LAST EDITED ON Feb-24-07 AT 06:00PM (MST)[p]Despite the risk of vilification, I'll repost a message I put on another board a while ago. Ignore the part between the **s since it's an answer to another message about an elk permit Jim received in AZ during and BECAUSE of the USO fiasco. Rather than use it, he ate it and disengaged himself from any dealings with USO. -TONY
**
Doc,
Great. Glad you found it. Jim told me much the same during an unrelated phone conversation right after he had received the AZ permit.**
Jim and I have been good friends ever since we were introduced to each other by a peer in Yellowstone NP. I believe that was in 1975. We're both dagos, the same age, and if I recall we also share the same BD! How time flies when you're getting old.
Through the years, we've spent many days together and shared meals and toddies. We've served on the board of directors of at least two organizations, and most recently Jim, myself and eight others were put in charge to start a new media organization that supported the traditional shooting, hunting, fishing and trapping sports. The 10 of us met in Alabama for three days, and the result was the Professional Outdoor Media Association (POMA)
The impetus for this happened because the board of another writers' organization came down on the NRA president for comments he made at a banquet in regards to the Sierra Club.
As members of that organization for more than 30 years, both Jim and I were two of the most vehement detractors of that board's action. As a result, 500 or so members followed us as we resigned our long-standing memberships. The NRA, Remington, The Outdoor Channel and many other corporations who supported that group also resigned their affiliations and helped start POMA in 2005.
The mission and charter of POMA, which Jim helped craft, read:
MISSION STATEMENT
The Professional Outdoor Media Association, Inc. is a group of individual communicators and Corporate Partners who believe in, defend, support and promote the heritage of hunting, fishing, shooting and traditional outdoor sports through writing, photography and other means. By doing so, members hope to educate the general public about these sports and encourage more participation in them. The organization serves the membership by helping members grow professionally, improve their skills, better their working environments and enhance their businesses.
****
IRREVOCABLE CHARTER
In January 2005, at a combined meeting during the Safari Club International (SCI) convention and the Shooting, Hunting, Outdoor Trade (SHOT) show, outdoor communicators elected a steering committee of their peers for the purpose of creating a new national outdoor media organization. The committee met in May 2005 at White Oak Plantation near Tuskegee, Alabama and formed the Professional Outdoor Media Association (POMA).
The organization offers a congenial, collegial atmosphere to its members and provides them meaningful services including education in craft, improvement in business practices, tools to enhance efficiency and profits along with extensive networking opportunities. Members are committed to preserving the sanctity of freedom of speech and the right of individuals to keep and bear arms; fostering ethical standards in business dealings, communications and the codes by which they personally abide when afield; maintaining the integrity, understanding and enjoyment of traditional hunting, fishing, trapping and shooting activities.
POMA recognizes the important role that industry and members of the conservation community play in the perpetuation of outdoor sports. The organization acknowledges the mutually beneficial relationship individual and Corporate Partners enjoy as members
Finally, we honor the memory of the great hunting, fishing, trapping and shooting communicators from the past and pledge to perpetuate the heritage of our profession.
Unfortunately, in this fiasco, the almighty $$$$ ruled. Sadly, the same folks Jim stood behind decided to make him the sacrificial lamb, or perhaps roadkill would be more apropos.
Despite the outcry over the ignorance Jim showed, he ain't the enemy of the 2nd amendment or any other thing that entails shooting, guns and hunting. I no way condone or support what he said. In fact, we have corresponded since this started, so I know what he MEANT to say. Plus, I know the man and his principles. Some here and on the other chat boards could learn a lot from him.
No doubt right now Sarah's minions are perusing this and other boards and selecting some of the messages (and boy, are there some doozies from some foul-mouthed slobs), so the REAL enemies can stand up during the debate about the present AR ban bill and read them. Of course, they will probably do so only so they can say, "See what we mean? Are these really the type of people who should own these types of destructive weapons?"
Lastly, some think this event will unite ALL gun owners, hunters included. Guess what? I'd bet the divide will widen even more over it. In fact, it's already showing up all over the Web.
It's a sad day for all sportsmen when the ruination of the life of a friend of hunters, shooters and ALL FIREARMS OWNERS is applauded with glee and touted as the best thing since the invention of smokeless powder. And don't think the real enemy isn't watching that either and laughing out loud about the cannabilistic "assault rifle nuts."
Frankly, I'm rather ashamed by it; no, make that appalled by it. But hell, what do I know. I'm just another know-nothing outdoor writer who has now opened himself up for the same venom and vulgar comments Zumbo received. Have fun, but don't expect me to respond to any of it. -TONY
