[moderated] 469 Entanglement / Bad Refereeing on Galileo

[Stu Bloom]

Originally Posted by Tyler Olds

Please wait to reply to anything until I have read everything and responded..........

Thanks

Sorry Tyler ... this can't wait ... (oops - took me just a bit too long to finish ...)

And let me apologize now to the entire CD community for what is sure to be as inappropriate a post as the one that started this whole mess. I especially want to apologize to all those who seem to be able to keep a clear head and discuss only the relevant issues when the going gets tough (you know who you are Andy B, Joe J, Dave L, and many others). I know that personal attacks have no place here, but as a referee on the Galileo field I just can't keep this inside any longer.

I am not sure what specific direction this thread was intended to go, and after reading it over several times I doubt Mr. McElroy had enough foresight to "intend" any specific direction, but more likely, as his closing remark seemed to infer, he just wanted to start a "flame war". I interpreted his initial post as a direct attack on hard-working volunteers who have a passion for this organization and what it does for our young adults (but obviously not ALL of them), and the more I read, the hotter I get.

Mr. McElroy,

HOW DARE YOU challenge the character and/or competence of a group of people who are at the very core of this organization's ability to continue to grow and thrive (the VOLUNTEERS). I and the rest of the Referees in all of the Divisions at the Championships worked extremely hard to enforce the rules AS WRITTEN , and AS INSTRUCTED BY FIRST AND THOSE WHO CREATED THE RULES, as consistently and fairly as possible. In fact, some of the rules committee WAS on the Ref crew. If you think you can do a better job I invite you to step up.

Your posts in this thread are showing your age, as well as the justification for your obtaining substantial negative reps. You continue to "rub salt in the wound" by taking every opportunity to respond to others with sarcastic comments, publicly posting remarks that were intended to be PRIVATE, and blatantly ignoring parts of the rules that don't support your argument. I refer you to some of the KEY words in your often quoted, precious rule <G32> - "Strategies aimed solely at the destruction, damage, tipping over or entanglement of robots ...". I challenge you to identify even one instance where you could say there was no legitimate defensive maneuver which caused any of the incidents you are so upset about.

And don't pretend that your purpose in this thread was to advance any noble cause. Your sarcasm and bitter criticism are exactly the opposite of graciously discussing the issues. I think you should crawl back into whatever hole you came out of and think about what GP means to you. Good luck finding a sponsor (as your sig line indicates that your team doesn't have one). With your "grace and style" I don't see much success on that front in your future - hopefully someone else is in charge of that initiative. I am truly saddened that a group of hard working, intelligent, motivated High School students has you as a role model.

And by the way, Ken W, I thought I was starting to like you, but ...

Originally Posted by KenWittlief

... I guarantee you I can build something stronger and put an impact point on my machine, find your weak spot and take you out on the field...

... was that a threat? That is a lot different than what I saw in any matches in Atlanta. If you think "that's what FIRST is coming to" then why don't you try it. I would be interested to see if a ref would call that one ... I know I would.


I'm out ... until next year - when you will see me in zebra stripes again. And Ryan, I'll be sure to give your team some "extra special" attention (jk ).
I apologize again ... OK ... I feel better now.
Also, thanks Zzyzx, for your sensible and timely post.