posted on April 27, 2001 09:05:51 PM
Dale Earnhart died about 2 months ago.<p>
What I remember about his death, at least vis-a vis AW is the response of many of the posters here. " What did he do? He didn't cure any disease " or " what's so special about car racing anyway? I think it's just a waste of fuel and causes lots of pollution".<p>
These comments and many others in the same vein came from some of the posters here, directed at a sad time to those who admired and in some cases truly loved the man. Their Hero had died but many of the self appointed intellectual nobility here decided it was a good time to point out to the less enlightened and socially proper the folly of their admirations, both the individuals and their choice of sport.<p>
Isn't it odd that I, a person who at one point started a firestorm here with a series of venomous posts( which I was suspended for, apologized for privately to their principal target and will NOT discuss further) finds this behavior obnoxious? Not really. The targets of my posts were alive and quite capable of responding on their own behalf, not dulled by the great sadness that those fans of Dale Earnhart felt at the time of his death.<p>
In the future let's see if even those who KNOW they're SO much brighter than the rest of us can keep their criticisms to themselves until those who are hurting have had some time. Keep in mind that YOUR Heroes are not above reproach and attack - be it the Pope or a pissant, noone is without fault, noone is above ridicule. <p>
Let me close by saying that I am NOT a major NASCAR fan and while I was saddened by Earnhart's death I was not shattered. he was a terrific driver and sportsman, as great in his field as a Mark McGwire, a Michael Jordan or Tiger Woods in theirs. The fact that he "sported" with machines rather than sticks and balls does not change that one bit.<p>
posted on April 27, 2001 11:02:42 PM
Still have that knack for venomous posts, eh?
I didn't notice much of what you say happened here, but even if it did and is not just your einterpretation of what others posted, so what?
If you can come here and voice your opinion as you have, do you want to deny that same priviledge to others?
Earnhart died as he lived, probably in the manner that he would have chosen if he could. I don't find tragedy in that.
Most of the objection that I did see in boards (not this one) was to the great attention paid to him at the same time that 24 U.S. Marines died in an accident with only a passing notice anywhere except at their homes, by members of their families.
posted on April 27, 2001 11:19:01 PM
Just an observation. It seems to me that anyone who took umbrage at posts which were disrespectful toward Mr. Earnhart, his mourners, or their feelings, is capable of expressing their feelings themselves. To do so on their behalf, months later, unbidden... well, it seems like something which a member of some self-appointed intellectual nobility might undertake.
-gaffan-
What is the point of this thread, other than
self promotion. Are you trying to promote yourself as a former venomous poster who started a firestorm here?
Or, Are you telling us that with your newfound sense of decency that we should remember to respect the dead equally irrespective of their accomplishments or status?
After all,Dale Earnhardt died months ago and you point out that you were not even a fan of the sport. He was a race car driver and he
died enjoying his sport.
posted on April 28, 2001 03:03:48 PM
I'm going to have to go with krs on this one. And don't go thinkin THAT doesn't give me reason to re-examine my life!
posted on April 28, 2001 05:01:16 PM
Welcome back to AW, Waca. It's been a long, long time.
In the thread you refer to, I was certainly surprised by the response of those who shared their strong feelings/opinions against the sport of racing and about Dale's death.
Since our family has always loved and enjoyed the sport of racing I guess my biggest eye opener was that other's see the sport so differently.
But...to each his/her own.
posted on April 28, 2001 08:02:01 PM
You can feel sad about anyone you want.
Plenty of people will never stop grieving about Elvis for what he added to their lives.
We all have different gods and different heros.
Perhaps the ones complaining felt proselytized.
