WHAT IS THIS WORLD COMING TO..?!
Community
I'm a senior this year and had the opportunity to get my senior pictures done. As like most of us on here my all time favorite thing to do is bowhunt, so I had them done with my bow in them. All excited to turn it in for it to be in the yearbook, i soon found out the principal of my highschool banned it from the yearbook because it supposedly "promotes weapons and violence" which is a LOAD OF CRAP. I even went into the office and argued about it for 15mins, and he also talked to the Superintendent of schools and it did no good. Schools these days are becoming so RIDICULOUS with the topic of hunting. I cant even describe how mad i was...
Please write your opinion on this Scott
That is too bad. The school where I teach at has allowed photos similar to that in the past in the year book. Some students have even been pictured in their trap shooting gear with their firearms.
I think a lot of it depends upon the location of your school and obviously the politics of your administrators. You might try appealing to the School Board. They can over rule both the Principal and the Superintendent. When you go in to them, go with well-thought out organized points. Do some research about other schools in your area or state to see what they allow, and present your findings in a calm non-confrontational way. Good Luck!
Great picture Scott, sorry to hear about the 'let's please everyone society we have now and not piss off anyone...'. Does your school have an archery program? What about a local bow pro-shop or bow-hunting association that can help get your school to reconsider? I would think in Idaho that you would find some support in your community there.
Congrats on the upcoming graduation!
Happy Hunting, Joe
Scott, GREAT PHOTO!
The schools and libs and anti's are ruining our nation! KEEP up the good work for a 'positive attitude' on hunting!....as for 'weapons and violence', THEY have NO CLUE what 'that' even means! MORALITY is the basis of a good person....and parenting and upbringing....schools have failed in many instances to provide a positive inviroment of Right and Wrong...and YOUR Rights!
I'd be PROUD of that photo! I don't even know you and it/you make me proud!...Good Luck Sir!
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Scott, most of High School is so removed from real life that you'll look back and laugh at this some day.
From experience I can offer you this:
a) choose your battles, you can do more for the hunting community applying your passion and energy to more positive hunting related causes than trying to change some BS high school policy.
b) the best thing you can do when confronted with non-hunters or anti-hunters, is be the bigger person, not the angry (violent) hunter type.
Nice picture, btw. Reminds me of me back in the day (other than the sharp looking young man, and the great bow!)
Ya I'm in Northern Idaho where you would think these kind of pictures would be allowed. But "apparently" it's against the Idaho policy, which is a load of crap.
Scott, You can address the school board, but you need to be prepared. You will need to present an understanding of both sides but show your side in a greater light. Your nonverbal language will need show respect. Approach it with help from a local attorney. Attorney's are really good at presenting ideas and justifying them. Good luck.
I think a SMART Board would deny use of these pics as it could open up a wider range of personal expression that they just don't want to get into.
So your picture won't be in the annual,no biggie
It's a true shame. What's worse is that your kids won't be able to consume "corn sugar". We are losing all of our rights in this country. You're actually lucky that you still have the ability to legally take photos without government approval.
I hate to sound like an extremist, but quite frankly, this government is becoming pretty darned extreme!
What happpened to our constitutional rights? The second amendment says, "Right to Bear Arms". I'm a bowhunter, but if I want to carry a firearm, my rights allow that. In my state, the law is that I must take a course and pass a test (which I did) to carry the firearm in a concealed fashion. I didn't read that part in my second amendment?????
Scott,
These guys are giving you some good advice. I think its a great photo, but its probably not worth spending a bunch of time fighting with the school about. In the long run, it makes no difference what these folks think. Keep promoting the sport in a positive light, letting people know what you stand for and who you are, and this will pass.
Now, get out there and shoot something with that bow! (Preferably not the principal's cat......).
"I think a SMART Board would deny use of these pics as it could open up a wider range of personal expression that they just don't want to get into. "
I agree. not everyone would be as tasteful as you have been. they figure why play in the gray when good old black and white will simplify things.
As a high school teacher and fanatical hunter, I feel your pain. I've had my own battles with showing hunting pictures in my classroom including the 2 books I've written. You might be able to turn in a picture (the one posted is well done) without the bow or in the background. Imho, the school board will play it safe and not rock the boat. That will trickle down to the Superintendant, Principal, and the yearbook teacher. You might consider taking an add out in the yearbook and include that picture. For what it's worth, I'd have given you an "A" in my class for the effort! Best of luck and good luck this season.
