KTVQ in Billings, MT, requests comments from ToTV members about the Morse case

[tony]

We are posting a news story about the charges against the Morse's with permission of KTVQ in Billings, MT.

The television station has asked for your comments on this case.

Please post your comments here in response to this thread.




Copyright KTVQ, Billings, MT, 2010



Executive with The Villages charged in Montana poaching case
Posted: Nov 4, 2010 11:27 AM by Q2 News
Updated: Nov 4, 2010 1:17 PM


BILLINGS - Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks has charged 8 people including a top executive in a Florida retirement community with multiple poaching violations.

The charges stem from a four year investigation involving several counties and multiple agencies.

FWP public information officer Bob Gibson offered the following release and details of the investigation.

Six Florida residents, some of whom own ranches in Montana, have been charged with 18 wildlife violations, including felony crimes, committed during the past four years in Yellowstone and Big Horn counties.

In addition, felony and misdemeanor charges were filed against a Billings-area man and a Utah hunting outfitter accused of aiding the Florida residents in commission of wildlife violations.

The Montana Attorney General's office filed the charges in Billings, Hardin and Helena starting in mid-October.

The defendants are Mark Gary Morse and his wife, MLissa Marie Morse, of The Villages, Fla.; their daughter, Kelsea Louise Morse; James "Ike" Rainey, Lenard Lee Powell and Richard E. Staton of Wildwood, Fla.; Toby Lee Griffith of Billings and David L. Duncan of Huntsville, Utah.

Mark Morse owns the M Square Ranch in the Pine Ridge area of Yellowstone and Big Horn counties southeast of Pompeys Pillar. Morse and Rainey jointly own the Wolf Mountain Ranch east of Hardin in Big Horn and Rosebud counties.

Mark Morse is president and chief operating officer of The Villages, a massive retirement community 45 miles northwest of Orlando, Fla.

Rainey owns Rainey Construction Co., which does work in The Villages. Powell is listed as president of LPI Curb Service, a concrete construction company that does work in The Villages.

Staton is a former Wolf Mountain Ranch employee.

Griffith is an employee of the M Square Ranch.

Duncan is licensed as a hunting outfitter in Montana.

His licensing records with the Montana Board of Outfitters list his address as Cut Bank, Mont.

Mark Morse is charged with:
• Possessing a trophy mule deer buck in 2006 that was killed in Big Horn County in violation of conditions of an outfitter-sponsored license.
• Helping Rainey with an elk hunt in Big Horn County in September 2008 when neither Morse nor Rainey had an elk license valid in that area.
• Possessing three mule deer bucks in Big Horn County in November 2008 for which there were not proper tags.
• Possession of a bull elk taken in 2006 in Yellowstone County in violation of conditions of an outfitter-sponsored license.
• Killing a bull elk in Yellowstone County in 2007 when he did not have a valid Montana elk license.
• Helping his daughter, Kelsea Morse, kill a wild turkey, for which neither had a license, in the spring of 2007.
• Helping his daughter hunt, shoot and track a bull elk, for which neither had a valid license, in 2008 in Yellowstone County.

All of the charges against Mark Morse of killing or illegally possessing elk and deer are felonies because the animals were classified as trophies or their value exceeded $1,000.

The combined maximum penalties for the charges against Mark Morse total $203,000 in fines, 21.5 years in prison and loss of Montana hunting and fishing privileges.

Rainey is charged with:
• Hunting elk in Big Horn County without a license in September 2008, a misdemeanor.
• Possession of two bull elk and four mule deer killed on two consecutive days in November 2008 in Big Horn County and for which Rainey did not have legal licenses. Because the value of the animals exceeds $1,000, Rainey is charged with a felony.
• Two misdemeanor charges of waste of game in Big Horn County in September 2009. Rainey is accused of killing two elk, then removing only the head from one elk and allowing the meat from both carcasses to rot.

The combined maximum penalties for the charges against Rainey total $53,000 in fines, 6.5 years in prison and loss of Montana hunting and fishing privileges.

MLissa Morse is charged with killing a mule deer buck in Big Horn County in November 2008 without a license. Maximum penalty for the misdemeanor is a $1,000 fine, six months in jail and loss of Montana hunting and fishing privileges.

Kelsea Morris is charged with wounding a bull elk with an arrow in 2008 and killing a turkey in 2007, both on the M Square Ranch, when she had valid Montana licenses to hunt neither. Total possible penalties for the two crimes include a year in jail, $2,000 in fines and loss of Montana hunting and fishing privileges.

Griffith is charged with felony possession of a buck deer and bull elk that were killed by Mark Morse in 2006 in violation of Montana law dealing with outfitter-sponsored licenses. The law requires that the license be used only in the presence of the outfitter and the charges contend that the outfitter, David Duncan, was not present when the animals were killed.

