"Express Your Outrage" @ the (Shr)Edmonton Journal

Moxie · Post by **Moxie** » 18 Oct 2006 21:59

Quoted from Footbag.org's news page.

"Scott McKeen of the Edmonton Journal has really sunken to a new low in describing footbag as a talentless sport -- something akin to "hand-farts" (where you compress your hands to make a fart noise).

If you agree with us that his article was unfair and just plain stupid, please send him an e-mail. His private address is [email protected]"

Well said, Steve.

--->Link to story<---

Edit: I hope people remember to "express their outrage" in a calm, intelligent, and well-thought out manner.

Zeb Jackson · Post by **Zeb Jackson** » 18 Oct 2006 22:07

doing it now

hi i would like to express my discomfort regarding the article written on Wednesday, October 18, 2006 i feel it was unfail and unjustified to call "hack sack" a non talent

" The sack juggler, Rory Dawson, wowed the crowed and the other judges. Me? Not so much. Foot juggling? A talent? If that's a talent, let me tell you about my friend. He makes potty noises by compressing air between his palms. He's a hand fluffer. And while hand fluffing might impress Grade 3 boys - while it might be something I'd dearly love to master - it's not a talent."

i want to know your reasoning behind it not being a talent.

look at footbag.org and watcho some of the media and tell me that there is no talent involved in footbag (hacky sack)

AND if you do come up with a good reason as to why it doesnt take talent, i want you to show me a video of yourself doing anything remotely close to amazing.

how could you consider singing a talent and not footbag (hacky sack)? they both take hundreds of hours of practice, both require lots of skill, and only a small percent of the population can do either.

im just wondering and contemplating your reasonings.

thank you for your time,

Zeb Jackson

and thats what i asked him, i feel if were going to "combat" people who dont have open minds that we must first be atleast semi-nice

Wasabi · Post by **Wasabi** » 18 Oct 2006 23:05

Waylon Lew wrote:Dear Scott McKeen,

I believe it was unfair to judge so critically on a growing sport like footbag, especially how you compared it to "hand fluffing" as you would call it in your recent article "Canadian Idle? Where's the talent on this night?"

"The sack juggler, Rory Dawson, wowed the crowed and the other judges. Me? Not so much. Foot juggling? A talent? If that's a talent, let me tell you about my friend. He makes potty noises by compressing air between his palms. He's a hand fluffer. And while hand fluffing might impress Grade 3 boys - while it might be something I'd dearly love to master - it's not a talent"

There is rigorous and intense cardio training and a lot of flexibility involved in the sport of footbag. To claim that it is merely as simple as making noises with the palm of your hands is unruly. Furthermore:

"Because if foot juggling and hand fluffing are talents, what about my ability to do the Vulcan peace sign -- live long and prosper -- with either hand? Can you do that? Can you bend, individually, the last knuckle on each finger? Can you raise your left eyebrow in disdain? I can do those things. But do you see me getting up on stage? Nope. Footbag? Where's that going to take you in life? "Ladies and gentlemen, Radio City Music Hall presents: Footbag Boy."
I don't think so. Get back to school, Rory Dawson. I had to study to get a job."

You express footbag as a trivial and effortless sport that is comparable to face gestures and hand bending. How is that so? There is considerable difficulty and control in playing footbag, so much so that any normal person cannot do what Rory Dawson can do. However, your article transcends this ideal to footbag as a waste of time and meaningless. It is unfair and unjustified to make claims on a growing sport that some people have spent many years in perfecting their form and health with.

And who is to say that Rory is not in school? Or has a fulfilling career other than footbag? That last comment is fairly discriminatory to his goal in showcasing his talent, as well as an activity that people across the world enjoy fully.

