A Challenge

by USCLink on Dec 7, 2006 12:24 AM PST Comment 36 comments

To our rivals over at Bruins Nation. Clearly, this weekend has moved beyond a mere college football rivalry. Healthy rivalries don't cost fans their eyes, healthy rivalries don't devolve into nothing but obscenities, and healthy rivalries are able to set aside differences at the end of the day and come to agreements when necessary.

Here's my proposal:

No one on CC is allowed to post attacking the class and integrity of those on BN. No one on BN is allowed to post attacking the class and integrity of those on CC. Additionally, profanity would be grounds for losing. We are no longer allowed to use "bRuins, Fucla," or our other monikers for you, while you can longer use "U$C, $UC," or variations thereof.

You deride us for being classless and arrogant. I disagree, and am willing to make a bet that we are able to uphold our part of the bargain longer, and more effectively than you can.

Call it the battle of the class(less). Whichever blog loses, gets the label. Whichever blog wins, gets the bragging rights.

What say you BN?

A simple yes or no will suffice. Conditions can be finalized if you agree to the general idea.

Questions, comments, etc?

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of BruinsNation's (BN) editors. It does reflect the views of this particular fan though, which is as important as the views of BN's editors.

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I can't speak for the rest of us

but I'm just going to point out the conspicuous timing of this. Which side would stand to gain more from a moratorium on trash talk at this particular time?

Since I'll probably still be sleeping by the time N gets up and either accepts or rejects this, I'm going to get in (maybe) one last:

FUCK SC!
13-9
SUCK ON IT!
:)

by Tydides on Dec 7, 2006 12:31 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

You couldn't let it be handled in house

You couldn't let me hash this out with my fellow Bruins. You had to come over here and do this, knowing full well I had already said something about it in another diary, and was ready to talk to people about it here.

Did you really think that people at BN would be more receptive to your "challenge" than listening to a fellow Bruin take care of this? Why would you not just sit back and let me go over this with my own fellow posters?

I'm disappointed. I was hoping this would solve itself, without needing your "guidance" or "challenge" as some sort of misplaced goofballery.

Go Bruins...UCLA Fight Fight Fight!

by HomeBruin on Dec 7, 2006 12:32 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

I did the only thing I could think of.

I'm tired of the animosity. I know you guys are knowledgeable about athletics. I know you don't like us. And I know that even before this weekend's results, you have been cussing at us, attacking us personally, and frankly, I want to reopen that bridge.

Forgive me for making the effort.

Consider the offer retracted, and feel free to do whatever you need to in house.

Fight on!!! Beat the Sundevils!!!

by USCLink on Dec 7, 2006 12:51 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Well

Since one of your fellow posters decided to call Nestor a "Troll", and one of ours decided to say Fuck SC, I would say your attempt, while altruistic, has not met with success thusfar.

But hey, dems da breaks I guess.

Go Bruins...UCLA Fight Fight Fight!

by HomeBruin on Dec 7, 2006 12:55 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

USCLink

stop whining.

we have never attacked CC anywhere on BN.

so really take your loss like a man and go whine somewhere else.

by Nestor on Dec 7, 2006 4:48 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

This is a fairly interesting proposition

Too bad nobody offered this proposition during the past 7 years. Being on the receiving end of crass name calling isn't very fun, is it?

There are two major problems with your proposition -

You can't control what every person says on the board unless you kicked them off immediately for every little jab they say. I mean, really, does U$C hurt your feelings that much? FUCLA doesn't bother me in the least bit.
Since you came up with this proposition that seems a little difficult to work out, if we decide not to take it, you will make us out to be asses while you were only being classy and noble. This seems hardly fair at all.

So really, my question to you is why isn't it enough for you if we just stopped saying things like "f*** USC?" It's no fun talking about the rivalry while holding your tongue constantly in fear of hurting the other side's feelings.

I feel like this is being blown way out of proportion at this point. If it means anything though, I will stop using profanity towards USC here.

by BruinFan1 on Dec 7, 2006 12:40 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

I can't wait until Nestor wakes up!

I'm sure he'll love this.

by BruinFan1 on Dec 7, 2006 12:45 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Please ignore this thread

Consider it a poorly thought out and foolish post. I regret making it, and would prefer if we all just ignore it. I made the same comment over at CC, so be aware that this is an earnest plea.

Fight on!!! Beat the Sundevils!!!

by USCLink on Dec 7, 2006 12:54 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

I said this over at CC

I'm sure everybody here would agree that you are welcome here as long as you're polite. I'll type U$C here, but I wouldn't dream of doing it on your blog. Paragon is a shining example of how to be accepted on the "enemy's" blog.

by BruinFan1 on Dec 7, 2006 1:05 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Man

I just spent two hours and 49 posts over there, trying to be as conciliatory and friendly as possible. I take two steps back, they take another shot. I don't really care anymore. I've done my share of heavy lifting, and sat over there alone, trying to talk to those guys.

