USA Shooting, which used to be run by the NRA, remains shrouded in controversy—despite winning numerous gold medals at the Games

Following December’s deadly shooting rampage in nearby San Bernardino, the media sought out comment from Rhode, who expressed sorrow for the victims and support for gun rights. Why should that crime have placed her in the spotlight? she asks: “You don’t hear them asking Nascar drivers to comment on crimes involving cars.”

– Three-time gold medalist Kim Rhode

http://www.wsj.com/articles/the-stigmatized-olympians-1460673461

Notes from John Tate

You may find this article interesting. I do; but also tragic as symbolic of national flawed thinking. But as you read it, I offer this thought, the product of some 70 years of observation: attitudes shift. Sometimes with the speed of the wind; sometimes with the speed of glaciers; but always shifting. When I came back from WestPac in 1969, the public hated us; we were all baby killers. Today, a half century later, the public loves us. We are the same, only the public has changed.

On a different note, I want to thank you, Keith Sanderson, and the USAR shooting program for the training aids you publish.

When I began shooting competitively, I was really bad; I could barely make NRA expert. But that was no fault of the Marine and Army shooters, any and all of whom would give me tips to remedy this or that aspect of my failings. Then and now I worship(ed) those men and women & John, you among them! Several characteristics stood/stand out:

Confident gentility. All were/are so poised, so polite. The activity was shooting; but the carriage was one of “I’m cool. I know it; that’s what matters. I don’t need to strut.” (I also find this to be a trait in most of the Marines I worked with.)

Magnanimous patriotism. All were always ready to help us rookies. (Compared to you guys, I still consider myself a rookie.) I always figured one reason, an accurate reason, was that you folks were so far ahead of the rest of us, there was no threat in helping us. It has only come with time that I realize, while that is likely true, the more important reasons are two: (1) you never learn like you do when you teach, so there was/is a self-serving aspect; (2) there was/is a military mindset of TEAM. Not just service personnel, but all shooters are part of a band of brothers (and sisters) who are preserving and advancing an activity that is central to the nation’s survival.

Great info. Thanks!

Not surprisingly, we’re in agreement. I’d add that, sometimes, our fellow gun owners are also opposed and/or ignorant of our great shooting events and competitors. One need look no further than the “competition causes bad habits” and the general lack of awareness of gun owners.

Promotion is a hard, long row to hoe for every activity and organization.