Freedom of Speech- misunderstanding?

Far from understanding the issue I feel the Bloggers latest diatripe gets to the heart of the issue:

‘I don’t realize until Imura san sent me message to tell me my blog is so popular. I am in heaven!

After reading some comments on my blog, I would like to share these to other modelers –
“… interestingly Tamiya featured this on their 30 year old kit without the aid of current technologies.” – quoted from review of Dragon M2 Half-Track.

“… most of the hull and turret dimensions with any discrepancies well within acceptable tolerances mostly being less than 1mm.” – quoted from review of “3 star” 38(t) E/F.

If he’s critical on Dragon’s kit that even a non-perfect rivet is not acceptable, what’s the case on “3 star” kits when discrepancies on dimensions is acceptable? Is it the result of difference between “thanks to my credit card” and “thanks to Mr. Pak”? That’s the reason for being double standard?

I am lucky to live in Japan where I also have freedom of speech. At least I can speak out the unfair things.”

Obviously Freedom of speech is important and it is good to see Mr Hiroshi understands this. Like most freedoms and rights it comes with responsibilities which is what you overlook. It is fine to quote and paraphrase but not where you deliberately (or perhaps there is a language comprehension problem) twist words to say something that is factually incorrect.

How you you can go from what is quoted here to :” He said the kangaroo review site said it is even worse than a 30-year-old kit” is breathtaking. There is a HUGE difference to what was written to what you have written.

I have read both reviews and found both to be quite objective and it is obvious that you find you have been hard done by in the review which gives the same recommendation and has this line:

“Overall this is an excellent rendition of the M2/M2A1 half-track with some very well done details such as the suspension components and the general details throughout and the choices offered is really a good excuse to buy more than one kit to build the different versions.”

Terry has merely pointed out what other modellers will as he did on the Pz 38t review and other Tristar reviews. He did no overlook failings or discrepancies at all as you imply. In fact your implication is a pretty sad in that he does unfavourable reviews of DML products and only favourable ones of Tristar products. The facts do not support your implication.

I’m sorry Terry and the ML membership that I had to raise this here as Mr Hiroshi being such a champion of free speech doesn’t respond to messages on his forum which is read only. It is obvious however that he is getting this feed.

Mr Hiroshi, Terry’s reviews are objective and highly valued by most modellers due to their objectivity. Personal attacks such as you have made, whilst being under the umbrella of free speech, are unwarranted and either a misunderstanding at best or a deliberate ploy. Take the information as provided in the spirit it was provided and use it to improve your product. I could understand your frustration if he “wrote off” your product but not when he is merely highlighting things that can be improved whilst still giving it the Thumbs up. If his critiscism was unsubstantiated then you would be quite justified; the facts do not not support your actions regardless of whether you are exercising Free speech or not.
In my country we enshrine Free Speech in our Constitution but also value a “Fair Go”.
I hope you will see these comments as a help in better communication and an improvement in DML’s customer (remember us, the customer) relations. We are buying the product and are grateful for al lthe wonderous new release which ARE the pinnacle of the hobby but you are not yet so perfect as to attract no critiscism or suggestions. Truly great companies value their customers and treat them with respect and acknowledge them. They don’t publicly denigrate them when they find a fault or suggest an improvement to the product.

Mr Hiroshi, feel free to discuss this offline (my email is available in the header).
Cheers

Al