Brian Seiken starts MLE Blunders page

June 25, 2007 at 1:50 am by ojrifkin · More posts about:Organizations, Websites

Brian Seiken has started a page devoted to what he considers mistakes by MLE. The first entries deal with problems at the Shoo Fly Pie contest and Zoo Atlanta Nathan’s qualifier.

Comments (31)

31 Comments »

  1. Anonymous said

    June 25, 2007 @ 5:19 am

    Its almost as if hes trying to be another speedeat.com but Brian still has a ways to go I think.

    Luther

  2. Mega Munch said

    June 25, 2007 @ 7:43 am

    Good stuff, BB! Looking forward to reading more. This blunders column would be better as a blog. Opening it up to reader comments would take the column to a whole new level.

  3. India Fan said

    June 25, 2007 @ 7:53 am

    We going to headhunt your white ass Brian

  4. Brian fan said

    June 25, 2007 @ 8:32 am

    India fan why dont you email him with that comment . Im sure there will be no need for headhunt for he will gladly give you his home address .He will be ready . We can safely say you wont be going home alive once you arrive so just buy a one way plane ticket.

  5. Rhonda Evans said

    June 25, 2007 @ 8:51 am

    Brian when you write stuff like that you’re pointing a finger at every official in the IFOCE, and if I were one of them I would take it personally and it would upset me. But like you have said before, that’s your schtick, and you’re certainly entitled to it. It’s beyond me, however, how you are able to keep your affiliation with the IFOCE.

    If you disagree with things that much, and if some of the lower ranked eaters who agree with you are that disgruntled, why don’t you all leave that organization? The ones I read about who complain would likely make a buck or two eating independently; that’s a buck or two more than those particular folks are making now.

  6. beautifulbrian said

    June 25, 2007 @ 11:32 am

    Rhonda why dont you do us all a favor and cut the fake name you have been parading around this site for close to two years. Where are you on weekends? Its really hard to accept a name on a website that we never actually met face to face. Ex: Luther. Several people know exactly who you are but i wont take the low road and reveal it on this site. I will say that you are someone we all know very well. People just dont come out of the woodwork with all this incredible knowledge on CE and claim to be just a fan. I dont care if i hurt your feelings or anyone else for that matter. I do my thing and ive been doing it for almost 4yrs . Everyone seems to love it and if they continue to love it , ill keep on keeping on. Does that answer your question? Because i only respond once and be lucky i responded back to you at all .

  7. Mega Munch said

    June 25, 2007 @ 11:46 am

    Rhonda,

    I can see your point, but wouldn’t you agree that a critical perspective is good for the sport? Sports (or any organized body) needs critics and people who aren’t afraid to speak up when things are mismanaged or when certain individuals act innappropriately. It’s sort of a system of checks and balances, and Brian is really only saying what so many other eaters are thinking (and saying to each other in hushed tones).

    I do agree with you though that his outspokeness has to take its toll on his standing with the powers-that-be (but Brian knows that). And I hope that he doesn’t limit his critiques to perceived judging errors and rants about the MLE front office. Eaters and fans aren’t perfect either and he should be prepared to call them out when needed.

  8. carey poehlmann said

    June 25, 2007 @ 11:47 am

    Rhonda, I think that when there are problems with the system, leaving isn’t going to solve anything. Especially when most eaters have established friendships and are used to the league that they are in. This isn’t bowling, where you can go down the street to another league because the one you currently play for sucks. There are small contests here and there, but your friends aren’t going to be there, and you won’t get the publicity you find in the MLE. Plus, I wouldn’t expect the county fair eating contest to be run any better. Voicing concerns about the system is the only way to change it.

  9. Rhonda Evans said

    June 25, 2007 @ 1:50 pm

    Mega and Carey, I absolutely agree that concerns about judging should be aired. I do agree that there have been too many errors to keep quiet about. My difficulty is with the tone and forum in which concerns are presented. One doesn’t need to slam others or make them look foolish in public, or via a public forum, in order to get a point across.

    There’s an old saying that I’ve found to be timeless in its application: “Praise in public; chastise in private. This axiom is even more applicable today, given the advent of the Internet and its global reach, audience-wise. You don’t have to shoot at the dignity of others to drive a point home.

    And I’m sure that what I’m saying here is in concert with what many others believe also, even though they may not spout forth that commentary. That positve regard for others should be not only common sense, but decent, respectful behaviour, and professional courtesy.

