Saturday, August 1, 2015

The good, the bad, the ugly

Protesters from the Animal Rights Coalition and the Minnesota Animal Liberation organization gathered in front of Dr. Walter J. Palmer's dental practice in Bloomington, Minnesota, this week to display their outrage for the dentist's illegal killing of Cecil the lion in Zimbabwe. The photograph was taken by Glen Stubbe of the Star Tribune. As for the music, which I have used before, write it off to the best I could do given my mood.
 
I hope you comprehend the difference
 
I am certain many people would define me as a "gun nut."
 
By this, I mean I love firearms. I love to look at them, to hold them, to own them, to shoot them, to modify them. I caress them and I kiss them and I talk to them.
 
Being a "firearm aficionado" (I wonder if terminology makes a difference ??), does not mean I love hunting. I was a hunter when I was young and did not know any better. I grew up in a rural community where most men hunted. Although I have not hunted for years, I still do condone it, but only in the sense of this: If you shoot it, you eat it.

I probably would not endorse hunting even to that extent if it were not for the fact that hunters are the greatest force at stopping anti-gun nuts (the opposite of me) from gaining the majority and imposing more and more ridiculous anti-gun laws.
 
Going back to "if you shoot it, you eat it," almost certainly you have heard about or read about the idiot Minnesota dentist -- Walter J. Palmer of Eden Prairie, Minnesota -- who killed Cecil, a half-tame lion which has been the subject of scientific studies for the past thirteen years in Zimbabwe, and who cut off the lion's head for a trophy while leaving the rest of the body to rot beneath the African sun.

Apparently, this impotent ass began with a crossbow and needed a rifle to complete the act. Not only inept, but unqualified to claim the title of legitimate hunter -- as so many are these days. I would wager our root canal man does not have a military background where shooting goes in both directions. These types generally are cowards trying to prove to themselves that they are not.

Frankly, if the guy wants a real trophy hunt, I would be happy to offer him one .... but, I suppose that would be politically incorrect. Anyway .... he should be pitied as well as scorned ....
 
Hunters, men or women, who are pure and simple trophy hunters are among the scum of the earth in my opinion. Rude as it might be, I would spit in the face of any trophy hunter whose path might cross mine.
 
For those of you who have never hunted, let me tell you it is easy for anyone who devotes a bit of time to study and to practice. Ever hear the cliché, "Easy as shooting fish in a barrel?" Well, that is hunting in this day and age.

Rifles, for instance, often have telescopic sights with range finders or laser sights. Populations of wild game are at the highest levels they have been in decades. It is amazing how tame many wild animals have become because they live in such close proximity to "humankind."
 
Let me repeat: I think trophy hunters are among the scum of the earth. This does mean I consider a hunter who shoots a deer or an antelope, for instance, and who mounts the head to be a trophy hunter if he also eats the deer or the antelope. That is the key, the difference, from my perspective.
 
In fact, it would seem to me that hunters who actually shoot and butcher some of the meat they eat are more honest and less hypocritical than are those individuals who condemn all hunting, but who still enjoy their home-grilled steak and fast-food hamburger. It amazes me and mystifies me how and why so many people are capable of self-delusion.

Way beyond that, I can remember Thanksgiving dinners in the past where an assortment of wild game shot and dressed by me while still a boy was a thoroughly enjoyed part of the menu and appreciated just as much as the farm-bred turkey which was the centerpiece of the meal.
 
Simply my opinion ....
 

17 comments:

PhilipH said...

Agree with every word Fram. Every thought.

This so-called hunter is now the hunted. Gone to ground, probably quivering with fear and self-pity.

He has enraged the WORLD, and rightly so. Scum is a too-friendly term for this dog-turd.

I once owned a Webley revolver and a dozen rounds (.310 I seem to recall but might be mistaken). My dear brother Geoff gave it to me in the mid-1960s when I worked in the south London betting shops, Brixton, Bermondsey, Streatham and Croydon. The threat of armed robbers was high back then, the sawn-off shotgun being the weapon of choice by these thieving bastards. I was not going to use it too, should I get confronted. Thankfully it didn't happen to me, but other shops in our small chain weren't so lucky. I no longer have it. I never had a licence for it either.

But what about this song you shared! Dream on, Aerosmith. I'd heard of Aerosmith but can't recall listening to their stuff, until today. I have now got it listed on my Youtube favourites. It's a great piece of music, good guitars and percussion so powerful. I just LOVE it.
Cheers mate, you've made my day.

