Knights of Mayhem - did you watch?

[William Frisbee]

I've been in contact with a few of my SEAL friends who are getting more than a little irritated at the press using the quote "spent 6 years as a Navy SEAL" a lot. I REALLY don't understand why people lie about being a SEAL or working with them.


1.) Charlie NEVER finished BUDs.
2.) Charlie never finished EOD school. He may have finished what was needed to become a Seabee, but not a EOD tech.
3.) Chalie was a SeaBee.

[LeeC]

I've been in contact with a few of my SEAL friends who are getting more than a little irritated at the press using the quote "spent 6 years as a Navy SEAL" a lot. I REALLY don't understand why people lie about being a SEAL or working with them.


1.) Charlie NEVER finished BUDs.
2.) Charlie never finished EOD school. He may have finished what was needed to become a Seabee, but not a EOD tech.
3.) Chalie was a SeaBee.

It's the interview where he talks about being in Mogadishu at the time of the Blackhawk Down scenario and how he was doing sensitive "black ops" at the time is why his name isn't in the book that got me.

[William Frisbee]

I've been in contact with a few of my SEAL friends who are getting more than a little irritated at the press using the quote "spent 6 years as a Navy SEAL" a lot. I REALLY don't understand why people lie about being a SEAL or working with them.


1.) Charlie NEVER finished BUDs.
2.) Charlie never finished EOD school. He may have finished what was needed to become a Seabee, but not a EOD tech.
3.) Chalie was a SeaBee.

It's the interview where he talks about being in Mogadishu at the time of the Blackhawk Down scenario and how he was doing sensitive "black ops" at the time is why his name isn't in the book that got me.

Are you serious? WTF is wrong with people. I have a GOOD friend that was at Mogadishu and was actually portrayed in the movie (he is a local kid from CT), I'm sure he loves hearing about douchebags like this.

Seabees doing black ops???

The guy is nearly a full foot taller than me and about 100 lbs heavier, but I'd challenge him to a foot compeition, poleaxe or longsword, his choice. Love to see him lumbering around in that thing he calls a harness. He would probably beat me silly, but I'd try my best and thats worth more than anything he has done for his "show".

[AvM]

I have a rule not to watch TV that depicts human beings at their worst character behavior for entertainment purposes. I don't watch survivor, big bother, or any reality TV that creates situations where behaving badly gets rewarded.

+ Andreas

[Jeffrey Hedgecock]

Hi guys,

Thanks for your kind words about what we're doing. We're trying hard. We hope the momentum growing now with competitive jousting will help in the long run. I haven't seen the show in question and probably won't, because I don't agree with that portrayal of the sport, but if it gets people interested in it, I suppose it has some value, however small.

If you'd like to support what we're doing and show the TV networks that a jousting program that respects the sport is worthwhile, help us prove it by taking a look at our DVD:
http://historicenterprises.com/dvd-rema ... th=103_216

There's a preview here:
http://youtu.be/4NU8KqkxEq0

Reviews are appreciated.

I am currently in development with an established producer for a show we hope to be proud of. Early stages at the moment, but it's something. Help us with your support-- join our WorldJoust Tournaments FaceBook page, Historic Enterprises FB page, and my "Jeffrey Hedgecock-Jouster and Armourer" FB page. Numbers help and the more there are the more they prove what we do and the way we do it is worth watching.

[Jonny Deuteronomy]

Some of the folks in these 3 Mayhem threads are coming off as no different or better than Mr. Andrews. It is difficult to paint someone else as a dick or a douche and not get some of that paint on one's self.

Perhaps people who have not put themselves to this level of hazard should consider some discretion as a better part of their "valour". He may be what he is and more, but at least he is out there at risk...unlike most of the shite-talkers

(EDIT: not directed at Hedgecock - hadn't seen his post when I wrote this)

[LeeC]

Some of the folks in these 3 Mayhem threads are coming off as no different or better than Mr. Andrews. It is difficult to paint someone else as a dick or a douche and not get some of that paint on one's self.

