Posted on 11/17/2012 7:46:59 PM PST by MtnClimber
Wounded Warriors declined to come on his (Tom Gresham) show on veterans day because they are against gun or religious organizations. At around the 5:00 mark. There is another orginazation "honoredveterans.org" that is non communist. I will be trying to get a return of this years donations to wounded warrior. They are so dissapointing! I am trying to find out more, but everything points to this being true. I really hate communists!
Don’t worry, they’re anti-gun but they’ll still take your money. WW is “over the top”, not Gresham.
Wounded Warrior Project Email Exchange
by Gun Talk on Tuesday, November 13, 2012 at 10:56am
After Sunday's show, we've gotten many emails about Tom's remarks after WWP declined an interview request on Gun Talk Radio because it's a firearms-related show. We've also seen the forums that are suggesting many things that are not true. So, I'm going to lay it all out right here. We thought it would be great to book the WWP on the Veteran's Day show to promote the organization, so I contacted them. I was flabbergasted when their PR contact, Leslie, sent me an email saying they could not participate because our show dealt with firearms. Knowing that WWP has a booth at SHOT show and various gun shows across the US, takes wounded warriors on hunts and range days, raffles guns and accessories as fundraisers, etc., their policy didn't make much sense. I forwarded the email on to Tom to get his take. -Sarah
The following is the complete email exchange:
====================
Hello, Leslie: Sarah forwarded me your email after I asked her to invite the Wounded Warriors Project to join me on "Tom Gresham's Gun Talk" radio show.
I'm stunned at your email saying that the WWP doesn't participate in an interview or activity related to firearms. Inasmuch as there are 90 million gun owners and most of them support wounded veterans, I think they would be shocked to hear that they are, by way of their hobbies, somehow not worthy of helping with the Wounded Warriors Project.
Does your policy apply also to police agencies and the military, since they are "related to firearms?"
I'm hoping that we have misunderstood your email. Can you confirm that it is, in fact, an official policy of the Wounded Warriors Project to not do interviews with or participate in any activity related to firearms?
Thank you. Tom Gresham
============
Good afternoon --
While we appreciate your interest in Wounded Warrior Project® (WWP) you are correct that we decline the media opportunity.
Please note the following notice that appears on our website which also applies to WWP public awareness policy and inquiries from media outlets: Additional Opportunities - Wounded Warrior Project
WWP does not co-brand, create cause marketing campaigns or receive a percentage or a portion of proceeds from companies in which the product or message is sexual, political or religious in nature, or from alcohol or firearms companies.
Thank you for your inquiry.
LESLIE A. COLEMAN public relations director
O: 904.405.1433 M: 904.654.8138 F: 904.296.7347
Wounded Warrior Project 4899 Belfort Road, Suite 300 Jacksonville, Florida 32256
====================
Thanks for confirming that, Leslie. It was a simple opportunity to promote the WWP on a national program in an effort to send donations your way. I'll pass along the info that you don't want or need the help of America's gun owners.
Best regards, Tom Gresham
=====================
Good morning -- This policy is not a judgment on those who own and use firearms – clearly every member of our armed forces has been trained in the use of firearms and then called on to use them in the course of their service to this country.
Our position regarding firearms and alcohol [interesting conflation - emphasis added - piytar] is in response to the struggles that many injured service members face with substance abuse and suicide and the roles those items often play in those issues.
Thank you. LESLIE A. COLEMAN public relations director
=============================
Hello, Leslie:
Thank you for that explanation.
I do think -- and I'm being as kind as possible -- that it's the nuttiest thing I've heard in years. Suicides are not linked to firearms. Japan has a much higher rate of suicide than does the U.S., and they have essentially no firearms. Suicide is a serious issue irrespective of the methodology used.
This explanation doesn't pass even the most simple "does this make sense" test.
Your policy does, in fact, brand firearms and the companies which make them as undesirables, and by association, you are saying that those who own and use firearms for recreation, hunting, self protection, and other safe and legal uses are to be avoided.
It's certainly your option to ostracize the firearms industry, the 90 million gun owners in America, and the media which support firearms safety training.
