[Steve W]

I guess that I should post seeing that I started the thread. I am proud to be Canadian. I promote Canada. I trash talk Americans at competitions in good humor. I promote a healthy Canadian/American rivalry. But what does Dean think? What does Dave Lavery think? What does Woodie think? What about Paul Copioli (had to pick on someone Paul)? Really who cares.

Everyone of us has a reason for being here. It really doesn't matter if Canadian or American. What does matter is the fact that we are here learning together. Each and every one of us is human. We all have likes and dislikes. The thing that has drawn us all together is FIRST. What a great organization. Yeah, I hear Dean promoting the US. Sometimes I wonder why he forgets us non US residents. You know why he forgets us? I don't, but I have some ideas. I believe that Dean is proud to be an American. I believe that he speaks from his heart and sometimes forgets to mention others. I don't condemn him for this but I find it refreshing to see the passion that he shows to us. So many people are politically correct but are not sincere. I believe that that is not the case with Dean. I watched him on Curie as he spoke to the students and watched the game. His eyes told it all. Wide eyed and sincere as he watched competition and spoke to individuals.

Remember if you hear me at competitions. I do show my Canadian pride sometimes. I give a bit more to Canadian teams. I spend a little extra time in the pits with Canadian teams. Does that mean that I don't think that Americans are important? No, I just get a bit carried away, just as Dean does.

My feelings are that FIRST is a healthy organization that is pushing down boundries. I have felt nothing but goodwill no matter which regional or championship that I have been to. I believe that FIRST's main goal is what it states in it's name. No hidden agenda, just plain Inspiration and Recognition. These are items that have no political, national or social boundries. Boy I sure am glad that I was introduced to FIRST.

BTW in an earlier post it was mentioned that all of FIRST executive were US citizens. Paul Shay is Canadian I believe.