`   Let's get somethings in perspective here:   Tim was invited to participate in the Bakbakan event this year, he did, and has the medals to prove how well he did, against some of the top stick jocks in the US. What is the opinion of Datu Inocalla ? He welcomed Tim as a MA brother at an event in Blasdell NY recently (late 2003, after Tims promotion to 7th by the WMAA board).   Tim participated in the 'light weapons' divisions such as knife not the 'heavy weapon' division.  According to the stats posted there were not all that many players present for it to be against the 'top stick jocks in the US' because folks like Bart Hubbard wasn't there, and from what I understand he is fairly respectable in the WEKAF rankings...  Second point about Shishir.  Shishir welcomed everyone that came through the door.  That was even AFTER Tim Hartman went to the host of teh Blasdell event and swore that he would not be attending because of issues with Jerome Barber and proceeded to bad mouth Jerome to the host when it was not asked for or welcome.  If I remember correctly, he was even asked to leave by the host at that time.  Yet he still showed up to the event (partly because Jerome ensured the host that there would be no problems) and refused Shishir's offer to act as mediator between Tim and Jerome.  He refused a senior Datu's offer to discuss a way of mending fences.  This of course is after he had refused on many occasions to discuss anything WITH Jerome, but insists on discussing JEROME to anyone that he can get to listen.  There are also the reactions to Tim's attendance to a certain pair of West Coast events.... he couldn't even recognize that he was getting jabbed by ethinc Phillipinos with Tagalog jokes like ``pretty boy.``    There are many and various opinions about Tim Hartman's 'notability', and if the point is to reach a neutral point of view, they all deserve to be discussed.`