Ring, Rhyme and Reason

In this issue of the Insurance Advocate we feature several different items worthy of note, not the least of which the names of those who are now elected to serve as volunteer leaders of the RAA and the IIABNY. We also feature a recent PIA survey’s results. In our last issue we presented a list of those companies which contributed to the 2013 IFNY Interns program which is administered in cooperation with YES!Solutions, Inc. All of this points again and again to the importance and relevance of volunteering. The insurance industry depends to a great extent upon its ongoing image-making, if there is ever to be the acceptance of just what is involved in this critical economy–supporting industry, it is through volunteers, not through ads featuring animals or a “spacey” woman. While these ads may be successful in purveying policies, the overall feeling about the industry is not improved by them. It is improved by volunteers, by people who associate their professional activities with their love of society… Speaking of society, our last guest editorial—I was my own guest in this one!—about the proposed UFC bill and the sport of boxing, civility, and our society, drew a great deal of response. It might be better for me to write about sports or the arts since those subjects get more response often than insurance which, to so many readers, is their daily “bread.” I will share one letter with you from among the many I received. It is from a longtime friend Ed Wright.

Dear Steve,

Your piece on UFC in New York was interesting and well written. I’ll begin by saying I find UFC utterly unappealing as either sport or entertainment. I can’t seem to get beyond condolence for the poor fellows who are relegated to making a living in such a vicious way. Too, I must admit I have a certain appreciation of boxing. Having said this, however, I disagree with at least some of your positions. First, I don’t see UFC as “pseudo-extension of a good sport”, no more than, say, football is an extension of rugby. I think each stand on their own. Second, the argument that boxing has rules and UFC does not, is unsupported. True, UFC rules may be more liberal, i.e., no guns, knives or blunt instruments, but there are rules. I presume if an opponent were unconscious, the ref wouldn’t allow an aggressor to keep pounding him. Finally, there is the matter of slippery slope. I assure you there are many out there quite capable of assembling a very compelling case that boxing is barbaric and vicious and as such ought to be outlawed. You seem to dismiss rather lightly the “occasional deaths” and “extensive trauma.” Again, many non-boxing fans likely feel that sports that result in “occasional deaths are too violent to condone. UFC may be ugly, unsophisticated and brutal, but there is enough libertarian in me to say if consenting adults consent, have at it. In other words, be careful of what you wish for. Thanks for listening and keep up the good work. Edward G. Wright, CPCU President & CEO, W. J. Cox Associates, Inc. 9600 Main St., Suite Three, Clarence, NY 14031-2093

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…Speaking of the arts, in this issue we present poet Stan Drescher in praise of public adjusters. Not sure of the rhyme and reason. You decide.