<p>
Oops, yes I meant deserts. Though a golf course in a dessert is the only way you would ever get me on one!</p>
<p>I agree with Pizzagirl and just about everyone else except the OP. It’s absurd to single Shaun White out for criticism about his so-called environmental crimes, and it’s ridiculous for anyone to suggest that his sport is somehow unworthy compared to other Olympic sports. Nor do I think he was being homophobic. If you want to criticize homophobia in connection with the Olympics, why aren’t you posting about all the nasty things people have written and said about Johnny Weir? (See the article I just posted in the Olympics thread.)</p>
<p>I like Shaun White. I don’t think his comments to Colbert were meant as homophobic, in the least. It was a joke, and certainly one that wasn’t just about the male costumes. The anti-Johnny Weir sentiment has been cruel and well documented at this Olympics.</p>
<p>In terms of his environmental crimes, well, I think trucking snow into Vancouver for the Olympics might count, too. 
Snowboarding is kind of dependent on snow, and training is essential. </p>
<p>He is a multi-sport athlete who makes it all look fun and easy. The kids like him. I like him. He seems like a good guy…and these days, that is getting rare. </p>
<p>If Shaun White can get the kids up off the couch and try even one of his sports, than what’s not to like?</p>
<p>I’m with mousegray on this one and mentioned the same thing to my husband last weekend. It is so refreshing to see these snowboard/aerialist/mogul kids with their glee and pure joy at their sport. Anyone who thinks it’s ‘easy’ or not athletic has never stared down a mogul field or a half pipe or some of the jumps. I’m pleased that these are Olympic sports. I also agree that it’s fun to see how these kids are so natural and easy about talking to the press and the public. That attitude really brings the sport to the masses in a way that no other sport has ever really done. When someone like Hannah Teeter “lights up” and tells someone her run felt “awesome” an entire generation of kids smile. In turn, they earn their endorsements.</p>
<p>To me, Shaun White’s second run on the half-pipe was a rare example of the true Olympian spirit. He didn’t need to take the risk.</p>
<p>Another vote for the adorableness of Shaun White. Two, actually. My wife, who does not pay attention to sports at all, refers to him as “the really cute boy with all that red hair”. He is a great interview – always gives the appearance of candor, wit, and niceness, but what he says is rarely canned or cliched.</p>
<p>I also agree that, in general, the snowboarders seem like the nicest Olympians ever. They are always rushing to hug each other, and their bonhommie seems to reach across nationalities. And lots of them have great, great hair.</p>
<p>I like SW too. Number one reason for me is my two little kids have red hair and he makes red hair cool.</p>
<p>But really. The above posters are bang on. The Olympics as a general rule are extremely wasteful. All the buildings that are built, all money and resources poured into things that may never be used again. And it is done every two years…different cities…same waste.</p>
<p>If you are going bash SW for having his own half pipe, then start making your list because almost every single NBA player has an indoor basketball court in their multi million dollar homes and their “footprint” is larger than life. I am sure the list goes on for other sports too.</p>
<p>This kid from all accounts is a great role model when it comes to attitude. He says he NEVER turns a kid away from an autograph because he was turned away as a kid and he never wants another child to feel that way. He has always shown a positive attitude even when he almost got his head knocked off on a fall. Really…what more do you want?</p>
<p>The other thing I really admire about Shaun White is that he really is light years ahead of anyone in his field and yet he never acts condescending to his fellow competitors or his sport. In one of his post medal interviews he talked about how nervous he was in qualifying runs that he might not make it and he seemed really sincere in his concern.</p>
<p>[SHAUN</a> WHITE, SNOWBOARDING’S HOTTEST STAR, IS SET TO BLOW UP IN SKATEBOARDING, TOO - ESPN The Magazine](<a href=“2023 college football Bottom 10 year in review - ESPN”>SHAUN WHITE, SNOWBOARDING'S HOTTEST STAR, IS SET TO BLOW UP IN SKATEBOARDING, TOO - ESPN)
^here’s an older ESPN blip about him when he was 16.</p>
<p>I saw him on TV this morning (on the Rachael Ray show) and he mentioned his 2 heart surgeries as a kid. His attitude about life is due to the fact that he and his parents are happy for each and every day of living. IMO–not a bad way to go through life. Appreciate each day and live to the fullest.</p>
<p>From the article in the link: (Re the article, Cathy is his Mom, Roger is his Dad)</p>
<p>"Chief among them is the fact that the Whites have not had an easy time of life. Cathy was a waitress before Shaun’s ascension. Roger still works at the San Clemente Water Dept. Money was tight and became even tighter when Shaun needed open-heart surgery for a genetic defect when he was 6 months old; doctors didn’t think his heart would beat on its own. At 18 months, his heart needed another surgery. “It was hard because my daughter had to have brain surgery at the same time,” Cathy says, calmly reliving every parents worst nightmare, squared. “Both could have died. It made us realize how short life is, how precious your children are. We don’t take anything for granted.”</p>
<p><a href=“http://pressroom.target.com/pr/news/community/safe-families/target-house/target-house-celebrates-10-years-101970.aspx[/url]”>http://pressroom.target.com/pr/news/community/safe-families/target-house/target-house-celebrates-10-years-101970.aspx</a>
^ He recently helped to remodel a Target House (facility where parents and kids stay when receiving medical care). He mentioned this on the TV this morning and said that he really wanted to give back because he understands what it’s like to be a kid going through medical treatment and how these kids just want a place to feel normal.</p>
