[s_alaniz]

"Sorry for pulling [Mr. B's] rank--but don't you feel just slightly uneasy accusing a Woodie Flowers Award winning coach that he has "missed the point of FIRST"????? " - BSMFIRST



"Rank?" I didn't know I had been drafted... What can I tell you? It's admirable that MrB won the Woody Flowers award. As I recall, in no way did I have an issue with his achievements or accolades, rather I have a problem with the post he left...his words and the way he expressed his ideas.
So you're telling me that simply because he won the Woody Flowers Award he can't make a wrong or incorrect statement? What about me? I suppose My F.I.R.S.T. 2001 Exceptional Volunteer Award doesn't grant me the same immunity you want me to cede to MrB? Anyway in answer to your question, "no" it doesn't make me nervous in the least.

By the way, BrB... Thanks for the explanation but you didn't address your own words. I think you skirted the issues you raised. You also mentioned a few things we can definitely agree on, but piggybacked ideas that are debatible. You'd make a good politician.

"In a way that you cannot yet understand, I am “On your side”….it’s just that I play a different game…but for the same reasons Steve. " From MrB's last post.

OK I admit I'm not the brightest bulb in the hallway and I'm still young, I'm only 48, but exactly how is it I "... cannot yet understand..."? That word..."yet" implies that your position is right and that I will come around to your way of thinking. Wow thanks for respecting MY position!

I also liked the "…do the math Steve. It’s the people, not the game." - From MrB's last post.
I find a good talking down helps keep me humble and reminds me to keep my calculator close at hand.

OK while I'm quoting MrB's post:

"With respect to the comments that you termed lies and exaggerations…that was not my intent."
I am not calling you a liar Mr.B, if I implied that from my response I apologise but you still havn't explained the statement that prompted that response.

"Obviously I was not as clear as I needed to be, and I touched upon some sensitivities of yours."
(there's that personal touch again...)
"My point was really a little one. It was about making commitments and accepting consequences… (Cool, but exactly how does that even remotely fit in with your original statement? I agree with you here, but that's NOT what you stated originally in that "Irony" you wanted to point out to the "Children of FIRST...")

..."it was about taking risks in an effort to ensure that the larger mission (in this case a robot game) be successful." OK Wait a minute.... I did my math wrong again.... Lets see...
"…do the math Steve. It’s the people, not the game."
Perhaps I'm being unfair, you may have meant "One of the larger missions" but you didn't say that so what am I to assume?

FIRST is about people and Inspiration with robotics as the vehicle. I simply cannot agree that Battlebots...however friendly and helpful the participants, can make the same claims. Oh I'm certain it happens in Battlebots, but it is incidental to the main focus of that competition. As I said before, I have no problem with Battlebots or the people who participate. I have a problem with equating F.I.R.S.T. with BattleBots or even making comparisons. It's "apples and oranges."


Steve Alaniz



"See, right there on this video tape, you resolved to vacuum the house once a week." - Sally Forth
"I was mis-quoted." - Ted Forth