Wednesday's notes: Accentuate the positive
by Dirk Hoag on Aug 17, 2011 7:42 AM EDT
in Nashville Predators News
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PrintSometimes around these parts I get accused of being too negative, and I suppose that's a hard thing to judge on what is essentially a community of Nashville Predators fans. Are writers here tasked with pumping up other fans and touting the team's Stanley Cup chances, or taking a more even-handed approach and calling out mis-steps or weaknesses when they are spotted? It's all about expectations, and I'd like to get your thoughts on that this morning.
For members of the organization, however, optimism is a critical motivating factor in the day-to-day drive to produce the best hockey team possible over the long course of the NHL season. We hear often about having a short-term memory, and focusing instead on the task at hand, no matter how disappointing a particular loss is. Goaltenders have to put a soft goal behind them as quickly as possible and get ready for the next save, etc.
So listen in as Brent Peterson spoke on the radio yesterday to a number of issues surrounding the team on and off the ice, and also touched on the positive attitude that is essential to his battle with Parkinson's, a perfect example of how that optimism can drive one's daily life:
Brent Peterson on Thom Abraham Show 20110816 (mp3)
And after the jump, your morning hockey news...
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Dirk, I think you've set up a false dichotomy in your article
There shouldn’t have to be a choice between “pumping up other fans and touting the team’s Stanley Cup chances” and “calling out mis-steps or weaknesses.” To me, the fact that you equated even-handedness and calling the team out is tellingly negative. As a regular reader, I want you to be independent and neutral, but this summer has not been neutral. It’s been brutal, mostly among the community, but sometimes in the articles as well.
I keep repeating the same thing, but: It’s one thing to bear witness to the issues the team has. It’s another to ignore or actively discount the strengths we have. We do have a good foundation, and that foundation will help us into the next several years. It’s a foundation not just of particular players but of how we do things, the real “Predator Way,” which involves a great deal of patience and not a little overachieving along with a strong defense.
It’s an issue of tone, for the most part, not one of substance. Keeping expectations clearly out in front of the discussion can help a lot. I think it’s reasonable to wonder about our ability to carve out a deep playoff run in 2011-12, but a lot of the talk around here sounds like doom and gloom not only for the playoffs, but also for the regular season, and, worse, for all time, with words like never, always, etc., getting tossed around like air.
I don’t want to hang out with a crowd of Eeyores. It’s sad, depressing, and frustrating, and completely UN-fun. The fact that that tone doesn’t fit with what I can see in front of my eyes just makes it harder to bear. At its best, this is one of the best communities in the hockey blogosphere. When it turns on itself, however, it’s terrible.
"I'm a firm believer that in life, if you're happy then happy things will happen for you."--Bernie Parent
Part Predator, part Lightning.
by CAustin on Aug 17, 2011 8:35 AM EDT reply actions 2 recs
well said
The tendency to whining and complaining may be taken as the surest sign symptom of little souls and inferior intellects. ~ Lord Jeffrey
To me, even-handedness means having the capacity to call the team out when necessary or warranted. It’s not tellingly negative. It’s the definition of even-handedness. Even the TV announcers do that from time to time, though it’s a bit more awkward for them.
There are times when OTF staff are reporters here and other times when they read more like columnists, voicing their opinion. I think both are ok, great for this space. If there’s any confusion, maybe you can use some sort of header or other indicator to separate stories from columns, but I think both are ok. Like predacious says here below, it’s not a paper.
No even-handed is doling out both praise and criticism when either are warranted. I want this board to hold the team accountable, but that doesn’t have to be the only thing we do. We can also say good things and still be fair.
"I'm a firm believer that in life, if you're happy then happy things will happen for you."--Bernie Parent
Part Predator, part Lightning.
The positive part was implied, or at least that was the intention. That part is a given. OTF wouldn’t get too much traction as a Preds blog if it were blasting away at the team 24-7. I think these guys do a good job of balancing that.
Why should it have to be implied? What’s wrong with saying it out loud?
"I'm a firm believer that in life, if you're happy then happy things will happen for you."--Bernie Parent
Part Predator, part Lightning.
Uhm, because it’s a Preds blog, and the title of it isn’t Trash the Preds. So yeah, I figure the bloggers are going to say some positive things. My question is whether they’ll say some contrary things. And they do.