Go Bruins...UCLA Fight Fight Fight!

by HomeBruin on Dec 7, 2006 1:09 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

So much for ignoring them, eh?

Just joking.

Whiny trOJan BS is hilarious in moderation, but I'd just go nuts if I had to see two hours worth of it. You are a stronger man than I.

by Tydides on Dec 7, 2006 1:13 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

It's really an easy situation

If you wan't to talk to us, just don't jab at us and we'll do the same if we want to go on CC.

Thank you for your diplomacy Homebruin.

by BruinFan1 on Dec 7, 2006 1:13 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Tasteless joke alert

The one thing I'm getting tired of is this guy who lost his eye. For one, its clearly an isolated incident. How this is getting extrapolated to every Bruin fan is beyond me since I really don't see a history of Bruins acting out of control. Second, this guy now has all the requirements to have a successful career as a Pac-10 referee.

Clearly, I kid.

by BruinFan1 on Dec 7, 2006 1:22 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Of course

They're going to kill us on that. We kill them on everything. Such is the nature of the rivalry. As I've said, I can guarantee that those jokers didn't go to UCLA, and they should be sent to jail for twenty years.

Eye patches rock anyway.

Go Bruins...UCLA Fight Fight Fight!

by HomeBruin on Dec 7, 2006 1:24 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I don't use profanity

I do not think it is becoming and I think it looks worse in writing than when spoken. I will admit that sometimes nothing expresses how you feel quite like cursing, but I try and avoid it if I can.

However, I do not fault anyone for a Fuck SC or a FUCLA. This is a rivalry. Tempers flare and emotions run high because we always want to beat each other. Naturally, when emotions are running high, people tend to curse. When enough cursing has occured it becomes part of the lexicon of the rivalry. Go read M Zone to see what Ohio State's favorite phrase regarding Michigan is and you will find that prominntly features a curse word.

I never want to see UCLA lose to USC in any sport and I know that Trojan fans feel the same way about USC. But it is precisely because I feel this way and I understand this dynamic that I understand the cursing and bad sportsmanship that occurs when rivalry week comes around. UCLA fans have been a little roudier than normal but that is to be expected when your school ends an embarrassing losing streak. I seem to remember that when our streak ended I found SC fans to be insufferable and more obnoxious than I normally find them.

While I admire the call for civility, I do not believe that it is appropriate or necessary. I would never wish to be deprived of referencing the almighty dollar when spelling USC and do not think that it is necessary or admirable to deprive a rival of noticing that ruin is built into the name of UCLA's mascot.

This is a rivalry.

We both want to win. All the time. Especially when we play each other.

So instead of getting huffy and offended when one side gets ecstatic and maybe goes a little crazy over a win, we should approach this like civilized human beings who understand the nature of our relationship: we hate each other. Not in a murderous or violent sort of way (violence and thuggery should always be punished to the full extent of the law, no matter who the perpetrator is), but in the way that we envision a perfect football season as one where our football team goes 13-0 and wins a national title and our rival's goes 0-12 and loses the big rivalry game 100-0.

If we understand that we have the best rivalry in the country and look at everything through that lens, I think we can find a way to co-exist and still root for each other to lose in a humiliating fashion, week after glorious week.

by Rhapsode on Dec 7, 2006 1:22 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Since USCLink already withdrew the challenge

I won't add too much but, yes I hate USC (just for ONCE I will use the proper initials).
I personally do not like or use profanity, perhaps I come from a more archaic mindset than my fellow bloggers here. However, words like $uc or bRuins does not bother me at all... what kind of rivals don't call each other names???
And back to hating usc, i hate usc but then again i enjoy and appreciate the in-town rivalry we have here. and i don't REALLY really hate you. haha if you know what i mean. And I wouldn't worry about the "health" of our rivalry.

by crazybunz on Dec 7, 2006 3:25 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

sage observation

"Too bad nobody offered this proposition during the past 7 years. Being on the receiving end of crass name calling isn't very fun, is it?"

An offer like this would carry a lot more weight if it didn't come directly after a huge loss. Wah. If you didn't mind calling us names when you were winning, you don't get to complain about us calling you names when we win. Get over it.

by 8Claps on Dec 7, 2006 9:46 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Tools

I am flabbergasted that after the 7 years of crap we had to take, they come along and say "Let's play nice".

As I've said before, rectal-craneal inversion is curable, but you have to know you have it.

They don't know they have it and I don't think it would help if anyone told them.

