Things that just shouldn't be . . .

[Peach]

When I first started reading rec.sport.fencing, I remember reading all these messages about flicking. At the time, I didn't know what they were talking about it, but it was obvious people felt strongly about it. It continued to be a theme, and there were other recurrent gripes. A couple of years ago when I found this forum, the complaints were the same (except sabre whipovers are no longer a topic). Today, I idly started making a short list of the things that predictably inspire outrage :

flicks
foil attacks
colored uniforms
yelling/screaming/victory cries
classification systems
non-instantaneous posting of national results on the website
the unpopularity of fencing in the media
the USFA
Nick Evangelista
SCA
Any non-Olympic-style fencing group
any hint of special treatment/non-special treament for children in tournaments.

Any other suggestions for perennials?

[edew]

Not offering the world to non-elite fencers (by the USFA).

[hawaii kid]

People who post nonsense messages not even vaguely related to the original post.

[rukovsoft]

republicans...

[WoodsideDr]

..and the ever-recurring wireless scoring system

[Wizardly]

the excessive term of copyright laws
legislated morality
special interest

oh wait...fencing gripes? Some others I've seen:

lack of referee education/homogenization
efforts to turn foil into modified versions of epee or saber
the FIE homepage written in French
USFA failings in fostering external interest
Difficulty in finding/explanations of operational rules/guidelines

[Dragonfly]

Peach, it seems like when a person logs on to read or write, they are expected to fall into some general category, when they fail to meet the expectations of others, it can get very difficult.

Not everyone will have the same ideas, that's the world.

All in all, though many people have been disrespectful in the past, reading the topics has been my objective, and the fact that they are 'archived' somewhere, and we shouldn't talk about things like flicks anymore is disturbing. To see threads get cut off, as people are connecting in fencing talk, ironing out fencing issues is clearly the hallmark of a despot.

We should stop disrespecting each other, and especially stop calling one another names like trolls, that was eric and peach, and I found it sort of disturbing.

Topics we're not supposed to talk about could be just about anything, it really depends on who's writing. If you have a classification or a referee you can write all sorts of stuff, but the rest of the fencing world is supposed to absorb these rare insights without saying anything. This is the core of elitist thought. Having an open mind does not mean that you will have to CHANGE your mind, or the lights, or the wiring on a saber, or wear an obscurity mask, it only means open communication for all.

If everyone wants to log into a place where everyone agrees with every statement; and possess apriori knowledge, then it's hopeless. I refuse to smirk at people; and I refuse to downgrade a person's lack of information or experience.

[MyrddinsPrecint]

don't forget the threads that turn into convorsations about dragonfly *cough* i mean mango *cough* i mean... oh screw that.

"her"

[Wizardly]

Quite right MP... I second Hawaii Kid's mention.

"Don't try to figure out where it came from. Don't try to figure out how to applies. Don't try to figure it out in general - just smile and nod and move on."

[Mo]

Things that should not be there?

Thoughts of thongs....

Having to fly to do your sport.

Being too poor to afford first class.

Hot weather that causes blackouts.

Heron eating the fish out of the pond.

Kids growing up, leaving home and going to college.

[Dragonfly]

I don't think anything should be omitted.

What is 'staying on topic?' someone starts a topic that looks like "fencing" but something else is on his mind, and then he gets ticked off if everyone doesn't follow his major points.

I wish I could understand what you people really want, but, you'll never admit it, never in a thousand years.

[a517dogg]

Underpaid refs at national (and regional) tournements.

[Inquartata]

Originally posted by Mo
Things that should not be there?

Heron eating the fish out of the pond.

Cheer up, Mo. "Heron today, gone tomorrow."

[KShan5[PrFC]]

Democrats

People running for the Governorship of California who do not know who the Secretary of State, or the Vice President are

Grammar/Spelling Police

Sarcasm, because it could be detrementel to one's psyche

[Wizardly]

Mo - you'll only miss them while they're in college. When college is over, you'll mysteriously disappear for a few years.

[tantricthonger]

Hello Peach,
I think Peach was just being ironic,by pointing out the overheated,overly pedantic qualities of some of the threads on this forum,and not actually implying that the topics on her list,or any other topics for that matter,should'nt be discussed.Am I right Peach?Mo,your post sounded rather melancholy,just remember to smile and always wear a thong,ha..ha..ha!
Kind Regards,
Brett/Tantricthonger

[MyraTrue]

just have to throw it in-

I know you said colored uniforms, but... heheheheh

things that shouldn't be: a fellow fencer who wanted to make his jacket "a manly shade of blue" which after one wash has turned baby blue. Colored jackets... welll... not that way.

Classification, as in: "you REALLY look like you should be fencing sabre" for a female?

Myra

[Dragonfly]

I concur with Tantricthonger, it's a no-brainer that we can see what's what.


`)>>--------

[Inquartata]

Originally posted by tantricthonger
overly pedantic

I resemble that remark...

[Craig]

Originally posted by Dragonfly
To see threads get cut off, as people are connecting in fencing talk, ironing out fencing issues is clearly the hallmark of a despot.
[/b]

Ah, I'm a despot now. At least I'm a despot that responds to direct questions sent via email.

There's a watercooler area for a reason.