Boulder News

FOLLOWING MY SHOTS 2

Kids, Road Rage, Gun Laws, Union Conservationists, and More

By Bill Schneider, 11-19-09

Two of Bill's grandkids enjoying Avalanche Lake in Glacier National Park. Photo by Marnie Schneider.

I used to play basketball, but not too much since the day my coach took me aside, patted me on the head, and said, “Bill, you’re short, but you’re slow, and you really need to follow your shots.”

Well, that was a long time ago, and I admit to never doing anything about the shortness or the slowness, but I have learned to follow my shots. And sometimes, they’re worth following. When I write my columns, I frequently hope something happens, and guess what sometimes it does. Check out these updates to past columns.

No Child Left Inside

On Earth Day 2009, Congress started deliberating the No Child Left Inside Act of 2009, (S. 888/H.R. 2054) introduced by Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) and Congressman John Sarbanes (D-MD). Since then, according to Patrick Fitzgerald of the National Wildlife Federation, one of the most active supporters of the bill, “We’ve been getting more and more co-sponsors"--now up to 18 senators and 83 representatives, but no committee action yet. “We expect the bill to move forward next year with the reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act.”

Of those 101 co-sponsors, none from Idaho, Montana Utah or Wyoming, but some western representation--Senator Michael Bennet (D-CO) and Representatives Raul Grijalva (D-AZ), Diana McGette (D-CO), Ed Perlmutter (D-CO), Jared Polis (D-CO), Earl Blumenauser (D-OR), David Wu (D-OR) and Jack McDermott (D-WA).

And only five Republicans--Senators Susan Collins and Olympia Snowe (ME) and Representatives Ron Whitman (VA), Vernon Ehlers (MI), and Frank LoBiondo (NJ).

Fitzgerald also said a closely related bill, H.R. 3644, which supports NOAA environmental and watershed education programs was heard yesterday by the House Natural Resources Committee. “It also supports getting kids outdoors,” he said. The committee approved the bill by a 22-11 vote.

Road Rage for Cyclists Embarrassing, Dangerous, Un-American

In September, I asked motorists what causes the incredible anger I see from a minority of motorists towards cyclists, and I had some good answers. This was, in fact, one of the best comment sections I’ve ever had at NewWest.Net, all thought-provoking and respectful.

Anyway, the answer is, cyclists. Yep, it’s probably a minority, but cyclists themselves cause most of this anger with their irresponsible and inconsiderate riding methods, at least according to this comment thread. Motorists who see unsafe, disrespectful riding behavior clearly tend to remember it and let it fester longer than when they see unsafe, disrespectful driving behavior, but nonetheless, this persistent problem still causes most anger.

A couple of psychologists chimed in and likened the rage to bullying where a big person in a big truck can bully a small person on a small bicycle. They also theorized that it might be a “control issue,” where a cyclist temporary takes control of the road from the motorist, and the motorist feels compelled to take it back.

Interestingly and surprising to me, one commenter called it conflict between blue collar and white collar workers where the person doing manual labor all day resents an office jockey who has to go out after work to get some exercise.

And finally, there was politics. Some motorists see cyclists as Obama-voting, wolf-loving, gay pacifist liberals and don’t like it.

Several commenters, incidentally, disagreed with my characterization of the road rage as being “un-American.” They insisted it was “uniquely American.”

Dear Mr. President-elect, Please Don’t Make Me a Big Loser on Guns

In my first column this year, I wrote to our new President asking him not to make me a big loser on guns because I have a big bet on the table. In an earlier column, I made a bet with my gun nutty friends that regardless of rabid doomsaying to the contrary, President Obama and the new, blue Congress would not pass any new gun control laws. You can read the column for my reasoning.

If I lose, I have to re-join the NRA. If I win, well, there was no commitment for this, but I was hoping the gun guys would chip in to buy me an AR-15 that I can’t afford. I suspect that won’t happen when I win, so I’ll be satisfied with being right.

We’re almost a year down the road now. Several bills have been introduced, which is always the case, and there has been a pronouncement from Attorney General Eric Holder’s office about an attempt to reauthorize the Assault Weapons Ban, but so far, I’m winning. Congress has not passed or even voted on any gun law, except one that I support, as do most pro-gun folks, to loosen regulations covering guns in national parks, which will go into affect in February.

In other words, the only thing a supposedly anti-gun Congress and President have done during the first year of office is pass and sign the most pro-gun law we’ve seen in many years. But would this have happened if the national park gun law had not been a rider on must-pass credit card reform legislation? It would have been interesting to see that straight up-and-down vote, but I doubt it would’ve been passed or signed as a stand-alone bill.

USA Quietly Protecting the Future of Hunting and Fishing

The USA still rocks. In February, I wrote about how a combine of 21 labor unions had joined together as the Union Sportsmen’s Alliance, which is an innovative program of the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership (TRCP). Last month, I ran into Kate Cywinski, USA communications manager, at the TRCP Media Summit in Craig, Montana. She had great news.

Since February, USA membership has more than doubled--from about 8,000 to 16,290.

What happened to fuel the growth? “We launched the You Belong Campaign,” she answered, and attributed most of the increase to that new project. “The premise is that if you are a union member and you care about conservation, you should belong in the USA.”

USA also started doing dinners similar to those made popular by Ducks Unlimited and Trout Unlimited, along with a few sporting clay shoots, to involve more union members.

“We also started a newsletter this year and that contributed to the growth,” she added. “Before that, there was really no way to connect with members and make them feel like part of the community. When I get a chance to step back and look at how far it has come and how much potential it has, it’s nothing short of phenomenal.”

Montana’s Stealth Park Fee, a Sequel

On September 13, I voiced my support, again, for Montana’s outstanding state parks system, but suggested the Montana Legislature and the Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks (FWP) stop being so devious in how it’s funded. In the column, I said I’d send my $4 to FWP director Joe Maurier instead of playing the sneaky opt-in/opt-out game. I just wanted to assure readers that I’m not a freeloader. I did indeed send my “contribution” with a letter, but no reply, nor did the department cash my check.

Hunters and Anglers Mourn the Loss of a Good Friend

Finally and most sadly, in January I wrote about the untimely loss of Jim Range, one of the best friends most hunters and anglers never knew they had. Since then, the group he founded, the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership, has formed a special conservation fund to carry on the legacy of Jim Range.

To get more details, watch a fantastic video, and make your contribution, click here.

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