http://www.pitch.com/2010-09-30/news/appleseed-comes-to-missouri/ (http://www.pitch.com/2010-09-30/news/appleseed-comes-to-missouri/)
Came out today
Thanks for posting.
Snark-O-Rama.
QuoteA passing driver might mistake the scene for a well-armed tailgate party.
They are here -- on an old goat farm in Humansville, Missouri, on Labor Day weekend -- to learn how to squeeze off a kill shot from 500 yards.
O0 O0 O0
Having instructed at the shoot, I think this article is nothing short of an insult...she made us sound like a joke. And I, personally was made to look like a complete fool (with regard to the "puking" comment) She took a conversation that she wasn't even a part of and twisted it for entertainment value. My original comment was: "I used to be so nervous to speak in public...so nervous in fact that I felt nauseated. But Appleseed has really brought me out of my shell and allowed me to get up in front of those people I was so frightened to speak in front of and speak from my heart with little fear." But of course, there's no entertainment in the truth... ++)
She also FAILS to mention that she not only slept in Paulette's home (GrammaGoats), but she also used her shower and ate our food for breakfast. And we were happy to oblige- after all, we wanted to assure her that we were not some crazy right wing-nut women and that we had nothing to hide from anyone-not even a reporter from a liberal publication. She also fails to mention that in her trunk was a small arsenal of rifles! She brought an SKS, a 10-22, and...wait for it........a GARAND!!!!!!! :~ :--- Turns out she has been shooting before with a male friend of hers...and LOVES IT!!!! But again, no entertainment in telling the truth.
I thought some of her comments about Dinky were especially disparaging....what women wants to hear that she has a "linebacker's build"?
My skin in growing thicker by the day, but I can't help but feel hurt by the snarky words written about me and my fellow instructors :'( I guess I'm gonna have to grab buckets with both hands...and feet.
MB
No such thing as bad publicity (excepting your own obituary).
A bit snarky? perhaps... have you ever read the Pitch before? I was not surprised that the article was less than flattering. At least it's not the complete hatchet job I was half expecting!
MamaBear, don't let it get to you. You're not the first to feel a bit nauseated at the idea of public speaking. In any case, she did get the idea across that, despite your being uncomfortable with public speaking, you managed a touching, powerful presentation. Having heard your presentation in the past, I can attest to the truth of that!
Hey, if it generates a bit of interest, and perhaps gets a few more folks on the line... Great!
This serves as an excellent reminder that when you deal with reporters/ media/ journalists NOTHING IS OFF THE RECORD. The tiniest thing you did not want printed will be the item that gets published.
QuoteHaving instructed at the shoot, I think this article is nothing short of an insult...she made us sound like a joke.
Welcome to the "media" MamaBear! &)
You and the other ladies can hop over to the 'Appleseed' facebook Page and set things straight...if you'd like: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Appleseed/109597865750
FWIW, I commend all of you for what sounds like a fine event. O0
Mama Bear,
We are open, kind, offering, and careful. Sometimes we get a reporter who is great to us, even giving. Sometimes we get a reporter who is not so great, even taking advantage. So far, each and every one of these reports has helped our program significantly with increasing shooters on the line. The individual press may not be perfect, or even fair, but the coverage has been a heaven send to us.
Thank you and the LS team for doing job #1 which is putting on a good shoot. And between that and this report, you should feel good and be proud. We learn with each media after action and this one is no different. That is why we are pooling our resources and experiences to get real smart, real fast with the media nationwide.
But without any doubt, this article was a blessing to us even if it was one in disguise and even if the reporter did not mean it to be one. It will help us with more shooters and potentially more ranges in the end. Do not feel bad about that at all.
Everyone should keep an eye on the press suggestions & advice which are pooling in the instructor boards and at national. Those tricks will help everyone. But always keep in mind; we have not had a press interaction yet that has not helped us grow in the end. None.
Good job! It is a hard job, and a mucky one at times. Wash it off, move on, share details where we can talk candidly and plan accordingly, and then move on happily into your next shoot.
