The Silent Majority

[Bigbear]

Letters from town councils are considered about as much as our individual concerns are when it comes to the arrogance and omnipotence of any government ministry. Bureaucrats don't give a rat's a** about anything.

Pretty much. But that's the fault of our small town Mayors and their councils who don't seem to understand that they are in the driver's seat when it comes to exerting pressure on MPs and MPPs. A local Mayor, who uses the local press properly, can sink an upper tier politician in no time. But it isn't done. Part of the reluctance is because there is this kind of "fellowship" among politicians, and it would be seen as somehow unfair to publicly point out that MPP Whatshisname and his government are letting locals down. The other reason is that the public demonstrates nothing but apathy or indifference anyways, so local councils have no need to get worked up. Everyone meekly accepts that "we wrote them a letter but they told us no" is all that a local council could and should do.

[MikePal]

I think the thing that is much more troubling than "the silent majority", is that in a population of 10,000, only 29 people [presumably hunters) bothered to make "pro" submissions and an even smaller number attended the council meeting.

It is a good example of apathy by the general public...unless it affects them directly, they are not getting involved.

We have town council that is very frustrated with the lack of interest shown by the general population into township matters. It's appallingly dismal and that is for money matters...when it come to something affecting the hunting community..even less interest..

[MikePal]

Everyone meekly accepts that "we wrote them a letter but they told us no" is all that a local council could and should do.

Well in the case of the spring bear hunt, it eventually worked and the MNR responded.

[JBen]

Omg.
mike give us one or two example if you can, of an issue where there's "two sides". Those strongly in favour and those strongly against and a "middle". Where the vast majority mostly favour the "pro", but ultimately it doesn't affect them. Or more specifically you. Give us one or examples, where you are one of those people in the middle...and YOU become active. Written letters, attended meetings, lobbied for change. I'm 52, getting old. Figure I have about 20 years to wait for it, so please don't take too long finding them.

I too am done, have reached even my limits

[MikePal]

give us one or two example if you can, of an issue where there's "two sides". Those strongly in favour and those strongly against and a "middle".

Goes to prove you haven't being paying attention for the entire theme of the debate; that is exactly what I have been asking since the first post...for someone to provide me with an example of where our hunting future was 'hinged' on the acceptance of the middle class.

Welsh wrote: "but to improve people's understanding of hunting, and to win support on specific issues. This is something that has happened in the past, and happens now"

I asked him provide me an example, he danced but couldn't.

Now your asking me to do provide the same thing...I wouldn't keep asking if I knew of any ?

[MikePal]

Or more specifically you. Give us one or examples, where you are one of those people in the middle...and YOU become active.

I am in the silent majority, I have absolutely no interest in anything that goes on around me that doesn't affect me. That's why I know exactly why only 29 people in a population of 10,000 people in a township would go in and support local hunters trying to get Sunday Hunting privileges.

You'd get a better turn out on a vote to put in a new walkway between the church and the parking lot.

That's also why I know there is no point expecting even a minuscule percentage of the 13.6 million people in this province to come forward and support an issue like the re-institution of the Spring Bear hunt or to block the suspension of the coyote hunt near the park.

They are called the silent majority for a reason and courting them for favour is pretty much a waste of time.

Far better off aggressively attacking the Anti's and defending our hunting culture...much like the OFAH does with their Sunday Hunting presentations.

[welsh]

Mike, the reason I'm no longer engaging you is your ongoing habit of dishonestly distorting what I say, combined with your previous public admission that you simply enjoy trolling me, suggests there's no point in trying to have a serious discussion.

I'll just be putting you on ignore.

I'm sure you'll now mock me again. Go ahead. If you're unable to understand how the ranks of the antis grow, for example, then I don't know what to say to you.

[welsh]

Oh and by the way, Sunday gun hunting presentations....

How do you think they succeed? Do you think they win over hardcore antis on council? Or do you think that maybe they are winning the support of those council members who belong to that MIDDLE? By, you know, appealing to them, rather than by throwing muck at anti-hunters? The OFAH doesn't "attack the antis" with these presentations; they provide information and present arguments. They talk about values such as public safety. They appeal to the middle. The OFAH goes to municipalities not to fight a move by the antis, but instead to make an appeal to the middle ground with the aim of expanding hunting opportunities.

This is how the OFAH works all the time, and is exactly the kind of thing I was referring to. The examples are so numerous that we take them for granted. Thanks for coming up with one.

[JBen]

Mike, save the snide comments. "Follow along", "pay attention" some others.
at issue apparently is that because the middle doesn't lobby for us, attend meetings, write letters. They are next to meaningless and that the broader larger opinion doesn't factor in much ( utterly dismantled, and why it had to be, is beyond me)

further and/or our future doesn't hinge on their acceptance. At this point I no longer know how to illustrate and am less inclined. Because I suspect once again your arguing for the sake of arguing, being obstinate. Nothing anyone says....

A few post ago, you said to someone "their apathy"...so I asked you to give us an example where you got involved. Just because a very great many people aren't active on issues they aren't passionate about or doesn't affect them.....

well duh!!!!!!!

does NOT IN THE SLIGHTEST mean their acceptance (or disapproval) isn't critical to the continuance of hunting. I think at one time a great many people were in the middle on all kinds of things/activities that now are done and gone. Slave labor being one? I just can't be bothered anymore because........

/bangs head against wall and face palms

[terrym]

I consider myself a slave. In all seriousness though the middle is where we should be trolling for support. The extremes will never change and yes I am an extremist. So gradual gains is likely the the best strategy as opposed to big public battles. The OFAH seem to be the ones who are in the background nibbling away. Maybe the gun owner associations should take notes?