Scott,nice pic. An older friend of mine told stories of taking his guns to school so he could hunt afterwards. He would leave them in the principals office and pick them up when he left. Man times have changed.
The photo clearly promotes hunting, not violence. Were you so inclined, you would be best advised to address the school board and let the word out to garner available community support. Even if you do not reverse the decision, you give yourself the satisfaction of standing up for yourself.
I would make the case for hunting both in terms of Idahoan demographics, community demographics, economic impact (both state and national) and historical tradition.
Be prepared, using a quick few comparatives to juxtapose activities that are permitted representation in the yearbook with hunting. For example, using past yearbook photos, establish the possible objections to other student activities.
For instance, a fellow posing with a football? Well, football directly promotes violence. Football kills and certainly maims more young people than bowhunting.
Student posing with a guitar? Given pop culture, music can be viewed as promoting drug use, licentiousness, and dropping out, etc.
You get the idea. Hunting is a wholesome way of life and should not be relegated to shame by the uninformed.
Hunting promotes tradition, outdoor activity in a nation plagued with chronic slothfulness, stewardship of the land, organic nutrition, food assistance to the needy, family unity, enhanced state revenues, economic benefit, etc. The list is endless and supportable with data.
A school board meeting is a tall order for a kid and you may not be up to it. In the least, write an editorial, call your local paper and see if they want to do a story. Write a letter to the school board. Whatever you do, always conduct yourself and communicate with class. That will make a longer lasting impression than any statistic you quote.
Such is my take. I am weary of picking battles and more inclined to dig in my heels. Even if you do not immediately reap, you will have sown seeds for a later harvest.
Nice photo, btw.
I smell a story for FOX news......great picture Scott
What Owl said.
I agreen completely. This is an excellent learning opportunity in the field of citizenship. The schools may not directly teach us to stand up against their more ridiculous policies, but they can unintentionally teach that subject very well in providing the motivation for you to stand up and be counted in support of freedom.
That might be the most important lesson you learn in high school.
They intend you to be a sheep. Be a hardheaded freeroaming bighorn, not their barnyard variety.
Idaho Wow! You got good advice from the above posters! Good Luck.
Hey Scott, first off; Congratulations on being a senior! Secondly, this just one of many real life (lessons), on the fact that lifes not fair! The liberal maggots have infiltrated every facet of our society, including high school and even bowsite, I'm sure one of them will even bark about my post here. You should fight this as best as you can. As some have posted previously putting your weapon in the yearbook might lead down a slippery slope but that still does not mean you should roll over and submit to every whim of the liberals that try to make everything politicly correct! You can write letters to your congressman, senator, school board, mayor, the local news and many more. It's your civic duty to help this country get back on the right track so get busy! Once you start voting you need to vote for the most conservative person you can! Mike
Tasteful and cool picture. You know, I find this interesting. I was president of my high schools "fish and game" club, gulp, about 19-20 years ago now... We could get the first day of shot gun deer season off school "legally" so long as our teachers signed off on it saying we were up to date with our school work. There were pictures, I dont remember if they included guns, but of the clubs "trap shoot" in the year book some years, and we had club sanctioned pheasant stocking, trap shooting, archery (going to a local club and shooting the field course) etc.
Before thinking this was in the mid west... It was in the heart of libralisim - Mass!
The club is still going at the school, and this thread makes me wonder how much longer it will exist, and what would happen if the OP went to the same school - would they allow that picture?
Common sense seems lacking here.
It's a good picture that seems perfectly safe,, unless you are a treehugger, PETA person, which unfortunately, most academics are.
When I was in school in 1978, I used to bring my 12 GA with me, as well as my Brittany Spaniel. I used to drop the dog off at VO-AG, and on my free periods, get the dog and the gun and chase pheasants on the back side of the football field.
I also used to hitchhike with my gun and dog, and never had to walk, we always got rides. Things are definately different now. It's pretty sad.
Congrats on being a senior. Don't let them wear you down.
Jay
I would suggest that you ask him to check out the National Archery in the Schools Program.(NASP) This program may just singlehandedly be the best thing to ever happen in our schools. It might help change his mind.
Scott, Owl probably gave you the best info possible and couldn't have been written any better. Should you feel you do not want to do anything further with it, I'd simply get all geared up and have a picture taken with you sitting/standing on your treestand w/o a bow. It would still get the point across and they would have no recourse with you. You could also get a pic with you getting ready to go up the tree with your climber. There are many ways of telling people you are an outdoorsmen.
Got my camo on at work right now..stand behind what ya believe in brutha...best wishes...
