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Originally Posted by Al Skierkiewicz
Steve,
As I have said before, I am an optimist and as such I believe strongly in GP and it's effects in this competition. Yes I may be hiding my head in the sand. But I can tell you that a team that knowingly cheated would not end up on my list of potential teams to pick for finals. I don't want to speak for the rest of my team, but I think (I would hope) that if a cheating team was in the finals, we would turn them down if asked join their alliance. If we all took that position (an ultimate GP sacrifice) then cheaters would self destruct.
I am not so naive to believe that cheating doesn't take place, anymore than I don't think every boy scout follows the Scout Law everyday. GP and the Scout Law are high ideals that only the best will achieve and live everyday. We must show by example how to conduct our teams in this organization, remember, my grandmother is watching.
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The reason that I am in FIRST and believe in it is because it is a great eye opening experience AND because of GP. When I first encountered FIRST I was in the pit area and saw teams working together to help out those with problems. Teams sharing ideas, resources and manpower. A competition were everyone is a winner even when you have no trophies. This is something that drew me here and keeps me here. Does 1 or 2 teams breaking the GP code stop FIRST from being a great place? Not on your life. That doesn't mean that we should stop trying to teach others about all aspects of FIRST, including GP. Rules need to be enforced. There is a saying that I heard long ago that says "Locks keep honest people honest". I believe that the rules are like locks. There are always those that will try to do what is not right. We cannot stop except with rule enforcement. If we have rules (locks) that are not enforced (locked) then why do we bother to have them at all?
This is a great discussion and I believe that much has been brought out already. I see FIRST as moving forward and getting better every year. This can be only done when people care and this thread shows that, even with differing opinions, The people that make up FIRST do care. Boy do I love this program.