    Okay, I’m done.

  10. BROOKLYN MAFIA said

    June 25, 2007 @ 2:39 pm

    Head for the hills Boone . You and your indians started it . Now we gonna end it !

  11. Rhonda Evans said

    June 25, 2007 @ 3:21 pm

    Brian, I think you have bigger problems than focusing on my so called “false identity.” I hope you get them straightened out.

    You’re a decent person at heart. Anyone who knows you knows that. You just say stupid things to seek out attention. I wish you well. I really do.

  12. frankie said (Registered February 9, 2007)

    June 25, 2007 @ 3:39 pm

    I wasn’t at the Shoo Fly Pie contest so I won’t comment on it.
    I was at the Nathan’s Atlanta. Boone was loud, obnoxious and boorish. It is his schtick. He also ate more than anyone at the event. Yarbrough had so much bread hidden in his cups, he should have been disqualified. If there was a bad judgement it was made in Bubba’s favor.
    Maybe Seiken should pass judgements on the facts he knows, not on the personalities he doesn’t like.
    Frankie

  13. I love Kevin Ross said

    June 25, 2007 @ 3:43 pm

    he can pass judgements on whatever he wants

  14. Kevin Ross said

    June 25, 2007 @ 5:39 pm

    Good point Carey. Although judging errors do happen and I think it is perfectly fine for eaters to speak up in order to try to change things they see as unfair, the professionally run contests are FAR better run than any amateur contest could hope to be. I think Rhonda is losing sight of that even when people complain about the negatives, the benefits far outweigh them and make the pro contests still plenty worth doing.

  15. Gentleman Joe said

    June 25, 2007 @ 10:18 pm

    As usual, you are WRONG. ifoce/mle are the worst run.

    I think its because they don’t care who wins, its all about putting on a show for the sponsors. The show is fine, but get it f*cking right! They have the resources to do it.

    Strangely, some of the best run contests are independants. Of course there are those that aren’t run as well, but even those are from inexperience as opposed to not caring, which to me, is the most obvious problem with the shea’s.

  16. Philly Guy said

    June 25, 2007 @ 10:48 pm

    From personal experience, when Crazy Legs or Hardy are judges there are rarely any issues. I think it may stem from them being eaters themselves and understanding what needs to happen. Hardy never fails in my experiences and Crazy Legs was great at Cranbury.

  17. anonymous said

    June 26, 2007 @ 2:21 am

    Frankie i think Seiken is getting his info from the actual parties that particpated in the event or else he wouldnt print a damn word if he wasnt there. They call him, not vica versa

  18. Rhonda Evans said

    June 26, 2007 @ 7:05 am

    Joe you are still crapping Cicadas.

    Some of the readers here are missing my point. I was complaining about the preponderance of counting mistakes in the IFOCE early on, but I tried to ensure my criticism was constructive. Here I am, a noneater, pleading with eaters, who can put an additional Twinkie or two on the table via IFOCE purse winnings, to be constructive in their criticism? Yet I have nothing to lose. You do!

    Okay, so mistakes are made, and sometimes it is costly to eaters. Is that right? Emphatically … no!! But don’t bitch and moan just to put a band aid on your own ego!. And don’t get caught up in this “he says, she says” BS. That’s childish and totally irresponsible.

    But if you have a valid complaint, supported with videos, witnesses, or other specific circumstances that are concrete, then present them, but do it in a constructive manner. Specifically, address what can be done to fix the problem: Extra counters? Using non-IFOCE affilliated counters? More training for the counters? More separation between each eater? Thicker plates? Putting aluminum foil between each plate? Anyway, think, be creative, brainstorm … but offer up some positive action.

    Is this sinking in at all? Or do you still choose to dine on bugs with Mr. Menchetti?

  19. carey poehlmann said

    June 26, 2007 @ 7:11 am

    Joe, what independant contests are you talking about that are run so well? Maybe one or two areas have them, some fair or festival that is once a year. But as far as anything that eaters in the IFOCE can get to, and compete in somewhat regularly, being that they live across the whole country, the alternatives suck. there really isn’t much for them. It wouldn’t be worth leaving the IFOCE just to do the Delaplane Strawberry contest once a year, or something put on halfway across the U.S.

