2004 Championship Eligibility Criteria!!!

[Aidan F. Browne]

I have strived to bite my tongue and stay out of this thread... but now I'm riled up... and here I go:

How does any one of us have the audacity to tell FIRST what they should do?

FIRST is probably the greatest organizational feat ever accomplished in the history of high school organizations. Never has anyone attempted to bring 10,000 high school students together in one place to celebrate. And done it 12 years in a row -- successfully. And done it for the sake of doing it -- not to make money out of it.

Why can't everyone honor them for their ability to do so? Why can't everyone thank them for caring to strive to find ways to make it possible to do so?

Why can't everyone realize that the only single thing that the FIRST Executive Board should do is to continue the absolutely amazing job that they have always done?

They asked our opinions, they listened to them, them evaluated them, they weighed them with all the issues, and they came up with the fairest system that they could.

Are we that spoiled? Are we that unappreciative? Are we that audacious to think that we are better than some of the best minds in the country who come together on a volunteer basis because they care about this organization with all their hearts... and then some?

Do we all know what gracious means?

I know one thing for sure. The FIRST Executive Board has done an amazing job coming up with a system. Whether I as an individual like it or dislike it is immaterial. They did a great job.

Thank you FIRST -- thank you, thank you, thank you -- I can't say that enough. We can't say that enough.... Its too bad that more of us don't try.

I have no problem with people discussing their opionions. I have no problem with people making suggestions. I cringe when I hear a bunch of unappreciative whiners telling FIRST what they should do.

I'll shut up now... well, after one more thing:

FIRST Executive Board -- Thank you for continuing to do an amazing job!!!!!!!! You guys ROCK!!! Sorry we don't appreciate your hard labors as much as we should.