Perhaps people who have not put themselves to this level of hazard should consider some discretion as a better part of their "valour". He may be what he is and more, but at least he is out there at risk...unlike most of the shite-talkers

(EDIT: not directed at Hedgecock - hadn't seen his post when I wrote this)

If directed at myself, I have said before my issue is that he has not put himself at the level of hazard that he claims and elevated himself on par with many good men who have died for something much greater than the till at a renfaire gate.

I would find him distasteful merely for his demeanor, and I am not a fan of the jousting style he promotes, but to each thier own. I hate it when out of one side of his mouth he syas he does not know or care about history, and out the other he says his group is the most historical and he is teaching kids about knighthood and chivalry.

But my blood boils when I hear people calling themselves SEALS and claiming combat experience in battles where good men died and when called on it thier response is to merely hide the sites where they said such as best they can.

To see such be lionized by NatGeo, and defended by many makes me angry to be honest.
That said, I should probably refrain from posting on the topic here anymore.

[Kaliban]

I think there is a place with all these styles of jousting .. and getting all the different troupes and styles together could make things more interesting .

[Jonny Deuteronomy]

I think there is a place with all these styles of jousting .. and getting all the different troupes and styles together could make things more interesting .

My most fervent hope.

Some of the folks in these 3 Mayhem threads are coming off as no different or better than Mr. Andrews. It is difficult to paint someone else as a dick or a douche and not get some of that paint on one's self.

Perhaps people who have not put themselves to this level of hazard should consider some discretion as a better part of their "valour". He may be what he is and more, but at least he is out there at risk...unlike most of the shite-talkers

(EDIT: not directed at Hedgecock - hadn't seen his post when I wrote this)

If directed at myself, I have said before my issue is that he has not put himself at the level of hazard that he claims and elevated himself on par with many good men who have died for something much greater than the till at a renfaire gate.

I would find him distasteful merely for his demeanor, and I am not a fan of the jousting style he promotes, but to each thier own. I hate it when out of one side of his mouth he syas he does not know or care about history, and out the other he says his group is the most historical and he is teaching kids about knighthood and chivalry.

But my blood boils when I hear people calling themselves SEALS and claiming combat experience in battles where good men died and when called on it thier response is to merely hide the sites where they said such as best they can.

To see such be lionized by NatGeo, and defended by many makes me angry to be honest.
That said, I should probably refrain from posting on the topic here anymore.

Not defending his alleged lies about the SEALs.
As an honorable US NAVY veteran, I find that appalling.
Defending the fact that he is out there jousting 'at hazard' while most of his detractors not only aren't...but never will.

[Lloyd]

I think there is a place with all these styles of jousting .. and getting all the different troupes and styles together could make things more interesting .

Like a gang war...

I really just want to see us (as in those of us who joust) to stop taking our dirty laundry and disagreements public (that's what the Tiltyard is for )

I had a similar experience about 20 years ago, when I worked at Medieval Times. I was recently out of the Navy; had not completed BUDs due to injury/had spent TAD time with Team 1 in Subic prior to Team Spirit 86 (I am a former Intelligence Specialist 2nd Class - counterterrorism analyst). CBS Chicago did a one hour special program on the six knights at MT (I was one of the six) and we had to fill out "resumes" for their background research. At no time did I ever say to anyone that I was a Former SEAL; it never came up in the multiple interviews nor was I asked any questions. The night that they put the show on - there I was, Lloyd Clark, former Navy SEAL. It took me YEARS to get that corrected in a lot of people's minds. I know this is not the same situation as Charlie - but, to me, it is an example of how things can easily get out of control.

Nat Geo wants to promote the show - they go with the most "impressive" thing that they have. I met Charlie at the Sonora tourney in 03 or 04 (concussions will do that to your memory) - he seemed like an okay guy. Is he an AHole? Probably, but I can't name one of us that have run a joust company before that hadn't been called that at one time or another (even me, hell, especially me). Does his show appeal to everyone? No, what show does? Sad fact of life is that most of the people that come to the Ren Faires and watch the joust show, are only there to see someone get their ass dumped in the sand. We accept that, it pays our bills, and that is the draw of the Heavy Impact (my new term) Style of Jousting. Solid wood lances go "Boom" and periodically someone is unhorsed.

