How condescending, Mike.  C'mon.
 
I am me myself an OLD broad, married to a man who loves all hockey and bleeds
Maine Hockey.  I have probably read, listened to and watched more hockey than
most of the readers, simply by virtue of advancing years!!  Don't tell me that
objectivity is what is striven for, or the ultimate goal of sports reporting.
For the record, I do not believe complete neutrality is possible in humans.
The feelings and opinions WILL show through, in some more than others.  I know
they show through mine, and I stand by my prejudices!  Personally, I find that
sort of stuff makes life much more interesting, especially when I disagree!
 
The most popular and successful radio play by play man ever to scream "SCORE"
for Maine was Gary Thorne and he was definitely a "homer".  This did not
affect his ability to continue in his career, and he was sorely missed when he
left.  He told me that he knew his audience was as excited when Maine scored
as he was, so he let his enthusiasm show.  He also showed it when the other
team made a pretty or skillful play.  He was, and is a hockey fan through and
through.  He definitely played to his audience.
 
Dan Hannigan told me he didn't know much about hockey when he came to the job.
It showed, but he has become a terrific announcer since.  Dan  changed his
reporting style because he heard the same criticism as I said to him (and for
which he has publicly tweaked me!) from many other people.  Yes, he is a much
more objective play by play man, but he is also playing to his audience now,
which was the point of my bringing that little piece of history up.
 
I listen to and read a lot of stuff (even, okay, I admit it - the BDN!), and I
sincerely question the neutrality of much of what is reported about Maine
because the language used, while technically accurate, draws a negative flavor
from the described situations, and a much different impression COULD be given
by the reporters if it were described differently, and STILL be the truth.  I
think you and all the rest of the "reporters" play to your audience.  I do NOT
think less of most of you for that, indeed I expect it, as your audience is a
much broader one than the Maine Hockey List.  BUT!!!  This list is for MAINE
FANS.  Please allow us this forum, and our opinions of the reports and
reporters.  Have the strength of your own convictions and your prejudices.  It
makes for a much more colorful and interesting world.  And don't question our
intelligence, or attempt to talk down to us because we also have opinions and
state them in this, our piece of cyberspace.
 
Cathy Hart
Still PROUDLY (if quietly today with no voice left) supporting MAINE HOCKEY!!