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Discussion Topic: Microsoft Backs HSUS, Blows Off Sportsmen
From a U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance press release posted by the Buckeye Firearms Association:
Microsoft is dodging sportsmen’s outcries over the corporation’s donation to the largest anti-hunting organization in the [country, the Humane Society of the United States]. It is routing sportsmen’s protests to an e-mail inbox where they can be deleted with the click of a mouse. . . .
“Microsoft is silencing sportsmen by passing them off to an e-mail where messages can quietly come in and quietly be erased,” said USSA President Bud Pidgeon. “Sportsmen who take the time to make the call want their opinions to be heard, but the e-mail runaround is a brush-off and comments can easily be deleted with a key stroke.”
Check out the full press release and tell us your reaction below.
Somehow I doubt Bill Gates gives a rat's a$$ about hunters. Why should he?
It's more PC (politically correct) for Gates to donate monies to inner city kids and saving warm fuzzy puppies and kittens. If he was to give money to old people (and he may) it would be the trifecta of politically correct giving.
You donate money where it does your image and ego the most good.
What are hunters going to do, spend their money on a MAC? I doubt it.
Posted by: jstreet | November 08, 2007 at 09:14 AM
Umm Yep.....i can see a MAC in my future.........been seriously thinking about updating this old box....Bills got more money than God so i guess he wont miss a few million lost customers.
As a dear old friend who ran a succesful business for 30+ years once said to me. "i dont care what the business is, or what they do, or how big they think they are, ALL businesses can and DO go out of business. Turn your back on your customers and they WILL turn their backs on you."
Posted by: Mike | November 08, 2007 at 10:59 AM
Mike,
The MAC will never capture the market share the PC has. If it was going to, it already would have happened.
Besides that, Gates has made his money and you, I and every gun owner in this country could switch to MAC's and he isn't going to care.
It's a meaningless threat to a billionaire.
Posted by: jstreet | November 08, 2007 at 11:40 AM
It takes a little bit of time to unlearn the backwards ways of Windows and learn the intuitive ways of a Mac, but once you realize it's straightforward, it can happen pretty quick.
So go ahead buy a Mac for your next computer, will it make a difference? Maybe not, but the idea of American car companies struggling and imports' popularity would have sounded absurd not too long ago.
Posted by: Levi Banks | November 08, 2007 at 12:01 PM
While I fervently disagree with HSUS's stance on hunting, I think it is important to note something:
-The HSUS fills an incredible need in this country. There is no other group with the HSUS's size and scope that provides shelter, vet care, adoption services and euthanization to unwanted and abandoned pets. I know scores of people that have used the HSUS's services to adopt animals that otherwise might have been put down or worse, left running in the streets. Until another group comes along that can provide these services to communities across the US with a positive stance on hunting, I am going to have to support thier overall mission.
Attack away...
Posted by: Bob | November 08, 2007 at 12:09 PM
The lesser of two evils^^ I agree, all told they are doing a good service to the community and to the animals in their care. Their hunting stance is unfortunate but it will not change my support of them overall.. I have two dogs in my home that I love dearly that without the humane society would have been merely sent to the filthy pound for disposal....
Posted by: Matt | November 08, 2007 at 12:25 PM
The reason import cars have taken over the U.S. market is that for years Detroit was making crap.
While that may have changed over the years, PERCEPTION is a tough thing to change in peoples minds.
That ties back to my point about the average persons PERCEPTION of AR's and AK's. The average joe/jane doesn't like the idea of people having high capacity weapons because of the PERCEPTION they have of them (thanks to school shootings and media hysteria).
The NRA comes across as unyielding and stubborn to the average citizen and while I appreciate what they do everyday, the PERCEPTION to non gunowers is that the NRA is a negative organization that cares more about guns than lives.
These PERCEPTIONS may not be fact, but to the average American it appears to be just that, fact.
Posted by: jstreet | November 08, 2007 at 12:31 PM
I wish I had an edit button.
The average American's PERCEPTION of the humane society is one of good. While hunters may not like that, we will never change the good that organization does for animals and we should try to turn them into an ally instead of complaining about Microsoft giving them money.
Posted by: jstreet | November 08, 2007 at 12:38 PM
Folks you have to realize the the HSUS is not associated other then by name with your local Humane Societies. They do not give money, support, help or anything to the locals. They are very dependant on people not knowing this. The one thing they do is attempt to stop people from using animals in anyway, whether from having them as livestock, hunting them and prefering not to have them as pets. Any money given to the HSUS is simply used to stop such activities, link them in your mind to PETA. If you want to give money or support to shelters, make sure you give to the local chapters!
Posted by: BobDuB | November 08, 2007 at 12:50 PM
Yikes, Well I have to admit that I am one of many that did not distinguish between the HSUS and local humane societies...
So, I decided to try to figure out what they actually do or don't do. The bit of research I've done online has turned up alot of contradictory information. I've found the following:
-The HSUS may or may not provide financial support to local humane societies. (I've seen numerous sources say both, although the HSUS's own website claim they do). At the very least though, they do provide marketing and organizational support to local societies.
-The HSUS may or may not oppose hunting. (The HSUS's public stance anyways is that they don't oppose all hunting, just various practices such as canned hunts etc. Other online sources claim thier goal is to eradicate all hunting)
I guess the quick lesson I've learned here is that the whole issue is so mucked up by lobbying groups and activists on both sides, that it is nearly impossible to figure out what any group honestly does or doesnt do. For me, I guess the jury is now out on whether this is a positive organization or not.
Posted by: Bob | November 08, 2007 at 01:37 PM
Bill Gates doesn't know we exist.
yrs-
Evan!
Posted by: Evan! | November 08, 2007 at 02:04 PM
guys, i just talked to the operator, and she told me he is only reachable by e-mail! BULLSH*T!!
Anyway, when asked, she told me she was getting a lot of calls on this for a while, but it's stopped lately.
I TOLD HER I AM GOING TO START THIS UP AGAIN....CALL CALL CALL!!!! IT MAKES A DIFFERENCE!
Posted by: John | November 08, 2007 at 02:17 PM
Bob
If you look around the HSUS site you can find it is very clearly stated they are against ALL hunting, just like all other anti hunters they will ban canned hunts first and slowly make all forms of hunting totally illegal.
Posted by: Jonny | November 08, 2007 at 03:22 PM
JStreet might be on to something here. I wonder how many sane Americans would have to join this club, get some control and alter the policies.
I would love to switch to a Mac right now. Unfortunately, most of my software is written only for PC's.
I hunt because I enjoy being in the woods. I don't really enjoy killing. I don't need the meat. I hunt with guns because ITS THE RIGHT THING TO DO!
Posted by: YooperJack | November 08, 2007 at 04:48 PM
I do not consider myself a lobbyist or an activist.I just want to be left alone in my way of living.I am a law abiding citizen,I don't bother anybody,I'm self sufficient(to an extent nowadays),and I believe in "live and let live".But dont infringe on my beliefs or my lifestyle,thats when the trouble could start.Want to know how I am,just listen to Charlie Daniels'"Simple Man"song.But I bet you somewhere,ol'Gates has armed security or bodyguards just like ol'Rosie fata-- O'donell.
Posted by: JIM FREE SPIRIT | November 08, 2007 at 05:00 PM
My wife and I took a leap of faith in 2005 and bought a Mac. It's kind of like my Browning A-bolt. With minimal care the damn thing just works and works without breaking down. Like my grandfather said "buy it right or buy it twice.
Posted by: John in PA | November 08, 2007 at 07:29 PM
i heard about this a month or so and i emailed them there answer was "we are sorry that do not agree eith us but our view will not change but thahk you for you opion......
Posted by: vinny | November 09, 2007 at 11:07 PM
Vinny,
These companies don't care anymore. I've had problems lately with cars, appliances and satellite tv receivers and was told by every and I mean every manufacturer and retail store that I've spoken with about items like this is basically the same thing. We hear you, but nothings going to change and if you don't like it, take your business elsewhere. Big corporations don't have to care about customers because there are so many throughout the country they don't care if John Doe in Main St usa is unhappy, because John Doe in the next city is still spending his money with them. When Mom & Pop ran the show, they had to care these big companies don't have to and don't give a rat's ass about your problems or your opinions.
Posted by: jstreet | November 10, 2007 at 01:54 AM
One of the problems is, folks like b. gates (yeah, small letters!) are so busy making money, they don't, and WON'T take the time to spend in the Great Outdoors! Unless you actually "go" hunting/fishing, it's just another "inane" pastime, like going to church, going to your kid's ball games, spending an afternoon with the wife looking at curtain material or picking paint colors. I cringe when the wife asks me to do some of these things, but she lets me hunt/fish, so I go. Happily!
Just like problems in their companies, throw some more "money" at the problem and it will go away! I can think of lot's of "companies", "rich people" that would not get their hands "dirty" in the field.
I am reminded of a restaurant owner I once knew. He didn't/wouldn't go hunting until the ranch he hunted held a "management" hunt about mid-season. He would pay for his "hunt" and for his "cousin's" hunt. He would shoot the deer, the guide loaded it into the pick-up, and his "cousin" dressed it for him. HE NEVER TOUCHED THE DEER! EVER! If there was ever a "slob" hunter....
Bubba
Posted by: Bubba | November 12, 2007 at 07:47 AM