[Article] Martin Stepanek: It's Not About Me

[Billextreme]

Here we go again...

I have no idea why you don't put your name under your reply DIVEFREE@& (PK), but you might have a good reason.

When it comes to the lanyard: Lanyard is NOT mandatory at WR-attempts (CWT, CNF, and FIM).
When it comes to the tag: The tag is mandatory at WR-attempts (CWT, CNF, and FIM).

So, no favoritism from my side.


/B

[trux]

Originally Posted by DIVEFREE@&

... But I am sorry his 'WR' is just as invalid

As far as I understood the rules, and as stated above, the lanyard (unlike the tag) is not mandatory as long as there is a safety diver at the bottom plate. From this point of view, unless there was no scuba diver at William's attempt, there should be no problem with that record.

PS: you may consider calming before posting and wording your sentences more moderately. I see you are a big fan of Martin (just like myself) (or a business partner of DiveFIT?), but with your angry and aggressive messages you are actually more harming him than helping. Or maybe I misunderstood, and you are more vicious than I though, doing it deliberately with the purpose to cause him some moral damage (that he does not deserve on my mind).

EDIT: ah, Bill was quicker (and I have the same feeling that we speak with PK here, unless it is Gaiadiver in fact )

[Fondueset]

Thanks for clearing that up

[efattah]

Lanyards are not required if you have a scuba diver at the bottom plate, as Will did have.

[Paul Kotik]

I love telling my friends how the denizens of Deeper Blue Forums believe that all posts they don't like are actually written by me, in one of my innumerable disguises. I'd like very much to have my own personal conspiracy theory cult, and become one of the popular villains who is, paradoxically,seen as both hopelessly inept and cruelly omnipotent.

In fact, I've spent most of the past few days reading Boswell's Life of Johnson for the zillionth time. DB Forum postings are entertaining and informative, of course, but Boswell's Life is sublime. I've a wonderful hardback edition printed in the 1930's, with beautiful engravings.

Do carry on, gentlemen!

[trux]

I apologize for the injustice, Paul. Gaiadiver probably did another dirty trick and made it again look like you. That only proves that sharing a PC with strangers may not be always safe.

[Fondueset]

I choose to believe that Paul is indeed an arch-whimsical nether-villain; even if he does post under his own name - at the very sound which a sensation of nearly paranoid ambivalence almost makes it up my spine.
You go Paul!

[billieball]

I think Martin's open letter was fabulous and classy.
Paul, were you--by chance--the figure in the grassy knoll?
--Billie

[Bill]

'Paul, were you--by chance--the figure in the grassy knoll?'

He's not old enough.

Paul, the reason your detracters and supporters are pi**ed off with you------
You don't write for us enough.

[island_sands]

Originally Posted by trux

I apologize for the injustice, Paul. Gaiadiver probably did another dirty trick and made it again look like you. That only proves that sharing a PC with strangers may not be always safe.

What makes you think that they are sharing computers? Their i.p. addresses are completely different

[kelp princess]

Originally Posted by trux

In contrary, I believe AIDA (given the circumstances and present rules) made their best and only possible decision in this case, and the board has shown that they listen to reasonable arguments. Errors and mistakes happen - it is very sad it had the consequences we saw, but to save the situation I am afraid there was no other solution, and I value AIDA's approach highly. The principal reason of this mess (multiple sets of rules) is apparently being handled with, so hopefully we won't see a similar case in future anymore.

well i hope you are right trux, that we won't see any more cases of this messy load

perhaps i expect too much, but shouldn't we all? shouldn't we expect more when it comes to world records and groups of people who call themselves "judges" and "experts" and a "board of directors"?

i think i'd have been more satisfied if the whole RULE issue was dealt with more swiftly and a show of public apology for the snafu followed by crisp information distribution, and even a promise to post the new rules on DB? or something to bring them into the real world.
and to prevent it of course would be best, so for the judges to consider the consequences of decisions and evaluate what they are impacting, mull it over more thoughtfully & thoroughly. i agree we all make mistakes but sheeesh

kp

[immerlustig]

maybe off-topic, but where is the assumption coming from that paul k is posting as this divefree person whose language and writing skills, low quality of arguments and behaviour on the forum differ massively from pauls?

anyway...

very decent letter of martin and very well said. respect.

roland

[jome]

I agree than writing on fake names is a bit lame.

But I also very strongly believe that casting such assumptions without facts is not very nice either. People read and take these things pretty seriously sometimes.

So if there are facts - lay them on the table. Although unless such a person really is lazy enough to use the same computer it may be a hard fact to prove.

Other than that - as long as it is not breaking the forum rules or otherwise civil conduct, let the man/woman rant.

I did appreciate Martin's letter. He has every right to feel a bit bitter, but he keeps it minimal and remains rational. Let us hope his next event goes better on all accounts...

P.S I am seriously thinking of founding a fan club for Paul

[Fondueset]

Originally Posted by jome

P.S I am seriously thinking of founding a fan club for Paul

Right on! Boris, Natasha and Snidely - move over! There's a new evildoer on the dance floor!

[jimdoe2you]

I just read the article and although it was gracious and concerned, it also smacked lightly of sour grapes. One point Martin brought up is essentially very true, and it is that he has "83 CNF" next to his name even if it doesn't have "WR" with it.

I understand the judges decision and perhaps it is a first step forward on clarifying the rules which is the basis of Martin's letter, however I also personally won't discount his achievement based on the tag technicality.