Problems With This Website

[Earl]

I remember when SportsGuy92 first started posting in this forum that he said he wanted to understand why some people even had a strong dislike of sports. Now he no longer seems to want to understand us. He now seems to just want to prove us always wrong, as if no one on his side is wrong. He's free in this forum to say whatever he wants, but there is a difference between the two. (Of course, "sports" is actually a vague term. Does this mean just the games themselves, or does it mean certain attitudes and practices associated with the game off the playing field? People don't always specify what they mean by "sports.")

[Ray]

I remember when SportsGuy92 first started posting in this forum that he said he wanted to understand why some people even had a strong dislike of sports. Now he no longer seems to want to understand us. He now seems to just want to prove us always wrong, as if no one on his side is wrong. He's free in this forum to say whatever he wants, but there is a difference between the two. (Of course, "sports" is actually a vague term. Does this mean just the games themselves, or does it mean certain attitudes and practices associated with the game off the playing field? People don't always specify what they mean by "sports.")

Yeah... I think you're right. He and the other sports bores have no interest in understanding us. They just want to change our minds and make us like sports. <shudder>
I don't know why they can't just admit that. Why are they afraid to just come out and say it? Maybe they think they're fooling someone and will lose that element of deception. i dunno.

To me, sports mean... an unwillingness or maybe even a fear of doing anything that the "crowd" doesn't approve of.

It's also a niche that some people have found for themselves --an "acceptable" facade to hide behind.

[Earl]

I want to explain in a little more detail why I was so agitated when I posted last night. As I indicated in my lengthy post yesterday, I did a Google search to find out if there were any websites that expressed the totally wrongheaded view that any boy who has no interest in sports should be suspected of having homosexual tendencies. In other words, some people believe that a lack of interest in sports is a sure sign of what psychologists used to call "latent homosexual tendencies." So, they believe that all boys should be forced to play sports. So, what should be viewed as a form of entertainment and recreation is actually a test of manhood. Good grief! (My Google search indicated that this view is far more widespread than I had previously thought. I had thought that people had become more enlightened over the years, but I was wrong apparently. We can thank the sports culture for this.) These are fighting words to me. I wouldn't feel less angry if someone had spat in my sister's face. As the old Merle Haggard song goes, you're walking on the fighting side of me.

Forcing nonathletic boys to play sports when they're not even interested in them will only result in their humiliation and psychological victimization and possibly even cause them to believe that they really must be gay after all; otherwise, they would like sports and be good at them! We're talking about children, after all! Children, who because of their ignorance and naivety, are particularly vulnerable. The view that participating in sports prevents homosexuality is actually injurious to nonathletic boys, who may be encouraged to rebel against such coercion. It's bad enough that nonathletic boys are frequently picked on by some other boys for not being good at sports. No, that's not enough. Adults should pick on them as well! These people deny the existence of gay athletes. They also deny the fact that there are men who appear to be slightly effeminate but are also totally hetereosexual. (For the record, I am not even slightly effeminate; so, please don't come to any conclusions about me that would be totally false. I'm traditionally masculine in many ways. The reason why I've just stated the observation above has nothing to do with me. It's simply a matter of fact, which I've observed over the years.)

I've been particularly disappointed to learn that Dr. James Dobson of all people, the prominent evangelical leader and child psychologist, believes this injurious nonsense and claims that boys who don't play sports possibly will become homosexuals. I had previously looked up to Dr. Dobson, but now I'm extremely disappointed in him. I thought he was more reasonable than this. It's rather sad that he can't see through this intolerance and recognize the problems that nonathletic boys face in this mindless sports-mad culture of our country.

What is interesting is that these very same people also ignore the fact that some individual "student athletes" bully physically weaker students at their schools or are guilty of other moral deficiencies. What has utterly amazed me is that there have been evangelical college football coaches, such as Tom Osborne of the University of Nebraska, who have ignored shameful (even criminal) conduct of individual players off the playing field because they care more about winning football games than they do about moral standards. Ordinarily, you would not expect people who have strong religious convictions to have such an indulgent attitude; and I speak as a Christian. In the summer of 1970, I watched Joe Namath on the Johnny Carson show announce to the whole world that "Women are only good for sex." (My mother saw Namath on TV at the same time I did. I loved her response. She said, "Why, he's not even good-looking," which, of course, was true.) What is interesting to me is that the same evangelicals who denounce rock stars for their gross immorality will never be heard denoucing individual athletes whose lifestyle is just as bad as that of the rock stars! (I'm speaking of individuals, such as Namath. I'm not making a generalization.) This is because, as so often happens, athletes are given a pass almost every time, regardless of what they do off the playing field.

[SportsGuy92]

I remember when SportsGuy92 first started posting in this forum that he said he wanted to understand why some people even had a strong dislike of sports. Now he no longer seems to want to understand us. He now seems to just want to prove us always wrong, as if no one on his side is wrong. He's free in this forum to say whatever he wants, but there is a difference between the two. (Of course, "sports" is actually a vague term. Does this mean just the games themselves, or does it mean certain attitudes and practices associated with the game off the playing field? People don't always specify what they mean by "sports.")

