I agree with Eric. We might detest EO6F's position, but he hurts himself
by eliminating the USA quantity and multiplier numbers in the WPX, and
breaks no contest rule as far as I can tell. Have the USA amateur radio
operators reached the position where we refuse to allow others to disagree
with us on political or religious matters?
Jim George N3BB
At 06:16 AM 3/31/2003 -0500, you wrote:
>Hi Barry --
>
> You raised an interesting question which will likely stimulate many
> messages. I disagree with your recommendation for the
>following reasons.
>
> I didn't operate the contest, so I didn't hear what EO6F said on the
> air myself. But I don't see where calling "CQ Contest No
>USA" equates to unsportsmanlike conduct:
>
>-- If he chooses not to work USA stations in the contest, his score
>suffers much more than the score of any single USA station.
>
>-- EO6F broke no law or radio regulation.
>
>-- EO6F broke no rule of the contest.
>
> You and others may not agree with EO6F's operating tactics, or his
> personal decision to operate the contest in a way that
>reflects his personal concerns about the war. But is this difference of
>views a matter that warrants consideration of
>disqualification?
>
> To disqualify someone on the basis of "CQ Contest No USA" (or even
> something more polemic) can easily be viewed as a private
>attempt at censoring what can, and can not, be said during the
>contest. Freedom to express one's opinion is and freedom of assembly
>with whomever one chooses are among the most basic rights in the USA's
>Constitution.
>
> Disqualifying a contester for saying "CQ Contest No USA" seems both
> petty and a poor reflection of the principles to which I hope
>my country aspires.
>
>73,
> -- Eric K3NA
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