First of all, thank you, Ed for your support and for understanding the true message I was trying to convey.
Thank you also to Mr. Martus for rationally and calmly explaining Chief Delphi's course of action regarding this matter. You have answered my original question. Now I'm simply waiting for someone in the FIRST organization to tell me why teams who went through the same process earlier in the season were denied entry into additional events when openings were available.
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Originally posted by meaubry
Thanks for clearing that up - but might I suggest something that has seemed to work in the past. I'll assume since you are a FIRSTfan that you are aware of the summer meetings where each team has an opportunity to send representatives and discuss the past years events, issues and concerns. That forum has been the best place to share these type concerns. There has been alot of inconsistancy this year - but BASHING us or FIRST = isn't going to change the rules now, so take those arguments and concerns you have to the meeting and try to make a positive difference there.
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I do not believe that I ever engaged in "BASHING" you for your actions; instead, I was posing the question of whether or not it was fair to other teams that FIRST was ALLOWING you (and apparently several other teams) to do something when teams who wanted to do the same thing previously were denied. I also asked the question "Are there any other teams who have been allowed to do this?", so anyone who believes I am singling your team out is greatly mistaken. Is what you or any of the other teams did to schedule a third regional underhanded or wrong? No, I don't believe so, but the fact remains that earlier in the season, there were other teams who followed the EXACT SAME series of steps that you took under the EXACT SAME conditions in an attempt to add another regional to their schedules, and FIRST denied them. What is the reasoning behind this inconsistency? I think those teams that were spurned back then have a right to know. According to FIRST's own website, ALL of the March 21-23 regionals had at least 2 open spots available. Why were these positions not allowed to be filled by willing teams? And why did FIRST suddenly decide to change its mind during the last week of regionals? Based upon what Mr. Martus has revealed to us, am I now supposed to assume that the financial health of FIRST has changed so dramatically over the past month that they would switch from a position of sacrificing income for Gracious Professionalism, equality, and fairness to all a month ago to a position of maximizing team regional fee income in the present? I find this a hard pill to swallow. Don't those guys over at FIRST read their own press? Dean isn't auctioning off three Segways so he can buy another helicopter; he's donating 100% of the proceeds to the FIRST program, proceeds which will, if I remember correctly, be in excess of $300,000. For those of you without calculators, that's the equivalent of 75 TEAM REGIONAL FEES @ $4000 a pop - more than enough to cover the lack of participation at Western Michigan and other events. And lest we forget, Dean is a genius, a shrewd businessman, and therefore, a multimillionaire, and FIRST is his baby; I highly doubt he would let his program ever sink into financial ruin. So I think that FIRST is and has been quite prepared to weather any *economic storm* that is currently *raging*. In my opinion, something doesn't quite add up here, and I won't be satisfied until I am presented with a clear, logical and public explanation of FIRST's actions by a member of the FIRST organization in this forum.
Public criticism, when presented in a constructive manner, does not equal "BASHING"! FIRST is not beyond reproach. I know the organization has many fine men and women working hard to organize and produce this great robotics competition each year, but just because they are a bunch of nice people doesn't mean that they shouldn't be held accountable for their mistakes. And I feel that it's better to bring up and discuss these issues in a public forum as soon as they arise, not wait until after the season is over. People like Mr. Sparks deserve to know NOW about situations like these, so that they may be better prepared to address the issue in the present as well as when it is brought up in the postseason meetings.
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Originally posted by meaubry
When did "respect" cease to have meaning? I would never ever disrespect anyone by coming into their home and spewing innuendos and trash talking them - but, maybe thats just I was raised to respect others. Thanks - for listening.
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Nor would I, Michael. I think you read too much into my words. All of my arguments have been solely based on a questioning of FIRST's decision-making practices, not the behavior or actions of Chief Delphi and other teams in general. As far as respect goes, well, I guess my ignorant self will just have to ask your parents about that topic, since they've obviously done such a bang-up job of instilling that quality in you.
Thanks,
FIRSTfan