I have priorities in my life which revolve around maximizing family time in preparation for the deployment.
No problem, we all have to adjust our priorities based on our particular life circumstances. My problem is that you cannot say on one hand how much effort you put forth in securing 2A rights or trying to change the restrictive practices, and how that effort resulted in you being burnt out, but then say youdon't have the time to devote to issues. Which is it?
This is a forum and if you are insulted then I apologize. I tend to be blunt and at times not so diplomatic. I just had very high expectations and needed to come down to reality.
Apology accepted. However, there is a difference between being "blunt" and making inaccurate accusations and disparaging remarks about those individuals that do devote their time and energy to the "cause."
I have not been on island very much but we are only here for a short time. I do not have the time to set in for a long campaign with deployments in the future. I guess I am just used to things moving faster and I make that know at times. In fact, I came to Hawaii to chill out, but it's not happening due to OPTEMPO once again.
Again, understandable. But your inability to find the time to get involved should not be protrayed as someone else's problem...like saying you fought "tooth and nail" to get an "audience" with me.
I'll try and make it to the next Fun Shoot, if I am still allowed. If not, I truly understand.
Anyone who is a member of the HRA is welcome. We don't ban folks for expressing an opinion. I may call you on incorrect statements, but I won't "ban" you.
Yes you did offer, but I got the distinct impression that the NRA instructor course was needed and I did not want to violate any Hawaii State Laws.
You were offered an opportunity to expore alternate means to assist. You never got back to me. That's a lot different than being ignored or not being allowed to participate.
I too have volunteered my time. Not to throw a deuce, but I personally have volunteered over 39 months down range in various jobs in the middle east and I cannot tell you how many times we have missed major family events and what not. I am not trying to get sympathy, but see if you can hold the line when your unit is extended for an additional four months after making it to 12. How crappy is that?
No one, especially me, is comparing your military service to volunteering to help teach or otherwise promote 2A rights. I too have another job....one that frequently exceeds the "normal" 40 hours per week, and one that requires me to be available 24/7/365. I still volunteer a lot of my free time.
I choose this job, so please do not tell me about volunteering time because unlike some of us, you get to go home and see your family after participating in gun related events.
No one is questioning your commitment to your JOB...and that's the operative term, JOB. Yeah, it sucks that you have to be away or don't get to go home. I appreciate it as I do the efforts of all our service members.
Guys, the world is an ugly place and if you can not even take an email with a grain of salt, how are you going to react in a gunfight or protect your love ones. I truly wonder?
Another jab to those of us less "high speed" than you. Just because I call you for making inaccurate statments and disparaging remarks you want to equate that to my ability to respond to a lethal threat? I hate to break it to you Mr. High speed, but I have been involved in three different shooting incidents. None of which occured while I was armed. Not only did I survive, but in the last one I was responsible for an entire department that came under fire from a ICE head....no one died on my shift and the gunwoman was caught....I am confident in my skills, both firearms related and otherwise, thank you very much.
I understand. I told you I needed to get training in the ways of the NRA.
Yep, but you didn't. And regardless of the reasons for not doing so, that was your call....the ability of the organizations you maligned had nothing to do with it....or any of the other complaints you espoused.
Look Gents, I am not going to stop my opinions, if you got an issue PM me because these are just opinions and I am not try to torpedo anyone. Not my intent. If you want touchy freely stuff then will adjust fire for the sake of being respectful.
No one is asking that you stop providing your opinion. But I would like you to base any future allegations on facts, not just how you feel.
However, I am glad that you all are enlightening me about what the clubs are doing because the perception is completely different. Especially when it's coming from LEO's, certain shop owners, and military personal of whom I have spoken to over the year.
Funny thing about perception...it is often influenced by where you are sitting...so come on down and sit at an HRA board meeting...I'm betting your perception will change.
Nobodies lives are at stake and these are just words.
Interesting irony in that statement...first, many of us do believe this is a matter of life and death. My ability to protect myself and my loved ones is indeed about placing lives needlessly at risk. And that is why I fight so hard and contribute so much of my time to the efforts to regain our 2A rights....words can be used to encourage or to discourage and I got the distinct yours were doing the latter....and that is what upset me. Especially since you professed to devote so much time an effor tto change things when in reality your efforts were token attempts. You complained that the organizations here were just speaking the "words" and not really trying....well what are you doing?