Rules and The Line.;

Originally posted by pondmonkey

I've tried to steer clear of the chatter surrounding the alleged rules infringement and 'cheating' allegations in the various threads concerning the recent Sailjuice series.
Over the years there have been many 'lines' that have since been redrawn. Time was, there was absolutely no advertising on boats or boards, that conflicted with sponsors and was eventually changed. Sponsorship money had to be 'laundered' by the RYA, it was a dispute about this that changed my decision about Olympic participation back in the 80's, not something i regret I might add, but ironic what happens these days nonetheless.

Then there was pumping and where that took us, pretty much decimated our racing as it turned out but seemed like a good idea at the time, the rule relaxation since it couldn't be policed, I hadn't spotted until this Olympics that it's probably how Sir Ben has made his name and forged a technique can't be that many folk wanting to heave ho an ancient old tub like a Finn about. 

But back to being serious, I deliberately set this poll up as a yes no answer, there could have been a 'don't care' option, so if you don't just don't vote. I wondered how serious this latest apparently minor infringement is in peoples minds.

Personally I've always been of the rebellious view that rules are for the guidance of wise men and the obedience of fools, but, if we don't have them then how can you make a choice wether to attempt to break them and get away with it or not. So they should be enforced if we get caught, or, the thrill of pushing the limit wouldn't be there, putting the rule breakers point of view in the frame as agent provocateur to make the point.

There is however and always has been a large number of decent rule observing folk that want the rules and don't like the softening attitudes, the constant slide to dumbing down in order to accommodate this or that commercial pressure.

Then of course there are those that don't know all the rules yet or understand why they are or were there in the first place, so wont necessarily know or mind if they do slip now and then, so I guess it really does get down to a yes or no.

Rules is rules we want them and they must be adhered to or changed through due process.

or No, it doesn't matter if they get minor infringements if no harm is done.

There really can't be a grey area can there?

So yes or no, in this case, has a line really been crossed?

Edited by G.R.F. - 26 Feb 13 at 10:41am

Poll Question: Has 'the line' been crossed by events at the Sailjuice Series
Poll Choice	Votes	Poll Statistics
Yes	37	[82.22%]
No	8	[17.78%]
You can not vote in this poll