Shameless Plug & opinions about options.

Here I am, promoting one of my favorite sports writers. Also, defending.
Ryan Voyles, my youngest brother.

Ryan is the sports editor for Southern Illinoi University's Daily Egyptian newspaper covering football, basketball and softball. He also writes a blurb, entitled Voyles' Visions whenever the mood strikes him. Recently he wrote an article entitled Ode to WNBA. I will not summarize it because I expect you to click that link. Within days, he received a 791 word response to his 590 word article. This frantic, middle-aged, feminist (and self-proclaimed journalist) proceeded to bash him not only as a writer, but personally as well. Furthermore, she failed to comprehend Ryan's comparisons of women's sports at the collegiate level. Basically, she called him ignorant.

Well that's respectable.

Unfortunately, sometimes, the age of internet allows anyone with an opinion to share it. Bashing in forums and nasty comments are abundant. Even my dad had to report someone on a sports blog because he wrote a reply comment asking my dad where our home is located.
Nice, sir.

Opinions obviously keep nearly all conversations flowing, personally or over the internet. The difficulty with the internet is that anyone can hide behind a screen, rant and claim a level of professionalism that may or may not be accurate. In a personal conversation, no one expresses his opinion by rambling for 791 words. Nobody has time for that.

So Ryan, kudos to you for expressing your beliefs through a respected medium in what will be a rewarding career for you. And fodder for free lance (see: unemployed) writers everywhere.