We welcome constructive criticism with pleasure face to face.
Do you? What, in your mind, is constructive criticism? Is it not, as the name suggests, the offering of criticism with suggestions and historical research on how to improve the mistake made? Then, to be frank, Olafson has been doing exactly that. Any criticism he has offered is always backed up by research and always shows how the impression can be improved. The 'we only want constructive criticism' argument is too often misused by people who simply seek reasons not to listen to offered criticism. Which quite frankly, is exactly what you're doing here.
We don't appreciate fellows with too much time on their hands and without proper manners trying to force their opinions and criticism down our throats.
"We don't have to listen to your criticism because you didn't offer it in the nicest way possible, which is preferably not at all". No, that's not how it works. That's how you treated baseless criticism that isn't backed up by both research and constructive suggestions. Which is not what Olafson has offered you. Debate the subject, not the debaters.
We work on them and always strive to improve our impressions
Do you really? Tell me, what things have you changed that you realized were inaccurate?
We will however always carry our eagle into battle if we have it available, it means far more to us than any other reenactment unit, at least in this United Kingdom.
What rank does your eagle-bearer have?
as we strive to improve our already considerable authenticity
21e'ers really can't make one post about their impression without praising it. What exactly are you doing right that other groups aren't?
Don't get me wrong: I don't really care what other groups do or don't. I concentrate on my own impression and my own group, and that's a whole lot more fun. However, I cannot stand the fact that the 21e always uses the same lame excuses whenever they are confronted with one of their inaccuracies.
Worse, they personally insult the person who gives it. Never, ever, have I seen a 21e member defend their impression with any actual historical evidence. It's always either 'We're the oldest group', 'we're the largest', 'we're the original' or, 'We don't appreciate fellows with too much time on their hands and without proper manners trying to force their opinions and criticism down our throats.'
There are things that take a lot to improve, but also things that are really easy - for starters, some of the 21e members can stop wearing parade gear all the time. Takes no effort. None. Give me one solid reason why you shouldn't do this.
I have no problem with groups with lower standards then we have. Everybody here is an adult, everybody can decide for themselves how they want to do this hobby. But don't claim to hold a standard anyone with knowledge can see you're not holding. It's disrespectful, to both the real soldiers and to re-enactors who spent time and effort in going the full mile.
