The Wild World of TB!

I read an article in Wired Magazine about something called Mannerschplitz or some other marginally comprehensible german name for "Men's Playground".

Simple idea, get a small piece of property, do manly things on it. Break rocks with sledgehammers. Drive large construction equipment. Zip around on 4wheelers and dune buggies. Shoot bows & arrows. Even play a little paintball.

It's marketed to corporate parties, bachelor parties, pre-booked tickets, etc. Sounds like an easy cross-over business to generate revenue using nothing but existing property, insurance, and rental equipment.

So I recommended it to this scenario producer I knew. I don't think it was taken seriously. Probably just deleted along with a bunch of other ideas.

Somebody in Vegas kicked started part of that business, during the worst recession that town has ever seen. May be there is something to it after all...

http://dsc.discovery.com/adventure/relive-your-sandbox-days-at-a-heavy-equipment-playground.html#mkcpgn=fbdsc17

Recently, Delta asked people what they thought about Mega Teams on their Facebook page... you should subscribe too, they pose interesting questions.

I was on the bad side along with a few others, mainly for the regional skill stagnation it causes, along with economic issues that can arise. Quite a few people said they were good, as long as they, to paraphrase a little, "promoted the sport for the good".

Would anybody, that does not make money from scenario games, care to explain why you feel the need to take it upon yourself to "promote the sport"? Further, are you "promoting the sport" of scenario play (which is a hobby, not a sport!) or are you really just promoting a few specific companies, and why?

I'm not talking about gear sponsorships either, as that is a (sometimes) fair exchange of goods & services. I'm talking about promoting scenario play itself. Why do you think that it's your job? There really are no right or wrong answers, I just find it intriguing.

http://www.vice.com/read/paintballing-with-hezbollah-0000151-v19n3

Interesting article. They apparently use real flash bangs on each other. They also cheat like hell.

So I decided today to compare two movements in paintball right now. I am sure based on my previous posts that people have visited the Respecting Paintball Facebook page and if not, here take a look: http://www.facebook.com/#!/groups/117454714983147/ or you can head over to their website: http://www.respectingpaintball.com/. Yes I know I am sending them traffic but it's ok, as I only have 30 people a month read this, so I am sure I will not overwhelm their servers. ;) I got to say that these people set themselves up pretty high in paintball as the moral compass that EVERYONE should be compared to. IN fact, if you choose to disagree with them then you are outcast, banned and even black balled. I am not the first, nor will I be the last. Like all things human, a pecking order has developed and much like any other forum out there, the people in charge get to say and do whatever they want in the name of the cause that they have chosen. Compare Ed Rieker and PB Nation to Mike Phillips and Tech PB and then compare both of them to Respecting Paintball and Tina "Golden Girl" Ruzzo. It is all the same, the message may be different but the effect on the glue eaters psychology is the same. The funny thing is when these people have to interact or fail to do so for the 'Good" of their cause whatever that is. It is rather laughable and pathetic, but I digress.

Here is the newest movement on FB, I Understand (http://www.facebook.com/groups/277389755664069/). This is based on a set of papers that Billy Smith of Low Country Paintball has everyone read before his games. In fact he reads them and even interperts them for the slower people in the crowds or even the people who look for the gray areas. He is pretty emphatic that this set of guidelines is as stringently enforced and the rules of play for the game/field. But lets compare the two shall we? For those that don't want to visit either page. Here is a quick breakdown:

Respecting Paintball Pledge

I WILL BE UPFRONT, HONEST AND SHOW INTEGRITY AT ALL TIMES.

I WILL HAVE COMPLETE RESPECT FOR THE GAME AND ALL PLAYERS.

I WILL TREAT OTHERS THE WAY THAT I WOULD LIKE TO BE TREATED.

I WILL NETWORK AND SHOW SUPPORT FOR MY NEIGHBORING TEAMS.

I WILL HELP PUSH THIS SPORT FORWARD ON A POSITIVE PATH.

I WILL POST, COMMUNICATE AND SHARE EVENTS FOR ALL PAINTBALLERS.

I WILL NOT HAVE TO ASK FOR RESPECT ON THE FIELD, I WILL EARN IT.

copyrights Tina Ruzzo/ Golden Girl

And now I Understand

I Understand...

1) I understand I am entering a paintball game where I may be and more than likely will be shot, sometimes even overshot and it will cause pain, bruising etc.

2) I understand there may be players on the field who play aggressively or in an aggressive manner. That is their perogative to play that way.

3) I understand that the referees are here for my safety and to enforce game rules and I will not argue with their decisions, regardless of whether I agree with the decisions made.

4) I understand I must abide by all rules provided by the producer for this event and not doing so may cause my ejection from the game.

5) I understand I am entering this contest to play against players who may be of a better caliber than me and I appreciate the challenge.

6) I understand I may be overshot in certain situations and accept that as part of this type of game.

7) I understand I should read and understand all rules for this game and be governed by those rules accordingly.

8) I understand I must use event paint only at this event. Any other paint used will cause me to be removed from the facility without a hint of remorse from the staff.

9) I understand I SHOULD CONSULT THIS FORM BEFORE CONSULTING THE REFEREE OR PRODUCER.

10) I understand this game is for fun and should be played in a manner to ensure all players enjoyment.

11) I understand I am to be respectful to all staff and referees as well as management of this game.

12) I understand that if my team is losing, it is not the producers fault, the referee, the paint or the air guys fault. Maybe the other team is just better and complaining because my side is losing will not help in the least.

13) And finally, I understand that I am playing this game of my own free will and I am free to leave the premises of this game at any time I am not happy. I understand that the producer, paint vendor, referees and air guy are really trying hard to provide for me and a lot of other players an enjoyable game, and if for some reason that I cannot find my happy spot, it is not their fault. My griping and complaining about how I was overshot or the other team is a bunch of aggressive meanies or even the refs are cheating is really pointless and probably one sided, so I am deciding here and now to enjoy this game to the fullest.

