Forum adverts like this one are shown to any user who is not logged in. Join us by filling out a tiny 3 field form and you will get your own, free, dakka user account which gives a good range of benefits to you: No adverts like this in the forums anymore. Times and dates in your local timezone. Full tracking of what you have read so you can skip to your first unread post, easily see what has changed since you last logged in, and easily see what is new at a glance. Email notifications for threads you want to watch closely. Being a part of the oldest wargaming community on the net. If you are already a member then feel free to login now.

Ugh, this story is filled with the worst of gamers. you should never drink on a job or when dealing with radio, you should refrain from hurtful names, and you should never threaten kids, and never rehire people fired for these things

todeswind wrote:

leejerrum wrote:

dietrich wrote:If using the "n-word" is the definition of racism, then every African American rapper and pro athlete is a racist. Using or not using deragatory words does or doesn't make you a racist, what's in your mind and heart does.


Automatically Appended Next Post:
The point of that threat was very clear. Whether it was serious or not, we don't know. But the point was clear. If the sender just wanted to make him lose sponsors, he wouldn't have used that language.

Whether you like it or not that simply isn't the case. You cannot use that word, as you yourself can attest to with the "n-word" abbreviation.

If you want to call Jar Jar a racist that's all well and good but it doesn't justify blaming someone for the still birth of their child because a word was said... that's beyond uncool.

QFT, two wrongs don't make a right

This thread seems ladden with people suffering a serious case of internet tall poppy syndrome.

So where does this leave the people who signed up to go on the tour with 40k radio? Is that still happening or did I miss something

I'll miss it if only for world wide war. That was about the only properly organised tournament in Japan. Though I'm going thome soon so it's not as bad as it could have been.

It seems like pretty much everyone involved in this story is in some way to blame.

Cohosts, you can't really keep a podcast going if you don't play the game.

Jar Jar - I sincerely doubt he is a racist. Stupid, yes. The N-word is not in itself inherently racist but it conjures racist connotations that can offend. Its all based on context. In an academic discussion of language it would be fine to use that word. In a rap song, it seems fine. In the context of talking about toy soldiers, no excuse. But that doesn't mean Jar Jar hates black people, it means he is an idiot who made a mistake. We've all made mistakes and after a short suspension and a contrite apology I don't see why he shouldn't be brought back.

I'm assuming that he has other faults despite idiocy that are the root cause of the hatred against him and the n-word thing just served as a valid excuse and a focal point for the complaining

Spencer - firing his cohosts was a bit of a dick move, rehiring Jar Jar in the face of community support was not the noble 2nd chance he claimed but a desperation move but both of these actions have actual sensible reasons behind them too.

I don't blame him for quitting. running the show seems to havegarnered him threats and hatred and caused a falling out with his mates. I doubt it is much fun for him to do the show now. And this isn't his job so if it isn't fun considering the time he must spend recording and editing it makes sense that if it isn't fun anymore don't do it. Sure its taking his ball home but not because he's losing but because it isn't fun.

I know nothing about any money scandals and don't care.

And the guy making remarks about a man whose wife recently miscarried. Scum. The N-word JarJar used may have caused offense but probably wasn't intended to. That kind of language is deployed to do nothing but hurt.

I liked the podcast.

I feel sorry for the Freebooters and the people who got the 40k Radio Tattoos.

It sad to see it go ,but this stuff happens someone will make another 40k podcast that will take its place I am willing to be in new future.

I would like to thank everyone involved in making the podcast and wish them all well in the future.

OK... This angers me a great deal. Below is Dice Like Thunder's official response.

We are deeply troubled by the loss of 40K Radio today and we are saddened by the events that ultimately led to Spencer closing his doors. While it is no secret we had professional disagreements, we had no personal conflicts with Spencer. We are just learning about the events of the last few days and we are appalled!

The actions of the person or persons responsible for sending Spencer threats are, indeed, cowardly on an unthinkable scale. There has been much misinformation going around as to who is responsible and it appears that it may never be clear. While it is hard for us to fathom anyone making this threat, rather than engage upon a witch hunt we are going to drop it. It’s a sad enough day. This persons actions are not condoned by Dice Like Thunder or its hosts. Personal attacks and threats have no place in the 40k Podcasting community and is not something we have or will engage in. We whole heartedly condemn the letter that caused this chain of events.

