Letter to Tommy Canning

[tommyc]

Its quite obvious whos the liar in this case.............and not only that but a cheat as well.

But i will let people make up their own minds.

[chipschap]

The proper place for resolving this unfortunate dispute is not the ACF forum.

However, neither is the ACF Forum the proper place for personal attacks and the publication of private personal information, so I will not continue this discussion here.

[Alan Millhone]

All of you are most welcome to discuss any of this on the forum if you wish. HOWEVER the use of the terms; liar, cheat, etc. is not in the best fo taste and needs to stop. Discuss what you will----------- but keep it civil, thanks.

Sincerely:
Alan Millhone, President
American Checker Federation

[chipschap]

I had not planned to carry on this dispute in the forum, but on the advice of someone I trust very much, I offer the following open letter to Tommy Canning.

Dear Tommy,

I apologize to you for not being able to keep my promise to send you a final PDF copy of BC2010. It was a promise that I should not have made. I did not verify in advance that I would have the right to send you BC2010. I unfortunately do not have that right.

When you sent me your own electronic copy of BC, the agreement was that I could use and edit it and then send the product back to you. In the end, I didn't use it or edit it in any way. You assumed that our agreement extended to whatever version of BC would be issued, but that was not unreasonable on your part. I blithely assumed that I would be able to send you the final version.

As you know, as the project was nearing completion, ownership of the project was transferred to John Acker for logistical reasons; we didn't want to be shipping books to Honolulu and back. Meanwhile, John negotiated with the Fortman estate for reprint rights, as copyright of BC, under US law, remains with his estate for something like 75 years after Mr. Fortman's passing. John received this reprint permission; there was no transfer of copyright. (Only the new front materials for BC2010 are under our own separate copyright.) Reprint permission was subject to conditions of use. John informed me that these conditions of use would not allow me to send the final PDF to anyone, regardless of prior commitments.

I had not anticipated this turn of events when initially promising to send a copy, but I accept full blame and responsibility for making a promise without ensuring that I would be able to keep it in the future. John Acker is in no way to blame. It was necessary for him to obtain reprint rights and he did what was required, including accepting terms and conditions.

Again, my apologies. As some recompense, I would be happy to send you a printed copy of the book at my expense, if you so wish.

Regards,

Bob Newell

[jaguar72]

I had not planned to carry on this dispute in the forum, but on the advice of someone I trust very much, I offer the following open letter to Tommy Canning.

Very finely done, Mr. Newell. Bravo.

If this is acceptable to Mr. Canning, I will gladly donate a second print copy of Basic Checkers to him for the benefit of all Irish players.

V/R,

Gary Jenkins/jaguar72

[tommyc]

Well i certainly accept Mr Newells honesty in his latest post and thank him for same.

I am not a vindictive person and neither do i need any charitable acts thrust upon me,but if it soothes the concience of any man in this whole escapade i will accept his offer if only to donate any profit that comes from it to Youth draughts in Ireland.

My own personal checkers libary is quite expansive and solely for the purpose of promoting checkers to others who seek this educational tool and for no other reason,nor do i seek to profit from it in any way.as anyone will tell you there no personal profit in selling checker books after costs have been taken out .As has been pointed out by several people in this Forum i am just an average player with a very average rating ,this is true!!..........but im not your average promoter of draughts.

My aim has always been to offer any player interested in bettering themselves at the game the best opportunity to do so regardless ,just as Hugh Devlin or the late Sean Carlin helped me in my early years.........,i will give any book to any player who i think is serious about it.Nor do i seek any credits, this is where i stand and im glad to say some have taken this up,and not only new players but a few not so new as well.

This whole thing isnt about a book or a file and i accept Mr Newells contrition and honesty ,i hope this is the end of this whole sad affair? ...............................maybe we ve all learned something in the process.

[Alan Millhone]

Hello Tommy and Bob:

I am warmed as to what you both wrote, thanks.

I am sure John feels the same way . This is a " win win " for the three of you and for all of Checkerdom !

Sincerely:
Alan Millhone, President
American Checker Federation
" LEAVE NO PLAYERS BEHIND "

[tommyc]

Thank you Gary for yur more than kind offer................but its not about books its just a matter of honor.Regardless of this again i thank you as a gentleman and checkerist...........Good day.

[jaguar72]

Thank you Gary for yur more than kind offer................but its not about books its just a matter of honor.

Dear Tommy,

Yes, Tommy, I understand all that.

It was not my intention to take sides in the dispute; quite the contrary. It is none of my business.

My offer of a second copy of Basic Checkers was made solely in the hope that it might be of use to you and to the Irish checkers players with whom you have contact.

After all, you can't have too many checkers books... .

V/R,

Gary Jenkins/jaguar72

[tommyc]

You are some WALLY..................

[Irma Sierra]

I don't like how John acts....

[tommyc]

Thank you Irma.........................