By signing below I am signifying that I have read the above and I understand all that is stated above and that by signing below I am agreeing with all that is written above.
Name______________________________________________________ Date_____________________


The above document was handed out at LCP via Billy Smith, property of Billy Smith and LCP.

Which would you prefer? I am going to leave this for a few days and then I am going to come back and discuss some more about these 2 groups and the high hypocrisy of 1 vs the standard of the other. Can you guess which is which? Better yet if you read the pages and see some of the comments going on in both of them can you make your own determinations about the ability of the people in charge of these groups to hold themselves and their "friends, supporters and groupies" in check?

So it appears that Bob Gurnsey and Friends are after me in a big way, they are attempting to get me blackballed at every paintball event in the country. They are determined to run me out of the sport, or as Bob worded it, "Drum me out of the Corps". Funny I was in the Corps and there is no drumming out. Once you got the title, you are a Marine. Only you can give it back, it can never be taken from you. But I wouldn't expect Bob to understand that. I feel bad that the 'creator' of paintball has taken a personal agenda into running me out of the sport, I mean I thought there was so much more in paintball that needed all these people's attention. On every forum and in every facebook post, it is just one after another about how the industry needs this and that, and yet all of these people haven't affected one ounce of real change in the sport....ever.

From Bob's FB post: Tina...now "we" ALL need to just let him go.. because he has buried himself. All we need to do now is convince fields, producers and sponsors and others to blackball him. I have already received Awesome wonderful messages from 2 fields that have him blackballed.

Well I would hate to disappoint but for all of this over a post on my own private site just doesn't sit well with me. I mean, I know that most of these people think of themselves as conservative types, but this is private property ladies and gents. Much like if I created a sign in my yard that said, Kerry Rosenberry is a low down good for nothing snake. If you don't want to read it, don't drive by my house. But you cannot make me take it down, since well it is in my opinion the truth.

As I told Tina in a email to her, all of her Respecting Paintball Associates should really be ashamed of themselves. Since well there is no disclaimer on the pledge, there is no well none of this applies to people like TB or people who piss us off or people we determine to be bad for the game. Then well you don't have to be respectful. See you can give respect and not like someone or their opinion. But these people don't get that, it is their way or no way. And the mob being in your favor is a good feeling no doubt. It feels good to have people get your back against someone like me, and come to your defense. But when you stir up and allow people to violate what you claim to be your morality, then you prove me right. That you are indeed and your association is indeed fraudulent. If you cannot sustain your morality in face of people who test it, then you have no real moral stance.

The fact that they took the PSP to task for not letting Valken in as well as their bashing of me on the "respecting paintball" page makes me laugh. I guess the whole we don't report anything that is negative only the positive went out the window when they felt they had a lobbying power enough to facilitate change. The only issue with placating this or encouraging it is when it comes back to haunt you. Take this site, it was encouraged by Kerry Viper Rosenberry as a place to get out my opinion and not be stifled by the mods on various boards. And he was ok with it when I was hunting down his enemies and hurting his competition. Look back at the early years of WOTB, the negative message was positively received by Viper and his supporters. And the MXS supporters at the time? They also accused me of being negative and not being positive to the sport and that I should just get out of the sport and leave their friends alone. Hmmm how about a quote from Ben Franklin: And whether you're an honest man, or whether you're a thief, depends on whose solicitor has given me my brief.

But I digress......here is one last post for people to ponder: Whoever this TB is needs to stop and go about his business. Tina is a stand up paintballer, and I was proud this weekend to have the honor of playing with her, and would be proud to be under her command any-time. TB, stop trying to hurt paintball, and start trying to promote it instead. If you have a problem with someone, go to them, and be a man and talk with them. I do not know your problem, but I Have had the honor to meet Tina several months ago, and play along side of her this weekend, and I have played against her in the past, and it was an honor both times. She is a good player and she does respect the sport and promotes it. You keep going Tina, and I am proud to know you!

And realize that people are posting this to me on sites that I cannot read because I am not friends with these people. I have people feeding me information right and left that these guys are saying. So if they think that their supporters are rock tight, they may want to recheck their friend lists and get back to culling. So how does any of that affect any change? When you address me and I am not reading it, how does that do anything but make you feel good that you are joining in on the mob action? And did I do that by posting my comment here? I did have issues and I addressed them...... here.

Here is a new logo for you guys, make some shirts, set up a Facebook page and get on it. One thing about this industry is that for every door that someone closes or attempts to have closed on you, there is always someone else opening another door. I have already been invited to 4 fields I have never been to. Seems that they don't like the happy happy joy joy BS either.

I thought I would write a quick blog for all my "fans" who are just typing up a storm on Facebook. I mean Bob has gotten more action on his FB site posting about me then he has in sometime. ;) Maybe you should start asking for donations Bob! ;) Since the Evil TB picked on you, this would be a great opportunity to raise some cash as everyone hates a negative guy right? Then again, Tina should be thanking me, trust me Tina, I have way more haters then you could ever imagine and they will all want to be your friend. ;) It's all good, I really could care less on all that. But what this blog post is about is the fervor that some of these people would love to abridge my ability to speak my mind. Funny, it is a lot like politics today isn't it?

Some examples to put into context?

People on the left who defend Wikileaks, yet want the FCC to ban right wing pundits like Rush Limbaugh or maybe folks on the right who defend Rush Limbaugh’s right to free expression, but want to characterize Wikileaks as terrorists.

Yep this is a lot like that. See I just posted an opinion here and not really a bad one. I mean it isn't like I called her bad names or that she was a horrible mother or something even really personal. I simply said what a lot of people have been muttering behind the scenes in the industry. ;) I just put a face and voice so that all her friends could just sit around and spin tales about themselves and how great they all are and the 'good' that they are all doing for the paintball industry. Even had a few poke at me that they don't know me, so I must be a nobody. Hmmm.... let's see. Ask your industry friends about me, I am sure they will fill you in. But here is the thing, all of my issues with people in the industry and more all stem from me having an opinion. They have tried to silence me and I don't really understand why. I mean, either I am a nobody (one school of thought) or I am somebody who can single handed destroy paintball and should be purged from the fold. But really? I mean I post here on my purchased site, sponsored by me and Satan. ;) And I am struck in awe by some of these nuggets of positive people. Maybe they should stop being so fundamentalist and embrace their own message. Some examples?