I can honestly say that I would rather participate in/watch a joust like that than one of the "Blood Shows" that I performed for years. It's just great seeing Little Johnie's 5-year old face scrunch up in horror (or lust) when you take a sword across the belly and shower the crowd with a fountain of fake blood. Theatrical joust shows are set up that way and they REALLY appeal to the bloodlust that the American public (cue Rome) seems to have.

I love to joust. The two greatest memories I have from jousting: 1) a little boy, about 5 or 6, coming up to me and telling me that I was his hero because I loaned my horse to another competitor who's horse refused to go into the list; and 2) Dragon's Lair 2004 - my last joust of the tourney against Patrick Bjerke, pass #2, and my lance just exploded on his grande gard (a piece hit the Jumbotron) and suddenly, I was just holding the handle in my hand - the rest had shattered. Pat didn't get hurt or unhorsed, but AND it was the perfect pass.

Its easy to dump on folks, especially on an Internet Forum, and I am in no way taking up for Charlie, but we have FINALLY gotten our sport on mainstream television. Hopefully, Full Metal Jousting, the project Jeff is working on, or even "Iron Men" the pilot I participated in last year will gather a new following of people that may have never visited a Ren Faire. It can be good for all of us.

[Lloyd]

http://www.medialifemagazine.com/artman ... jerks-.asp

[Vitus von Atzinger]

Support Hedgecock and other groups that are trying to attain a high level of GOOD TASTE.

IGNORE these other idiots.

[Kaliban]

Support Hedgecock and other groups that are trying to attain a high level of GOOD TASTE.

IGNORE these other idiots.

who are the other idiots ?

[Livia Tasia]

Pretty interesting plates in that book on Ken and women fighting each other.

I'm in Talhoffer?

LOL! Stupid auto-correct on my iPod!!

Of course it should have said 'men'.

[LeeC]

I took this as a discussion of the show and as such including the memebrs of "the knights of mayhem" not all jousting or even jousting of that style. It appears that some posters on both side of that aisle did take it as such.

I certainly wish for only success to the world of jousting albeit I cannot bring myself to take the "history be damned" approach as for me it strips much of the soul of the sport away.

I also feel that Charlie and the way he promotes things puts baggage onto the sport that you do not need. I am not an advocate of any publicity is good publicity.

It will be very interesting to see how the other jousting shows are put forth.

[Livia Tasia]

Can someone explain to me the differences between the jousting groups and why some don't like the broken lances and unhorsing that the Mayhem group does?

[William Frisbee]

Some of the folks in these 3 Mayhem threads are coming off as no different or better than Mr. Andrews. It is difficult to paint someone else as a dick or a douche and not get some of that paint on one's self.

Perhaps people who have not put themselves to this level of hazard should consider some discretion as a better part of their "valour". He may be what he is and more, but at least he is out there at risk...unlike most of the shite-talkers

(EDIT: not directed at Hedgecock - hadn't seen his post when I wrote this)

I have a feeling this WAS directed at me, so I will respond in kind.

So are you saying that Charlie isn't being an arrogant prick? Did you hear the way he was talking about someone that was new to the sport, could barely ride a horse and didn't really know how to wear a harness? Are you saying, awe shucks, we should just ignore it, its Charlie being Charlie.

Your right I haven't put my self at risk like they do. Mostly because I'm not an idiot, and I'm smart enough to figure out what they are doing has very little to do with the sport I enjoy AND regularly participate in. Do I get to joust as often as I would like? No, its far and between, but I do. I do much more foot combat in harness however.

Do other groups put themselves at risk? of course they do, any time you get on a horse, let alone on one in harness and then tilt, you are at risk, however there is a HUGE difference between taking a risk, and doing something that is very close to being dumb.

Anyone that claims "if you come play my game you WILL be hurt" says it all. He is trying to hurt people. Either intentionally or by stacking the cards in the injury favour. Just by adding big points for knocking a bloke off the horse is asking for problems.

[AvM]

Support Hedgecock and other groups that are trying to attain a high level of GOOD TASTE.

IGNORE these other idiots.

+ Andreas

[Lord Galen]

I've been in contact with a few of my SEAL friends who are getting more than a little irritated at the press using the quote "spent 6 years as a Navy SEAL" a lot. I REALLY don't understand why people lie about being a SEAL or working with them.


