More RSLFM drama
April 14, 2008 by f4denz.
So while I believe the real reasons for RSLFM’s blog drama have yet to be publicly disclosed, here is her statement on what happened:
“*RSLFM.com was hacked & deleted on Monday, April 14, 2008. Somehow a bogus password reminder request was emailed to a generic, newly-created Yahoo account. Blogger(Google) is currently investigating the security breach.
*The hacker deleted the entire blog + all archives. This appearantly freed up the blog’s name–which is why some of you temporarily may have seen a “this blog is available” screen.”
I find some issues with this account of what happened, today I heard from a number of sources that the real issue was that Blogger pulled the account for violation of copyright permission from a number of sources. I have no physical evidence, but it is clear that hosting video of MLS matches, despite a contention that your in communication with the league offices is a violation of the copyright. That is why every match has the disclosure that use of the material without permission is prohibited. It is a fine line between linking to someone’s copyrighted material and actually displaying it, just posting that the content is from a source, does not give one permission to use it. Fair use rules are very much a debated point, and have in the age of the internet been subject to various interpretations.
Whatever the reason, I do have to admit that whoever jumped on the chance to take over the blogger account was funny, I do not think that this had to be the person who “hacked” the site, since I know at least a dozen people who saw the message that the domain was available. The fact that someone took a few minutes to poke humor at the negative tilt of the site, is funny, no matter what you think, it really was funny. I know a number of people who thought about it, I for one did not. While I tend to disagree with RSLFM’s opinions and opinion that only cynical viewpoints are valid, I have in the past, and after several months of simply ignoring RSLFM, found that with the turn around that has taken place on the RSL roster and front office that simply letting her bitter views and opinions too tempting to resist responding to. I have to find humor that parody was responded to so harshly by RSLFM and her clonies (damm kool-aid drinkers).
Here is hoping that the fine collection of links is back up and running soon, I do question the mental state of someone who spends so much time bashing something, I really do wonder what drives that kind of cynical behavior? Running a blog is no easy task, as I am finding out this season, but I do so because I enjoy supporting the team and the players, I could not imagine running a blog about all the negative aspects of the Utah Jazz or Blaze ( I really do despise the Arena Farceball League).
Enough for now from MY SOAPBOX
Demise of RSLFM
April 14, 2008 by f4denz.
OK, I have to admit it was a bit funny seeing an “would you like to register this domain”, when I went to check out RSLFM.com this afternoon. Sure I have had my differences with her, heck I can probably say I take a polar opposite view on almost anything she has had to say for the last couple seasons, and yes I again questioned why someone who was so bitter towards RSL, and all things associated with it would spend time putting together a blog about it. But I can with all honesty say I had nothing to do with the demise of the site, I am not sure if this is part of the recent technical problems she was having, or if this is a typical act of childhood rebellion (going home and taking your toys with you), or perhaps even an ” I will show you people, how dare you question me” reaction. Whatever it is, I wish her well, but for one I will not miss the overwhelming negative attitude and perspective.
I will attempt to fill a couple voids left by the demise, I will not be posting pictures of all sorts, that is not my thing. I will however attempt to several times a week post a collection of links to other article and blogs about RSL, in addition to the content I feel like posting of my own. I am working on getting a link to all this seasons matches on video for those of you who use bit torrent tools, I hope to have that set up by the end of the week (if anyone knows if this content is already loaded on a bit torrent site, please let me know).
Update to the drama
This is the message I get now when I try to access the site:
OFF MY SOAPBOX, BUT STILL IN THE FIGHT
Did you expect anything less from RSLFM?
April 14, 2008 by f4denz.
OK I have to admit, I was hoping that perhaps the changes in the off season to the RSL roster would finally get the cynics to lighten up a little bit, I didn’t expect it, but I was hoping. So was I at all surprised that when a special player, made a spectacular play to earn his team a draw on opening day, that the cynics would proclaim it typical RSL, unable to finish a match, horrible defense, despite the fact that RSL lead every statistical area of the match.
