Dog Company Fiasco

No, I don't think so.

Where's this "Wifes' Shop"? Can you get any sort of wife there?

Unfortuantely, no. They don't do part ex on older models either!

Bugger.

Right, had a slight change of heart and I've drafted a reply (took bloody ages to add the quotes!). Before I post, I want some opinions please.

Hi Matt,

Thanks for the reply, I'll just address a few points from the CiA perspective.

Thanks for your email..

Whilst i wont hide the fact that i dont attend the CiA organised games. We initially chose not to attend the games through comments made about a photoshoot for Ai Mag. They were hurtful, especially when i was told by headshot that i was a 'disgrace to the dead soldiers for wearing my belt inncorrectly'.

Headshot retracted that comment twice, some time ago and I also believe that Gadge has been in touch as well, re: the AI article. There are better, more tactful ways to offer advice and they admitted to it.

Ever since then our relationship with CiA/PBi has been on edge. Gadge has tried to repair the damage over the photoshoot comments. But we dont have trust in CiA to protray our group in a fair manner. Because we feel, its never been forgotten.

That was what my pm was all about, to put it behind us.

I personally dont find the CiA games appealing anymore. To me you're marketing your games, to a niche market of reenactors who want to play airsoft. This then raises the kit level, and narrows timelines. We've put alot of time and money into Dog Company, paying out for 3 jeeps, and 1 truck. Plus the endless amounts of weapons that we now have. We have an excellent website, which is regularly visited by people seeking answers. We all professional people, we love what we do. Its a passion not just a hobby.

Actually, I'm not a reenactor! (Nor are Headshot, Kermit or Old 'Un) I don't see how we are "niche", when we try to put on a broad spectrum of events, from all periods of the war? I know we shun D-Day but only because Josh concentrates on that period and we don't think it's polite to take paying punters away from Josh, with whom we have a good relationship, even co-organising 2 events with him in the past. Noone is doubting the dedication and enthusiasm of your group either.

Our criticism of PBi & CiA games was meant to be private, but a forum oversight meant it was public. It was never intended to be made public knowledge. I'm sure you've voice similar views on Dog Company in private.

We don't, because Dog Company to date haven't organised a game. You should, you know! There's enough knowledge and commitment between you all to put on a belter, I'm sure.

Now im tired of being continuely reminded of a mistake made 18 months ago..We all want to move on, and get on with enjoying airsoft.

As I've said, my original pm was to try to do just that.:good:

I really think an apology from the whole CiA is over due. It would certainly help build our trust back in the community, and might make us consider coming back to attend your games.

We've extended numerous "olive branches" already and other members of DC seem happy to accept them. I have swallowed an enormous amount of pride to even compose these pm's to you, I tried to offer you advice on sniping (which I did for real in the regular Army). We've also given you your own space on this forum and, as you say, PBI have tried to build bridges as well. I don't see what more we can do? Perhaps we all need to let the dust settle a bit and chill out somewhat. I know we all have better things to do than argue over a game where we dress up and shoot little plastic balls at each other!

Pete.

Bloody hell Pete, not even a "PS - you're still a cunt" at the bottom of it?

Well, I did think of that! I'm willing to give him a chance to acknowledge this is the closest he'll get to an "apology" and that he should grow the f**k up, like young Tom did. If he gives me a snotty response, trust me, I WILL tell him to bollocks. Since he seems to see me as the problem, I thought it best to try and "retain the high moral ground" as Steve puts it.

I must be mellowing, if someone talked to me like he has, at work, I'd be filling in some "use of force" and "injury to a prisoner" paperwork!

Well, I can see you have taken time over that - very conciliatory. Frankly, give previous answers by Matt I doubt any of the points will knock the chip off his shoulder (I don't think he understands the written word) but if you think its worth trying, go for it!

Possibly add something like:
CiA events are not for everybody and that is how they are meant to be. While we are delighted and flattered that players want to come to our events we are equally delighted players prefer other organiser's events. Four years ago players didn't have a choice, now they have, and with a harmonious community forum we can ensure the diversity continues.

Well, I can see you have taken time over that - very conciliatory. Frankly, give previous answers by Matt I doubt any of the points will knock the chip off his shoulder (I don't think he understands the written word) but if you think its worth trying, go for it!

