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BGonline.org Forums
Ed O'Laughlin--New Interview-- Regarding rules and ethics
Posted By: Rich Munitz In Response To: Ed O'Laughlin--New Interview--Don't miss it (Phil Simborg)
Date: Monday, 3 January 2011, at 6:18 p.m.
Nice interview. Ed is a true gentleman as well as a brilliant player.
For those who may not be aware, the USBGF has issued its Standards of Ethical Practice. Phil Simborg was instrumental in leading the Rules and Ethics in crafting this policy which was approved unanimously by the USBGF Board early in 2010.
Tournament directors are an independent but vital bunch and there are those who do not want any independent outside organization reviewing and questioning whether the principles of fair play and good sportsmanship were reasonably applied after a player was unable to settle the matter one-on-one with the director. While this may sound arrogant, there is a valid point of view held that as long as the event organizer assumes the entire risk for the event, that their future success must live or die by their own decisions - that an organization unwilling to put its own neck on the line does not have the right to question a director's judgment. There are differences of opinion here, much as the debate on whether a TD should have the ability to deny an appeals mechanism on tournament rulings. Fortunately, all US ABT directors now apply the new standard appeals process that requires unanimous dissent to overturn a director's decision. I hope that one day all directors will similarly view the USBGF as being an organization that is on their side, there to help, and not a threat. After all, the vast, vast majority of the time any inquiry will find that an experienced director acted reasonably and properly and will help to mitigate any hard or personal feelings that an aggrieved individual may have against the director - as they will feel that regardless of the outcome, justice was served.
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