RE: UAE/AERC

["Alison Farrin" <alison@innovativepension.com>]

Howard - the perception is that it isn't politically correct to let UAE be a
sponsor.  The chance of a UAE rider participating in our national
championship ride is very small.  In any case he should be treated like any
other rider and UAE should be treated like any other sponsor.  Let's just
say that Sundowner decided to professionally sponsor Angie McGhee because
they like they way she writes about endurance and that's helping promote a
sport they also sponsor on a national basis.  When Angie gets to the
National Championships, do we tell Sundowner they can't be a sponsor because
its a conflict of interest?  I don't think its gonna happen.  Yet, you
ascribe all kinds of base motives - "Payola.  Bribery.  Being bought and
paid for" - is your quote; to UAE Without Any Proof Whatsoever.

The perception of those folks with the negative attitude toward the UAE is
that UAE is in it to cheat.  Now as far as I know there's no substance to
back that up.  What we do know, is that in Egypt, they thought their
sponsorship meant they could run the ride.  We just have to make sure that
doesn't happen in the US.

The point is:  Keep an Open Mind and Don't put a label on anyone without
proof.

Alison

-----Original Message-----
From: Howard4567@aol.com [mailto:Howard4567@aol.com]
Sent: Tuesday, March 27, 2001 4:42 PM
To: ridecamp@endurance.net
Subject: RC: UAE/AERC


In a message dated 3/27/01 5:46:10 PM Eastern Standard Time,
CMKSAGEHIL@AOL.COM writes:

<< Randy, I'd say your facts are correct here, but I still fail to see how
what you've said has any bearing on why AERC turned down the offer of UAE
money for an FEI division at an AERC ride!   >>

Well, then you ain't paying attention, cause I certainly understand where
the
problem lies.  It's called perception.  Payola.  Bribery.  Being bought and
paid for.

Did you read his paragraphs concerning "conflict of interest(s)?"  I mean
come on, if the FEI portion of the ride is sponsored by the same country who
competes and competes seriously, then there's not much doubt that there's a
conflict of interest.  If the vets and judges are paid by the same country
who plans on winning the race, don't you see a conflict there?  Are you
living on the same planet as the rest of us?

If it walks like a duck, quacks like a duck, poops like a duck, my guess is
it's a duck.  When I was in the Air Force (I'm sure y'all love hearing about
this) they had a saying that if anything you do has even an appearance of
impropriety than you'd damn well better change what you're doing.  Culture
differences not withstanding, I think even the UAE might be able to see
where
the perception of conflicting interests might lie.  Maybe one of their
foreign brokers can try and explain it to them sometime.

cya,
Howard (I'm still riding the great X 20 grandson of Paul Revere's horse)


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