Billiards Digest POW-MIA CUE- BETRAYAL
- Thread starter JoeyA
- Start date
Sweet Marissa said:
I understand that you and "he" are friends and I like the guy too but he's insinuating that there is another side to the story which insinuates that I haven't told the whole truth, that someone else might have a different side to the story and this thread is a little too personal to me for anyone to suggest that. EVERYTHING I have said is accurate, true and not taken out of context...................
He has permission to talk with Mason about me and so do you. (as if you are anyone else needs my permission
)If you decide to "talk" with Mason, you should email him instead of talk on the phone. That way there won't be anything subject to interpretation and then you could post it right here on AZ for everyone to see.
I don't much care for phone calls because they can be subject to inflection and interpretation. The written word is golden. But do as you wish Marissa. The deed is done and it was just plain wrong.
Another AZer is helping me with the photos as we speak and there may be something coming out in the near future. Thanks for your interest in the pictures.
God Bless Our Soldiers.
I stand by every single word I've said.
JoeyA
JoeyA said:
Joey,
There is always another side to the story, and that's not a smear, just a reality. But I appreciate you suggesting I contact Mason. I do have his e-mail address.
By the way, I was U.S. Army 1966-72. Less than two years active, four years Reservist. Made a mess of my pool career.
But I did manage to slip around on weekends even when I was stationed at Fort Polk. In fact my first trip to New Orleans was from there.
I got lucky. I was a supply clerk and got all the goodies that go along with that cush job. Even the Mess Sergeant used to bring me food.
I did contact Mason to alert him to this thread. He read Joey's initial post and tried to log in, but was unsuccessful. He then sent me the following e-mail and asked me to post it for him. Here it is word for word,
Hey Everybody,
This is Mason King, Managing Editor of Billiards Digest. I'm having Jay post a response to Joey's thread for me.
Joey has every right to be disappointed. He contacted me several months ago, wanting to know if we'd be interested in running an article about his POW-MIA cue, which is a real work of art, with a great story behind it. I said we'd definitely be interested, but also said that we couldn't guarantee anything. Space is at a premium in the magazine, and most of it is planned several months in advance.
Joey was quite patient as the months dragged on. Again we did not promise we would be able to run the cue, but I did tell him that we would try. I'm guilty of being too optimistic about these sort of things. When the deadline looms, it is difficult to do any more that what is absolutely required to put out the magazine.
Of course, we have a small section called "Wand Workshop", in which we detail the process behind creating particular custom cues. This content is handled by an outside freelancer, and often is planned several months in advance, without my involvement. I received the cue content for the March issue very late in the deadline process, much later than normal. To my surprise, it was another POW-MIA themed cue. It's similar enough to Joey's cue that I originally believed it WAS his cue. What a great coincidence I thought. Not until I laid out the feature, just a couple of days before deadline, did it register that the cue in fact belonged to another collector.
I can imagine how Joey would feel hurt and slighted. I can promise you that it was not intentional, just a terrible and unlikely coincidence. My biggest regret is that I did not give Joey a head's up about the other cue appearing in the magazine. That's my fault and I apologize.
Best regards,
Mason King
Hey Everybody,
This is Mason King, Managing Editor of Billiards Digest. I'm having Jay post a response to Joey's thread for me.
Joey has every right to be disappointed. He contacted me several months ago, wanting to know if we'd be interested in running an article about his POW-MIA cue, which is a real work of art, with a great story behind it. I said we'd definitely be interested, but also said that we couldn't guarantee anything. Space is at a premium in the magazine, and most of it is planned several months in advance.
Joey was quite patient as the months dragged on. Again we did not promise we would be able to run the cue, but I did tell him that we would try. I'm guilty of being too optimistic about these sort of things. When the deadline looms, it is difficult to do any more that what is absolutely required to put out the magazine.
Of course, we have a small section called "Wand Workshop", in which we detail the process behind creating particular custom cues. This content is handled by an outside freelancer, and often is planned several months in advance, without my involvement. I received the cue content for the March issue very late in the deadline process, much later than normal. To my surprise, it was another POW-MIA themed cue. It's similar enough to Joey's cue that I originally believed it WAS his cue. What a great coincidence I thought. Not until I laid out the feature, just a couple of days before deadline, did it register that the cue in fact belonged to another collector.
I can imagine how Joey would feel hurt and slighted. I can promise you that it was not intentional, just a terrible and unlikely coincidence. My biggest regret is that I did not give Joey a head's up about the other cue appearing in the magazine. That's my fault and I apologize.
Best regards,
Mason King
jay helfert said:Joey,
There is always another side to the story, and that's not a smear, just a reality. But I appreciate you suggesting I contact Mason. I do have his e-mail address.
By the way, I was U.S. Army 1966-72. Less than two years active, four years Reservist. Made a mess of my pool career.
But I did manage to slip around on weekends even when I was stationed at Fort Polk. In fact my first trip to New Orleans was from there.