Griffith also is charged with putting his tag on a bull elk shot by Mark Morse in 2007.

Total possible penalties for Griffith include $51,000 in fines, 5.5 years in prison and loss of Montana hunting and fishing privileges.

Duncan is charged in Lewis and Clark County with two felony counts of tampering with public records and a misdemeanor count of purchasing a Montana resident hunting license while he was a resident of Utah. The charges accuse him of buying Montana resident licenses in Helena using his parents' Cut Bank address, though he has lived in Utah since 1998. The felony charges accuse Duncan of falsifying required outfitter license documents, applications for hunting licenses and client logs.

Total penalties for Duncan could include $101,000 in fines, 20.5 years in prison and loss of Montana hunting and fishing privileges.

Powell is accused of illegal possession of two bull elk and four mule deer killed in Big Horn County in November 2008. The combined value of the animals exceeds $1,000 so Powell is charged with a felony. The crime carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison, a $50,000 fine and loss of Montana hunting and fishing privileges.

Staton is charged with two misdemeanors in Big Horn County and one misdemeanor in Yellowstone County in November 2008. He is accused of using his licenses to tag a deer and an elk that he did not kill. And he is accused of possessing a mule deer that was illegally killed in South Dakota. Each charge carries a maximum penalty of six months in jail and a $1,000 fine.

Additional charges are pending against 10 other people identified during the investigation.

[bike42]

The television station has asked for your comments on this case.


Really? Of what possible value could our comments be in the interests of fairness and justice?

[Larryandlinda]

Really? Of what possible value could our comments be in the interests of fairness and justice?

the comments would serve the same value as the entire 'Morse to Prison?"
thread on TOTV, or for that matter about as much value as
most of the 48 hours, reality TV, MSNBC predator and Prison shows, DATELINE, and most similar garbage we saw in the days when we had a working Television

With the advent of these keyboards and screens, we're engaged in 'Tabloid Typing"


L and L

[ladylake1]

What type of comments are they looking for? My comment is no comment. Not sure this is an appropriate request IMHO.

[salpal]

I agree with you, it is NOT proper for any of us to comment, you know they are just looking for some kind of dirt to put on the television. With all the nasty political ads recently and disgusting reality shows, I think we should refuse to fuel more of this type of media.

[rhsgypsylady]

In reference to Tony's below post of the story about charges against the Morse's in Billings, MT, I offer this.

After reading the post and adding up all the potential fines and prison time for all involved (not counting the unknamed 10) - here's the outcome:

$462,000 in fines and 61 prison years. Interesting observation. Just think how much good use could come to this country with that money - food banks, abuse shelters, education, clothes & shoes for kids whose parents can't afford them, medical expenses for those who can't afford the care, etc. What a waste.

And the 61 years of prison time could be used for community service areas where these is no budget or money to afford necessities - maintaining city parks, cleaning up litter across highways, working in food banks, etc. There is never enough volunteers.

I'm not saying this money would cure the problems of this country, nor would it even put a dent. However, helping a few is much better than helping no one. And as for the prison time being spent on community service - that's way better than the taxpayers paying to house/feed the offenders in prison for 61 years. Our taxes could go to better use.

That's my comment. And before anybody jumps on it, this is just my input and my opinion - right or wrong. I'm not taking sides with anyone; I'm not saying anyone is guilty or not guilty; I'm not saying who should be fined, how much, if at all, or or who should be given prison time, how much, or if at all. I'm only making an observation of where money and time of this kind could be put to valuable uses. And not just in this particular case but in many cases that involve fines and/or prison time.

[MelZ]

At this time they are only charged with a crime, until convicted by a Jury I see not point in commenting.

[mokey]

These dates for offenses are so old, how come they are now just now charging them???
Again these are just charges.

[l2ridehd]

I will comment. KTVQ is trying to do what every other garbage media tries to do. Convict someone in the public view before they get to court. I will support their right to a fair trail and not convict them in the press before a trial happens. Need to identify their advertisers and boycott them. Make them feel it in their revenue and just maybe they will stop such tactics,

[The Shadow]

I am all for talking over the back fence (I know we do not have fences it’s a term) but I have nothing to say to KTVQ till after the trial if then. Thanks for asking.

[JenAjd]

It all comes down to gossip. We weren't "there"...we don't know what actually happened and truthfully it's none of our business! It doesn't affect our day to day lives and it's not appropriate as some have already stated here. I don't know the man or his family and it's not appropriate to express an opinion even on this subject.

[chuckster]

[QUOTE=tony;305623]We are posting a news story about the charges against the Morse's with permission of KTVQ in Billings, MT.

The television station has asked for your comments on this case.

Please post your comments here in response to this thread.