At this point, I feel an obligation to make sure the millions who listen to my radio show and watch my two national television series know about your policy.
I cannot fully express how much I feel you are doing a disservice to our wounded veterans, and how disappointed I am to discover this bias at the Wounded Warriors Project.
Sincerely, Tom Gresham
----------------------------------------------------------
Piytar here again: Disgusting. People (e.g., LESLIE A. COLEMAN?) need FIRED.
Sounds like they want to be all things to all people, like Democrats during any given campaign.
Sorry, but you can't be that without failure towards any given side at any time.
If they want to be mute on the subject it's to late. Fund raising is understandable but there
will be a certain point of highest achievement where some groups will not donate because of another.
IOW, choose your target donors and run with it. Wait until the Fags find out you're ignoring Gay Marriage freaks.
Just a few observations: I wonder if they have had trouble from leftists because people like Rush Limbaugh support them? I distrust people who talk about vets with PTSD and suicide - leftists do that all the time. Leftists have decreed EVERYTHING is political, and everything is because of them.
Individual liberty isn't a political issue, unless you are politically against individual liberty. Its really that simple.
I have given a lot of money to WWP over the last decade, and encouraged others to do the same. I send them a donation every year in December.
I am not yet ready to pull the plug on them, and here’s why.
This could simply be a dumb ass liberal in a PR slot (What! A liberal in a Public Relations/Media slot?”) who just exceeded their authority and gave bad information, then doubled down on it.
If it turns out they ARE anti-gun (and I am still not convinced they are) then I have plenty of other organizations to give money to. I will sit and watch this for a while.
It sounds to me like Tom Gresham needs to speak to someone else at WWP besides Leslie Coleman.
Someone higher up the chain. This sounds like it it generating some legs outside the media, so I can see someone higher up the chain reaching out to Mr. Gresham soon to clarify their stance.
I cannot believe they would simply be out of the box anti-gun. As Gresham states (and I paraphrase) are they going to be anti-kitchen knife/rope/car exhaust/sleeping pill too?
It doesn’t make any sense to me either.
WWP will never get another dollar from me. I will support HAVA and Marine-Law Enforcement group and others instead.
Sounds like they are being co-opted by the left.
We had monthly donations to WWP and have canceled them.
There are a lot of good organizations out there dedicated to helping our finest and I will donate to them.
Why did the name “Jim Zumbo” pop into my head?
I am still waiting to see if this is a single Dumb A** PR person or a bigger deal.
I am still waiting to see if this is a single Dumb A** PR person or a bigger deal.
My larger point is that “one harmeless little post” somewhere on the internet can do unimaginable harm.
Whichever side of your either/or situation turns out to the correct, the harm has been done. Codrea, Vanderbough, lawdog, and others had already picked up the story so it is spreading like the Zumbo fiasco through the firearm community. That is a dedicated, faithful group to lose, and “lose” they will. Gun owners are cautious, verging on paranoia, having been screwed over so often.
Had WW backpedalled IMMEDIATELY, the damage could have been contained, IMHO.
This flap has been out there long enough now that a "single Dumb A** PR person" would have been snapped up short. If that were the case, a clarification should have been issued by the organization. Since that hasn't happened, at least as of yet, one must conclude that her emails accurately represent WWP's position.
With the airwaves and the internet as his bully pulpit he likely will but it's the wounded warriors themselves who are going to suffer for it.
His actions are right out of the liberal playbook - create a false crisis where none previously existed and publicize private emails to fuel the anger he is trying to generate.
The fact that WWP funds hunting trips for our wounded soldiers tells me everything I need to know about their organization and the fact that some hack is trying to drag them into the political arena in order to bolster his ratings is disgusting....
With the airwaves and the internet as his bully pulpit he likely will but it's the wounded warriors themselves who are going to suffer for it.
His actions are right out of the liberal playbook - create a false crisis where none previously existed and publicize private emails to fuel the anger he is trying to generate.
The fact that WWP funds hunting trips for our wounded soldiers tells me everything I need to know about their organization and the fact that some hack is trying to drag them into the political arena in order to bolster his ratings is disgusting....