Again, what’s wrong with saying positive things out loud? Why does it have to be implied but not stated?
"I'm a firm believer that in life, if you're happy then happy things will happen for you."--Bernie Parent
Part Predator, part Lightning.
I think I answered, or maybe we misunderstand each other. If you’re asking me to amend my definition of what it means to be even-handed, ok, I’ll indulge you: Having the capacity to say positive things or negative things when necessary or warranted. The reason why I left out that first part is because it’s kind of a no-duh. I expect OTF to say some positive things about the Predators. There’s nothing wrong with that. I just thought your interpretation of what Dirk said above was itself “tellingly negative.” He’s just asking whether you want a cheerleader or someone who can kind of tell it like it is, to channel Cosell. We probably both agree it’s the second thing we want.
He’s just asking whether you want a cheerleader or someone who can kind of tell it like it is
Like I said in my initial post, I think Dirk set up a false choice. It’s not an either-or situation. You can cheer for the team while you call for it to improve. These things are not mutually exclusive. It’s a question of tone, not substance. I am very glad that there’s space for criticism. But there’s more to say than just that.
In my response to your response, I’m asking why positive comments about the “direction of the team” or the team’s strengths get so much play on this board. We’re all fans here. We all love the team and love at least some part of what they’re doing or we wouldn’t be here. So why does it garner such a response when someone argues that we’re doing some things right?
"I'm a firm believer that in life, if you're happy then happy things will happen for you."--Bernie Parent
Part Predator, part Lightning.
Ah ok, we may be talking about different things. I’m talking about the OTF posts, not the commentary. If the positive comments are more flame-inducing than the negative ones, I haven’t really noticed. Seems about the same to me. But I haven’t been here long.
I do think you might be needlessly hung up on his choice of words in the question posed at the beginning of his post. I think it’s a fair question. Doesn’t mean you can’t find an alternate answer or some sort of reply that amounts to “I want both.” I think that’s what you’ve done.
Yes, but to get to “I want both,” I had to go through the question as it was phrased. That’s the way my mind works.
"I'm a firm believer that in life, if you're happy then happy things will happen for you."--Bernie Parent
Part Predator, part Lightning.
Yeah, wish he’d stop asking us what kind of blog we want. The nerve. … You and I probably do want two different blogs. I like the journalistic quality of this one because that’s my background, the way my mind works.
When you say the summer’s been brutal, not neutral, are you talking about the events of the summer or the reporting/commentary of those events in this space? I’d say the first has been brutal, the second has been pretty good and also indicative of how many people care, no matter what their position.
One parting thought, and I promise I’m done here. If it’s raining outside, I don’t think it’s negative to say “it’s raining.” That might make me go get an umbrella.
I’m not saying that we should ignore problems and just hope they’ll go away. Acknowledging problems isn’t what bothers me. The tendency to look around and see only problems bothers me, or at least to talk about only problems. And again, its tone not substance.
Mostly it’s just sheer volume and repetition. As an example, this thread currently has 48 comments on it, all but 12 about the question of positivity vs negativity, many justifying some level of criticism of the team, a few taking issue with specific things DP has done, none defending DP without qualification. Three of the 48 comments are praising some part of the season. There are currently 2 comments on a thread about one of the most positive events to happen this season, our welcoming the team back from Anaheim.
Now, this is a pretty tame conversation compared to some that have gone on here. No one has said anything personal about anyone’s intelligence, or said we’ll never win a Cup in Nashville, or said anyone who believes X is a bad fan, but 33 to 5 is a pretty clear indication of where the interests of the active posters is. When the volume gets turned up that high AND you also get the “I can’t believe anyone could hold that opinion” stuff thrown in as well, it becomes unpleasant.
"I'm a firm believer that in life, if you're happy then happy things will happen for you."--Bernie Parent
Part Predator, part Lightning.
I think with any neutral post, you can take a look at the commentary, maybe assign a positive-negative value to it and get a general idea about the public’s mood. If the public’s mood seems negative, it could be because the events of the summer have been negative.
I am just fine with people saying that they are bothered by such and such and here’s why. That is perfectly reasonable and civil. My biggest concerns are a) maintaining some level of perspective so we don’t get bogged down in the details, and b) making sure we are all (and I include myself here) respectful of each other.