"WOW TB none my friends are on or ever will be on your site.... you pretty much are a low life human and should stay at the bottom!!!!!I will stay at the top with all my paintball brothers and sisters : ) Team Trigger Happy : )"

"Ok, after reading both the "rant", that that links goes to, and also the "rant", concerning Tina GoldenGirl Ruzzo, I have come to the conclusion, that that guy is an immature punk, or as Kristopher Shithouse Burge said, he's an a-hole."

"I think I vomited in my mouth reading that! He missed the whole concept altogether. I hate I even went there and gave him another hit on the site. "

And from Bob himself: "This is now exactly the response I was hoping for... and that is MANY people checking out his SITE but then deciding to never return!! Congrats. Soon he will be totally personna non grata and completely irrelevant. I will be happy to be the one who DARES ,as he implies, to Challenge his copyrights of hie attacks on Tina,et al. and now me."

"The more I read on this little boys site, the more my blood boils. Tina you KNOW where my loyalties lie. And thats where they will remain! I fully support you, RPBA, Bob, and anything/anyone else that pushes our sport foward in a positive manor."

"I just looked on his Thunderstruck face book page and we should actually never speak of him again !!! Just look at him and you will all understand very quickly and should feel sorry for his Teammates : "

Aren't those gems just the best, I mean some people got real personal with me all the while chiding me for getting personal with Tina and did I really? LOL, they make me laugh, about as much as the Occupy X movement. In fact, I wonder if maybe they wouldn't show up at a paintball event I will be at to sleep in front of the field with signs and such. Maybe, how is that for some field advertisement. But we get even better, it isn't enough that they aren't happy with me. They have decided that anyone who reads my site and even likes something I say is now bad for paintball and eligible for the same treatment. Funny how quick these people are to flush their "friends" all over some words that were not even defamatory. Here are some good ones:

To all who wrote on TB's(the nasty ones) page and LIKED it you should be very ashamed of yourself and Take yourself out of our Great sport and never come back if you have TB's same outlook on our great paintball community....I went and saw a couple of the names that liked it and am very dissapointed with who I saw,so step back and look at the big picture for what it truly is and see a person who REALLY cares for the sport and wants to GROW it the way we want it to be!!!! Team Trigger Happy Supports Golden Girl : )

Well said Jeb!! I know I personally deleted people that agreed on his sorry excuse for a rant . Anyone who would bash ANY positive figure for our sport should be ashamed!!

And from Golden Girl (the queen of positive paintball): This is when my friends list gets revised... On and off the field.. and Jeb,, the sad part is this,, some of our "friends/players,, atleast I thought were friends,, made comments in the post and hit like and placed it on Facebook for everyone to see..., very sad,,, and talked to me right in my face this weekend.., like we were friends.., a shame,,, and i played for their side and gave them my full support at the game knowing on friday before the game that they had done this... my opinion is this.. To like or share this way of thinking.. TB's way of thinking,,, you do not deserve my friendship.. Thats all...

And from that pillar of the community, MOATI of Spec Ops fame (and we all know what I think about Spec Ops): I learned long ago not to waste any energy on certain people and their opinions...so I don't have any idea what he's gone and said this time...so I will speak on what I do know. Tina is one of the most stand up people that I've had the privilege to meet on or off the field. She has my support, respect, and friendship.

And Golden Girl's response: Thanks Moati! You are such a great friend! And we all know what's going on .., "haters" and we are family and it can't be "broke" ;)

I mean really? Outside of attempting to make themselves feel good by attacking my maturity, age, playing ability, and whatever else they have to say, was anything said that was really positive? Is this really all that is needed to have them stop turning the other cheek and gird on their shield and armor and come wading into the good fight?

I am going to end it with this, and some of you people who are over the age of 25 should really give this some thought. Most folks support freedom of speech until they disagree with it and then they want it tailored so that only they have the freedom of speech. I mean Tina was leading the charge about the PSP not letting Valken sell paint at their events (well within their rights) and that was ok to call them all sorts of names and call for a boycott right? But someone says a little something and boom, here you are screaming for my head. Free expression is an ugly beast at times — the uglier the beast, the more one needs to embrace it. Just saying! My moderate sensibilities see obvious hypocrisy in their positions — I urge one standard for all, as outlined in the First Amendment of the United States Constitution {Bill of Rights}:

“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”

Want to get smarter? Or debate back with me on where I am coming from? Just one book you might want to read:

Multiculturalism and moral conflict by Maria Dimova-Cookson

It's a great read but if you cannot get through one of my posts without your head hurting, you might just want to read the summary. ;)

So evidently I still have the knack of pissing people off just by voicing an opinion. It never ceases to amaze me how some people feel that only their opinion is relevant and that anyone of a dissenting opinion is somehow evil. Even more so when they attempt to make themselves feel better and diminish the message of the opinion by adding adjectives that they think describe you in the most negative way that they can. It makes me laugh, it really does. But what am I talking about? Well it appears that my blog post about Tina "Golden Girl' Ruzzo pissed off the 'creator' of the sport of paintball, Bob Gurnsey. Even more so it appears that Kerry "Ratsnake' Rosenberry has decided to once again talk shit about me in a realm that I cannot see. What is so great about that, is that people that are on his friends list send me shit all the time he says. So I got to post this post that Bob made on one of Kerry's statements on his Facebook page. And then we will discuss, shall we?

