Re: [Cal_Boats] Americas Cup Coming to San Francisco

Chris, I couldn't agree more! Plus, I have to consider it very questionable when an "American" boat is sponsored by a German Auto maker (BMW). I had to laugh when I read in SOUNDINGS Trade Only about how the America's Cup is "coming home"........ funny, I didn't think that the Golden Gate Yacht Club was in England, and truthfully the "Auld Mug" originated in Britain, not the USA. Rod Johnson, "SUNBIRD" On Tue, 16 Feb 2010 14:38:00 -0500 Chris Campbell <cl… [at] charterinternet.com> writes: Gerald Sobel wrote: It doesn't bother me that these machines don't look anything like classic yachts. Classic yachts don't do twenty knots going upwind in a seven knot breeze. Yes, and I think it is money well spent. How much does an F-22 fighter cost, and what is it's purpose? Unfortunately, no mater how fast the boats are going, it is very boring to watch, I'm catching up on e-mail here and don't know if anybody has expressed similar sentiments, but here goes. It's OK for Cup races to use sophisticated vessels; there's a long history of seeking skillful naval architects to create boats that outperform the competition. It's kind of cool that innovation can occur, at least as long as they don't become so innovative that they break in half from wind and waves which are, at least traditionally, the stuff of sailing. My gripe focuses on two things. First, the loss of national identity. The crews seems to be all hired guns or mercenaries. They're not "our guys." Second, all the commercial crap--the signs on the boats and sails, the mandatory uniforms with more logos on them. This is a sort of national disease that has attacked us. All our buildings, stadiums, and other facilities have some corporate name plastered on them. Maybe we're supposed to develop a corporate loyalty--"my large corporation is better than your large corporation." It just doesn't work for me. I lack much interest in professional sports for about the same reason, except that at least football and basketball players don't have 8 different logos stuck on them (it's pretty much limited to the clothing and footwear labels). Chris Campbell Banking Click here to find the perfect banking opportunity! http://thirdpartyoffers.juno.com/TGL2141/c?cp=zbXWzXRQVaXThLKxqDK-KAAAJ1CIixW8vmHn6WPZlsvVErEuAAYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAADNAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAXeAAAAAA=