Gene.....as a more conservatuive, right-leaning, outdoors and hunting enthusiast, I appreciate the tone you set in this article.....well done!

Just as you poke fun at the Daisy ad in front of the window (where was THAT editor!), I need to point out that the pheasants that I have viewed, photographed, and hunted, don't look much like the illustrated bird you id'd as a pheasant......it may be in the same genus/family, just not commonly known as "pheasant".

Thanks for the nostalgic views of the ads, they bring up great memories!

You can't even identify the bird in your pictures correctly, City Boy. Those are not pheasant but bobwhite quail.

And the reason we never saw a downside to guns in years past is that there was no downside then. It's people that have changed, not the guns.

If America does not find its way back to a right morality, we are lost. It happened to Rome, it can happen to us.

Lee Eschen <leeschen@frontiernet.net>

No clearer argument against the substance and validity of the opinions in the article can be presented than the author's own words. "I have never. . .I was 'spared'. . .although I never," etc. Then, how can he possibly speak intelligently about the topic? "Automatic" weapons? Automatic firearms are among the most controlled things in this nation. They are virtually never used in crime. . .autos are--and kill more people each year than guns have in a century. Perhaps we need to ban them as well, or perhaps we should educate, promote responsible actions and utilize existing laws, rather than engage in bizarre knee-jerk statements, actions and bad litigation.

I too have been a voting liberal all my adult life, however, I do not toe a mindless line on all things "liberal," whatever that means. I entered the practice of law to fight for "liberal" values I believe in.

I was raised with an appreciation of the fine art and craft of gunmakers military as well as "sporting," and all the sports that spring from them. I choose to no longer hunt, only because I have no need for the food source. But the shooting sports are a wonderful way to develop poise, and a respect for their potential, as well as a feeling of skill and accomplishment that is part of an important time-honored tradition in this nation as well as the world. Guns have been used for good as much, or more than for bad, as are automobiles and many other things. There is also confidence in being self-sufficient and not a sheep, or victim--to whomsoever may choose to try to oppress or victimize me or mine. This was clearly stated by our nation's founders.

Cigarettes are irrelevant to firearms as an anology. History is replete with peoples in nations that were disarmed to their detriment, if not destruction. Why anyone would choose to follow that helpless path is a mystery to me, particularly in a nation whose founders specifically sought to prevent just that, but even more a mystery is why anyone might feel compelled to drag others into that particular sheep's flock with them.

My liberal cohorts are obsessed with deciding how others should live their lives, just as much as the right wing--only with the right it's our bodies and bedroom practices, and with "us" it's an absolutely paranoid alleged concern for everyone's "safety." It is just as bad, and just and mindlessly biased and unenlightened.

Hello everyone,

I'm pleased that so many of you have taken the time to express your opinions here. A civil discussion that doesn't attack anyone personally is always welcome on the Creativepro site.

Terri Stone, editor in chief

In my family I have 2 brothers and 5 sisters. We range in age from 61 to 46.

My father taught each and everyone of us how to handle a firearm first then shoot it when we were very young. Then when the State of Washington required that kids under 18 pass a test to carry a firearm to hunt, he took my younger brother and myself to the course. Which we both pass easily.

My other brother who is the oldest child in the family, fought in Vietnam. When he retuned he worked for the Secret Service. My younger brother is the City Engineer in the Public Works Dept. for a small city. And I am a Disabled Police Officer.

One of my sisters is a Grade School Teacher. My oldest sister works for the State as a Supervisor with the Department of Social & Health Services

My father served with the Army in WW2, Korea and with the Navy in Vietnam. 4 of my fathers brothers also served in WW2. 2 of my mothers brothers also served in WW2.

And when it comes to hunting everyone in our family (male & female) has hunted. From squirrel to Elk. They were some of the best times we had as a family. As we would spend most of the time playing cards or board games.

And those ads of the children all smiling and happy that they got a new rifle or Daisy BB gun for Christmas. Well their true. Because I've been there. That was the smile on my face and my brothers. And my friends. Oh yea, my friends all had rifles too.

We even took them to school in our cars. And everyone knew we had them in the car. Because they had theirs in their cars. Because as soon as School was out we were all be out in the fields hunting.

And Sir do you know one thing about all of those rifles, pistols, revolvers and shotguns that we had? We never shot anyone with them. It never dawned on use to shoot anyone with them. We never pointed a gun at anyone either.

In closing, it is a shame that a person takes advantage of their position to spout their liberal believes in a column that has nothing to do with their rantings. And if you argue that I am spouting my Conservative rantings, your web site does ask for comments.

Sincerely,

ED

This is a website dedicated to the art and craft of creating effective printed materials. Mr. Gable's value judgements and political commentary have no place here, nor do his cynical, snide remarks about father-son relationships or family values that happen to be outside his apparently narrow experience.

Perhaps in this venue he feels that he is among the like-minded, preaching to the choir, and his dogma will fall on appreciative ears. Perhaps he feels that his opinion is sufficiently disguised as humor that it will pass as amusement.