And unfortunately I really have to go now. I’ll be out all evening, so I’m not ignoring you, I’m just not able to post right now.
"I'm a firm believer that in life, if you're happy then happy things will happen for you."--Bernie Parent
Part Predator, part Lightning.
Gotta disagree
I don’t want ‘neutral’ from Dirk or any of the other bloggers on this site. This isn’t a newspaper, it’s a blog. I want honest opinions that we can talk about. It’s what forums are for. Good or bad they are there for us to talk about how we feel. If people feel like the sky is falling let them voice it. If others feel that all is rosy then they have the right to say so as well.
No one here should be the dictators of opinion. We should just accept that our opinions differ, and as long as the opinions aren’t based on misinformation or a lack of facts then they should all be considered valid.
I get just as frustrated by the Predator PollyAnna crowd who think the Preds can do no wrong and Poile is a God. I don’t come here to hold hands or dance around the Preds Maypole with blue and gold streamers in our fists. So far, in 6 post season appearances the Predators Way has gotten us to the second round once, and let’s not kid ourselves about our fortunate circumstances (Bobby Ryan suspension, gimp goalie) when we consider our one foray past the first round.
It’s not wrong to expect more or ask questions when the mantra from the ownership group is 17,113 and the Cup, and our front office staff is talking about having a better team while doing almost nothing to improve it and openly touting rookies as the ones who will make this team better. By mentioning it I am not predicting doom and gloom. I’m just saying I have expectations now due to what our owners and management say they have a commitment towards.
I’m saying it because this is a forum, and that’s how I feel.
by Predaceous on Aug 17, 2011 10:38 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Cool, agree with your opinion, but one thing ...
Stop qualifying the Preds’ series victory over Anaheim. Better team won. Yeah, they didn’t have Hiller and missed Ryan for two. We were out three centermen and Cube. They were playing their best hockey of the season down the stretch, without Hiller. And I think Hiller makes little difference in that series anyway. That’s the nice thing about scoring ugly goals like the Predators do. They go in against anybody.
Including Vancouver....
….too bad we only got one pretty goal against them (Hustlechuk).
The truth is always the right answer....
by Pekka for Predator Pontiff on Aug 17, 2011 11:23 AM EDT up reply actions
It's funny that
it seems battle lines have been drawn between fans. Either you are “Predator PollyAnna” or an “Eeyore”. It is much bigger than that. I can still think Poile is doing a good job overall but not be happy about the Shea Weber fiasco.
I do find it interesting the way fans can tout one set of circumstances for a teams successes, yet totally ignore another set for their failures. Myself included.
This is my favorite site and is also the top page on my Chrome new tab page. Great work Dirk and please don’t stop.
The tendency to whining and complaining may be taken as the surest sign symptom of little souls and inferior intellects. ~ Lord Jeffrey
I don’t consider myself either one. I also don’t look at all the happy people and say that every last one of them is burying their heads in the sand or the critical people and think that just because they’re critical that they all think the end of the world is near. It’s not everyone and it’s not even the majority that feel either extreme, at least not here.
I think a lot of people have had balanced perspectives. That being said, it is the extreme ones that do that I have an issue with and the main reason I don’t participate in the Preds official messageboards anymore. Any tiny bit of criticism was treated as an insult to God and humanity. People would start ganging up and hurtling insults, cliques were formed. THAT’S the type of discussion board I don’t want to be a part of.
I want good debates and honest discussions no matter how people feel.
Agreed. I just want to be able to say, “Hey we have X, Y, or Z, and that’s good” without getting jumped on.
"I'm a firm believer that in life, if you're happy then happy things will happen for you."--Bernie Parent
Part Predator, part Lightning.
I am trading Z for P.
And you will like it!
Sooooo....
We’re gonna get Pach Parise? (See what I did there? Z for P? Get it?) ;)
DTP!!!!
"I'm a firm believer that in life, if you're happy then happy things will happen for you."--Bernie Parent
Part Predator, part Lightning.
by CAustin on Aug 17, 2011 1:03 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
I refuse to discount any of the work it took to get to where we got to last season. Our entire forwards corps was held together with spit and chewing gum by the end of the regular season. Erat was systematically dismantled in the Ducks series. No Lombardi, no O’Reilly, Sully hurt, Fisher hurt, no Wilson, and so on, If Hiller’s injury and Ryan’s suspension were relevant then so are those things. This team willed itself into the second round, and I am pretty proud of that.