And some day some red hat is going to tell you they went to their first shoot because of some crazy news article they read in the pitch,
Techres
There seems to be more than one "national" Appleseed page on Facebook. I posted the link here: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=20965705969&v=wall&ref=ts. This page needs a bit of clean-up though as it has been hijacked by some advertisers.
TruT
mamabear,
I saw right through her use of the crude vernacular as being of her own invention, as would I suspect, most people reading it. Any warm-blooded mammal would be inspired by this:
"Her speech is tearful, more serious and emotive than Dinky's was. "The sight of the Regulars (British regiment) was a breathtaking spectacle," she says, quoting a historical text from memory. "They looked like a ribbon of scarlet and white winding through the bright-green countryside, and their bayonets were glistening in the early morning sun."
We have to accept that the media is most often well biased. We have to embrace the horror of it and just keep doing what we are doing. History hath shewn that the Creator of all things prefers Liberty. I have faith that He will see us through. Our cause is just and our methods unimpeachable. So long as we behave in a manner that we would not be embarassed to have our dear mothers read about in the Sunday paper - we are golden - let the chips fall.
For the media, the SPLC, or the ADL to speak truly ill of us in plain terms would require a bald-faced lie. As Bama would say "I'm prouder than a game rooster to have rid with ya". Ya'll did a great job. Press is good - even when it is hard to stomach and full of innuendos and quasi-intellectual put downs.
At least she did make some decent observations, even if she failed to mention the hospitality she received (and yes, I noticed that also). "The day ends without any signs of a coup, or even a decent Obama joke."
I bet this is a lie: "Finally, she instructs the women to bring their weaponry to the firing line". $5 says Dinky said "Rifle". :)
Bottom line: We cannot afford ourselves the luxury of insult. We are going to see a lot of this in coming years and we can't git our undies in a wad over every one. Facts are stubborn things and that fact is, we are a decent bunch of Americans working hard to make our country a better place. What has Nadia Pflaum done for America this year?
Congrats on running a good event under great pressure. O0
All that, true as it is, is great, but would it be entertaining to pick out the "dumbest thing" the reporterette said?
I'm sure there'll be a lot of competition, but there's one thing she said that really is, truly, stupid.
Not only stupid, but something we can hardly do (there - a hint!!).
Another lesson from the left.
Quote from: TruTenacity on September 29, 2010, 03:42:06 PM
There seems to be more than one "national" Appleseed page on Facebook. I posted the link here: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=20965705969&v=wall&ref=ts. This page needs a bit of clean-up though as it has been hijacked by some advertisers.
TruT
If you are a Facebook user, you can "flag" these items and then "report" them as spam. This will not remove the content from the wall, (it only hides it from you) but will send an alert to Facebook. They may or may not delete the offending person's account and remove their posts. I imagine there is some threshold that has to be crossed (number of times reported, etc) before they do this.
The admins for the page/group are the only ones that can immediately remove content from the wall they manage. It's something that requires daily attention and will be necessary to keep the page from being completely over-run with this kind of junk.
Thought I'd change my avatar to something more acceptable to these reporters since they like to jump on the militia.
That was the most entertaining article I have read on AS. Loove the picture O0
Also, Love the part about 1 shot one kill at 500 yrds. Those damn deer are always out of range. Makes me want to go to a AS. ^:)^
I actually liked this article so much, that I sent a link to our own outrageous talk show host, Vicky McKinna.
And, ofcousre offered her the world, if she will only come to Lodi in OCT, :)
Quote from: Fred on September 29, 2010, 04:19:49 PM
All that, true as it is, is great, but would it be entertaining to pick out the "dumbest thing" the reporterette said?
I'm sure there'll be a lot of competition, but there's one thing she said that really is, truly, stupid.
Not only stupid, but something we can hardly do (there - a hint!!).
Fred- might it be this??