Not so, Mr. Gable. Not so.

Michael Wade

I think it's important to examine how the imagery we use in our industry reflects society's opinions and attitudes.

Whether you disagree with Gene's personal opinion or not, it's a valid article.

Could the "sniper" ad have been targeted to the military? Obviously a difficult concept to get but a very probable answer.

"Snipers don't hunt deer -- they hide out in school book depositories, clock towers, and the hollowed-out trunks of beat-up Plymouths."

You're are confusing MURDERERs with SNIPERs. Every reference you made was referring to a deranged murderer... not a sniper. By even putting those two words in the same sentence you disrespect every REAL sniper that has worked hard to protect this country so you could make ridiculous comments like that.

"I did find the ad below, fittingly from Winchester, that hinted at the sort of gun violence to come.... But those aren't images you're likely to see in any gun advertising."

You are not likely to see an advertisement from Ford or GM about how cool you'll be driving under the influence and killing people in one of their new vehicles, are you? That scenario happens far more often than gun violence but that's not the intention of the auto makers, it is not controllable by them, nor is it by any stretch of the imagination the normal outcome of driving a vehicle.

The same can be said of firearms. Considering how many guns there are they are rarely misused.

I'ma huge fan of Gene's work, but I think he fell a little short on this one. I'm one of those blue-state liberals as well, but hunting also takes up a considerable part of my free time, even if it is more with a bow than a gun.

Gene's reference to Automatic weapons is a misnomer. I happen to own a SEMI-Automatic Winchester 1200 Autoloading (more appropriate terminology) Shotgun. All that means is that rounds can be fired in succession, one round being fired with each pull of the triggger. This is especially handy when hunting flushing birds or fast-moving rabbits. Fully Automatic weapons (think AK-47s) are illegal in this country, and no self-respecting hunter would even consider using such a weapon in his or her pursuit.

Fact of the matter is, despite what Gene may be trying to portray here, hunting and the shooting sports are safe, family-friendly activities, and they also happen to be on the rise. It's a great way to spend time with your children and family, promote outdoor activities, learn CONSERVATION and build relationships.

Hunting ads like these are a throwback. Yes, hunting is KILLING, it's not harvesting, collecting, or whatever else you want to call it. We put animal heads and skins in our trophy rooms, and we're proud of the heritage we have, those of us that pursue game as we do. We put meat on the table (anyone who huts strictly for trophy has no business in the woods) and sustain and support our families

I think regardless of the subject, though, Gene needs to do a bit more research into something if he's going to take such a defining position. You could shoot holes through some of his arguments with one of those 50's Daisy airguns.

To quote George Washington:

"Firearms stand next in importance to the Constitution itself. They are the American peoples' liberty, teeth and keystone under independence. ...events, occurrences, and tendencies prove that to ensure peace, security, and happiness, the rifle and pistol are indispensible."

To quote Tench Coxe:
"As civil rulers, not having their duty to the people duly before them, may attempt to tyrannize, and as the military forces which must be occasionally raised...might pervert their power to the injury of their fellow citizens, the people are confirmed...in their right to keep and bear their private arms."

One question: Do you trust your federal government to do the right thing? Ever? I rest my case.

Once again an inanimate object is made to blame for people's actions. As a woman, a hunter, and somewhat a liberal (depends on the issue); I take exception to Gene's comments.

I grew up in a hunting family and safety was paramount. I was taught to that to hunt is a right and a privledge to be cherished and not abused. We ate everything we shot and continue to do so today.

I enjoyed the ads as part of our heritage. And support the laws that keep people from suing gun manufactors. Too many people in our society take no responsibility for their actions; it being easier to blame someone else or something else.

Gene, if you don't hunt that is your right as is mine to hunt. Just don't use such a broad brush to paint everyone that does hunt and own guns with a negative brush.

The article would have been just fine if the author had
just given his thoughts on the ads, in the historical
sense, and he should have kept his opinion of firearms
out of the article. I am a hunter, like many others who
responded. There are those out there, in America, who
would love to have all guns banned. If they want to ban
something more deadly than guns, they would have to
ban swimming pools and automobiles. More young people are killed in auto accidents each year, than are
killed with a gun. More young children are drowned each year, in swimming pools, than are killed by guns.
I do not believe the anti-gun people have done their
homework!!!

The right to keep and bear arms SHALL NOT BE INFRINGED

How does this type of commentary fit into a scope of this publication? We come to you to get the latest news, reviews and how to's relating to the creative industry. Not for commentary about some off related controversial subject.

Furthermore, what qualifies this writer to offer his expert opinion on this field?

An interesting article and entirely appropriate on a web site that deals with the commercial use of images to shape public opinion and purchasing habits.

I come to this site for news and info not some polical commentary. Knock it off and get back to the business at hand (Graphic Arts)! Maybe Gene should find another soapbox to stand on where people would care what he thinks.