Greetings, gentlefolk.
I have not replied here previously on this issue largely due to being one of the several hundred thousand lucky people to lose power with sub freezing temperatures last week in the state of New Hampshire, and further issues when power was restored. I simply did not go looking for work when I was online, preferring to relax. Little did I know Green Knight was taking so much abuse alone for a joint decision. My apologies to Green Knight.
Some of the criticisms levied, and the manner in doing so, have surpassed the comical. It is fine and dandy to disagree, but personal attacks and questioning of dedication are preposterous. Some of those posting could easily ask their clanmates as to the amount of time the administrators have put into things.
Regardless, here follows a full accounting of our actions as seen by myself on this particular matter.
This was a joint decision on the part of both Green Knight and myself. This decision followed more investigation and consideration than likely occurred after the Kennedy assassination. It would've been essentially impossible for Green and myself to have been better informed on what had occurred. Accounts on the spot were received by me from both captains and the referee, which were saved and relayed to my fellow administrator. Logs were retrieved and examined to see how they matched what had been told by the captains and the assigned referee. With all of the information in hand, we then considered the merits of what had occurred and who was responsible.
We knew once we made our decision how it would be received. I had already gleaned that TFM expected us to rule in TMW's favor, for obvious reasons. For that same reason, the conclusion arrived at was sure to cause awkwardness with our coworkers among the administrators. Neither the expectations of personal attacks nor the accusations of bias (from both sides) nor personal concerns were considerations. We saw what we believed was right, and followed through on it despite it being the more difficult decision and one sure to result in more drama.
It is every individual's right to agree or disagree. But realize: our cause is just, our motivations are just, and we're doing the best we can for this tournament. It gave us no personal pleasure. Someone was bound to be displeased, and if you feel that, given the same information we had, and an impartial point from which to utilize that information, you would've ruled differently, then good for you. That is your right to postulate. Whatever else this decision was, it wasn't easy. We stand by it.
What shouldn't be at question is the dedication or motivations of my fellow administrators, and, I daresay, myself (if only because I think the 13 hours total I and at one time or another all 3 of my peers spent in captain's interviews show our interest in how the community feels about tournament issues). It has been an unexpected pleasure to work with all 3 of these gentlemen, and I have no gripe nor criticism for any of them. I've learned much and met people I never knew existed, and found some of those I knew of to be completely different than anticipated.
So, gentlemen, let's now please focus on the culmination of week 7, and the coming of the Single-Elimination phase.