It is fair to see that your comments on footbag are not based on what is a talent, but what is entertainment. It is not so easy and simple to claim that training with a "hacky sack" for a couple of years is not a talent. How is singing a talent then? Does it not have the aspect of training your voice to hit certain pitches and time crucial vocals to perfect a song? Or juggling? Dancing? World's strongest man? Do they not exert feats that are unimaginable to any common person? Aside from the last suggestion, a person who is strong in physical strength, there are a variety of active talents that are not just merely skills, and can be quite entertaining.

So I propose to you, what is entertainment? What is an ability that is worth any one person's time to spend money to watch? Singing and acting are famous under this concept, as well as many sports like football and soccer. So why have a different view on footbag?

To further comment on your article:

"Comic Strip owner Rick Bronson called me Edmonton's Simon Cowell. If you don't know Cowell, well, he's the short, obnoxious and pompous Brit on the judging panel of television's American Idol. I reject the comparison. I'm much taller."

I disagree with the comparison as well. You're more like David Hasselhoff in "America's Got Talent."

Sincerely,

Waylon Lew

jay7 · Post by **jay7** » 18 Oct 2006 23:25

I'm writing one. In an edit I'll post it...

Damn Canadians (oh, wait...)

Dear Scott McKeen,

In your recent article published by The Edmonton Journal titled "Canadian Idle? Where's the talent on this night?" I have found a few judgements that you have in my opinion, that made critically ignorant.

"The sack juggler, Rory Dawson, wowed the crowed and the other judges. Me? Not so much. Foot juggling? A talent? If that's a talent, let me tell you about my friend. He makes potty noises by compressing air between his palms. He's a hand fluffer. And while hand fluffing might impress Grade 3 boys - while it might be something I'd dearly love to master - it's not a talent."

followed by

"Because if foot juggling and hand fluffing are talents, what about my ability to do the Vulcan peace sign -- live long and prosper -- with either hand? Can you do that? Can you bend, individually, the last knuckle on each finger? Can you raise your left eyebrow in disdain? I can do those things. But do you see me getting up on stage? Nope. Footbag? Where's that going to take you in life? "Ladies and gentlemen, Radio City Music Hall presents: Footbag Boy."

I don't think so. Get back to school, Rory Dawson. I had to study to get a job."

In the above quotes, you have described Footbag as a talentless sport, relating Footbag to "Hand Fluffing" and making the Vulcan peace sign with your fingers. I for one have to disagree with those statements.

Globally children, teenagers, and adults alike are practising the sport of Footbag, many of whom practise for multiple hours every week, if not every day. There are entire organizations developed around the sport of footbag, one of which, I.F.P.A (International Footbag Players' Association, Inc.) is recognized by the U.S. Government, ( which can be seen here: http://www.footbag.org/ifpa/ifpa-articles.html)

There are also tournaments held to judge footbag players, some of these tournaments have been running annually for over a decade.These Footbag tournaments and organizations have contestants from either around the world, or from the country or continent which the player resides in.

I can not say that I have seen Cory Dawson's act which you speak of, but to say that a sport which requires so much precision, agility and determination is a talentless act, is just an ignorant gesture. Footbag in my opinion, and many others is not a talentless sport, and I would appreciate if you could explain or proove as to how "Footbag" requires no skill.

Sincerely from a resident of Mainz, Germany.

-Jay Boychuk

Theres some editing which doesn't show up here which makes it look a wee bit better...I'll also spell check it/proof read...

King Monkey · Post by **King Monkey** » 19 Oct 2006 00:56

Hi Jay, just noticed you gave Rory's name as 'Cory', toward the bottom of your letter.

Can you believe that this guy wrote an article like that? I mean how can you possibly describe it as talentless? I mean, juggling with your hands and performing to a crowd requires talent, so how could doing a very similar thing with your feet be talentless? I wonder if he realised how dumb he sounded in writing that...

Wasabi · Post by **Wasabi** » 19 Oct 2006 01:16

Fart jokes and Trekky references aside, I still stand by my previous comment:

"Comic Strip owner Rick Bronson called me Edmonton's Simon Cowell. If you don't know Cowell, well, he's the short, obnoxious and pompous Brit on the judging panel of television's American Idol. I reject the comparison. I'm much taller."

