Given all of the recent press regarding the Navy's Special Warfare Development Group (AKA Seal Team Six), I saw this coming and, as it is a subject near and dear to my heart, I felt I needed to post.
The early 1990s was an interesting period in America. After two decades of simmering anti-military sentiment following Viet Nam (with a Desert One chaser), America switched overnight to being overly (pseudo-)patriotic and very pro-military. Much of this was a result of the quick success of Desert Storm, as the US defeated a technically and tactically inept force... oh, and one that was outnumbered 2-to-1...
I have presented to gun collectors on the effects of Desert Storm regarding the arms industry and how brown, wood guns are being replaced by black, polymer guns. This was, in part, the result of America's newfound familiarity with the military after following the war on CNN. Reports of con artists claiming military association began to occur. Unfortunately, some of these con men were regular people - veterans who wanted to get a little more street cred, politicians who couldn't shut up, and grandpas who wanted their grandkids to think they were special. As an example, I offer Veteran's Phony War Stories...
Around this same time, several books and an atrocious film came out about Navy SEALs. Thankfully, after Navy Seals was released in 1990, Kevin Dockery's book Seals in Action came out. Fitting nicely into the history told by Kevin Dockery, Richard Marcinko's Rogue Warrior came out in 1992. However, the three together made for the trifecta of "How to pretend you are a SEAL." Madness and douchebaggery ensued...
Oddly enough, about this time, I spent most of a year at Little Creek Naval Amphibious Base in Norfolk, Virginia. While I saw SEALs and some friends played hostage for some SEAL training, I was there to drink and play bass guitar...
Jump forward twenty years and it is again rearing its head. A preacher claiming to be a SEAL (and here and here) and those who are working to uncover folks like him are showing up in the news.
Unfortunately, it doesn't matter where you live. We have our own impersonator here. I heard about him from an acquaintance. He sounded nice enough, but the the stories got, well... odd... For one thing, he and his tales involved 5 of the 7 bullet points on this list.
I did the right thing. I asked the folks at the POW Network (amateur webpage, professional service!) and I had my answer within 24 hours. The response described the source used to perform the research and succinctly stated that "no one by the name of CXXXX QXXXX graduated from the US Navy BUD/S course." Question asked, question answered.
I'd call him on it, but he is of little consequence. If he tries to get any public kudos or recognition out of it, however...
And, by the way, I giggle like a schoolgirl everytime I see Navy Seals on TV...
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Monday, May 9, 2011
How to get the NRA to stop calling you...
As some of you know, I am a Life Member of the National Rifle Association. However, I am also a disgruntled Life Member of the NRA. Part of me dearly believes that it is a great organization. Much of this comes from the various training programs offered by the organization - many at little or no cost. The strengths of the organization outweigh the ills.
It has been my experience that many of the people who are opposed to firearms are either uneducated about the subject or unfamiliar with guns in a practical sense or both. During my time as the Curator of the Cody Firearms Museum, I often met people who were opposed to firearms of any type in private hands. After showing them the museum, talking with them, and helping them understand what firearms are, how they work, and what they are capable of, most changed their minds.
The viewpoint of the non-gun public is not helped by the number of ill-educated gun guys out there who do not aid our cause. Fortunately, the NRA has helped in the education of many hundreds of thousands of the nation's gun owners. Unfortunately, it is also one of the largest rabble-rousing organizations in the country.
An instance from my personal experience -
Just about a year ago, during the run-up to the 2010 elections, I got a phone call. The caller ID said "National Rifle Association." I thought, "OK. Another fund-raising call..." Knowing that our number would stay in the auto-dial rotation until I acknowledged the call, I picked up the phone. Little did I know, this was not a fund-raising call. This was a get-out-the-vote call...
The very nice woman on the line dutifully read from the script in front of her, trying to convince me I should be terrified that President Obama, et al, was going to sign a treaty to restrict our gun rights. I told her to stop right there. I proceeded to tell her several facts:
Apparently, I'm not the only one...
Since then, I have not heard a WORD from the NRA. Well, the National, that is. The local chapter gives me a call once a year for their banquet. I also have some occasional communications with the National Firearms Museum as I know the Curators.
As I was saying, I have not received a phone call from the NRA in almost a year. They appear to have removed me from their mailing list, as well. I still look forward to my American Rifleman. Granted, I skip past the bits by Wayne LaPierre and Chris Cox... and the ads for gold... and the ads for "Commemorative Firearms"...
Amazing. I got through all of this and didn't mention Glenn Beck...
EDIT (1/26/2012): Noticed in my page stats that someone got here by searching for the term "national rifle association stop the calls". #winning
It has been my experience that many of the people who are opposed to firearms are either uneducated about the subject or unfamiliar with guns in a practical sense or both. During my time as the Curator of the Cody Firearms Museum, I often met people who were opposed to firearms of any type in private hands. After showing them the museum, talking with them, and helping them understand what firearms are, how they work, and what they are capable of, most changed their minds.
The viewpoint of the non-gun public is not helped by the number of ill-educated gun guys out there who do not aid our cause. Fortunately, the NRA has helped in the education of many hundreds of thousands of the nation's gun owners. Unfortunately, it is also one of the largest rabble-rousing organizations in the country.
An instance from my personal experience -
Just about a year ago, during the run-up to the 2010 elections, I got a phone call. The caller ID said "National Rifle Association." I thought, "OK. Another fund-raising call..." Knowing that our number would stay in the auto-dial rotation until I acknowledged the call, I picked up the phone. Little did I know, this was not a fund-raising call. This was a get-out-the-vote call...
The very nice woman on the line dutifully read from the script in front of her, trying to convince me I should be terrified that President Obama, et al, was going to sign a treaty to restrict our gun rights. I told her to stop right there. I proceeded to tell her several facts:
- I am a life member of the NRA
- I am a gun owner.
- I support the right to own firearms.
- I voted for Barack Obama for President.
- I am a registered Democrat.
- The treaty to which she refers had not been presented to the US Senate, the body of which has to approve said treaty by a 2/3 vote.
Apparently, I'm not the only one...
- http://streamingradioguide.com/radiochat/2010/03/30/nra-scaremongering-phone-call-im-u/
- http://algerblog.blogspot.com/2010/12/phone-call-from-nra.html
- http://www.newcoolthang.com/index.php/2009/04/the-nra-just-gave-up-on-me-after-one-survey-question/918/
Since then, I have not heard a WORD from the NRA. Well, the National, that is. The local chapter gives me a call once a year for their banquet. I also have some occasional communications with the National Firearms Museum as I know the Curators.
As I was saying, I have not received a phone call from the NRA in almost a year. They appear to have removed me from their mailing list, as well. I still look forward to my American Rifleman. Granted, I skip past the bits by Wayne LaPierre and Chris Cox... and the ads for gold... and the ads for "Commemorative Firearms"...
Amazing. I got through all of this and didn't mention Glenn Beck...
EDIT (1/26/2012): Noticed in my page stats that someone got here by searching for the term "national rifle association stop the calls". #winning
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