Sore loser

[smilingcat]

I think our culture more than any others are really into hero worshipping. they can do no wrong.

Well it was only a matter of time before he showed his true color. Be it, Tiger Woods, Lance, A-rod, and any number of pro athletes to entertainers...

I have far more respect for those working the soup kitchen, those who tree sit like Julia Butterfly Hill who saved Luna for sometime. (Luna was eventually felled by the logging company BTW) to those working in Ronald McDonald house...Those who quietly toil away without the limelight.

Hero worshipping is sure way of being led astray. They have the credentials for entertainment, sports but they have no more credentials than you or I when it comes to human rights, environmental protection... Even someone like Al Gore with his Nobel prize, I see him only as a spokeperson for all the scientists who toil away in inhospitable fields.

I am not appalled nor do I see it as breaking news.

Smilingcat

[Kalidurga]

Hero worshipping is sure way of being led astray. They have the credentials for entertainment, sports but they have no more credentials than you or I when it comes to human rights, environmental protection... Even someone like Al Gore with his Nobel prize, I see him only as a spokeperson for all the scientists who toil away in inhospitable fields.

I am not appalled nor do I see it as breaking news.

+ a whole lot.

[Maxxxie]

That article elicited a great, big "meh" from me. He's a person who rides a bike. As a person, he has a right to an opinion, and if he wants to express it, fine. So what if it's a negative opinion, or you don't agree with it, or whatever? Are "celebrities" (or anyone else for that matter) only allowed to say what they think if what they think is nice? Yes, let's hold back and only say what's nice. That way, we can live in a world of fake niceness and feel good about it. At least the guy says what he thinks. I respect that.

Max

[Zen]

There is nothing to respect except his ability to ride a bike.
It's not a question of nice/not nice.
In sport, there's a thing called sportsmanship and this type of display is poor sportsmanship.

[Maxxxie]

So your argument is that sportspeople should only express an opinion that is not negative? Sounds like you're trying to rationalise self-censorship.

Cadel Evans is widely regarded as a whinger because he (rightly or wrongly) attributes his lack of wins to team members that didn't support him, mechanics who are incompetent etc etc. Is he also a bad sport? What if it's true that his teammates suck and the mechanics are bad?

How about prize fighters who trash talk each other before a fight? Is that poor sportsmanship? Or does the fact that they hug after the fight make it alright?

I think these guys are as entitled to express their opinions as anyone else. Of course some will disagree with their opinions. Some will think it unseemly (unsportsmanlike). Others will just say "meh". Guess I'm in the third camp

Max

[Zen]

Sure, mike.

[KnottedYet]

My universe is simple: I just want everyone to worship ME and donate to MY charities.

Seriously, kids. If you want to donate to a charity, donate directly to that charity. ("Team Survivor" anyone? How about "Gilda's Club"? All you invincible young'uns will be facing this soon... wake up now ya' little sleeping beauties.) Be grateful to the celebrities who promote your favorite charity, but NEVER LOSE SIGHT of the fact that they worship themselves before the charity. That is their nature, and that is their role. Don't belittle them, but don't worship them either. Be grateful to them, and move on.

[pinkbikes]

So your argument is that sportspeople should only express an opinion that is not negative? Sounds like you're trying to rationalise self-censorship.

Cadel Evans is widely regarded as a whinger because he (rightly or wrongly) attributes his lack of wins to team members that didn't support him, mechanics who are incompetent etc etc. Is he also a bad sport? What if it's true that his teammates suck and the mechanics are bad?

How about prize fighters who trash talk each other before a fight? Is that poor sportsmanship? Or does the fact that they hug after the fight make it alright?

I think these guys are as entitled to express their opinions as anyone else. Of course some will disagree with their opinions. Some will think it unseemly (unsportsmanlike). Others will just say "meh". Guess I'm in the third camp

Max

Yep - I think I'm in that third camp with you. Perhaps it is the national "tell it like it is" ethos. But I must admit I even went a bit further down the list than "meh."

I actually couldn't see anything sore loser-ish, or even trash talking about it. To me it looked like a pretty straight forward response to some questions from a journo. There was no whinge that somebody else got treated better - in fact it really seemed to be a response to the fact that somebody else (perhaps Alberto?) who was doing the whinging that he didn't get the right wheels and that he got dropped...

I actually found very little to be offended by in any of the article other than the comment that LA admired AC as an athlete but it stopped there. And frankly, I've said pretty much the same about plenty of people in my life...ie "great engineer, terrific at their job, but that's where it stops." Or even better.."Really nice fellow, would do anything for you, but not really worth a crumpet as an engineer."

And I make the declaration that I find LA a pretty darned impressive athlete, a walking ego on legs, and a cancer survivor who seems pretty successful at wedding his fame to a charitable cause (whether or not very efficient) that does some good. So I am not really somebody who idolises him, but I don't really knock him either.

Like you said Maxxxie... "Meh!"