some sort of class-ist. <br /><br />As someone who grew up in rural Ohio, I actually did learn many values by playing football, basketball, baseball, and track. I found the swim team analogy somewhat unrelateable (as I would have if the author would have chosen lacrosse, sailing, or ice hockey) and wanted to pose the question. Perhaps I was a bit sensational in the wording of my questions but I thought it would open up the board to further conversation. Instead I was insulted. Well done, team. <br /><br />Anyhow, would any of you argue that hard work is the only variable that decides sucess?<br /><br />*Side note: I spent a great deal of time in the swimming pool (definitely not 'working hard') this holiday weekend and loved every minute of it. Happy belated Independence Day to you all. While I don't appreciate your approach, I do appreciate your civic engagement.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7743530438680774250.post-70710295452885266802011-07-02T02:24:48.740-04:002011-07-02T02:24:48.740-04:00Im as liberal as it gets, and anons argument is be...Im as liberal as it gets, and anons argument is beyond stupid...Mattnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7743530438680774250.post-40406974198196379272011-07-01T14:03:40.520-04:002011-07-01T14:03:40.520-04:00I may be pointing out the obvious to Anonymous, bu...I may be pointing out the obvious to Anonymous, but the rewards of hard work are not limited to swimming. Inner-City and rural kids can learn the sam lesson from Football, Basketball, Baseball, Track & Field, etc.Dukehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04591777099221221753noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7743530438680774250.post-53865361025291511712011-07-01T13:33:51.671-04:002011-07-01T13:33:51.671-04:00Anonymous, My wife tells me that my philosophy of ...Anonymous, My wife tells me that my philosophy of "People, they're the worst" is wrong. You make me feel better about that philosophy. As if white kids raised in the suburbs don't have to work hard to succeed.Dukehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04591777099221221753noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7743530438680774250.post-34751600488924688482011-07-01T11:59:46.381-04:002011-07-01T11:59:46.381-04:00Do you think it's funny that you used a sport ...<i>Do you think it's funny that you used a sport that is almost never available to inner city and rural Ohio children as an analogy for the strengths of capitalism?</i><br /><br />OH. GOOD. LORD.<br /><br />Only a liberal could turn a personal story of the rewards of hard work into some sort of class warfare attack.<br /><br />Where do these idiots come from?Nick (aka Bytor)https://www.blogger.com/profile/15826772166599084105noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7743530438680774250.post-61876282325350822502011-07-01T11:53:11.065-04:002011-07-01T11:53:11.065-04:00Do you think it's funny that you used a sport ...Do you think it's funny that you used a sport that is almost never available to inner city and rural Ohio children as an analogy for the strengths of capitalism?<br /><br />Is the point you were trying to make that if you were born white/suburban/middle class and work hard you will be greeted with success but if you're not those things you won't even be able to participate?<br /><br />*Side note: Agnes - congrats on reclaiming your life and taking the positive steps necessary to better yourself. Best of luck on your continued journey.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7743530438680774250.post-82982760172048249672011-07-01T11:47:41.821-04:002011-07-01T11:47:41.821-04:00Agnes, thank you for the kind comments.
And I a...Agnes, thank you for the kind comments. <br /><br />And I agree, as a former Medina County resident, the Medina rec center is a beautiful facility. I wish we had something like it in southern Lorain County.Nick (aka Bytor)https://www.blogger.com/profile/15826772166599084105noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7743530438680774250.post-5778992553707812772011-07-01T11:22:18.999-04:002011-07-01T11:22:18.999-04:00Congrats Agnes. Keep swimming. The rest of your li...Congrats Agnes. Keep swimming. The rest of your life starts today!Dukehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04591777099221221753noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7743530438680774250.post-43900656696858005912011-07-01T08:48:49.147-04:002011-07-01T08:48:49.147-04:00When we moved to Medina almost two years ago, I wa...When we moved to Medina almost two years ago, I was thrilled that the city had an indoor pool. I was morbidly obese and had begun swimming in the pool at our hotel, and what a difference that made! We joined the rec center 18 months ago- since then I have been using the pool on average three times a week and undergone a gastric bypass this past March. Last year, I had caught the attention of several life guards due to my length of time and my workouts in the pool. They suggested that I join the US Masters team, which I did. Both coaches told me that I had the worst form that either had ever seen- Today, a year later, I am 80 lbs lighter and still swimming. My technique has improved and I have found an exercise that I have stuck with for more than a month! While I had only told one coach and another swimmer of my upcoming surgery, upon my return to the pool for my individual "training" and then for the weekly Masters practice, everyone knew about the surgery and were enthusiastic about what I had done. (which was nothing except almost eat myself to death) One coach asks, at the top of his lungs, how much I have lost and how much I still have to go. I have received nothing but support from the lifeguards and my team mates and coaches. The responses were nothing like I had experienced while running track in high school. (I just wish the Masters magazine had kept out of the so called "gay" marriage debate)<br /><br />Moving to Ohio saved my life and this blog has been a God send- thanks for the work that you do- This blog helped turn Ohio back to red!Agnes B. Bullockhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13012659654328281150noreply@blogger.com