Subject: ARTICLE/COMMENTARY: INVENTING MIKE LONG Date: Fri, 24 Jul 98 09:32:00 PDT From: John Thomas To: Frank Kusumoto "If Mike Long didn t exist, DCI Members would have had to invent him." Let me preface this by saying that I don t know Mike Long. I ve seen him play in exactly one tournament (The 1998 U.S. Nationals.) I had the opportunity to walk the floor and observe some of Mike s games. I was not involved in the match at the finals and since I did not witness the incident first hand I will make no comment on it directly. It is my firm belief that if Mike Long didn t exist then someone else would take his place. Whether Mike Long cheats or not will be forever the subject of debate with heated supporters and detractors each throwing their hats into the ring. As a society we thrive on heroes and villains. Mike Long plays a useful part in the pantheon of the DCI. There has always been a Devil and so there will always be Mike Long. Much like the Christian Devil, Mike Long has assumed a position that shows us what we don t like about ourselves, what we loathe, what we are tempted to do in our heart of hearts. Mike Long represents rebellion against authority and the temptation to cheat and take that shortcut to get ahead. It doesn t matter whether Mike Long cheats or not any more. He is going to be guilty in any circumstance because of who he is regardless of facts. So, give Mike Long a little bit of sympathy (for the devil.) He plays a useful role. If nothing else, he has brought the subject of cheating forward and hopefully some good will come of this ugly situation. John Thomas Detroit, MI