To the rumor mill: You have our official response. Your services are no longer required. We will delete posts about this topic from our forums that involve any name calling or attacks on anyone who might be involved.

To Spencer and 40K Radio: We wish you luck in your future endeavors. While we may not have always seen eye to eye, you set a standard. You blazed a trail for other podcasts to follow and you inspired us weekly to keep podcasting. You are welcome on our show any time.

To everyone else out there: Break out your models and let’s roll some dice!

They're official response is to ignore it. Yea... catch that? "rather than engage upon a witch hunt we are going to drop it" Let me fix that for you DLT "...we are going to ignore it". IMO they want to sweep it under the rug and ignore it and hope that the drama will just go away. "We will delete posts about this topic from our forums" = Blatant deflection.

DLT, like it or not you have been dragged into this and your 'official response' is complete gak.

/end rant

I want all followers of the show boota or not to find out who Jack is and shut him down make sure he never plays 40k or ANY table top game again. If he lives in your area don’t play him. If its a tournament make it the worst time in his life. Spread the word on any/all 40k forums and sights make this guy regret being born.

Perhaps he is lucky to be pulling the show anyways, as GW will certainly sue him next after Warhammer Online for using the term "40K" in his show name and engendering IP ownership confusion.

oni wrote:They're official response is to ignore it. Yea... catch that? "rather than engage upon a witch hunt we are going to drop it" Let me fix that for you DLT "...we are going to ignore it". IMO they want to sweep it under the rug and ignore it and hope that the drama will just go away. "We will delete posts about this topic from our forums" = Blatant deflection.

DLT, like it or not you have been dragged into this and your 'official response' is complete gak.

What would you have them do? We have only Spencer's word that the message exists, and even if it does, it's incredibly unlikely that the sender's information is correct (I doubt most people would send something like that under their own name, no matter what the circumstances). What DLT seems to be doing is not allowing 40K Radio's mess contaminate them as well, since there's no reason it should.

The drama will go away. That's what drama does. If people got over Michael Jackson's death, this won't even be a blip by comparison.

This is truly sad news.

It is so very easy to sign onto the internet, find a forum/comment page and spout angry nonsense about how much something sucks and is terrible, which is why the internet is constantly filled with that kind of drivel. However, it takes a whole lot of time, energy, passion and conviction to actually create something, particularly when a clear attempt is made to elevate the quality of that product. Regardless of how you felt about the content of 40K Radio, the fact is that the crew involved in its creation put an incredible amount of time, energy and money into making it the most technically proficient 40K podcast.

There are many, many people out there who did love 40K radio and the chance that someone else will come along and put the same kind of time, money and energy into making a similar project is incredibly slim, especially in the face of constant negative criticism that anybody who actually creates something on the internet gets. If you are one of those people who didn't care for 40K radio, there was obviously nobody forcing you to listen to the show so it seems very strange and callous to say that it is somehow a good thing that the show might be ending, especially considering how many other people are losing something they enjoy.

I personally wish all the best to everyone involved in making the show. It gave me many hours of enjoyment and for that I would only like to applaud you guys for making the effort to create something for me to consume and enjoy. If more people took the time and energy to create instead of simply criticize others, we would all have that much more to enjoy!

I have to ponder those people who, irregardless of their feelings towards 40k radio and its host(s) have tried to turn this into a conversation abut the merits of the show (I have no point of view to offer, here, as I never listened to their material).

The issue for me is a simple one. Having lived through the tragedy of my own wife's miscarriage I have nothing but sympathy for Spencer and his family. It is a truly awful experience and I would not wish it upon anyone. For someone to use this for their own purposes in order to spitefully hurt and bully someone whom they in all probability have never even met is abhorrent and cowardly.

Ultimately, you had to chose to listen to 40k radio and if you didn't like what you heard you could chose to stop. You could even act in an adult fashion and contact the show expressing your views in a considered manner. In this case, we have a coward whose internet-based nerdrage has caused a wholly unwarranted level of distress.

For those who enjoyed 40k radio, its unfortunate you have lost something that enhanced your enjoyment of the hobby. For Spencer, whatever professional disagreements may have arisen from your show should have no bearing on your loss. All I can offer you is 'hang in there'. Its not much, but you'll never feel more helpless - trust me that time really does help.