PhilipH said...

PS. That should have read: "I was going to use it too, should I get confronted."

Kaya said...

Did this idiot trophy hunter know something about lions? That it's especially bad for the male lions. When a male lion killed the other lions will competed for being number one again and again; and there would be more deaths among them.

Every time I go to our local rancher's store I am amazed how freely you can go to the section with rifles and choose the one of them to buy. No fuss, just a few questions and some checking. Don't know much of pistols and revolvers but always fascinated when you write of them.

I love the song, Fram. Going to listen it a few more times. The beginning of the song is so wonderful "guitar opening, be patient..." and then the sounds of guitar - beautiful and promising.

Good morning, Fram,

Wish you a nice weekend, peaceful and sunny.

Smareis said...


Olá Fram!

Gostei muito dessa postagem e de sua opinião. Muito bem construída sobre esse triste fato que esta rodando o mundo, o dentista que matou Cecil, o leão.
Matar um animal para sobrevivência é uma coisa, agora matar por esporte pra expor como troféu eu acho horrível, desumano, merece ser punido, custe o que custar. Nem os animais praticam tais atos, eles matam pela sobrevivência.
Tem um seriado na TV onde algumas famílias caçam animais selvagens para sobrevivência, acho que no Alasca não sei bem. Sempre que assisto lembro-me de você devido dizer que gosta de rifles e caça.
A música Dream On Aerosmith é excelente Fram, a letra da música é bem curiosa. Sonhe!

Desocupa pela demora em aparecer.
Até mais ver Fram!

Smareis said...

Desculpa pela demora em te ler.
Parabéns pela postagem ficou muito bem escrita.
Sorrisos do Brasil.

Fram Actual said...

When I did hunt, I loved it in the sense of mastering the skills needed to collect the quarry, but I never felt any allure or desire or fascination involving the collection of any creature as a trophy. Frankly, I think a person who hunts strictly for trophies has psychological problems and I would not feel safe with such person as a partner on a hunt.

There have been times I have thought about buying a Webley, Philip, but they generally use ammunition not commonly found in the United States, which means they are expensive to shoot -- and, I want to shoot those I own with some frequency. Occasionally, I have seen one which has been converted to a typical U.S. caliber, but even then the Webley has not made it to the top of my "wish list." My forever favorite is the Colt Model 1911.

When you carry a handgun, it is best to have one that fits your physical and mental being as much as it fits your purpose. I have written a few sentences about that for a post currently "waiting in the wings" for me to publish. Part of this formula, from my perspective, includes practice, practice, practice -- which translates into readily available and (hopefully) economical ammunition.

Aerosmith and Steve Tyler, in particular among band members, have been among the greats for decades. This song, "Dream On," is the first song I ever heard by the band. It has been among my favorites since, and I think it is the best song the band has done during its entire existence.

Thank you, Philip. I am glad you stopped by for a visit and I appreciate your comment.

Fram Actual said...

Apparently our "idiot trophy hunter" has made it a practice of collecting a significant number of "trophy animals" over the years. And, apparently he is not at all interested in knowing anything about the animals he hunts or about the laws in the locations where he hunts. He simply hires a knowledgeable guide and tags along like a little boy until it is time to pull the trigger and to have his photograph taken with his latest kill.

There generally is no problem purchasing a rifle or a shotgun, Kaya, and completing the paperwork and waiting for the background check telephone call to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives usually takes no more than ten or fifteen minutes. Unless a person has obtained certain permits in advance, purchasing a handgun will require a waiting period for a number of days. Laws regarding this vary among the states.

I always have been fascinated by weapons, but I never have tried to understand why. I might do that someday .... try to look inside my mind to understand their relevance to me. Actually, though, my interest in firearms is only a bit greater than my interest in watches and coins, and I know historical context is part of it all. The most significant element is wondering about and thinking about the people who have possessed these objects before they came to me.

Yes, I can say I love "Dream On," too. As I mentioned to Philip, this was the first of Aerosmith's songs that I ever heard, and it has been among my favorites since. I would like to see the band perform someday.

Thank you, Kaya. I am happy to see you here and pleased you wrote a comment for me. I hope your weekend is being all you wish it to be ....

Fram Actual said...

Well, Smareis. I was almost ready to send a search party out looking for you. You have been absent for so long that I was beginning to wonder if you had gone canoeing up the Amazon River or were climbing few peaks in the Mantiqueira Mountains or .... well, I will wonder no longer. You have returned to the blogs again and have found your way to my page again. I am glad to see you here and to learn you are well and fine.