GON.com - Spots Available at Wounded Warrior Pheasant Hunt in Henry... Guest-shooter spots on the hunt are available for $350, which includes a Friday-evening steak dinner, a clay-bird shoot and a meet-and-greet with the soldiers. On Saturday, guests will take part in a continental pheasant shoot alongside the wounded warriors. gon.com/article.php?id=2865&cid=84
Wounded Warriors Take To The Pheasant Fields | Wounded Warriors... (Ret) John McDaniel, Jim Reisdorf, Gunnery Sgt. (USMC) Shawn Horsley, and Tane Kehlenbeck pause during their pheasant hunt. Each had been severely wounded in either Iraq or Afghanistan, and each was awarded the Purple Heart medal for his sacrifice. wwiaf.org/article-view.php?id=14
Hunting for recreation: Fort Bragg wounded warriors enjoy day | Article... Wounded warriors and active-duty servicemembers from Fort Bragg participate in a pheasant hunt, Saturday, on the Allen Brothers Hunting Preserve in Bladenboro, N.C. The hunt was organized by Patriot Hunts, an organization dedicated to providing recreational activities for Soldiers. army.mil/article/49270/hunting-for-recreation-fo...
Wounded Warrior Upland Hunting for Fall 2010 - Pheasant Hunting Directory... In my professional capacity, Wounded Warrior Liaison, I am always looking for ways to get the wounded back into activities they enjoyed before being wounded, hunting is one of those activities. gamebirdhunts.blogspot.com. www.pheasant.com. gamebirdhunts.com/Community/Forums/tabid/66/aft/562/Defau...
Whitetail Hunts for Wounded Warriors Pheasant Hunt. Bow Hunt - October 22-25, 2012 MANDATORY PROFICIENCY TEST - Monday, August 13, 2012. This is an opportunity for New Jersey Wounded Warriors to hunt New Jersey Whitetails with proper equipment and support in a wonderful hunting camp experience. njoutdooralliance.org/outdoor/hunt/ability.html
Wounded Warriors hunt at Clover Hollow | Times News Online Four Mile Outfitters and the Keystone Wounded Warriors Project have teamed with Clover Hollow Hunting Preserve, Lime Kiln Road, Slatington, to provide U.S. Marine Sgt. Jonathan Tompkins, a Berks County native, the opportunity to hunt pheasants, quail and chukars, Saturday, Jan. 28. tnonline.com/2012/jan/14/wounded-warriors-hunt-clove...
Prairie Wind Hunting Club We offer excellent Trophy Deer hunting on multiple hunting leases as well as Pheasant, Quail, and Chucker hunting on some of the best CRP grass Controlled Shooting Areas in Reno County. This beauty was taken by one of the Wounded Warriors during Archery Season using a cross-bow. prairiewindhunting.com
Photos of wounded warriors enjoying the outdoors: Hunts for Healing See photos of this event. Hunts For Healing hosted six wounded warriors. Tackling the brush, terrain, snow and very cold weather, the Rangers all harvested their deer by day two and it was on to pheasant hunting Friday and a dinner to meet with the members of the Pennsylvania Fox and Coyote... huntsforhealing.org/photos.php
Wounded Warriors Need Your Help We offer them an opportunity to go hunting for deer or wild turkey or pheasant, or skiing, fishing or golfing. We do not pay credit card bills, car payments, or direct payments to wounded warriors except in the most unusual circumstances. pawoundedwarriors.com
Wounded Warriors at WPH Wounded Warriors at Whispering Pines - by Len Lisenbee. Each was soft-spoken and humble as they spoke of their hunting activities and how exciting this hunt was. Tony said he enjoyed this pheasant hunting experience immensely. whisperingpineshideaway.com/wounded-warriors-at-wph.html
American Kennel Club - AKC Sporting Breeds Hunt With Wounded Warriors Members of the Wounded Warrior Battalion from Fort Campbell, KY enjoyed two beautiful days of quail hunting at Cedar Grove Plantation near Clarksville, VA. Mr. James Kinnear, owner of Cedar Grove, readily accepted the opportunity to host the Wounded Warriors. akc.org/events/hunting_tests/pointing_breeds/wo...
