Lost integrity? Or just misplaced?

[Snipe Hunter]

I grew up on the west coast going to the Camel GT road races, watching Winston Cup on TV and fishing the Redman tournaments. Nothing has really changed except BASS has more competition now. Everybody has more competition now. There's more advertisers, more tackle companies all trying to get top billing. BASS is a business, just like any other. If it weren't, it would have gone the way of the dodo a long time ago. I don't drink, I no longer smoke or dip and those were my choices. I hope I raised my kids to make the right choices. Sure, there's jerks, just like any other sport or group. There's jerks at church too. That's life. I'm ok with it.

 

Now, if if we could get pro football players to quit dancing every time the camera is on them and get Major League Baseball to either let Pete Rose in the hall of fame or stop advertising Fantasy Baseball Gambling sites throughout the whole game we might be on to something.

 

I think what BASS has done for the sport, particularly their roll in making catch and release as normal as breathing is a pretty significant accomplishment. Business is business. We just need to teach our kids to make sound decisions. Whether they do or not is up to them.

[Airman4754]

So I would assume you dont watch the NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, NCAA sports, or anything sports related really?

 

The NFL commercial reel is beer, car, beer, pizza, erectile dysfunction, hard liquor, insurance, chips.

 

Like every business professor will tell you, if something is overly marketed you don't need it. So, you get alcohol, insurance, food that has zero nutrition, a more expensive vehicle, etc. Erectile dysfunction commercials kill me for two reasons; no man has ever had a performance problem sober with a model, and no one has a bathtub on their porch, let alone two.

 

If we drank in moderation, ate nutritious foods, strived to stay attractive for our significant other, and lived within our means we would be western Europe. This past election told us (sort of) that we want to go the opposite direction. 

[the reel ess]

On 12/31/2016 at 7:41 PM, bassin73 said:

Thanks for the feedback folks.  I think that where there's a will, there is a way. People of low esteem, and lack of integrity will try anyway possible to gain an edge, even if that means hiring others to aid in winning big money. As in the instance of those two anglers who stuffed split shot down bass's throat for weight. Or have others fish off limit body's of water for them before tournaments. I believe Rick brought to light the fact that anglers that have big sponsorship backing have an unfair advantage over those who don't. I remember when homework, talent, and confidence won tournaments. With today's electronics, gadgets, and GPS locators, it's not really fair competition for those less fortunate that don't have big money backing. I fished tournaments where it took sweat, determination, and talent to win. But in those days when I won or lost, I felt good about it, and slept well. Now I fish for fun. It's better that way. 

I've never wanted to fish for any reason other than my own recreation. 

14 hours ago, Mosster47 said:

The NFL commercial reel is beer, car, beer, pizza, erectile dysfunction, hard liquor, insurance, chips.

 

It's either ads for something to treat ED or ads for the things that cause ED.  That's quite a racket.

[bassinhole]

On 12/31/2016 at 4:24 PM, A-Jay said:

One doesn't lose integrity ~ it's given away.  

 

A-Jay

 

I'd say it's abandoned. It's an active choice to turn your back on integrity. 

[Choporoz]

Agreed.  Now, get off of my lawn.....sorry..couldn't resist.....but I do think that with just a few small tweaks, the letter could be written by a 'seasoned' person about nearly any sport or activity enjoyed by younger generations...in any era.

 

Not to say the concerns aren't valid...or that I disagree...just that kids these days just don't get it

[bassin73]

O K, I started this session last week end, and have had many reply back with there thoughts, and 2 cents worth. This will be my last post concerning my first. I am 61 years old, have 2 grown children, and did indeed raise them according to the Christian ways the bible instructs us too, as parents should. They grew up knowing right from wrong, and have become responsible adults, thanks be to God. When I wrote the topic of this discussion it was about the image portrayed by professional bass fishermen representing in my opinion the greatest sport there is. Period. I said then and repeat again I am a realist, and know I cannot change anyone's ideals, nor would want to. I just care about the morality of our sport we love, and those that are following in our foot prints. I think we all could, and should, be more cognoscente about who's watching and listening to us. Thanks folks, have a great life.