Anything from the Cowboy Nationals?

[lijeboy]

Thanks, Glen.

I'll be looking forward to receiving your load information. Any help in getting oriented in the right direction is welcome. And I'll check out that friend/foe feature. Sounds like it might come in handy.

Lijeboy

[TXCharlie]

NRA rules define how and when a protest is lodged; the 2 protests were filed in accordance with the official NRA rule book. The competitors were required to file the protest after the match was started. The jury had to be formed; something that had not been accomplished, Greg then spoke to the jury for 30 minutes before the protests could be heard by the jury.
I am another silhouette shooter with more than 30 years experience, the process and respect for competitors from the NRA, is not something that appears to be a priority. This experience has been repeated many times with the silhouette disciplines, along with others. The last time I became involved with protesting the rules, a VP of the NRA sent me an apology for the actions of a NRA employee. This did not change what happened those years ago, the employee kept his job and last weeks nationals prove once again the NRA continue to ignore the competitors.
If you went to the competitors meeting, remember what was stated:
“A well written letter is more important than this meeting”

Charlie

[lijeboy]

Mary:

You've ran matches and been on juries too, etc.? You are one experienced gal in this silhouette game and must have a lot to offer a novice shooter like myself.

In my opinion the subject of when to file, whether to file, etc., protests has been cussed and discussed ad nauseum. After all, you were not the person to file the protest obviously, since you weren't at the match, and neither was I, so perhaps if the protester wants us to know his/her thoughts they will speak up. I would love to hear their reasoning. That said, though, what's done is done. We are none the worse for the wear and seem to have all made it through to see another day. Perhaps it will be a learning experience for all.

I am intrigued, however, with your comment about wheelchair-bound competitors not being allowed to hold a national record. That sounds quite unconstitutional to me and I would certainly be interested in seeing it in print. Can you please point me in the right direction in locating it?

I'm also curious if the petitions to have Mr. Conner removed as match director are successful, who those who are circulating the petitions wish to take over the helm. Seems like pretty big shoes to fill to me.

My apologies to the originator of this thread. The subject matter has certainly drifted from its original intent, as I have noticed is quite common on this forum, and I apologize for my participation in its drifting.

Lijeboy

[Bear]

Hi All,

Lijeboy

Wheelchair-bound competitor is covered under Physically Disabled Shooters in your rule book.

Bear

[Innocent]

Lijeboy,
Southern Nationals Orange Shirt Society. Something you have to experience to understand. Especially coopertop!!

My second mentor in this sport (the first being the late Luis Uribarri from El Paso) was wheelchair bound. He taught me more about spotting, dealing with protests, and having the guts to do so, rather than stand by quietly, and encouraging new shooters than any of my previous position coaches combined. My respects and thanks go out to both Luis and Al "Pops".

The petition circulating is very specific about who should take over the helm, and that person is already a NRA employee.

Txcharlie is correct, things have not changed, this sitiuation at this years nationals was nothing new, thus the reason for my comments
and posts.

Glen, if you notice I post very little about things such as reloading, primarily because what little experience I have is not enough to warrant comments, unlike several others that post. While I continue to pick on McAlice about his addiction to 7mm, it is a gentle ribbing, as we have known each other and been friends for a long time. If you can not handle the cooking stay out of the kitchen...means more food for the rest of us, LOL.
As for basics on how to shoot (especially offhand), spot, and answering new shooters questions I have a lot of experience, and considering my protege a lot of record behind me, not to mention the awards I have won. My sense of humor and my willingness to speak out about things I feel are unfair, and my addiction to this sport will not change.

My real point in all the posts on the observations of this years nationals is: there was at least 10% of last years compeititors to the cowboy nationals that did not attend this year due to the arbitrary rule change. And in reading a third direct email to me about the situations there, (one uninterested shooter, one jury member and one very long time competitor) those that did not see at least one of the protests coming had their eyes closed. Those that protested did so in an attempt to bring to a head the fact that our letters, verbal objections etc. are not being heard. While I am not an Obama lover, change in leadership is needed.

