Endurance.Net Ridecamp Archives

On Nov 6, 2007, at 8:49 PM, k s swigart wrote:
> I must confess that when I read the protest in this month's EN, I was
> extremely disappointed by the light "slap on the wrist" that Patrick
> McDonald got for his self-acknowledged blatant abuse and  
> unsportsmanlike
> conduct towards another rider and non-rider, and if _I_ had been on  
> the
> protest committee he'd have gotten disqualified from the ride  
> (assuming
> he finished it) and a suspension along with his "censure."
I think a DQ from the ride would have been appropriate, and maybe a  
fine.  I don't think a suspension would be warranted, however.

> I am even more disappointed by the above statements by Ridecampers  
> (but
> now better understand the light punishment meted out by the P&G
> committee).
>
> It would appear that I am the only one who had drilled into me in my
> childhood that bad behaviour on somebody else's part does not  
> excuse bad
> behaviour on my own part.
I agree with you here, Kat.  While it may be emotionally satisfying  
to lose your temper in such a situation, it is not the kind of  
behavior that should be accepted.  Understood, perhaps, but not  
accepted or praiseworthy.

On the other hand - I can admit to a high level of frustration as to  
what was imposed, or possibly, what the board was allowed to impose  
under AERC rules.  For example - no protest was filed against the  
rider because he was not an AERC member.

I don't agree with this, as this means that no action was or will be  
taken against this rider - including barring him from entering future  
rides for a period of time, or requiring that he ride with a mentor  
when and if he is allowed to enter another ride.   Maybe he won't  
ever enter another ride (after the fight - I probably wouldn't).   
That shouldn't stop the AERC from taking positive action to show  
their **membership** that they are taking steps to try and avoid a  
repetition of this event.  Putting him on a list of riders not  
allowed to enter rides would be one.  Making him ride with a mentor  
would be another.  Talking to his friends - who ARE members - and  
determining whether they have any responsibility in the matter (why  
didn't one of his friends ride with him?)  would be another.



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