Depends entirely on what the policy says!
Locally they drew a line at showing hobbies. That prevented a trap shooting picture, similar to yours. they challenged and lost because the policy was display of hobbies, they were consistent on it and poof, the kid lost.
Pick your battles. Also, think, how long will this battle take? If it takes long enough to win, you won't make the yearbook anyway.
Your picture says "Bowhunting is NOT something I do,it's who I am"
Maybe you could re-do the picture with a nice old recurve without arrows. they may find it less "offensive" than your "wicked" compound.
Also, on a seriously stupid note... My son Garrett is a senior in HS also. He shoots 3D with me and he is a really good shot. He has a Mathews Switchback XT.
Next semester for Gym, he is taking archery, but they won't let him bring his bow in. He has to use the fiberglass toy bows the school has.
He asked why he couldn't use the bow that he has, first they said it was a dangerous weapon. He asked what the difference was if someone got shot with an arrow from one of thier bows or his? They told him that there would be no difference, but if he shot better than the other kids with his bow, he may hurt some of the other kids feelings. WTF??
Jay
Scott - does the school have a written policy on yearbook pictures?
Jay--LOL...there are no loosers anymore..everybody gets a trophy. he he he..Man this just doesn`t feel like the "Land of the Free" to me anymore..The Gov runs our lives based on who donates the most money to their campaighn funds..It`s not going to get any better either
And I suppose the baseball team took its yearbook photo without any bats in the photo? Afterall, more people are hurt with baseball bats each year than a compound bow! Silly rule, I feel for ya, but remember this.....You know who you are and what you stand for.
Your school nor your principal can change that. Soon you will be gone and they will remain with their petty policy, yet you will go on to become a fine young man who has his head screwed on straight...regardless of whether or not your photo was in the yearbook. It's the school's loss, not yours. Move on with your chin up! Good Hunting!
I also really like the picture Scott. I'll bet your parents and family are very proud of them as you should be. You are obviously a fine young man who will succeed in life. Good luck to you.
Great pic. If I were you I would remember this expierence and when you come of age to vote make sure you vote in the type of conservative person that reflects your values. Don't get mad get even.
Dear Scott,
Thank you for your powerful endorsement of homeschooling.
JDF NH
Scott, If you were my son, that picture would grace my mantle for the rest of my days.
Best of Luck, Jeff (Bowsite Sponsor)
Scott, Owl gave you some great advice.
I'll add this, if you decided to fight it, do your homework. As Bob H in NH pointed out, if it's a line regarding hobbies, and they are consistent with it, don't bother trying to fight it, you'll lose. Also, if that is the case, tell them you understand and that you respect that, because you do need to respect that. In todays messed up world that could lead to some very "sticky" situations!
If it truely is against your "bow" then follow Owl's suggestions. Not only find photos with guys holding footballs, baseball bats, etc... Also, search for articles where people have been assaulted with baseball bats, guys have been hurt playing football, etc...
Before going before the board, do some investigation on who the board members are. Do they hunt, etc... The school board I served on over half of us deer hunted. Some board memebers are "pansies" and do whatever the administrators tell them they should, other board members can think for themselves. Try to get a feel for that.
If you do go before the board, or anyone else for that matter, your presentation and body language is everything!
Example, when I was on the board we had to decided whether to expel a kid for having a knife at school. The fact he brought the knife to school WAS NOT the deciding factor. He hadn't threatened anybody in any way that we were aware of. He had been warned once and brought it a second time. It was his "I don't care" appearance while before the board. That and the fact when the principle escorted them to another room while we discussed the situation, his dad asked him a question and he wouldn't answer and finally he gave his dad a "smart mouth" answer. Well, if he didn't respect his own father, what would make us think he would respect a teacher or administrator. Not worth taking the risk, bye bye.
One other thing, do your parents support you in fighting it? Will they go with you to the board meeting? Hate to say it because you are 17 or 18 years old, but if your parents are not with you, the admins will likely play you to the board as some kid trying to make a name for yourself and stir up a stink. That's harder to do when your parents are showing support for you. Besides, currently they are paying the taxes and voting on the board members!!!!! Awwww, the power of a "vote"!!!!!!!!!!
Hope that helps. Like I said, I served on a board for several years and have the lawsuit papers to prove it!!! LOL
More liberal stupidity.
You're right, they're wrong.
That simple.
Another thought if you are going to fight this. You will NOT be able to use the baseball bat analogy above, for the simple reason that the baseball team is an approved school activity. What you are showing in the picture is a "hobby" (I know, hunters, it's not, but officially it is...). They can, and probably do, have different rules for an approved school activity and a hobby.
