[Lil' Lavery]

FIRST is not here to correct our morals, and make us "better people". FIRST tries to spread science and technology, and create an atmosphere in which science and technology are common aspirations of the youth.
But, in order for FIRST to succeed in it's goal, it recquires growth. Growth in membership. Growth in teams. Growth in popularity. Growth in publicity. Growth in admiration. Growth in knowledge. Growth awareness. Growth in supporters. Etc etc etc.
In order to grow, FIRST must present a positive image. A portion of that image is a reflection of the behavior and characteristics of the membership of FIRST. So, in some extraordinarily winding and twisted way, FIRST, or rather those who want FIRST to suceed, must present a positive moral image.
A mother will not allow her child to participate in an activity known for it's vulgarity and depravity. A school would never support such an activity. I'm not saying we're perfect. I'm not saying we should be perfect, nor even strive for perfection. I'm just saying that we cannot be terrible.
Think of the NBA. The National Basketball Association was struggling with an image problem. It had the "brawl" between the Pacers and Pistons. It had one of it's superstars charged with sexual assault. The NBA commissioner, David Stern, tried to rehaul the image of his league. The dress code, etc, went into effect. No, the image isn't perfect. No, the NBA's record isn't pristine. But, yes, it was much much better this year.
Whether it was the direct cause of this thread or not, that Mountain Dew was, at least partially, the catalyst for the creation of this thread, at this time. The whole issue has been blown horribly out of proportion. "Smuggling" Mountain Dew into a convention will not scar FIRST's image, who cares. That's not a big deal. If they were smuggling drugs or a corpse or something, then let's talk.
FIRST's message is not to correct morals, but in some ways, it recquires at least decent morals to have its message spread. No, we are not "better people". No, we don't need to be. But we need to be "decent people". It is up to you whether being a decent person includes your efforts to help others "improve" themselves. Everything is in the eyes of the beholder.
This is my opinion, what Cody expressed was his. You must think for yourself, and make your own judgements about how to be a "good" human being. It is all personal preferance.