It's your board and obviously can post what you want. I personally will not participate in a public lynching prior to a fair hearing. Even then I won't join in the mob hysteria. In other words "No Comment" regarding the charges.

[joannej]

I wonder if the authorities were tipped off by a Morse-disgruntled employee, and I wonder too how the hunting authorities got this information about the Morse's hunting habits. You think something should have been said to the Morse family when all of this started.

[duffysmom]

I have zero respect for the news media in this country. That's my comment and you may use it.:girlneener:

[dgammon6]

No comment

[beady]

Why is this even being discussed........
Who are we to comment on a story that has absolutely nothing to do with us.....ludicrious.

[Ajack]

Why is this even being discussed........
Who are we to comment on a story that has absolutely nothing to do with us.....ludicrious.

:agree:


No Comment

[Tweety Bird]

If I had a comment, I'd keep it to myself. I'm retired to have a good time not to participate in nasty gossip, whether true or untrue. This is really nasty stuff. Disgusting, actually. If the family actually did this, I question their ethics. Ugh. :sigh:

[bkcunningham1]

You guys are tougher on the Morses than people were on Tiger Woods in a previous thread and Tiger wrecked a marriage with two children and ruined lives. The Morses were hunting without a license. I hope I never have to be judged by a jury of my TOTV peers. Tried and convicted before I could even enter a plea.
Jealousy is a terrible thing.

OH THIS IS OFF THE RECORD.

[Larry Wilson]

I have nothing but respect for the Wildlife and Game management of Montana.
Please don't think the posters here speak for all the Villagers. At golf today and cards tonight, people were very upset with the Morse family and not just about these charges. My friends have been here since the late 1990s and are not happy with our developer at all. They really wonder about his character. I think the other thread on Morse and these charges is more accurate of most Villagers. But since I know how under staffed Wildlife management is in Montana and how little enforcement power they have, my hat is off to them.

[elevatorman]

I hope they are innocent. If not I hope any fines go to charity.

[LELANDJANE]

I'm very disappointed that the administrator of this site would post this kind of request. Of course, there are all always people out there who are willing to comment in a negative way to a story of which none of us have any real information except what was published in a newspaper and I think all of us can agree that we hardly ever get the entire story! Just wait and see what happens, please, before passing judgement.

[redwitch]

Regardless of how I feel about the Morses, it is not the place of any Villager to make comments to a Montana news media about crimes against the State of Montana. We don't know enough to comment, regardless of what we think we know, regardless of what we feel.

I'm with those here who feel this is nothing but an attempt to smear the Morses there. Surely a local station can get comments from locals in ITS area. (Now, those are comments I would like to see -- how do the citizens of Montana feel about all of this?)

[bkcunningham1]

Regardless of how I feel about the Morses, it is not the place of any Villager to make comments to a Montana news media about crimes against the State of Montana. We don't know enough to comment, regardless of what we think we know, regardless of what we feel.

I'm with those here who feel this is nothing but an attempt to smear the Morses there. Surely a local station can get comments from locals in ITS area. (Now, those are comments I would like to see -- how do the citizens of Montana feel about all of this?)

No offense to anyone involved in this project. I don't know the details of what you plan to do with the comments here. But I suppose much has changed since my long career in journalism which ended just a very few short years ago.

Any, and every, editor I've worked with would never allow a story based off of comments made on an Internet forum unless the writer contacted the people who made the comments. Just goes to show the level and credibility of journalism we are reading these days.

THIS IS ALSO OFF THE RECORD.

[Ajack]

If I had a comment, I'd keep it to myself. I'm retired to have a good time not to participate in nasty gossip, whether true or untrue. This is really nasty stuff. Disgusting, actually. If the family actually did this, I question their ethics. Ugh. :sigh:

:a20:

[billethkid]

looking for info.
Of course Mark Morse has so many friends in TV at our level...:1rotfl:
Of course if we were friends of his at this level we would be quick to respond to some sensationalistic station...hard up enough to solicit a forum..:1rotfl::1rotfl:

As much as I have very little respect for the media and it's tactics....this request makes me feel better about the others:what:

Here is my input for the requestors....barfbarf

btk

[Rag Bagger]

Do you all really think KTVQ is requesting our comments? Looks like some other agenda to me.

[golfnut]

I too am disappointed that an administrator on this site would start this thread, that's my comment...gn

[beartrack]

We should all be honored that a member of the elite media, namely that giant of truth and the American way, KTVQ in Billings Montana, has the confidence in all of us to ask for a comment. Well, I know that it will take courage but, here goes: " NUTS " and as for Tony, please, " don't shoot the messenger "

[Bryan]

I do have a comment. I am appalled - at the Great State of Montana! Why does that state, with multiple agencies involved (as the news story states) take four - count em, FOUR - years to bring charges in a poaching case? Note that all they have done so far is bring charges - not even close to resolving the case. Is the state government so under worked and under utilized that they can afford to spend four years investigating this drivel? Or do they have so few resources that it takes four years to 'investigate' something like this?