Down right stupid in my book. Would expect better in Idaho. My son - he is 12 - had to change his t-shirt at school because it had a Guns and Roses written on it. How dumb is that??? The land of free and home of the brave is really going down the tube, let me tell you. I can see November from my house:)
BTW, nice picture!
You are a fine young man. Consider the fact that fighting this could make a difference for next years' seniors. I believe you have a duty to stand up for what is right.
If you need money for an attorney, I will donate to the cause.
You're engaged in a fully licensed and regulated activity.
Your presence with that bow is 100% condoned by law.
Sounds like a first amendment issue.
Def. worth a call to the ACLU.
If they're willing to tangle with school boards over two guys or two girls going together to a prom, this should be right up their alley.
GREAT PIC !! Stand up and fight or they will walk all over you !!!! But do it with respect and have all your ducks in a row. Good luck !!
Great picture. I took an almost identical graduation picture with my Bear compound (which I still have) back in 1980. I still have that picture to this day and it was my favorite, but I also took some standard ones to put in the yearbook. This isn't something just recent. I doubt it I could have gotten mine in way back then, too.
Schools aren't the only place where you will find this kind of behavior, so take it as a life lesson in how to influence and persuade people effectively. Realize you probably won't win the battle, but as was said above, maybe you can plant the seed for future classes. Go make a good impression with courteous behavior and reasonable arguments. Think about what behaviors and arguments would work on you to persuade you about something, and use them to try to persuade the School Board to your way of thinking. It always helps to try to connect/compare what you are arguing for, to something that is familiar to that person. Good luck.
FYI I emailed a link to this thread to Glenn Beck. Perhaps if others do the same you may get some positive publicity on this.
Scott,
GREAT pic young man! And I admire you sense of righteous indignation about this.
It's funny that there are some on here who are so quick side with a misguided school board and cite this as a "gray area" in freedom of expression, a 1st amendment protection and yet fail to recognize the 2nd amendment protections that are also expressed in you photo. The supreme court has ruled. There is NO gray area in this area!
It's not like you are posing in a sun dress...which is NOT specifically mentioned in the Constitution. But I'd just about bet that if you had...they would have printed that!
I'm with you my young bow brother. What indeed is this world coming to?
If you decide to take on this important bit of the fight for the freedoms we all love...let us know if we can help in any way. I and many others on here would be happy to assist with research, advise, technical expertise or any other resource we may have individually or collectively.
It has to start somewhere!
Good luck brother.
JD,
Also Scott, nothing can prevent you from still making that your senior picture to hand out to others. It just wouldn't be that way in the stupid year book. Take two sets and order your bow one for the give aways.
I SO like the idea of purchasing an ad in the yearbook and running that picture with the caption...Free Enterprise Class taught me how to beat "the man".
Scott Thats a shame! Nice picture Its the schools PC stupidity. Its like our local HS school. Cant say Christmas play (has to be winter Holiday Play) Give me a break
Their Loss
I agree it is an ignorant reaction by the school brass but like others have said....it is typical. They are not going to rock the boat and the easiest thing to do to ensure the boat is not rocked is to not let you put your picture in depicting hunting. "Violence" is a cop out.
Great picture Scott. Great advice here...the ones that state you should stand up to the school board. (born and riased in SE Idaho moving back when I retire)
Fight it and lose if you have to, but fight on!!
Attributed to the Great Edmund Burke, "The only requirement for evil men to triumph is for good men to do nothing."
Being Government School agents, they do not understand the definition of the word violence (ie, the activilty of the will to violate, akin to malevolence). For Pete's sake, Jesus told the soldiers to be content with their wages, and to do violence to no man, not to get the heck out of the army. You can kill without being violent. Violence implies wicked intent and an evil will. What they are doing to you is violence.
I think it would be idealogically difficult for a Board to virtually support something (Weaponry) that would bring expulsion in reality.....
Even though your have a right to be heard,this kind of stuff is already bogging down our school business and makes it more difficult to effectively bring quality to an educational district.
Simply too much personal agenda nowadays, imo.
Go to school,learn in a safe place and go home ....just too simple..:)
Great Photo and don't give up. Get the media involved they are always drooling for a fight with the public schools.
WRT to the school board, they may be VERY receptive to a political pretext advocating change in school policy. Really depends how sympathetic they are to the particular issue.