Wounded Warriors honored with special hunt : News : ConnectTriStates.com This pheasant hunt for the four local veterans was put on by the local chapter of Quail Forever. President Ryan Viehmeyer says members of the organization wanted to give these wounded warriors a chance to get back into the forests and fields. connecttristates.com/news/story.aspx?id=698402
Here is the e-mail exchange. I am not sure what to make of it:
Wounded Warrior Project Email Exchange
by Gun Talk on Tuesday, November 13, 2012 at 8:56am ·
After Sunday’s show, we’ve gotten many emails about Tom’s remarks after WWP declined an interview request on Gun Talk Radio because it’s a firearms-related show. We’ve also seen the forums that are suggesting many things that are not true. So, I’m going to lay it all out right here.
We thought it would be great to book the WWP on the Veteran’s Day show to promote the organization, so I contacted them. I was flabbergasted when their PR contact, Leslie, sent me an email saying they could not participate because our show dealt with firearms. Knowing that WWP has had a booth at trade shows and various gun shows across the US, takes wounded warriors on hunts and range days, raffles guns and accessories as fundraisers, etc., their policy didn’t make much sense. I forwarded the email on to Tom to get his take.
-Sarah
The following is the complete email exchange:
I’m stunned at your email saying that the WWP doesn’t participate in an interview or activity related to firearms. Inasmuch as there are 90 million gun owners and most of them support wounded veterans, I think they would be shocked to hear that they are, by way of their hobbies, somehow not worthy of helping with the Wounded Warriors Project.
Does your policy apply also to police agencies and the military, since they are “related to firearms?”
I’m hoping that we have misunderstood your email. Can you confirm that it is, in fact, an official policy of the Wounded Warriors Project to not do interviews with or participate in any activity related to firearms?
Thank you.
Tom Gresham
Good afternoon —
While we appreciate your interest in Wounded Warrior Project® (WWP) you are correct that we decline the media opportunity.
Please note the following notice that appears on our website which also applies to WWP public awareness policy and inquiries from media outlets:
http://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/additional-opportunities.aspx
WWP does not co-brand, create cause marketing campaigns or receive a percentage or a portion of proceeds from companies in which the product or message is sexual, political or religious in nature, or from alcohol or firearms companies.
Thank you for your inquiry.
LESLIE A. COLEMAN
public relations director
O: 904.405.1433
M: 904.654.8138
F: 904.296.7347
Wounded Warrior Project
4899 Belfort Road, Suite 300
Jacksonville, Florida 32256
Best regards,
Tom Gresham
Good morning —
This policy is not a judgment on those who own and use firearms – clearly every member of our armed forces has been trained in the use of firearms and then called on to use them in the course of their service to this country.
Our position regarding firearms and alcohol is in response to the struggles that many injured service members face with substance abuse and suicide and the roles those items often play in those issues.
Thank you.
LESLIE A. COLEMAN
public relations director
Hello, Leslie:
Thank you for that explanation.
I do think — and I’m being as kind as possible — that it’s the nuttiest thing I’ve heard in years. Suicides are not linked to firearms. Japan has a much higher rate of suicide than does the U.S., and they have essentially no firearms. Suicide is a serious issue irrespective of the methodology used.
This explanation doesn’t pass even the most simple “does this make sense” test.
Your policy does, in fact, brand firearms and the companies which make them as undesirables, and by association, you are saying that those who own and use firearms for recreation, hunting, self protection, and other safe and legal uses are to be avoided.
It’s certainly your option to ostracize the firearms industry, the 90 million gun owners in America, and the media which support firearms safety training.
At this point, I feel an obligation to make sure the millions who listen to my radio show and watch my two national television series know about your policy.
I cannot fully express how much I feel you are doing a disservice to our wounded veterans, and how disappointed I am to discover this bias at the Wounded Warriors Project.
Sincerely,
Tom Gresham
I read it previously and it doesn't make sense. Apparently Leslie is unaware of all the events I posted.
It could be they accidentally hired Leslie Zumbo.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.