  20. beautifulbrian said

    June 26, 2007 @ 8:22 am

    Blunders page has been removed. Noone from MLE came down on me . I dont even think they knew about it. It was solely my decision I just felt its not worth the aggravation. Benefits aice and MLE haters and thats about it. Sorry fans

  21. Dono said

    June 26, 2007 @ 8:27 am

    Rhonda get a life

  22. Rhonda Evans said

    June 26, 2007 @ 8:59 am

    Dono your input highlights my point exactly. I could have received no better evidence of what I was alluding to. An exponential Thank You!

  23. ? said

    June 26, 2007 @ 9:15 am

    carey has been to so many contests.. he knows what’s up!

  24. Gentleman Joe said

    June 26, 2007 @ 9:30 am

    I may be going back a bit in history here, but Boone only wins Pelmeni because he gave an incorrect # when he was asked how many he did in the 1st round. You don’t ask the f*cking eaters. You have someone there, counting. I am not saying the number was INTENTIONALLY wrong, just that it was wrong.

    I recall a more recent incident at the Shea stadium qualifier when OTHERS came to me about irregularities when Hardy was in charge, involving Crazy legs.

    Gee, didn’t Humble Bob & Subich recently have severe problems regarding there numbers & or other allegations???

    I would guestimate that there is a problem with every other ifoce contest.

    There have been many contests that weighed EVERYONES totals, accurately. (which, i’m against, why waste time with those that are no where near the $$$) I’m not going to give examples because, even though, i’m probably its biggest critic, I want everyone to stay or move to the ifoce. That benefits me!

    After Pigs Feet, & the upcoming NO HANDS contest how can you bring up cicadas??! Cicadas was to give a good answer to question #5 from reporters (Strangest thing you’ve ever eaten) & to compete at a place that had an ifoce event 3 months before. I would eat cicadas again over pigs feet or Lerman’s (voluntary) DOGFOOD.

  25. I love Kevin Ross said

    June 26, 2007 @ 10:37 am

    who can argue with gjoe that there is no way to crap on aice for cicadas when ifoce does pigs feet and then a no hands pie contest. if pigs feet and no hand pie dont say carnival freak show then what does???????????????????????? the ifoce mc in his carnival barker hat should have felt right at home for pigs feet and will feel right at home for the no hands pie

  26. carey poehlmann said

    June 26, 2007 @ 11:28 am

    Yeah, cicadas is at least something that other humans eat willingly, unlike the dogfood. I am pretty much thinking the same about the pig’s feet. OK, back on topic. Weighing every contestant’s food is for the same reason as having so many contestants in the first place. Table enders are there to support the contest, how about the contest support the table enders.
    Right, these counting problems have got to be addressed. I believe they are getting handled. There haven’t been many contests since, so we will see how long before there are more issues.

  27. Gentleman Joe said

    June 26, 2007 @ 1:38 pm

    It is MUCH more important to get correct figures for those in the money, than the table enders. IF any organization can consistently get it right, then & ONLY THEN, should the table enders be accounted for.

  28. Anonymous said

    June 26, 2007 @ 2:52 pm

    Gentleman Joe is right a no hands pie contest is for freak shows and 4-H carnivals with little children.

  29. carey poehlmann said

    June 26, 2007 @ 6:12 pm

    I have to say in all honesty I liked the novelty of the no hands contest in honor of “Stand By Me” in the same town as in the movie. If there was no reason to do it, it would just seem obsurd, however, still a good story to tell, right after answering question number five.
    I am not sure, but Joe, was cicadas even an AICE event? I didn’t think it was.
    OK, bad counting, that is only one way an organization can be worse than another. How about not knowing until an hour before the contest that it doesn’t start for another 2 hours? Changing the rules right before starting? Giving poor / no information on events ahead of time?

  30. Gentleman Joe said

    June 26, 2007 @ 11:28 pm

    Carey, cicadas was not an aice event. I don’t care how many times things change, so long as everyone knows about the changes at approx. the same time & whenever the rules are set, they are the same for EVERYONE.

  31. SuperPaul said

    June 27, 2007 @ 7:58 am

    When is the no hands peach pie, or grits eating contest in Georgia??? – I’ll beat those kids, and the other freaks-Bring it on!!

RSS feed for comments on this post

Leave a Comment

Log in | Register | Comments by users who have not logged in will be held for approval