I got lucky. I was a supply clerk and got all the goodies that go along with that cush job. Even the Mess Sergeant used to bring me food.
JAY,
I was at POLK from 12-65 into 3-66 (basic and jungle warfare
school). I'm laughing because I was soooooooooooo out of my element. First time I saw a real pig I almost shit myself.Didn't get to New Orleans but snuck into Leesville (pitifull place) a couple of times.
Although I never hit one I have memories of using the wild hogs as moving targets on the rifle range.
After POLK it was off to SILL (Lawton, Ok.) for Arty Survey School. Definite step up from POLK.
When were you at POLK?
ribdoner said:JAY,
I was at POLK from 12-65 into 3-66 (basic and jungle warfare
Didn't get to New Orleans but snuck into Leesville (pitifull place) a couple of times.
Although I never hit one I have memories of using the wild hogs as moving targets on the rifle range.
After POLK it was off to SILL (Lawton, Ok.) for Arty Survey School. Definite step up from POLK.
When were you at POLK?
I got there in late '66 and was there until mid 67', before being shipped out to Patton in Los Angeles, where I was assigned to the 387th Transportation Company. I escaped "Jungleland" by being made a Supply Clerk. I scored real high on the written tests, so they took the rifle away from me.
I hit Leesville nearly every weekend and cleaned up in all the bars, playing for a dollar or two a game. I might make $50-60 bucks on the weekend, when my pay was $99 a month as a PFC. I did head over to Alexandria and Lake Charles several times and played in the pool rooms there. Did okay too, they even tried to match me up with Mizerak who was in Junior College nearby.
On my extended leave, I went over to Lafayette and Baton Rouge and then down to New Orleans and the Sport Palace. That's where I met Flyboy and got ironed out.
I hated Fort Polk, the hellhole of the Army. It was hot and muggy all summer, and you had to be on the lookout all the time for those little scorpions that might get into your boots. OUCH! Worse than a wasp sting. i got stung in the shower once. And when we were out on maneuvers, you had to watch out for the pygmy rattlers, about a foot or so long and lethal! They were all over those f'ck'n swamps.
I don't miss that place.
jay helfert said:
There are a few things that I take from this...
First one being that Joey was 100% accurate with his side of the story.
Secondly, Mason King didn't do his job very well as the Managing Editor of Billiards Digest. In a 9 month time frame he couldn't have easily sent an e-mail with the pictures to his freelance writer and said work this cue into your article. He could have given Joeys e-mail address to the writer and had him work with Joey. I am sure Joey would have been perfectly happy to help him with the story anyway he could. Was this freelance writer never informed about this story in 9 months? You shouldn't tell someone there is a good possibility of the story being done and not do a damn thing about it for 9 months.
As the Managing Editor could he have halted that story from being ran? Stringing someone along for 9 months, for something that is very meaningful to them, is just not acceptable in my book. Definitely was a big error in judgement to not contact Joey and warn him of it beforehand.
I don't think an apology is enough in this situation. If I see a feature length article on the cue and a story about Joey done ASAP, I'll continue to read the magazine.
Joey is one of the most respected members of this community, a community that probably makes up a big portion of Billiards Digest readers, and it's not a good idea to disrespect him like this.
DeadPoked said:
Thank you DeadPoked!
Your thoughts parallel mine. I just don't have any idea how this could just slip by the managing editor.
Mason King already had a "background story" that went with the cue. That was the first thing I sent them.
Mason had previously told me that they were going to try and present the cue in the WAND WORKSHOP.
It is strange that with all of my follow up phone calls and emails that some other POW-MIA cue just happened to slip into that same section. I almost thought I was pestering Mason too much.........................
Thanks for noting that MY story was 100% accurate.
JoeyA
I dunno....
His response seemed pretty fair....
I understand Joey is a little ticked... but I dont really see this whole thing as a reason to boycott a magazine...
Editing is a very tough gig.. and everything is run months ahead realtime.. even the big boys in the magazine biz report on major events 3-4 months after the fact.
His response seemed pretty fair....
I understand Joey is a little ticked... but I dont really see this whole thing as a reason to boycott a magazine...
Editing is a very tough gig.. and everything is run months ahead realtime.. even the big boys in the magazine biz report on major events 3-4 months after the fact.
Joey,
Take it to Inside Pool. Sally and JR are AWESOME. They may like the idea. Sorry for what happened with BD. That sux
!
I'd like to see your cue to .
hilla
Take it to Inside Pool. Sally and JR are AWESOME. They may like the idea. Sorry for what happened with BD. That sux
! I'd like to see your cue to
.hilla
smokeandapancak said:
Entertainment magazines come out with stuff a lot quicker than 3-4 months and that's definitely a lot higher impact industry than the billiard world. 9 months is definitely enough time to have done something and as the managing editor he was responsible for the other cue having a story ran. I don't believe he did it intentionally but he could have stopped the story from being ran. Would the world have stopped if there was no Wand Workshop story for 1 month in the article? I don't think so. This is just my opinion from the outside looking in so I might be completely wrong.
