Hi Mr. McKenna,
I came to your blog through the AskMen article. I really enjoy reading it. I lived abroad in England for a year in my undergrad as an exchange student, and ever since I’ve been itching to go abroad again. I’m considering teaching English. I’d love something European, but a little more challenging than the West. I’ve had my eye on Eastern Europe. Is it really as terrible as you make it sound, or are you exaggerating? Are there any redeeming factors? Anywhere else you recommend? I’ve also been thinking about Austria, Czech, and Turkey. Montenegro sounds nice, too. Thanks for any advice, and good luck!
-Logan
Apologies for the late response. I’m hard on Pristina, but it’s far from terrible. It’s more…comically inept at certain Western conveniences. That said, the people are gracious, the city is dynamic, and the country is at an interesting point in its history. I’d actually recommend it.
I just read your article about Lance Armstrong where you say you do not condone doping but then you say positive things about Armstrong. Are you freaking stupid or a moron? by saying what you said about Armstrong you agree that cheating and lying is okay. Do the world a favor and shut you mouth and keep your moronic thoughts to yourself.
The world is not so binary as that. It’s complex. One can not condone doping while recognizing how incredibly intertwined it is with the history of cycling throughout the century. You are fortunate to receive a reply, by the way, given the insulting way that you have chosen to communicate. This back-and-forth could have been more beneficial had you not gone about it in this fashion.
I agree with your position on the Armstrong issue – those who have followed European professional cycling over the years realize doping has existed for decades. I wonder if those journalists demonizing Armstrong realize the extent of doping in the sport that goes back long before 1998 and involves more than a few Tour winners.
I was pleased to read Lemond’s open letter to the heads of the UCI- that!’s not a bad place to start making changes.
Also, I am not an Armstrong fan- have never been. I was a George Mount, Alexi Grewal, 1980’s 7-11 fan (and I believe Alexi confessed to his share of
PED consumption). Should we go back and erase Alexi’s olympic gold from 1984? Your asterisk recommendation is realistic and factual.
Thanks for the comments. I don’t like to champion doping in any way, but neither do I want to erase cycling’s entire official history, and this is where we are headed. Indurain will be next.
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Post a commentHi Mr. McKenna,
I came to your blog through the AskMen article. I really enjoy reading it. I lived abroad in England for a year in my undergrad as an exchange student, and ever since I’ve been itching to go abroad again. I’m considering teaching English. I’d love something European, but a little more challenging than the West. I’ve had my eye on Eastern Europe. Is it really as terrible as you make it sound, or are you exaggerating? Are there any redeeming factors? Anywhere else you recommend? I’ve also been thinking about Austria, Czech, and Turkey. Montenegro sounds nice, too. Thanks for any advice, and good luck!
-Logan
Hi Loga,
Apologies for the late response. I’m hard on Pristina, but it’s far from terrible. It’s more…comically inept at certain Western conveniences. That said, the people are gracious, the city is dynamic, and the country is at an interesting point in its history. I’d actually recommend it.
I just read your article about Lance Armstrong where you say you do not condone doping but then you say positive things about Armstrong. Are you freaking stupid or a moron? by saying what you said about Armstrong you agree that cheating and lying is okay. Do the world a favor and shut you mouth and keep your moronic thoughts to yourself.
The world is not so binary as that. It’s complex. One can not condone doping while recognizing how incredibly intertwined it is with the history of cycling throughout the century. You are fortunate to receive a reply, by the way, given the insulting way that you have chosen to communicate. This back-and-forth could have been more beneficial had you not gone about it in this fashion.
I agree with your position on the Armstrong issue – those who have followed European professional cycling over the years realize doping has existed for decades. I wonder if those journalists demonizing Armstrong realize the extent of doping in the sport that goes back long before 1998 and involves more than a few Tour winners.
I was pleased to read Lemond’s open letter to the heads of the UCI- that!’s not a bad place to start making changes.
Also, I am not an Armstrong fan- have never been. I was a George Mount, Alexi Grewal, 1980’s 7-11 fan (and I believe Alexi confessed to his share of
PED consumption). Should we go back and erase Alexi’s olympic gold from 1984? Your asterisk recommendation is realistic and factual.
Hi Brian,
Thanks for the comments. I don’t like to champion doping in any way, but neither do I want to erase cycling’s entire official history, and this is where we are headed. Indurain will be next.