Haven Hamilton Joins a Conversation

As I've learned over the last couple of years, the blogosphere is about participating in conversations. People may not always agree with one another in those conversations, but sometimes the most interesting to read are those where people don't agree.

However, in at least one case, I must disagree. Fritz, whom I have grown to respect and enjoy discussions with, has voiced his opinion about the Tyler Hamilton verdict. I respect his opinion. I don't agree with it, but respect it because he plainly states it, without slander, and moves on. But, today, Fritz points us to a post by someone who did not take the high road. In fact, in my opinion, he takes a very low road. Some of his readers/commenters take an even lower one.

Nathan, who had more than one chance to make his, apparently, strong feelings known to Tyler in person did not do that. What he wanted to say wasn't even that bad, "Tyler, you're a great guy, and I'm sorry to have to say this, but you made a mistake and cheated." He should have been able to say this to him; might not have been easy, but I guarantee Tyler has had worse said to him in the last year. Then blog about that conversation, including Tyler's response. But he didn't. He went to his blog and, in my opinion, wrote very harsh words about Tyler.

This did not surprise me and I almost stopped reading, yet I'm glad I didn't. In the comment section I was completely surprised to see a very eloquent post by one Haven Hamilton. Yes, Tyler's wife. (Disclaimer: I consider Haven and Tyler to be friends and believe in them) She's joined the conversation - good for her. She's a little feisty, but after everything they have been through, I can't blame her. As a matter of fact, I think she stated her points very well and I hope she doesn't mind me posting them here in complete form:

Dear Nathan - Just read your post, and as a former Nordic ski racer, I'm amused by your description of cyclists on skis. I'm not amused however, by your comments about my husband Tyler. Your sign off is very telling about your character - "Good, now that I've done the really manly thing and trashed someone on the Internet, I feel much better." You saw Tyler face to face and had the chance to confront him man to man and ask him anything you wanted. But you chose not to. Instead you took the coward's root and wrote a tantrum on the internet. You and Tyler have a number of mutual acquaintances. You can find out where we live. You can find out our phone number. If you want to know any of the facts about Tyler's case there are a number of ways you could gain access to them. Had you done so, you might have come to wonder how the transfusion test run on Tyler's samples in Athens didn't even type his blood correctly. Or how some of the test results used against him are biologically impossible. Or why the test results from Athens don't match the test results taken 3 weeks later that were used to charge Tyler. These are the questions we never got answers to. Tyler has been forced to endure a living nightmare on the worldwide stage. While he may never fully understand why or how this has happened to him, one thing is for sure. He's taken his knocks like a man. He has held his head high, and as you noted in your post - not shied away from the public - and never failed to look his critics in the eye. These are the actions of a man with nothing to hide. Plain and simple, these are the actions of a man. That's why I have so much respect for my husband. I wish I could say the same for you.

Sincerely, Haven Hamilton

Since, there have been some nasty comments directed at Haven. As her friend, I want to 'pounce' on the person who questions why she's defending her husband. Hello! Really? C'mon. But, I believe in Shel's Living Room Rule so I'll refrain, yet reiterate something I said many posts ago, "....this man looked me in the eye and told me he didn't do this. Good enough for me."

That is my opinion, without slandering anyone else. See? It can be done.

Just my opinionated tidbit for today. Thanks for stopping by.