"I'm a firm believer that in life, if you're happy then happy things will happen for you."--Bernie Parent
Part Predator, part Lightning.
no Wilson
That was the stupidity of the coaching staff / management.
And the only issue with what you said about our foundation is that our foundation is getting ready to leave for greener pastures because 1) Poile is too cheap to pay them and 2) We have in incredible amount of dollars ($9M) tied up in two guys that suck.
He’s not the genius that everyone calls him and needs to be called out for it. Losing our “foundation” would be catastrophic and would cast us back to the medieval hockey times.
And Poile, as was pointed out to me by DontFeedtheBelak, is the longest serving GM to never win a Stanley Cup….EVER!!! So it’s not like he hasn’t had opportunities and its not like we couldn’t be a lot better than we are now. 7 year contracts for Legwand and Erat? That is 100% non-sensical.
Dirk is not right about much, but he’s right to be cynical about the direction of the franchise when our core is potentially on its way out the door!!!
The truth is always the right answer....
by Pekka for Predator Pontiff on Aug 17, 2011 11:28 AM EDT up reply actions
I don’t think “everyone” calls him that. I think a lot of people here have taken him to task for his mistakes. This may be confirmation bias on my part, but it seems awfully rare on this board to see an “I Love David Poile” post. It really sticks out when it happens. Most people are more critical than that.
"I'm a firm believer that in life, if you're happy then happy things will happen for you."--Bernie Parent
Part Predator, part Lightning.
The problem is with the level of payroll allowed....
…. that means mistakes are even less tolerated. If Ken Holland and his massive payroll of the Wings made mistakes (and let me tell you, they make tons of them), you can brush them off easily.
Here, they can’t do that. Hence why Lombardi (granted it wasn’t a mistake, but they had to do it) is in Toronto; why Ward is in Washington, Sullivan in Pittsburgh, Dumont in… well…. at Subway..
Poor JP.
Yeah the mistakes are probably gonna hurt us more than they might someone else. But there is plenty of very good and appropriate criticism of DP available right here on OtF for anyone who wants some. We aren’t in danger of running out soon. He’s not universally beloved is all I’m saying.
"I'm a firm believer that in life, if you're happy then happy things will happen for you."--Bernie Parent
Part Predator, part Lightning.
I believe, because of the nature of this off season and the stress related with it, posters have jumped to conclusions or read more into posts……thus, we end up with posts lamenting " I have issue with the extreme posts" , or " I heart Poile" or “Lets fire Poile and Trotz”. So ridicule takes over….and we’ve all did it. Frankly, I’m not sure I recognize an extremist post….I recognize posts I don’t necessarily agree 100%, but that does not make it extremist…..and I sure don’t want to be the guy labeling someone else….
I believe Poile has done a good job but it does not equate that I’m 100% in lockstep. I believe Webers changing of agents and talk of wanting to stay does not equate to his actions…but it does not mean I put the blame totally on him. I would like a top 6 forward, but I am willing to wait to see how the season develops. Some agree, some don’t. But maybe if we don’t look at each others opinion as “extreme”, the conversation will not degenerate to it.
Many times, what we may think is a mistake may not turn out as we think. What we believe is a good move may turn into a mistake. It’s what makes the offseason so intriging…..But the Weber deal has racheted up the emotions…..and they spill over.
by Predator Don on Aug 17, 2011 2:10 PM EDT up reply actions
I am not a STH so I do not value this post!
I am kidding of course.
Lighten up, Francis!!!
Also Ryan foot stomping Blum was stupidity on his part. It still counts.
I do have a tendency to separate what the guys do on the ice and what the FO (and the coaches to an extent) does. I am very proud of what this group has been able to do with what they’ve been handed by both management and luck. I am less proud of the FO and less willing to be patient with them than I have ever been.
"I'm a firm believer that in life, if you're happy then happy things will happen for you."--Bernie Parent
Part Predator, part Lightning.
Hold on....
… you say you never see a “I HEART Poile” post then you post this??