My personal opinion of the Morse family isn't important - what is important is that, in this country, you are considered innocent until proven guilty. Any comments on their actions in this case would be premature as they have not been proven guilty of anything.

[graciegirl]

Regardless of how I feel about the Morses, it is not the place of any Villager to make comments to a Montana news media about crimes against the State of Montana. We don't know enough to comment, regardless of what we think we know, regardless of what we feel.

I'm with those here who feel this is nothing but an attempt to smear the Morses there. Surely a local station can get comments from locals in ITS area. (Now, those are comments I would like to see -- how do the citizens of Montana feel about all of this?)

Red. You are a good person.

[Barefoot]

I too am disappointed that an administrator on this site would start this thread, that's my comment...gn

Tony, the Admin, was merely stating a request from a media outlet. Please Don't shoot the messenger. This thread could be ignored by those who find it distasteful.

[Bonny]

I too am disappointed that an administrator on this site would start this thread, that's my comment...gn

I agree. We don't know anything about this to be making comments. The fact that it's in the paper, means nothing.

[Sally Jo]

You can bet that the only comments that are reported will be the negative ones. They are'nt interested in anything else.

[bkcunningham1]

Maybe a poll of some sort established by the news media making the initial request would work. I dunno. I'd be interested in knowing how they plan to use the comments they requested from Tony's original request.

[jflynn1]

It is obvious that the citizens of Montana are taking this
issue very seriously. They take the protection of their wildlife and land very seriously

Hopefully these charges will be prosecuted agressively to protect the rules and regulations in Montana that protect and preserve the wildlife. Unfortunately I am sure politics will enter the picture and if they did commit these vial acts ,the individuals charged will not have to face the same penalties as the ordinary citizen.

It is interesting to note that one of the individuals charged always brags about his protection of conservation lands in The Villages. I guess it is OK if he takes a different position in another state with thier wildlife and beautiful
land.

I am sure there is more to the story, however after viewing the news video showing the animals in the wild (the type that were killed) , it is very disturbing that anyone could kill these animals for trophy purposes.

This action really makes you wonder exactly what type of people would do this.

[Qballgreg]

I don't know the Morse's, but I do know the media...you will not see the tone of replies from TV in any news story they do...this is a witch hunt in hopes of finding someone with a vendetta against the Morse family. There is a reason the reporter is in Billings, Montana...one of the smallest markets in the U.S....and it's not his/her expertise in journalism...

[Larry Wilson]

Good post jflynnl. If someone from Montana had come to the Villages in 2006 and cut the heads off the Buffaloes for trophy heads and left their bodies to rot in the fields,:shocked: I bet the Villagers would of been shocked and all upset. The atitude of as long as it didn't happen here and we aren't affected why should we care... is evident in some people's posts.

[Ajack]

Please don't hang anybody yet. Everybody is innocent, until PROVEN guilty.

[Pturner]

I have no comments for KTVQ, but I certainly don't fault the TOTV admins for telling us that KTVQ requested comments.

[JUREK]

i have no comments for ktvq, but i certainly don't fault the totv admins for telling us that ktvq requested comments.

no comment

[Barefoot]

Perhaps KTVQ, rather than looking for individual reactions, is just looking for a group consensus from a resident standpoint, i.e., residents are withholding judgement until the issues are explored in court", or "residents are upset and outraged at the charges and a mob mentality prevails".

I think the consensus so far is "innocent until proven guilty in a court of law".

Still, it is a smelly situation. :yuck:

[chuckster]

Until the last sentence I was in agreement with you.

imho, sounds like a judgement was just passed by bare ............

[Talk Host]

Until the last sentence I was in agreement with you.

imho, sounds like a judgement was just passed by bare ............

I think we all agree that we shouldn't jump to judgment about the Morse case. I wonder why so many jumped to judgment that KTQV was going to use our comments in a negative way.

The request we got from the news director there was very professional, very upbeat and completely sincere. We didn't prejudge them and we ended up in the soup too.

Oh well, such is life in the vortex of public opinion.

JLK

[Rag Bagger]

Show us the request. If it's real.

Why would a viewer in Billings give a hang about our comments? Seems like a cooked up request with another agenda. JMO I have no facts.

If TA doesn't care for my comments just remove me from the site.

[Larryandlinda]

Until the last sentence I was in agreement with you.

imho, sounds like a judgement was just passed by bare ............

We're seeing it the same way as TH and many more, Chuck......
you're very own posting is a 'judgement' that may have been a tad unwarranted?