Not trying to split hairs with you or anything.... but Monthly and Bi monthly pubs run stories on events on average of 8-12 weeks after the fact...
Weekly entertainment or sports mags are obivously different..
Whatever .... I dont buy their mag, never have.... so to hell with it
count me in on the boycott
Weekly entertainment or sports mags are obivously different..
Whatever .... I dont buy their mag, never have.... so to hell with it
count me in on the boycott
smokeandapancak said:Not trying to split hairs with you or anything.... but Monthly and Bi monthly pubs run stories on events on average of 8-12 weeks after the fact...
Weekly entertainment or sports mags are obivously different..
Whatever .... I dont buy their mag, never have.... so to hell with it
count me in on the boycott
Score! My constant arguing and putting my nose in other peoples business has finally paid off!
For the record... I'm not calling for a boycott. But I personally won't be buying the magazine unless something is done to correct the situation.
when i first saw it 2 weeks ago i thought it was Joey's cue.....then i read about it. I knew then the shit was gonna hit the fan, i got the magaizine real earily for other reasons, Mason is cool and he might do the right thing if he can and sort it out. I'd email him if I was in Joey's spot and see what he would be willing to do.
You guys are tough on here. I'd give the man some credit for responding so quickly and APOLOGIZING publicly to Joey. That takes a big man to do that. I think his response was nothing more than I would expect from a man who may have slighted someone inadvertently, and gave the reasons why it happened. And then apologized for same!
I have also contributed to Billiards Digest many times over the years, and I am proud to have my by-line on a story. To me it is the premier publication in the billiard industry by far. The best articles, best written and most interesting magazine out there. And I'm not saying that because I write for them occasionally. It would be my opinion if I never wrote one word in there.
The publisher of BD, Mike Panozzo, is one of the men I most respect in the billiard industry. As for Mason King, I have worked directly with him on several articles over the last couple of years. His job as Editor includes editing my articles and I'm not always happy about it, but he is the one who has to make everything fit, so it often has to be done. He has ALWAYS been forthright and honest with me in all our dealings. To me, he is a dedicated individual who takes his job seriously.
I also empathize with Joey. I can see why he felt slighted. I would have too. The cue and it's significance is very important to him. It sounds to me like both Joey and Mason told the truth as they know it. Their stories do not differ that much. I believe Mason when he says the similarities in the cues threw him off. I'm glad he was man enough to apologize to Joey, and I'd like to see Joey be man enough to accept his apology.
I have also contributed to Billiards Digest many times over the years, and I am proud to have my by-line on a story. To me it is the premier publication in the billiard industry by far. The best articles, best written and most interesting magazine out there. And I'm not saying that because I write for them occasionally. It would be my opinion if I never wrote one word in there.
The publisher of BD, Mike Panozzo, is one of the men I most respect in the billiard industry. As for Mason King, I have worked directly with him on several articles over the last couple of years. His job as Editor includes editing my articles and I'm not always happy about it, but he is the one who has to make everything fit, so it often has to be done. He has ALWAYS been forthright and honest with me in all our dealings. To me, he is a dedicated individual who takes his job seriously.
I also empathize with Joey. I can see why he felt slighted. I would have too. The cue and it's significance is very important to him. It sounds to me like both Joey and Mason told the truth as they know it. Their stories do not differ that much. I believe Mason when he says the similarities in the cues threw him off. I'm glad he was man enough to apologize to Joey, and I'd like to see Joey be man enough to accept his apology.
jay helfert said:Everyone has jumped on Joey's bandwagon for this one. I for one, wonder what the other side of the story is.
But that's just me. I'm the curious type.
Maybe "everyone" jumped on "my bandwagon" because they took me at my word and believed my story.
Jay, your agenda was to plant the seed of doubt that there was another story and perhaps that I wasn't telling the whole story, which insinuates that I could have accidentally, ignorantly or purposefully left out details of the story that would alter the reality of what actually happened.
You could have discreetly and privately have done some checking on your own to check out my story since you believed there was another side of the story that I wasn't telling.
You didn't choose to do that Jay and you disappointed me almost as much as Mason did.
JoeyA
I don't want to change the subject of this thread - but you have got to be kidding.hilla_hilla said:Joey,
Take it to Inside Pool. Sally and JR are AWESOME. They may like the idea. Sorry for what happened with BD. That sux
I'd like to see your cue to
hilla
JoeyA said:
Dude there is always two sides to every story and I did not think Jay was slighting you in the least. He was just making the point that we have yet to hear the other side.
With my father being a decorated Vietnam Veteran I too wish your cue had been highlighted in the magazine with your story and I also would like to see your cue, hopefully it is as cool as that POW/MIA chopper that the Orange Coutny boys created.
Take Care and God Bless
-don