Washington officials finally disciplined for charity pink whistles

[TXMike]

[QUOTE=rockyroad;760124]Sigh...

So many people who don't know the whole story, read a few rants from columnists in newspapers, and then think they understand the whole situation.

[QUOTE]

So why were other sports allowed to use pink whistles?

[mbyron]

Originally Posted by TXMike

So why were other sports allowed to use pink whistles?

Because they followed state procedures for a uniform exception.

[TXMike]

OK. So bureacracy is more important than common sense. Wonderful..

[BktBallRef]

Originally Posted by TXMike

OK. So bureacracy is more important than common sense. Wonderful..

Following a simple process that's put in place by the governing body is common sense as opposed to saying, Screw you, we'll answer to no one and will do what we want."

Thought you were smarter than that.

Originally Posted by Eastshire

Frankly, I don't care if this officials' association has consistently broken every rule in the book; WOA, and this Todd in particular, have been jerks in regards to this situation. Saying the local association isn't a group of choirboys doesn't change the fact that WOA board and staff are jerks.

Why? Because an official from the association who is also a sportswriter portray them as jerks in his story or because an official from the association who works for a TV station was able to get a news story slanted in his favor?

[Eastshire]

Originally Posted by BktBallRef

Following a simple process that's put in place by the governing body is common sense as opposed to saying, Screw you, we'll answer to no one and will do what we want."

Thought you were smarter than that.

Which, from what I can tell is exactly what WOA has done here.

[TXMike]

I just want one of you apologists to explain why other sports were allowed to wear pink whistles and why football guys were allowed to wear blue flags but these guys were not allowed to wear pink whistles. Seems like an arbitrary and unsupportable decision to me. If the PNFOA perceived they were being forced to play under different rules (as it seems they were) then kudos to them for doing the right thing.

[Eastshire]

Originally Posted by TXMike

I just want one of you apologists to explain why other sports were allowed to wear pink whistles and why football guys were allowed to wear blue flags but these guys were not allowed to wear pink whistles. Seems like an arbitrary and unsupportable decision to me. If the PNFOA perceived they were being forced to play under different rules (as it seems they were) then kudos to them for doing the right thing.

I'm definitely not an apologist, but what I read was that WOA assigned charities and you were only allowed to support the charity you were assigned. I agree that it was completely arbitrary and indicative of WOA being power-hungry.

[BktBallRef]

Originally Posted by TXMike

I just want one of you apologists to explain why other sports were allowed to wear pink whistles and why football guys were allowed to wear blue flags but these guys were not allowed to wear pink whistles. Seems like an arbitrary and unsupportable decision to me. If the PNFOA perceived they were being forced to play under different rules (as it seems they were) then kudos to them for doing the right thing.

I don't know any apologists but I'll see if I can break down so you can understand it, even though I know you still won't agree.

In order to show support for two different causes, the WOA voted to allow basketball and volleyball officials to use pink whistles to show that officials' support breast cancer research and to allow football officials to use blue flags to show support for prostate cancer research. It's symbolic. Any official can donate a game check or any amount they choose to for with cause or any other cause.

I venture to say that if basketball or volleyball officials had chosen to use blue whistles, they would have similiar problems with the WOA for violating the directive.

I really don't see why that's so difficult to understand.

[JRutledge]

Again, one more reason these processes are silly to me. The best crews and individuals should work the post season, not based on what organization you belong to. Even if they did not follow a policy as an organization, is this the reason to flex your muscles? And one of the reasons this is a PR nightmare for this state. Penalize the individuals that participated, I am sure there are people that did not participate. Oh well, just thanking God that we are not judged by an entire association action, especially when it comes to assignments.

Peace

[BktBallRef]

Originally Posted by Eastshire

Which, from what I can tell is exactly what WOA has done here.

The problem with your argument is that the WOA is the statewide organization recognized by the WIAA that all local associations join and agree to abide by their rules and regulations. They chose not to and knew they faced possible sanctions. The PNFOA has to abide by what the WOA decides, not the other way around.

[Eastshire]

Originally Posted by BktBallRef

The problem with your argument is that the WOA is the statewide organization recognized by the WIAA that all local associations join and agree to abide by their rules and regulations. They chose not to and knew they faced possible sanctions. The PNFOA has to abide by what the WOA decides, not the other way around.

It's clear to me that it's time the WOA was disbanded. It's clearly more interested in exercising arbitrary power than serving the interest of the officials it purportedly represents.

Seriously, what kind of person prohibits a display in support of breast cancer awareness?

[Eastshire]

Originally Posted by mbyron

Because they followed state procedures for a uniform exception.

IIRC, they did follow procedures to request it and were told they were only allowed to support prostate cancer research.

Frankly, I don't care if this officials' association has consistently broken every rule in the book; WOA, and this Todd in particular, have been jerks in regards to this situation. Saying the local association isn't a group of choirboys doesn't change the fact that WOA board and staff are jerks.