For the record, 'Grouse Guy' is the same Benjamin Deeble who is a biologist for the National Wildlife Federation - as well as the self-appointed 'point man', as of late, for persuading the rest of us Montanans to give up on lead upland hunting ammunition.
When I presented him with Obama's gun voting record by e-mail earlier this year, he responded that it was a load of "horse puckey" (save all his e-mails), and that 'Obama didn't want our guns'. When I asked how he might have gotten that impression, he stated that (as paraphrased) 'he (Obama) isn't even talking about gun legislation'! Well, he doesn't need to talk about legislation apparently....just sign them as they come across his desk.
How people like Mr. Deeble (and Pat Williams) can pooh-pooh Obama's gun agenda while the expired Clinton Assault Weapons Ban is already being dusted off, injected with steroids, and readied for passage within the U.S. House ASAP is beyond me.
As for the lead phase-out issue here in our state, 'Grouse Guy' hurried the board of the Big Sky Upland Bird Assoc. (BSUBA) through a hasty vote to accept his proposal for studying the impacts of removing lead from our upland equation. We, the general membership, knew nothing about it until some four months later. That proposal went to the Montana Wildlife Federation, where it was accepted by a majority of their 40-some voting members as being fit for a formal resolution destined for our Fish, Wildlife, & Parks people.
Problem was, these 'voting' members were largely comprised of the presidents and representatives of some 20 Rod & Gun Club (MWF affiliates) throughout our state who somehow also thought it best not to notify their general memberships of what they were supporting.
What I can tell you is that every affiliate club we've been able to canvass so far, was totally in the dark as to what their leaders had voted in for them. And it was due to their voiced shock and outrage that MWF recently tabled the resolution until further discussion can take place within BSUBA....IOW, back to the drawing board.
For those interested in such doings, all of this was discussed at perhaps too much length some months back on this board and can probably be accessed by viewing our individual message profiles.
As for past Congressman, Pat Williams, and with due respect for those good things he did accomplish, he was in many's opinion one of the more liberal national politicians Montana has ever produced - and who is now teaching at perhaps the most liberal university here in the inner northwest....the University of Montana in Missoula.
Enough said,
Robert Harris
P.S. On second thought, maybe enough wasn't said. The same Missoulian newspaper that published former congressman Pat Williams piece provided above, also published this past Sunday a piece called "Stocking Up" by reporter Michael Jamison. His article details the deluge of customers descending upon Montana gun shops and sporting goods stores to buy those guns and ammunition items that may be affected by future legislation.
Even this Missoulian reporter allowed in his piece that changes re: certain hot-button topics such as the resurrected assault weapons ban, the availability of concealed carry permits, and gunshow sales, etc. may have ramifications for the shooting public. Mind you, they would never admit (or print) this information prior to the election, but now that it is a done deal...what the hey! Too bad Mr. Deeble didn't bother to share that one with you......
Last edited by Robt. Harris; 11/13/08 04:09 PM.
