Pulled Thread on OPA—Here's Why

[Matt Trulio]

Hey guys,

Based on a phone call I received from Ed "Smitty" Smith of the Offshore Powerboat Association (the name of the group has changed from Offshore Performance Association), I decided to pull my thread on OPA from seriousoffshore.com. I am not in the habit of pulling stories (and the story can still be accessed at BoaterMouth.com and speedonthewater.com), especially when the quotes within it are accurate—which they were.

However, in my piece I quoted Ron Polli. And while he is associated with and does communications work for OPA, he is not the "official" spokesperson for the group. I don't doubt that he spoke his mind and I respect him for doing so, but I would not want his views to be representative of those of the leadership of OPA.

Negotiations with both APBA and Powerboat P1, Smith told me about 30 minutes ago, are ongoing. I plan on getting in touch again with Smith next week to give you an update on those, as well as a more in-depth look at the Geico/OPA television deal.

I apologize for any confusion my piece may have caused.

 

[OldSchool]

Fair enough. You're a good man Matt!!

 

[Wazzup Racing]

Thanks Mat

 

[skaterdave]

who's Harold "Smitty" Smith???

a long lost cousin of Ed Smith?

 

[cigdaze]

Thanks for the explanation, Matt. Retraction is a part of the life of a writer, ain't it?

 

[elvisali]

A responsible journalist.......its a dying breed, thanks for explanation, and congrats to OPA on the tv deal

 

[Matt Trulio]

Thanks for the explanation, Matt. Retraction is a part of the life of a writer, ain't it?

Well Cig,

Retraction is a highly specific term that is saved for the biggest journalistic screw-ups imaginable, like if you report that some public figure beats his spouse and it turns out that he doesn't beat his spouse. Retractions are usually followed by someone (usually the journalist) seeking alternative forms of employment.

But corrections? Oh yeah, those are very much a part of journalistic life. You got that right. And you ... it feels good.

In this case, I kept the story on speedonthewater.com and BoaterMouth.com but pulled it from here. The reason? When I post something here, it's an open invitation for comment and discussion. (Heck, that's why I post it ... I love the discussions on this forum.) People can comment on speedonthewater, but the comments go directly to me but they can't comment at all on Boatermouth.

So while I'm fine with the story in those forums, I'm not fine with it as a vehicle for discussion here, because although it accurately captures what one person involved in an organization said it doesn't necessarily reflect the organization's (OPA) point of view.

I don't want to misrepresent anyone or fuel a fire that doesn't exist. You guys deserve better than that.

Thanks for letting me contribute.

 

[T2x]

who's Harold "Smitty" Smith???

a long lost cousin of Ed Smith?

Harold "Smitty" Smith...was one of the very first throttle men....and one of the best (top 3 all time in my book). Sadly, he passed away about 15 years ago.

T2x

 

[LaughingCat]

Respectable. Thank you for being open with us. Pushes your journalistic credibiity even further. Look forward to your future posts/stories.

 

[Chris]

None of this is on Matt.

Based on posts here of the last several weeks, I had the understanding that Ron Polli spoke for OPA. His posts here recently seem to indicate that- dispensing press releases and commentary out of OPA.

I read the article. There was plenty of "we" and "our" in Ron's quotes.

 

[cigdaze]

Well Cig,

Retraction is a highly specific term that is saved for the biggest journalistic screw-ups imaginable, like if you report that some public figure beats his spouse and it turns out that he doesn't beat his spouse. Retractions are usually followed by someone (usually the journalist) seeking alternative forms of employment.

But corrections? Oh yeah, those are very much a part of journalistic life. You got that right. And you ... it feels good.

In this case, I kept the story on speedonthewater.com and BoaterMouth.com but pulled it from here. The reason? When I post something here, it's an open invitation for comment and discussion. (Heck, that's why I post it ... I love the discussions on this forum.) People can comment on speedonthewater, but the comments go directly to me but they can't comment at all on Boatermouth.

So while I'm fine with the story in those forums, I'm not fine with it as a vehicle for discussion here, because although it accurately captures what one person involved in an organization said it doesn't necessarily reflect the organization's (OPA) point of view.

I don't want to misrepresent anyone or fuel a fire that doesn't exist. You guys deserve better than that.

Thanks for letting me contribute.

Learn something every day. Thank you for your contributions.

 

[Wahoo 214]

Harold? :willy_nilly: :willy_nilly: :willy_nilly:

 

[skaterdave]

Harold "Smitty" Smith...was one of the very first throttle men....and one of the best (top 3 all time in my book). Sadly, he passed away about 15 years ago.

T2x

so is Matt talking to dead people ? (no offense to Harold Smith)

Matt says he removed the story from here based on a phone call from Harold. I Just assumed that the phone call was recent not 15 yrs ago?

I'm confused

 

[Matt Trulio]

Don't be confused ... I'm an idiot.

I had Harold "Smitty" Smith, the very same guy T2X mentioned, on my brain.

I meant Ed "Smitty" Smith.

"I see dead people. They don't know they're dead."

Like, well, me.

 

[DaveP]

Don't be confused ... I'm an idiot.

I had Harold "Smitty" Smith, the very same guy T2X mentioned, on my brain.

I meant Ed "Smitty" Smith.

"I see dead people. They don't know they're dead."

Like, well, me.

I'm sure that it was an honest error as he probably made the post while sitting at the bar at TOWN Restaurant in San Carlos CA while sipping a Martini and surrounded by beautiful Cougars :sifone:

 

[Chris]

OK Matt. Now you've opened up another can of worms. In OPA it's "Which Ed Smith?"

Like two Tim Sharkey's wasn't enough.

 

[T2x]

Well...at least that's settled.

So let me make sure I have this straight,

Who's on First

What's on second

P-1 is on third

and the outfield has more drama queens then the bleachers.

I feel better now.

 

[Matt Trulio]

OK Matt. Now you've opened up another can of worms. In OPA it's "Which Ed Smith?"

Like two Tim Sharkey's wasn't enough.

Simple answer: The Ed Smith who called me. :blush5::blush5:

And, to finish T2X's thought, "I don't give a damn."

Rich ... didn't "the other Smitty" run Lake X? I think my former editor Eric Colby, had a great picture of him at the place in a golf cart.

 

[Wahoo 214]

And I thought we had new dirt on Smitty.

 

[Matt Trulio]

And I thought we had new dirt on Smitty.

I don't know if you meant that as funny as it is, but that is seriously funny.