So mainstreamers, Why?????

[Pvt.Fowler]

OK, I'm sick of it and would like some answers. I would love to here from the hardcore mainstream out there why you dont care. Why do you refuse to do things correctly? Why stainless steel? Why 22oz. navy blue faded purple coats? Why the modern work boots, modern glasses, plastic bottles in camp, cigarettes, coolers....? Give me your reasons to use these things which never existed. How do you justify it? Why do you reenact if you refuse to leave the modern comforts of home at home? Why the coleman heaters, flashlights, and air beds? Come on now, lets hear it. And Mr. Pritchett, if you delete this, it only strengthens my argument that the hardcore mainstreamer does not have to own up to the historical in-correctness that I have been yelling about.

[flattop32355]

I'll make you a deal: You provide your real name, as have I, so I know to whom I am speaking, and I'll answer your question to the best of my ability.

Since I've been called a "militant farb in campaigner clothing" on another forum, I believe this qualifies me to respond.

Now, do we have a gentleman's agreement for this discussion to proceed?

YHS,

Bernard P. Biederman
Worthington, OH
30th OVI
Co. B

[Memphis]

Not to get technical, but that describes farbs and not mainstreamers, unless the mainstream has really tumbled down in the recent past. Is it really that bad out there?

[WestTN_reb]

If you want a good solid answer, look at the title of this post. People who don't make the "jump" are afraid to associate with people like you. You need to come down off whatever high horse you are riding and get a clue.

As the gentleman before stated, if you're going to be such a pain, you should at least have the common decency to sign your name to your posts. If not, you can blow it out your *** and quit ruining my day.

[GrumpyDave]

Another beating for that poor dead horse. So very sad. Poor horse.


The answer is very simple: Those forlks don't care. They don't care what you post on a forum. They don't care because they enjoy what they are doing. They don't care because there's plenty of events for them to attend. And, now, get a pen or pencil so you can write this down; They are not going to change.

Now, for my morning coffee.

Registration for Winter of '64 - 2008 is open.

[hanktrent]

I think everyone wonders the same thing, at different levels. Why do campaigners/progressives put off reenacting as late as possible Friday evening or Saturday morning, and quit early Sunday, while farbs and mainstreamers generally stay at the same level Friday evening through Sunday afternoon? Do c/p'ers really dislike their hobby that much, that they try to avoid it?

Why would those who call themselves progressive bring a modern camera to a c/p event? It's not cheaper, it's not a health/safety issue, it's not lack of knowledge about correct cameras, it's just a way to make the event all about me me me and what I wanna do, while infringing on the period experience of others. And if you think people can't see you doing it, you're crazy.

Why do c/p'ers say they want all the functional, accurate situations and roles they're offered, that many event organizers go to a great deal of trouble to coordinate, and then farb it up by talking loudly about modern stuff on the march, at the rests, while cooking, in camp, late at night, endlessly? What good is pristine ground if it seems more like the past before the reenactors arrive?

The answers, of course, are because that's what they want to do, and I'd guess that it's the same answer to the questions in the original post. Anything else just starts to sound like an excuse.

And of course, at any level, there's always someone else above, complaining about all the things I/we/you do that seem like blatant farbisms to them.

If you want a good solid answer, look at the title of this post. People who don't make the "jump" are afraid to associate with people like you.

I've heard that a lot, and it always cracks me up. Why would anyone need to associate with a particular group, to try to follow what the history books say? The books and museums are equally available for anyone to study. Is there some rule that mainstreamers aren't allowed to be more accurate in their own units or at their own events?

Hank Trent
hanktrent@voyager.net

[Pvt.Fowler]

All this noise and yet no one has the B***s to answer my question. Just as I thought.

Mike Fowler

[sbl]

http://www.orgs.ttu.edu/techjuggling...ge%20Balls.jpg

[KeystoneGuard]

Time for more noise! I didn't play the drums in school for nothing, ha ha!

I'll be the first to admit, when I first started out in the hobby I was a farb. I have since then fixed that problem. We all start out somewhere. Just like the new McDonalds commercial, you start out flipping burgers, then your in charge of flipping burgers, and then your the CEO of McDonalds. SAME CONCEPT in re-enacting!

[dclarry]

I think everyone wonders the same thing, at different levels. Why do campaigners/progressives put off reenacting as late as possible Friday evening or Saturday morning, and quit early Sunday, while farbs and mainstreamers generally stay at the same level Friday evening through Sunday afternoon? Do c/p'ers really dislike their hobby that much, that they try to avoid it?

Why would those who call themselves progressive bring a modern camera to a c/p event? It's not cheaper, it's not a health/safety issue, it's not lack of knowledge about correct cameras, it's just a way to make the event all about me me me and what I wanna do, while infringing on the period experience of others. And if you think people can't see you doing it, you're crazy.

Why do c/p'ers say they want all the functional, accurate situations and roles they're offered, that many event organizers go to a great deal of trouble to coordinate, and then farb it up by talking loudly about modern stuff on the march, at the rests, while cooking, in camp, late at night, endlessly? What good is pristine ground if it seems more like the past before the reenactors arrive?

The answers, of course, are because that's what they want to do, and I'd guess that it's the same answer to the questions in the original post. Anything else just starts to sound like an excuse.

And of course, at any level, there's always someone else above, complaining about all the things I/we/you do that seem like blatant farbisms to them.



I've heard that a lot, and it always cracks me up. Why would anyone need to associate with a particular group, to try to follow what the history books say? The books and museums are equally available for anyone to study. Is there some rule that mainstreamers aren't allowed to be more accurate in their own units or at their own events?

Hank Trent
hanktrent@voyager.net

I am not going to weigh in on either side of this debate, I have not been at it long enough to develop strong enough feelings about it.

However, I enjoy a good debate and a good argument, and I will weigh in here if only to praise Mr. Trent's well-worded, unemotional post that makes solid points. Well said.