"The group does not run background checks on its participants." :D
Please tell me I got it on the first try!! O0
MB
I think she came looking for a militia training seminar and did not find it.
Her comment about not even hearing an Obama joke sounded like she wanted some sort of slip up to report on.
Not a bad article, all in all, it does give Appleseed some publicity. The more people hear and read about AS then they will come. Or at least will have heard of us.
Well done Ladies, well done indeed.
Quote"The group does not run background checks on its participants." :D
Out of the entire article, that was THE ultimate statement of stupidity which rattled my cage. ++)
I believe you found Waldo, MamaBear! ;D
I'm With Colycat!!
My hair is a bit shaggy due to my Barber dieing on me and I always wanted to wear a Kilt.... I'm hitting the next Ladyseed :D
Hey guys, it's the "reporterette" in question,
I just wanted to post and say that if anyone would like to leave comments at our site, accessible via the first posted link, they are welcome to do so. No comments are moderated, censored or removed, and you can fill in all the "required" fields with nonsense and stuff like blahblahblah@blowyourself.com if you prefer to be anonymous.
Mama Bear, you were the last person I expected to offend with the story! The only reason that any of my first-person narrative was included at all (my first draft absolutely included mention of the centerfire rifles I brought to the shoot -- let's blame my editor for keeping my ego out of it) was *only* to highlight Paulette's hospitality, and yours, for inviting me to spend that night at Paulette's house. (And eat a bagel -- I admit it! But everyone paid for dinner, which was fantastic.) I knew that you'd puked before public speaking previously because Dinky told the group as much before you did your rendition of the Second Strike. As for my description of Dinky, well, I'm a huge football fan, and have the utmost respect for the defensive line. She'd said things that led me to believe that she was perfectly comfortable in her own skin. But then, society is rough on us ladies. I've had my own physicality described online before and I know that no amount of thick skin keeps it from stinging, even if only a little.
I have to run, so please don't take my failure to rebuke the allegations of "liberal bias" as an admission of such -- and I'll keep reading the forum, and if anyone has any questions for me that they'd like to ask privately, please email me at nadia.pflaum@pitch.com or call 816-218-6773.
Thanks!
Nadia Pflaum
Pitch Staff Writer
nadianadia
Newbie
Me thinks you are one of us Americans, who want to restore the founding principals. If, I m right, we need you, America needs you as well. I thought is was a great article, and thank you so much for taking the time to do it.
Colycat, Senior Instructor, AKA, Tony Bries
608/477/8254
Oh, and BTW, your description of Dinky, A line backer, yea she can be on my team anytime :---
Quote from: MamaBear on September 29, 2010, 07:42:33 PM
Quote from: Fred on September 29, 2010, 04:19:49 PM
All that, true as it is, is great, but would it be entertaining to pick out the "dumbest thing" the reporterette said?
I'm sure there'll be a lot of competition, but there's one thing she said that really is, truly, stupid.
Not only stupid, but something we can hardly do (there - a hint!!).
Fred- might it be this??
"The group does not run background checks on its participants." :D
Please tell me I got it on the first try!! O0
MB
Yep, you got it on the first try - and were the first one to get it! O0 O0 O0 O0 O0 O0 O0 O0 O0 O0 O0 O0
And, Machine, you said, correctly, she was right. O0 O0 O0 O0 O0 O0 O0
The line 'The group does not run background checks on its participants. ' is almost a quote... from me... though it's not presented as such. As I recall, I said that we can't run background checks on our attendees, during a discussion of the NYT article, and their attempt to link Appleseed to a militia group because one attendee was a member of one.
Is it something I shouldn't have said? Perhaps... It made sense to me in context.
Quotechaotic aftermath of a natural disaster or a political coup
Ok, I figured that the last place my name would be brought up is at a Ladyseed, 2 states away. ;D
And here I was thinkin' we were losing our edge! >:D
Glad we're still controversial... Lest we may become irrelavent.
Now, you all be nice... I gotta go back to practicing kill shots at 500! :---
Oh, and I may even squeeze in a little time to plan for the shoot in Duluth this weekend!