Kerry.. Jim has put so much effort and time into rewarding some of the Seniors in high schools across America who in fact ,truly, represent the future of paintball and the future of this country. I find it slightly outrageous that a person.. such as that guy who is trashing Tina,,just for her caring about the sport and marketing that philosophy to people. Of course the ONLY way she can do that is to also market themselves as a well-intentioned,positive leaders..such as YOU and so many others .People like Lawrence Wright who speak about others in the sport with such demeaning,infantile,puerile, FOUL-mouthed ,insecure Little bot rants about people trying to achieve good things, makes me sad in some ways that ,indirectly , I gave them a forum to gain just a wedge of minuscule notoriety amongst the "haters" who live in our world. Such pathetic people..I consider them actually, insignificant. By the way I also found it ironic that this "child" found it necessary to copyright his babyish rant and warn people NOT to take any quotes or reprints of his words! Gawd...I was laughing at him...when I read this last insecurity. Feel free , anyone to copy what I have said here about boys like this one , without fear of me retaliating against the re printer or Quot er of my words. For those of you wondering what this foul-mouthed hater has said..feel free to read it yourself at his "website": http://worldoftb.com/index.php/2012/02/21/insanity-doing-the-same-thing?blog=1: Please be over 18 years old to read this ,even his open title comment is childishly expressed. Just keep in mind prior to his writing this, I feel secure in predicting no more than 30-40 people/month went to this place where he can pontificate in his rather idiotic jealousy's ,rants , and stupid, insecure innuendo. I shall not go on Kerry..I have said enough. There are so many good honorable individuals in our sport...I am blessed to know and continue to meet so many of them. The other kind can just take a hike!"

Now I must say, since I have met Bob a few times and well never been nothing but cordial to him, the fact that he decided to take me to task on a public site is funny, since he basically stated that my taking Tina to task on my site with an opinion was deplorable, then what does that make his post? And unlike the land of facebook, I have not banned anyone from seeing my site and as such they all get to read it and comment. However, NONE of them seem to have the BALLS to post here or email me. ;) Funny how those 'postive' people seem to think that they own the right to banter around their opinions and it is supposed to be a good thing. Then again, it could be that Bob thinks a little more of Tina since she raised all that money for him and his illness. See that is how you get to the top, you find some chariatable cause and then next thing you know you are famous and you got the man who says that he created the game calling out your detractors. But I will have to address you now Bob, and I am sure you will be able to tell everyone that this little 'boy' called you and how fucking dare he. But I do have to address the same old BS that you, Kerry, Mike Phillips and damn near everyone else says when they pop on here and have no real discussion or points to make. You take cheap shots at my site and me and you try to paint this into trying to get some kind of publicity. So let's once the fuck again set it back right.

This site was put up 6 years ago, long before all this drama. This site has drawn between 200 and 800 daily readers since the MXS shit broke. There are a ton more people who read this than you would like to admit. That doesn't mean that they agree with it, but they read it. The funny thing is that quite a few do, they just don't post it. The reason is simple, Kerry and others have taken people who posted on my site to task and even gone after them in the industry. Several had sponsors question them posting on my site and others had sponsors who simply quite talking to them just because they posted here in agreement. So just because people lurk, doesn't mean people read. Case in point, in less than 24 hours Tina knew that I had written about her. Now ask yourself Bob, how is that she knew that? Because those 10 to 40 people who read my site a month told her? LMAO, how about this Bob, I have gotten quite a few emails from people. More than I have in a few months, some agreeing and some not. All have asked not to be named on my site. And regardless of what I think of them, I agree to that. ;) But here is what I will say to your comments on me trying to gain readership, as long as those same 10 to 40 people read and send out emails on what I write and it spins people like you up, then let those 10 to 40 keep coming. ;) Just saying Bob!

So let's take you post a little bit at a time Bob. As for trashing Tina just because she is being positive, that is not what my blog post was about. Did you read it? What I said was simple, that she and others have used things other than being a player to become famous and while that may be needed, they shouldn't then attempt to dictate to players what is and isn't good for the sport. Nor should their opinions about the game be taken as seriously as someone who plays the game. Let me give you a better example, since you touch on it in your rant. Just because 30+ years ago, you and some friends ran through the woods shooting at each other with cattle/tree marking guns, doesn't mean that I owe you anything. The game that I started in 1999 is light years beyond what you and your friends 'created'. In fact, there are several interviews over the years where you shit on scenario paintball and woodsball and compared it to War Mongering. In fact, you lent your 'credence' as the creator to try and end the game style that I play and where you show up now getting your butt kissed and money donated. Must be nice, Sir! So while you should get the credit due as someone who played the first game, you haven't done anything for me or my game nor have you garnered a name in my genre enough that I should take anything that you say past just you saying it. Get out there and play some games (real scenario games) as a player and not a poobah and then maybe I will have some respect for you as a scenario player. Until then, sorry I don't have any. I now have less simply due to the fact that you didn't post or email me. I mean really, unless you wanted to spin my 'negative' comments to propel your 'positive agenda' which then means that you use the same drama laden tactics that I do. But I guess you using them for 'good' is ok right Bob? Much like how my blog was the best place to go when it was serving your friend and 'honorable' associate Kerry Rosenberry and his agenda. You know running MXS out of business and outing Packman and Mother. Taking on people he felt were trying to hurt his business or that he just didn't like, you know Billy Smith and Low Country Paintball and Jon Harris and Tactical Paintball, here in Texas. Or other promoters like Mad Ivan and the few in CA that countered his games. Or people like Ben Toricelli and MPP games. I mean, I have been banned from 2 fields/promoters simply by posting here in defense or in promotion of Kerry "Viper" Rosenberry, but that story has been told ad nausem.

As for the being angry or bitter, you damn right I am sir. If you had people treat you the way some of these people treated me, then you too would be angry and bitter. You wouldn't be the font of positivity that you say that you are. ;) Then again, I bet based on my research that there are some ghosts that could make you lose your positive outlook on this game and your time in it, right Bob? That is one thing that paintball gives over and over again, and that is the ability of some people to fuck over other people and to let the 'Mob' weigh in on it. I mean, how many times have you seen someone run to a forum and stir everyone up. Here is a hint for you Bob, I don't post on forums anymore. ;) And yet, here you are.