I have tried not to be very "nationalistic" since I graduated from high school where we all wanted our team to win on the football field or the basketball court, but at the moment I am suffering from reverse nationalism. The incident with the dentist from Minnesota shooting a somewhat-tame and well-known lion is the reason. I am embarrassed that such a cruel, insensitive, ignorant man is living in and practicing a medical profession in Minnesota -- the state of my birth and my current residence.

Personally, in the least, I hope this dentist is ostracized professionally in Minnesota and extradited to face court proceedings in Zimbabwe. I hope other countries will ban him from hunting.

As I mentioned in the post, I still defend hunters and hunting because they are prominent in maintaining aggressive support for the Second Amendment and right of citizens of the United States to own and to bear firearms. But, I do not condone hunting; I simply put up with it as an element of life here. I do not watch television programs which feature hunting or read any periodicals regarding it. The only way I would hunt again would be through necessity for survival, and it is unlikely that ever would happen.

"Dream On" is a song of hope, I think, sort of the same message you often give to others. In this case, I think the singer is reflecting on his life to that point, saying not to live in the past, but to live for today, and not to give up on dreams for tomorrow. Dream on, baby ....

So, all is well with the world again now that you are present again. I could feel, probably from things you have written in recent weeks, that you were all right and simply needed to be away from blogs for a while .... but, that does not make your invisibility any easier to live with while it is happening.

Thank you, Smareis, for your return to my blog and your comment here with its complimentary words. Take care and see you later ....

Smareis said...

Então Fram, tenho mesmo andado ausente, mais sempre volto... Ainda não escrevi nada no blog mais creio que escreverei por lá até o final da semana.
Sorrindo... Acho que uma equipe de busca me acharia bem mais rápido pelos litorais ou pelas redondezas da Serra da Mantiqueira. Estou na Região Sudeste do Brasil, e o Amazonas está situado na Região Norte do Brasil. Alguns quilômetros de distância. (bastantes quilômetros)
O Rio Amazonas é o maior do mundo, tanto em volume d’água, como em extensão, superando o rio Nilo em mais de 140 quilômetros. Uma riqueza quase em todos os sentidos. Para quem gosta de pesca esse é o lugar ideal, o paraíso. Beleza pura.
Então a Serra da Mantiqueira tem seu nome originado do tupi 'Amantikir' e significa "montanha que chora". Trata-se de uma formação geológica datada da era Arqueozoica que compreende um maciço rochoso que possui grande área de terras altas, entre mil e quase três mil metros de altitude, ao longo das divisas dos estados do Sudeste.
Então, é cruel a forma que o dentista usou pra abater o Leão. Atrair o animal machuca-lo com uma flecha, e depois ficarem quarenta horas atrás o animal, matando em seguida com um tiro. E ainda arrancar o couro e cabeça para exibi-lo como se fosse um grande herói. Acho que o castigo desse dentista seria solta-lo dentro de uma reserva cheio de leões famintos. Quem com ferro ferem, com ferro será ferido. Aqui no Brasil esse fato com o leão deu uma grande repercussão na mídia.

Obrigada Fram,
Até mais...
Envio sorrisos e saudações do Brasil!

Fram Actual said...

Hmmmm .... all right, Smareis, I guess my proposed search parties were a bit extreme, but I assumed you must be on a major expedition -- such as traveling up the Amazon River -- since you had been gone for so long. I will try to keep your suggestions in mind the next time you decide to disappear for a while. Yes, I will remain calm instead of wildly sending out search parties .... hmmmm ....

I am not certain I would use the word "frighten," but, in the least, rivers make me "nervous." I mean in the sense of being on them in a canoe or swimming in them. I much prefer lakes, or even oceans. On lakes, for instance, there is only the wind to contend with and waves created by the wind. On rivers, besides the wind there are currents and eddies and, sometimes, rapids and whirlpools. I have canoed many rivers, both large and small, and never felt comfortable on any of them. They are too unpredictable, and have a life of their own. And, to me, the Amazon River is the most dangerous river.

I just realized something about lakes and rivers I had not thought about before; now I will be up late into the night.

I suppose I can understand why trophy hunting once was popular -- way back when it was challenging and dangerous. Hunting today has pretty much been reduced to child's play and is no more difficult than shooting a paper target -- especially for those individuals after "big game" who have the money to pay a professional guide to lead them and to tuck them into bed at night. If I sound sarcastic, it is because I am.

