Thursday, December 17, 2009

Things We Do And Don't Print On The Blog...

Having a blog can be one of the most delightful and exciting experiences you can have--but it can also be difficult at times. People always seem to enjoy reading about gossip and inuendo but then hate it when it points out some of their shortcomings. As the editor of this blog, we have to make decisions about what to print all of the time.

Here are our guidelines on what we consider before we print something:
1. Is it true?
2. Can it be validated?
3. Has it been reported or blogged about on other sites?

This policy has served us well throughout the years and will continue to be our guide. There are times we try to interject humor and a bit of politics, but for the majority of the time we try to deal with issues that confront us as USTA officials in Texas. Some of the things we discuss are quite pointed--and purposely so. We will continue this policy in the future. We will also continue to blog as openly as possible about the dealings of the USTA and the Texas Section.

Any time we point out a specific action that raises doubts and suspicions, we will gladly receive a response from the person or organization in question.

In case you think we only print things we like, here are some tidbits we have received and rejected recently:

* A story about an official in Texas stealing money from tournaments.
* A story about a male official in Texas who is a regular on a porn site--complete with videos and pictures. (The story was bad enough but the videos were disgusting!)
* A story about a male official in Texas who requests to do chairs for certain male players because that official is interested sexually in those players.
* A story about a female pro chair official who was banned from doing a certain player's matches because that official was trying to date/seduce her.
* A story about specific pro officials who are drug and marijuana users.
* A story about the sex lives of some specific officials on the pro circuit.
* A bunch of stories submitted about the affairs that officials are having.
* A story about the financial holdings and dealings of certain Texas officials.

These are stories that we consider to be "over the line" but we will continue to publish truth about issues that concern Texas officials.

8 comments:

RM said...

Well, the comments I've been getting are all wanting details. Sorry but those are for me to know and treasure dearly... If I told all, you would say you knew it all the time and this way you can speculate all you want.

Anonymous said...

Randy, thanks for steering back towards Tennis Officiating. I was beginning to wonder if this was a UT/Golf Scandal/Political/Other blog rather than a Tennis Officials blog. Your blog, but I really like the tennis content better.

Anonymous said...

So start another blog spot and let it fly!!!

Anonymous said...

So I guess this means we're not going to get to see the video?

Rats!

We need something to distract us from all the hoopla about Tiger!

Anonymous said...

Well posting titillating scraps of info about people we work with will foster alot of speculation and inquiries for 'the details.'

Really just stick to the "Bruce/Texas Section Officiating sucks" material...which is the bread and butter of this website.

Oh and don't forget to continue to foster the skepticism of new officials...God knows we don't need any new blood.

RM said...

Please note that I have NEVER said that Texas officiating sucks. In fact, I have on numerous occasions commended the quality of Texas Section officials.

Now as to the "suckiness" of our Sectional Chairman and the administration at the Texas Section, I will leave that up to your own discernment and imagination.

The desire for details is just human nature. Be glad that I don't post all the details that come through this site.

I also seriously doubt that I foster skepticism of new officials. I do think I help them understand what is happening and opportunities to improve themselves.

BTW, if you don't like it, don't read it. Also, send me your email address if you are on our notification list and I can be sure you will be removed.

Anonymous said...

Randy has always praised the officials in the state of Texas. On many occasions he has made it clear that he would rather work here than any other state. I have watched him work different levels of tennis in many different settings. His high regard of Texas officials is quite obvious when you are around him.

OK - now here come all of the brown-nose comments! Come on . . . .I'm waiting to see who casts the first stone!

Anonymous said...

Hooray - No more crap about the 'horns. But everybody knows that will die out soon enough after those cows get obliterated by a much better team from the great state of Alabama.