We respect Mr. Zumbo's First Amendment right to free speech, and we acknowledge his subsequent apology and admission of error. However, Outdoor Life has always been, and will always be, a steadfast supporter of all aspects of the shooting sports and our Second Amendment rights, which do not make distinctions based on the appearance of the firearms we choose to own, shoot or hunt with.I think that allowing Jim to resign with honor is the absolutely correct thing to do. It recognizes Jim's 45 years of service as well as acknowledges the new reality. Good job, Todd Smith, on a hard subject!
I've said this before, but now is a time for unity. My whole focus this week — when it should have been on WORKING — has been on making sure everyone in the industry I've spoken to understands that we have to move forward together. As I said on the SIXGUNNER forum, there is a storm coming and it will take all our resources and all our commitment to weather that storm.
I honestly believe that for the first time in years, hunters and shooters are on the same page. The biggest mistake we on the shooting side can make is to treat our hunting compatriots with the same casual contempt we were treated with for so long. It is NOT a time for payback; it's a time to move forward. You guys know how long I have been fighting this fight, and I think you understand what it has cost me. I will not allow defeat to be snatched from the jaws of victory!
It is time to stand together!
And do you realize I haven't made a single sleazy comment on Anna Nichole Smith — who is, paranthetically, still dead — or Britney Spears — who is still bald — in a week? I'm in withdrawal!
13 comments:
Amen!
Walt Rauch
Unfortunately this is not going to be easy, see the idiot at Field & Stream.
Mike, here's another one at F&S that doesn't get it either. Looks like he'll be the next man looking for an app at Wally World.
http://fieldandstream.blogs.com/gunnut/2007/02/zumbomania_davi.html#comment-61312052
So, I won't be the first to point to Petzal. But I am going to quote from one of the comments, to illustrate that not only are we not yet united, but also the depth of misunderstanding which divides us.
That being said, I stand by what I said earlier. That type of weapon does not belong in big game hunting for the simple reason that it takes all of the sport out of the "game". The quarry of choice (deer, elk, moose, whatever) has no chance of outrunning a long burst from assault weapons, and also it would ruin the meat to put that much lead into it! Wouldn't it?
Not trying to pee in your cornflakes, Michael. Just the sad facts is all. And you're right that we need to somehow get to the point where we are united. The question is how to reach these people. If they've been drinking the Tom Diaz kool-aid ... well, I don't know. If Zumbo is genuinely on the path to reform, maybe there's a chance these types of hunters will listen to him, as one of their own.
I KNOW, I KNOW...
It's damned frustrating...all this talk about "sporting" when you're whacking a white-tailed deer with $1000 worth of precision rifle mounted wit a $1000 scope. My Sweetie, who is SERIOUSLY antihunting, found a t-shirt at a SHOT Show that read, "IF IT CAN'T KILL YOU, IT'S NOT SPORT!"
I'm going to try and keep the temperature down, but if F&S wants a war, so be it.
mb
I assume your Sweetie is aware that people have been killed by deer, elk, moose, etc. Hey, even by prairie dogs, indirectly.
Odd shirt to find at the SHOT show, methinks.
You'd think that by now, all the outdoor mags would be paying close attention.
Michael, with all this flap over Zumbo clogging the net, have you had the opportunity to hear about H.R. 1096? This is a bill submitted by Ron Paul (Tx.) restoring the 2nd Amendment to its rightful glory for all shooters. Now's the time to spread the word when everyone is harping over what Mr. Zumbo did last weekend. This is our shot at redemption. I pray the entire shooting community jumps all over this the way they jumped on Zumbo.
Michael
As for the allowing Zumbo to leave with dignity, apparently he didn't get the word, because he's apparently telling people they fired him.
I also want to note that the level of bare, bold faced arrogance from Dave Petzel in that blog is so thick you can cut it with a knife.
He's goading non-Fudds to take him on.
He seemed especially pissed that we found his 94 column...
How DARE you terrorist rifle owners keep old copies of the magazine on file!
They are no better than Hillary and company.
Bravo Michael!
All shooters need to stick together to protect out rights. We cannot let the looney, collectivist left perpetuate "divide and conquer" strategy agains us.
Now is the time for all gun owners to join the NRA. They can't make everyone happy, but they are the best thing we got. If all gun owners (estimated at 80 million plus) where to join then no political party would dare to pass any gun restrictions. If even 1/4 of that amount would pay their stinking dues we would be safe as a baby in it's mothers arms.
What's frightening is that Zumbo could probably have been elected to the NRA board of directors any time in the last 20 years that he had made an effort.
We are going to have to be extra vigilant in screening potential board members about their views.
We will see what Zumbo's apology is worth when we see if he is running a subsidiary "Hunter's Organization" for Sarah Brady next year.
'H&K has replaced Colt’s “gas-tube” system with the short-stroke piston system'
Thank you again, David 'Carbine' Williams!
Post a Comment