Mary

[lijeboy]

Mary:

As a relatively new-to-this-sport shooter, certainly new compared to your 30-plus years, I am quite disheartened to learn of the animus between some competitors and the NRA. The matches I have attended have all appeared to be well-run and everyone was having a good time, until this year, that is. And with the exception of a very few who were intent on causing trouble this year, the rest of us had a good time, despite the display of histrionics by the aforementioned very few. But after having joined this forum, with the intent, by the way, of learning more about the game, I am left with a bad taste and am very disappointed to have learned that all is not as it seems.

With all that said, I am going to seriously consider whether to continue shooting silhouette or move on to something else.

Thank you for opening my eyes to what is really going on.

Lijeboy

PS: I asked a specific question about who should take over the helm and received a surreptitious reply that "The petition circulating is very specific about who should take over the helm, and that person is already a NRA employee" which is more evidence of what I have begun to suspect, and that is there are a few who really don't want new shooters in the sport.

[jneihouse]

Don't have a dog in this hunt, so to speak, so forgive my intrusion...ligeboy, even the best marriages have some rocky times, the relationship between the NRA staff and some shooters go way back and there is a ton of history between all the parties involved.....But, it is still a great family and I encourage you to stay, and if you see problems work toward a peaceful resolution to the same......Now, as for the real reason for my post...Thanks a lot guys, you have surely put Greg in a rare mood for our upcoming smallbore and highpower sillhouette championships.

Kitty

[AMB]

Silhouette shooting is fun. When it's not fun quit, but don't get caught up in the BS and let personalities ruin it and drive you out. 95% of the folks involved are great and I enjoy being around. 4.9% are annoying and I try to avoid, but usually can be tolerant around. .1% are total Aholes and I can't be around. I figure the latter group is just like a stupid shot, I ignore and put out of my mind. Some times you need poise and focus to handle the human element, just like when shooting a match. I enjoy the game more than I detest the .1% Al Bean, MCRC

[lijeboy]

Al:

Thanks for breaking it down and for the commonsense approach.

Lijeboy

[glen ring]

Al
You are 100% right on. There are some aholes that need to be avoided and just focusing on shooting and the good folks is spot on.
I really like the Poise and Focus remark. Being calm, kind and positive usually is all it takes to repel the aholes.
I try my best to be courteous, an ambassador for the sport and I just live to hear the "tink" as the bullet hits the target.

If I've met you and forgotton your name, forgive me. I'll gladly buy you the beverage of your choice the next time I see you.

[Trent]

While I continue to pick on McAlice about his addiction to 7mm, it is a gentle ribbing, as we have known each other and been friends for a long time. If you can not handle the cooking stay out of the kitchen...means more food for the rest of us, LOL.

Mary

If a day went by and no one picked on McAlice he would start to worry that we don't love him anymore. It is sick and twisted but he really does get a kick out of the all the dirt that gets thrown his way. I think all the cutting fluid smoke that he has inhaled over the years.

On the subject that has befallen this thread, I feel that there is a certain fear over speaking out and protesting (whether it be against a fellow competitor or an event). I experienced it first hand this year and the Conard Bernhardt Cup this year. I saw something that I should have brought up, but did not in fear of being "the dark cloud" or "the bad guy". That is something that I need deal with internally. No person should feel badly about speaking up for what is wrong (or right!). This sport needs to be regulated and a lot of times it has to be done by us, the competitors. The squeaky wheel gets the grease. (that is a good thing)

Ok... back under my rock.

[Trent]

Mary:

As a relatively new-to-this-sport shooter, certainly new compared to your 30-plus years, I am quite disheartened to learn of the animus between some competitors and the NRA. The matches I have attended have all appeared to be well-run and everyone was having a good time, until this year, that is. And with the exception of a very few who were intent on causing trouble this year, the rest of us had a good time, despite the display of histrionics by the aforementioned very few. But after having joined this forum, with the intent, by the way, of learning more about the game, I am left with a bad taste and am very disappointed to have learned that all is not as it seems.