I have direct experience with this phenomenon though too detailed to go into here. Sometimes, the 5 to 7 members of the school board just need the community to SPEAK UP. Decision making requires a basis from which to make policy. Hate to use the "squeaky wheel" metaphor here but, it best applies.
I'll also add the local school board RELISHES the chance to see a student of their system display what they can do. In other words, presenting a cognizant, coherent, persuasive and mannerly argument will make them feel good about what they are doing. That goes a looooong way to winning advocates. Trust me.
What ever your choice of action, I'll help however I can.
I wonder if NRA ILA would be interested? Does any one know if they are a resource for this level?
Probably not bow shot - it's not a crossbow!
I speak respectfully to the principal.
If the response is no, ask to speak to the superintendent.
If the answer is no, ask to speak to the school board. Let them know that you are giving them a chance to do the right thing BEFORE you call in your attorney, the press, the NRA, or the ACLU.
"it's only high school take it as a early lesson that life ain't fair. this thread needs to be in the community forum "------move along,nothing to see here....right coop351??
sharpstick yeah move right along lets give hunters more of a bad name by whining about stuff that could open the door to more bad stuff they let this guy have is picture in the yearbook then they got to let two guys go to prom or two girls or allow anti american garbage it is what it is let it go then when this kid gets out into the real world and don't get his way what is he going to do then go cry to somebody about it as hunters we need to pick our battles and this to me wouldn't be one
Great picture and it makes me feel good to know there are still kids like I was when I was a teen. Back in my day you could have had your photo put in your year book with a gun if you wanted. We all carried guns and bows in our vehicles and the teachers and principal knew it. Times have changed and I am glad I grew up when I did.
Ya it's sad because most of the administration thought it would be totally ok for the yearbook. He " apparently " spoke with the superintendent and it was against their policy...and I've fought it for about a week now, my parents have even gone into the school to speak with him, with no luck. They teach us to "stand up for what we believe in" and yet they shut it down... Oh and the name of the school in Coeur d' Alene High School...thanks for all the comments and compliments guys, you guys are awesome. What other hobbies and sports are there in this world where you can get the same support as you can here? :) NONE I would say
don't let it go. Give'em hell.
Nice picture Scott! I hate to differ in opinion, but I am an avid hunter that happens to know a lot about schools. Schools didn't change society, society changed schools. Did schools decide to stop having prayer? Sadly the days of driving to school with a bow or a gun in the gunrack are gone because some kid made a bad choice. Agreeing or not agreeing is not the point. Scott, I agree that this Country is currently not changing for the better, but don't blame schools. Educators are some of the best, selfless people I know. Remember, the ones that have to follow the policies have families that depend on them, too. Speak your mind respectfully and share the great things that hunters do, but also make sure you hold the right people responsible for what we've all lost. It's not the schools.
Oh,I get it now coop,your from Illinois. Never mind. Maybe move along wasn't the right words you wanted to hear.......how about "just roll over in the fetal position." Better??
Ya whatevers going on, it isn't right, that's all I know
what's not right about arrowslinger? rules are rules that is the problem with this country is when people don't get what they want or go the way they want it to they whine and cry about it find some scumbag lawyer to help them it's all BS learn to live with it life ain't fair "little fella"
Coop, it's not the fact that it's not in the yearbook, it's WHY it's not in the yearbook, in case you didn't catch that from the 73 other posts
"right now it may seem like a big deal but five years from now no one will give a crap so why cause a big uproar over it when there are bigger battles to fight"
Agreed, but when you're in high school this IS a big battle. This is the common path to learning and growing into an adult and a free American citizen. If he can't fight this battle as a young adult how do you expect him to fight the "bigger" battles as a seasoned adult? For him to be strong and fight for his right to be himself and stand up for what he believes, he has my respect. One day he may be fighting a battle that involves us all. I for one want someone with integrity and self respect to stand next to me when it counts. As long as he stays within the law and uses common sense, he has the ability to make an impact on those of us that appreciate the freedoms we fight for.
Sluff him off as a crybaby and demean his cause?!... Yeah, that'll teach him how to be an adult...an adult liberal that has a bleeding heart for everyone that can't fight their own way out of a paper bag.
Scott, don't back down. Do your homework and gather your facts. Be diplomatic and back your cause with confidence. Most of us are on you side as long as you keep it clean and legal.
By the way...I don't care if your gay, liberal, muslim, mexican, black, white, or alien. If you don't agree with something, speak your mind about it, ignore it, or totaly avoid it, but don't try to take it away from everyone else just to conform to your beliefs.
