All it took was a couple people and some moderators to turn the USMS message boards into a cauldron of "Pool-itics"

I rarely go onto the USMS message boards because I am not wanted - I once asked an USMS official, Michael Heather, if he had ever ran a swim club before? If the answer was no, then what were his qualifications to be giving a swim coach a particular constructive criticism?

BLAM - My comment deleted! My rejection went something like this:

I’m not sure who gave you the impression that your post was offensive. I deleted it because I believed it violated forum rules. For example “Debates are fine, but argue the point, not the person.” Also, in my opinion (which was not shared by some other moderators) the question of Mike’s coaching experience was off-topic and had nothing to do with the question posed by the thread.

"Moderator"

Well that shows me, huh? I wish I could post the thread but the whole thread was deleted probably after I threatened to post the whole thread to the blog. When somebody offers a criticism or advice, who knew it was an off topic to question their qualifications?

But get this, If I had said any remark that was anti-gay; which is something I would never, ever, do, not only would it have been published but the USMS would have put it in print!

Yes, I kid you not. Square World, an awesome blog has the details:

From Square World:

It's been a few days since the U.S. Masters Swimming homophobia scandal broke, after members of the organization learned about a homophobic letter published in the January/February issue of SWIMMER Magazine. U.S. Masters Swimming issued an apology for the letter, but it still hasn't offered an explanation for editor Laura Hamel's serious error in judgement.

So, I have to ask: "Why, Laura?"

[Link]

Follow Square World for USMS "poolitics."