<p>Shaun White Great Room</p>
<p>Professional snowboarder and Olympic gold medalist, Shaun White, wants Target House residents to have a new place where they can come together, escape from their daily lives and have a little fun. With the help of his brother, Jesse, the two designed a Native American, ‘70s rock & roll-inspired room, with hip, edgy, custom-made animal furniture, including a snowboard lion table, black bunny end tables, and a 5½- foot black pig side table (life-size replica). To ensure residents have the most up-to-date technology, Shaun included a two-sided flat screen television in the middle of the room and an electronics corner, featuring a Wii and other gaming systems where kids can play Shaun White Snowboarding: Road Trip, among other games. Other design elements include a clear, acrylic foosball table and a 2½ person chair so that kids can sit together watching television, playing games or just enjoying each others’ company.</p>
<p>
If this is true, it’s pretty much all I need to know.</p>
<p>Sean White reminds me of half a dozen kids my sons hung out with during high school. He is geeky cool.</p>
<p>I watch Shaun White and get all parental. I see a kid with VERY obvious, VERY non-standard talents who did amazing things with them. I see a kid who is comfortable in his own skin. I see a kid who is so ADD it’s funny (his air guitar during the national anthem part of his medal ceremony was priceless–he absolutely could not have controlled himself, and absolutely should not have even tried).</p>
<p>His life could have taken a very different direction. He is awesome.</p>
<p>I have no problems with snow boarding as a sport and it’s clear that he’s the best in his discipline, but think about what you’re saying: it’s okay for him to ignore the environment because others do and it’s okay for him to make fun of figure skaters because others do worse. That’s not a defense. That’s excusing bad behavior because you want to excuse it. It’s like saying I can pour oil in a stream and believe it’s not bad because the Olympics are worse. </p>
<p>Get this straight: you’re responsible for what you do and he is irresponsible about the environment and is insensitive in a jerk way about figure skating. What others do is not the point. I don’t care if some homophobe in Quebec acts like a freaking nutcase about Johnny Weir. He isn’t the point. It isn’t the point that Halliburton pollutes the environment but that Sean White chose on his own, by himself, with his full mental faculties to have a half-pipe built for him. </p>
<p>This isn’t a difficult point. It starts with God saying to Adam, “Did you eat that fruit?” and Adam blaming Eve and then Eve blaming the serpent. You do what you do. It’s your fault. And saying that someone else is doing it as justification is the wrong answer.</p>
<p>Sean White is immature. It seems like he’s been coddled, even worshipped in his cocoon of snow boarding. That doesn’t mean he’s not a terrific boarder, just that he’s got a long way to go in growing up as a person.</p>
<p>Lergnom, I don’t think the items you’ve mentioned that Shaun White did are all that bad. I don’t think what he said about figure skaters is a big deal at all. Are they mad at him? As for his own personal half-pipe, I understand your point, but your beef is really with all rich people who have multiple houses and lots of stuff. Why pick on him?</p>
<p>I apologize for being out of the loop on Olympic news. But, how did Shawn White’s half pipe harm the environment? Has there been a formal complaint or protest?</p>
<p>And, most pro athletes are coddled, even worshipped. I agree with Hunt. Why single him out?</p>
<p>“Why single him out?”</p>
<p>Because he is an easy target. Youth, success,talent, charm and fame. Let’s tear him down.
(It’s a sad past time for some.)</p>
<p>I say…vive le flying tomato!</p>
<p>I think anyone who has passion is fun to watch- and he is the best at what he does to boot.
In terms of the environment- I don’t see how that a private 1/2 pipe is damaging the environment anymore so than holding the Olympics in the first place ( although I do notice Vancouver is the first place to attempt to note carbon offsets).</p>
<p>It would be one thing if he was hypocritical and preaching one thing, and doing another ( like some televangelists I can think of), but he is an athlete who is at the top of his game and having a great time.</p>
<p>I heard another commentator say " you can always tell the snowboarders- they are always happy and excited".
Sounds like a great way to be.
:)</p>
<p>I really don’t get how his half pipe is harming the environment. Did he destroy some of the rain forest for special hardwood floors in a personal ski lodge or something? Maybe he chopped up a glacier and brought it over, I don’t know. </p>
<p>To me, Shaun White seems pretty grounded and normal. He is a fun loving, happy, 24 year old guy, who is nice to the people around him and provides a lot of entertainment to people. </p>
<p>Why trash Shaun White when there are so many more deserving targets? I don’t get it.</p>
<p>Boy, Lergnom, you are pretty riled up about this! He’s a KID! There is so much that goes into achieving what he has and the halfpipe thing just doesn’t bother me… It’s a mere snowflake in the overall picture. Sorry your long underwear is in a wad over this!</p>
<p>MOfWC, I respectfully disagree. As much as I adore this kid and think that he is cute, funky, unique and one of the greatest athletes of our time, it was painfully embarrassing for me to watch him do his air guitar routine while our National Anthem was playing. There are no excuses for that kind of behavior coming out of a seasoned Olympic athlete with tons of international competition experience and a bunch of PR people standing behind him. Imagine how much media sqawking there would be if Vonn or Plushenko did that kind of stuff? I really hope the PR folks will work with Shaun on that.</p>
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Deserving targets? Really? Why trash anyone?</p>