The following is an email I received from a friend on WWP. I have some concerns concerning this subject. I do not believe this will stop me from supporting WWP but it does beg some discussion..
For your Consideration:
Subject::
Wounded Warrior Project rejects gun-owners, gun-dealers,
gun-manufacturers.
<http://gunsnplanes.blogspot.com/2012/11/wounded-warrior-project-rejects-gun.html>
http://gunsnplanes.blogspot.com/2012...jects-gun.html
No, I'm not kidding.
Wounded Warrior Project is taking center stage as
the biggest group of hypocrites this nation has ever seen.
I got an e-mail earlier today from an associate in south-central Texas
about this breaking news, and my first reaction was to pick up the
phone and accuse the e-mailer of being drunk. Since he doesn't drink,
that accusation fell flat.
He was typing as we talked, then he told me to check my in-box. "The
proof is in there," he assured me.
Sure as hell. . .
To briefly set this up, Tom Gresham of Gun Talk invited
Wounded
Warrior Project to be on his show on Veterans Day. What a great way to
raise a lot of money in a short amount of time. Veterans are
patriotic, and for sure gun-owners are. Gun-owners are also generous
when it comes to helping out veterans.
His (Gresham's) invitation was flatly refused.
Thanks to the e-mails being shared openly and publicly with
<http://guns.com/> Guns.com, there is no denying where
Wounded Warrior
Project stands on the issue of guns and gun-owners.
Here is the e-mail exchange between Gresham and the PR chief for
Wounded Warrior Project, along with an explanatory intro by one of
Gresham's staffers.
Again, thank you to Tom Gresham and Gun Talk and Guns.com
<http://guns.com/> for sharing this.
Wounded Warrior Project Email Exchange
by <http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8869473517329839057> Gun
Talk on Tuesday, November 13, 2012 at 10:56am ·
After Sunday's show, we've gotten many emails about Tom's remarks
after WWP declined an interview request on Gun Talk Radio because it's
a firearms-related show. We've also seen the forums that are
suggesting many things that are not true. So, I'm going to lay it all
out right here.
We thought it would be great to book the WWP on the Veteran's Day show
to promote the organization, so I contacted them. I was flabbergasted
when their PR contact, Leslie, sent me an email saying they could not
participate because our show dealt with firearms. Knowing that WWP has
a booth at SHOT show and various gun shows across the US, takes
wounded warriors on hunts and range days, raffles guns and accessories
as fundraisers, etc., their policy didn't make much sense. I forwarded
the email on to Tom to get his take.
-Sarah
The following is the complete email exchange:
====================
Hello, Leslie:
Sarah forwarded me your email after I asked her to invite the
Wounded
Warriors Project to join me on "Tom Gresham's Gun Talk" radio show.
I'm stunned at your email saying that the WWP doesn't participate in
an interview or activity related to firearms. Inasmuch as there are 90
million gun owners and most of them support
wounded veterans, I think
they would be shocked to hear that they are, by way of their hobbies,
somehow not worthy of helping with the
Wounded Warriors Project.
Does your policy apply also to police agencies and the military, since
they are "related to firearms?"
I'm hoping that we have misunderstood your email. Can you confirm that
it is, in fact, an official policy of the
Wounded Warriors Project to
not do interviews with or participate in any activity related to
firearms?
Thank you.
Tom Gresham
============
Good afternoon -
While we appreciate your interest in
Wounded Warrior Project® (WWP)
you are correct that we decline the media opportunity.
Please note the following notice that appears on our website which
also applies to WWP public awareness policy and inquiries from media
outlets:
<http://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/additional-opportunities.aspx>
http://www.woundedwarriorproject.org...rtunities.aspx
WWP does not co-brand, create cause marketing campaigns or receive a
percentage or a portion of proceeds from companies in which the
product or message is sexual, political or religious in nature, or
from alcohol or firearms companies.
Thank you for your inquiry.
LESLIE A. COLEMAN
public relations director
O: 904.405.1433
M: 904.654.8138
F: 904.296.7347
Wounded Warrior Project
4899 Belfort Road, Suite 300
Jacksonville, Florida 32256
====================
Thanks for confirming that, Leslie. It was a simple opportunity to
promote the WWP on a national program in an effort to send donations
your way.
I'll pass along the info that you don't want or need the help of
America's gun owners.
Best regards,
Tom Gresham
=====================
Good morning --
This policy is not a judgment on those who own and use firearms –
clearly every member of our armed forces has been trained in the use
of firearms and then called on to use them in the course of their
service to this country.
Our position regarding firearms and alcohol is in response to the
struggles that many injured service members face with substance abuse
and suicide and the roles those items often play in those issues.
Thank you.
LESLIE A. COLEMAN
public relations director
=============================
Hello, Leslie:
Thank you for that explanation.
I do think -- and I'm being as kind as possible -- that it's the
nuttiest thing I've heard in years. Suicides are not linked to
firearms. Japan has a much higher rate of suicide than does the U.S.,
and they have essentially no firearms. Suicide is a serious issue
irrespective of the methodology used.
This explanation doesn't pass even the most simple "does this make
sense" test.
Your policy does, in fact, brand firearms and the companies which make
them as undesirables, and by association, you are saying that those
who own and use firearms for recreation, hunting, self protection, and
other safe and legal uses are to be avoided.
It's certainly your option to ostracize the firearms industry, the 90
million gun owners in America, and the media which support firearms
safety training.
At this point, I feel an obligation to make sure the millions who
listen to my radio show and watch my two national television series
know about your policy.
I cannot fully express how much I feel you are doing a disservice to
our
wounded veterans, and how disappointed I am to discover this bias
at the
Wounded Warriors Project.
Sincerely,
Tom Gresham
The only gifts my wife and I gave out last year were cards reading, "A
generous donation has been made to
Wounded Warrior Project in your
name. Wishing you a very Merry Christmas and Joyous New Year, J.D. &
Lois Kinman."
You can bet your last dollar we won't be sending those out this year.
We're done with
Wounded Warrior Project.
Hypocrites
Thanks
Ron
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