WEAK

Everybody by now knows what Scuttlebutt is. And as a source of information about things you may or may not care about in this sport, it does what it says it does. What it doesn’t do, however is offer anything other than what its ‘creator’, Tom Leweck, wants. In other words, if you dare to write in with anything that he doesn’t agree with, he won’t print it. He appears to be queerly afraid of the opposing view or, god forbid, controversy. And of course if he doesn’t like you, forget it.

 A case in point: Before the most recent Olympics, I had read an article that described how Kimo Worthington had been airlifted, via helicopter, off of Bob Garvey’s N/M 49 “Bullseye” in the middle of a regatta in ‘Frisco, so that Kimo could make an afternoon flight to Sydney in order to ‘coach’ the US Finn representative Russ Syvestri. Given Sylvestri’s marginal results, I wrote to Scuttlebutt wondering who was paying for the airlift. Frankly it seemed ridiculous and completely unnecessary and I certainly hoped that US Sailing wasn’t footing the bill. Of course Leweck didn’t print it. Why? Who knows other than he’s buddies with Kimo and not with me. Here’s where my point lies: It wasn’t more than a couple days later that Paul Henderson, President of the ISAF, had an article published in Scuttlebutt questioning the need for so many coaches to be on the water in Sydney.  I believe he went on to cast doubt on their worth, cost, etc. Now, if I’m Leweck, I see a story developing here, and one that could bring up some interesting consideration and questions.  But he of course ignores my valid question, and in so doing uses his own bias and prejudice (against me) to do a disservice to his readers. It’s certainly his prerogative to be so close minded, but that doesn’t mean that it sucks any less.

 Based on not only this one example but many others that we know about (and how many others must there be that we don’t know about?), we thought Scuttlebutt was already lacking nuts in that department, but we were wrong. Turns out that not only are there no testicles, there may indeed be a sex-change taking place. Here is what Leweck printed in the May 5, 2001 issue:

 “But there's another problem that may not be as easily repaired. It's the increased negativity I'm seeing in our letters section.

Personally, sailboat racing is something I do for enjoyment. It's my hobby - my recreation. Lord knows there are improvements that can be made, and should be made to this game, but it's hard for me to believe that incessant bashing will help to make those improvements. In the past, I've pretty much allowed the letters section to become an open forum with few guidelines. That's not going to happen anymore. While I will always make room for personal viewpoints and constructive criticism, those who have nothing positive to offer will have to find another forum because they will not see their letters published here.

I started this newsletter as a hobby - as a way to help my sailing friends gain more enjoyment from the sport. Scuttlebutt is going back to its roots”. - The Curmudgeon

 Roots?  What the hell does that mean? Does that mean even more censorship? Even more screw-tightening of free thought and expression? Does that mean ignoring issues that Leweck finds objectionable?  Does that mean if you’re not in Leweck’s circle, you won’t be heard?  Not very enlightened, we’d say. In fact, the last time we heard anybody talking about roots, it was about a black man in chains. A fitting metaphor for Leweck’s new editorial ‘policy’, wouldn’t you say?

Well, here’s what we say: Bullshit on that. This is a sport that for far too long has been a close door, good ‘ol boys club, where nobody talks about the shit that goes on behind the Sailing World headlines. Where salaries, bad behavior, cheating and the like are not only not talked about, they are hidden in a closet like the retarded child you don’t want your neighbors to see. Enough of the ass kissing hero-worship in this sport. When the truly good guys in the game do the good things that they are known for, give ‘em the recognition. But just as equally, when the myriad of dickheads (and dick-less heads if you’re a skirt – and don’t think there aren’t a couple that have it coming)  pull their punk moves, somebody must call them on it.

 Since apparently nobody has the stones to do so, we will. Stay tuned.