1.) Charlie NEVER finished BUDs.
2.) Charlie never finished EOD school. He may have finished what was needed to become a Seabee, but not a EOD tech.
3.) Chalie was a SeaBee.

It's the interview where he talks about being in Mogadishu at the time of the Blackhawk Down scenario and how he was doing sensitive "black ops" at the time is why his name isn't in the book that got me.

Are you serious? WTF is wrong with people. I have a GOOD friend that was at Mogadishu and was actually portrayed in the movie (he is a local kid from CT), I'm sure he loves hearing about douchebags like this.

Seabees doing black ops???

The guy is nearly a full foot taller than me and about 100 lbs heavier, but I'd challenge him to a foot compeition, poleaxe or longsword, his choice. Love to see him lumbering around in that thing he calls a harness. He would probably beat me silly, but I'd try my best and thats worth more than anything he has done for his "show".

A full and detailed report of what the seabees were doing in Somalia curtosey of http://www.history.navy.mil:

In 1992 famine struck Somalia. The country had been beset by a long period of civil war which left the central government fragmented and weak. By late 1992 almost 1,000 individuals, many of them children, were dying of starvation daily. Although relief supplies were pouring into Somalia, they did little to help. Armed gangs divided the capital and controlled the road system. The food was stolen or misdirected before it could reach those for whom it was destined. The U.N. decided to send in a military force to restore order. U.S. military units formed part of this coalition force and embarked upon Operation "Restore Hope." The Seabees went ashore to provide construction support to the U.S. contingent. The primary Seabee tasking was to provide vertical construction support to U.S. and coalition forces establishing base camps at each of the humanitarian relief sites. This including building heads, showers, tent decks, strongback tents, and kitchens. Seabees were also to repair and improve the main supply routes, which included bridge repairs and shoulder grading to widen roads. Wells were drilled and a seven-room school house was also constructed. The largest project was at the Baidoa airstrip which deteriorated as C-130 relief flights increased in the early part of the operation. This project involved removing 300,000 square feet of asphalt surface, pulverizing and mixing it with portland cement, and then grading and compacting the mixture. More than 600,000 square feet of AM2 matting was also laid for aircraft turnarounds, parking aprons and helopads.


On 10 December 1992 Amphibious Construction Battalion 1 arrived at Mogadishu as part of the Naval Support Element in Somalia. Within a short time ACB 1 unloaded five of the U.S. Marines' Maritime Pre-positioning Force ships, refurbished the port, and provided fuel and water for military forces in Somalia.


Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 1 and 40 began deploying to Somalia on 10 December. Within 30 days both battalion main bodies had arrived. The 30th Naval Construction Regiment (Operational) was activated to provide command and control for the two deployed battalions. By the end of December, Seabees from NMCB 1 were convoying personnel and equipment to Baledogle, Bardera, and Baidoa to effect airfield repairs and improvements and construct base camp facilities for the deploying U.N. coalition forces. The Seabees arrived in Baledogle on 31 December and joined forces with Marines from Marine Support Wing Squadron 372 to establish landing and staging areas for CH-53 helicopters and a taxiway and turnaround pad for C-130 aircraft. The Seabees used 240,000 square feet of AM2 metal matting to construct the facility. Near Bardera, Seabees from NMCB 1 restored a water source to a refugee camp by installing a new pump on the bank of the Jubba River. Seabees from NMCB 40 completed Operation "Clean Sweep" in Mogadishu, which consisted of removing debris (trash and car hulks) from critical areas of the city. They also prepared a site for a 300-bed Army evacuation hospital and installed 90,000 square feet of airfield at the Mogadishu airport. NMCB 40 participated in the amphibious landing at the Port of Kismayo. They quickly completed repairs to the Kismayo airfield, which allowed the rapid deployment of follow-on coalition forces to that city. Finally, the Seabees provided construction support for President George Bush's visit to Somalia on 1 January. In addition to their tasking in support of the coalition forces, the Seabees carried out numerous civic action projects in support of the Somali people during the course of Operation "Restore Hope."


By the end of March 1993, the Seabees had successfully completed their support of Operation "Restore Hope" and returned to their previous deployment sites or their home ports.