With all that said, I am going to seriously consider whether to continue shooting silhouette or move on to something else.

Thank you for opening my eyes to what is really going on.

Lijeboy

PS: I asked a specific question about who should take over the helm and received a surreptitious reply that "The petition circulating is very specific about who should take over the helm, and that person is already a NRA employee" which is more evidence of what I have begun to suspect, and that is there are a few who really don't want new shooters in the sport.

This is the best shooting sport on earth and even if I had to shoot with 100% A-holes I would keep shooting silhouette. Luckily, this sport is over run by competitors that want nothing more than for everyone to have the best of times. If you ever get the pleasure of meeting Mary at a match she is like one of those Sour Patch Kids commercials. She'll poke fun at you and then give you a hug and help you with your a-game. She is sweet and sour. This sport thrives on it's community and I don't think there is another shooting sport around with such good sportsmanship than this one. There are handfuls and handfuls of competitors in this sport like Mary ready to make it great.

Don't leave. One day you'll need to fill Mary's shoes (maybe with sand).

- Trent

[Innocent]

Trent...don't forget I always find the gooooooood food. For those of us that do step up and speak out, as the Commander says, it comes from a long history of watching things go by. As for the complaint about 'the competitor' that started the protests in Raton this year, he is a long time silhouette shooter, and a very good one at that. Probably one of the best ambasadors of the sport, having shot both in and out of this country. As a side note dinner at his camp is always a treat.
FWIW, I have not shot a national event since 1999 that has not had at least one major problem that has caused protests and hard feelings. 1998 smallbore was one that I did shoot and was not aware of any major problems. More problems seem to be more visible in Raton, and I attribute that to lack of a strong club behind the actual match.
Now back to who is going to cook the best breakfast at Ridgway...we up for bets on that one Commander Kitty?
Innocent Mary

[lijeboy]

I've spent the past few days talking to lots of people for whom I have the ultimate respect and who have shot silhouette for years. The following is what I have gleaned from my queries:

1) There are a few rabble-rousers who seem to thrive on keeping the pot stirred and will push the rules, no matter what the rules are, just for the sake of causing trouble. Apparently this group of people have had disagreements with the NRA and its leadership for years and seem to delight in being the proverbial burr under the saddle. It appears no one knows the genesis of the problem, but "the few" certainly intend to keep the pot boiling.
2) There are far more folks, by far the majority of all competitors, who enjoy the sport of silhouette shooting and are content to follow the rules as they stand, and if they disagree with them, address it in an orderly and timely fashion to the appropriate body, not during a national match, thus causing 130-plus souls to be standing around twiddling their thumbs.
3) Those in the latter group are forced to tolerate those in the former as the troublemakers seem to enjoy controversy and have the misguided perception that they're doing these things for the good of all of us (!).
4) Those in the latter group will not let those in the former drive us out of the sport because we enjoy it so much, and find it satisfying to ignore the drama, partake in the camaraderie of other like-minded people, and just shoot. If that means hanging around treading water while some protest is ironed out, we'll just mingle and socialize (and perhaps poke a little fun at those filing the protest).

The end result is I'm not going to let a few malcontents keep me from doing what I love, and that is shooting silhouette. My profession has taught me to ignore the extraneous and concentrate on the task at hand and I intend to apply that philosophy to this sport from this point forward.

Now, after having taken the back road and observing a few ugly things about this sport, I am back on the highway and enjoying the beautiful scenery and do not intend to be distracted into visiting any rattlesnake farms off the beaten path again. I shall now concentrate my efforts in a more positive direction, such as improving my animal count and figuring out which loads are best for my guns.

Lijeboy

[AMB]

Ah so Grasshoppa, you taken a major step to enlightenment. Yours will now be a much more pleasant journey to fulfill your silhouette destiny!!!

Welcome Al Bean, MCRC