I thought this was a bowhunting forum…
Click totals thru the roof.
yup
Well said and spot on !
Sometimes real life important issues trump recreational activities.
Because We don’t want be too biased against our liberals Bowsite members and block their posts. :^))))
They are relevant since they effect hunting in many ways especially our outfitter friends in Canada and the hunters and fisherman who like to head North, let alone all the issues within the US.
And only fools sit around on their thumbs waiting for "experts" to tell them what to do next...
Matt
Say, perhaps 10? :-/
Not saying there is any correlation but our political/current events certainly effect our beloved sport.
I just looked at Archery Talk to see what they had for political topics. You can do a site search and see various older threads covering everything. (Not topic related really....but IMO....AT's problem is they have way too many forums and sub-forums. Many do not have any recent activity either. That is the first clue their forums are too spread out WRT to all the various subjects/topics they have. It gets cumbersome navigating around there. They are in dire need of some forum consolidation/deletion.)
In the past when there were other outlets for the truth. There wasn’t a need for a site like this for sportsman to Post personal views. Now those outlets are dwindling. Unless you dare to get on some of the sketchy sites. Thanks to Pat for this forum.
All social media forums and mainstream media ban or filter any opposing views.
Soon This may be the only forum that still allows honest debate for sportsmen
I live in northern bush country and it's nice to know that I'm not alone.
There are brainwashed extremists on both sides that represent 2% of the population but get 98% of the attention. That's the shame of it...
If you don't think Bowsite is subject to censorship, try starting a thread with a topic that is contrary to the general consensus around here, and see how long it lasts.
Let's be honest. Most of the political threads on Bowsite are a bunch of guys preaching to the choir for bias confirmation. The handful of guys who don't march to the prevailing drum beats get labeled as "libtards", or worse. There is no honest and civil debate on those threads, just the usual backslapping, hand-wringing, and spreading of misinformation, IMO.
Matt
""Trudeau gambled on an early election in a bid to win a majority of seats in Parliament. But the opposition has been relentless in accusing Trudeau of calling an unnecessary early vote during the pandemic — two years before the deadline — for his own personal ambition
Polls indicate Trudeau’s Liberal Party is in a tight race with the rival Conservatives: It will likely win the most seats in Parliament, but still fail to get a majority, forcing it to rely on an opposition party to pass legislation.""
If I can’t make a good case that they are ill informed by politicians and media.
and try to change some of their thinking they will socialize with like minded people and nothing will improve.
This election may be full of surprises, but my prediction is a SparkleSocks/liberal minority.
The Conservatives may eek out a thin minority, but they (Erin O'Toole actually) really alienated a bunch of their base when they tried to herd some more lefties into the tent.
Regardless of who wins and after all the deals are made, there will be another election forced in about two years. Unless some kind of long term coalition deal can be made.
But the Clown Boy will be done soon. He's lost his luster and the big boys in the back room are already deciding how to cut him up and who to serve him to.
I hope his ego is so bruised that he hangs himself with his own panty hose.
Have to admit, the "just dont click on it" thing seems reasonable.
GG pretty much summed up the rest of my thoughts on it overall.
That is an ironic statement considering there were calls by some conservatives to ban a couple of posters who expressed opposing views on a couple of the political threads.
More like "it is championing the truth when we call for censorship, but it undermines freedom and will ruin our country if they do it".
There are sheeple on both sides.
I bet there are far more here than you think, they stay silent.
There's folks I wouldn't be political besties with or hang with for very long. Likewise, they might not like my traditional, conservative views. I have an older neighbor (hunter/fisherman) whom I sent an anti-Biden meme to last year and he said he doesn't want any part of Prez Trump. For a harmonious climate in the hood....I haven't asked him how his Biden vote is turning out? ;-) I'm sure he is avoiding talking anything politics with me. No worries on my part though....I might come up with a spiffy yard sign for 2024.
WRT the CF......as I recall from a PM I received, there were/are some external issues that necessitated closing it down. It sounds like some folks may not be aware of the external issues. Letting some previous topics that would have been strictly CF material drift or blend into the other forums is IMO a very good compromise.
This is why politics matter!
That would only eliminate 70% of them. LOL
No eliminations with breakthroughs happening, too bad.
"If you don't agree with me 100% on EVERY issue you must DISagree with me on EVERY issue," seems to be the mindset. We used to call people who thought that way 'radicals.'
You might be surprised at how much you have in common with people you routinely demonize.
I much appreciate the occasional political thread and miss the old CF. Then those who wished to remain with their head up their.... er, in the sand, could do so unsullied with all the visions of unicorns and rainbows dancing in their heads......