Smelly...
could apply to
The alleged infractions by the hunting party members,
The Station's protocol in their investigative reporting, or the actions of a number of TOTV posters. For that matter, smelly could be some of the 'fast judgements' by others of others' judgements and comments.

TH and others have decades in the media on the other side of the mic and lens.

Sometimes come of the sensationalism and gossip can help sell papers and air.
It can even help boost the hits on TOTV, and we even admit ourselves that Tony's posting might have been 'good for the ratings' Instead of calling that out ourselves in a knee jerk manner, we waited to see that it appears to be news of note - and we can make the decision to complain, moan, or address it as most have done

Television and radio have an off knob, your keyboard has a delete.
One thing good, we can stroll the town squares and be assured that WVLG will be airing pleasing oldies instead of chatter,

L and L

[Talk Host]

Show us the request. If it's real.

Why would a viewer in Billings give a hang about our comments? Seems like a cooked up request with another agenda. JMO I have no facts.

If TA doesn't care for my comments just remove me from the site.

I guess you're saying that we are lying about the request. I have no idea what makes you think that, but I respect your right to think what you want.

However, it's a huge insult to the administrators of this board.

[tony]

I would never show Rag ****** nor anyone else private email from KTVQ. It was a sincere request from the news department.

It started as my asking permission to republish the article to save our members from having to go to a link which may or may not stay up in the future. Remember? We all need permission to republish another's work. I mention it constantly.

The station's new director asked that in return we seek members who would comment for its news. That is a quite common request during many news stories. You have seen it a thousand times whether you know it or not.

Now what are we showing to Billings and most of Montana? Rag ****** is an uncivil poster. I don't think I ever saw anyone here accuse anyone else of lying. It is completely uncivil. It could have been handled entirely differently or it could have been questioned in Private Messages. If Rag ****** publicly accused another member of lying I would ban him in a second. We have asked in the past for members to keep it civil in all sections of the forum. My guess is that Rag ****** will get his request.

I will wait until he has a chance to read this before I escort him to the door.

[blaZen]

Poaching is a way of life in the Deep South.:police:

[Talk Host]

Poaching is a way of life in the Deep South.:police:

It isn't in Montana. Elk hunting is a cherished commodity. Licenses are issued on a lottery basis and the winners pay over $10,000 for the privilege of winning. The wild game herd there is cherished and protected like very few other states.

I have friends who apply each year, but are selected only occasionally. I think maybe 2 or 3 times in the past 15 years. So, when anybody circumvents the law, it's taken reallllllllly seriously.

JLK

[jjdees]

TH, the media has crafted it's own reputation of having an agenda, thus very many people look upon the media as diggers of dirt rather than news. A good example is Dan Rather who created his own dirt with false records on GWB and the AP who sent dozens of investigators to Alaska to dig up dirt on Palin. That's not what we look to our news sources to provide.

As far as the Morse story, why did the authorities wait 4 years to bring charges? It's not like a long trail of intrigue that required a lot of research. If they had the info on the transgressions in 2006, 2007, 2008, why the wait to press charges? If they didn't have the info where did they get it?

How did they know that Morse possessed a mule deer in '06? If they found out back then, why the wait? The same goes for how they gained knowledge of a switched tag, wounding an animal with an arrow, possession of other animals, illegal hunts, etc. It sounds like there was a whistle blower in the background or maybe with the hunting party. If so, I would hope it's a valid charge, not one that's driven by some other agenda against a high profile person.

[redwitch]

Tony and Jan -- Maybe you could contact KTVQ and get permission to post the email or at least portions of it. I will admit I was pretty curious as to how a Montana television station had heard of TOTV. It's nice to know it was innocent rather than an active search to get Florida viewpoints and help hang the Morses in Montana. It sounds like a lot of the problem is you Admins had a few more facts than we readers did and understood this was a very reasonable request. We reacted on our knowledge and viewpoint of today's newscasters with a lot of suspicion and resentment at the idea they would use our comments to increase their ratings -- especially since we believed they would only use the comments that furthered their agenda.

So, here's a suggestion -- how about seeing if you can post KTVQ's request in a new thread and let us decide if we want to respond to what is probably a much more innocent question than we had initially assumed?

[jtdraig]

To the Media...here's my comment: barf

We shouldn't be making comments, period.

[Pturner]

It seems ironic. Most (appropriately, I think) said don't jump to conclusion about Mark Morse. Yet so many are jumping to conclusions about KTVQ; and some even seem suspicious about TOTV admins' explanations of KTVQ's request.

As a former journalist, I too am appalled by the lack of journalistic standards applied by much of the mainstream media (yes, even including the mainstream network that claims not to be, and that points an accusatory finger at the hen house). I've said often that I cannot even imagine what they teach in journalism school anymore.