A 10/22, a SKS and a Garand! I've got those too!
A fine selection.... To start with. @)
Back to the line! &)
Aftermath
p.s. If they own a rifle; they've already been through a background check!
Quote from: greybeard on September 29, 2010, 10:48:26 PM
The line 'The group does not run background checks on its participants. ' is almost a quote... from me... though it's not presented as such. As I recall, I said that we can't run background checks on our attendees, during a discussion of the NYT article, and their attempt to link Appleseed to a militia group because one attendee was a member of one.
Is it something I shouldn't have said? Perhaps... It made sense to me in context.
GB, I see no problem with you saying it - you have to say
something, right?
I personally would not have thought your saying this could be turned into this kind of seeming accusation: "The group does not run background checks on its participants."
That sounds like
we could if we wanted to, but we don't want to, for unknown or unstated reasons...
So, another "lick" on us, not doing what any fool would think would be logical, necessary, and prudent when dealing with dangerous things like firearms. Only, it's impossible (SFAIK) for us to do it.
But let us turn away a nervous-guy in mid-eastern clothing with stuff strapped under his cloak as he speaks rapidly with a thick accent - and we're guilty of the worst kind of prejudicial racial/cultural/ethnic profiling.
They've got us coming and going...
Shooting fish in a barrel - and we're the fish.
Seems like the editors are more of a problem than the reporters. We seem to get along fine with the reporters and crews. I guess they get mad when they find out we aren't a militia or anti government group.
Beats me. I'm at the point where I am viewing them as difficult to instruct... Grab another bucket and move on. Plenty of work I can do with others.
Mamabear gives one of the most touching 2nd strikes I have ever heard. I usually have to act like I'm digging around for something to hide the...um...stuff that gets in my eyes.
I liked the article (despite the fact it had an obvious bias) for it will certainly bring more people to the AS trail. At Ottawa there were 6 attendees that when asked how they heard of AS said they read about it in the New York Times. Then went on to say, "if the NYT didn't like AS there must be something good about it." My only surprise was that anyone still reads the NYT but that's beyond the point.
Quote from: mikaldulee on September 30, 2010, 10:57:28 AM
Mamabear gives one of the most touching 2nd strikes I have ever heard. I usually have to act like I'm digging around for something to hide the...um...stuff that gets in my eyes.
Awww, shucks, Mike! I'm gettin' all red in the face over here! :-[ Thank you very much :)
Quote from: SkyHawk on September 30, 2010, 01:03:11 PM
"if the NYT didn't like AS there must be something good about it."
NYT makes things easy, just do the reverse and you are good to go. 8)
QuoteI personally would not have thought your saying this could be turned into this kind of seeming accusation: "The group does not run background checks on its participants."
Accusation? That means we're open-minded and accepting of people with different values than ours! @)
QuoteBut let us turn away a nervous-guy in mid-eastern clothing with stuff strapped under his cloak as he speaks rapidly with a thick accent - and we're guilty of the worst kind of prejudicial racial/cultural/ethnic profiling.
Well, when that poor mid-eastern immigrant comes to an Appleseed to immerse himself in the American experience, after reading the NYT article; chances are he's gonna be a little bit nervous. (Heck, weren't we all a bit nervous at our first Seed? #) For various reasons, I'd bet Fred was even a bit nervous! ) That stuff packed under his cloak is surely a body 'resistant' vest; just in case the NYT is right about us.
Quote from: MamaBear on September 30, 2010, 01:06:52 PM
Quote from: mikaldulee on September 30, 2010, 10:57:28 AM
Mamabear gives one of the most touching 2nd strikes I have ever heard. I usually have to act like I'm digging around for something to hide the...um...stuff that gets in my eyes.
Awww, shucks, Mike! I'm gettin' all red in the face over here! :-[ Thank you very much :)
Mamabear; you're gonna have to ask Cookie Lady where she got the eagle from... That way Mike won't be able to look down. And every body can see the tears gushing from his tear ducts. :'(
O0
I don't cry.
