Lythand:
Well, if you listen to the commentary being gushed forth by the announcers during the NBA finals, you'd probably think Shaq was like God's gift to basketball. Yeah, a 7-foot wall with a six-inch range and a 50% free throw percentage. Thanks.
Anyway, back to the point, I certainly don't let things like cheating (or attempted cheating, and believe me, there's lots of this going on) dampen my spirits regarding Magic in general or even the tournaments I go to. For those of you who read my (long-winded) article, you may recall that I saw players agreeing to take falls in exchange for a portion of the winner's prize, right in front of the judges, and nothing was done. Bribery and collusion, pure and simple, and the judges just laughed it off. So I don't entertain any kind of notion that what goes on in tournaments is all aboveboard and proper, despite the pompous stylings of the judges. I just go to play the game, and if someone wants to cheat and take advantage of me, I really couldn't care less. I don't let it get me down, because I never go to tournaments expecting to beat everyone. Perhaps I'm selling myself short, but I go more for the sake of being able to play against other people rather than for the sake of some prizes.
Gryphonclaw:
Is it OK to flame someone who isn't reading these messages? The second part of my message was directed towards "him" (again, I don't want to use his name for fear that I'm adding to the problem) and not at Gumby Khan. Heck, Gumby Khan and I agree on this issue! I meant everything I said, too; guys like "him" disgrace the game and the tournament scene with their conduct, and regardless of what people may say about "his" personality away from the game table, "he" is still going to be known and judged by what "he" does during the game. "He" has said that "he" doesn't care what other people think of "him", but I think that also shows that "he" doesn't care about what people think about the game "he" plays or the tournaments "he" wins, either.