Possibly add something like:
CiA events are not for everybody and that is how they are meant to be. While we are delighted and flattered that players want to come to our events we are equally delighted players prefer other organiser's events. Four years ago players didn't have a choice, now they have, and with a harmonious community forum we can ensure the diversity continues.

Done and sent. *Sits back to await reply where bigarse hasn't read it properly!*

Edit - A-Ha! He's online again! I await his reply with baited breath!

I've been speaking to Spiers as well, to give him the truth rather than fatarse's twisted perceptions.

Hi Alex,

Unfortunately, Matt seems to have a giant chip on his shoulder over something. I've tried to address the issues he listed but he seems incapable of reading the text of anything before replying without any real understanding of what was said. If he doesn't want to play CiA events, that's fair enough and his decision. My only issue with him is that he tried to get others to do so as well in an underhand way. Because I called him on this on the forum, he thinks I have it in for him! He also seems to resent comments made by Gadge and Headshot ages ago, which were retracted and apologised for!

The latest thread in question was removed at the request of Josh, because of comments made by Matt and Jeff, which included some very nasty comments and even veiled threats. Josh thought the posts were incredibly damaging to Gunman and the thread removed to prevent it escalating.

Public apologies are all well and good but, they've come from people in DC who have nothing to apologise for! The best way to move on from this is to learn from it and for you guys to sort it out among yourselves. Contrary to some opinions, CiA nor our moderators don't single out DC members on the forum, we actively moderate many threads, you just don't see it.

I know most of DC are reasonable people and I hope that you speak to Matt regarding his attitude (hopefully, he'll listen to you!), as I can tell you, it's one of the main things that CiA and PBI players mention when they talk about Gunman games, not the actual games themselves. His behaviour and attitude have damaged the reputation of both Dog Company and Gunman within the very small WW2 airsofting community.

Cheers,

Pete.

Alright mate,

To tell you the truth I hadn't even seen the thread which this was all over; I was recently made aware of the PM's between you and Matt (not in detail) however you should also be aware that he has now left CiA and his account has been removed, on his request. As far as I was aware before I saw the message off Pat apologising on behalf of Dog Company, I thought things were ok between the groups; I was also hoping that this had been put in the past...
I am aware that relations between Dog Co and CiA are better than they used to be and I personally can't be bothered with any arguments. It's not what I want out of it all. It's hard enough finding games to go to without alientating half the people in the WW2 airsoft community.
I hope there are no problems in the future between the two groups but if there are any problems then feel free to PM me or Pat and we'll try and sort it out internally.

Best Regards

Alex

I know exactly what you mean and I know you mod multiple threads, I also know that you don't actively single out Dog Co members. Don't worry, Matt has had a good talking to from Pat and I put my 2 cents in about maturity and acting like adults. Jeff apologised immediately, he's a reasonable guy Jeff and didn't need the bollocking. In addition Dog Co has also been bollocked by Josh via telephone regarding the comments on CiA and how it damages Gunman. Honestly don't worry, they have been told, we are protecting Dog Co's reputation now, luckily things have been smoothed out with Josh and I hope that we at Dog Co & CiA can do the same.
I realise that you must be angry or frustrated about not being able to sort things out with Matt but he's no longer on CiA and we are in the process of sorting things out internally. Hopefully now we can try and maintain at least a level of benevolence between the two groups. I don't think that there's anything to be gained from pursuing this any further...
This wholeissue has caused problems between Gunman and Dog Co and CiA, things have been straightened out for the most part all over, I hope you can let it lie. If you have any further problems regarding Dog Co, please do not hesitate to PM me so that it can be sorted out.

Regards
Alex

Good to see Alex has his head screwed on and is aware of stuff internally within Dog Co.

Matt did ask that I delete the account and I told him accounts were automatically deleted if forum users don't log on for a year but it might be worth pointing out that Matt is till sending you PMs.

Also to point out there is no issue between CiA and Gunman and there never has been and that we are in frequent communication.

Spiers has been ok over it all. I've even had an apology off welsh. Nothing off fatboy though, despite the fact he read my pm and has been online at least twice since then. I'm hoping his big fat arse is still sore from the spankings from josh and pat though!