Pokémon TCG: Sword and Shield—Brilliant Stars

Tournament Organizer Gary Warren

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Unless I'm sorely mistaken, I'm pretty sure this hasn't been the first time people have been removed (banned) from pokemon without notification first. Not that I personally know from experience, but I'd heard of others in the same boat. Some have spent months sorting things out. It's too bad, but I suppose it seems to be a necessary process at times. It's best we don't speculate on the cause, and resist gossiping.
 
ryanvergel said:
No one is asking for an explanation.

No one is speculating as to the reason.

Repeatedly, dozens of times, it has been made clear that the point of this post is to highlight the fact that Gary (from what he has said) did not receive any REASON as to the ban when it was given. Furthermore, avenues of communication were severely limited. Without these avenues of communication, and with such cloed discussion, people wanted confirmation that this was the correct move, and as you point out, not some weird computer error or something.

These facts are what people are disgruntled about and critical.

It's none of our business why he got banned. It is his business, and it shows poorly when he isn't given information as to his own situation.
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I don't really understand how this is a direct response to my post or why it appears to have an argumentative overtone.

It appears looks like you have missed the point of what I said there Ryan.

I'm sorry that you're so upset over this situation, nonetheless, and it's great that you're showing support for the man.

In my real-life experiences, I've learned that it is usually better to let the details reveal themselves rather than take an active role on an issue driven by pure speculation.

Please re-read my post and you will understand that there is no intention to argue with you about anything. I've actually shared experienced-based wisdom with you there my friend :)
 
Rogue Archetype said:
Wow. It took a long time to read this thread... lol

I have seen situations like this in other contexts.
I'm involved in local government and this is eerily similar to a "closed session" situation regarding personnel matters.

My immediate reaction to this was "uh oh..."

If, in fact, there was a BAN (a VERY serious consequence) without specific notification. Then, there are two possibilities that come to mind:

1. There's a mistake (computer-induced error or someone banned the wrong "Gary"). or...
2. This is something that we'd be better-off NOT knowing about (that could even have legal ramifications).

So, for all we know, TPCi could be doing EXACTLY what they should be doing.

Ryan stated that Gary is a very active and respected TO within the Pokemon Community that has done great things to grow and promote the game.

I would submit that it for THIS reason that the ban and its proceedings remain a private enterprise between the two parties previously acknowledged in this discussion.

Think about it. Why would someone so good for the game be banned? Do you REALLY want to know the answer to this?

I don't. Ignorance is bliss in this circumstance.

JMHO.

RA
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I don't want to know, but Gary Warren must.

You are missing the point I think. The point is that there are no two parties in this discussion... Gary Warren was just told he was banned. No reason stated. Is it fair to him that he doesn't know why he is banned?
 
I'll never miss an opportunity to criticize a decision by TPCi but in the interest of fairness I can't help but defend them when I think they're in the right. I strongly agree with what was written earlier that the professional approach for TPCi would be to keep their mouths shut - they don't owe anyone other than Gary an explanation. While I think communication from the company is useful for game-related issues, it would be highly unprofessional of them to start bickering or going back and forth about a decision to suspend a tournament organizer, not to mention a waste of time.

Some of us seem to speculate that Gary was given no reason for his TO status revocation, but given TPCi's past behavior, I highly doubt that is the case. Perhaps Gary was just slow to notice the letter, the e-mail, or whatever method of communication he received. With all of the suspensions and bans TPCi has issued, I have never heard of them not offering a reason to someone.

None of this isn't to say I don't appreciate the work Gary did for beginning the Georgia Marathon, a fun tradition that has spread to the rest of the United States. I'm not arguing about the validity of his ban - I don't know what he did or didn't do. All I'm saying is that TPCi has handled this in a professional manner. The only person that should speak about the details, if he chooses to, is Gary.
 
I don't know Gary, but I can perhaps understand some of the feelings he might have. A few years ago, I too was banned, though only from being a Professor - I can still play. If I had been a TO at the time, I'm sure I would've been banned from that too.

When I was banned, the notice came via email. Perhaps Professor bannings are less formal and not done via US mail.