Number of people who read my site is irrelevant, do you see any ads here? Do you see any revenue generating apps or files or spam pop-ups? Let me answer that for you, nope there are none. The reason is I don't care about who reads this. I don't write for others to read, I write to get it off my chest. Hence the title, World of TB. It is my world, you just visit it and deny being here. :)

Here is the end all, Bob. Welcome to America, where people like me can voice our opinion. You don't have to like it, you don't have to support my opinion, but you do have to support my ability to give the opinion, or well you aren't very American. That's ok, I don't expect you or your supporters or friends to. They only seem to support their own agenda much like most of the country these days, and yet we wonder why we are in so much trouble. Anyone ever thought that about paintball? Maybe it is all this 'positive' thought that is driving the game down still, since you jokers have been doing it for 2 years now and I don't see a huge influx of players. And it ain't the economy, lol. But I am not going to finish this rant that way.

Here is what I will say for all your friends that have come here and then post how their head hurts from reading my drivel. If you think that is supposed to mean something, you have to actually tell me that. Preaching to choir doesn't save souls peeps, think about it. You got to come here and debate the devil to win those souls in the balance. Then again, you could just do what Ratsnake does and pretend I don't exist yet talk shit behind my back. Because that behaviour and the other crap that your supporters have posted is SOOOOO adult right?

Thanks for stopping by Bob, and thanks for providing me my platform from which to reach out to my 30 fans. ;)

And for all your supporters stopping by, there is much more here than just some recent rants. Check out the past rants about your friends in the game and the people you support. I am sure most of them are here.

Hmmmm.... so here we go another round with the male chauvinist pig known as TB whose best friend is one of the best players in the game and whose daughter is probably right up there with her. I am going to get specific on this, but realize this is a proven model in this sport these days of how to get to be 'known' without really doing the sport that you are reporting on.

There is a reason that if you are a football player and can speak pretty well they want you to commentate on football games. You have street cred, you have played the game, most of the time been very successful and people either hate you or love you based on your on field playing and the team you played for. Now that can change over the years as it has for Terry Bradshaw, but there is a reason that none of the women who play football are NFL football commentators and it is because, they have no NFL experience. The women you do see are pretty much glorified reporters that will never sit at the big desk during the game. Now some will attack that, but the reason is simple, if women had the NFL experience than they would be more accepted to sit at the big desk than the cute ones. They would have earned their 'street cred' and someone would be able to identify or relate to them. Do you really think that the NFL players have any real respect for the eye candy with a mike? No, they don't!

Now the reason I bring this up is the myriad of people over the years that have not really done anything in the game of paintball but are superstars that pull sponsorships, get VIP treatment and generally get their asses kissed on forums, blogs, magazines and the ever popular youtube video channel. I have seen more than one paintball resume that listed all the 'media' that they got and think that it is supposed to mean something. I mean I watched people like Rob Rubin and Ken Gilder and others just milk the fact that they write for magazines into getting in with the promoter and convincing people that they need to give them something or respect them as players at the game or hell even in the industry. I have watched people who couldn't play a real 24 hour scenario games from banger to banger get picked to command huge events, lead missions, even promote and run games. I have watched people who couldn't even chrono their own damn marker be the talk of huge threads about who 'good' they were on the field or that they were coming to game simply because they were a mod on a large paintball forum. It seems we all want 'superstars' even in lower end sports like paintball and we will create celebrities every chance we can. And the funny things is, you have real celebrities like actresses, singers and sports stars and then you have the reality show stars. You know like Perez Hilton or his namesake Paris. The prime example of this is probably the Kim Kardashian bullshit. This is a chick who is known for nothing more than having a show about nothing and letting her ex's take video of them having sex. And her entire 70+million dollar weeding was sponsored by various people. LMAO, for real?

But I got off on a tangent, as much as I have railed here about Tyger and Hollywood and other writers, I guess it is her turn now. And the her is Tina "Golden Girl" Ruzzo, and this will be the 2012 PB Woman of the year or so she is putting herself in line for. ;) I mean she has all the right credentials based on the previous ones; In the industry, Doesn't regularly play scenario games full time, poohbah's at the event, spends more time offline promoting her brand then planning the next game and is a 'honorary' member of half a dozen teams. Now I am sure some of you are scratching your head and wondering who the hell is this lady? Well I did the same thing when I got sent a link to the Respecting Paintball Association. And I thought, what the hell is this shit? Well what it is, is well a bunch of bullshit. I mean some of the pledge is some of the most happy happy feel good shit I have ever read. To think that alot of these red blooded american males suck up to her over this pledge is just silly. The real reason for the pledge? Well it is a way to get known. I mena, lets look at it like this. She says that she has been playing paintball since 1995, yet no one has ever heard of her outside of her one field she played. She then just stormed on the scene in 2011 mostly as a writer and then this pledge and now everyone thinks she is the greatest female player to hit the scene. Really? In her own words here is what she has to say:

I have been in paintball since 1995, a lot has changed over time. I felt fields as well as the industry needed some help in promoting and networking, so I took it upon myself to give back and help in anyway that I can. I am an advocate for Paintball and promote pushing it forward on a positive path.. I recently started a challenge, a good challenge indeed. Inviting new players “younguns” to attend games that I will be attending and give them a Respecting Paintball T-shirt for coming out to play, a small incentive perhaps, but hey, anything to get them on the field! I feel this is needed, I would like to be a part of mentoring the next generation of paintballers and starting them off on a positive note.. As a writer in The Catshack Reports as well as the “Respecting Paintball Pledge” in addition the creator of “Respecting Paintball Assoc.” I have a responsibility that I have committed to “helping others.

So what this is, just so you know to read between the lines is another attempt to bring the game back down to the same everyone deserves a ribbon and kickball is bad for fat kids self esteem bullshit that has ruined a but load of sports. But more on that later.