Not a whole lot of black ops going on there....merely construction.

[Chris Gilman]

Some of the folks in these 3 Mayhem threads are coming off as no different or better than Mr. Andrews. It is difficult to paint someone else as a dick or a douche and not get some of that paint on one's self.

Perhaps people who have not put themselves to this level of hazard should consider some discretion as a better part of their "valour". He may be what he is and more, but at least he is out there at risk...unlike most of the shite-talkers

(EDIT: not directed at Hedgecock - hadn't seen his post when I wrote this)

So in your book, any guy who goes out and does some stupid stunt (Defined as: Taking an unnecessary risk due to lack of skill or planning) has a right to be a loud mouthed braggart and bully? Are you also thinking it’s OK, because he is out there on a wagon pulling draft horse in poor equipment, wining matches by adding passes until he wins, claiming to be “World Champion”, when he’s only jousting against maybe 8 guys, you think because he’s out there taking “all that risk”, it’s still OK he falsified the ultimate risk, in saying he was involved in real conflict as a SEAL? I have heard the “Oh he’s talked with the SEAL’s and their OK with it, now” Really? Charlie has talked with all of the SEAL team members and they are all, “OK with it? Are you and Brian Price pals? This guy represents all that is bad with Americans. It is embarrassing that there are so many cheering him and shows like this on.

[Duke Icefalcon]

Watched it on On Demand and cringed the whole time. Then got to see John Clements on the "Fight Book" show. All we needed was a 'how to make armour' by Dark Victory, or "basic accounting" by Brian Price and we will be good to go!!!

Please don't rank on Dark Victory. They guy is a good man who is just trying to feed his family and gets poeple who do not have much of a budget on the field. Jordan should not be put in the same paragraph as folks who might have been unscrupilous.

With Respect,

Ice

[BdeB]

I'm sorry I wasn't clear. The joke was about folks that have caused huge stinky threads on the Armour Archive before, not about bad business practices. AFAIK Clements has never been called a crook for instance. I've owned Dark Victory armour before and have some in the house right now in fact.

byram

Watched it on On Demand and cringed the whole time. Then got to see John Clements on the "Fight Book" show. All we needed was a 'how to make armour' by Dark Victory, or "basic accounting" by Brian Price and we will be good to go!!!

Please don't rank on Dark Victory. They guy is a good man who is just trying to feed his family and gets poeple who do not have much of a budget on the field. Jordan should not be put in the same paragraph as folks who might have been unscrupilous.

With Respect,

Ice

[Harefoot]

Trystyn of Anglesey wrote:
Some of the folks in these 3 Mayhem threads are coming off as no different or better than Mr. Andrews. It is difficult to paint someone else as a dick or a douche and not get some of that paint on one's self.

Perhaps people who have not put themselves to this level of hazard should consider some discretion as a better part of their "valour". He may be what he is and more, but at least he is out there at risk...unlike most of the shite-talkers

(EDIT: not directed at Hedgecock - hadn't seen his post when I wrote this)

So in your book, any guy who goes out and does some stupid stunt (Defined as: Taking an unnecessary risk due to lack of skill or planning) has a right to be a loud mouthed braggart and bully? Are you also thinking it’s OK, because he is out there on a wagon pulling draft horse in poor equipment, wining matches by adding passes until he wins, claiming to be “World Champion”, when he’s only jousting against maybe 8 guys, you think because he’s out there taking “all that risk”, it’s still OK he falsified the ultimate risk, in saying he was involved in real conflict as a SEAL? I have heard the “Oh he’s talked with the SEAL’s and their OK with it, now” Really? Charlie has talked with all of the SEAL team members and they are all, “OK with it? Are you and Brian Price pals? This guy represents all that is bad with Americans. It is embarrassing that there are so many cheering him and shows like this on.

Had to jump in...the whole "stolen valor" thing is what really bothers me...I am a veteran of Operation Desert Shield/Storm and OIF (2004-2005). In Iraq, I served as the Operations Officer, J-3, Multi-National Security Transition Command - Iraq...I was a staff officer in a three star command (I did get the opportunity to see GEN Petraeus nearly every day and briefed him once)...I was not "black ops" nor have I ever felt the need to embelish my war record. I am proud of my service and do not understand why people feel the need to lie.