Earl, I understand why some people don't like sports. They may see them as boring, or think they take up time that could be used for more important things, or dislike their status in pop culture and how liking them is an expected social norm. But a lot of people here make exaggerated or untrue statements about sports that anger me.

[Earl]

I think I understand where you are coming from. You certainly have shown yourself to be considerably more reasonable than most of the critics of this website, and I don't agree with every comment made by people who do support this website. I don't see myself as a sports hater, but as a critic of certain cultural aspects of sports. For the benefit of those who may not understand your point of view, could you please explain to them why some of their comments anger you from a personal standpoint -- not as an athlete, but as an individual who happens to be an athlete (unless this is asking too much). Some people will be more thoughtful about what they say if they know how their comments would make certain individuals feel. At least those who are considerate and open-minded. There is nothing "fem" about this. More than forty years ago when my sister was a college student, several of the hockey players felt free to tell her as a friend that despite the injuries they suffered in games, they felt unappreciated by fellow classmates who referred to them as "dumb jocks," even though they were there to get an education. Even though they were athletes, they got discouraged. Despite the fact that they were physically tough, they clearly had feelings just like everybody else. (And, by the way, my sister was not even a sports fan. She was just sympathetic to anyone who was suffering in some way.) I think part of the problem is that we've had different experiences that have shaped our views and color the way we react towards others with different backgrounds. A lot of people are also hampered by an "Us versus Them" or a "Hurray for our side" attitude. I'm not singling out anyone in particular at this website. I've had to deal with my own prejudice. I don't know if this helps or not.

[Polite24]

I remember when SportsGuy92 first started posting in this forum that he said he wanted to understand why some people even had a strong dislike of sports. Now he no longer seems to want to understand us. He now seems to just want to prove us always wrong, as if no one on his side is wrong. He's free in this forum to say whatever he wants, but there is a difference between the two. (Of course, "sports" is actually a vague term. Does this mean just the games themselves, or does it mean certain attitudes and practices associated with the game off the playing field? People don't always specify what they mean by "sports.")

Earl, I understand why some people don't like sports. They may see them as boring, or think they take up time that could be used for more important things, or dislike their status in pop culture and how liking them is an expected social norm. But a lot of people here make exaggerated or untrue statements about sports that anger me.

Exactly how I feel. It's not that you guys don't like sports.

[Earl]

I remember when SportsGuy92 first started posting in this forum that he said he wanted to understand why some people even had a strong dislike of sports. Now he no longer seems to want to understand us. He now seems to just want to prove us always wrong, as if no one on his side is wrong. He's free in this forum to say whatever he wants, but there is a difference between the two. (Of course, "sports" is actually a vague term. Does this mean just the games themselves, or does it mean certain attitudes and practices associated with the game off the playing field? People don't always specify what they mean by "sports.")

Earl, I understand why some people don't like sports. They may see them as boring, or think they take up time that could be used for more important things, or dislike their status in pop culture and how liking them is an expected social norm. But a lot of people here make exaggerated or untrue statements about sports that anger me.

Exactly how I feel. It's not that you guys don't like sports.

Polite24, I'm sorry. I need clarification regarding your last sentence. Are you saying that we do like sports or that we are confused? I don't understand what you mean. I'm not being disrespectful. I'm just confused.

I need to make a statement here. It is not my place as a moderator to act as a sort of debate referee or judge. This is not my website. I'm just a guest here like everybody else. I cannot impose my personal preferences upon anyone else. I hate to put anyone down who has a right attitude. My silence during an exchange in a thread implies neither agreement nor disagreement with anyone. It is not my place to pronounce judgement every time. I don't believe that those who would be categorized as "sports haters" (a designation I prefer not to apply to myself) in this forum all have exactly the same views, nor should they be expected to have the same views. I think for myself while I respect the views of others. Sergey was right when he said that I'm the man in the middle (with the recognition that I do believe that the concept of this website is a good idea). Again, I don't know if that helps any.

[Earl]

Oops! Never mind. My brain finally started working, and I figured out that what you meant was that what bothers you is not the fact that we don't like sports, and you are not trying to change our minds so that we will like sports. Fair enough. Well, it only took slightly more than 2 1/2 hours for me to figure that out. Again, those of us who are not exactly sports fans do not all have the same views or make the same arguments or claims.

[blackdog4444]

Well to end the insubordinate's [Polite24] outcries of apparent and absent unfair treatment, let's just say that opinions are like assholes: everyone has one. Also, who was the stupid bastard that said we didn't have the right to openly express it to those with a similar opinion?

Looky here, I'm not the one that's gonna go barging into your sorta territory and piss on all your trees now am I? So why exactly should YOU come barging in on us and piss on OUR trees?

Exactly - and you bitch about unfair treatment on here.

[Polite24]

In what way are sports forced down your throat? Because you had to take a gym class in high school? Because there were sports teams in high school? Because it's on like 5 of 200(maybe more) channels? Because there's a 5 minute update on the news? If you choose to you can avoid sports.

The fact that you guys think this is a serious issue is a joke. Never mind all of the real problems in the world, sports being there and us not liking it is a serious issue!

