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Anonymous, Innuendo-Filled Political Ad Was a Cheap Shot
To the Editor:
Actually, this is a letter addressed to Mr. Jim Lovell, whom the Editor informed me is the purchaser of a "Paid Political Advertisement" from last week's edition entitled "2 Safety Tips for the Residents of Philipstown."
Mr. Lovell, your reckless analogy, portraying hunters generally as "megalomaniac amateurs … firing at anything that moves" may have seemed to you a clever device for your political propaganda. I assure you, the 200 members of the Garrison Fish and Game Club may not agree with your logic.
The hunters you so cryptically disparage, Mr. Lovell, have been organized in this town since 1947 to manage the wildlife populations in the area while promoting activities that benefit the community. They have sponsored three hunter education courses this year alone. Safe hunting is paramount in their agenda. They sponsor the scouts, they host a free fishing derby for the youth of Philipstown and they have donated hundreds of pounds of venison to the Philipstown Food Pantry.
Did you know, Mr. Lovell, that the vast majority of wildlife programs in each and every state, whether they are for game or non-game species, are funded by hunting license and tag dollars? Did you know, Mr. Lovell, that hunters pay an excise tax on every piece of hunting equipment they buy? 200 million dollars is raised by this tax every year, which is used to pay for wildlife programs. Hunters raise money to protect, preserve and purchase wildlife habitat.
Mr. Lovell, your intent may not have been malicious; possibly mere ignorance is the root cause for your blunder. As I always cautioned my journalism students, language can be a weapon. Your opinions are expressed in code language. Who are you targeting or endorsing? Any obscure, anonymous expression filled with innuendos can only be classified as a cheap shot.
Cris Golde President, Garrison Fish &
Game Club
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