When one speaks about the officiating in NFL games, it's a $10,000 fine.

[Bozita]

If I were the GB coach, I would say I'm writing a $10,000 check to my favorite charity and remaining silent on what just occurred.

At least the viewers would understand why he did it.

And, oh yeah, I'm a Lions fan. I don't like the Packers, Vikings, or Da Bears.

[Honeycombe8]

1. Sports aren't supposed to be posted about in this forum. nt

[xmas74]

3. But this goes a bit beyond just a sports article.

It actually has to deal more with the refs being on strike and how the NFL refuses to compromise, instead employing what are basically D2 refs to call professional games.

It's no different than posting about a grocery chain or an auto plant striking and the aftermath.

[Bozita]

4. This is a management/labor dispute. And management has badly damaged its product by using scab refs.

[cherokeeprogressive]

5. Not so fast.

Discuss politics, issues, and current events. No posts about Israel/Palestine, religion, guns, showbiz, or sports unless there is really big news.

This meets all requirements.

[xmas74]

9. And this transcends the regular sports talk.

It's union vs management and what happens when the only factor is pure greed.

This story has legs.

[cherokeeprogressive]

10. True dat. n/t

[Honeycombe8]

11. How would anyone know that, from the OP? You have to be a sports fan to know, right?

The OP says nothing about a labor dispute. Only that he's a fan of ...whatever. And something about $10k.

[xmas74]

12. It's been all over the news for several weeks.

The refs are on strike. I work with people who watch no sports and one of them even mentioned today that she'd heard that "there were some bad calls from the scab refs". It's also been discussed here on DU for a number of weeks now, not as a sport but as a labor dispute.

This is a labor dispute that will now take center stage.

[evlbstrd]

13. The refs aren't on strike.

They were locked out. That's a big difference.

[xmas74]

15. That's true.

But many others do not quite understand the idea of a lockout, asking how it isn't just a termination.

I tried to explain it to someone the other day and they just couldn't understand it. I finally gave up and said "It's kind of like a strike only it's not. The owners won't let them work." The hang up was on the idea of if they were locked out, didn't that mean they were fired. When I explained it more like a strike but not a strike they finally understood and could picture it better. She thought it was a lay off but didn't understand why others were working, then she thought they were fired and then finally thought they were picketing. My 12 year old understands a lock out but most of the adults I work with do not.

(Yeah, I work with people who understand nothing about labor whatsoever in an area were unions are practically nonexistent.)

[evlbstrd]

17. I guess I just don't understand why it's so difficult to grasp.

I live in the city not far from you and there's a lot of the same thing here. I used to work in a union shop where the majority of the members were Reagan voters. I asked them if they remembered PATCO when they were at the ballot box. Blank stares.
And I listened to a little sports talk radio out of curiosity today. Most of the callers and the hosts were just as clueless and thought the refs should just give in to the owners' demands so they could get the games back on track.

[xmas74]

18. It's nearly impossible for some to grasp.

After numerous attempts to explain I've stuck with the "it's like a strike but it's not" and then explain further if asked. The saddest part is that my 12 year old understands it but 30 and 40 year olds do not. Then again, Missouri's not known for its groundswell of union support.

I explained it to a college student the other day. Once he understood he said he was on the side of the refs and that everything now happening is the owners' fault.

[seabeyond]

16. true. but, it really has been fascinating. i have three in my house that has been talking to me

about this whole thing. they have it on the sports channels so i have been hearing about it. it really is interesting what is happening, and so beyond sports, and all about greed of the richest.

[xmas74]

2. Drew Brees has been speaking out about it, calling it horrendous and an embarrassment.

I suspect you'll hear more and more comments after tonight. The weekend was really bad but this-disgusting.

[October]

6. It was an unbelievable call. I'm floored.

I wasn't rooting for either team -- but at first thought what an amazing end for the Seahawks...but...it shouldn't have been. Disastrous ref'ing all week.

[xmas74]

8. I watched that call so close.

That wasn't a touchdown. And if people don't care about it now, what happens next weekend when their team plays.

This was the last call of a long weekend of nasty calls.

[Indpndnt]

7. Belichick grabbed an official yesterday. Have we heard what his fine is, yet?

That should be quite a sum.

[Bozita]

14. After further review, ...

[Johonny]

19. +1