There are but handful of such threads (love to see the analytics on those few but very popular threads) But if you don't want to read these threads..... DON"T CLICK ON THEM! Why in God's green earth would you CLICK ON THEM AND READ THEM? Every heading I've seen there was no mistaking the subject.... no clickbait, no deception. Unless it bothers you what OTHER PEOPLE are talking about and feel it's up to you to squelch such open communication.... then offhand I'd say your problem might actually be part of THE problem. Fear and Apathy are one thing (OK, two things). Demanding others don't talk or communicate on subjects you don't like?
That's one Foxworthy likely says "you might be a One World leftist if you......"
Thinking that politics has no bearing on your hunting is..... naive. At best. If bothered that people are getting involved in discussion.... maybe don't click and leave it go. I believe it's called "lead, follow or get the hell out of the way...."
As to the "why?" Ermine ten ringed it above. (that's bow n arra talk don'cha know....)
political threads expose the divide between rational thought and pure insanity
all of it affects, or will affect, the outdoors and especially hunting at some point
the CF was effectively defeated by the tolerant, diverse, open minded, educated, enlightened, inclusive, equitable left.......because, they can
tune in or tune out
Whitey's Link
This happens for two reasons. One is when you compare your life to someone else's subjective definition of success. For some it's notoriety and money, for others it's raising a family right and providing for their needs. The first guy will think the second guy is a failure. Not true.
The other reason is bad timing, like when a POS takes advantage of you and leaves you holding an empty bag. Can't blame yourself really for the second reason...
Really could of used some of them there tracking spiders last week. :)
Aye, and each side thinks the other is nuts. As someone pointed out above, there's usually the small group on the far ends of the spectrum declaring that anybody who isn't in lock-step with *them* is the enemy. If you ain't 100% with me you must be 100% against me.
Problem is, for almost everyone 'my political beliefs' is a large set of positions on a wide range of issues. Some interlock, some do not. Most people have a unique 'set' of positions. But the radicals on both sides think that everyone must be in perfect agreement on *every* issue. "You don't think all federal lands should be privatized? You're a communist!" "You don't think all guns should be banned? You're a Nazi!"
If the 1 percenters on both sides would ever stop shouting, conversation is possible. Otherwise it's two cars crashing because they hate each others' bumper stickers.
simply put...partisan politics and politicians will continue to have a huge impact on bow hunting. if we keep electing politicians that aren't 100% dedicated to protecting what we do, it is only a matter of time before it all goes away. fred bear was right when he said "if youre not working to protect hunting, you are working to destroy it."
So, you think posting political opinions to a forum that is 97% like-minded to you is an effective way to "educate" those who aren't?
Matt
Really? Nobody would be welcome at my fire who doesn't respect the privacy of the ballot booth.
Can you definitively identify a single Bowsite member who voted for Biden? Just because someone doesn't march to the far right drum beats, doesn't mean they voted for him. You probably think I did, don't you? If so, you're dead wrong. So, am I welcomed in your camp?
Matt
While I may agree with you, 'philosophically speaking', the reality on the political ground says otherwise. It's a dam' shame that the Founding Fathers didn't encode it into the Bill of Rights, instead leaving it up to the states. I've seen that 'right' stripped away all too easily, with no back-up from the courts, to take it for granted.
(Yeah, most states have 'something' on their books, or at least hunter-harrassment laws, but it isn't 'harrassment' if they *vote* it away. Democracy ain't perfect!)
Hey let's start a wolf thread it's more funner :)
KS has the right to hunt but I agree that it's fragile, and if the wrong set of politicians get ahold of the regulations a lot of it can disappear. "subject to reasonable laws..." leaves a lot to interpretation. What I consider a reasonable law is probably a lot different than many other voters.
In short, the feds cannot currently take away the states "right" to secure hunting but, each state has the "right" to revoke a persons "privilege" to hunt.
Ahh-woooooo!
Grey Ghost's Link
We must have searched and found the same link. What's interesting is that link indicates Florida has no right to hunt or fish in their Constitution, which further research shows is clearly wrong.
Matt
Stupid politicians.
Rights are concepts in existence and therefore cannot be taken away. The ability to pursue those rights can be hindered...
Unless you use it to commit a crime, kill someone, take it to a government building, try to carry it on a plane, are a felon, so on and so on. There are some things we all agree where your right to bear arms does not supersede public safety like carrying one on your person on a plane. The 2nd amendment is a right but just like every right in our constitution there are limits. And acknowledging this does not make you a communist's or gun grabber.
OH, that is the quite simply the stupidest smear that anyone here has aimed at me, and that's saying something. It might surprise you to know how many hunters and anglers and shooters and people there are here working to preserve the outdoor sports.
The ONLY thing you MAY have right is that I did not vote for Donald effing Trump. Which STILL does not tell you how I voted. Because in spite of your either-or mindset, there are other candidates on the ballot.
Their ego and vanity can't allow them to see the real reasons are power, wealth and control. That would destroy the entire narrative that they are trying to stamp out racism or save the planet or the cause dujour and you plebes and commoners can't do it for yourselves, you need ME to do it for you. That give ME a higher value, more value, or virtue, than you.... And there will ALWAYS be a cause. They cannot exist without one to cleanse their guilt. Rulers smile approvingly from above as their soldiers live in perpetual outrage.