C_C

I’m not sure what to say. I’m shocked by the actions of certain web dwellers and saddened by the news. I’m kinda hoping that when I visit the site in a couple of weeks I will find that everything is back to normal
although I think that won’t be the case. Spencer has been through hell recently and i can only shake my head in disappointment to the types of
people that would target such an individual.

A PROUD SPONSER OF 40K RADIO!
Klaus Teschner
Dark Art Miniatures

Valhallan42nd wrote:To Quote:

http://www.40kradio.com/archives/933

I recieved this email today.

Stephen Hope wrote:Thanks for bringing the racist donkey-cave back. Just so you know I have chatted with your sponsors regarding this and am trying to get them to drop you. I have a few others online doing the same. We have started a following and will try to topple and undermine you. I also hope that your affairs are all in order.

Ever think that your wife’s miscarriage is due to your actions? I say good riddance, one less racist to be raised in the world. Its Instant Karma in my mind.
Again, I hope your affairs are in order. Seriously.

Wow! This is the type of people that play Warhammer 40K? Jar Jar is back because I believe in giving people second chances. What kind of world do we live in, that you cannot give someone a second chance? He made a huge mistake and he apologized for it. I feel that he has a lot of knowledge to bring to this show and over the past 3 shows he has shown that.
I am always open to listen to listeners opinions…..but you Stephen Hope and Jack the Rippa and your cult like followers are just complete fething idiots!
Feel free to give your thoughts here……

It seems a matter for local FBI office for online crimes to take care of if he honestly feels threatened.

Except I'm fairly sure that the FBI has no jurisdiction in Australia, the UK, Canada or anywhere else that this Stephen Hope guy may have come from...



EDIT - LAG!!!

Deleted by Modquisitor Frazzled and poster suspended for five days. Don't post this garbage again.

I enjoyed the show when they actually talked about 40k... Which seemed to be rarely.

The last one I listened to was a bunch of drunk guys babbling about their personal lives and other completely random, non-40k-related nonsense.

Hopefully somebody who actually talks about 40k ends up buying the show.

This guy sending the threatening message to Spencer has really pissed me off. I'm not his biggest fan or anything but Who the hell does this guy think he is - the racism police.

"Instant karma" - F U! If there is such a thing as karma he might find himself suffering some heartache some time soon.

As every other decent person has said or thought, I wish Spencer and his family all the best.

The thing I find most annoying about the message to Spencer is this internet tough guy syndrome. I'd see it on WOW and on other online games all the time, people acting like some kind of cyber tough guy. Making threats and insulting people, saying they're gonna kill em and stuff. I would bet 99% of these cyber hard men making threats are little dweebs that have been bullied most of their life and if they ever came face to face with the people they were threatening they'd crap their pants and become all meek and quiet all of a sudden.

well i only listend to 40kradio a very small amount but i still lthink its a massive pile o'crap that it sbeen taken down fro such a thing..

Imo it wasnt; worth caving to threats and stuff but thats just me.

also anyone feeling that the greater internet scumbag theory is pretyt much being proven in this thread and over this issue?

I first started listening to this show when I was cutting steel for my uncle 2 years ago. I have very limited gaming options in my area and felt that I was part of a bigger community due to this show. Its sad to see it go and I hope the hosts can look forward to a brighter future.
40k Radio, you will be missed

leejerrum wrote:

Lorek wrote:Any further personal attacks on anyone in this thread will result in a temporary suspension (sorry CatPeeler, this isn't directed at you; you're just the post above mine).

Just because people aren't posters here doesn't mean that you can violate the Dakka rules. I don't have a dog in this fight, but save the vitriol for your friends or other forums.

I haven't noticed a single personal attack in this thread. Saying someone "seems" like an asshat isn't calling them an asshat.

The Moderators disagree, but hey its your funeral.

Too bad, everything is too politicaly Correct! (i.e. South Park, Death Threats)

Is someone going to take over?

Despite obviously flagging quality, I will miss the show. It was a few hours a month of 40k talk to fill some of the traveling I have to do, and that counts for something.