I can see the ad now:
Congratulations Scott "Arrowslinger" Lee Class of 2010!
INSERT PIC HERE
From your brothers @ www.bowsite.com
I'll chip in if someone wants to buy the ad.
not all battles are worth fighting. the greatest "warriors" in history were the one's that determined with accuracy which mattered and which didn't.
i'd move on this issue and save my ammo for something that matters.
Battle command metaphors most often consider the finite resources of warfare. Words are not limited to resource logistics.
And when you have a lot of people that know your point is valid but still don't agree with it...be prepared to be censored. Which by the way doesn't change my opinion of coop. LOL! Fight on young brother!!
it's not one bit that i don't think it is wrong because it is. it's not fair to him or his family,friends why be punished for who you are like i said and a few others drive on and be proud of your accomplishments but this fight would have a hard time being won and 70lbdraw i don't care what you think of me i don't even know ya but scott asked for opinions and like it or not he got mine with out any sugar on it and GO VIKES
I know...I'm just havin' fun. I like to see young people with backbone that refuse to get walked on and I support them when they do it right.
Favre and moss are back together again! Maybe the Viks do have a chance!!!
This thread has more falling stars than the universe itself!! LOL!
shoot i thought you would be mad about the Vikes being from wisconsin i took you as a packer fan lol i hate it just as much as he does and he looks like a good kid but out in the real world hunters are the enemy in some people eyes and it shouldn't be that away but it is and as hunters we need to fight for the right to more public land better state herd management among many other things i wish i could help this kid out but i can't but starting a uproar over it won't help his cause or the whole hunting community in general i wish him the best though and apologize for the less than sensitive comments
IF YOU WANT TO BLAME ANYONE...you might want to look up these two high schoolers: Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold. Scott it is pretty lame about you picture-It is a sharp, respectable picture. Unfortunately times have changed and the two boys I listed above changed it. This is not the fault of the liberal boggie men as has been frequently stated here. You may or may not remember this-probably not-you would have been around seven. Look up the Columbine school shooting and you will find out why you can not use your picture. I am very surprised nobody has mentioned this yet. The shooting was a game changer as far as what public schools would tolerate. Pretty much nationwide, schools went to zero tolerance-If it could be used as a weapon-it was a weapon. As for your photo-if it could be taken as threatening-it is threatening. It is really lame, but times they are a changing. As a side note: I am 32 and I used to take my guns to elementary school so I could hunt after school. I would just leave it with the principal-who also hunted alot.
andy you are right that never came mind but you are definitely right
Andy - you are exactly right. I reiterate, schools are not the issue here, and they are definitely not the enemy. Schools are now teaching about abstinence from drugs, alcohol, and sex, date violence, and many other things. I would argue that is not what they were originally set up to do. In many cases, we are trying to solve the ails of society through schools. Where is the family? I don't believe that Scott has any intentions of hurting or threatening anyone, but others have, and unfortunately still do. Columbine wasn't the only case of weapons being brought to school for the wrong reasons, it's still happening today. I for one want my kids to be safe at school. I might trust my own to be responsible, but I don't trust others. What if a student wanted to be in the annual manning an M-60 pointed at the camera - Would that be OK? My point is right or wrong, there has to be a line somewhere. I might state that not being able to have the picture in the annual was a sad sign of our times as opposed to A LOAD OF CRAP as you put it. Again, don't blame a school for a system that is breaking down.
Unfortunatly, we are the bad guys. I hate to admit it, but this is what it has come to. Like andyj, I used to put my rifle in the back window of my truck before school and we would head to the range or out to the mesa and hunt rabbits or coyotes. I'm 45 now, and back then it was common practice to make sure you lock the truck at school so nobody took your gun. We would take the shotgun to get cottontails for dinner and the .22 for coyote pelts.
Heck, my mom used to use the rabbit pelts for coffee table doilies! Who else can say that?
I'm just having a tough time accepting that this is what our society has come to. Scott and his friends won't know what it's like to enjoy the outdoors the way we did. They need to be careful not to ruffle the feathers of the thin-skinned, yet keep in the tradition of the outdoorsman that knows what preservation and conservation really mean.
Coop, take no offense. I just get worked up about our "mambi-pambi" society. BUT, it makes me proud to know that there are young folks like Scott and his friends that want to carry on the real traditions of Americas self sufficient history. I taught my daughter to be a part of it and she is living proof that the tradition will not die at the hands of the tree hugger.
P.S. I miss having Favre in the Pack. I still watch him and root for him...he is a legend no matter what "they" say!!
