If you are close enough to Charlie's hole to grab the bow of someone surfing the hole, that is dangerous.  You really going to argue that one?  
If you want to call me overly invested in hammering EJ, then by the same token I could say that you're overly invested in defending him.  What's with the worship?  Did he complement your kid?  ;)  I just want to say, that I saw Dustin at the worlds and he rocks!  
Dude, the issue is some guy who is TOO cool to acknowledge that he needed help.  I don't think boasting and trash talking and arrogant bullshit are admirable.  
Curious, what's the handle of this "resident pro poster" that directly slams Clay and JB?  I haven't seen it.  What did s/he say?  
Actually Shipley is an athlete before he is a student.  It took him, what, 8 or 10 years to get a bachelor's degree?  I know he's not that stupid, so it might have had something to do with the kayaking taking priority.  Sorry!  Reality strikes again.  
I could retract the "small man's syndrone".  That was just an attention grabber.  But I did challenge what EJ said.  It wasn't character assasination at all.  I took issue very directly with specific things that he said.  
Namely, it's totally obnoxious and arrogant to say, oh, I would have been fine without your help after someone rescues you.  Especially if you were hollering for rescue at the time.  That's not character assasination, that's obvious!