Posted on 01/24/2013 5:32:07 PM PST by marktwain
For a number of years, I visited the Eastern Sports and Outdoor Show in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. The show, which is held in a hideous rambling building originally intended to handle livestock, is a genuine monster. For a solid week, people in the tens of thousands come from near and far to grope sporting goods, book hunting and fishing trips, attend demonstrations, and generally see what is what.
ESS, as it will hereinafter be referred to, is put on by Reed Exhibitions. Reed is the world’s largest organizer of trade shows and the like; the firm handles 500 events in 39 countries in all phases of industry, and included among its clients are the SHOT Show. And, oh yes, Reed Exhibitions is British.
The Brits have never really understood America, and this centuries-old tradition was carried on in a manner that would have made King George III proud when Reed decided that MSRs—Modern Sporting Rifles, or ARs if you prefer—were not appropriate for the ESS and would not be present this year. (They were very much present at the SHOT Show because there, NSSF and not Reed says what will and won’t be exhibited.)
When this decision was promulgated, ESS exhibitors bailed—lots of them, and big ones, Cabela’s and NRA to name only two of the more than 200 who said cheerio.
The NSSF, in a statement released today, said that it had tried to tell Reed management The Way Things Are in the United States, but that the talks had reached an impasse. NSSF also said that they will reconsider whether Reed will continue to run the SHOT Show.
So, today, having seen the handwriting on the wall, or the tea in the harbor as it were, Reed announced that the ESS is being postponed. On the show’s website is the following statement, which I’m quoting here. It comes from one Chet Burchett, Reed Exhibitions President for the Americas:
“Our original decision not to include certain products in the Eastern Sports and Outdoor Show this year was made in order to preserve the event’s historical focus on the hunting and fishing traditions enjoyed by American families. In the current climate, we felt that the presence of MSRs would distract from the theme of hunting and fishing, disrupting the broader experience of our guests. This was intended simply as a product decision, of the type event organizers need to make every day.
“It has become very clear to us after speaking with our customers that the event could not be held because the atmosphere of this year’s show would not be conducive to an event that is designed to provide family enjoyment. It is unfortunate that in the current emotionally charged atmosphere this celebratory event has become overshadowed by a decision that directly affected a small percentage of more than 1,000 exhibits showcasing products and services for those interested in hunting and fishing.
“ESS has long been proud to participate in the preservation and promotion of hunting and fishing traditions, and we hope that as the national debate clarifies, we will have an opportunity to consider rescheduling the event when the time is right to focus on the themes it celebrates.”
I think Mr. Burchett and Reed Exhibitions are going to have a long wait until that time comes. It’s a shame they couldn’t have spoken beforehand with King George III about what the colonists are like.
American grass roots response by boycott is immediate and massive. A huge show, with over 200,000 attendees is shut down because the Brits will not back down.
This in the middle (likely because of) some of the most hotly contested political issues in years.
Not a peep from the old media. Why is this not covered in the New York Times, ABC, NBC, CBS....
I nisunderstood so badly that I went to Wideners and bought a 12 gauge rabbit ears SxS today.
The Democrraps are noting carefully what happened. The frequent recurrence of the complaint in the Declaration of Independence,”He hath sent hither a swarm of officers to eat out our substance” is being noted inside the Beltway.
Now the “clingers” are not just bitter, they are armed and working in unison.
‘Tis enough to give a Democrap a bad case of ‘the vapors’.
;-)
I call BS. The decision was made solely for one reason: political correctness.
The British misread and misunderstood American cultural about 235+ years ago, at Lexington, Concord, Bunker Hill, Trenton and Yorktown.
Same mistake in 1814.
Slow learned these fops be.
Dumb Commie Dems need only look at the shelves in the sporting goods stores nationwide.
Has nothing to do with “hunting” has everything to do with freedom and the 2nd Amendment. It is about defying a despotic central government, like all Americans before us.
Of course Obozo does not have a clue, he is NOT ONE OF US!
How do you say bulls@!t in British English? Poppycock??
It is interesting that a British company decided to insert themselves into this conflict in such a high profile, public way, given the historical events around Britain and gun-grabbing in the former colonies of North America.
Two things are now clear
It ain’t about hunting
And it ain’t about fishing.
NSSF Statement on the Eastern Sports and Outdoor Show
January 24, 2013
We have just learned that Reed Exhibitions has decided to postpone the 2013 Eastern Sports and Outdoor Show.
In the days following Reed Exhibitions’ announcement that modern sporting rifles would be prohibited from the Eastern Sports and Outdoor Show, the leadership of the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) has been in intense, frank discussions with Reed Exhibitions management in an effort to reverse this unacceptable decision. These discussions reached an impasse.
NSSF is in no way affiliated with, nor does it participate in or exhibit at this show in any way. Reed Exhibitions does, however, manage the NSSF-owned SHOT Show (though Reed manages the SHOT Show, all SHOT Show decisions, policies and actions are made at NSSF’s direction).
Because of Reed’s recent actions, NSSF is considering all options regarding the management of future SHOT Shows.
It is clearly obvious that Obama’s strategy is simply to overwhelm our senses by throwing every issue out there. (Turning Texas blue, Gun Control, Immigration, Women in Combat, etc.)
The intent is to throw Conservatives off balance so we run scatter shot into many directions on many issues and never really having a measurable impact on anything.
We need to realize what Obama is doing and not fall for every diversion. Some things we'll have to let go until we regain the Senate and the White House. Obama will certainly win some battles, but we must not let him and the Fascist Left win the war.
It is clearly obvious that Obama’s strategy is simply to overwhelm our senses by throwing every issue out there. (Turning Texas blue, Gun Control, Immigration, Women in Combat, etc.)
The intent is to throw Conservatives off balance so we run scatter shot into many directions on many issues and never really having a measurable impact on anything.
We need to realize what Obama is doing and not fall for every diversion. Some things we'll have to let go until we regain the Senate and the White House. Obama will certainly win some battles, but we must not let him and the Fascist Left win the war.
Contacted groupon today. no more business from me until they “make up their mind” on their ban. they thanked me and will forward my email to the management.
contact groupon !!!!!
“It is unfortunate that...this celebratory event has become overshadowed by a decision that directly affected a small percentage of more than 1,000 exhibits showcasing products and services for those interested in hunting and fishing.
If it's such an infinitesimal proportion of the exhibits that were going to include the guns in question, how would the liberal bed-wetters even have noticed?
The show, which is held in a hideous rambling building originally intended to handle livestock,
It’s still designed to handle livestock. I’ve shown cows there when I was young. It is also used for a number of other events such as the state homeschool convention. Maybe the writer should stick to hanging out in “pretty” buildings.
You answered your own question. To talk about this, they'd have to take time out from all propaganda all the time.
Why is this not covered in the New York Times, ABC, NBC, CBS....
Doesn't fit the agenda, comrade, and second, it wasn't in today's top stories feed from DNC headquarters.
The MSM is a full partner in Gangster Govt Inc.
They’ll never ever report a story that can shed a bad light on The One and his regime.
‘Tis enough to give a Democrap a bad case of ‘the vapors’.
Snort! Keyboard bath! Good thing it was only water!
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