It seems fair to question the logic behind Julie Williams' decision to exclude the Exeter Sportsman's Club from having a booth at the festival as they have in the past. While she did stipulate that if they adhered to a specific theme the decision could be revisited. It just feels like something else is at play here.
It is no secret that the ESC has faced constant resistance from some in Exeter to even exist as a gun club. Many who advocate gun control have spoken out against the ESC and one cannot help but wonder if this is just another less than transparent attempt to exclude them. Were it not for militias made up of citizens bearing arms, the Revolutionary War could have easily gone down as a defeat for a fledgling nation. The ESC is as much a part of the festival as any craft booth. Their exclusion raises doubts as to the motives of those who would exclude them. What do you think?
The Exeter Sportsman's Club should absolutely be invited to and have a presence at the Festival. If there is a petition I will sign it.
ReplyDeleteThere is no rationale for excluding them and their absence sends a chill.
What are the theme guidelines that that the Festival is imposing on ESC? That information would be very interesting to put on the table and discuss.
ReplyDeleteThey were told they did not meet the "craft" theme of the Festival and that the planners wanted cohesion. However, if they were to bring muskets, for example, and discuss their use, that might work, according to Julie Williams.
ReplyDeleteMy opinion is being emailed now to Julie....info@independencemuseum.org
ReplyDeleteKeeping our hard fought independence is a craft indeed and we have to work on it everyday. Thanks Publius.
I wonder about the identities of the "planners" of the American Independence Festival. Who are the planners, what are the guidelines for participation, and why do the planners have the power to exclude the ESP? Our right to bear arms should be included if we are really celebrating America’s Independence. Could we be celebrating something else under the guise of celebrating America’s independence from England? Additionally, could the decision to exclude the Exeter Sportsman's Club from participating be similar to when the Exeter Area Chamber of Commerce bowed out and an associated committee was permitted to take over and change the town's traditional "Christmas Parade" to the all-inclusive but bland anti-Christian "Holiday Parade" ten or fifteen years ago? This happened unbeknownst to many town residents. This change was quite a surprise to me. Possibly this exclusion of the ESP from the celebration is a similar situation. Unless people speak up, more changes of this type will continue to happen. It’s all about who has the power and how that power is used (to what end?).
ReplyDeletePerhaps this new rule/theme instituted by American Independence Festival organizers was not meant to single out ESC but in any case, I believe it was a bad decision. Glad that Festival organizers saw the light and the decision was reversed. Thanks to all who got involved and raised their voices.
ReplyDelete