students shocked too
 

Posted by Lora Knepper at 04/09/2001 7:59 PM EST


Other on team #177, Bobcat Robotics - Adoptee, from South Windsor High School and International Fuel Cells.


In Reply to: Re: Video Apology
Posted by Matt Leese on 04/09/2001 12:21 PM EST:



It wasn't only the adults that were shocked. I remember looking over to my teammates as we were all shocked that FIRST/Disney would ever put on something like that. It was in poor taste, and I am glad that Dean apologized. Animation submissions would have been much much much better -- and frankly, more interesting.

~ lora

Re: Video Apology
 

Posted by Nick at 04/09/2001 9:28 PM EST


Student on team #240, Mach V, from Jefferson Monroe High School and Visteon.


In Reply to: Video Apology
Posted by James Jones on 04/09/2001 11:19 AM EST:



I think that the whole music videos were a good idea.
However I was surprised there was almost no screening
for content other than 335 teams and many respected
individuals viewing it on the large screen. I'm not
sure whether he was apologizing for the first of the
two videos (the fillers before Disney's show), both of
the videos, or the whole music videos in general. Did
anyone else notice that they faded out one of the
videos before the ceremonies started and quickly
changed it to a video they were sure was clean
(N'Sync)? I wonder how much trouble someone got in for
playing those? I would say there is a good chance they
lost there job.

Historical Reenactments
 

Posted by James Jones at 04/09/2001 11:40 AM EST


Engineer on team #267, The Demolition Squad, from North Broward & St Andrews and Motorola.


In Reply to: Thoughts on Nationals
Posted by Matt Leese on 04/08/2001 8:33 PM EST:



I was dissappointed to hear Woodie's comments disparaging historical battle reenactments. While not a participant myself I have attended some and I think they give you a better understanding of the tremendous courage and self sacrifice shown by those who have gone before us. I think they also help illustrate how terrible violence and war can be. When you realize all those people that just fell down on the field represent a real person who several hundred years ago fell down because they got some part of their body blown off and lay there and bled to death it is quite sobering. Perhaps some reenactments are different from the ones I have seen but I don't think they glorify violence at all. Indeed, I think they can be a good reality check as compared to the idiotic, surreal violence that is glorified in movies and video games.

Woodie gets it about alot of things but I don't think he understands what historical reenactments are all about. I can only think about the old saying that people who do not learn from the past are doomed to repeat it. We have had relative peace for a generation now. That generation should not be allowed to forget what war is really about or just what people in the past have been willing to sacrifice to provide the peace we now enjoy.

Woodie missed the boat
 

Posted by Joe Johnson at 04/09/2001 12:51 PM EST


Engineer on team #47, Chief Delphi, from Pontiac Central High School and Delphi Automotive Systems.


In Reply to: Historical Reenactments
Posted by James Jones on 04/09/2001 11:40 AM EST:



While I am in no way the type that goes for historical
reenactments, I know a lot of very good folks who are
involved in this movement.

I agree with your comments. In my opinion, Woodie was
far from the mark with his comments about historical
reenactments.

Their are MANY things wrong with American Culture.
Celebration of violence by Historical Reenactment
Societies does not even make my top 1000 list yet alone
rise to the level that I think Woodie should have
singled them out for special scorn at the FIRST Nationals.

I know that Woodie is a man of good will, so my only
explanation is that he must be ill informed.

Ask him next time you see him.

Joe J.

Dean was ON MESSAGE
 

Posted by Joe Johnson at 04/09/2001 1:30 PM EST


Engineer on team #47, Chief Delphi, from Pontiac Central High School and Delphi Automotive Systems.


In Reply to: Thoughts on Nationals
Posted by Matt Leese on 04/08/2001 8:33 PM EST:



Matt,

It is funny that you should mention that Dean didn't
give a long speach.

I have been watching Dean for 6 years.

I have never seen Dean as "on message" in public as he
has been during the last 6 months.

Did anyone else notice that Dean asked for his notes
after he balanced the bridge with the I-bot?

Why the change? I think Laura London is really working
hard to make sure Dean keeps to the message that he
wants to convey and not straying too far afield.

Regardless of the reason, I think that Dean is getting
more points in with the media and others because of his
new found focus.

Let's hope he keeps it up.

Joe J.

Re: Dean was ON MESSAGE
 

Posted by Matt Leese at 04/09/2001 4:20 PM EST


Other on team #73, Tigerbolt, from Edison Technical HS and Alstom & Fiber Technologies & RIT.


In Reply to: Dean was ON MESSAGE
Posted by Joe Johnson on 04/09/2001 1:30 PM EST:



I think he might also be more on message recently for fear of leaking something about IT/Ginger that he didn't want to. I also think he's been more in the spotlight recently and gotten better at staying on message.

Matt who wished Dean had come up with a more creative homework assignment because his is already done....

I noticed that, as well. (EOM)
 

Posted by Erin at 04/09/2001 11:41 PM EST


Other on team #65, Huskie Brigade, from Pontiac Northern High School and GM Powertrain.


In Reply to: Dean was ON MESSAGE
Posted by Joe Johnson on 04/09/2001 1:30 PM EST:



EOM means end of message