I disagree with the comparison as well. You're more like David Hasselhoff in "America's Got Talent."

Why people confuse talent with entertainment is beyond me. It's obvious that this guy needs to be amused to keep his attention.

Carlos · Post by **Carlos** » 19 Oct 2006 05:16

OMG dude I'm writing an email right now. I'll post it after I get done it's going to really long. what a dumb ass he his!

Lackey82 · Post by **Lackey82** » 19 Oct 2006 06:33

Yup, what a dumbass, for comparing talent and skill.

Talent: a special natural ability or aptitude.

Skill: a craft, trade, or job requiring manual dexterity or special training in which a person has competence and experience.

While many of the best players do have a talent for footbag, the art of showing it off to people and being entertaining is a skill. That's more what they're looking for, and though Rory probably has enough of both, just like Lon on America's Got Talent, it's just not the right audience.

This guy's job for that competition was probably just to piss people off... you know, be that guy who tells people they suck and offends them. Looks like he succeeded beyond his paycheck. At the end he asks people to come out to the show!! That's the purpose of the whole piece.

I'm not writing a letter. If he wasn't impressed by footbag in the first place, it's his problem. He's probably laughing right now at all the uppity hackeysackers. Don't boycott the newspaper because of some dude speaking his mind.

Wasabi · Post by **Wasabi** » 19 Oct 2006 08:10

Well, I just wrote a letter trying to confirm his misconception of what is entertaining and what is talentful. It seemed pretty well thought out and calm. I'm just afraid of all of the e-mails coming from footbag dot org (and modified for some) who would type up an e-mail full of rage and insults.

Iron Clad Ben · Post by **Iron Clad Ben** » 19 Oct 2006 08:22

Awww man poor Rory. That reporter guy is a total ass-clown.

We <3 U Rory. Don't worry about that douchebag.

Besides, Rory is like a frickin' math GENIUS. But he's not about to go up on stage and solve math problems. Yeesh.

I'll write this idiot reporter a little note once the rage subsides.

shreddaily · Post by **shreddaily** » 19 Oct 2006 08:58

mehhhh

Tsiangkun · Post by **Tsiangkun** » 19 Oct 2006 09:03

Dear Scott,

I'm not writing this letter to express my outrage at your depiction of foot juggling as a talentless act on par with hand farts. I can understand why you are so bitter. You are a talented writer, but you are working as a hack writer for a teeny tiny little canadian pamphlet publisher. You should have been picked up by a real newspaper years ago, but somehow your supreme talent never came across in your interviews or publications.

I just don't think I could change your mind on the young kids talent, so instead, I'll share my outrage with the advertisers who endorse your writing.

Cheers,
Cameron

C-Fan · Post by **C-Fan** » 19 Oct 2006 09:03

I'll write to him and post a sample letter next week. For now my question is: how old is Rory? Cause that's pretty shitty for a grown man to pick on a teenager. Maybe this writer had his own dreams crushed when he was young, which is why he is now a hack journalist for a shitty little Canadian newspaper. Rory's young, smart, and driven. My money is on him to end up happier and more successful than this sad little man with a typewriter.

Zac Jackson · Post by **Zac Jackson** » 19 Oct 2006 09:50

i almost sent this

Where do you get off picking on Rory Dawson? Lets see you try footbag, you probably cant, because I can see that you dont even have very much talent as a journalist, but thats just my personl opinion. And telling him to go back to school? whats to say that he isnt in school at this moment? Rory is one of the most intellegent people i know. I know im not the only one outraged by your actions, that is, the actions of a 2 year old.

but then decided to wait and write a more sensable one later

Drew · Post by **Drew** » 19 Oct 2006 10:32

Dear Scott McKeen,

I'm writing to you in response to your recent article about a 'talent show' in Canada in which Rory Dawson competed. I feel it's ignorant of you to so easily compare the sport and hobby of Footbag to 'hand fluffing.' If you consider Rory Dawson a 'hand fluffer,' you should take into consideration the hundreds of thousands, if not millions of people around the world who not only enjoy playing Footbag, but enjoy watching as well.

