I know Peter. Despite our sparring and emotional outburst of four years ago, or so, I believe we have both arrived at a point of some level of mutual respect. It was a rocky road we traveled and most doubted we would ever see eye to eye on anything.
I know Warren. Our relationship has also had its ups and downs but overall our path to today has been quite a bit smoother. There are some that believe we are in lockstop with one another, however that is far from the truth. We have and continue to disagree vehemently on certain items. Most of the time we do so in private emails, however one disagreement in particular was conducted here at official.com a couple of months back.
Sensing the beginning of a conflagaration in this thread, I posted an attempt to provide both of my friends with enough cover to stay out of a protracted word war. While my post had a motive, I never-the-less believed in what I said.
Unfortunately, neither Warren nor Peter have such regard for each other as I have for them and both chose to ignore the opporutnity to remain silent.
I have in the past been just as guilty. There is one person on the internet whose behavior can move my blood pressure upwards at at least 60 points. In the past, I responded to that indidvidual.
However, for the past year, or about a year less a week or two, I have completely ignored that individual and my life has never been better. My blood pressure is back to 130/65 and I no longer scream at my monitor. I have found that remaining out of the fray, no matter the bait offered, is far better, at least for me, than to attempt to defend myself to someone who really doesn't care.
But this is not about me. Back to Peter and Warren. It would be easy for me to defend either of these gentlemen. Peter is perhaps the most entertaining umpire on the internet and Warren is perhaps the most sincere. Peter is intelligent and knows how to umpire in his environment as well as anyone. Warren is intelligent and knows how to umpire as well as anyone in his environment Unfortunately those environments are worlds apart as are their opinions on certain aspects of the rules and the game.
One of the differences between these fine two is that Peter actually enjoys the battle and looks for ways to to initiat it; while Warren doesn't really enjoy it, but engages in it anyway out of a feeling of obligation and honor. These characteristics have nothing to do with whether either of them are correct in their positions.
Another way of looking at it, perhaps is that Peter is the Sadist and Warren is the Masochist. In reality they may need each other. Otherwise Peter would have to be content with pulling the wings off captured flies and Warren would have to settle for slamming a car door on his tongue.
I believe they both know how I feel about them and will forgive my babbling analysis. Both of them in the past, and in their typical unique fashions have come to my aid and I am indebted to them. I hope they will understand that I am trying to do the same for each of them at the same time.
Allow me to apologize for this interuption and may the best man remain standng.
