So Where's the Beef?

[DaemonAssassin]

The Patriot Picket was never designed to be the Big Tent 2A project that some people may wish it could be.

It was set up from the get-go to be confrontational with our messaging to put the Democrats on defense.

There are several reasons why MDS folks can't, or won't participate. First, I don't expect the MDS members from Western MD or far down the Eastern Shore to join in, for all the obvious reasons.

As for you DA, and many in Central Maryland who don't join in.... the reason is simple: you don't want to. Either you find it too confrontational or "joining" is not your thing or there is what follows below....

It's important to just get this out: it's clear that many of the "usual suspects" criticizing us here on this forum are...Democrats! (Duh, it's not our imagination that every grandstanding INFRINGER is a... Democrat.)

So, we line up against them, and if that hurts the feelings of the Trump-hating, dyed-in-the-wool Democrat voters who happen to be members here, well, there's not a thing we can do.

You won't stand with us, so we ain't losing sleep over it.

I don't join because I can't. My employer takes a dim view of the activities the picket engages in, no matter what organization is doing those acts. I face disciplinary action and termination for joining those activities. Before you say ******** or 1A violation, remember this, your employer can terminate you for acts you commit outside the workplace and when not on the clock, if that policy is clearly laid out in writing. My employer has that spelled out in a policy and as such, my job and keeping a roof over Little DA's head is more important to me. Also MD is an "at will" state, so you really have no recourse if your employer terminates your employment.

That is life and to insinuate other members and I are Democrats is absolutely appalling and unwarranted. You want to be divisive with those that could or would support you behind the scenes without going to events, that's fine. Given the actions made against members on here, it is pretty clear to me where a lot of the toxicity on the forum comes from.

 

[Bob A]

Everyone obviously has a 1st amendment right to freedom of speech, but there's something about this thread that seems wrong. Do we really need to have a PP complaint thread? Isn't this something that could be better handled with a 1 on 1 conversation?

In reality, there are lots of PP complaint thread fragments. While I sympathise with your wish for civil off-board conversation, MDS is a geographically scattered group, and this here is where we come together.

Might as well have a thread devoted to clearing the air, or at least airing the complaints, where they can be addressed in digital public. Bickering and sniping in threads with other subjects is disrespectful to those who resent derailment, and diffuses the issues, without defusing them. (I thought that was pretty clever. Hope you noticed.)

So might as well have it out, here, where everyone knows where to find it, and anyone who wants to wade in can have his say. (Beg pardon, Katie. You know I like what you say, but, you know, pronouns.)

 

[Rack&Roll]

Everyone obviously has a 1st amendment right to freedom of speech, but there's something about this thread that seems wrong. Do we really need to have a PP complaint thread? Isn't this something that could be better handled with a 1 on 1 conversation?

Because 1 on 1 won't work. It's that simple. They stepped on too many members toes and those members have the right to voice those complaints.

Raise your hand if you go to NFL games and get pissed because the coach won't run a play you dreamed up in the cheap seats....

 

[DaemonAssassin]

Raise your hand if you go to NFL games and get pissed because the coach won't run a play you dreamed up in the cheap seats....

Considering your assumption and statement is false, you know where you are wrong.

 

[ComeGet]

Excellent post Bob A.

While we are waiting on thread relocation I'll offer up a thought.

Are a good portion of the PP OFWGs? Sure, but look at the demographic of MDS which is primarily, but not exclusively, where we advertise. Last I checked our founding fathers also had a fair representation of OFWGs who had the stones to look the Crown in the eye and say "F You!"

Our PP videographer is fighting a health battle and has not been able to produce his excellent PP videos recently but if he had I'm sure that Mrs Art3, Mrs Rab1515, Raina, Char Selby and Elizabeth Najjer to name just a few might object to being described with that adjective.

Would we like to have more of the fairer sex, minorities and members of the LGBT community with us? Of course we would and have worked tirelessly to make that happen and it is bearing some fruit. But when the call goes out we roll with who shows up.

Unlike institutions of higher learning we don't have a quota system and are not going to cancel an opportunity to give Frosh heartburn because we didn't have enough women, blacks or gay folk show up.

So do we do nothing because many 2A defenders happen to be old, fat, white men??

I started going last winter, and sometimes I was the only female, sometimes I wasn't. I wish I could attend more events, but summer is busy. I have never been made to feel bad for not going to something.

Have there been signs I don't care for? Absolutely. So I bring my own to say what I want to say. I get photographed a lot, so I do want to be the opposite of the stereotype. Not because there is anything wrong with fat old white men, but because it attracts attention. That's what I'm there for. And if I can attract someone to talk to me who may be intimidated by others, even better.

Standing on the bricks in Annapolis, it was amazing to see some of the guys chatting with the Legiscritters. They knew these people, and that can't be bad.

