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RE: [RC] AERC - Jim HollandBruce, this will be my last exchange with you on this issue. However, since you have chosen to take it personal and discuss "records", here are two facts just for the "record". It is difficult to attend a ride when you have two major surgeries, one in each of the last two years. I may have a 50% completion rate, but I have not ridden my horse into metabolic distress to the point where he needed IV treatment, which is more than you can say. Personally, I could care less what you think about my "approach". My "anger and chest thumping" in 2003 resulting in the formation of the Horse Welfare Committee and at least SOME information being released to the membership....at least they got the numbers. I haven't seen ANY results from your tenure on that committee. Looks like my methods work better than yours. I will continue to express my views in whatever way I feel is appropriate. Sounds like I got your attention. Apparently my methods have some merit. :) Jim, Sun of Dimanche+, and Mahada Magic Richard T. "Jim" Holland Three Creeks Farm 175 Hells Hollow Drive Blue Ridge, Ga 30513 (706) 258-2830 www.threecreeksarabians.com Callsign KI4BEN -----Original Message----- From: ridecamp-owner@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:ridecamp-owner@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Bruce Weary Sent: Saturday, September 15, 2007 10:40 AM To: Ridecamp Subject: [RC] AERC Jim-- Please know that all future communications between us will be public. We really could have a civil discussion about horse welfare, and possibly even help make some progress in that vein, but if you really want to help make meaningful changes, you simply must change your strategy in how you communicate. I know that you are intelligent. I know that you truly care about horses.Several people have emailed me privately about valuable things they have learned from you and your website regarding horse training. I think I know that you feel there are horse abusers out there who are going unpunished, and would like to see mechanisms put in place to change that. I get it. I really do. But people receive your message and evaluate it more by how it is delivered as much or more than what you are actually saying. Your anger and chest thumping turns people off. Think about it. Can you think of someone else you know who does the same thing on some other social issue, and did you support them because of their angry, desk-pounding, expletive filled tirades? Just please take a moment and really absorb that question. It doesn't work for *anybody,* and ironically, it puts your goals further out of reach. There is grave concern at higher levels in AERC that threats of public punishment and humiliation intended for a very few abusers actually has the opposite effect of causing large numbers of riders avoiding necessary treatment at rides, and there could cause even greater carnage as a result. We are currently encouraging our members to relieve themselves of the stigma associated with treatment at a ride, and confidently do what is best for their horse. This may also offend you, but it's not intended to. I know you are proud of your past, but your continual reference to being an ex-Marine is immaterial. I support our military, and I am thankful for what you did for our country when you were in the service. But, you aren't in the service anymore. You had an experience once as a Marine and now you are something else. I realize there is a tradition amongst military men, Marines especially, that "once a Marine, always a Marine." But that is good for reunions and memories and feeling that you served a purpose. That's all good, but it doesn't help in the day to day runnings of a small amateur hobby sport. We have a VA hospital here and there are plenty of ex-military people in town, and in my practice. Many of them are fine people, some are tragically troubled by drug addiction, mental health problems, and PTSD, among other things. And a few just aren't worth a damn as people. The fact that they *used* to be a Marine isn't enough to redeem them. Now, you would also be more credible if you wrote a check for a ride entry and supported AERC and it's programs, which cost money, including horse welfare. This is something you haven't done for two years. Your ride season before that shows a 50% completion rate. Though I'm certain you have an explanation that suits you for all that, it harms your credibility, and it won't suit others, no matter how mad you get, or how many excuses you give. If you can't do it with me, then contact another member of the HWC personally and privately, and let them know in calm, clear terms what your goals and agenda really are. Remember how you feel when you think things are being kept from you? That's how others feel when you are cryptic and not straight forward about what you actual concerns and goals are. You can't blame them for that, when you feel the same way. I write this today because I care about horses, and I know there is a churning desire in you to help in a way that is meaningful to you. If we can just harness that, and point it in the right direction, we could do some great things. Be patient, though. Even under the best circumstances, the wheels turn slowly. Thank you for your attention. Bruce =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Ridecamp is a service of Endurance Net, http://www.endurance.net. 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