I remember a skit on Mad TV some years back depicting an east coast/west coast accordionist war. Silly, yeah, but no more so than the idea of rappers going to war. Similarly, there's long been tension between fellas who make money photographing muscular women. It's not new, but for those of us on the sidelines it can seem pretty amusing and endlessly novel. As an example, I was checking out
Femuscle.org when I caught this rant from (Virginia-based) proprietor George L., against (California-based) James Cook, owner of Fast Twitching Video:
"Women Friendly" boards allow the women athletes, their friends and fans, to enjoy free exchange of ideas and opinions, both possitive and negative, without resorting to "low life" comments. A few that I highly recommend are: OCB boards at http://www.ocbbodybuilding.com, MuscleMayhem, GeneX, Sorry Gene...no disrespect meant...but this story also has to be told...no reflection on you...just your board administrator James Cook! (it seems that you're not supposed to talk about too many things controversial or call BS on somebody's post...or stand up against those who would post lies, twist the truth/facts...or as it appears...disagree with James....or James will ask you not to post there anymore)...(just as an FYI...since this editorial I've been banned by James Cook because I tell it like it is...and he didn't agree with it...so tell me James..no...tell us all that are reading this editorial....who really has the best interests of the athletes at heart now?...and who caves to pressure?...what are you afraid of?...doing the right thing?) I would suspect that by now...my posts have been deleted and there is no record of what was said...but your members know the TRUTH...and the TRUTH IS ALL I CARE ABOUT!....and Tre' Scott's FemFlex forum for women(while not very active...still women friendly)
I swapped email with Cook the other day, on an unrelated matter, but closed with a joke about the rage level among his peer group and my disappointment that there were no drive-by shootings at the Bodyrock. He didn't respond, so I imagine he's not amused about George's polemic (or by my joke). [Update: Cook responded this morning and expressed amusement.] I'm no shrinking violet myself (as some of you have observed) but at least thus far I haven't published incoherent rants against anyone in my peer group. (If I ever do begin to post rambling screeds, by all means please stage an intervention.)
And it's not my intent to pick on George L., because he is hardly alone: there are numerous photographers who suspect or even believe that their competitors are responsible for all manner of conspiratorial or monopolistic practices. It's pretty funny stuff, but essentially groundless.
