[MR] Re: That is Merchant Business

[Robert Dawson, PA-C]

Achbar doth respond

>    Why get involved with this?   That is between the merchants and the
> Coopers.

I suppose that's one view.

It concerns me as a patron of those establishments (BTW, I just heard from
my Lady wife that Casta Diva isn't coming back next year, either).  It
concerns me as a friend of merchants who are troubled by what they percieve
as heavy-handed actions by the merchant autocrat.  It concerns me as someone
who is thinking about taking up SCA merchanting in the next year or so.  And
I am always concerned when someone tells me they feel they can't speak up
about an injustice for fear of reprisal.

As pennsic attendees we are customers of the Coopers and deserve the
consideration any company owes its customers.  One of the 'services' I
attend Pennsic for is access to merchants whose goods I value.  If a
merchant I patronize is to barred I'd like (and expect) something more than
a resounding silence from the autocrat, and second hand reports that the
only reason is, "because I said so!"

Further, I expect myself, my King, and my comrades, members of a fine
organization that prides itself on honor and chivalry, not to stand silently
by in the face of injustice.

Now we're talking about 4 merchants out of several hundred, perhaps this was
simply coincidence, perhaps all 4 merited barring from Pennsic.  Perhaps
there was no injustice,  though at least in the case of Pillaged Village I
think the punishment was far out of proportion to the crime--I don't know
for sure about the others.  I think it's appropriate that this subject be
discussed, and that this is an appropriate forum.  I hope to learn from
those who might know that there were sound reasons for such drastic actions.

> It is none of our business.

Send not to ask for whom the bell tolls....

regards,

McKenna