It's just my agent orange gets to acting up... ;)
Interesting article, but it still sounds like the Appleseed project is from a fringe group. 50 years ago, this program might have been presented to a men's Sunday School group and no one would have batted an eye. Why should it be so now when the U.S. Constitution has not been changed? When did respecting the things that brought this country to life become POLITICALLY INCORRECT???
I had a GREAT time learning the details of the three strikes, and accessing my own complacent ways. I've started paying attention to what's actually going on in my country instead of leaving it to the "gentry". I've called friends all over the country and told them of Appleseed. I've talked to gun shop owners whenever I can about Appleseed. I'm toting flyers in my shooting bag and handing them out when an opportunity arises. All because of the exceptional efforts of the women and man-slaves at the Humansville Ladyseed.
I care again, thanks to them.
Air
3 motorcycles, 18 guitars, 8 guns (had to get a 10/22 for Appleseed O0)
air,
In the land of liars, telling the truth is a radical act. In the land of the blind, the one-eyed man is king.
The mere fact that what we are doing is now seen as "controversial", stands as clear evidence that our country has lost its way. The traditions of the Founders (limited gov, self-reliance, public virtue, frugality, hard work, etc.) resulted in the freest and most prosperous nation the world will ever know. This is fact. As we have strayed from these ideals, we are losing our prosperity and our Freedoms - again, fact.
When an honest man who is mistaken, is confronted with the truth, he will either cease to be mistaken, or he will cease to be honest. THe most troubling part is that We the People have only ourselves to blame, for we have allowed this course change over time.
The only chance American has is for a great number of people to get involved in the system of government handed down to us by the Founders right now, and work to make a change, back to the ideals and traditions of the men and women who created America 234 years ago. I see no better way of doing that than Appleseeds.
People fear what they do not understand. Disrespect is a knee-jerk reaction to fear and ignorance. It is incumbent upon us to turn the other cheek and persist in our mission to save America - to run clean and true until our adversaries become our allies out of sheer awe of our goodness. Not an easy row to hoe, but can a virtuous man hesitate in his choice?
PHenery-- is THIS your own words
"When an honest man who is mistaken, is confronted with the truth, he will either cease to be mistaken, or he will cease to be honest." I would love to use it on my sig line for awhile and give you credit.... or if they are borrowed words do you know who said them.
This is POWERFUL and ON TARGET.
GG
Air -
Thanks so much for posting your take on that weekend. This is why I Appleseed.
I look forward to seeing you on the line again!
Cookie Lady
I had a co-worker ask me today if I had seen the article in The Pitch. She knew I had been to some Appleseeds. I told her yeah, I read the first couple pages, then figured out whoever wrote it was pretty inexperienced. If you compare it with the other article written about the same LadySeed by the more experienced reporter Becky Groff, the difference is very apparent. While Becky makes hers a report about the LadySeed. The inexperienced reporter seems to think that by writing an article showcasing her clever "wit", rather than the actual story, she shows her writing ability. She mentions her editor removed parts of her story, hmm. I've been to more than one Appleseed, and I don't think I've seen folks looking like they were ready for naps. Usually they are riveted. It's interesting what she chose to leave out, as well as what she chose to put in. I've been at a shoot with MamaBear, I adore her, she is very helpful, and very knowledgeable. But I'm blessed, every shoot I've been at has had wonderful, patient instructors. Yet, she mentions nothing about how her scores improved, if she even shot. What did she learn, if anything? Can she learn? Probably not, she didn't come to learn. I sent my co-worker the link to the better story, told her about appleseed, and she and another co-worker who was listening in are now interested in coming with me to the next one! Now for the punch line, the co-worker that asked me about the story, after I finished telling them what Appleseed is REALLY like, and made my assertion again, the reporter is inexperience, turns out my co-worker has met her. She said "SHE IS! She is a city girl, doesn't know anything about the country, or guns, and is pretty inexperienced". Hope MamaBear is at that shoot too, because they haven't met her, but for some reason, they now think she is too cool. I wonder, on the first page of the story, she refers to an "old goat farm", where does Grandma Goat keep her young goats? :cool2:
hahahahah .... made me laugh right out load. The OLD GOAT sleeps in the master bedroom. All the YOUNG goats did sleep in the barn.. but they have all been sold. No more goats in the barn :(
Personally i did not find her 'wit' at all 'clever'. I found her to be rude, insensitive, inappreciative,
unobservant and shallow. Yes, i realize she may be reading this.... that changes nothing i say... i would have no problems stating this to her face, facts are facts. I think she came looking for a HOT STORY and found strong Americans with character and principle and she just did not know what to do with THAT.
