Poll - Legalities

[Kims Robot]

Steve,
Personally, I look at every rule just as I do every persons actions. I try very hard to see the reasoning behind it. To me, FIRST rules make sense, they are for safety, for the excitement of the game, to keep the playing field level amongst all teams.

I even understand that venues need to make money to survive, and that FIRST has no control over this. I understand the "no bringing food in" rule, because they need to make money. Its capitalism at its finest. Most of us know that a hot dog, a roll, and a napkin doesnt cost $4.50. But its the law of supply and demand. If they have the only supply, they can charge whatever the demand will support. BUT, when the rule is made, and no thought is given to the fact that the building is open 4 hours later than they are, the reason for the rule falls away. Now it is just a rule for a rule's sake. Its not because people arent allowed to eat in the venue, 4 hours ago, they were eating in the venue. Boston had the same rule, but they were open as long as we were there, so I sent my team outside to eat if they had a problem paying the price. In FLR I tried to get "permission" from FIRST, but it was still a rule I was breaking.

This is just one example. I dont break many rules on purpose, but as I have said before, I try and use common sense. But in the end I am human, and I am going to watch out for my team. To me, they come above any consequences I would have to endure. Fine me $1000, if that means my team has food and water while they are doing something they love, so be it.

For those that answer "we are FIRSTers, we should never break rules", have you never in your life broken a rule? Or will you just not admit it in front of your team, your students, or the CD community?

To be truthful I am a bit surprised by some of the answers especially mentors.

And Im really sorry to dissappoint, but Im human, not a god, I am not going to pretend I am perfect, but I do have a brain with which I try to reason.