Re: ACF Fall commentary

RSBhan · Tue, 06 Nov 2001 18:54:29 -0800

Adam Fine wrote:
"So... my animosity is
directed toward Roger alone."

Well, that's not
cool. I don't bear any animosity towards you, Adam.
I'll argue with you all day, but I won't hate you for
expressing your opinion about a game.

Adam Fine also
wrote:
"To take the approach you did in responding to Stan's
comments was not only harsh, but wholly inappropriate for
someone who is supposed to represent one of the major
quizbowl organizations."

Quite frankly, I don't
care. Maybe what I said was overly harsh, but I won't
retract what I said or apologize for it because it's what
I meant.

ACF is not a corporation. No one is
making a living off of this. It is not my job to be
polite or to smile and nod at people's complaints or to
stifle whatever opinions I may have. My task is to
receive packet submissions and crank out an accessible
and challenging set of questions for ACF Nationals
next April. I apologize profusely if I ever gave any
other impression of my duties.

Which is not to
say ACF hasn't listened to this purported "customer
base" people keep mentioning. You clamored for easier
questions, we gave you easier questions. You clamored for a
division II, we gave you a division II (in accordance with
the ACF philosophy). Like I said some time ago, the
new leadership of ACF is working very hard to bring
about these changes, but these changes cannot happen in
one day. It all starts with one tournament (which I
like to think of as Kelly's ACF Fall Tournament), but
one against a hundred old tournaments (as Adam
pointed out from his previous ACF experiences) doesn't
hold much weight. Give it some time, folks. You've
already unanimously lauded our first effort, now allow us
the chance to continue and I promise you won't be
disappointed.

Adam Fine continued to write:
"I disagree with
Stan's stereotype of the 38-year old professional
student, but by calling his comments "retarded," you not
only put newer players off, but you help perpetuate
stereotypes about ACF."

Let people think of me what
they will. Like I said, I really don't give a damn.
But if they judge ACF based on my inane commentary
and not on the questions themselves (which are the
only things that truly speak for ACF), then that's
their own stupidity and I won't regret their absence at
the next ACF tournament.

Adam Fine finished up
with:
"Stick to writing questions, Roger (your packets from
SLO that were used at the Terrapin were quite
excellent)."

Thanks. I happen to find yours quite mediocre, Mr.
Professional.

And last but not least, Adam Fine wrote:
"You
cannot speak "for no one but yourself," fool, if you are
the editor of 2002 ACF Nationals!"

Wow. I was
completely unaware of the fact that I couldn't speak
independently of any group I'm affiliated with. Allow me to
finish this off correctly, then.

Roger
Bhan
Obviously speaking on behalf of ACF, Stanford University
College Bowl, Molecular Dynamics, Inc., the people of
Kashmir, Hindus everywhere, all individuals who wear a
size 10 shoe, everyone who has ever ridden a bicycle,
and, of course, the citizens of Athens