The IAA, "The Shop" and the other organisation - Moved from the PQ Thread

I actually dont, I rely on you amazing people that bring me in treats

This is weird, i best get back on topic of leave.

Lads, there's been a lot of hysteria whipped up on this thread, and as a recent IAA sign-up, I feel I need to say that some of you (on both sides, but particularly pro-IAA) really need to stand back and look at what you're committing to permanent record here. A lot of this doesn't represent my views at all, apart from something I'll get to. I'm right behind gerrowadat/Dave and the diplomatic approach and I think it's safe to say that if you can't say it diplomatically in less than 300 words, without quoting endlessly and pedantically (that goes for all of you) then you've lost the way and you need to stop right there. That's how it reads over 18 damn pages, with maybe 7 meaningful posts.

I support the IAA, but I don't support laying into the first person to stand up and say 'Well, maybe I want to join another group'. That's not productive. gerrowadat and Kiwi talking it over in a useful way, and hopefully Bren too, that's productive. Believe me, I've an axe to grind with the instigator of the current situation too, but this is no way to go about improving the situation and I'm disappointed in some of you.

Tigger, I'm glad you've been following the IRC channel, but I'd better warn you that I wasn't entirely serious about my setting up of a zombie apocalypse defence bunker with real steel; don't get your hopes up. I'd appreciate you not quoting edited off-the-wall conversations out of context in whatever manner suits you.

Lastly, a substantial issue for me is that I'll be damned if my access to airsoft is controlled and managed by a self-appointed NGO run primarily by commercial interests, to whom I have an obligation to disclose my property in a way which doesn't exist with any other activity in this country. I'm confident that this isn't possible, but I'll fight the possibility.

what fascinates me is the unstated question that lies behind much of
our preoccupation with tit for tat capabilities. That question is
not what will the airsoft be like in the future, but instead, what will
we be like in the future? What kind of people are we becoming i ask?

You know Gerrout made a serious point back a few pages that got lost in what is fastly becoming the most retarded and biggest willy wagging contest. The amount of " quote tennis" is down right laughable and if its somehow satisfying egos then fair enough : /

You know, I personally dont see this as a huge divide and problem. The simple fact is, the "anti iaa" or "naysayers" havnt a ****ing leg to stand on, you have done **** all. Like has been said many a time for ages <b> If you dont like what you see, then go join up!</b> I'm getting sick and tired of hearing the "conspiracies" of the infamous click and whose running the IAA. There is that ****ing ridic comment that a certain airsoft team is running the IAA. Its absolutely laughable...considering all you had to do was join and get yourself nominated. There is an serious keyboard warrior section that runs rampant round here, and I'll admit I would be guilty sometimes, but I have absolutely no problem standing up for my beliefs and my priorities and principles.

As gerrout pointed earlier, an offer has been put foward to those of the new organisation to all have a chat and see where it can go, and it is the best way foward. Many people know my feelings towards a certain person involved with this organisation. And the sad thing is, I have never met him in person. I had actually applied for a place of employment in his establishment where I had been called in for an interview, so things could have been all so different. But I've had to put up with alot of grief and ****e because of him. And even saying that, it could all be an extremely elaborate ploy by certain customers to sway my ear, but somehow I think the substantial figures of people relaying this information gives it truth.

However, if I was asked " Would you forget all and have a clean slate" Id say yes. One of the attractions to this whole airsoft thing was the tight knit community. But one which quickly exposed itself to have differences and clicks, teams against teams, shops against shops, sites against sites.

The way I look at it is, this new organisation hasnt a leg to stand on. If they want you to register with them to only get aegs, well ill go to a retailer not within their ranks. If thats not possible I'll go abroad, they cant embargo imports. And I dont see them being knighted the bosses of airsoft by the powers that run our country ( terribly).

And I find it ****ing immensly ironic the amount of people here who have called the IAA a click, can I ask exactly what this new organisation is? The problem is that msot of the people posting here with "wisdom" havnt a clue, and theres only a few people that do, and they know exactly whats going on. And they instantly understand why Derek is the main name being thrown up here ( as mentioned by paul_horgan, main supplier). The fact that this "meeting" went ahead, without the prescence of some of the biggest players in the game, points to insta-click...and immediatly smashed their credability.

As a player, I instantly see a group of people in top hats and moustaches, replacing community chest with Airsoft Monopoly. There is actually no way they can MAKE me sign with them to buy my gear...ever. Like that unless they somehow, completely overtake the iaa and get into the pants of the DOJ and get somehow miracously assigned the position of " you run airsoft". But I lie safe in the knowledge that I know theres going to be retailers that will not join this organisation, so I can get my equipment elsewhere, and like that can buy from abroad.... and considering some of the prices of the retailers in question, I'm not going to lose out by much in fairness.

I'm suprised I am actually siding with democracy here. I used to be the person who said " what will the iaa do for me??" Then I quickly realised the anwser to that question was " They let you use that toy every weekend" And thats the simple fact in my mind. I sat in my chair at the IAA AGM and just went " holy ****, they actually did it" And I KNOW that if the IAA werent around for the past however long they exist, I'd be spending sunday mornings playing wow instead of airsoft. As much as the IAA remain humble in alot of their dealings, I'm not part of their commitee, so I'll say it...they saved airsoft, fact, the proof is there. Sitting there ignoring it and being obvlivious to it all is pure ignorant, despise them or whatever your agenda, they are the reason you are playing airsoft, and will continue to do so for some time. So on a purely intellectual level, why the hell would you not support these people?

My final point is, I'd be supportive of an initiave to get a sitdown and to maybe have a look at agendas and whats what, and come to a solution/ compramise.

