[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]

Originally Posted by 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?

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]

Originally Posted by Pturner

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?????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]

Originally Posted by 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.

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]

Originally Posted by Villager Since April 2009

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.

Originally Posted by 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.

[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]

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 .