POT! KETTLE! :P
:P to you, too.
"I'm a firm believer that in life, if you're happy then happy things will happen for you."--Bernie Parent
Part Predator, part Lightning.
I never have seen the universal praise of DP
…. I dunno what that is all about. I put more of the sucess on Trotz for his defensive scheme. Offensive something would be nice though.
I don't understand what's so great about DP
It seems like he gets praised because he has a ridiculously low payroll and manages to put together a team that doesn’t suck.
But I’m not willing to throw him under the bus for the whole Shea Weber arbitration thing. (Some other stuff this summer maybe) From the moves he made and the people he let go, it’s obvious he was expecting to pay Shea some pretty big cash. Something broke down in the negotiations for sure but there were folks on both sides of the table and just as Poile’s public comments don’t match his behavior, neither do Shea’s. I think it is just easier for a lot of people to criticize/blame the guy in the suit than the guy they love to watch play.
by Melissa Vanderpool Wallace on Aug 17, 2011 12:35 PM EDT up reply actions
Make no mistake...
Poile does what ownership wants. If he ties up 9 mil with Legwand and Erat, it’s because that is exactly what ownership wanted at the time. DuPont anyone?
Ownership also bailed on Kimmo and Hartnell as well as that whole Forsberg fiasco.
Ownership also gave the the green light on Kariya when not many would.
Sullivan?
All I’m saying is that it’s a crapshoot ultimately.
Actually, I’m sick of all of the arguing. The team is never going to be what I really want it to be without some kind of outside influence, but that never means I won’t still root for the boys.
What happens on the ice...stays on the ice...
by BrianAdsFan on Aug 17, 2011 10:22 PM EDT up reply actions
It wasn’t ownership that bailed on Hartnell…
World Wide Weber.
There is no tenderness or humanity in fanaticism.
~Joe Strummer
by cisar on Aug 18, 2011 2:38 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
A puppet eh?
I doubt it.
The truth is always the right answer....
by Pekka for Predator Pontiff on Aug 18, 2011 2:05 PM EDT up reply actions
Predaceous for President! :)
Agree 100% with what you said above……..and it saved me from having to write the same thing! :D
Shadows only exist when something of substance appears first.......
by Grizzledbear on Aug 17, 2011 11:29 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
its also sad, depressing and frustrating and UN-fun to hear people not being realistic and assuming we can win a cup with the way things are.
60% of the time it works every time
by Creeping Death on Aug 17, 2011 10:48 PM EDT up reply actions
Who said they didn’t want any changes? I don’t see a single comment saying we’re absolutely fine the way things are, don’t change anything.
And I’m glad you’re still with us. Missed you the last few days. No one else here quotes “Dodgeball.”
"I'm a firm believer that in life, if you're happy then happy things will happen for you."--Bernie Parent
Part Predator, part Lightning.
Right you are, Cotton!
"I'm a firm believer that in life, if you're happy then happy things will happen for you."--Bernie Parent
Part Predator, part Lightning.
I don’t know how they can play in diapers. I never could.
"I'm a firm believer that in life, if you're happy then happy things will happen for you."--Bernie Parent
Part Predator, part Lightning.
I found that if you have a goal, you might not reach it. But if you don’t have one, then you are never disappointed.
If you didn’t give up when the going got tough, you wouldn’t have anything to regret for the rest of your life (except maybe the steroids).
(A little ad lib there at the end.)
"I'm a firm believer that in life, if you're happy then happy things will happen for you."--Bernie Parent
Part Predator, part Lightning.
What she said!
Yeah, it’s been a rough off-season for all of us… but this is still my #1 hockey site (and the first, most-viewed page on my Google chrome “new tab” page). I think the reason I like it so much is because of the articles by you and the other writers. Sure, some lean negative (how couldn’t they right now) and some lean hopeful, but they all stay within what I consider to be the fair boundaries of even-handedness. (now the comments, lol, that’s another story!!…but, that’s what they’re there for.) Keep up the good work!
There's only two kinds of teams in the NHL: Predators and prey.
I think we need to separate Dirk’s posts (even-handed, at least to me) from the commentary, which has a life of its own. I think you’re fine here, Dirk. I wouldn’t want to read recycled press releases and team talking points. The Preds have a website for that. Whether the fans vent or cheer, that’s really up to them. You’re providing the forum for that. And thanks for doing it. It’s just hard to be super sunny about this summer, at least so far.