At the time, I was a bit miffed why they would ban me. I had been a long-standing Professor for almost 10 years, since the very-early WOTC days. My initial reaction was shock. I tried to come to terms with why they would do this. In a sense, I understood the action I did that "was the straw that broke the camel's back," but I was quite unaware of at least one of the preceding problems they had with one of my actions that was actually a "hot topic" here on the PokeGym.

Nevertheless, time has passed. I'm not bitter. I'm not alone in my initial "over" reaction to what TPCi did. I've seen others rant over similiar treatment from TPCi. There's no use in ranting when you're "hot under the collar." I'm glad I chose not to.

There are agreements, contracts, codes-of-conduct, etc., when you develop a relationship with TPCi. For me, I broke one of those things, and regardless of how big or small I thought the infraction (or infractions) was, it doesn't matter. It happened, and TPCi took action.

Some bannings are lifetime, some have an end-date, and in my case, are indefinate. I know of one PTO who was banned with an end-date and is now fully re-instated. So, there is always hope (unless the ban is lifetime).
 
Ex-Professor Warren is aware of the reasons why he was banned, he just doesn't want to admit to it that he did wrong; nor does he view his behavior as actually have done something wrong. It was a matter of inappropriate behavior/language outside of the Pokemon environment; going to state clearly that this wasn't about misbehavior while acting in an official capacity for TCPI. However, when you're someone in a position like Gary's you are responsible for your behavior in and out of the lab coat; just like a few years back, how hotel behavior cost others. I'm not going to get into it more than that, but I want to state that the ban came after a report was submitted for acting untoward another individual who felt so off put by his behavior that they reported him to TCPI; who was right or wrong is a moot point at this point, as TCPI has chosen to act.

Just going to state a caveat for others to learn from: Be careful what you do/say in social media, that while the first amendment protects your rights to say whatever you feel, it does not protect you from repercussions from organizational bodies you are a part of. As well as to say, profanity even if you do not feel is profane personally doesn't mean it is any less offensive to another individual.
 
Mikko .... if you are in the know about this subject, then it's probably best if we leave it at that. However if you weren't party to the particulars, then speculating on it is probably a bad idea. Thank you for a possible explanation regardless.

It definitely is a good idea to be on your best behaviour when it comes to social media. Something you might think of as innocent fun might come back and bite you in the butt years later. In the information age, you can find out way more than you need to know about any individual. Caution is a wise course.
 
It isn't speculation, this is fact based on known information from an exchange between individuals that led to a report; since an individual was offended by Mr. Warren's behavior/actions and felt that it should be addressed by a proper channel. I can promise you, that my statement wasn't posted without being support by facts and/or evidence.
 
So basically you just want to shoot on Gary ? What is the goal of that thread… "Gary claims he doesn't know why he was banned, TCPi please tell him, if us people don't know that's fine but tell him".
 
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Oh how I wish you hadn't come forward with this. However, you did. So I still have to say that this is second hand info - possibly even third hand info. I have no idea how old you are, but most people at one time or another learn that revealing information or getting involved in a dispute they have no personal stake in is folly - maybe even foolish. Not everyone learns this, or sometimes they just ignore their better instincts to their own peril. My advice? If it was me, I'd delete that post. At least for now. That's just my advice to you so you are protected from any possible backlash. But you are gonna do what you're gonna do regardless of anyone's advice, so I hope you're prepared. Good luck.
 
I'm old enough, and secure enough that no level of insults or muckraking will bother me; i'm not someone that cares what people thinks, including not being afraid to let people know the truth about Mr. Warren's actions or his feelings that keep him from admitting to knowing what this is about. People wanted to know what actions led to Gary Warren receiving a banning, and since he was not obliging to come forward, so I thought that someone should. Better the truth be known to inquiring minds, than for it not to come out; irregardless of how it makes the parties involved look.

I just wanted the record to be known that, it's not an accident he was banned. It's a serious issue, that was taken to TCPi, and reported to them based on Mr. Warren's misconduct. It's also not true that Mr. Warren isn't aware of why he was banned, as the other party involved directly told Mr. Warren that he was going to take action to TCPi. The true matter is, both in that exchange and in this matter Mr. Warren doesn't believe he did anything wrong; which is why he feigns ignorance instead of coming forward himself or actually letting people know. Maybe he's just too embarassed about the matter, in how it cost him something he dedicated himself so much to. Either way, his folly in something that should be learned from.