So media, corporate and their symbiotic politicians absolve their sins by deception, omission and outright lies. They get rich and powerful.... but it's for YOUR own good. They can preach "tax the rich" at $30,000 a ticket affairs. Maskless of course, as they require others serving them to mask up. No large gatherings and social distancing as they preen and pose with group hug photos. Corporations using child/sweatshop labor from countries literally committing genocide as we speak. But it's OK because they fly a rainbow flag outside, donated some money to BLM (which literally IS a Communist front) and print out their receipts on recycled paper. See how this works?
If not for double standards, they'd have none at all. And the list of double standard hypocrisy is endless, glaring, and unapologetic. Because they know their friends and allies have their back. None of them will call out their lies, betrayals or incompetence. For the cause, for your own good....
One quick example. A recent poll asked what are the odds of being hospitalized after getting covid. 28% of Republicans and 41% of Dems were wrong by more than 10 times over reality, saying 50% or more who got the coof were hospitalized when the reality is between 1% and 5%. Only a bit over a quarter of all those polled were even close. Still 2 or 3 times over, but closer.
Why? Why don't we have the facts? Why is the public perception of the facts so far off from reality? This should all be clear and well known information. On a good many levels and subjects we are being spoon fed BS and expected to eat it up. And clearly, many do without any question. Those in control of the message are not telling the reality, even distorting reality for a reason. Or rather many reasons which they will then justify to themselves and everyone as..... take a guess..... while they continue to blatantly manipulate to gain political power, wealth and maniacal control.
The internet is (currently anyway in the US) allowing something the Elitists hate more than anything. It allows us to bypass them. Or worse yet, question them. And even worse yet, to assemble and organize as we see fit to take back the freedoms to run our own lives free from them.
And THAT is why it is important to have (and the grace to allow) a bit of "political" speech, especially on a hunting site where we have at least a common connection if not fairly common goals to retain the freedoms we currently have.
Make no mistake, fear, apathy, head in the sand.... or elsewhere. There is a large group of very organized people out there doing all they can to take away that freedom. Many freedoms. No matter what "percentage" of it they are..... unarguably, they are nearly all from one side of the political ideology as there is only one side that embraces them with open arms and support. If we do not organize, actively oppose them, they win. And you/we lose. By default.
Just this tiny bit of vocal opposition here helps more than most think, even as some call to sit down and shut up. It lets people know they can speak up and speak out as is their right and they are not alone, THEY are not the pariahs. They have others support and aid in the fight. That they/we can win. The first step to winning anything is belief you can.
And it's a flippin' sad state of affairs when "winning" is defined by keeping the freedoms, rights and property you have now and not letting it be taken away by others.
Who did I vote for? A) it's *still* none of your business, B) I did not vote for Biden and C) I respect *your* right to voter privacy. Is it too much to ask for the same in return? Because a 'yes' answer to that is, imo, UN-American. 'Democracy' is a meaningless word if citizens can not vote their conscience without repercussion.
Nobody said this state is 'perfect', far from it. BUT, remember that it is heavily populated, and even a political *minority* equals a damn big bunch of hunters, anglers etc. Some of us have been fighting to protect our rights since you were a pup. We just get buried in ignorant perceptions.
"Shall we expect some transatlantic military giant to step the ocean and crush us at a blow? Never! All the armies of Europe, Asia, and Africa combined, with all the treasure of the earth (our own excepted) in their military chest, with a Bonaparte for a commander, could not by force take a drink from the Ohio or make a track on the Blue Ridge in a trial of a thousand years. At what point then is the approach of danger to be expected? I answer. If it ever reach us it must spring up amongst us; it cannot come from abroad. If destruction be our lot we must ourselves be its author and finisher. As a nation of freemen we must live through all time or die by suicide."
Primary election I often try to send a message with my vote but when it comes down to the general , it's a 2 party system.
if you voted for anyone other than trump, you in essence voted for biden.
My vote for POTUS has never counted. NEVER. Massachusetts electoral vote has gone Dem since practically forever. I've voted for Republicans who lost the electoral vote here and I've voted for third party-ers who lost the electoral vote. Didn't vote for Carter, or Clinton, or Obama, or Clinton, or Biden, or Trump. 'Nuff said.
Now stop whining about my vote and maybe figure out who you're going to put up in '24. Because I don't see much depth on the GOP bench. Trump is a joke, as is Pence. Rubio? Doubtful. I'd give Crenshaw slim odds but that could change.
With the Democrats you know you're pretty much voting for Marxism and with the Republicans its "lesser" big government
You may have a so-called "right" to hunt, but it's still based on when the STATE (politicians) tells you when, how, and what.