Dirk seems WAYYYY even-handed, to me
After watching the heated debate of 200 posts coming in, on my suggestion that it would be nice to know who the STH’s are here, I felt like taking everyone to a game and buying them a beer………….focusing our frustrations on the OPPOSITE TEAM !!
Mid-September will come, soon……we’ll all get closer to being on the same side of things.
The discussions in the concourses and vomitoriums of the Bridgestone arena, during games, are sometimes heated, too………even among STH’s…………but we all pull together and scream our throats raw, once the game, or new period, starts back up.
GO PREDSSSS!!!!
Dirk's Posts
Dirk, I think you do a great job. I think it is good to mix a lil bit of ALL of it in your articles. Being able to see the positive-side, negative-side, and neutrality all in one article helps the reader make his/her own choice on the matter. I think you do that very well.
I feel as a fan-base (of every team in EVERY sport) everyone is too high during the highs and too low during the lows. It is tough to win consistently in professional sports (whether game-to-game or year-to-year), and I think as a fanbase we should be more even keeled.
I don't see a problem
Sure, you should be positive when you feel it, which I think you do. But there’s no point in forcing it, and if you feel like there’s more bad than good (which I think most would agree with re: this offseason), there’s nothing wrong with expressing that. Anything else wouldn’t seem genuine.
I wish Dirk would just rec all my posts.
Is that a faux-pas thing to do? Ask for rec’s on your own posts????
by djzielin on Aug 17, 2011 12:50 PM EDT reply actions 5 recs
4 suckers....
…. and counting.
Is it GOOD to be rec’d?
Dirk Rocks!
My only problem with OTF is I spend way too much time here when I should be doing other things.
It’s a Preds blog—you’re supposed to be a fan and a fan should see tha bad but try to focus on the good.
by Melissa Vanderpool Wallace on Aug 17, 2011 1:01 PM EDT reply actions
You're right
I’m supposed to be going to the drugstore right now, but I’m sitting here typing instead. Guess I better get started doing actual productive things. How dull.
"I'm a firm believer that in life, if you're happy then happy things will happen for you."--Bernie Parent
Part Predator, part Lightning.
Why get drugs...
When the conversation is this stimulating and the highs and lows of this boards are enough of a fix for everyone….especially SWFP. LOL
by HardCorePredFan316 on Aug 17, 2011 1:47 PM EDT up reply actions
I feel that the posts this summer have leaned critically negative by you Dirk… but we’ve had a bad off-season as well. I guess that means you’re just calling a fair game.
As far as the comments portion of your blogs, I’ve become disinterested in reading them. Most commenters are hyper-critical leaning negative, and I just can’t agree with 90% of their opinions. $hea’s negotiations were an epic fail, but I don’t throw 100% of it on DP. $hea and his agent carry a lot of blame there.
Agree with that, Shawn, at least the second part. But I do find the comments interesting and illuminating. Some really good ideas and perspective in many of them. And funny. I think our fan base is pretty sharp for a relatively new hockey market, definitely passionate, definitely loud. And we’re building a reputation as such, which is cool.
On the first part, I’d say that if the posts this summer have leaned critically negative, and that’s debatable, it’s been due to the actions of the team, not Dirk. My opinion, but I think the blogger’s role here is to provide info/opinion and spark conversation. Sam had a great post about the Weber situation. He took a stand that I didn’t necessarily agree with. But I’m calling it a great post because there were 400+ comments attached to it.
Gang, we’re talking hockey in August. We’ve been talking hockey since the end of the season. It hasn’t all been happy talk, but that in itself is pretty cool. Thanks, OTF.
The part I find funny is..........
the need some have to catagorize posts on a glass half full/half empty scale or on there negative/positive composition. I think most people who post here do so with an honest, realistic outlook of what they see happening with the team. If reality seems negative due to what the organization has done or hasn’t done, blame the organization, not the poster pointing out the 800lb gorilla in the room.
As Predaceous said earlier, there are boards where a click forms and chases off anyone who they deem to critical of the team. Those boards usually end up with about a half dozen people left on them talking about what number to get on their new jersey. Exciting stuff there!
