So mainstreamers, Why?????

[Pvt Schnapps]

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.

It sounds like you go to a lot of events where people do these things. Why don't you ask them yourself?

Hank's response makes the key point. People make various degrees of commitment to history and the "authentic" wing is not free from sin.

I would go further and suggest that if your judgment on matters of authenticity is limited to the sort of items you name, you're as bad as anyone. The degree of material culture you seem to aspire to is relatively cheap, and if the purpose of your modest outlay is to assume a pinnacle from which to cast contempt on your fellow hobbyists, then you're no more dedicated to the study of the real history of the era than they are.

We all have our own list of pet peeves about authenticity. Personally I wish more people knew the difference between clothing, camp and garrison equipage, and ordnance, and that they would learn how to write. But I understand that some of them are studying tactics, others are reading up on 19th century horticultural practices, and still others are working their rear ends off in their day jobs so they can afford to take a few days off with their family and enjoy an "immersion" into their own understanding of a reasonable facsimile of 19th century life.

I don't mind any of them; I assume they're all doing what they can. When I want to hang out with folks who are doing more, I know where to find them. Ease up, Mr. Fowler, and stop yelling. I've read the posts you've made since you signed on here in August and they all sound a bit angry. That's a shame. You and I and everyone else have only a little time in which to enjoy this life. Don't cheat yourself by worrying so much about the other fellow's canteen.

[KeystoneGuard]

Well said Mr. Schaffner! Well said!

[Kevin O'Beirne]

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

Grumpy,

Great reply. There's only two types of reenactors: Those I associate with, and those I do not. This is very similar to the two types of events.

Those who are annoyed at "farbisms" they see at the events they attend should consider attending better events, rather than continuing to be unhappy at the events they do attend. If you cannot find events that are better than the ones you attend, find a new hobby.

[Ohioreb1861]

Grumpy,

Great reply. There's only two types of reenactors: Those I associate with, and those I do not. This is very similar to the two types of events.

Those who are annoyed at "farbisms" they see at the events they attend should consider attending better events, rather than continuing to be unhappy at the events they do attend. If you cannot find events that are better than the ones you attend, find a new hobby.

I agree,

I really dont get to reenact that much anymore because of my job. Some people don't like to spend $300 for a jacket because of there budget so they get a uniform for $300. I personally don't have that kind of money to spend on my gear, but I do try to get something better every year. In the last year I have replaced my wool uniform to jean wool and have started sleeping on the ground instead of a tent.
The unit i'm in like to have a tent city and some of us don't, its up to the individual and there abilities. Some people have disibilities and need a matress or cot. So! if people are old or disabled means they should find another hobby because they are not authentic?

(off the soapbox)

[bill watson]

Why do you all respond to an obvious polemic?

Anybody know a Mike Fowler?

[Frenchie]

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

Mike Fowler

You don't have the B***S to walk into a camp where you see all these things you're complaining about and take them to task about it, so drop the challenging-our-manhood BS, okay?

As Bill Watson asks, does anyone whom we know know you? I think probably not. You're one of those perennially unhappy people who spends a lot of time and trouble trying to make others as miserable as you are. As far as I'm concerned there are two choices in dealing with the likes of you: ignore you or poke you with a sharp stick.

[Pvt.Fowler]

Still waiting for an answer...Come on boys, go into your tent pull out another Bud from the cooler and tell me why you bother to reenact.
What really gets me is we ALL know the types I'm talking about. And I'll even bet that those types have read this thread. My guess is that they are too ashamed of themselves to answer the questions I've laid before them. No real surprise there.

[Ohioreb1861]

Still waiting for an answer...Come on boys, go into your tent pull out another Bud from the cooler and tell me why you bother to reenact.
What really gets me is we ALL know the types I'm talking about. And I'll even bet that those types have read this thread. My guess is that they are too ashamed of themselves to answer the questions I've laid before them. No real surprise there.

if you haven't got it by now, you probably won't.

[nhobbins]

My response is....who cares! I do this hobby for one person, and one person only.......that is ME! I choose to be on the more authentic side of the hobby, and this is my decision. If you are doing this to get a "high" from other people....then you are in the hobby for the wrong reason. It is people like you that give the more "hardcore" reenactors a bad name. For me I do all the research, and put the money into the hobby so that I know that I am doing the little justice to the men who served in the war. If you are worried about people around you, then decide to do something else. This hobby is made for people to have fun, and enjoy the time spent. If you don't want to see the things you are upset about...take yourself out of that environment. There are plenty of events out there...where you won't see that. Just my 0.02.

Regards,
Neil Hobbins
Stockton Guards Mess
Cumberland River Legion

[tompritchett]

It appears to me that you are letting the actions of others outside your own unit dictate how much enjoyment that you are getting out of the hobby. Personally, except when it comes to safety issues, I focus only on my impression and the impression of the members of my unit. If someone else wants to be a militant farb, so be it. I am not coming to worry about it and I am not going to let it diminish my personal enjoyment of the hobby. Allowing someone else's action determine my level of enjoyment at an event merely surrenders control to that person of my emotions - something that I do my best to avoid doing.

[BTW, I have no moderator authority down here, so challenging me to delete your initial post has no meaning here.]