Hundreds, often thousands of hours are put into practice and preparation by Footbagers, and to mildly call it talentless, even skillless, is a misconception.

Also, you suggest that Rory Dawson should return to school. Because he is skilled with his feet and can Footbag, you suppose he must not have an education? What can you base this on?

"I don't think so. Get back to school, Rory Dawson. I had to study to get a job."

In fact, as you'll see by the domain from which this email is sent, I still am in school, and I play Footbag. Unless I'm the only college kid playing Footbag, which I know for a fact that I'm not, I feel you should not criticize a hobby and sport so harshly, particularly one in which so much time and effort go into.

Keep in mind, I believe you are entitlted to your opinion, as am I, but to compare Footbag to 'hand fluffing' is ridiculous.

Thanks for taking the time to read this, and have a nice day.

Sincerely,
Drew Krause
-Diehard Footbagger-

Eric Chang · Post by **Eric Chang** » 19 Oct 2006 10:59

whenever I see these I know there are going to be people who have to "flame" this guy. Heck even I wanted to, so if anyone sends this guy a letter do so in a contructive manner, as many of these people have shown.

Doing the OMFG ur such a dumbass and teh loser isn't going to help promote footbag anymore than he did.

Though I agree a lot of what he said was very very stupid and doesn't support journalism too. Saying that the footbagger was schooless, and comparing it to hand fluffing and the Vulcan hand gesture.

May we can start a IVPA? International Vulcan Player's Association! Where we can have routines with the vulcan hand gestures! This could be the next big thing since sliced bread, cause remember. It was only chucks of bread before.

Peace

Drew · Post by **Drew** » 19 Oct 2006 11:19

sub 'monkey claw' for Vulcan sign! Coming to a footbagger near you!

Jorden · Post by **Jorden** » 19 Oct 2006 11:20

Wow. For someone with a 'real job' and a 'school education'

he sure is childish. Never heard a professional write like that. Ever.

Clearly the article wasn't about the talent show -- it was about HIM and his life!

Stand tall Rory. You deserve better than that.

footymatt · Post by **footymatt** » 19 Oct 2006 18:44

Ok I got one...

For this online comp (november 2006, 4th q) EVERYBODY who disagrees with that yoko, after your hand catch do a vulcan hand thing or a hand fart!! that's just to show your disapointment, and to rub it in his face. Then someone can send him a link to the online comp vid. that would be hot after a big footbag move!!! Nebody with me?

footbinc · Post by **footbinc** » 20 Oct 2006 15:32

Hrmmm...

"Footbag? Where's that going to take you in life?"

As to Quote Edmonton's Fine Scott McKeen

I read this thinking, where has Footbag Taken me outside of Edmonton?

After Winning Intermediate Doubles Net in 98, I hopped on a promotional tour with Snickers for Footbag, who paid me solid cash to tour Ireland for 3 months and live like a rock star with my own car, driver, pad, and bank roll...

Where Else?

After Discovering Takraw (As an offshoot of Footbag), we ended up winning the national championships in 03 (after Finishing 3rd in 02, and we finished 2nd in 04), Takraw Canada was sponsored by a group in Malaysia, so they paid for us to come to the Takraw Worlds Championships there. Again, all free... We even ended up tied for 5th and made some prize money...

It doesnt seem like a lot, but So far Footbag has sent me 10,000 Miles around the World among other things...

(Not to mention the friends Ive met along the way and the fun Ive had at a variety of tournaments)

Maybe ill invite him to come try Net here in Edmonton...

Nothing like red neck albertan's?

Ben