SaintPauly

Everyone has a right to respond to posts, in any way that they want. I have been hitting Saints forums since 98, and ever since the first time I joined one, smack, dissagreements, and personal attacks have been a part of the show. Sad but true.

When I was younger I would have joined in, but the only problem I found with that kind of thing as I got older, is that no matter what points you bring up, that make your argument, the other side will come up with a counterpoint, and it starts all over again. In alot of ways, it's like being trapped on a merry go round from hell, and honestly I don't like getting dizzy anymore.

I am proud to see such devotion by the Saints here, and as pleased as I can be to be a part of this NG, and a part of the Who Dat Nation, because I believe that this year, has made our fan base stronger than it has ever been. I'm sure we can all agree, that we've been through ALOT, over the past ten years, and what doesn't kill you, makes you stronger.

I love to talk football, stats, history, and pretty much anything else involved, with the game itself. I am fascinated by it's colorful past, and all of the greatness, that has been achieved over the years. I agree that our past, as an organization, doesn't have as many high points as we would like, but we do remember them none-the-less. Other fans, from other teams, have been making fun of us, since the beginning, and I hate to tell you this, but even if we do win a championship, it's NOT going to stop. The Cowboys have six, and look how "popular" they are.

When another team's fan, comes into our newsgroup, talking smack, or bringing up past games, or records, or anything else like that, I just have one question: What do they expect to happen? That everyone here reconsider, the many years they have been Saints fans, and agree with you, and become a fan of the team you represent? That's the only thing I can figure out, that would come out of all of that. If I am wrong, then please, correct me.

"Good natured ribbing" is one thing, but some of the stuff I've read on here in the past week, has not been good natured, nor has it been just ribbing. Some of it has just been rude insults. I guess I have never been a huge fan of smack talk, because it always comes back to you in the end. Not to mention it's just meaningless, pointless, and has nothing to do with the outcome.

I don't know if all of us here have been to actual games, but you might notice that after it's over, all the players, FROM BOTH SIDES, gather midfield, and pray together. They also shake hands, smile, and hug each other. While us "fanatics", are drunk, in the parking lot, jawing at each other, and picking fights. I've been in that situation, and in retrospect, I can tell you I was an idiot for thinking any of that to be fun, or necessary.

A good example of what I'm talking about is this: One time, in the middle of downtown San Francisco, due to smack talking, and drunken idiocy, I actually watched a knife fight between a Niner fan, and a Raider fan. The Niner fan was stabbed first, and went to the emergency room, while the Raider fan, went to jail. Wow, that was sooo worth it. I'm sure Al Davis cut him a check, penciled his name in on the last Superbowl team squad, and had him over for dinner a couple of nights a week since. Oh wait a minute, IF he is out of prison.

When Sunday comes, and the players hit the field, the game will not be decided by season stats, team histories, how many pro bowl players are on the field, or who's fans are the craziest. It will be decided by execution, determination, and athleticism, and who wants it the baddest. One team will be happy, the other, will not, and we as fans will have to swallow it either way. Life will go on, and no one will lay down and die, from losing a football game. I hate to dissappoint everybody.

I apologize for the soapbox speech here, but I guess the whole point of it is, that talk, is just that, talk. It has nothing to do with the outcome of this game Sunday. With that, I sit and await my flaming......

What's popular is not always right, and what's right is not always popular.....