[hrothgar]

Jonathan Steinberg posted a link to his report on the ACBL BoD's Nashville meeting on rec.games.bridge The report can be accessed at http://www3.sympatic...t/board072.html


There's often some little nuggets buried away in here.

This quarter, the most interesting comment was that a BoD member proposed that the ACBL sever all relations with the WBF. The attempted didn't go that far (It failed by a vote of 6-14-5). Still, the very fact that it came up is interesting.

[jillybean]

hrothgar, on Aug 5 2007, 03:31 PM, said:

This quarter, the most interesting comment was that a BoD member proposed that the ACBL sever all relations with the WBF. The attempted didn't go that far (It failed by a vote of 6-14-5). Still, the very fact that it came up is interesting.

It would be interesting to know why this motion was proposed.

[david_c]

A bit ironic really, since there are many bridge players who in turn would like to disown the ACBL, and the reasons may well be much the same.

[cherdano]

david_c, on Aug 5 2007, 05:17 PM, said:

A bit ironic really, since there are many bridge players who in turn would like to disown the ACBL, and the reasons may well be much the same.

Which reasons?

[TimG]

hrothgar, on Aug 5 2007, 05:31 PM, said:

The attempt didn't go that far (It failed by a vote of 6-14-5).

I will note that the number of abstentions (5) is the same as the number of ACBL representatives on the WBF board. All ACBL representatives on the WBF board are ACBL board members -- not because it must be that way, but because the WBF representatives are appointed by the ACBL President and the appointments can be the result of political favors.

[Elianna]

TimG, on Aug 5 2007, 04:15 PM, said:

hrothgar, on Aug 5 2007, 05:31 PM, said:

The attempt didn't go that far (It failed by a vote of 6-14-5).

I will note that the number of abstentions (5) is the same as the number of ACBL representatives on the WBF board. All ACBL representatives on the WBF board are ACBL board members -- not because it must be that way, but because the WBF representatives are appointed by the ACBL President and the appointments can be the result of political favors.

Are you trying to imply that the people who abstained are the representatives to the WBF board? Because our district rep (23) abstained, and is not on WBF.

ETA: looking at the list of the executive council, I notice Jim Kirkham's name on it, and he's the district 22 ACBL rep, and D22 abstained. I also note that there are two canadians on that list of the executive council, and Steinberg says that all Canadians voted against.

[helene_t]

If the U.S. detaches from the Earth, will it remain member of the Solar System?

[uday]

The USBF (the organization that picks the now US teams for the Bermuda Bowl & Venice Cup) seems like the natural organization to represent USA interests (and pay dues) to the WBF.

Sadly, there were no details in the BOD report. I would be curious to know what the BOD thought were the pros & cons of this issue.

[kenrexford]

I am really confused by this issue, for many reasons.

First, I cannot reconcile the explained reason for the proposal (cost savings) with Steinberg's analysis (conflicts between ACBL and WBF played a part).

Second, the grouping of positions is strange. The votes against were the entire South East, Chicago, and San Francisco. The abstentions (what?!?!) were all of Ohio, the Philly corridor, and all of Southern California. Strange.

Third, I'm not sure whether the existence of the various NBO's, like USBF and CBF, was relevant, with the ACBL expecting these organizations to somehow pick up the slack.

The bid question mark is as to why the proposed reason for this motion and the Steinberg analysis have no obvious connection. I'd like to say, "Thank God that one failed," but I have no idea what the alternative plan would have been, if any.

[TimG]

Elianna, on Aug 5 2007, 09:16 PM, said:

TimG, on Aug 5 2007, 04:15 PM, said:

hrothgar, on Aug 5 2007, 05:31 PM, said:

The attempt didn't go that far (It failed by a vote of 6-14-5).

I will note that the number of abstentions (5) is the same as the number of ACBL representatives on the WBF board.

Are you trying to imply that the people who abstained are the representatives to the WBF board? Because our district rep (23) abstained, and is not on WBF.

I did assume those who abstained were the WBF representatives. It would seem a conflict of interest for them to vote on this matter (since being a rep can be worth $1000s to them).

[hrothgar]

Hi Ken

Comment 1: Its not quite clear how the motion was structured. I don't know if a "yes" vote was in favor of Severing all ties with the WBF or opposed to Severing all ties with the WBF. If I had to guess, I'd say the the "South" (Plus Missouri and Northern California) voted in favor of severing ties with the WBF and was defeated. (This is simply based on the number of districts listed)

Comment 2: I have no idea about the underlying politics here. Given the lack of context, I expect that folks can project whatever motivations they want on the initiative. I expect that most of the people who have a strong opinion about this issue are primarily concerned with fiscal management. I've seen any number of claims that the WBF bureaucracy is rather bloated. Many folks also object to some of the initiatives that the WBF has been backing. (Case in point: How many people believe that lobbying effort to make Bridge an Olympic Sport was an effective use of resources?). Last but not least, I know that there are some serious disagreement about the application of certain laws, however, this has always struck me as minutia and would be surprised if anyone cared enough to withdraw over it. However, as I noted, I beleive that folks will be able to project a lot of different motives. John Blaubaugh has already posted to rec.games.bridge claiming that this shows that people support his crusade against Bobby Wolff. I wouldn't be surprised to see someone explain how this demonstrates that the US is repudiating Internationalism and returning to a more isolationist policy following the failured invasion of Iraq.

Personally, I am glad that the ACBL has decided to remain part of the WBF. I very much agree with some of the issues involving fiscal management. (For example, when I was working Vugraph at the Junior Championship in Sydney a couple years back I was shocked at the expense necessary to accomodate various WBF flunkes and the sheer amount of redundant effort surrounding Vugraph. I also think that the "Bridge as an Olympic Sport" effort is a complete joke) With this said and done, I think that there are better ways to address these types of issues rather than withdrawing from the organization.

[jtfanclub]

helene_t, on Aug 6 2007, 07:09 AM, said:

If the U.S. detaches from the Earth, will it remain member of the Solar System?

We Americans discovered the Solar System, so if we detatch, the Solar System goes with us. You guys can find your own Solar System.

Remember, Jesus loves America. After all, why else would he have written the Bible in English?

[pclayton]

My reading of Steinberg's report was that of the Western districts, only D21 voted against.

Southern California is D22 and D23 - which both appeared to abstain.

[keylime]

The major item of interest for me, was the sizable increase of masterpoints that are going to be offered in certain areas:

- club games now can offer up to 2.5 MPs a shot with section awards remaining at 1.5 (at .10 per table which is the normal rate)
- Swiss matches increase (I'm somewhat happy to see this)
- overall awards start at 16 tables and up (makes sense from above)
- match awards for A/X increase by 20% (I like this)
- strength awards will be uniform (I REALLY like this)

It seems that they attempting to provide some equity to things. This is a positive.

[Cascade]

I think its a great idea.

Then you guys can have your own world series like you do in baseball.

And you would win every year!!!

[Gerben42]

Quote

Then you guys can have your own world series like you do in baseball.

And you would win every year!!!

They already have a game called hockey but it's without a ball, and without grass. I wonder if it's anything like hockey.

And a game called football, at least David Beckham now travelled to the United Planet of America to explain that football is played with a ball which is not thrown but played with the foot (hence the name, foot-ball, get it?), not with an eggshaped thingy.