I am going to end it with this, right now. Is this really who we want running around being the 'face' of paintball? Someone who up until she started writing blogs had NO cred anywhere outside of the county in Florida where she lives? I'll give it to her, she made some 'big name' friends. But the truth is since I know all of them, most of them see her as a marketing vehicle and a pretty face. None of them have any respect for her gaming ability. And there are people in the media that have no respect for her there either. I mean, some thing just have to be fucking earned. When you sit at the table that you didn't earn a chair to and then start criticizing the menu, the chef, the table and the other people sitting at it, it tends to rub some the wrong way. But hey, let's see what this gets me since well I think the message is positive but I am sure her and her handlers will think differently.

So after reading some of Sean's blatant BS posts in the previous thread, I figured I would take this time to bring this one up to the front. I mean, it really pissed me off. Not that he called me crazy, better people then him has said that. But for the record, my psych evals are pretty well normal Sean, however could we say the same for you? I mean me personally based on what I know about you, since we are armchair psycho-analyzing, I would say that you have Histrionic personality disorder. Here is the definition for you, maybe you should go see a doctor for that before you fuck those kids up you care so much about with your issues.

From Wikipedia:

Histrionic personality disorder (HPD) is defined by the American Psychiatric Association as a personality disorder characterized by a pattern of excessive emotionality and attention-seeking, including an excessive need for approval and inappropriately seductive behavior, usually beginning in early adulthood. These individuals are lively, dramatic, vivacious, enthusiastic, and flirtatious.

But what pissed me off? Well here take a read and then I shall cap off on that.

Quote by Sean Scott: One day, maybe, you will see and finally realize and take responsibility for your own actions and stop blaming other people. You have not realized that everything you lost is because of you and there is nothing I can do to show you the way.

You have really lost your way wrapped in your ego, pride, and hate. I am done posting here as obviously you have lost it mentally and I cannot do anything for you on that. I truly hope you find what you are looking and one day become happy again.

On that note, you should revisit the Marine Principle and Values as you have forgotten them. Honor in particular.

HONOR
"A code of personal integrity, honor guides those who do the right thing when no one is looking. It is not only a duty, but also a distinction, as those who possess honor are held in honor. It's found in one's beliefs, but exhibited through one's actions. Marines are held to the highest of standards, ethically and morally. Marines are expected to act responsibly in a manner befitting the title they've earned."

Really Sean? You want to speak to me about honor? Let's go to the email list shall we? Let's see about the actions of one, Sean Scott. The President of the team at the time was Warren Reid, I was not an officer at all. And you knew about the way Thunderstruck was laid out and the proper bylaws and such. Any and all issues should have gone through him, however you chose to send your correspendence with me through Viper. You didn't even have the balls to send an email until I said something. However I did then send those emails to my President so that he could handle them with the policies and processes that we as a team laid out. Below is several comments from Warren to you and your response.

From Warren: You are aware that TB had resigned as VP of Thunderstruck and taken an inactive status? You are aware that members who left also nominated Liam for election as his replacement, and we happily voted him in? You are aware that Liam used his elected position on our team to create the relationship with Smart Parts as well as others before leaving the team?

Sean's response: I understand why you are upset with him. He did speak with me about leaving before the team split. I basically told him that if you are not having fun doing what you want to be fun, then leave. I think that was good advice overall.... because I have been in that position before. Maybe what he did was not handle it correctly in the end when he left.

So you admit that you knew about what was going down and you then justified ways to make it look good to you. See that is the issue, you think it is some misguided BS about a game. This is about a game, you affected me in my real fucking life Sean. This isn't about a paintball ego you arrogant piece of shit. This is much more than that, this isn't a relationship that went bad or needed to end. You came after me you cock sucker, you attempted to run me out of paintball and hurt me as much as you could to 'teach me a lesson'. My issue with you, is your incessant denial to me that you did. I have read the comments where you tell others you did just that. And you knew what was going on and you offered shit to people to stay away from me. You want me to move on from you? Then just admit it 'Good Guy Sean'. You didn't like me anymore or my style of play anymore. You and Viper took it upon yourselves to not only drive me from his events and Living Losers but from paintball. You attempted to push me down and make me kiss the ring to come back. The reasons are not important, because the reasons are bullshit. You let people play and promote them at your games that agree with assault on players physically, that agree that justice should be meted out on the field with paintball markers and that it is ok to send gay porn to children if someone pisses you off enough. Those people are welcome and greeted with open arms. And my money is no good because I would come and play paintball? I mean if I broke the rules Sean you could come down like a ton of bricks and use that as a reason to prove to everyone that you were right. But you know that wouldn't happen, because I do play the game with Honor. You are the one who has no comprehension of Honor or what it means.

Maybe you should look up some other words and use them for yourself you cock sucker. Words like loyalty, friendship even fucking professionalism and you will see that you are sadly lacking in all of those and others. How fucking dare you hint that I am an embarrasment to my title as a Marine. Who the fuck do you think you are? Then again, in what vein do you dare make that statement? Prove anything I said wrong Sean, answer the replies I gave you to your statements. I mean man the fuck up and quit playing politics. And by all means, feel free to tell me how I do not have any honor where you or anyone else is concerned.

Maybe I am mentally disturbed, since according to the title quote by Albert Einstein, I keep having these discussions with you thinking you will actually bring something more to the table then the same old TB is the boogeyman bullshit I have heard for 8 fucking years.

The title is a quote by Charles Caleb Colton, a 18th century poet and clergy member. Most people would remember some of his quotes, to include this one: "Imitation is the sincerest (form) of flattery". But I digress, this is more about other things that some imitation of things. Let's start with a few press releases, shall we?

http://thefordreport.com/2012/02/cpx-sports-hires-sean-scott-as-director-of-strategic-operations/

http://thefordreport.com/2012/01/living-legends-v-the-dark-age-techpb-sponsors-living-legends/

Now I am sure that those of you who read (and there are still quite a few, even though there hasn't been a lot here in the past few months) wonder what the hell this is all about. Some of you may even remember. But for those that don't here is a quote from one of my favorite commercials. Be sure to tell your friends. :) "Boom... What was that? Me, dropping some knowledge on you"

This is just the first about the tangled web that is the Living Losers event, and while I am sure that it will be spun that I am unhappy because Viper banned me from his events and that Sean Scott not only helped in that but in keeping me and my team from the event for the rest of the time he was involved in it. I have been pretty quiet, but well I am going to put some quotes out there and let's see what happens, shall we?