I'd also like to state, that my presence in the organized play community is non-existent, as is my presence on this forum; before this, my last post was in 2010. As both my presence on this forum is next to non-existent, and in the organized play community i've got no concern for repercussion.

The entirety of this issue comes back to something i've spoken about before:

Pokemon Trainer Mikko said:
http://www.pokemon.com/us/organized-...s/core-values/

Professionalism
To maintain a higher degree of respect, Professors should act professionally when acting in an official capacity. Foul language, horseplay, smoking, drinking alcohol, and similar activities are unacceptable while actively representing Pokémon. Players, parents, spectators, and venue staff should be addressed courteously, regardless of race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, or physical or mental capacity. In addition, it is unprofessional to publicly make negative comments about Pokémon, the Pokémon TCG, or TPCi without first trying to resolve these issues with TPCi via private communication. Negative comments made publicly only hurt the brand, the game, the company, and the organized play program.

The relationship between TPCi and a Pokémon Professor is an "at-will" relationship. This means that either party, at any time, for any reason, is free to sever the relationship. If TPCi or the member severs the relationship, the member will no longer be considered a member of the Professor Program and will not be eligible to receive any of the benefits associated with the Professor Program.
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I...still don't understand. I've know Mr. Gary for a while now and he doesn't seem like the kind of person who would do something unprofessional. During my tournaments, he'd often sit with my dad and talk to him while I played Top Cut, and there are many people at my local league that would vouch for him and his good nature. No offense, but you really didn't clear anything up at all. If anything, you made me think this is even more of a mistake/accident.
 
This explanation seems a bit off, as stated before...

Firstly, I know Mr. Gary. I know he's a nice man, and offending someone to the point of reporting seems a bit off. Maybe a joke misinterpreted, but nothing that wouldn't be explained and dealt with by now certainly.

Secondly, how did you obtain this info? If you truly have nothing to lose, how did you do the digging to find it? Were you there, or is this just a game of telephone where the information gets mixed up/misinterpreted?

Thirdly, if it's really something Mr. Gary knew and it was something he didn't think is right, wouldn't he talk to others and explain it, rather than saying he didn't know. Every other person who has spoken to him(According to previous posts) say that he doesn't know why he was banned, and suddenly you say he does. This is a bit contradictory, much less saying that he's lying about it.

I really think you should elaborate a bit more, if you truly know the cause.
 
Hmmm, on the contrary, I think he should elaborate less. Enquiring minds don't necessarily HAVE TO find out all the details. After over 8000 views of this topic, most people were content not to have all the details. Keeping the subject going for the sake of rehashing all the ins and outs only makes the situation worse. No good will come of it. Gary's name will be brought through the mud more than it is now, the offended person's credibility will be questioned, TPCi's policies will be questioned, and pokemon players will look like fools. No, my opinion (such as it is) is that it really is best that everything gets rolled under the carpet - not forgotten, but definitely not sensationalized either. We can still learn something from it.
 
Mr. Warren used profanity towards another person via social media, and insulted them to a degree that they felt that it was unbecoming. Thus, they felt the need to screenshot said conversation and send it to TCPi; said screenshots of the conversation, and offensive language was shared with me. I've seen what was said directly from Mr. Warren, and the other individual; who didn't provoke Mr. Warren or speak to him in an inappropriate way to deserve such course language. It seemed like an appropriate action to me, because Mr. Warren is responsible for his behavior in all aspects of his life; especially as someone that used to represent TCPi and the brand.

There's no misinterpretation, there's no slanderous attacks, there's no miscommunication, and i'm sharing this honestly. It was a fact that Mr. Warren had a conversation, where he used offensive language towards another individual. I personally find that the other reporting individual was in his right to do so, since Mr. Warren was completely unprofessional. If you want to continue to doubt me, that's fine. Point stands the fact that Mr. Warren received a non-expiring ban for his behavior. You can either accept it, or not.
 
Tpci becoming like ude over bans... Lol

Used to be laidback now theyre serious on anything outside pkmn...
 
Mikko: The only thing you may "know" was that this online conversation took place and that it was reported.

That's not the same thing as knowing that it is the cause of his ban.

I'm going to lock this thread now since it has turned into reckless speculation.
 
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