I have "secondhand" reason to believe that Mr. Forte has lots of accusers and that the OP is close to the truth.

This is true, but there are other potential common law and statutory claims. I don't know what state the conference being discussed is based in and even if I did, unless it was Texas, wouldn't know applicable laws there. However, a good attorney can craft causes of action based upon the argued facts and law. I have turned fact situations where other attorneys refused to act for my clients into settlements or even money judgments. Sometimes it wasn't so much brilliance as it was the notion to do a little work.

My point is the law is never as simple as a lot of people think it is, nor is it as complex, either!

Well. I expect that's the last we'll hear from this poster. :)

Brad -

You may very well know who I am just as I may know who you are. (I suspect that you do). That isn't too difficult either. If so, you know how to contact me and we can discuss offline. No need to go further on here...

You also may not agree with what I have said on the site, but I have not violated any of the forum rules other than to post an opinion(s) that many, including you , may not agree with. That in itself does not surprise me.

My responses to others were to dispute what some believed and I tried to have a reasonable debate, yet others took it to the "personal" level. However, I get banned for "reasons," yet those who bad mouth me do not.

This site has allowed personal attacks on me to overflow. I stated my opinion about the treatment the lockout referees (black and white) were receiving and what is the TRUTH regarding the entire situation as Moderator Mick is finding out as well now from his secondary sources. So, my allegations are warranted...and at the very least should be investigated.

The lockout has had an affect on many people and the fallout will more than likely be felt for a long time. There was very little "win" in this situation. I still say that just because a person in charge (supervisor) CAN do something and has the RIGHT to do something doesn't always equate to that person SHOULD do something. That's where judgment comes into play and I feel that the exercise of power to take games away from officials who worked the lockout (for that reason) was a poor exercise of good judgement and an abuse of power.

So if you opt to expose me, my conferences, my real job, my name, or identify me in circles that I may not be privy too, that is your choice. There's not a whole lot more that can be done to me or said about me that has not already be done or said. My opinion is what it is...I only wish I had more clout to do something about it...but I don't. I am just a small pea in officiating.

I know who some on here are too and I keep those things to myself...even when I see them out or work games with them and remember things that they post that I do not like or agree with. That's the freedom that we have in America to voice our opinions. However, we all know that those who may be in charge (i.e. moderators, coordinators, big time refs, crew chiefs, etc.) are privy to bring about harm to others in many ways if things are said or done that are not to the liking of those in charge.

I offered a truce earlier and yet I got banned again...I guess one poster was right...you will not hear from me again...under any other screen name. What's the point? Things I say fall on deaf ears. Maybe I pick the wrong forum or avenue to voice my opinion. Maybe my approach is all wrong. Maybe I need to self-reflect. Yes, you have caused me to wonder about this...

So even in saying this, I am CERTAIN that MANY will once again pile on the personal attacks, attempt to identify me, or even post my name, and bring harm to me. That will not change the facts of what happened to those Big South officials. BTW, the lockout will more than likely be over this weekend, so let's see if those guys get games in the Big South. Fair is still Fair! Period.

Have a great season! You're more of an expert in IT than me and a lot taller.

I may not agree with the OP's methods but I wouldn't be so quick to discount some of his claims either.

[QUOTE=smileyref;631958]Fair is still Fair! Period.QUOTE]

There is not much in life that is fair (outside of the basketball games that we officiate... and even then we have to make rulings that sometimes are not quite "fair" imo). The moment people realize this and start living their lives not expecting things to be fair is the moment they take personal accountability and really start to achieve personal success.

Given my life experience, I stop listening to people when they start to rant about things being"fair".

Hmmm, just wondering if any of the folks who said the OP was totally off-base would like to re-visit this topic?

Why? Is there a news story to support the OP or some other public information?

Why does there need to be a news story? Since when do game assignments appear in the news?

People know officials who worked in the Big South/Carolina Conference last year who also worked replacement games.

The OP claimed those officials would basically be blackballed/punished (or pick whatever word you choose) for working those games. (I'm not referring to the comments about Joe Forte's character).

Was there any validity to those claims by the OP?