rackmsuckr said:
Yes, but Bernie, you of all people know first-hand how it feels when there is name-calling involved. I came to your defense then and I still feel that being disrespectful is wrong. I know Russ didn't mean me per se, but to be lumped together into a group of hopefuls for the future of pool in a derogatory way was over the line, imo.
Yes, we should respect diversity and other's opinions, but not get so carried away as to sling hurtful arrows.
Linda,
You're right.. It was over the line to lump not only you, but all the other who are only giving "the benefit of the doubt". Once again, I have shown my tendency to write down the first words that come to mind, without really analyzing what I mean.
Let me correct that. I am not so much against those that are giving "the benefit of the doubt" to KT.
I DO very much have a problem with those that are extremely vocal about the "need" to give the benefit of the doubt to KT. You haven't went that far I believe, Linda. Those who "want" to give him the benefit of the doubt, fine. Everyone, don't dare ask me to.
Pardon my French, but I get extremely PO'ed when I see someone criticize KT or the IPT, and them someone jumps on their case about it. Often asking "What business is it of yours? Do you have money coming?" or something similarly inane.
KT and other representatives have continually lied to the pro players. They are also still selling tapes and online streaming of matches of the players' matches, but the players have not gotten paid. THE IPT IS MAKING MONEY and not paying ANYTHING to the pros!
IMHO, "vocal" supporters of the IPT or Trudeau have absolutely no leg to stand on. He is a manipulative b@$5@rd, and will say anything he can to get away with something. KT may have a "positive announcement" coming next week, (I love you Linda! I'm just saying.......) but announcements are not money. I repeat, announcements are not money.
For those willing to give him the benefit of the doubt, God bless you, I think your trust is hugely misplaced, and disappointment is in your future. For those who are going to hold this up at as example of how KT has attempted to keep open communication, I say bull####! I don't want to hear it. If you insist on responding negatively when people bash the IPT, expect to catch some very heated comments.
Again, IMHO, I think any pro outside Illinois who shows up in Chicago without getting paid is being manipulated by Trudeau, Deno, whoever. I am planning on absolutely ignoring any "positive announcement" KT has until the players get paid. The man cannot be trusted. If his past was not evidence of that, then his lies about the checks and keeping everyone in the dark on basically everything do prove that. If he responds to a question by saying "Checks are in the mail" when checks are not, in fact, in the mail... Well, to my way of thinking, that is a bald faced lie.
Kevin Trudeau is an absolute slimeball, even if he did pay for one or two big money tournaments. The Reno debacle arguably weakened the field at the U.S. Open, even after he promised his tour would NOT interfere with tournaments with an actual HISTORY. It would be one thing if he HAD the money, and scheduled events at the same time other events were scheduled. And the players actually got PAID. That would be different. But he didn't pay players from Reno, putting a lot of IPT players in financial straits, preventing them from making the U.S. Open, as well as the negative thoughts that would have to be overcome even if they were able to make the Open.
This whole situation is much different than players in the 70's, 80's, 90's, etc.. not getting paid for a tournament. Those tournaments were not this size. This money is life changing for some of the players. And Trudeau, after telling all the players he would pay them at the tournaments, pulls the rug out from under them.
Imagine if YOU lived week to week, and all of a sudden came into 50K+ one day, but it cost you a few thousand to make the money. But you couldn't get the money. And now you are broke. And the person who was supposed to give you the money refuses to give you a straight answer on WHY you are not getting paid. Oh yeah.. Did I mention you were broke?
The time for cutting the IPT and KT slack is over. Everyone saying "be patient" totally ignores the fact that multiple lies have been forced down the pros throats. I swear.. If I came face to face with KT right now, I punch him dead in his mouth, jail be damned.
Russ