I understand what you are saying about what it mea...

2009-01-21T18:10:00.000-05:00

I understand what you are saying about what it means to be a 'fan.' And you are certainly correct in saying that 'fan' originates from the word 'fanatic.' But I do believe that words mutate over time when they are altered from their original forms. Take for example, ASAP:an acronym which when broken down means "As Soon As Possible." Now that sound like a very lenient sentiment and one which would not encourage the subject of such a comment to go out of their way to rush the activity in question. But shorten the phrase to ASAP and all of a sudden that phrase has taken on an entirely new meaning. I can only compare it to the medical term STAT, which, although I am not certain what it means exactly, means that scanario in question is of the utmost importance and must be taken care of quickly. So has the word 'fan' mutated from seom exceptional person who is unhealthily attached to a particular object or idea to a person who merely has a preference for said object or idea. Ironically, truly fanatical people are called 'fanatics' while the rest of us who follow a particular team but are mostly even-tempered are merely 'fans.' I see little harm in calling yourself a fan because most people do not associate the term with a fanatic these days.

Cassie, whoever said that you must be fair-weather...

2009-01-18T12:05:00.000-05:00

Cassie, whoever said that you must be fair-weathered to leave the Lightning if Lecaalier left... well, blind support for a team does not equate how much of a fan they are. It does show they are a gluton of punishment and will only see the rah-rah-rah when the chips are down.

I don't particularly care for that element. Be they sports fans, be they teh base of political parties, etc.

The question that people should ask themselves is how loyal is this team to YOU, the fan?

Last year I wrote something trying to poo-poo fans suggesting we boycott the Lightning because of how poorly they were playing. I don't share that sentiment that the team should be flat out cold-shouldered.

That being said, that was last year and tied to antics from last season. The lone off season of OK Hockey's ownership tenure and this season so far has displayed to fans that ownership doesn't knwo what it's doing.

It's hard to stay loyal to a product when the product doesn't have a clue what matters to it's base.

I've dropped out of Lightning fandom in 1996-97/1997-98 because of how inept things were. Phil Esposito kept trying to spin things and managed the roster much like Lawton has now: trade players for the sake of doing so. Dangle big name fan favorites to other teams (and get garbage of equal contract value in return). Hope was gone.

Hope's the reason I stick it through and I can tell you that trading Vincent erases hope and faith for this franchise.

Comments on Bolts Blog: Why I'm not a "fan"

I understand what you are saying about what it mea...

Cassie, whoever said that you must be fair-weather...