If you really want to get a feel for the 'core' of the event, take a look here: http://www.techpb.com/forum/index.php?s=a9d28930cf88b24e4b684d97e5a8b280&showforum=1051

Now, here is some information for those that have asked for it, for so long. This is the letter that Viper 'wrote' me and emailed me that ended me and Thunderstruck being at his events. Pay paticular attention to the names he named as well as the reasons given.

From Viper:

From: dionysos_49@yahoo.com
Subject: The situation as it exists

Lawrence, I am writing you this letter to address the current situations as they exist involving you, Viper Enterprises, and the players at my events.

The bottom line is that you are a disruptive force at any event you attend.Your need to "punish" the other side has become more and more prevalent and aggressive, and it is costing me players, money, and quality of product. There are a number of players and teams over the passed few months who have mentioned that your attendance and involvement in my events has a direct effect on their desire to attend them. Now some have issued an ultimatum; they will not attend any event you are attending.

These include Charles Dean(my old head ref), Hidden Loyalty, DWA, ESP, and even Odyssey, who have attended my events for a dozen years. There are others who simply do not wish to be named because they do not want to be targeted by your brand of bullying. I also have more and more people who don't wish to referee at my events due to your treatment of the refs around you. The fact that you made absolutely no attempt on your website to clarify the 'assault' at my game only goes to show that you revel in sensationalism.

You could easily have explained the simple truth that the 'assault' was Stephen bumping your shoulder with his in such a manner that it didn't even knock either of you off balance, or slow him as he passed you.

Instead you allowed people to misconstrue the facts and compare it to a recent event where awoman was placed in a choke hold by an adult male at someone else's event.I'm sure you would agree that the incident involving you and Stephen pales in comparison, but you chose not to bring those facts to light.

Less than four months ago you were still telling me, and others, that you were going to take a break from Viper events to explore other options. Both Sean Scott and Joe Stayback are aware of this as well. After this past weekend Joe is ready to eject you from his field, and has discussed that with me. He is getting the same feedback I am from players local to his field.

I don't want a war. I don't want a big public drama-fest. What I do want is to keep the players I have, and to attract new ones. So this is what I am offering. Go with your original intentions. Step away from me, and allow me to step away from you. It removes any need for this to become a public issue or for you to have to go on any campaigns to save face.

You simply state that last weekend had too much drama, and you have chosen to move on to other pastures. Take the rest of 2009 and try and make the changes you have expressed interest in; helping players improve, improving the image of you and your team, using your blog for something positive, etc.

It seems you still just couldn't resist with your latest 'bitch slap.' This conversation needn't go any further than this. Joe will see that you have simply moved on and won't have to worry about making any public stands or statements. I will make sure that he doesn't speak or write of it anywhere.

I know how nasty you can get. I've seen it. I would prefer to just do this in a nice, quiet way that allows us all to simply move on in different directions. I don't even see a need for me to discuss it with your team. You may deal with that as you wish. I will tell you that I have spoken to Sean. I told him what happened.

I told him that you didn't break any actual rules, and that you were not ejected, but that Stephen was. I also told him exactly why I ejected Stephen. He agrees that everyone will be better off if you were to explore other options with regard to where you play, and is urging you to accept what I am offering. He, too, has agreed to pursue it no further in public if you choose to do the same.

Please take the time to really consider what I have laid out here rather than just succumbing to a knee-jerk reaction. You have grown tired of me and my events, as well as many of the players at my events. I, and my customers,have grown tired of your antics. It would seem that it is in everyone's best interest for you and me to part ways for the time being.

Please do not bother phoning, or having others do so. There is really nothing left to discuss. A simple email letting me know that you accept this offer will be fine.

If you have any rebuttals you can include them in your response. Sean Scott also asked me to attach his own correspondence to this email. He has read what I am sending you, and asked to be CC'd in the message.

He wanted to make sure his feelings on the matter were clear, as was his desire for you to accept the option I have presented. It is unfortunate that it has all gone this far.

And there you go, Ladies and Gents, the letter from Viper that ended me and Thunderstruck from being at his events. The antics he mentions are rather funny, wanting to win the game by the largest margin possible. I never cheated, I was never ejected from an event and I have had 10 Judge punches in over 180+ games. So as someone who has produced events as well as reffed them I fail to understand how someone can generate antics at this scale and not be warned or judge punched. I mean if someone is so powerful that they intimidate refs, shouldn't the ultimate ref or game producer step in? I guess some could say that Viper finally did.

However for those that know, they will know see that Viper banned me and by default my team because we were 'too good' for his players. His players were tired of losing, they were tired of never winning and after VIP when we added what was left of Hellbent (and Viper had a hand in their breakup as well), as he put it in a email to Hawk, there was just too damn much talent on this team. In the end, I lost quite a few members of my team, but that is another story and portions of it will be related here in the future.

Now I know that this is ancient history for some and that others have no fucking clue who I am or my team is. See we kind of took some time off, we still played and we still won awards but we lowered our profile.

Sean also sent me an email, funny since we were not sponsored by Smart Parts at the time, but we had been his Marque team on the Smart Corps.

From Sean Scott:
Smart Parts, Inc
100 Station St
Loyalhanna, PA 15661

Lawrence Wright,

I do not approve of your actions and how you handle yourself on the field anymore. You will do whatever it takes to win while pushing the boundaries of the rules, and that is not what I am looking for in a sponsored team. I want teams who win or lose with grace, style, sportsmanship, and honor. I have learned how to command by you and I have also learned what not to do by your actions. I was waiting to see what would happen at VIP and how you would react in the next game, and after your actions and manipulations, there is no way I will allow you to be in a command role at Living Legends or the Socal Challenge. I would rather not even see you at either event as well as I want everyone to have fun. As a matter of fact, in the contract for sponsorship:

f) Always conduct themselves in a proper and sportsmanlike manner, and take no action that will bring the Sponsor’s name into disrepute.

