This Makes Me Sad

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Walter Oobleck

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Mar 6, 2013
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Hey Walt, Why do you have to bring abortion into this debate, huh? I respect your opinion as your opinion, but I do not equate killing a croc the same as killing a baby. Further, the general topic of abortion is divisive at best and upsetting in the least it may be a 'casual' thing to you, but to me it is not. Think man, think.

Because one poster asked why are humans so intent on killing. Another suggested "these people vote". Since it was already a political topic, I saw nothing wrong with extending the dialogue to include the death of those who have no voice, innocent babies. I see a sad irony in America, where fashionable ideology pushes an idea--hunting is bad, hunters are bad, hunters should be excluded from the voting public, hunters are killers and are less than human because they take from the wild to survive. Think woman, think.
 

Walter Oobleck

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Mar 6, 2013
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Walter Oobleck You take some simple things and make them conspiracies. People use that like button for a variety of reasons. Before you start lumping all of us into one big pile, talk to individual people.

You ARE allowed to voice differing opinions. Depending on the topic, people might be heavy on your side or they might not. It just depends on the topic.

People have to eat. I have no problem with hunting. In fact, if people are going to hunt, I wish they'd use MORE of the animal. There is a lot of waste. I also prefer thinning herds for health reasons and so animals just don't cruelly starve in an area where resources are thin and the herds are too big to be sustained.

The big game stuff, no, I don't like that. But you do. It's your right to enjoy that. It's my right to not like it.

Seems to me that a certain kind of people was lumped into a pile with this thread and the responses to the opening. Nobody can understand them, they have been judged to be wrong, the opinion was voiced that sadly, these people vote. If that isn't a bigotry that is clearly allowed here on the SKMB then I'll leave when you say it is not bigotry and forget about this place forever. Yes, YOU can voice an opinion about things, I'll give you and the others that, but I will object to the manner in which you object to a way of life that is dear to me and others like me. I will not stand by idly while bigotry is displayed, while a way of life I enjoy is judged "wrong". Perhaps I did not read the article or listen to the short newscast closely enough, but I did not get the impression that the Stokes family just happened to come upon this alligator and decided to pounce. I too have seen the Swamp People episodes on television and have watched it because it is news to me although I did live for a good many years in the south. One post (or more than one) theorized why "they" killed the alligator, so I think I can safely say that there certainly has been a rush to judgement here of "these people". And hey, I know you and others will object to that opinion. So no, don't take me I take "simple things and make them conspiracies" as I know the language used here to judge "these people" reveals more than casual conversation.
 

FlakeNoir

Original Kiwi© SKMB®
Moderator
Apr 11, 2006
44,082
175,641
New Zealand
Seems to me that a certain kind of people was lumped into a pile with this thread and the responses to the opening. Nobody can understand them, they have been judged to be wrong, the opinion was voiced that sadly, these people vote. If that isn't a bigotry that is clearly allowed here on the SKMB then I'll leave when you say it is not bigotry and forget about this place forever. Yes, YOU can voice an opinion about things, I'll give you and the others that, but I will object to the manner in which you object to a way of life that is dear to me and others like me. I will not stand by idly while bigotry is displayed, while a way of life I enjoy is judged "wrong". Perhaps I did not read the article or listen to the short newscast closely enough, but I did not get the impression that the Stokes family just happened to come upon this alligator and decided to pounce. I too have seen the Swamp People episodes on television and have watched it because it is news to me although I did live for a good many years in the south. One post (or more than one) theorized why "they" killed the alligator, so I think I can safely say that there certainly has been a rush to judgement here of "these people". And hey, I know you and others will object to that opinion. So no, don't take me I take "simple things and make them conspiracies" as I know the language used here to judge "these people" reveals more than casual conversation.
I've been thinking on this during my day/evening... I think for my part, I reacted to the images and the fact that it took 10 hours before it was killed. (I'd put myself in the Gator's position of feeling terrified/and possibly pain for 10 hours straight.)
But I do apologise to you Walter, because although I don't share or necessarily understand the desire to hunt for a trophy, I can accept I guess, that others do.
I support people hunting for food and livelihood, don't have a problem with that at all.
 

Out of Order

Sign of the Times
Feb 9, 2011
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That is one big gator! Congratulations to the Stokes family!


There were 2,174 babies aborted in the U.S.A. today and the day isn't done. That is one big gator and I am happy for the Stokes family to have taken it as they did. They should be proud and I'm sure they are. I have no problem with hunters or fisherman taking trophies. I hunt deer, don't fish like I used to do, and I know more than a few who have taken spike-horn bucks and to them, that is a trophy. I am troubled by the mentality that calls one and all to accept things that are far more divisive than the taking of an alligator, troubled that one cannot voice an opinion contrary to the common cause on many issues...and I can't even describe those here without incurring the wrath of those who would label me a "hater" simply for a different view...and I am troubled that so much of what I enjoy is easily labeled wrong. Take the "Shooting Range" thread for example. OoO posts a sarcastic "bang" photo in that thread, is thanked, and the world moves on.

