Thu Apr 08, 2004, 10:31am
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Official Forum Member
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Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: Just north of hell
Posts: 9,250
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Quote:
Originally posted by rainmaker
Quote:
Originally posted by Dan_ref
Quote:
Originally posted by rainmaker
Quote:
Originally posted by TravelinMan
Don't get mad...get even.
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I agree that there need to be consequences, I disagree about revenge. "An eye for an eye, and the whole world ends up blind." What needs to happen to solve the problem? Our entire country needs to learn the mantra, "Maybe someone else knows more than I do." This isn't just for sports officials to be concerned about. It's for policemen, government workers, doctors, lawyers, and anyone else who must exercise authority over us regular folks based on a body of knowledge and experience that us regualr folks don't have any comprehension of. There's a time to stand up against authority when it is used improperly, but there's also a time to submit to authority, even when I don't understand or agree. And our whole country could use a good anger managment seminar. I'd wager that all of these assaults grow out of unrealistic expectations that are based on faulty perceptions of reality. And that, my friends, is a recipe for Rollin' Rage.
How do we get folks to change? (1) We start by setting the example. Outside of sports, when we find ourselves on the short end of the stick, we need to see a larger point of view, adjust our expectations, problem solve, and when appropriate, submit to reality. (2)We can also find ways to talk others out of their rage-tendencies. "Yea, it's a long line, but the checker is doing the best she can." "I know. I wish I hadn't waited until Dec 24 to do my Christmas shopping too. Know any good elephant jokes?" so forth and so on. (3) We can see to it that the outbursts of violence such as this article talks about are dealt with appropriate in the public view. We need to find ways to project a mature detachment as a desireable attitude. We need to hold these people up, not as monsters, but at pathetic creatures who need our sympathy not our vengenance. (4) at the same time, we need to see to it that there are consequences and that they are certain. Civil suit seems completely reasonable, and it should encompass both compensatory and punitive damages. And it should not take too long. (5) and we need to find ways to REQUIRE the prosecutor to act. In Oregon, we have one of those laws that requires conviction, and imposes mandatory sentence, on people convicted of assaulting an official.
Whew! I guess that's enough lecture for one day.
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I put your very thoughtful and well written post in a small pot & let it boil for 20 minutes.
Here's what was left:
God, grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change;
the courage to change the things I can;
and the wisdom to know the difference.
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Are you saying that refs need to adopt that, or
fans/coaches/players/announcers/sportswriters?
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Yes.
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