You continue to go against this policy and I let it continue without enforcing it. Well, now I am ready to enforce it on you. As of right now, Team Thunderstruck’s sponsorship ended on December 31, 2008. TB, you need to change if you wish to have your team sponsored by Smart Parts. I would like for you to come up with things you can do to change for the better and sign it before I will allow your team to be sponsored for 2009. This is not about Thunderstruck nor is it about Reboot, this is about you. I have spent too much time dealing with this already, which is more then a sponsor ever should. If it was anyone else, they would have dropped you and said that it was over. This is a second chance. On a personal level, I am saddened that it has come to this.

Sean Scott
Public Relations and Promotions Coordinator
Smart Parts, Inc.

Now for those that remember the Smart Corps and Blanding (might want to look up on the old Special Ops Forums if they are still around), Sean came to me asking for some scenario credibility and some wins. And we delivered, Sean was undefeated with a me as his XO and well producer records were set. We were fully sponsored by Smart Parts, I didn't pay for anything. Just like we were with AGD, and there wasn't another team like it. And Viper hated Smart Parts and wanted nothing to do with them, I introduced him to Sean and I stood good for Sean in scenario paintball as well as with Viper. And I got tons of shit over it, over the patent issues and more with their business practices. In fact at the World Cup, the owners of SP and Sean had quite the laugh at the 'haters' hating on them and their teams as well as me and mine. And I was assured that their whining was just that and that Smart Parts wanted winners who didn't cheat. And well, I never cheated.

Here is a quote from Sean about my team and me after the Blanding event: Thunderstruck - What can i say about a team that got MVP and MVT. Judd... the main reason you got the MVP was my wife (radio op). I was going though my head and making a list. You did not come up... and michelle was like what about Judd? And I said how did I ever forget about him. You were an intergral part of the reason we had so many points due to missions. Now the team... you know they are fast when the other team is complaining about Dave Cilio starting mid-field. The other general said that it was inhumanly possible to already be at their base 2 minutes and 20 seconds into the game. When I heard about it... i already knew it was dave even before they told me a name. He is not a human at all but a machine. I will go as far to say that he is one of the best players in all of scenario paintball. He wont agree with that becuase he is so humble. TB, thanks for the being my XO. I learned a lot from you and got the hang of it quick. We would not have done as well without you guranteed. as TB says about TB... TB is the man! I just want to see G2 (Generation 2, TB's daughter. She is amazing on the field) at the next SP VS SO game even if i have to buy all her paint!

In fact in several instances when Sean was in command and allowed 'shady shit' to go down, I over ruled him and threatened to quit as his XO if he didn't put that shit in check. But none of that made it out of Sean's new stance of fun and more for everyone. And it worked out great for him, he was a losing command record now, so what did all that hope and change get him?

Now, what the fuck does any of that have to do with TechPB or Mike Phillips? Well just remember how TechPB started, and remember that not only did Mike send kids gay child porn through PB Nation, and other pretty nasty things. But he also started several other projects that have ripped off people and more, just to build his name. He is prone to go on rampages about anyone and everyone he feels is an enemy to him and his followers. And he has been quoted on more than one occasion that he is all about my style of game play. They can call it the Lynch Mob and such, but well the step on the throat and don't let up while you continue to pound them in the balls was copywritten by Thunderstuck in 2007 and we haven't let up on that copyright yet. However, as I never have sent child porn or other behaviour anywhere near Mike, the question is, why are these two guys in bed with Mike? Simple, it's all about the money. Tech PB has come along to save that pathetic event, and Viper's Loyalty to them got him kicked out of Sherwood. I mean, Mike and his crew actually called out ESP and not only called them cheaters but demanded that their awards be stripped from them. And then Viper revised his rules and agreed with him. And he wonders why the people who supported him after MXS went out of business walked away from him? And the truth be told, I have heard from quite a few refs about the behaviour of Mike and his Lynch Mob at every LL event. In fact, most of the judge punches at the 2010 LL was given to the Tech PB crews. :) But hey, I just got that from the former ref staff who didn't agree with Viper then or now about the callings and rulings that he made.

So imagine my surprise when I see my former teammate Dave Cilio of ESP actually go on Tech PB and attempt to recruit them for the side that he is XO'ing. I mean really, Dave? I thought you didn't do politics? Well I guess a lot of things have changed in the land of these guys. Seems they all are sitting around huffing each others dick about how great they are and how great the game is. Sorry but I have tons of emails from some people I don't even fucking know that tell me the games suck, they are the same damn game every year and that the game has been turned into a big 'fun' game. But most of the serious scenario competitors have gotten smart and are skipping the event. It's a shame really, I love CPX, I have played it for years and outside of Living Losers, I am vocal about supporting them. But the whole marriage to Viper and now Mike and now Sean is just too much. The part I love the most is the future anticipation when this shit goes sour. I mean, there were some who beamed while Nero fiddled, and well I for one want to watch some of these people burn. And if Mike Phillips is anything, it's predictable so when something does't go his way or his isn't respected the way he should be, well he will be the one to light a match to the whole fucking thing.

I am going to close it with a statement from Gladiator and well this sums up LL and the people who are flocking to it this year:

Gracchus: Fear and wonder, a powerful combination.
Falco: You really think people are going to be seduced by that?
Gracchus: I think he knows what Rome is. Rome is the mob. Conjure magic for them and they'll be distracted. Take away their freedom and still they'll roar. The beating heart of Rome is not the marble of the senate, it's the sand of the coliseum. He'll bring them death - and they will love him for it.

So when did wanting to beat people at a game and do it the fastest and best way possible become worse than sending gay porn to kids? Something to think about.