Sadly, I get the impression from some that they would rather reduce this board to that status instead of having to “suffer” thru posts that they don’t like. I really hope that doesn’t happen here.
Shadows only exist when something of substance appears first.......
by Grizzledbear on Aug 17, 2011 6:51 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
And.........
Get AK46……get him now!!! :)
See, that’s positive. :)
Shadows only exist when something of substance appears first.......
by Grizzledbear on Aug 17, 2011 7:04 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
doubleplus one
For the last two
by el pucko on Aug 17, 2011 10:03 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
I personally look forward to the comments, they’re the top reason I come here, although I also enjoy reading Dirk’s postings, too. It’s very cool to be able to engage with fans that are as passionate about our team as I am, whether or not I agree with what they might say, which is great, because the debates I think are the most interesting aspect of OtF. And to be honest, I think Dirk is rather even-handed myself, there’s no reason to sugarcoat what has been a rather lackluster offseason by the FO…
It’s Dirks fault…..No, it’s Webers fault…..No, it’s Trotz’s fault….No, It’s GMDP’s fault…..
Maybe its Goc and Wards fault….They should give us a hometown discount….
Crap, who am I kidding, it’s Grizzledbears fault……
That was so glass half empty……..I can’t take any more of this constant negativity!!! :D
I’m just a bear who wants to pry Parise out of New Jersey…….is that so wrong? :)
Shadows only exist when something of substance appears first.......
by Grizzledbear on Aug 17, 2011 8:18 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
I thought there wasn’t anything in your glass…..LOLOLOL
There’s Parise in ur glass!!!!!!!
by Predator Don on Aug 17, 2011 8:45 PM EDT up reply actions
Get Parise and my glass will be overflowing!!! :)
Heck, get AK46 and my glass will be 3/4 full. :D
Shadows only exist when something of substance appears first.......
by Grizzledbear on Aug 17, 2011 8:56 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
I like the more even handed approach. I don’t want this to be a children’s tball league where everybody gets a trophy…. let’s be realistic. You know where people that only talk about the strengths end up? Not at the top. Gotta know the weakness so you know where to improve
60% of the time it works every time
by Creeping Death on Aug 17, 2011 10:52 PM EDT reply actions
You still in nashville?
World Wide Weber.
There is no tenderness or humanity in fanaticism.
~Joe Strummer
by cisar on Aug 18, 2011 2:41 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
no, I am in Johnson City now for grad school. its going to SUCK not being in Nashville!!
60% of the time it works every time
by Creeping Death on Aug 18, 2011 2:12 PM EDT up reply actions
I feel so misunderstood!
Look, guys, NO ONE has said to ignore any gorillas and dance around maypoles singing tra-la-la-la-la. Just be willing to acknowledge that IN ADDITION TO the problems THERE ARE THINGS WE CAN BUILD ON.
NOT ONE COMMENTOR has told anyone today that they can’t or shouldn’t say what they said. NOT ONE has rejected outright anyone’s post. But we’re still hearing the “you only want one opinion” line. That’s not fair.
If a commentor can take people to task for not addressing problems, then I should be able to take commentors to task for only addressing problems. Neither one of us is actually telling the other person not to comment here. Disagreement is not censorship.
But if we were to start treating each other as badly as we did earlier this summer, then it’s a potential problem. Just be fair. Be respectful of each other and allow for a little perspective.
"I'm a firm believer that in life, if you're happy then happy things will happen for you."--Bernie Parent
Part Predator, part Lightning.
Pfft
You aren’t a STH, so I do not have respect for you!
(And I am no longer a STH either, so I no longer have respect for myself)
Poor baby. Since I watch some games on TV and won’t let you trade Pekka, my respect probably means little to you, but you have it.
"I'm a firm believer that in life, if you're happy then happy things will happen for you."--Bernie Parent
Part Predator, part Lightning.
I have what?
During the ADAA-approved random drug screening, one of your players tested positive for three separate types of anabolic steroids, and a low-grade beaver tranquilizer. Therefore, Troop 417 is disqualified.
Damn you, Bernice!
"I'm a firm believer that in life, if you're happy then happy things will happen for you."--Bernie Parent
Part Predator, part Lightning.
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