Richard, I have a hard time figuring you out as do many others. I think your comments are sometimes the reason for that.

Regarding some of your comments: Here goes: You want to seem to want to criticize me for my lack of volunteerism. Well, you will certainly need to get your facts straight on this one issue. Ask any number of individuals at state this year if I made that effort. I think I recall working weigh-in, helping work tables as did my wife and son and our club has a good reputation for its willingness to always help, plus I did church on the mat. By the way these things were replicated the following week for nationals. I think I even offered to help clean mats or anything else that was needed maybe you can ask someone like Coach Gibson or several others at the tournament about that. There were several times I even helped the people in the hospitality room. I would never mention these things except you seem to have a reason to question if I was willing to help. Regarding volunteering for a six and under at state, Read my writing. I DON'T HAVE A 6 AND UNDER KID BUT HERE GOES, LISTEN REAL CLOSE, I'LL BE GLAD TO HELP. By the way that tournament was on a Sunday. I personally took 4 vacation days to attend, since I pastor a church that meets on a Sunday. I'll tell you what, and I mean this, challenge me to see if my comments are true. I'll volunteer on one of your Sunday tournaments, outside of state, or 6 and under state if you agree to preach from the pulpit in my church on that same Sunday. You want to challenge me here, let's see if who is willing to come through here. I mean this in fun, but am serious.

You also make the comment about my comment about people knowing who votes which way on certain issues related to KS wrestling. As far as I am concerned, the populace of the individuals purchasing their cards should have a say in the issue. I would love information about this process from someone within the organization since I am new to this state as far as wrestling goes. Coach Juby or Richard, feel free to inform the ignorant, (me). I will continue to believe though that the officers should represent those individuals and should stand for what is right. There may have very well been discussions on this in the past, but it seems from the number of posts that there is still some interest.

You make a great comment about rights in Kansas, specifically related to driving. I will challenge that on your example though, that if a 16 year old was told they had to wait until they were 18 that would be unfair, if they had the same payment requirments. By the way, a history lesson here, not trying to be rude, but America is not a Democracy, it is a Republic. There is a difference, remember the pledge to the flag, especially the part about supporting the Republic for which it stands.

Regarding the statement of unfairness; You make mention of several exceptional wrestlers and that is a fair and appropriate statement; however, those individuals are few and far between. On any given year, you may be able to make that comment about a few wrestlers but when looking at the total placers for the total number of wrestlers I don't believe your figures hold out. Maybe someone would like to do a legitimate study of legitimate 6 and under wrestlers that place at state and see the numbers. If I am wrong, and a large percentage, say even 40% of those placing in the 8 and under are legitimate 6 and unders I will gladly apologize and admit my mistake on this issue. Frankly, I'll even be glad to do the math and stats if someone can inform me as to the ages, etc of the placers in the last few years of 8 and under. Again, I'm stepping up to your challenge.

You continue with your comments criticizing me for my comments. As stated above I helped in several tournaments this year besides the one's mentioned above. You state that I have made negative comments about Kansas wrestling. Show me where. I started a thread that actually praised Kansas wrestling and its tournaments as its wrestlers as being as good and it’s state tournament as being better. Numerous officials and officers of the state board and tournaments of KS have told via email and in person of the appreciation of those comments. Again, Mr. Slayer if you are going to throw mud at least have the decency to get your facts straight.

Your last comments regarding duel residence. Here are the facts. I have a home in Oklahoma, used part time for rental, (vacation) and ministry related retreat home, by the way of which I receive no income. I live in, and pastor a church in Wichita. My wife will be teaching school in Derby next year, right now she is a stay at home mom. Did I love Oklahoma? Yes, and I still do, as I did other states I am from including Tennessee and North Carolina if you want to use those states to also criticize me. I have many friends who wrestle, and coaches I appreciate from there and various other states. I do however live in Kansas and love it. I plan to continue living here until my son graduates from High School. I can't continue to make promises after that because I have a job that requres transition on ocassion. I actually believe that your comments of essentially “love it or leave it” are inappropriate and disrespectful. By the way, I also lived here from 1977 to 1985 when I promoted concerts attended college and worked with the homeless and needy in Wichita. Simply put Mr. Slayer, you seem to want to throw mud at someone where it will have a hard time sticking. I will continue to give back to this sport and the people of Kansas whom I love and appreciate. It was my choice to move back here, because I love it. I would hope your comments and attitude of this nature would not be applied to the military personnel who are stationed in Kansas, yet originated from another state. I will also continue to advocate for the sport and the kids in the sport and for this state. I just happen to believe it is more appropriate to find ways to make something work than it is to blast someone and make accusations that are simply, incorrect. You see, comments that propose to describe my comments as negative about this state and can not be taken back from those who read them are simply put; Wrong!

I don't know what you mean about your comment regarding supporting Martha and siding with Hootie. That being the case I can't comment. Mr, Slayer, there have been numerous times that I have posted in support of your comments and your right to make those comments even though I may not always agree with them on other threads. I would hope that your efforts are not to demean or put someone down just because they disagree with you on a particular point. I always use my name for the reason that people can feel free to contact me personally, many have, many who disagree with my views and many who agree. I appreciate that and will continue to do so.

I also don't understand your need to make the comment regarding Saddam. Are you trying to make a point that is popular to draw favor? I honestly don't know. If and please understand that I mean if, that is the case, please be reminded of my comments and prayers supporting our troops at the State and National Tournaments as well as my own families and numerous friends involvement in the war at this time. Also pick up a number of newspapers that have run articles about my church making those efforts, far more than just praying as of recent. Maybe you have heard some of the interviews I have done on various radio stations on this point. Then again, maybe not, if so you would have never made this particular comparison.

I fully understand that life is not fair. Feel free to visit my neighborhood and allow me the honor of showing you the people I work with on a daily basis who know that and I am spending my life trying to help. Maybe you can visit my web site http://www.furches.org and hear comments from athletes, governors and others that have praised my efforts. I again would enjoy trading roles on a particular Sunday so you can see legitimate people who have had little hope but have overcome those obsticles. While life may not be fair, it does not negate our responsibility to try and make it fair. Many people use the wording of "Well, am I my brother’s keeper?" Amazingly, they are quoting a Bible verse when they make that comment, unfortunately they never read Jesus response, which paraphrased, is, "You bet you are."

If a simple majority of individuals who pay their dues to USA KS were polled on this issue and did not approve I would simply agree with the inability to pull it off. That does not mean that I would agree with the decision though and would not continue the effort to work for what I believe to be fairness.


You see Mr. Slayer I am not opposed to your rights to make your comments. I might disagree but when personal attacks are made I think you have crossed the line. I just happen to perceive that anyone reading those comments would likely take them that way, especially where you tell me how far it is to drive to Oklahoma. I will at least have the decency to email you my response as well as post it on the web site.
One last question though. Do you have any kids in this group? I have stated that I do not. I have also stated that I would be willing to help at a combined state. If you do not have kids here, or even if you do, I would be curious to understand in a civil way as to the reason for the level of lack of support. I do know that if our country never readdressed issues such as slavery, women's rights, age of service for military, etc that things in America would be much different. Frankly I hope we fight like crazy to readdress public law on Title IX. Thankfully, we live in a country that allows for this type of debate.