And yet, I don't have enough information to jump to conclusion about KTVQ's motives.


I am not familiar with KTVQ and have no evidence of skullduggery on its part.
Requests for comment from people whose lives are impacted by newsmakers is common, and not by itself evidence of an impending hatchet job. As Bare stated well in an earlier post, KTVQ could just be looking for group sentiment from people who live in Morse's development. Or not. But jumping to conclusion and rushing to judgment is part of what we have come to distrust about the media, isn't it? Why emulate them?
KTVQ quite legally could have just pulled comments off of this public board without seeking our permission. Instead the news director appears to have taken the high road in asking.

I'm not defending KTVQ, just appealing to the same sense of fair play we use to depend upon from news media. That doesn't mean offering comments for KTVQ. To me, it does mean not blasting them in a public forum for something they haven't done. As for dissing the TOTV admins, I don't get it. What have they done to deserve our distrust?

[Pturner]

Poaching is a way of life in the Deep South.:police:

You base this slur on what?

[redwitch]

pt -- You're right. We really did jump to some pretty nasty conclusions about KTVQ and some of us about the admins. My apologies to the TV station, but I'm still leery and still wonder what possible interest Montana could have in any Floridian's opinion on this issue.

[Barefoot]

Quote from Pturner "As for dissing the TOTV admins, I don't get it. What have they done to deserve our distrust?[/QUOTE]

Good question. In my opinion, the Admins have done absolutely nothing to deserve our animosity.

[islandgal]

Bare, I am with you.
It seems to me that those of us who were on board TOTV in the beginning still remain civil, informative and pleasant.
As the number of members has grown, so unfortunately has the animosity in some instances.

[Ajack]

I don't think it is the general public's fault for the media distrust expressed everywhere. From television to magazines to newspapers, etc. we are bombarded with slanted news daily. Now a days, people question all news and all sources. TOTV is just a victim of the times. Even though this forum is privately funded, people regard it as a cousin of the media?

[Talk Host]

I don't think it is the general public's fault for the media distrust expressed everywhere. From television to magazines to newspapers, etc. we are bombarded with slanted news daily. Now a days, people question all news and all sources. TOTV is just a victim of the times. Even though this forum is privately funded, people regard it as a cousin of the media?

Once again, we have never given you anything but a free hand to post here. TOTV is an exact reflection of its members. You are the ones who frame it. You post here, you make the comments, you make the news, you report the news, you give the opinions. We simply own the software and try to keep the peace.

[Talk Host]

Originally Posted by redwitch View Post
pt I'm still leery and still wonder what possible interest Montana could have in any Floridian's opinion on this issue.



It is logical for locals to want to know more about a person who is charged with crimes that affect them. In Montana, the game herd and hunting is one of the main industries. It is a precious commodity to that state and it is protected vigorously.

If one of Montana's giants of industry was charged with numerous felonies for poaching the Buffalo that had been located in the Villages, Villagers would be outraged. The media, including the Daily Sun would seek comment from people in Montana to gain some knowledge of this individual. We would want to know more about this person. Who is he? Is he known locally for doing this kind of thing? Has he done it before? Did it come as a surprise to the people who know him?

When I was still working in the broadcast news business, my company flew me all over the world, from South America to Siberia and every place in between to get local flavor and comments on news events. It's the normal news gathering process. The "Today Show," Good Morning America" and all of the news programs you watch, send their reporters to every place in the world to bring the news to you. It is not "all" slanted. That's an unfair generalization.

When the news director of this television station did what any other journalist would do, and asked us if we would seek comments from our members, I can't imagine our response having been, "No we won't do that."
Most distrust of the media comes when they report a story that goes against ones political philosophy. Left accuses right and right accuses left of slanted reporting.

Once again, I'll say that it saddens me.....really saddens me.....to think that some of our members believe that we concocted this request for some nefarious reason. We have never done anything to any of you that would demonstrate our intentions to deliberately cause distrust or discontent.

We are not liars. Those who think we are liars are wrong and perhaps are posting on the wrong forum. There are a few who took great pleasure in using the opportunity to undermine us. All we have ever done is tried to provide you with a "FREE" place for all of you to talk, discuss, enjoy and get to know each other. Spirited discussion is welcome, but attempts to falsely accuse us or anybody in an unwarranted barrage are not welcome.

Some of the harshest criticism of us came from members who have used this forum to foster their own private business behind the scenes. Every week private messages are forwarded to us from people who have received solicitations of services from other members. That is stealing our services. We have looked the other way and allowed this to go on. A few people conduct their entire business on our Private Message service. Now they are thanking us by publicly criticizing us unfairly.

One member has been stealing our advertising services for several years. He even graduated to posting his services in the open forums. He has made thousands and thousands of dollars using our forum behind the scenes. When I asked him to sop, he send me an email telling me I was greedy. "Greedy indeed."