Maybe it's not everyone's cup of tea, but why is it so hard to just keep scrolling if you don't have any interest in taking part? Instead of criticizing, how about offering ideas, or being that change you want to see. If you want to see diversity, bring some people that you want to see. If you want to see different signs or clothes, show up with what you want to display.

I have some thoughts on this but these two posts pretty much covered them so I'll just add that if you don't like what PP is doing, either form your own group or support ones that align with your thoughts.

Giving them suggestions and feedback from the community is probably appreciated, but a lot in this and other threads is just bomb throwing.

For personal reasons, I do not join them on the bricks but I do contribute what I can. I don't agree with all that PP does but for the most part, I think they're making a difference even if it may sometimes be incremental and many can't see or acknowledge it.

 

[welder516]

I have been on both sides of the coin , I was healing from the last dust up (few months ago) and really basically ready to move on and slowly work my way back into participation of the PP . With the latest screen shot I saved I have decided that maybe that is not in my best interest , I enjoyed my time with the PP back in the day .
I never agreed 100% with everything they did , but I am even okay with that . You will never reach that point .

The one part that bothers me is the name calling , insults that get's delivered in large doses if you don't agree . The demographics of the PP is very obvious and I wish there was a way to attract more ladies like Katie , Mrs. Stove , Mrs. welder . I was/is one of those old white fat guys . I may be full of crap but I even thought my son and I added another flavor or spin for the group . People were willing to talk to me without being angry when I had my son with me . We put them at ease , that is what happened for us .

I think the PP serve a purpose from the work MSI & NRA can not do , the getting dirty work . Those 2 groups could never attach their names to the PP and show up at their events maybe behind the scenes (only talking about events)

On the subject of getting a different demographics , I would say that if the leadership would share the stage or give groups (minority) a spotlight they would be willing to come on-board . But large ego's (IMHO) will prevent that , it is okay in small doses but large minority groups want to have a spotlight their time , I know it makes me wonder why .

I am done being mad at the PP but it would be a wonderful thing if they could learn to say "sorry" it would go a long way .
I hope I have shed some light or even shared a fair assessment from my eyes .
I will be over here if anyone needs me.

 

[Stoveman]

Everyone obviously has a 1st amendment right to freedom of speech, but there's something about this thread that seems wrong. Do we really need to have a PP complaint thread? Isn't this something that could be better handled with a 1 on 1 conversation?

I tend to agree with you but it's stayed open so far. Maybe this will be precedent for any other complaint threads, didn't like the pig roast? Start a thread and let those who didn't attend bitch about it. Think the Hooligan shoots are exclusionary? Start a thread and whine some more. It will be like Festivus but with absentee ballots.


My prediction, and it's spot on through three pages, is that those with a major beef will be the ones who have never participated.

 

[Bikebreath]

There are plenty of us willing to help if need be, but that help should never be assumed.

You are never forced to help out, but should the PP scale down the “sales pitch”, or cater to not hurt feelings?

I don’t think so.

And a man comes on to tell me
How white my shirts could me
But he can't be a man 'cause he does not smoke
The same cigarettes as me.

...and I bet other “advertisers” aren’t getting your letters of complaint.

 

[willtill]

The Patriot Picket was never designed to be the Big Tent 2A project that some people may wish it could be.

It was set up from the get-go to be confrontational with our messaging to put the Democrats on defense.

There are several reasons why MDS folks can't, or won't participate. First, I don't expect the MDS members from Western MD or far down the Eastern Shore to join in, for all the obvious reasons.

As for you DA, and many in Central Maryland who don't join in.... the reason is simple: you don't want to. Either you find it too confrontational or "joining" is not your thing or there is what follows below....

It's important to just get this out: it's clear that many of the "usual suspects" criticizing us here on this forum are...Democrats! (Duh, it's not our imagination that every grandstanding INFRINGER is a... Democrat.)

So, we line up against them, and if that hurts the feelings of the Trump-hating, dyed-in-the-wool Democrat voters who happen to be members here, well, there's not a thing we can do.

You won't stand with us, so we ain't losing sleep over it.

I don't join because I can't. My employer takes a dim view of the activities the picket engages in, no matter what organization is doing those acts. I face disciplinary action and termination for joining those activities. Before you say ******** or 1A violation, remember this, your employer can terminate you for acts you commit outside the workplace and when not on the clock, if that policy is clearly laid out in writing. My employer has that spelled out in a policy and as such, my job and keeping a roof over Little DA's head is more important to me. Also MD is an "at will" state, so you really have no recourse if your employer terminates your employment.

That is life and to insinuate other members and I are Democrats is absolutely appalling and unwarranted. You want to be divisive with those that could or would support you behind the scenes without going to events, that's fine. Given the actions made against members on here, it is pretty clear to me where a lot of the toxicity on the forum comes from.

Agree. They have met the enemy, and it is them.


.

