10.4.2026 JOE’S CORNER: Would Anyone Else Like To Quit TMD?

I HAVE HAD ENOUGH OF THIS CRAP!

WARNING: RANT FOLLOWS

FOR ADULTS ONLY; ‘SNOWFLAKES’ SHOULD NOT READ

I should have known better, but I’m naive.  I thought, if I did my best to let people know it was all supposed to be in good fun and NOT go stupid, guys would handle it that way.  Sadly, I was wrong — again.  Well, anyway, here’s the rant:

Yesterday, I posted this on TMD’s FaceBook page, and I even asked “Is this too much?”

I received this in return — and I LOVED IT!  It honestly made me laugh.

I didn’t mean a dang thing by the picture.  I thought it was funny — and relevant to the hobby.  I mean, seriously, have you seen the cost of these new kits?  And, before you justify them, remember — I know what it costs to make them, and I know who is REALLY jacking up the kit costs (hint: it isn’t the manufacturers).  Besides, this craziness even flows into the swap meets.  I see guys trying to sell kits they bought for $30-$35 20+ years ago for the current $70+ price of the same kit, only NEW!  I guess I missed the part where our plastic was supposed to be modelers 401K program.  But, hey, cool.  I get it.  Best sell now, because 3D gonna empty that retirement plan, boys and girls.

Anyway, I had guys tell me they got the joke, but I should not have posted it because people would get angry and quit buying from me.  Well, sure enough, they were right.  I had a long-time customer tell me goodbye and flip me 3 bird emojis.

You know what,

I DO NOT CARE ANYMORE!

OK, I get it.  You think this politician is a criminal, racist, NAZI, or whatever.  They are all things evil in the world and need to die.  And NO ONE is allowed to disagree with you or they need to be ruined and killed, as well.   Well, that politician’s ‘team’ thinks the same thing about you and your ‘team.’

Is that how it works out there now?  Unless everyone does exactly what you want, exactly the way you want it done, they need to be ‘cancelled?’  There’s no room for differing opinions, or humor?  No one can laugh at themselves (or anyone else) anymore?  Really?  Because, from where I’m standing, if you feel this way, that means the person in your mirror is the person who needs to be ‘cancelled.’  Not the one you were hating on.  And, if you can’t see that, you are PROVING MY POINT!

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HERE ARE MY ‘POLITICS’

I HATE BOTH PARTIES!  I HAVE BEEN SAYING THIS FOR YEARS!

I no longer see Left vs Right, D vs R.  All I see is good vs evil, and both sides seem to think they are the ‘good’ guys.  Me?  I have this mistaken belief that each of us can be as wrong and each of us can be right, and that mature people can disagree and still get along.  Heck, if we try, we might even learn from each other, which might – gasp — help solve some of our problems.  I mean, call me naive, but I used to believe this was what made us was the mark of a ‘good person.’  But this all requires us to listen to each other, which requires maturity — which are things that seem to have gone out of vogue.  BB tells me I’m expecting too much from people.  Well, if that is the case, I no longer belong in this world.

That said, I know human nature, and history, and I recognize the path this world is currently on — and where it leads.  To quote a favorite villain of mine:

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AS TO MY BUSINESS

Ever since I started this company, I have tried to treat all my customers with decency and respect — even when I knew we had sharp divisions in our personal beliefs.  He’s gone now, but I can think of someone many of you know and, were he still here, I have no doubt he would defend me on this (and, in spite of our differences, I miss him).  But, if you are going to “punish me” because we have different opinions, then I need you to know something.  When you try to place your next order, and most of you eventually do, you will be told:

If trying to remain true to the values and principles I believe, and to the person I am trying to be — while respecting others at the same time — has to cost me my business, then:

SO BE IT!

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AS FOR THE 2 – 3 ADULTS STILL IN THE ROOM

As long as we can be civil and respect each other as human beings, I will continue to treat you with the same conscientious service and respect I have always tried to show my customers.

THAT IS ALL

Now, would someone please hand me the freaking glue?  NO!  Not that weak Tamiya thin stuff.  I need the old-fashioned Testor’s red tube glue (and maybe a paper bag, as well).

— Joe

P.S. Did anyone notice that, even when I am ranting, I am still trying to be funny, and to laugh at myself?