Dear Fellow Readers: Is anyone else becoming fed up with the attitude of some on our list regarding our game's officials? Many of those that have spoken out publicly have shown a contemptable level of disrespect. As an official who does over 100 games per year (in youth, high school, junior college, and ACHA-type games), I am approaching the point where I will be outraged. I salute those fair-minded people who have suggested that it is difficult to put yourself in the skates of an on-ice official, when you yourself are firmly planted in a seat in the stands. Over time, I have come to the conculsion that I should bite my tongue rather than criticize an official. But, maybe that's because I have been on the receiving end of so much of criticism myself. I encourage everyone who has crticized an offcial publicly in this forum, to attend a PeeWee or Bantam level hockey game at your local rink. The example you are setting for young hockey players jeopardizes the very future of our sport. We do not need any more 10, 11, and 12-year old children playing our sport that cannot control their temper when the game is not playing out as they had hoped. We do not need any more 15, 16, and 17-year old children that shoot the puck at, or otherwise attack, game officials. Yet, there is an obvious, long-term trend in place that few are willing to acknowledge. I wonder what your children think when they hear you yell from the stands about the terrible quality of the last call. Or, do you not take them with you to games? Or, are you complete gentlemen and ladies in the stands, saving your flames for your friends in the on-line community? There is only one fair way to address this issue. Netiquette should dictate that the same respect be shown for officials as we require when discussing our opponents. Just as I cannot flame against Clarkson, St. Lawrence, BGSU, or Lake Superior, I should not be able to flame about Harry Ammian or Bill Jones. Finally, every game official deserves the courtesy of being referred to by his full name, or "Mr." and his last name. If you, as a fan, cannot take the time to find out an official's first name and include it in your article, how can we be sure that you were paying close attention to the play you are questioning? Respectfully, Dave Aiello, RPI '89 Consultant J.P. Morgan & Company, Inc. Former Rensselaer Mens' Hockey Manager USA Hockey Level 4 Official Member, USA Hockey Atlantic District Officiating Training Staff Member, Metropolitan New York - New Jersey Chapter, NIHOA