Gays & lesbians are more organized than us!

[goodboy_mentor]

Gays & Lesbians are more organized than us! What a shame for us! We have been able to achieve hardly anything by the way of RKBA in India. They have been able to put forth there demands in a very systematic & effective way. They were able to be in "news" continuously in systematic way. Were seen debating in TV discussion forums. They filed court cases, subsequently, Hon'ble High Court giving favorable judgment. Even there is discussion in concerned Government Ministries about repealing controversial laws. Can't we learn and do something similar to get controversial "Arms Act" modified/repealed.

[mundaire]

Am I the only one who feels that this post quite needlessly denigrates a particular segment of society?

[saahil]

hi abhijeet
i totally agree with you.first of all i must state very clearly that im straight,happily married,having child.personally i only approve of physical relations which are natural ,according to me religion and sexual preferences of a person should be his choice and i strongly feel that nobody is having right to poke his nose. the biggest problem to speak in favour of homosexuals is that you are also tagged as one, so nobody dares to voice in favour of their rights.take care.

[timmy]

My own personal view is that, on this board, the things that should concern us have to do with a person's views on Guns and RKBA.

I'm like Saahil, except that I've got 4 kids, all married, and 7 grandkids.

I would hate to see IFG be considered hostile or unpalatable to any person who enjoyed the responsible use of firearms. Whether they do or don't belong to any group associated with those mentioned in the first post of this thread, it is my hope that they would join with our views at IFG with regard to RKBA. It would be a tragedy, I think, if those people of goodwill toward RKBA felt uncomfortable here and I think it would be opposed to our overall purpose.

Some may view this outlook as "PC" -- "politically correct." With regard to me, they would be EXACTLY correct: on this board, I am politically correct in the sense of not wanting to be offensive or unwelcoming to any gun owner. As those who appreciate gun ownership (whether or not we actually own guns) we must always close ranks and not split into even more factions.

[art_collector]

Guys what you have not taken into consideration the long drawn battle in the courts and ENDLESS cheques that went to pay the laywers fees.Its easier said that done. One hearing and a decent laywer might make u poorer by 50K or even more.Where will that kind of money come from.I don't want to sound pesemistic but then one should not forget the ground realities.We haven't been even able to get our stickers printed where will we find the money to fle court cases...so guys wake up ...just dreams don't take u any where.

[Vikram]

Am I the only one who feels that this post quite needlessly denigrates a particular segment of society?

Guess not.What happens between consenting adults is their own business and they do not become any lesser or greater because of what they do or do not do,whether by a majority or a minority.I find statements by the OP uncalled for.

goodboy_mentor, since you bring it up periodically and frequently, I must ask you, and I am not being personal or confrontational, what was your excuse for not to attend a Delhi Rally idea proposed by Inder? Too hot summer? Do not think that the Gay Rights activists stayed home because of the summer heat?

If that is your excuse, why cannot you find someone else's excuse that s/he cannot take a time out to do what you propose?

Just how many people volunteered for GFI,efforts and money wise?

I am not suggesting that we do nothing.Instead, suggest something that can be done to spread the word, get our word to policy makers,voters who influence the policy makers etc. Strategies that do not involve, for the moment, too much commitment in terms of money and efforts.I am game for any viable suggestion that is acceptable for a majority here.

I do hope you give a good thought to my suggestions.I certainly look forward to them.

Best-
Vikram

[Sakobav]

goodboy_mentor,
IFG since its days of inception has always stayed away from discussing politics religion orientation and any other non RKBA related stuff. There are umpteen sites where one can do that. I agree with Abhijeet, your snide remark unnecessarily ridicules a personal choice matter and has no bearing whatsoever on RKBA or its efforts. Shooter is a shooter irrespective of the background. Even though these comments were made out of frustration but they are not acceptable nor can this be an excuse. These comments reflect badly and if good sense prevails do recant the above post.

by the way - the first step of these organizations was to come in open e.g. parades, meetings etc -- so using the analogy Indian gun owners also need to come out in the open for the sake of guns in their 'closets' and many famous personalities own gun even the ardent anti Honorable Mrs Maneka Gandhi owns a rifle per her affidavit with Election commission

http://ceouttarpradesh.nic.in/ECI/Affid ... hi_SC2.jpg
Best

[Rottmeister]

Gentleman, I have posted the accounts of a few progresses (in fact, it's just an initiation of a bigger outcome) under the airgun section, that have been made over the past few days. Well, this is a dream most of us have, so why don't we all start living the same dream? Let's do our part and see what happens next.

[goodboy_mentor]

I do not understand why some people in this forum are perceiving my post as denigrating or snide to a particular section of society. On the contrary, I have praised a particular section of society for being systematic & effective in putting forth their demands and being in "news". Nowhere I have "discussed" politics, religion or personal orientation in my post. I see it as a positive comment for them and a shame for us. If a mere mention of the name of a particular section of the society is "denigrating" or "snide", then it is really regrettable. On the contrary I have compared their way of handling there cause with our cause and ridiculed the way RKBA is being handled in our country, out of my mental frustration.

I was really surprised by reaction of some members "clarifying" their own personal orientations etc., which was needless. Did anyone question anybody's orientation?

[timmy]

I was really surprised by reaction of some members "clarifying" their own personal orientations etc., which was needless. Did anyone question anybody's orientation?

This is beside the point, goodboy_mentor. Nor is the issue what you meant. The issue is how it will be perceived by others. Just saying something with whatever intent is only 1/2 of communication -- the other 1/2 is how the communication is perceived.

For example, there are all sorts of connotations that can be drawn from saying:

Even Gays & Lesbians are more organized than us!

as opposed to saying:

"Gays & Lesbians are more organized than us!"

I am hopeful that you can see the difference, because no matter whether or not you think it is petty or of little importance, such a nuance can play a much larger role in the ear of the listener than in the mouth and mind of the speaker. My point is that ignoring this fact risks alienating some and giving unwanted ammunition to others, which they will use to portray supporters of gun rights in an unfavorable light. There is simply no good reason to run that risk in this case.

Surely it is not such a stretch to recognize that any effective communication must rely first on listening and understanding, before the speaking part is undertaken. The fact that others have picked up on these nuances should not be disregarded by you; instead I feel it should serve as a hint about how your words are likely to be interpreted or used by society at large.

[goodboy_mentor]

I have removed the word "Even" if it leads to preconceived perception by some. Apologies for the same.

[amk]

I am repeating what I have said in the past, on many occasions .... we are too small a of community or group of people who think alike when it comes to RKBA. The overwhelming majority of the Indian population is/will be opposed to RKBA. Instead of lobbying governments and filing suits/petitions/litigations we should focus our attention at educating the masses.

[snIPer]

AMK let me sum it up for you
we have more Gays in India than RKBA supportors.

[Vikram]

I have removed the word "Even" if it leads to preconceived perception by some. Apologies for the same.

And there is a gentleman.Thank you.


Best-
Vikram

[goodboy_mentor]

Guys I thank everyone who has read/replied to this post. I agree to the fact supporters of RKBA in India are very few. We need to spread awareness among masses and get more supporters. Any idea how to go about it, taking into consideration limited financial resources we have. I think people who have time & desire for the cause to come forward. I am of opinion that college students and retired people can spare time for this cause. People who are corporate "slaves" can donate their time only on week offs.