Like I said, alot of you here dont know the ins and outs of what goes on and what is what, and you do make alot of assumptions on pretty much here say. I've first hand experience in alot of what I say, and what is said regarding peoples,places and things in this airsoft business.

I think alot of people need to swallow that big lumpy pride down their throat, put personal issues aside and sort something out. Cause even though this inititive by the new organisation is being done for whatever reasons, already...the view being shown and displayed is Monopoly, Cartel and some form of attempt to get a pwoer grip on the industry. Which may not be the case.

Edit::

And just for the record, as probably old posts will show, I was anti -iaa, I used to say " what do they do for us" I used to say " its grand airsoft cant be banned its harmless"

But I actually bothered to investagate what exactly they did, I bothered to actually introduce myself to them when in they were present in a site to see what kinda people they were. And as someone who comes from big time golf, I well used to clicks and people abusing power. And what I saw, and still see today, are a bunch of blokes who sacfirice their free time, to take on a huge task and responsability completely under resourced...forking out of their own pockets.

If you take the time to actually do your own reserach,in a timeline format, youll quickly learn exactly the reason and people responsible as to why you are actually allowed go play airsoft on a weekend. And I also joined the iaa, so that I could make critisms, knowing full well i was a paid member, that I was a voice and a vote, and that I could make a difference from the inside...and I havnt even needed to do sweet **** all, cause the things that are dear to me, my kit and my privelage....privelage been a key factor there, to go play airsoft..have been spearheaded and safeguarded by these people...who at the end of the day..are airsofters.

this reminds of a game of poker both sides can keep making out there hand is better getting bigger chips on the table but at the end of the day when both hands are down we will see who is bluffing...

No sign of the "imminent announcement" from the retailers organisation which surprises me. Surely they should have been aware how contentious their formation would be especially given the onerous and restrictive practices that they are attempting to bring into the availability of airsoft devices.

The anger from ordinary airsofters like myself has been dramatic. I have never received so many PM's in one day and every man one of them contained opinions in rank opposition to what is being proposed. Nearly all stated that this situation if it stands will help decide their purchasing and playing decisions going forward to the detriment of the businesses that have set up this organisation.

Again set up a business organisation to represent the business side but do not continue the farce this is for the players. And ensure you drop the restriction that purchases will only be available to members of this flawed organisation requirements rapidly.

I would also like to hear how this organisation will liaise with the IAA and ensure a single unified voice is heard moving forward if this retailers organisation actually stays in existence.

A question.

Straight up. What does IASRA do for commercial interests that the IAA does not do?

Since I will soon become a commercial interest I feel I have the right to know what my options are.

Tigger wrote: »

i know

you are a consumate businessman and aagain i´m on record about my feeling re eirsoft

not the point i´m making tho

some people are unhappy with ethe iaa i think that perception and immatgurity on all sides has allowed this to escillate to this point


i had hope that i could join this new iaa as a protest buirt as i am fundementally agains their ideas thats not gonna happen

I'm sorry man but I just get more enraged reading your terrible posts.

So if your against what the IAA stands for... why the **** are you playing Airsoft exactly?

And the reason why there is no need for two different representitive parties is pretty blood obvious.

Sport isnt like politics. The GUI is the official governing body of golf in ireland, theres only one, end of. A rival organisation tried to setup and got absolutely smashed.

If you look at any sport, the first thing you will do is see if the location you are attending is affiliated with the governing body. This gives you the confidence in that the location will be run according to the national laws set by one body.

Take for example the portmarnock golf hotel, currently engaged in massive legal action for what is a shocking sexist policy on membership. They refuse to join the GUI, and therefore lose thousands of potential customers. Much like someone not wanting to join the iaa because they want to sell hot guns.

A similar split happend in football. Brendfor and DDSL split from one and now have their own leagues. This single act, crippled irish football and ensured that hundreds of talented youngsters would get lost and never have a chance to have any sort of career.

I know this because i represented my country 3 times in my teen years, and was never given a chance because I was not in the DDSL league, regardless of the fact I was widely regarded the best goalkeeper in the country, as reported by a number of pundits, newspapers and coaches.

The simple fact is if this does go all the way and create a split permenantly. It does nothing for us, it will turn into an eternal willy wagging contest saying whose better.

An interesting post mas made refering to poker. In my opinion.

This is Daniel Negreanu playing Teddy Sheringham...no ****ing contest. A man whose won countless battles against a guy blowing in on a big name.

I actually dont believe the absolute childishness of most people around here. And the complete lack of bollox on some of you.
This new organisation is completely not needed, its a complete farce and a joke. And anyone who thinks this is actually a body representing airsoft and not their own interests is shocking. And its very much their own interests, looking at some of the retailers present they are people i would never give a second look and i doubt they do much business

I dont even see discussion here, I am an open minded person, but I try to tackle the tinfoil hats as much as possible. And as time goes by im starting to feel so ****ing intellectually superior then people here. And as mentioned above by vtec, theres alot of posts here from people who ARE JUST SKIRMISHERS. Which is fine, but your missing all the reasons and points to why there is so much hostility towards this new organisation. This isnt just because its a rival to the IAA.

If I announced a new organisation tomorrow, as much as it probably would be debated, it wouldnt be this heated and it wouldnt be much. Its merely cause of the people involved.

If you want to actually do something to change airsoft, or get involved...you have more of a chance to actually doing something by joining the iaa and using your vote rather then joining another organisation, which essentially, you dont have a say in.

What i find ****ing hilarious, is that looking back, this new organisation could have used their brain and removed the isolation hat, joined the iaa and swallowed their pride, got themselves nominated for committe positions, brought along all their little sheeps on leashes and completely hijacked the iaa.

But they are too blind, arrogant, egotistical and down ride thick to even realise they could have done that.