THR and TFL are Sister Sites.
Yes there are other Sister Sites, for sake of simplicity I will just use THR/ TFL.
We are Global Resources for Reponsible Firearm Ownership. We grew out of TFL as stated in my original post.
Here is MY deal. I was born in 1955 and raised a certain way. I was attracted to a certain way of living as well - I wanted what I call my Mentors & Elders lived.
These Mentors & Elders lived Responsible Firearm Ownership and Civil Liberties. This was evident in how they conducted their affairs and carried themselves. Including those matters where Firearms or Civil Liberties was the subject matter.
My role is to pass forward as passed to me. I have always done so and will continue to. When I finally learned computers and Internet - a new medium was afforded me to use.
I made mistakes. If we wanted to post all my shortcomings and skeletons in the closet I have made in my life, and on THR/TFL - Oleg and Rich do not have enough bandwith.
I am no big deal, never will be - I know that. Heck I share that folks all the time!
All I have are my experiences to share. All I have are my elephants I have faced. There are many members that have faced more and bigger elephants than I - my elephants were real, and I own them. Just as the others with more and bigger own them.
For those that know, bear with me as I share for that do not.
The stories I share - the reason?
I grew up reading Ruark, I couldn't wait to get ahold of a Field & Stream and read Ruark first. Then I got the book " The Old Man And The Boy".
That book shares a LOT in being a responsible firearm owner, hunting, dealing with people, civil liberties, ethics, respect, morals, values, life lessons, principals and so much more - than a grandkid and grandpa.
I can't write, my expression is in my heart and soul - by the time it gets to typed words - I admit it, I cannot express myself well. That is what I am attempting to do in them dumb stories.
Ruark's Book, THR and TFL are akin to that book to ME.
I have given so many of those books out over the years, cases of them. I have read that book to many young boys and girls, to parents, to adults and grandparents.
You may have gotten one in a raffle I donated. You may have bid on one I donated. You may again soon this month, and Mr, Ayoob has agreed to sign it if you attend Monkyleg's even in WI.
You see, I do not tell everything I know or do.
I gave that book once to a single mom and little girl going thru abuse. I was one of others assisting in getting this mom and little girl safe. I read to them both, and the mom read to the child.
The abusive male tore up that book and burned it. The mom and child cried, them got mad. I and others got mad,and I gave them another book once they were safe.
Like that copy of Ruark's book - just like THR/TFL are Resources akin to that book - I get a bit upset when THR/ TFL are torn and burned.
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Here is how I was raised.
I am an invited guest in Oleg's and Rich's home and property. I abide by their rules. I wipe my feet, and use a coaster for my coffee on the coffee table.
Out on the property I leave the gates open / closed as instructed. I do not hunt where asked not to hunt, I catch release the bass from the pond and keep only the bream I will eat.
If a brick-bat is tossed and breaks a front window - I do not have to be told - I pitch in. I assist in putting up plywood, and take my turn at watch so others can get some shut-eye.
If for some reason I am asked to babysit the house and property - I do as instructed.
Now if the barn catches fire, I don't have to told to open the barn to let the horses free. I have to make a judgement call on something not covered, and let a gate be open that is otherwise supposed to be closed. Safety of the horses is paramount. I take repsonsibility for opening a closed gate.
Folks that invited then later abuse the invite are not welcome. Nor are they to invite other Rowdy friends to break house and property rules.
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An ill wind had been blowing too long. I know another front is coming in to clear the air. Rich alluded to it earlier.
My sentiments are expressed by Rich in this quote:
http://www.thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=212814
Is there a part of that which needs further explanation?
I find it funny how people can take a Free Service and develop a sense of birthright that they should be allowed to use it on their own terms. Last I checked, this was a Private Board. Last I checked, I pay for this service and Staff puts in the voluntary effort to make it work. Seems to me we have a bit of a right to set the rules and revoke the invites.
Seems to me, the last time some Twinkie visited here for the first and last time, 24 hours before he attempted murder and committed suicide, the investigative heat came down on me and this Staff.
Seems to me, the last time a Twinkie decided he was gonna do something about our Rules, he reported an LEO Staff Member here to his department for "misuse of public equipment". That was lots of fun for the Staff Member involved.
So, please....don't feel it's all about you.
Rich
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Post Counts: Personally I hate them.
In my real life I am quiet, observant, aware most times. I open up to those I choose to let into my circle. I have my reasons and comes from a type of work(s) I have done/ do.
I have done a lot behind the monitor , always have, be it landline, PM or Email. On-line posts - I opened up more , reasons vary.
My Mentors & Elders spoke of dimensions, I better understand what these are. The reality hit hard not long ago - I am the only one left alive of an original bunch of folks that did something.
Now I am the only one to pass forward to some kinfolks and friends what we did. Always been one to not shoot, instead pull targets, assist a new shooter, give instruction, cook on the grill...this bit my Mentors & Elders could not put into words or share how to handle so to speak. I just have to stumble thru best can.
Personal Emails are going to some folks in the near future. In the meantime I just took upon myself another project or three. Got some personal matters to attend to as well.
While I have at Galt's Gulch, carried a Cancer friend of mine into the house, gave shotgun lessons to a lady, Shot Red Ryder BB guns with a kid, got two folks assisting with shotguns on-line.
Oh that kid, had some money he was saving for something, instead he did a RKBA donation with some of it - bought his grandpa Ruark's book.
What one does - how raised.
Steve