As for our dentist friend who enjoys shooting lions brought into range by baiting them, there is a short story entitled, "The Most Dangerous Game." It was written by Richard Connell and published in 1924. I first read it as a boy. Without going into detail, the story is about a hunter who has become bored with simply hunting animals, and who has turned to hunting human prey. If our dentist friend would care to play the role of General Zaroff, the bored hunter, and is interested in a real game .... well, I think you get my drift .... he could even bring his favorite guide along to tuck him in at night.

Your idea probably is more practical, Smareis. Anyway .... in the least, I do hope he has to return to Zimbabwe for a trial and to return the lion's head and to pay thousands of dollars in fines. And, mostly, I hope all his dental patients here in Minnesota abandon him .... better yet, that he would have his license to be a dentist revoked for unethical conduct.

So .... thank you, for another visit and another comment to my blog, Smareis. And, thank you mostly, for your smiles and your greetings. By the way, I will be disappearing myself for a few days beginning with the long-awaited Deep Purple concert in Sioux City, Iowa, on Friday night, and continuing with overnight travel until the following Tuesday. If you post during those days, though, I will see it ....

Take care and stay safe and thank you, once more ....

Kaya said...

Fram, are you going tonight to listen to debate ( 10 top of Republicans)? Ii starts here in one hour and half. When you have a chance and time I would like to hear your opinion about debate ( just a few words) and who did the best in your opinion.

Would be so interesting to know what you think.

Fram Actual said...

Well .... here are some sort of "brief" thoughts, Kaya. Obviously, much more could be said, but these were my primary impressions:

Trump and Paul looked foolish, even absurd, at times. Scratch them from the list, although Paul does have some good points.

Carson looked uncomfortable, but had some great lines/points. Too inexperienced for political infighting.

Christy looked good and confident and knowledgeable. Did the best job of any, in my view, both in presentation and logic.

Bush looked like a sales clerk at a coffee shop, but strong on social issues. He goes on for now.

Cruz was knowledgeable and confident, but he comes off as a smart ass, a typical flaw in the very intelligent. He might make it all the way.

Kasich is just too old, too boring, too much of the "old system." He had his time, and should step back.

Walker is too conservative, but very articulate and knowledgeable. I think his position on abortion has ended his run.

Huckabee is always very logical, very conservative, but a bit too religious. Maybe, a VP contender.

Rubio was there, and that is about it. Too robotic, too rehearsed, too inexperienced. Frankly, many of these guys are too old, I think. Rubio, I think, is too immature.

The Fox News interview team's preliminary chatter before the questioning began was amateurish and ridiculous.

Chris Wallace is, was and always will be a hack journalist, in my opinion. The other two "questioners," Megyn Kelly and Bret Baier, have not been around the block enough to handle this type of event, and came off rather amateurish at times.

I thought the question about "god" near the end was tacky and inappropriate and, if asked, could have been done so in a more dignified manner. And, remember, I am an agnostic, not a believer.

I thought it interesting how the candidates often took swipes at Hillary Clinton, even when the question did not pertain to her or to the Democrats. The debaters were, in most instances, but with a couple of notable exceptions, trying to avoid criticizing each other.

Carly Fiorina did well, probably did best, in the early debate.

Of the seventeen who appeared in both debates, I could vote for at least a dozen of them.

Actually, I enjoy hearing what professional commentators have to say after the debate is over more than I like watching the debate itself. That goes back to my newspaper days and my involvement with politics in some instances. Brit Hume sort of saw things the same as I did. Charles Krauthammer and I disagree on some things, but agree that Trump failed big time. Cruz, Rubio, Huckabee and Christy were strongest, Krauthammer thought. Frankly, I thought Rubio flopped, to be blunt, and Huckabee is a "used-to-be" contender and it does not matter if he looks good or not. Cruz and Huckabee apparently did very well with a focus group.

Enough from me. Your question sort of surprised me, but it was enjoyable to watch the debates and fun to write a couple of remarks. Thank you, for thinking of me, Kaya.

By the way, tomorrow is road time for me .... I will be on my way to Iowa to see Deep Purple. In fact, I will be traveling here and there for a few days and gone from home until Tuesday evening .... although, the internet is always on the road with me.