I recall a time in the not too distant past where I mentioned here on the board that I hunt and a much-loved and respected member said to me, "why am I not surprised?" Him and the horse he rode in under.

Anyway, it is curious, what with diversity and all, that things that are not acceptable, that are called out on the carpet and labelled as such. I am a trophy hunter. I'm not liked in this thread. Well if you don't like hunting. Don't. It is an honored tradition and if we believe the evolutionary tale, we were all once hunters and gatherers, and after the Flood we began to eat meat. It is allowed.

Got a bang out of that I see. Ah well, good luck on the hunt this fall and remember to wear your orange. It's a jungle out there.
 

Walter Oobleck

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Mar 6, 2013
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Having watched several episodes of Swamp People, I understand that the alligator hunting industry is tightly regulated. I assume, since there is news coverage, photos, and the like concerning the taking of this very heavy alligator that the Stokes family followed the various rules set up for them to follow. The Stokes family paid whatever fees and licenses instituted by government before they set out to hunt alligator. I assume that hunting is a way of life for them. For those who do not know, the Robertson-Pittman Act...from the 30s I believe...and still in force today, takes money generated by hunters and fisher-folk and applies those funds to a number of things. Part of the fees the Stokes family paid is included in that. And don't for one minute believe that the Stokes family did not abide by whatever rules have been set up to regulate the taking of alligator.

I've said it before and I'll say it again...we like to congratulate ourselves on how diverse and understanding we are...we ignore the fact that Muslims are homophobes whose religion is living in a time thousands of years ago...we ignore that when they lob missiles into Israel, when they set up their missile and rocket sites next to schools and U.N. buildings. And yet when some photos and video of an alligator taken from the wild is displayed here, so many are quick to judge them wrong, to judge their intelligence (these people vote)...and that post was "liked" Dana Jean, so don't tell me bigotry is called on the carpet and taken down. And don't minimize my opinion or judge me a conspiracy nut because you believe otherwise.

I don't know that the Stokes family was looking for a "trophy". I don't recall reading or hearing that word in the news coverage although it could have been present. I've said I trophy hunt and I do...trophy can mean a number of things to different people. I've known men who have hunted for years without luck, but they enjoy their time spent in the bush, and then they have been successful and have taken a spike-horn buck. To these men, that buck is a trophy, and to another hunter that is a buck that would have been passed up.
 

FlakeNoir

Original Kiwi© SKMB®
Moderator
Apr 11, 2006
44,082
175,641
New Zealand
Having watched several episodes of Swamp People, I understand that the alligator hunting industry is tightly regulated. I assume, since there is news coverage, photos, and the like concerning the taking of this very heavy alligator that the Stokes family followed the various rules set up for them to follow. The Stokes family paid whatever fees and licenses instituted by government before they set out to hunt alligator. I assume that hunting is a way of life for them. For those who do not know, the Robertson-Pittman Act...from the 30s I believe...and still in force today, takes money generated by hunters and fisher-folk and applies those funds to a number of things. Part of the fees the Stokes family paid is included in that. And don't for one minute believe that the Stokes family did not abide by whatever rules have been set up to regulate the taking of alligator.

I've said it before and I'll say it again...we like to congratulate ourselves on how diverse and understanding we are...we ignore the fact that Muslims are homophobes whose religion is living in a time thousands of years ago...we ignore that when they lob missiles into Israel, when they set up their missile and rocket sites next to schools and U.N. buildings. And yet when some photos and video of an alligator taken from the wild is displayed here, so many are quick to judge them wrong, to judge their intelligence (these people vote)...and that post was "liked" Dana Jean, so don't tell me bigotry is called on the carpet and taken down. And don't minimize my opinion or judge me a conspiracy nut because you believe otherwise.

I don't know that the Stokes family was looking for a "trophy". I don't recall reading or hearing that word in the news coverage although it could have been present. I've said I trophy hunt and I do...trophy can mean a number of things to different people. I've known men who have hunted for years without luck, but they enjoy their time spent in the bush, and then they have been successful and have taken a spike-horn buck. To these men, that buck is a trophy, and to another hunter that is a buck that would have been passed up.
I was one of the ones that hit the 'like' button on that post--and it was for her first sentence. Dana Jean has already mentioned that to read somebody's intent purely from the 'likes' that they click... is pure folly. Hell, sometimes I click one just as a thanks to somebody for contributing--my reasons for 'liking' something are ever changing.