We try hard to make this a good place to be, we are sorry that some enjoy making it seem otherwise. Regardless of what some may falsely believe about us, we will continue to maintain a high standard, and the administrators will stay in control of Talk of the Villages. We have over 15,000 members and we will not allow a few to plant the seed of discontent and ruin it for everybody else.

JLK

[BillyBoy]

I hope in their description of the Morse family the news people include some aspect of the family's accomplishments in developing The Villages -and- their generosity in donating schools, etc. to our community.

Just a thought: People with big bucks tend to delegate responsibility to handle day-to-day stuff. I wonder if the local help and/or 'outfitters' may have dropped the ball.

I can imagine Morse family being somewhat 'spoiled' -- but they are sports-minded and inclined (I'd bet) to follow the sporting rules and etiquette.

BillyBoy
(new member)

[Pturner]

I don't think it is the general public's fault for the media distrust expressed everywhere. From television to magazines to newspapers, etc. we are bombarded with slanted news daily. Now a days, people question all news and all sources. TOTV is just a victim of the times. Even though this forum is privately funded, people regard it as a cousin of the media?

There are differences among healthy skepticism, outright prejudiced (don't confuse me with new input that doesn't fit my world view) and willful ignorance. For example...

Healthy skepticism: "Now a days, people question all news and all sources"
Outright prejudice: "TOTV is just a victim of the times"
Willful ignorance: "Even though this forum is privately funded, people regard it as a cousin of the media".

Gee, I hope a distant cousin of mine never robs a train!

[Coconuts]

There are differences among healthy skepticism, outright prejudiced (don't confuse me with new input that doesn't fit my world view) and willful ignorance. For example...

Healthy skepticism: "Now a days, people question all news and all sources"
Outright prejudice: "TOTV is just a victim of the times"
Willful ignorance: "Even though this forum is privately funded, people regard it as a cousin of the media".

Gee, I hope a distant cousin of mine never robs a train!
It says you posted this at 2:09 and I'm reading it at 1:17. Someone didn't fix their clock? You? Me? Them?????:oops:Now yours says 1:09. Something changed.

[eweissenbach]

I am constantly amused and baffled by the "slanted news" crowd. IMO they have allowed people who have an adjenda, which has not been sufficiently supported by the press, convince them that journalists have a hidden adjenda. Most journalists report the news and try to get the complete story, no matter where the blame falls. No matter who is in power, they are after the story with ferver. Now there are places that have a clear adjenda, such as Fox News on the right and MSNBC on the left, but many advocates of each of those outlets swear that they offer the only forum for the truth. This will all be sorted out in the courts, but the news media will do what they can to shed light on a story that clearly interests their audience. I wish the justice department of Montana, the Morses, and KTVQ all the best of luck that the truth falls on their side.

[Villager Since April 2009]

I would never show Rag ****** nor anyone else private email from KTVQ. It was a sincere request from the news department.

It started as my asking permission to republish the article to save our members from having to go to a link which may or may not stay up in the future. Remember? We all need permission to republish another's work. I mention it constantly.

The station's new director asked that in return we seek members who would comment for its news. That is a quite common request during many news stories. You have seen it a thousand times whether you know it or not.

Now what are we showing to Billings and most of Montana? Rag ****** is an uncivil poster. I don't think I ever saw anyone here accuse anyone else of lying. It is completely uncivil. It could have been handled entirely differently or it could have been questioned in Private Messages. If Rag ****** publicly accused another member of lying I would ban him in a second. We have asked in the past for members to keep it civil in all sections of the forum. My guess is that Rag ****** will get his request.

I will wait until he has a chance to read this before I escort him to the door.I didn't interpret Rag ******'s post as accusing you of lying. He is a valued member of this forum and I would hate to see him leave.

[Barefoot]

I didn't interpret Rag ******'s post as accusing you of lying. He is a valued member of this forum and I would hate to see him leave.

Rag ****** said "Seems like a cooked up request with another agenda." It seems clear to me that he is demeaning the integrity of the Admins.

[chuckinca]

My 2 cents:

Doesn't say who is making the "cooked up request" (Montana or admins)

Doesn't say whose "agenda" (Montana or admins)

Innocent until proven guilty - just got off three weeks of jury duty.


.

[Mt gal]

TV residents should not be surprised if PETA members respond to these allegations.

It is obvious that the citizens of Montana are taking this
issue very seriously. They take the protection of their wildlife and land very seriously

Hopefully these charges will be prosecuted agressively to protect the rules and regulations in Montana that protect and preserve the wildlife. Unfortunately I am sure politics will enter the picture and if they did commit these vial acts ,the individuals charged will not have to face the same penalties as the ordinary citizen.

