[photo-3d] Labbe Incident

[Tom Deering <photo-3d@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

A few weeks ago, Ron Labbe accosted me at the NSA convention in 
Phoenix.  Mr. Labbe has written several distorted messages about the 
incident on Photo-3D in which he paints himself as the victim.  As 
some of you pointed out, parts of his story seem to have been left 
out, which is indeed the case.

I have been waiting to comment until I could take this issue up with 
the NSA.  Apparently I will not be given that opportunity.  I 
received word a few days ago that the Board of Directors will not 
investigate the matter nor take any action. I am told the Board 
discussed this issue several times, although it is disappointing that 
they made a decision without hearing my side of the story.

As a courtesy to those with no interest in this subject, I will not 
submit a lengthy description on Photo-3D.  In any event, there is no 
way to relate here the unbelievably offensive, vulgar language Mr. 
Labbe used in Phoenix.  So what follows is a summary:

Mr. Labbe claims to have become agitated over a delay in the 
presentation of my stereo video "Quest for China", a presentation 
made possible by a stereo video projector Mr. Labbe owns.  Read that 
over, because that is Mr. Labbe's only complaint.  What would make a 
man come to blows over a simple technical delay?  Perhaps there are 
pharmaceutical or psychological factors of which I am unaware.

This minor difficulty caused Mr. Labbe to become foul-mouthed and 
hostile on several occasions to my wife and me.  While I was working 
in my hotel room to solve the very problems that inflamed him, Mr. 
Labbe was so abusive to my wife in the Stereo Theatre that she hid 
for an hour by the pool, crying.  In twelve years, I can count on 
*one hand* the times I have seen my wife cry.

(Like many spouses, my wife knows nothing about stereo, and came 
along only as a favor to me. I promised her a relaxing vacation in 
the sun.  Being reduced to tears by a madman was not part of the 
bargain.  It's difficult to understand why Labbe chose to berate my 
wife instead of coming to my room to discuss his problem in a civil 
manner.)

A full day later, I met Mr. Labbe in a hallway.  Since I assumed he 
would have cooled down by then, I attempted to reason with him.  By 
this point, the technical problems had been resolved and the video 
had been successfully shown, but Mr. Labbe could not be reasoned 
with.  He became vulgar, irrational and abusive with me, then 
physically violent.  Mr. Labbe, who is both taller and considerably 
heavier than me, threw the first (and only) punch. I subdued him as 
best as I could.  After the police were summoned, he apologized to my 
wife for his absurd behavior.

As for the "fight", it consisted mostly of Mr. Labbe's attempted 
punch, which did not land.  He found himself face down on the carpet, 
with his right arm twisted behind his back.  Considering my lack of 
experience and size disadvantage, this came as much of a shock to me 
as anyone.

No blows were exchanged of any kind, and the only marks on him were 
the rug burns on his face.  I assume the only thing he injured was 
his pride.

I have several regrets.  I certainly wish I had handled the situation 
differently.  During our tussle, I said some things I am not proud 
of.  And I am conflicted by the fact that I remain truly grateful 
that Mr. Labbe brought his projector from Boston.  I wish he had left 
it at that.

Mr. Labbe needs to seek professional help for whatever troubles him. 
He must learn to cope with his inexplicable moods before a spilled 
slide tray or blown projector bulb throws him into another rage.

I apologize for wasting bandwidth with this non-stereo message, but I 
wanted to set the record straight. I will respond to inquiries made 
off-list.

Tom Deering