I think you've made your point now Walter-- you seem to have felt personally attacked, I doubt that anybody here would have intended that--perhaps some of our (I, for one) opinions were borne from a lack of understanding of the situation... or we just don't share the same thoughts even? But if you condemn us for that, then isn't this also a form of bigotry?
 

cat in a bag

Well-Known Member
Aug 28, 2010
12,038
67,827
wyoming
We are a hunting family. We have some trophies on our walls. But we eat what my husband shoots. He doesn't set out to find an animal with a big rack of horns, he is looking for meat. If it happens to have a rack, and he can get a safe shot off, he does, but the primary objective is to get meat. ( I prefer the does/cows, the meat is more tender than on a bull/buck. ) We do the meat processing ourselves, and very little goes to waste. We are always grateful when hunting season rolls around and we have meat in the freezer again. I get angry when people go trophy hunting too, and only take the head. To me that is wrong and a complete waste of the animal's life. But we aren't like that here.
 

VultureLvr45

Well-Known Member
Mar 15, 2012
2,650
13,707
Maryland
Because one poster asked why are humans so intent on killing. Another suggested "these people vote". Since it was already a political topic, I saw nothing wrong with extending the dialogue to include the death of those who have no voice, innocent babies. I see a sad irony in America, where fashionable ideology pushes an idea--hunting is bad, hunters are bad, hunters should be excluded from the voting public, hunters are killers and are less than human because they take from the wild to survive. Think woman, think.
Walt,
You have made incorrect assumptions about me. People feed their families with meat that has been hunted, fished or raised for such purpose.

I read the news and am aware of ignorance and hateful actions and beliefs: fashion has never been my 'thing'.

As you are a man, you can not understand the violence or physical sensations or sadness or guilt or noises associated with abortion. You casually tossed out abortion as a comparison and I find that really, really offensive. You don't know the mental anguish most women go through about this personal topic.

As I said, I respect your opinion as Your opinion. There is no 'acknowledged' or 'I hear you' button on the forum. By pressing the like button, it shows 'I hear you' but doesn't mean I accept whatever premise is stated.

images-506.jpeg
 

Out of Order

Sign of the Times
Feb 9, 2011
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CAMDEN, Ala. (AP) --
A family battled a 1,000-pound alligator for more than five hours, putting several large hooks into the beast before firing a fatal shotgun blast into the gator's head.

The result? The catch of a lifetime and a state record in Alabama.

The 15-foot gator was hooked in a creek about 80 miles west of Montgomery early Saturday, Al.com reported. The first attempt to weigh the gator destroyed a winch state biologists typically use, so they had a backhoe lift it. It weighed 1,011.5 pounds.

It was caught by Mandy and John Stokes, brother-in-law Kevin Jenkins and his children, 16-year-old Savannah and 14-year-old Parker.

"We give all the glory to God. Ten men couldn't have done what we did," John Stokes said.

The gator didn't go down without a fight. After the family got some large hooks into the gator, Mandy Stokes aimed her 20-gauge shotgun at the "sweet spot" behind the alligator's eyes. That's where she was told to aim during a mandatory training class for Alabama gator hunters.

She pulled the trigger, but the gator's head was too far beneath the water's surface.

"All it did was make this gator mad," Mandy Stokes told Al.com. "Fear had taken hold at this point."

The gator surged forward and towed the 17-foot boat and its five passengers across the creek at a startling speed, the hunters said. The towing continued until the boat crashed into a tree stump in the creek, sending the crew spilling on top of each other.

Eventually, Mandy Stokes got another shot.

"When I pulled the trigger this time, water just exploded on all of us," she said.

This time, she killed the alligator. Anyone within a hundred miles probably heard the mixed screams of relief, joy and exhilaration, John Stokes said.

They tied the gator to one side of the boat and hugged the opposite side so it wouldn't tip over as they made an hour-long trek back to their truck.

The family planned to send the gator to a taxidermy shop. Beyond that, they're not sure what they're going to do with it.

The previous Alabama record was a 14-foot, 2 inch, 838-pound gator captured in the Alabama River in 2011.
 

Out of Order

Sign of the Times
Feb 9, 2011
29,007
162,154
New Hampster
We are a hunting family. We have some trophies on our walls. But we eat what my husband shoots. He doesn't set out to find an animal with a big rack of horns, he is looking for meat. If it happens to have a rack, and he can get a safe shot off, he does, but the primary objective is to get meat. ( I prefer the does/cows, the meat is more tender than on a bull/buck. ) We do the meat processing ourselves, and very little goes to waste. We are always grateful when hunting season rolls around and we have meat in the freezer again. I get angry when people go trophy hunting too, and only take the head. To me that is wrong and a complete waste of the animal's life. But we aren't like that here.

Well said, CAT.
 

fushingfeef

Finally Uber!
Aug 14, 2009
10,194
21,965
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Speaking as a fisherman here. As much as I'd like to see such a magnificent creature continue its life in its natural state, this is but one of many gators caught legally--gators that have become a bigger safety concern and are often destructive to the natural environs as well. These people were fishing for gators, hooked a big one and landed it. Many fishermen do release big fish after they've landed them (myself included, unless I'm planning on eating them), but catch and release was not going to be an option here. And rest assured, there are plenty more where this came from. For every one caught, there are thousands living free.