I would say they have a lot of balls for suggesting this peace, but they were all removed this past Saturday.

by artybruin on Dec 7, 2006 10:22 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

LOLLERCOPTER

AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA... whatever, guy. Pot, kettle. Kettle, pot.

by JWongUCLA on Dec 7, 2006 10:36 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Healthy?

Sorry, the rivalry has never been healthy. From renting helicopters to drop massive quantities of manure on Tommy Trojan, to Bill Walton's story about the first game he played against USC to that infamous Todd Marinovich photo. SC's "healthy" rivalry is with Notre Dame, not us.

I agree what happened to the SC fan at the Rose Bowl on Saturday crossed the line but everything else there was the end result of seven years of b.s. slung our way by the SC family and the bandwagon-riding Angeleno population. None of you seem to like the vitriol on this blog after our win? Maybe you'll twice before posting a condescending blog entry or typing fucla, bRuins or ugla on a message board next season.

The first two sentences of BruinFan1's post hit the nail on the head.

by Karakand on Dec 7, 2006 10:41 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

TIMING

Isn't it funny that you lost to us on Saturday and we've eclipsed your streak of 7 with 8 and you're coming here now to try and start a class competition. This is simply a beguiling, feint attempt at stopping the relentless bragging against you that you can't take anymore. How does it feel? Not feel good? good. Take it like a man. Unbelievable. Rejected like an Alfred Aboya blocked shot is your attempt.

by bruin95 on Dec 7, 2006 11:02 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

RE: EYE

I'm sure everyone here truly feels sorry for the Trojan fan losing an eye in a fight. But claiming he was jumped by 10 Bruin Fans? Not buying it. Sorry it happened, but not buying the story.
Not to say that we are all perfect and would never start a fight, but the vast majority of the obnoxious ones on Saturday were the band-wagonning newbie Raider, er, Trojan Fans. You can only talk so much shit before getting punched in the mouth (i.e. 13-9!).
Piss on Tommy Trojan (I did in 1987!!!) and all of the Trojan-come-lately's.

by bruinwinna on Dec 7, 2006 11:12 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

yea

I'm not defending the violence that occurred, but if he was truly jumped randomly by 10 guys...why him? There were a LOT of trojans walking around. Why would they choose one (or two apparently) and not anyone else? He must have done something, but even if he did, he didnt deserve to lose an eye.

by ranelar on Dec 7, 2006 12:06 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Fans

I truly agree with you. At the Rose Bowl, there were hundreds, albiet thousands of fans of both schools tailgating together, playing together. There are ASSES from both schools, let me just say that. However, I CANNOT believe that a group of bruins just "fell upon" a random trojan. Last year at their house, yes, I can see that happening to one of our own. The crowd last year was frightening. But I only saw good spirits and good natured ribbing this year. Of course, they thought they would just pound us into the dirt. I was at the golf course, the food zone, and walking around the entire time, and after the game, in line forever for the shuttle. The vibe was totally and completely different from last year. In fact, there was no problem in the shuttle line at all. Was surrounded by SC people; all discussing the game like grownups. In fact, I have seem more animosity at other games (Michigan, for instance). I'm absolutely and competely sorry for that trojan fan, but I truly believe what goes around comes around. If there are thugs out there, for either school, they are not indicitive of the school. At last year's game, some more elderly man was accosted and so was his wife! And I'm sure that wasn't the only instance; we left early because we were afraid. I can only think that, again, what goes around comes around. No one, NO ONE, deserves to lose an eye at a football game, for heaven's sake, but I cannot believe that this particular fan was attacked just because he was a trojan, especially before the game! I've been going to games for 30 years, at both locations, and last year was absolutely the worst game to attend. I think we all probably need to calm down and realize this is just a game. But it is so sweet to win! And the fact that they are calling us the worst fans ever, well, I don't know where they have been for the last 30 years, but it certainly wasn't at the Rose Bowl! Every single obnoxious, arrogant asshat I have ever met was an US fan. However, in the same breath, my best friend, my dad, and other very, very close friends are Southern Cal fans. For emotional reasons. That is what college football is all about, emotion. If you are an asshat for either team, you are an ASSHAT in life.

by bluebruin on Dec 7, 2006 7:50 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

If you've actually been around this site

You know i've been attempting communication with this community throughout the course of the season, and this is not the first time I've tried to calm down the vulgarity and name calling. It may come off to you as whiny now, but then, you weren't willing to tone it back then, so i guess i was just addressing the wrong crowd.

That's why I said a simple yes or no would suffice.

Again please consider the challenge rescinded.

Oh well, I tried.

Fight on!!! Beat the Sundevils!!!

by USCLink on Dec 7, 2006 11:34 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

USC Link

"Questions, comments, etc?"

