Yesterday they ran a big article on the sheiks' rise to prominance in American racing. This article opened on page A1 before continuing in the sports section.

--Dunbar

So Beyer makes a not so thinly veiled reference to the Maktoums as foolish and vulgar. Foolish? OK, maybe. But how/why is he compelled to refer to them as vulgar?

They can do what they want with their horses.

Sangster/Mangier/OBrien did the same thing in the 70's when they bought everything remotely tied to Northern Dancer. They'd race their horses until they won a classic or other important Group I then retire them to breed.

Sound familiar?

If Gates or Buffett suddenly decided to put a billion dollars into the American breeding industry, they'd be called a lot of things.... Sporting, Foolish, Yep. Stupid. Sure, though quietly I'd guess. Vulgar? Nah, save that, as does Beyer and countless others, for the Arabs.

Shame on Beyer. He should be an effective enough journalist by now to get his point across without referring to the Maktums as vulgar.

May I suggest looking up " vulgar " in the dictionary. One use of the word suggests pretentious or, more aptly, ostentatious. Because you have a limited understanding of the meaning of the word does not give you the right to make your usual accusations.

Believe it or not, everything isn't couched with racism.

Again, you must be right, as usual. Should know that by now, you make a point of telling us often enough and everyone else is just (fill in your favorite adjective/pronoun).... Really, not everyone other than yourself is as naive, limited, or (again, fill in as you wish, but of course some mental capacity reference is always fun!!) as you'd like to think.

You profess so much and yet resort to this same trash anytime anyone takes a view any different than any you care to see.

So, perhaps we won't be having any holiday dinners together. I'll get over it.

And, PLEEEEZE, don't bother trotting out your Racing/Pick6/Zito/Beyer/NYRA/Respected Handicapper/Dictionary Expert (new!!) Cirriculum Vitae!! it's not necessary. We all surely know it very well now.

Take it in the spirit offered.

So, your defense of accusing someone of racism because, in this case, you don't know the true meaning of a word is to....what....trash me?

That makes sense and dramatically increases your credibility.

Nice try.

Please, I'm not trying anything. Really, now. But, nice try.

The vulgar reference is lousy writing, no matter who's friendly with the guy . By the way, just which of the listed definitions of the word would you think he was going for (of course, that assume you can read his mind as well as mine which, of course, we have no reason to doubt)?

You are trying something. Instead of seeing at least the possibility that you misunderstood his use of the word " vulgar " you just trashed me.

You most certainly are trying something. Don't think you can post what you did and then play the injured party.

You don't like the article, or his writing, fine...but the constant unfounded accusations of racism are tiresome....at best.

on second thought, F it. The last time we did this, I moved it to PM and, despite you saying you would, you never got back to me. So what's the point?

Man, you are some special kind of something. My first post wasn't even a response to anything you wrote. Was it? But I suppose defending your friends vigorously without exception is an admirable quality.

So, people can't respond to posts unless they are specifically directed towards them? Good to know.

As for why I didn't respond further with another PM, I ended up covering everything that seemed necessary, and didn't see that another PM was necessary. Had I known you were waiting for another I most certainly would have sent one. My apologies.

Why does everything have to turn into a racisim deal? I didn't see Beyer as using the term "vulgar" in that kind of manner. :confused:

Well, you took offense to my opinion on his article and characterized it as me trashing on you. So be it.

As for the PM, whatever... I'll do my best to have a decent evening and I hope you'll also enjoy yours. Must go on some how.

If I had Crist's and Beyer's emails handy, I'd shoot them a note. It's on my to do list for tomorrow.

I'm a victim too!!!

*cries*

I merely suggested that because you didn't understand the word " vulgar " in Beyer's usage of it, as did another poster may I add, that you were being unfair in making accusations of racism. It seems I am not the only one who feels that way. You are not the only one to disagree with some of Beyer's comments and the other posts were not criticized for their opinions. In your case it seemed you misinterpreted his verbeage and that was specifically what I was pointing out.

And, furthermore, you did trash ME in a following post. That's a fact. This was your response to my suggestion that you should look up the definition of the word " vulgar ".

I'm sure they are looking forward to your e-mails. I have already shared your thoughts with Beyer if that makes you feel better. I wouldn't want you to think your voice went unheard.

I to hope you enjoy your evening...and all your days and evenings as well.

I feel much better now. I did send Beyer an email at the Wash Post. I'll be certain to share with you that he has responded, when he does.

Still waiting for whch definition of vulgar you thought was appropriate to be used there. Take your time....

I gave you the definition in my first response....as did another poster.

I am also curious as to why you believe Beyer should or will respond to your e-mail. Is he, or any writer, under some sort of obligation?

I agree with much of what Andrew Beyer is saying, but I think he is stereotyping the United Arab Emirates. I saw a newsmagazine piece on ABC, NBC, or CBS(I cannot remember which) which made Dubai look like a farcry from Iraq, Iran, and Syria. The report spoke about everyone having a free education and healthcare, among other things. It seemed like a benevolent monarchy. I am not suggesting it is like living in a democracy, but it sure seemed a longway from the hellholes of the Middle East. So is Mr. Beyer being totally fair? Does he wish to paint a picture of the Maktoums that is negative, beyond the fact of them controlling our racing industry?:confused: