In case you had to get the memo, Squeaky is, to use the vernacular, my homeboy. Since we’ve started doing the show together, in addition to working on that we’ve had some time to compare notes on other items of interest – which is why when she put her post up on what amounted to gross sexism from KdT, I decided to have her back 100%.
What kills me about the original post that started all this ruckus is that I, as a man who is also not a pig was offended by the implication that I’m standing around waiting to leer uncontrollably at women who are apparently running around ripping off their tops. So based on that alone, I would have backed up Squeaks – but then she sends me IM telling me that someone called her a “stupid Nazi c***” in an email because she had the temerity to disagree with KdT.
UPDATE #2: To the guy who created one of those temporary email addresses JUST to send me an email calling me a “stupid Nazi c***”: you know, if your point was to make me feel badly for linking to KdT because he just happened to be the one using the phrase I found offensive, you’d do better to, you know, post a blog about it and link to me so that others can share in your oh-so-sophistocated opinion on the subject. That’ll show me, right? Yeah, I’m going to pronounce your efforts as EPIC FAIL.
That pretty much put me over the edge on this one, and though while being a fantastic example of epic fail it also completely proved the point we were both trying to make. I mean, aside from the fact that whomever sent her that email is essentially a completely balls-less coward, the fact that he had that kind of knuckle-dragging neanderthal reaction to Squeaks pointing out the obvious sexism would have been funny if it hadn’t been directed at my friend.
The point of all of this isn’t actually to call anyone out – well, except for the coward who emailed Squeaks – but rather to illustrate a point that just because a certain amount of boorishness is often tolerated in the shooting sports, it’s still a pretty stupid thing to tolerate. You want to alienate women from the shooting sports? Make the insinuation that women who shoot are a bunch of trollops, and see how many new shooters you bring in to the sport.
Emailer = idiot. ‘Nuff said.
When I read Kim’s post, I didn’t get the vibe that all you offended folks are getting, at all. I’ve re-read it, and I still don’t see it.
I think you’re all getting offended over something that Kim never said.
But then again, I’m a knuckle-dragging Neanderthal Texan sailor gun nut, so I may be missing something. But to be honest, I think a whole buncha folks let their prejudiced opinions of Kim cloud their reading of his words.
Boyd, I won’t argue that you could be right on that – I’ve got a history with KdT, and I will admit that I’m a little biased when it comes to things that he does/says. I also realize that a lot of people, including my readers, really like the guy, which is why I’m not actually trying to start shit with anyone.
It’s a matter of interpretation, I guess – and I will admit that because I don’t like him anyway, it’s easier for me to find things that he says to be offensive/sexist/whatever.
Now, I don’t speak for Squeaks or Breda on this one, but that’s my reasoning as to why I took offense.
As someone mentioned in Squeak’s comments, I think some folks read “for” where Kim actually wrote “to.”
What he said!
In Spanish the word for “bodyguard” is “guardaespalda” which literally means “back watcher” or “watching your back”.
The shooting community owes a debt to Squeaky, Breda, and Tracy. They are all doing a fantastic job of bringing new shooters into the fold. We as a community want more women shooters. These ladies are holding themselves as examples, and they are bringing in folks who wouldn’t have ever thought about shooting. They deserve our respect, our admiration, and our gratitude. If they were upset, I think the classy thing to do is to apologize.
Oh, and to the guy on email who called Squeaky…I’m not even going to repeat it. Not even original, dude. Be creative, at least. And if you are going to get all misogynist…at least have the stones to use your real email address. What kind of looser sucker punches a girl? And then gets all macho about it?
George – What a nice comment! You made my day. I want to get more women to the range… that’s my goal and thanks for your support. I checked out your site, and thank you for what you are doing! Shooting in general is intimidating to some degree for every new shooter. And I believe women are far more likely to be intimidated than men for a long list of reasons. Together we can help new shooters be safe and comfortable. Fortunately, I have only encountered one ass clown at the range, and one online.
Regarding the dirtbag that e-abused Squeaky, it’s typical of types to hide behind the anonymity of the internet. Does anyone else here a chicken clukcing???
While I do read KdT’s site on occasion, I don’t necessarily agree with the way he expresses some of his opinions (or with the opinions themselves). The post in question seemed fairly innocuous to me.
Her post about this has been disappeared.
She had received several more pieces of hate mail and had decided to pull it down. I don’t agree with her decision, but it’s her decision to make and not mine.
I don’t mind criticizing others when that criticism is deserved.
As I said in comments to her post, I quit reading KdT long ago because of the way he reacts whenever anyone disagrees with him…even in the most mild terms.
It happened to me once…I disagreed with him on some minor point that he made and he immediately resorted to insulting me, inferring that I’m stupid or ignorant and, when he couldn’t rebut my points, deleted my comments and insinuated that I’d insulted him in some way…a common theme amongst those who cannot tolerate dissenting opinions.
When that happened, I just let it go, I kept reading, but never bothered to comment again. After about the third or fourth time I saw it happen to someone else I realized that it wasn’t an isolated incident. This guy wasn’t interested in having a conversation or discussion of issues, he was interested in blessing inferiors with his wisdom and basking in the adulation of his worshippers.
Upon the realization, I deleted his link in my blogroll, removed him from my feed reader and have never been back. I don’t even bother to click over when someone else links him. Even complete morons say something noteworthy on occasion. That doesn’t make them especially ingenious.
I’ve heard he’s a great guy in person and that he’s done great work for the Shooting Sports and the Second Amendment. If true, I laud him for that. But that doesn’t mean I’ve got to like him.
And, if the caliber of his readers lives up to the conduct I witnessed while reading his stuff, the e-mail that squeaky got doesn’t surprise me in the least.
If any of your readers who like KdT take offense at my characterization; tough cookies. It’s my opinion, is based upon my personal experience and is not subject to approval by anyone but its author.
I don’t mind criticizing others when that criticism is deserved.
As I said in comments to her post, I quit reading KdT long ago because of the way he reacts whenever anyone disagrees with him…even in the most mild terms.
It happened to me once…I disagreed with him on some minor point that he made and he immediately resorted to insulting me, inferring that I’m stupid or ignorant and, when he couldn’t rebut my points, deleted my comments and insinuated that I’d insulted him in some way…a common theme amongst those who cannot tolerate dissenting opinions.
When that happened, I just let it go, I kept reading, but never bothered to comment again. After about the third or fourth time I saw it happen to someone else I realized that it wasn’t an isolated incident. This guy wasn’t interested in having a conversation or discussion of issues, he was interested in blessing inferiors with his wisdom and basking in the adulation of his worshippers.
Upon the realization, I deleted his link in my blogroll, removed him from my feed reader and have never been back. I don’t even bother to click over when someone else links him. Even complete morons say something noteworthy on occasion. That doesn’t make them especially ingenious.
I’ve heard he’s a great guy in person and that he’s done great work for the Shooting Sports and the Second Amendment. If true, I laud him for that. But that doesn’t mean I’ve got to like him.
And, if the caliber of his readers lives up to the conduct I witnessed while reading his stuff, the e-mail that squeaky got doesn’t surprise me in the least.
If any of your readers who like KdT take offense at my characterization; tough cookies. It’s my opinion, is based upon my personal experience and is not subject to approval by anyone but its author.
Sorry for the double post…got a little click happy.
“blah blah blah…women …running around ripping off their tops… blah blah blah”
Kidding, of course.
el-oh-el