You didn't only say a simple no or yes would suffice.

by bruin95 on Dec 7, 2006 11:55 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Bruin95

"A simple yes or no will suffice. Conditions can be finalized if you agree to the general idea."

The consensus is clearly no. Thus, conditions, questions, and comments are rendered moot.

Fight on!!! Beat the Sundevils!!!

by USCLink on Dec 7, 2006 12:22 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

here is a challenge

I have a challenge for USC fans, grow up!!!! You lost, sorry the might Trojans of Troy have fallen. Let us enjoy our victory, and stop whining.
Please stop whining, come on get a life. I know being rich and having nothing better to do all day except figure out how to spend your parents' money is hard, but try!

Can USC take the challenge of not whining or complaining? I highly doubt that.

by abby8065 on Dec 7, 2006 12:28 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Saturday

If they had pounded us into the dirt, at our house, would they be any different? College football is a game of emotion. On both sides. We have been under their heel for 7 years. Are they really thinking if they had tied our streak at 8 years, and had knocked us out of the championship game, they would not be as "obnoxious" as they apparently find us? Everyone, get a grip. It's FOOTBALL. In the big picture of life, we won, they lost. It's wonderful, I haven't stopped smiling, I have spent WAY TOO much time on the internet this week, but really, in life, this is just a game. A wonderful game, but it's just a moment in time. EVERYONE should just enjoy, or be sad, for what was for all purposes, a great game on a beautiful Saturday in December! So we won this time. They killed us last time. It is just a game. Did someone's son get killed by a landmine is the middle east? Did we not have enough to eat and drink? Were we able to do, all of us, men, women and children, something we wanted to do and go to? Really, people, it is just a game. A wonderful game for my team this year, but who's to say how we may need each other, and fans/alumni/doctor/lawyer, etc., in the next year? IT IS JUST A GAME.

by bluebruin on Dec 7, 2006 8:13 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

U$C

babies.

by True Blue and Gold on Dec 7, 2006 3:13 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

It comes a time when...

Every one-year dynasty has to end. Fuck SCum. Good luck on your soon-to-be 3-peat loss at the Rose Bowl.

by YooCLA on Dec 7, 2006 5:52 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

We can do better

Although this might come out as a "do as I say, not as I do", I think we can raise the level of our posts here. We are intelligent people, and the beneficiaries of one of the best educational institutions on the planet. We can surely find ways to express ourselves with resorting to the profane. As is often pointed out, Coach Wooden never used profanity, but people knew when he was cursing. Personally, I don't think I can live up to that (I worked on a contract for the US Army for years, try getting through to an infantryman without being blunt), I am certainly going to try. I think we can get by extolling the virtues of our fine school, rather than worrying about the shortcomings of our rivals. Certainly, rivalry week can bring emotions to a peak, but as rational people, we should be able to express them in a civilized manner. I try to use the model of not writing it if I wouldn't say it in front of my parents. I don't always pass that test, but I try.
Let's take the high ground here, and be the better people.

Bob O. (Signholder #3)

by TuneMan7 on Dec 8, 2006 9:42 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

I agree with TuneMan

The best chewing-out I ever got while I was in the Army had no swearing, and not even a raised voice. But it sure was effective.

Once in a while we post here to rant, but mostly it is to ask questions, or give answers and analyses. We don't need f-bombs to express ourselves -- that certainly was not part of our UCLA education. Our "friends" at sc generally have to use profanity because they are not erudite enough to make their points otherwise. I will concede that every now and then a word with a particular shock value can emphasize a point, but I believe that shock value/emphasis is best preserved by its infrequency.

I think every time an sc person goes into hysterics the difference between the academic qualities of the two institutions is highlighted far more eloquently than I can express.

And think about it - are there any more insulting words than "sc" or "trojan?" Just being affiliated with that alleged school is insult enough. They know it and we know it. No additional adjectives are really needed.

by Fox 71 on Dec 8, 2006 11:44 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

What is CC?

I have been reading this blog for a year and a half and have no clue what CC is. So I really doubt the contention that BN has had this CC place on blast like you claim.

That said, USC fans can lick my nuts, especially after the pathetic way they have played the victim card all week - "does this rivalry really have to go down this road?". Not only are SC fans classless (as has been mentioned many times on this site, regarding the way they act when they are winning) they are whiny babies too, what a surprise. Truly living up to the Spoiled Children moniker.

It's too bad that dude lost an eye and I hope whoever did it got arrested and will be charged. I am sure it will happen. That's more than you can say about the way the USC handles all the thuggery that surrounds its football squad, of course.

by njbruin on Dec 8, 2006 12:36 PM PST reply actions 0 recs