Not sure how the law treats this sort of thing (I believe it is federal law but someone out there may know more), but occasionally Army Times will run a stolen valor story in which the individual in question is facing criminal charges...in all the cases I read, the individual in question also used their "story" to promote themselves in some way (monetary gain).

Harefoot

[Sir Omarad]

Some of the folks in these 3 Mayhem threads are coming off as no different or better than Mr. Andrews. It is difficult to paint someone else as a dick or a douche and not get some of that paint on one's self.

Perhaps people who have not put themselves to this level of hazard should consider some discretion as a better part of their "valour". He may be what he is and more, but at least he is out there at risk...unlike most of the shite-talkers

(EDIT: not directed at Hedgecock - hadn't seen his post when I wrote this)

You obviously have a side in this, I do not know anyone involved except by the way they have presented themselves to the world.
We all have a right to judge someone by the way they represent themselves, hopefully they can change your mind with more exposure, but there is nothing wrong with "to paint someone else as a dick or a douche " when they demand it by putting themselves and their "persona" on international television. Especially when that channel is frequented by people in similar hobbies with similar interests.
As for exposing yourself to hazard...
A guy who runs into a burning building to save a child is a hero.
A guy who runs into building to say he did it better than anyone else is an idiot.
He may be the hero of other idiots who run into burning buildings for no reason, he may brag about how often he gets burned doing it and how tough he is... but he's still an idiot.

As for his Navy history, I am an Army veteran and respect all who served honestly and respectfully.
Whether he did or not is not in my pervue and I cannot comment without facts.
If he did great, if not, how sad.

So, before you paint everyone who doesn't like the KOM guys as dicks or such just because of that, perhaps you might examine your own logic about judging groups and back down a bit.
Just sayin...

[William Frisbee]

I love this quote Charlie used the other night "most effective knights are 200 plus pounds".

Really?

REALLY?

[bigfredb]

Likes:
- Scenes where they were concentrating on Jousting

Dislikes:
- Having to hear "Charlie's Manifesto" every three minutes. ("I want to have sold out arenas . . . ")

[Jonny Deuteronomy]

So in your book, any guy who goes out and does some stupid stunt (Defined as: Taking an unnecessary risk due to lack of skill or planning) has a right to be a loud mouthed braggart and bully?

Nope. Here in America, everyone has that right.

...you think because he’s out there taking “all that risk”, it’s still OK he falsified the ultimate risk, in saying he was involved in real conflict as a SEAL? I have heard the “Oh he’s talked with the SEAL’s and their OK with it, now” Really? Charlie has talked with all of the SEAL team members and they are all, “OK with it?

I am an honorable Navy Veteran, currently typing this from a real live Navy base, so (just this once) it's ok for you to imagine what I think about this.

Are you and Brian Price pals?

So its ok for you to be inanely rude but not Charlie?
Thanks for illustrating what I was talking about.

This guy represents all that is bad with Americans. It is embarrassing that there are so many cheering him and shows like this on.

Anyone with the goal of trying to mainstream jousting recognizes this as a tiny, quivering baby step in that direction.
NatGeo selected one of the worst possible spokespersons that I could imagine to anchor this show...probably on purpose.

From a technical standpoint, there is more wrong than right with their jousting and training methods.
From a personal standpoint, I try not to be too judgemental of folks in martial sports because they are rarely kind and gentle and sometimes even inane and rude...

[Kaliban]

Watched it on On Demand and cringed the whole time. Then got to see John Clements on the "Fight Book" show. All we needed was a 'how to make armour' by Dark Victory, or "basic accounting" by Brian Price and we will be good to go!!!

Please don't rank on Dark Victory. They guy is a good man who is just trying to feed his family and gets poeple who do not have much of a budget on the field. Jordan should not be put in the same paragraph as folks who might have been unscrupilous.

With Respect,

Ice

But then again here is another guy also just trying to make a living .. so cannot the same thing be said about him .

[LeeC]

Watched it on On Demand and cringed the whole time. Then got to see John Clements on the "Fight Book" show. All we needed was a 'how to make armour' by Dark Victory, or "basic accounting" by Brian Price and we will be good to go!!!