[Ray]

In what way are sports forced down your throat? Because you had to take a gym class in high school? Because there were sports teams in high school? Because it's on like 5 of 200(maybe more) channels? Because there's a 5 minute update on the news? If you choose to you can avoid sports.

That's not true. As stated over and over and over on this website, sports are inescapable. Go open your pantry and look at the food labels. Cartons of coke have basketballs on them, cheez whiz has NASCAR, etc.

Look at the commercials on TV. Trucks are for "tailgating" at football games, potato chips are for "tailgating", IHOP waitresses serve up football tackles, etc, etc --I could look up dozens of current examples but you're not worth the effort. The real members of this forum (the ones whose sole purpose is NOT to argue with every other member) understand.

You can't watch the news (or listen to the radio) without sp0rts coming up every 15 minutes (as if it was something important!)

We have become so indoctrinated that we can barely communicate without using sports metaphors:

--a level playing field, a whole new ball game, keep your eye on the ball, sprint to the finish, take one for the team, that meeting went into extra innings, huddle up, that was a slam dunk, etc, etc, etc

We must listen to and speak sport in order to communicate with our lessers!

Sports ARE inescapable and anyone who isn't a disciple is considered weird. Well.. that's the way it used to be anyway. Now, with the introduction of the internet and the ability of like-minded souls to find each other, things are changing. Ten years ago, there was just a handfull of anti-sports websites and non-sports fans were shunned like lepers. Now when you google I hate sports, there are dozens and dozens of pages of results and a non-interest in anything sports-related has become much more common and acceptable. But even though many of us have been liberated from the oppressive yoke of sports tyrrany, there are many others --still out in the cold --still alone --who need our help.

We continue to receive effusive letters of thanks and gratitude from people who only recently discovered our sanctuary on the web for the first time and regained their self-respect and pride. That's what makes it all worthwhile. We are not focusing on the trival, as you claim. We are a lifeboat and we're saving lives! And we will continue until every lost soul is rescued!

[abitagirl]

In what way are sports forced down your throat? Because you had to take a gym class in high school? Because there were sports teams in high school? Because it's on like 5 of 200(maybe more) channels? Because there's a 5 minute update on the news? If you choose to you can avoid sports.

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! That was funny! Wait, you mean you were being serious?

Well, yesterday the newspaper's front page had the previous days' football game results in GIANT headlines (and that was NOT the sports section, although there were giant headlines there too). Today there were several editorials about the game, along with a stupid editorial cartoon (which basically stated you were normal if you were obsessed with the team, and yes, it was just a cartoon, but still...that seems to be the mentality around here). Even nice little slice-of-life articles in the Living section end up mentioning the damned team. Once recently I wanted to get a weather report, and the upcoming game was mentioned no fewer than three times in the weather segment. Every time I visit relatives, they talk about football, plus there's always a game on at their house. And that is likely to be the case the rest of football season, especially if the damned team keeps winning. Do I get a break after that? Nope...then on to basketball season. We have a professional basketball team too, you know! Yaaaay!

Avoidable? Sure...if I became a hermit and moved to a nice cave.

[Polite24]

None of what you guys mentioned is a serious issue. A big annoyance for you guys? Maybe, but not as serious as you make it out to be,

OH NO THERES A BASKETBALL ON MY COKE WHAT AM I GUNNA DO!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!!1!!?!?!?!?

[Ray]

None of what you guys mentioned is a serious issue. A big annoyance for you guys? Maybe, but not as serious as you make it out to be,

OH NO THERES A BASKETBALL ON MY COKE WHAT AM I GUNNA DO!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!!1!!?!?!?!?

Mockery will get you nowhere. You and your ilk are going down. Whether you like it or not.

[Ray]

In what way are sports forced down your throat? Because you had to take a gym class in high school? Because there were sports teams in high school? Because it's on like 5 of 200(maybe more) channels? Because there's a 5 minute update on the news? If you choose to you can avoid sports.

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! That was funny! Wait, you mean you were being serious?

Well, yesterday the newspaper's front page had the previous days' football game results in GIANT headlines (and that was NOT the sports section, although there were giant headlines there too). Today there were several editorials about the game, along with a stupid editorial cartoon (which basically stated you were normal if you were obsessed with the team, and yes, it was just a cartoon, but still...that seems to be the mentality around here). Even nice little slice-of-life articles in the Living section end up mentioning the damned team. Once recently I wanted to get a weather report, and the upcoming game was mentioned no fewer than three times in the weather segment. Every time I visit relatives, they talk about football, plus there's always a game on at their house. And that is likely to be the case the rest of football season, especially if the damned team keeps winning. Do I get a break after that? Nope...then on to basketball season. We have a professional basketball team too, you know! Yaaaay!

Avoidable? Sure...if I became a hermit and moved to a nice cave.

I hear you --and I'm sure you could come up with lots more examples if you had the patience. Like the slack-jawed convenience store clerk with football earrings who greets every customer with "How 'bout them Hogs". Or the jack-ass who haunts this forum who pushes it in our face every day.