 

[Czechnologist]

I'll state now and for the record that I have no problem with anything the PP does or how they do it. If these guys want to spend every waking-moment protesting infringers, antis and other assorted leftist nuts, the more power to them and God bless them. Pranking Maxine Waters is still one of the funniest things I've ever read or seen on MDS. The demonstration at NRA HQ in the wake of the Orlando nightclub shootings was a class act and unmatched by anything they've done since then.

Nope, my only 'beef' is how the leadership of the PP chooses to attack members of this community who dare violate the 'sanctity' of their cause by either questioning or criticizing it. Resorting to childish name-calling, posting screen shots of private text messages, bringing off-group disputes on MDS and otherwise employing the same type of tactics as the groups they oppose does more to discredit themselves than anything I could post on MDS. Think about it. Who in their right mind would ever willingly divulge their personal info to the leadership of the PP after the kind of infantile BS we've seen used against both welder and Blaster during the last few months?

 

[eruby]

And drank rapidly a glass of water.

https://www.poetryarchive.org/poem/next-course-god-america



Stove/Rack, don't take any of this too personally (tough, I know, as I take EVERYTHING personally).

Keep on doing what you do, and ignore what you will, and take advice on what you will.

I have walked with the PP (polo shirt hanging in closet), and will do so again.

Everyone else; try to remain civil.

Of now to for a BBB (bonded Bourbon breakfast).

 

[DaemonAssassin]

I'll state now and for the record that I have no problem with anything the PP does or how they do it. If these guys want to spend every waking-moment protesting infringers, antis and other assorted leftist nuts, the more power to them and God bless them. Pranking Maxine Waters is still one of the funniest things I've ever read or seen on MDS. The demonstration at NRA HQ in the wake of the Orlando nightclub shootings was a class act and unmatched by anything they've done since then.

Nope, my only 'beef' is how the leadership of the PP chooses to attack members of community who dare violate the 'sanctity' of their cause by either questioning or criticizing it. Resorting to childish name-calling, posting screen shots of private text messages, bringing off-group disputes on MDS and otherwise employing the same type of tactics as the groups they oppose does more to discredit themselves than anything I could post on MDS. Think about it. Who in their right mind would ever willingly divulge their personal info to the leadership of the PP after the kind of infantile BS we've seen used against both welder and Blaster during the last few months?

QFT.

Well said. The sad thing is that the same issues keep getting brought up, yet they do nothing to change how they act towards fellow members.

 

[Alea Jacta Est]

If and or when the messengers ever become (and or act) more important than the message, the cause is lost.

 

[Bikebreath]

I’m trying to picture the opposite of big ego starting/running any enterprise.

Ok, we all got scrapped up and now we get back to the real enemy...The State of Maryland.

 

[Mr. Ed]

I’m trying to picture the opposite of big ego starting/running any enterprise.

Ok, we all got scrapped up and now we get back to the real enemy...The State of Maryland.

Thank you!

Nothing unifies a bunch of folks like a common enemy. In this case, it's the MD GA. It is NOT each other. Carry on.

 

[StantonCree]

Sometimes it’s best to stay in your own lane and this thread is the exact opposite of that.


PP keep doing you and thank you! You can call me Democrat, yellow belly, or a dong muncher for all i care lol. Your out there while I’m having tea parties with my daughter! I support with my wallet but honestly who are most of us to criticize what they are doing! It doesn’t effect us and if we don’t like it we can use our money/time else where!

Keep up the good work gents! Don’t all text me “Dong muncher” at once lol

 

[welder516]

Sometimes it’s best to stay in your own lane and this thread is the exact opposite of that.


PP keep doing you and thank you! You can call me Democrat, yellow belly, or a dong muncher for all i care lol. Your out there while I’m having tea parties with my daughter! I support with my wallet but honestly who are most of us to criticize what they are doing! It doesn’t effect us and if we don’t like it we can use our money/time else where!

You can't prove i ever called you a Dong Muncher

 

[ClutchyMcClutcherson]

dong muncher

This literally had me laughing till tears!

 

[Alea Jacta Est]

Just a technicality...is it dong muncher or dong washer?

#TijuanaTongueBath

 

[sports89man7]

I understand what pp is trying to do. but the way you guys are going about it is just plain stupid. take the fight to court if you disagree. make your voice be heard on 2a day in session. you go to these rallies and get arrested im sorry it does give me a chuckle seeing stuff like that and it makes you just as idiotic as the leftists. I have never been a fan of protesting and think its the most pointless thing in the world. the other thing I need to tell you is that not every democrat is an anti. so stop stereotyping democrats as being antigun. I didn't vote for trump because I think hes a total idiot and needs to be impeached and frankly dont understand why people are still supporting him with his cronies getting locked up one by one. but I am a firm supporter of the 2nd amendment. not all of us agree with you but we share the same common denominator. we all support the 2nd amendment.