What was said to Spencer was completely deplorable, period. Was it a threat? Ehhhhhh...maybe, but I didn't read that into it until I read it here. Still, it was in poor taste, and should serve as a warning to other internet dwellers not to share personal info that might come back around on you, because there is some moron out there who will tweak you with it.

What this reads like, having followed the website discussion and some of the drama, is convenience. The referenced email was up and posted, with Spencer's request for retaliation, last weekend. My guess, and it is admittedly only that, is that something else happened. Maybe he got continued listener backlash, or more SA -inspired responses, or the banhammer from his wife.

The site has been pulled, stemming any more real, or at least first-hand, info. Thankfully for those going on their trip to UKGD, a third party is handling all that. No telling how much this may cost that poor guy's young company in cancellations, though. Also, there are the Freebootaz, who have had their membership rate per show nearly quadrupled in the last 18 months (price increase followed by a halving of content). Now they have paid for nothing, since the forums they are paying to read are gone. This is not to mention the sponsors. There may be contractual obligations there that hopefully get them some of their money back.

Tacky comments or no, Spencer's words and actions made it very clear that he ran this show like a business. Our money (yes I was a Freeboota) paid for things other than web expenses. All that travel to do 40k Radio...we paid for it the same as the sponsors. He was getting heavily subsidized in money and goods for his hobby, and seems to have treated his co-hosts like employees.

So somebody comes along and makes some horrid comments, and he does what any business man would, calls upon his customers to say mean things back, then slams and locks the door...wait....

Let this be a lesson to you kiddos looking to monetize your sweet blog or podcast...

I bear Spencer no ill will. This is just the perspective of somebody who supported the show in both word and wallet. I would sway Spencer's demonstrably mercurial nature means the show may come back, but despite the victim canard, I think his listener backlash and loss of credibility may preclude that.

-C

Who knows, after the tour he might change his mind. Maybe some of the Freebootaz will band together and buy it. I was planing on finally becoming one this month but that went out the window. No offence to the dakka community but I always thought I could get some good advice on there forum as this one is so huge that a lot of posts go unnoticed except for the occasional troll.

Well, the forum is still running, though I don't think we'll be adding too many members. The nicest thing about it was the lack of trolls. I think the fact that it had buy in kept the trolls away.

Chimera_Calvin wrote:Except I'm fairly sure that the FBI has no jurisdiction in Australia, the UK, Canada or anywhere else that this Stephen Hope guy may have come from...

True, but thats for them to investigate and determine. The assumption of his whereabouts are neither her nor there for this discussion.

The website does seem to be back up again. It was down all morning.

Hello all, Geek Nation Tours would like to add its support to Spencer, his family and all the 40K Radio crew. We are shocked at the email Spencer recieved and completely understand his reaction. We would love to see the show back but understand Spencer's desire to keep his family safe.

We would also like to let everyone know that the tour is still going.

Geek Nation Tours will not be held hostage to hate

All the Best

Teras
Geek Nation Tours

TIC wrote:Hello all, Geek Nation Tours would like to add its support to Spencer, his family and all the 40K Radio crew. We are shocked at the email Spencer recieved and completely understand his reaction. We would love to see the show back but understand Spencer's desire to keep his family safe.

We would also like to let everyone know that the tour is still going.

Geek Nation Tours will not be held hostage to hate

All the Best

Teras
Geek Nation Tours

Hey, good for you man. I was actually wondering if this was going to affect your party. Hope all goes well with your trip.

Blasphemers don't get second chances.

I don't know if you meant to, but you've actually hit the nail on the head here.

The reason this person feels justified (besides being a coward hiding behind the interwebs) being so cruel in his language, is because he's in the grips of religious fervor. Political Correctness is functionally equivalent to a religion at this point, and "racist" is the 2010 version of "blasphemer."

We're all 40K players, we know how it works. Purge the heretic. Intolerance is my shield. It's funny that we play a game that is so thickly infused with criticism of this sort of repressive mind control, even as our own High Media Lords of Earth teach that certain words are not to be said, certain thoughts are not to be thought, and any who defy this are no longer worthy of basic human dignity.

This is the price we pay for tolerating political correctness. This is the fallout we experience for allowing anybody to try to control what others say or think, whether we agree with what they're saying or thinking or not.