By the PMs that I am receiving I must not have made myself clear.
1: I am all for safety. If there is any chance of someone getting hurt I am in favor of fixing the problem.
2: I am not picking on the refs. I believe that they are fair, honest and doing a great job within the guidelines given to them.
3: There are not many inconsistencies at a regional but there are between regionals. This stems from lack of definitive rules from the top (where ever that is)
4: Rules are rules and should be obeyed, good or bad. They are the same for both sides and all teams at all times. Changing the rules from regional to regional and week to week brings into question of where the line is drawn.
5: I believe in FIRST and all that it stands for. I would not give 4 weeks of my holidays to volunteer at events every week if I did not believe in what FIRST was about. I spend a lot of time in the pit area helping where I can and try to be there for set up and usually tear down. I am maybe a little too passionate but that's who I am.
Travis said that he doesn't always agree with me. That is great. I don't have all of the answers and I have been proven wrong many times. I do listen and try to change. I find that I have grown in FIRST probably more than I have helped others. Differences are good and healthy. Karthik is a good friend and if you ask him we have some major differences in opinion. That does not change the fact that we both see FIRST as a great tool for inspiring youth and we can work side by side ( it is better if he is behind me
) to make things happen.
Back on topic. Rules are good. This year, in my opinion, they are a bit too strict. The refs are doing a good job. There are too many interpretations of what /how things should be called.