By the way again, have you heard about a recent study involving DNA as perhaps being the greatest influence (not environment) in whether an individual is a conservative or a liberal? It supports my thoughts regarding individual differences being of greater relevance than individual similarities in why we are who we are. Reality vs. political correctness.

Sometimes, it seems like my fingers will not stop thinking .... whoops, I suppose I should say, stop typing ....

Kaya said...

Thank you, thank you for answering my question in great details. You are very observant Fram.

Paul surprised me; I thought he is smarter. To my surprise Marco Rubio was very shallow. Jeb Bush tried to be the guy next door and most of the time didn't answer on questions.

I cared for Donald Trump in a sense that he was completely unprepared for debate and could fail big time. The Fox News moderators went much harder on him than anyone else and asked more tough questions. And he answered them pretty well but I don't want to see him as President.

I wanted to hear from you about Kasich. Yes, he is a little bit boring but he is incredibly smart. I liked his answers.

Christy impressed me with facts and numbers.

I agree with you completely that the question about the word from God was odd. And then the moderators added to this question more and more and this question turned into weird question without meaning.

Yes, I heard about is it in your DNA to be liberal or conservative? I believe that we are making a conscious choice to lean left or right. And it's related to our DNA that we are interested in politics. You answered this question beautifully " we are who we are. And reality vs political correctness."

I enjoyed reading your observations and I am glad that you answered my questions. You are a true journalist Fram. Open minded and honest!

Enjoy your Deep Purple and come back home safely!!!


Kaya said...

I meant that it's related to our DNA that we are interested in politics or not.

Anita said...

Hola
Postcard greeting from Gran Canaria.Here allis well.Hot night s and lazy days by the pool All is well

Hope you and family are all ok

Hugs Anita
xxx

Fram Actual said...

Concerts are concerts, and this one brought back old memories and created new ones, Kaya.

I will not say much about it other than history smiles at us wherever we are if we wish to look for it. Sioux City, Iowa, and Deep Purple and the band which opened things up at this concert, Black Oak Arkansas, are linked through brothers Tommy and Johnnie Bolin. In another generation or two, memories will be gone; that is the way of the world. But, for some few of us, the most interesting elements of life often are beneath the surface of the ordinary -- and, it is there to find for any who are curious enough to look.

I am deliberately being vague, but life can be wild in many ways and at many levels. To borrow a line of lyrics from another band, Quiet Riot:

"We get wild, wild, wild ...."

Moving right along to your last comment:

The first thing I do not like about John Kasich is his age. He would be sixty-four years old when inaugurated if elected. I do not like the age factor in terms of several of the candidates in both political parties. If you did not see it, look back at my post of Thursday, July 2, 2015: Three days, three thoughts in July .... 2: When does old = too old?

The next thing I do not like about Kasich is his history as somewhat of a career politician. He began in 1978 with the Ohio state senate. Then, he was in the U.S. House of Representatives for sixteen years. Then, he was working for Fox News, often involved in political issues, and then back into Ohio politics as governor. I simply do not like career politicians -- especially those who go from politics to news and back to politics and think they can remain objective. He also endorsed anti-gun legislation which I considered to be unconstitutional and worked to have it passed into law; legislation, I would add, which a decade later was revoked and stricken down. In many ways, while Kasich was a member of the house he was in league with Bill Clinton when Clinton was in the White House.

Regarding another candidate, during the past few days I have noticed that many believe Marco Rubio did well in the debate -- some even saying he won the debate. I still think he looked nervous and immature. But, the primary reason I think he failed was because he lied about his past position regarding abortion. Scott Walker was, at least, man enough to reiterate his position. One Fox News questioner pointed that out after the debate, but Rubio is a "rock star" in the eyes of many (sort of the GOP mold of Barack Obama), and they try to hide his flaws.

It was interesting to compare your thoughts about the candidates with mine. I think we generally had the same opinions about the debate results.

In terms of genetics and being a conservative or a liberal, I think there are many elements in my life over which I am split and conflicted and in turmoil. I once described myself as a fiscal conservative and a social liberal, but I am not sure that is altogether true.

Thank you, for your commentary, Kaya. We shall see how things go as the election draws nearer.

Fram Actual said...

Greetings, Anita ....

I am happy you have arrived at your holiday hideaway and are enjoying yourself. Yes, all is well in my neighborhood, although my days certainly cannot be as fascinating as the days you are experiencing, I am sure. Take care and have a wonderful time and thank you for thinking of me.

Something special ....