ET TU? SPORTING POST?:(

Some years back, Sporting Post was banned for circulation/distribution at race tracks and TAB outlets; that seems to have changed.

Just wondering if the change has anything to being 'neutralised' to toe the line in its contents / editorials / letters /comments?

For instance, recent articles on the Grooms Strike, on publication, stated 'comments closed' (without even a comment having been made)!

Not that a 'radical' like me wants to intervene, but does that mean that we must read only the article (warts and all) and not raise any questions..... even reasonable / rational ones? Or, others make some positive contribution?

Perhaps, Lance or Robyn could have gone out and interviewed grooms on the various sites, given a description of the conditions under which they live (good or bad), asked them questions about their aspirations, why they are where they are, compare their situations with those in other countries, etc?

But then, telephone and keyboard thumping, swivel chair ensconsed journalists are the norm nowadays within the entire media industry! Wrong names, different area, not a gang but only one.... and today, the classic report 'He testified that the gang was a bakkie after earlier drinking beer at a local tavern..'! (News24)

Similar to Racing Express where nary a 'negative' report, nothing on the Competition hearings, inconsistencies, tote payout vacillations, form reversals, Kimberley race cancellations after a mosquito urinates or the grooms strike?

Soon, we shall have every horse in a race wearing blinkers..... like all the horseracing papers; no distractions to 'go off course', except PUNT!

umlilo Wrote:

---

> Some years back, Sporting Post was banned for
> circulation/distribution at race tracks and TAB
> outlets; that seems to have changed.
>
> Just wondering if the change has anything to being
> 'neutralised' to toe the line in its contents /
> editorials / letters /comments?

@umlilo
You mate, are a disgrace. The one institution that has never sold out, you can casually as you like rubbish without a thought. You've got me wondering now if you're a lying criminal? Can we, or should we, just make up any rubbish that enters our head like a stench from a sewer?

After this post of yours, I recall all those unsubstantiated allegations you've made from time to time, and I'm wondering if you made that shit up too?

I think you owe the Sporting Post a retraction and an apology on the turn, even though sorry doesn't "un-ring" a bell!

Umilio ,I agree with jack ,Karel would mot allow the sporting post to be anything but impartial

The Posting Et Tu? Sporting Post? by Umlilo warrants some clarity.

To the best of our knowledge, we are the only racing media (beyond the forums) to have covered the strike threat and to have made any effort to contact both the National Horseracing Authority and the SA Grooms Association in an effort to convey a balanced view as possible on the grooms situation.

The Grooms Chairperson was interviewed telephonically twice last week by our editorial staff, who had hoped to meet him in Milnerton this past Wednesday for a photo/ interview session.

He informed us that he was staying in Gauteng to attend a meeting on 14 February and was thus unavailable immediately.

To suggest some form of conspiracy theory type muzzling is wrong. It is so far off the mark, as to not warrant further comment.

We publish the facts and opinion without fear or favour and encourage and thrive upon comment from all sectors and interest groups.

Our editorial policy incorporates a belief that all sides of the story deserve to be heard.

The lack of a comment facility on the particular post referred to by Umlilo may just have been a slip of the finger by a capturer in our office

Regards
The SP Team.

Hi All!

Ok! I worded the comment badly perhaps, I admit!


Yes, SP has always been a beacon and I erred in not clarifying that! Yes, they did cover the CC, grroms, etc.... what I pointedly referred to was the 'comments closed' simultaneous with the article being published.

However, if you examine my comment, I am posing a question..... not submitting a conspiracy!
Herein, (despite some of you going off at a tangent) I am vindicated by SP teams' comment (last line):

'The lack of a comment facility on the particular post referred to by Umlilo may just have been a slip of the finger by a capturer in our office'.

I think there are far too many of you out with daggers who come at me, right or wrong, and always read the wrong message to suit your own egos! That is totally unfair and discriminatory; typical South African 'baaskaap' reaction?

Besides, from the past few weeks, I took a decision not to get involved in issues surrounding the grooms (I also have a few questions for Simoto as I did about Phindi and Smiley and Maharaj), etc......

In fact, to get racing out of my system entirely (I have not reverted to my bookie again for over 3 months I think!) I have no interest any more in the industry, lost money consistently (my entertainment bill!), no need to cross swords with anyone on whether I am a racist (SAfrica's famous endearment term outside 'sunny skies, braai and beer'!), or, to wince about some who tried to use me to do their own dirty work, etc.

I don't need horseracing or to give my input on this site; there are many others far more capable (whom I respect). As my handle implies, I inflame issues (you can say somewhat mischievously!) to promote controversy under-pinned by getting people informed and educated.

That's.... freedom of expression!

So, this is the last post/response I will make again on this site!

Amandla!

It will be a sad day for ABC if you stop posting Hanif, I have always found your contributions very interesting and informative.

scotia Wrote:

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> It will be a sad day for ABC if you stop posting
> Hanif, I have always found your contributions very
> interesting and informative.


100%

Hanif's a good man. I can vouch for that.

I concur with our leader As a fellow Stangerite I urge you to reconsider Umlilo! We need balance and different opinions on the site!!

@Umlilo- Sporting Post should send you a thank you note for identifying
their printing error. I really enjoy your posts even if they are controversial.
You are extremely knowledgeable about many aspects of horseracing.
I think you are the only person on ABC who worked for the Gambling Board
and you know a lot about the regulatory affairs of horseracing therefore
you expertise on various topics on this forum assist us Tote punters to be
educated. Your input on ABC is of immense value, you should reconsider and
continue to post.

There should definitely be a place for all opinions om this site. Would be very boring otherwise.

Umlilo,I agree with all comments on this thread except JDs attack "you are a disgrace"
However,please refrain from using the term "baaskaap/baasskap?"
It does not do you justice,it rather lets you come over as a bitter man,which you may well be, with good cause of course
I surely hope you continue to post,as you are very informative and thorough and I enjoy your contribution

@Umlilo...keep posting...we all have the.... me against the rest of the world days....
It's when we fark up the rest of the world....< that we feel great...