Comments on: Bob Reilly and Why Our State is in Shambles

By: Clifton Park Voter

Clifton Park Voter — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 19:01:02 +0000

If Bob Reilly really cared about this issue he would (1) have better arguments and (2) resign now that his only issue is being defeated.

The only explanation – other than Bob Reilly is losing it – is that he doesn’t really stand for this issue and he is just padding his pension.

Bob, they say you are a good guy. Please step aside so we can have real representation.

By: corey o

corey o — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 16:30:17 +0000

“Bob Reilly and Why Our State is in Shambles”=Typo

Bob Reilly IS Why Our State is in Shambles <–Fixed

By: Just Roz...

Just Roz... — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 19:53:29 +0000

I wasn’t going to vote for him anyway, Kevin. I called his office a few weeks back regarding the budget crisis, and hated the way I was treated by his snotty young staffer, Jim.

By: Dan

Dan — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 17:26:54 +0000

I have to agree. Assemblyman Reilly has no real issues or tangible benefits that he has provided, on which he can run for re-election, so he has seized on this non-issue to show his constituents that he is taking the moral high-ground. The only thing he is really known for is donating his salary. Frankly, I’d prefer an assemblyman who actually worked for his salary to one that has donated my tax dollars away to charities of his own choice.

By: Ellie

Ellie — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 14:22:29 +0000

It goes beyond this insanity though – we have assemblymen who took time to propose, debate and try to pass laws that would outlaw the sagging of a man’s pants. Nevermind the bill that was passed that would demand each in home service to the disabled to develop, file and implement an evacuation plan for each disabled person in all counties in NYS, and they never ever thought on how to fund the damn thing. This is why we’re facing massive budget problems. This is why our government is failing us. What you rail against is just a part of a larger problem.

The problem? With three men in a room deciding the fate of the state, everyone else needs to get press time. Passing laws that limit one’s pants, or working actively to ban MMA is how to do it.

By: Jason

Jason — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 14:12:49 +0000

In addendum, I applaud the author for this article and hope he continues to show both the truth about the sport of MMA and the utter ignorance of the opposition. The fact of the matter is that MMA is already here. All you need to do is drive down route 9 to the Renzo Gracie Academy to see what MMA truly is. MMA classes are held for men, women and children, fostering teamwork, camaraderie, and self defense skills. Go to Jillian’s this Saturday and see how packed it will be for the MMA event shown there this weekend.

Even if MMA was NOT a revenue builder, it should be brought to New York for the simple fact that it is a legitimate, highly respected, competitive SPORT.

By: Jason

Jason — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 13:54:56 +0000

This absolutely infuriates me.

1) To question both the integrity of Marc Ratner and Melvina Lathan, who have pristine reputations in the industry reflects a complete disregard for the truth and fact-finding on the part of Reilly and his staff. Both have been and are still leaders in the boxing and MMA industries. It is deplorable that he would stoop to smear tactics and reflects the lack of foundation or truth to any of his arguments. Referring to Pride is a completely incorrect argument. As the author notes, it is a Japanese organization that did not utilize the Uniform Rules of Mixed Martial Arts developed by the NJ State Athletic Control Board.

2) MMA is judged on effective striking/grappling, and ring/cage control. The fact is that a fight can end without a SINGLE strike being thrown. In fact, Fedor Emelianenko, considered the world’s best MMA fighter in the sport’s history was defeated by a man who effectively neutralized him and did not even ATTEMPT a single punch or kick. Show me a boxing fight that ends without a single strike being thrown or even a football game that ends without high impact collisions.

3) “They haven’t for me.” – that’s fantastic that a representative of New York State in 2010 bullheadedly refuses to adopt to a constantly evolving society. If legislators are this mis-informed about something as simple as MMA, I wonder how mis-informed they are about education and health care.

4) Mixed Martial Arts is not a casino. It is a sport. It is not some taboo underground tumor of society. It is sponsored by major labels – Budweiser, Under Armor, Microsoft, to name a few, and it is covered and lauded by major sporting companies/venues such as ESPN. To say that an MMA event would take AWAY money from the economy would be like saying a Jonas Brothers concert would take AWAY money from the economy.