Grant Ellis
28th October 2004, 07:07 PM
I am writing these simple guides in order to help new users get the most out of these forums without endangering themselves or the peace of mind of their fellow members.
On The Subject Of Nations
This is a sport which invites the whole world to participate. Mark Kerr once said "You won't necessarily find basketball or football in every part of the world, but you will always find some form of combat.." and that statement rings true.
Athletes from Russia, the United States of America, Brazil, England, Holland, Japan, Korea, and from near every other part of the globe yet unmentioned have participated in some form of athletic competition which involved two competitors utilizing grappling and/or striking technique.
We should not be against each other; we should be unified in the great celebration which is in fact Mixed Martial Arts.
There have been occasions where national sides have been chosen and groups of people offended. Heated political debate ensues in a forum which is meant to be about a sporting event. This is both saddening and disheartening, but I am confident the world can move on and realize that we are all human beings, and we all deserve the right to receive some degree of respect.
I recall a boxer by the name of George Foreman when asked what he was going to do at a paticularly political Olympic event for the United States. "I am going to get in there and fight that man from Russia, you know." The statement means that despite the boycotting and political activity surrounding the Games that year, George would rather focus on competing for the gold medal.
Is it wrong to debate politics or discuss national relations? No, but this is a forum for the mixed martial arts, and we should leave politics for forums designated to that sort of thing.
Is it wrong to take pride in one's nation of origin? Again, no, it is not wrong. So long as you do not demean others. When it comes to discussing the mixed martial arts, it is best to remember that the nation one comes from does not determine success, but again, rather the actual training of the athlete and the ability he obtains will determine whether he becomes a champion or just another competitor.
On The Subject Of Nations
This is a sport which invites the whole world to participate. Mark Kerr once said "You won't necessarily find basketball or football in every part of the world, but you will always find some form of combat.." and that statement rings true.
Athletes from Russia, the United States of America, Brazil, England, Holland, Japan, Korea, and from near every other part of the globe yet unmentioned have participated in some form of athletic competition which involved two competitors utilizing grappling and/or striking technique.
We should not be against each other; we should be unified in the great celebration which is in fact Mixed Martial Arts.
There have been occasions where national sides have been chosen and groups of people offended. Heated political debate ensues in a forum which is meant to be about a sporting event. This is both saddening and disheartening, but I am confident the world can move on and realize that we are all human beings, and we all deserve the right to receive some degree of respect.
I recall a boxer by the name of George Foreman when asked what he was going to do at a paticularly political Olympic event for the United States. "I am going to get in there and fight that man from Russia, you know." The statement means that despite the boycotting and political activity surrounding the Games that year, George would rather focus on competing for the gold medal.
Is it wrong to debate politics or discuss national relations? No, but this is a forum for the mixed martial arts, and we should leave politics for forums designated to that sort of thing.
Is it wrong to take pride in one's nation of origin? Again, no, it is not wrong. So long as you do not demean others. When it comes to discussing the mixed martial arts, it is best to remember that the nation one comes from does not determine success, but again, rather the actual training of the athlete and the ability he obtains will determine whether he becomes a champion or just another competitor.