Subject: "Why we care" - misc. article Date: Fri, 24 Jul 1998 10:40:16 -0400 From: kathleen striggow To: "'fkusumot@ix.netcom.com'" Subject: Commentary Date: Fri, 24 July 1998 10:00 am EST From: kstriggo@glasscity.net To: fkusumot@ix.netcom.com First off, let me say that I wasn't there. I didn't see it. I only heard about it. The first person I heard it from was there. Otherwise, it's been the articles on the Dojo that I've read. But please understand this : I'm not accusing him of anything. I just wanted to comment on Albert Birckhead's article. It's a good article, and he's basically right, about one thing, at least. Most of the articles are the same thing over and over again, and there's only a few out there worth reading. I might not agree with the five that he picked out, but that doesn't matter. His article had an overall message, and it is that message that I'm commenting on. It is not just the person who came in 9th that should care. If he was cheating, then everyone that he beat should be a little upset. "What if he won against me because he cheated? If he hadn't cheated against me, how far would I have gotten?" What I mean is, sure he went undefeated in the first 11 matches. What are those 11 people thinking now? Are they absolutely positive that he didn't cheat against them? Of course not. You asked the question, "Why do half of you people even care?" Here's an answer. Because it's wrong. WRONG. Who plays the game? The people. Who was the game made for? The people. They definitely have a right to care. Whether they express that right or not doesn't make a difference. I care because I plan to make the tour someday. And I have the utmost respect for those on the tour now. It takes a lot to be able to succeed in a game like Magic, to be able to continually advance through rounds at the qualifiers as well as the tour events, to overcome obstacles (like getting mana-screwed), to get the right draw at the right time, etc. You get my point. But here's the thing......if someone has to cheat to win, they don't deserve to be there. Now, you might say "But Scott, he does deserve to be there. He won the qualifier!!" Fine. If, in your opinion, he does deserve to be there, why would he be cheating? Now, about your third point. I must disagree. I don't think that most of us would cheat to win "countless thousands", as you put it. At least, I hope not. I would like to believe that most of us are better people than that. But if you want to try, go right ahead. Two words of advice, though.........watch out. After this incident with Mr. Long, I'm sure a few players will be a little more alert at the tournaments. And I'm sure that there's a few people out there that might not like the fact that you tried to cheat them out of "countless thousands," and might just do something about it. Personally, Albert, I don't know you. I'm not attacking you. I'm just commenting on your article. And as for the last two lines of your article, I will say this. I believe that I do have something real to say, as did everyone else who posted an article about the situation. Whether it's real to you or not is irrelevant. And you have absolutely no business telling other people to "shut the hell up", as you put it. Who do you think you are, anyway? Just stating my opinion Scott Striggow I would appreciate any response. Please e-mail me at kstriggo@glasscity.net