It is interesting to note that one of the individuals charged always brags about his protection of conservation lands in The Villages. I guess it is OK if he takes a different position in another state with thier wildlife and beautiful
land.

I am sure there is more to the story, however after viewing the news video showing the animals in the wild (the type that were killed) , it is very disturbing that anyone could kill these animals for trophy purposes.

This action really makes you wonder exactly what type of people would do this.

[redwitch]

Jan, I'm really hoping that your copying part of a quote by me was not meant that you thought I doubted you or any of the admins about the request. I did and do understand you were simply relaying a request that you felt was okay. The problem is that too many of us just don't trust today's media.

I'm still not sure what relevance our opinion would have to anyone in Montana (and I really wouldn't care what someone in Montana thought of an Montana resident who killed our critters like the Sandhill Cranes -- I'd just want that individual hung by their short hairs for a very, very, VERY long time), but that's me. I've always had a hard time with the concept of what others thought making a difference to one's behavior. My rule has always been that if I can look at myself in the mirror without shame after any action, then I've probably done the right thing. If I can't, then it is time to right the wrong to the best of my ability.

[tony]

Rag ****** was clearly implying that I cooked it up, and he suggested his own removal. I agreed with him, and he is gone.

There is a whole lot of hoopla here about KTVQ's original request. The television station asked for your comments on the Morse case.

I would think if anybody had no comment he or she would just move on.

[ijusluvit]

My theory is that the Billings media wanted a juicy composite view of Mark Morse which they couldn't get any other way than to solicit it from folks like us who had a "business arrangement" with the verrrrry wealthy Morse family. If that sounds right to you, you'll also agree they simply used Tony and TOTV to meet their objectives.

The interesting results from more than fifty TOTV responders so far is essentially that Mr. Morse is someone whom we respect, that he is 'one of us', and certainly deserving of full due process. There are no sarcastic suggestions that he will be treated differently under the law because of his wealth or influence. Instead, there is sort of a protectiveness of his interests expressed by the Villagers, and repeated suggestions that the Billings media can take their probe and shove it.

So, the Billings media can't remotely suggest that there are thousands of folks itching to see Mr Morse get his due because of the way he's treated them in Florida.
Instead, they might have to make a comment along the way that a lot of those ordinary middle class folks who live under 'his roof' strongly came to his defense.

I think this all says a lot about how much we like the ways TV works.

[golfnut]

.

[jflynn1]

:mad:I was at a convention this week in Nevada and met some people from Montana. When they heard I was from The Villages, they were more than willing to share with me their feelings and the feelings of others in Montana about The Morse Issue. It is a really big issue in Montana. They take this very seriously, according to them this this is not the first time.

The comment from these folks was "We put poaochers in jail", that is what Morse was doing. They said they killed the animals for trophy heads, and then buried the rest of the animal.

Wow was I surprised how upset these people were.
Not that i could ever condone anything lke this , but Morse made it sound like he wa just hunting without a license.
There is much more to this story. I guess we really are kept in a bubble, unless we seek out the real world news it surely won't appear in The Daily Sun.

[golfnut]

all i can say is .

[Larry Wilson]

Good Post Jflynnl. You are so right.
I also have been in Montana. Like I said before, one elk is food for a family for a whole winter.

[tony]

My theory is that the Billings media wanted a juicy composite view of Mark Morse which they couldn't get any other way than to solicit it from folks like us who had a "business arrangement" with the verrrrry wealthy Morse family. If that sounds right to you, you'll also agree they simply used Tony and TOTV to meet their objectives.


You know what's irksome? Here is what is irksome: A poster who declines to actually read what is written here before making an ignorant comment. Or worse, reading and not understanding. Or worse yet, reading then deliberately ignoring.

I explained that I started the communication, not KTVQ. That means they did not come looking for me. I went looking for them. I explained to our members that I wanted to post the news story so our members could read it here.

It's also irksome that has to be explained again, apparently for people whose vision is so clouded they decline to understand.

[ijusluvit]

Tony,

I apologize. I did not correctly read your opening remarks about how this topic got started. Another mistake by me. You'd think I'd be used to it by now.
So I withdraw my remarks about the intent of the Billings media, but I still think it's interesting what most folks have said here about Mr. Morse.

[Larry Wilson]

I think it is more interesting what comments are being made from all over. (Including comments made on articles in newspapers from Florida to Montana).

[Alaska]

It smells to me of an over zealous prosecution set on making an example. If I were a betting man I would bet that in the end there will be no felonies and that if any laws were broken they were done so unintentionally. I may be wrong but I have a hard time believing that the Morses would throw away their family name and what they have built over something of this nature.

[Larry Wilson]

In every newspaper and hunting circle it is brought out how these people knew exactly what they were doing.