Please don't rank on Dark Victory. They guy is a good man who is just trying to feed his family and gets poeple who do not have much of a budget on the field. Jordan should not be put in the same paragraph as folks who might have been unscrupilous.

With Respect,

Ice

But then again here is another guy also just trying to make a living .. so cannot the same thing be said about him .

No.

[Dauyd]

Defending the fact that he is out there jousting 'at hazard' while most of his detractors not only aren't...but never will.

So what?

I've never done a drive by or run drugs or any of a long list of risky activities- but I still call the people doing it douchebags.

I've never molested little boys of coached football- but I still think Sandusky (assuming he is guilty of the charges) is scum.

Facing risk does not make you smarter, morally superior, or better in any way- it just makes you a risk taker. The rest is about the person.

This gut comes across as a compete jackass. Potentially with lots of balls for doing what he does- but no less a jackass for it. I don't need to participate in the same activity to recognize that.

[Jonny Deuteronomy]

Defending the fact that he is out there jousting 'at hazard' while most of his detractors not only aren't...but never will.

So what?

I've never done a drive by or run drugs or any of a long list of risky activities- but I still call the people doing it douchebags.

I've never molested little boys of coached football- but I still think Sandusky (assuming he is guilty of the charges) is scum.

Facing risk does not make you smarter, morally superior, or better in any way- it just makes you a risk taker. The rest is about the person.

This gut comes across as a compete jackass. Potentially with lots of balls for doing what he does- but no less a jackass for it. I don't need to participate in the same activity to recognize that.

Not defending the guy...defending the sport.

[Kilkenny]

But then again here is another guy also just trying to make a living .. so cannot the same thing be said about him .

I am not looking to be a jerk, but I think it's very clear that Charlie, who freely claims to have thrown everything into this jousting thing, is not "trying to make a living". Were he "trying to make a living" he could be doing any number of other things, at which he actually could make a living.

The jousting thing is his obsession and he's committed to making it happen. I get that, understand how something can take over a person's life, even have some respect for the kind of drive that's involved.

At the same time, he brought one of the new guys out to the tilt with the repeatedly stated intent of making himself feel better by beating up the new guy. A new guy who wasn't even capable of getting the horse down the tilt.

So, whether it's really all just for the cameras or not, the result that had for me was to convince me that Charlie isn't actually concerned with elevating Jousting. Charlie is concerned with elevating Charlie.

You don't advance your sport by crushing the new guys, nor by pushing them out into competition when they are utterly unprepared to be there.

As I've said, I hope this show generates some interest that winds up helping some of the other joust organizations, other jousters, etc. but I won't be wasting another evening watching this show. Charlie has made that kind of impression.

[Dauyd]

Defending the fact that he is out there jousting 'at hazard' while most of his detractors not only aren't...but never will.

So what?

I've never done a drive by or run drugs or any of a long list of risky activities- but I still call the people doing it douchebags.

I've never molested little boys of coached football- but I still think Sandusky (assuming he is guilty of the charges) is scum.

Facing risk does not make you smarter, morally superior, or better in any way- it just makes you a risk taker. The rest is about the person.

This gut comes across as a compete jackass. Potentially with lots of balls for doing what he does- but no less a jackass for it. I don't need to participate in the same activity to recognize that.

Not defending the guy...defending the sport.

My apologies, then- that wasn't what I was getting from your posts.

[Garret Thornwood]

I was stationed at ACB-1 from 02-05. We had a lot of BUDS wannabes trying to get in across the street and we also got a lot of the washouts. When we get the BUDS dropouts they are often non-rates that get sent over because we are close by. As far as any black ops forget about it. We would be lucky if we got off the beach let alone any distance from the sea. Heck, I was the combat skills instructor while there, I trained a lot of fleeters and MSRONs, no SEALS. I may also point out that any one assigned to a seabee unit gets to wear the patch but, are not Seabees. It's bad enough he takes credit for being something he is not but then he also tarnishes the "good" name of the Seabees.

[Livia Tasia]

Horses are smart. If they sense you don't know what you are doing they can take advantage of you. I think that is what the one horse was doing.

Seems like those poor guys would benefit from riding lessons along with the jousting.