Subject: [issue] Pisicchio at the Worlds
Date: Mon, 31 Aug 1998 00:25:29 EDT
From: EtrangerNS@aol.com
To: fkusumot@ix.netcom.com

hello reader~

I've just spent the whole of about ten minutes or so reading the posts of
various Italians in defense of Gabriele Pisicchio. Now, note that I was not at
Worlds and that I do not know Gabriele Pisicchio (or any of his
accusers/defenders),

What particularly bothers me about the things that have been said in the
defense of Pisicchio is the assumption that his ejection from Worlds (and the
reputation given him because of it) was based on the fact that he was Italian.
to quote from one of the posts:

"Now the dci is happy , dci has found his target to
punish italians and all because american stereotip of an italaian is a
fat guy who is eating a big plate of spaghetti while he is playing the
"mandulino" and is killing another italian with his connection with the
mafia........" ~ Luca Cristino

Two things are wrong about Mr. Cristino's argument. First of all, DCI stands
for Duelist Convocation International. Why would an organization that governs
the entire body of Magic players - American, Italian, French, or otherwise -
be specifically prejudiced against one nation? It doesn't make any sense to
me.

Second of all, Cristino implies that Americans all have the same stereotype of
Italian people - when he is stereotyping Americans himself. The stereotype he
claims we Americans have is not even true, at least not to my knowledge.

This sort of prejudice against American players seems to be contagious. This
is from another post in defense of Pisicchio:

"Another question:

Are you sure that ALL the italian Mtg players are cheaters ??
Some people on IRC think that it's true.
Italians, Pizza, Spaghetti, Mafia, Cheaters."    ~ Enrico Russo

Note that Mr. Russo makes this assumption based on the statement of "some
people on IRC."  What kind of statement is that? Some people at my high school
think I'm gay. Does that make them right?

When you think about it, there were lots of different nations represented at
the Worlds. Everything from Finland to Japan to England and back. Why would
the judges pick on the Italians? It doesn't make sense to me.

The bottom line of this is simple: Gabriele Pisicchio was ejected from the
Worlds, and subsequently banned from sanctioned play for a year's time.
Whether or not the ejection was justified will never be known. I do know that
some of the judges there - Jeff Donais, Charlie Catino, Dan Gray - have proven
to be capable and honest. I will say that I think the accusations of
nationalism from the Italians is misguided and unjustified. They make
stereotypes of Americans, yet resent the stereotypes that they think we make
about them. That sounds like hypocrisy to me.

To all the Italian players: I don't blame you for standing up for Gabriele.
But if you're going to argue the punishment he received, don't use nationalism
as your weapon.

To Gabriele: I'm sorry that you got punished like you did. But the best way to
clear your own name is not to try to soil somebody else's.

and to the Reader: Thank you for reading.

sincerely~

Nicolas Sabin
Green Mage of Les Enfants du Noir
http://hail.icestorm.com/lesenfants