MamaBear would have gotten a rousing applause regardless of what Dinky had to say.... she gave a heartfelt lesson in history... but one has to have a heart turned toward the foundation of this country to hear it. Not everyone has the stars and strips flying on the highest hill in their heart. Not everyone's chest swells at the sound of the Stars Spangled Banner, not everyone is appreciative of the blood that was shed so we may walk this land as free men and women. But i dare say.... the day will come when many of those that are shallow of heart and small of mind will begin to feel the loss, and for them, it may be to late.
Quote from: SebalLudington on October 06, 2010, 01:13:20 AM
I had a co-worker ask me today if I had seen the article in The Pitch. She knew I had been to some Appleseeds. I told her yeah, I read the first couple pages, then figured out whoever wrote it was pretty inexperienced. If you compare it with the other article written about the same LadySeed by the more experienced reporter Becky Groff, the difference is very apparent. While Becky makes hers a report about the LadySeed. The inexperienced reporter seems to think that by writing an article showcasing her clever "wit", rather than the actual story, she shows her writing ability. She mentions her editor removed parts of her story, hmm. I've been to more than one Appleseed, and I don't think I've seen folks looking like they were ready for naps. Usually they are riveted. It's interesting what she chose to leave out, as well as what she chose to put in. I've been at a shoot with MamaBear, I adore her, she is very helpful, and very knowledgeable. But I'm blessed, every shoot I've been at has had wonderful, patient instructors. Yet, she mentions nothing about how her scores improved, if she even shot. What did she learn, if anything? Can she learn? Probably not, she didn't come to learn. I sent my co-worker the link to the better story, told her about appleseed, and she and another co-worker who was listening in are now interested in coming with me to the next one! Now for the punch line, the co-worker that asked me about the story, after I finished telling them what Appleseed is REALLY like, and made my assertion again, the reporter is inexperience, turns out my co-worker has met her. She said "SHE IS! She is a city girl, doesn't know anything about the country, or guns, and is pretty inexperienced". Hope MamaBear is at that shoot too, because they haven't met her, but for some reason, they now think she is too cool. I wonder, on the first page of the story, she refers to an "old goat farm", where does Grandma Goat keep her young goats? :cool2:
Heck, I would never call Dinky a linebacker...and I've been in combat.
Oh Gramma Goat, we have GOT to meet one of these days! I'm applauding you after reading that. ^:)^You are so "on target". I've never met the girl, but met a lot like her, sense of entitlement. No appreciation for what has been sacrificed for her, thinks it is her due. Proof you say? How about the attitude displayed when ALL the instructors there were there on their own time, no pay, to help others. But I guess when the paper is question is best used for people who are paper training puppies, they have to get "help" where they can. Newspapers hire people like Becky Groff.
Gramma Goats and Sebal Ludington: I've been trying to get the two of you together for some time now! Sebal, come on down to the Humansville shoot next month, it's only an hour or so from your place, can't be any further than the Bates City shoots you've been making.
The Nov 13 & 14? It's about twice, not quite as far I think, but am still seriously considering it now. Greybeard, I have a hunch you are right on the money! I really want to meet Gramma Goat in person now! ;D