Nope I saw that one coming, and despite a great effort against a team that is proving to be one of the best so far in this short MLS season, the blinders that prevent anything good from being seen were on and no matter what the results on the pitch, the hate would continue to spew from those who for whatever reasons dislike RSL. It makes you wonder what would cause someone to spend so much time and energy on a team that one has nothing but spite and bitterness towards? It is beyond me.
So is anyone surprised that despite the DC United players and coaches not making excuses that we could count on the RSL cynics to throw mud, make excuses, explain away the victory RSL fought for and deserved on Saturday night.
RSL supporters everywhere celebrated their club’s historic win Saturday night against a shockingly fatigued, almost skeletal-appearing DC United. Yeah Fred, Jamie, and Luciano all appeared to be near death from the start of the match, are you kidding me, they ran with pace and passed with skill. They had the same problem they have had all year in MLS, that is finishing (something RSL is very familiar with), DC’s only MLS goals have come against TFC.
And as has been adequately detailed elsewhere, this opponent can in no way be confused with DC United playing at full strength. They were noticeably lacking in terms of both fitness & roster selection.
Really DC United started 8 of the 11 players that started in their only MLS win against TFC, RSL also had 8 players from their opening day effort on the field, and 9 from their starting 11 from the Chivas match. I am not sure what lack of fitness RSLFM noticed, I saw a team that ran well, and did not quit playing their style of football until shortly after the 3rd goal.
This win was simply an especially brightly-colored tile in a much larger (and yes…generally darker) mosaic.
Really, so the 4-4-3 record to end last season, and our 1-1-1 start against three of the top MLS teams (the 2007 best teams in both the east and west, and the team currently atop the east).
RSL was undeservedly unlucky in weeks past–as both its coach & fanboys are fond of proclaiming. If true, mustn’t RSL fans also acknowledge that RSL was perhaps undeservedly lucky in some aspects on Saturday? If–as we were firmly instructed–Esky’s late throw-away goal for Chivas was meaningless, mustn’t the same also be said of Findley’s late gift? Intellectual honesty is not a sign of weakness. To the contrary, in fact.
I don’t know many who have blamed the loss at Chivas on bad luck, rather we did not finish and they did, that match was much more evenly played than the scoreboard displayed, I also don’t know many who have dismissed the great goal by Blanco in extra time as bad luck, it rather was as stated a great player, making a great play. I have no idea who wants to discount the goal by Esky, hell I loved that one of RSL’s cast offs took advantage of a chance to stick it to his former club. If you’re claiming that your refusal to acknowledge the improvement of RSL play this season is honesty, then I ask who do you think your fooling? Honestly?
RSL supporters have precious little practice winning with dignity. It shows, and it’s a bit embarrassing. Displaying class in victory is a difficult trait to master. Fans of our vanquished opponent know a thing or two about both winning and losing. This is classic, you obviously did not partake in the RCB/Barra Brava tailgate party, or the after match gathering for beers and reflection. If you believe that the boys supporting DC would not have been enjoying rubbing a 4-0 win in the faces of other fans, then you simply do not know much about their group. I do think it was a bit silly for whoever went and sat behind them and wanted to try and taunt them, but the Barra give as good as they get. But again, most of us know that there is not a single thing RSL, their front office, or fans can do that would pass the muster of the all knowing, all seeing, and always perfect RSLFM.
Listen, RSL’s victory was the most impressive in team history, despite the naysayer’s nitpicking. This year’s RSL is a far improvement from last years team, one only need to look at how long it took for RSL to get their first win of the year. Last season our first MLS victory came against DC United, but it happened on June 23rd, and this season we got our first win on the 12th of April, again against DC United. The difference 9 weeks, perhaps the cynics should sit back, relax and breath a little. If they take a few minutes and actually watch the first three matches of this season, and compare them to the first three matches of last year, there is no comparison in quality, effort, energy, and results. Like it or not, the announcers from three teams we have faced this season have it right, this is a much better RSL squad than in the past. Be honest, that is what you claim that no one else does, but the facts simply do not support your silly bitterness. If you have a grudge, then make it public, get it settled, or get over it, but please quit trying to play the honest broker, when everyone can see the vile bitterness you spew and claim to be truth.
OFF MY SOAPBOX