Youth sport shooters stripped of Ontario Summer Games honours

Here's Cathy Vincelli's email (General Manager of Ontario Summer Games) from the website: games@2012ontariosummergames.ca

Note the catch phrase on their official site: "Dreams Begin Here"

What a load of horse s*&t; it truly is unconscionable for these people to tarnish the reputation of these upstanding, young role models. Furthermore, this is a huge slap in the face for shooting sports, because it will convince more people that firearms are bad and that anybody that enjoys them are evil, violent, or insensitive.
 
DRG said:
If I read this right he's the one who knuckled under instead of making a stand
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Despite the obvious, I have people that are ridiculing the lack of "liberal" sources behind this and claiming this could be anyone, so stop blaming liberals.

So guys,

Give me some sources/credibility.
 
I am incredibly saddened and disgusted to hear this and so angry I'm speechless.
this has no bearing whatsoever on the shootings.

maybe if we had more kids taking part in sports, there wouldn't be so many shootings, due to a social, positive structure for which to guide them.

This reeks of liberal knee-jerk b.s.
 
I have called John Evers regarding offering the NFA's support in protesting this insulting, insensitive, and callous decision.

Sheldon Clare
President
Canada's National Firearms Association
 
Hey guys, careful,

Fusco is the poor sod who had to send the note - and he apologized for it. We need to talk to the person who ordered Mr Fusco to send the note.

Cheers,
Scott
 
redleafjumper said:
I have called John Evers regarding offering the NFA's support in protesting this insulting, insensitive, and callous decision.

Sheldon Clare
President
Canada's National Firearms Association
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Thank you Sheldon. This, among many others, is an issue that the NFA, CSSA and ALL Canadian gun owners can work together on. Completely unacceptable. If there is anything I can do to facilitate with your helping out Mr. Evers, or in other ways, please PM or email.

scairns said:
Hey guys, careful,

Fusco is the poor sod who had to send the note - and he apologized for it. We need to talk to the person who ordered Mr Fusco to send the note.

Cheers,
Scott
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Brutus said:
It's a modern world. He can freely forward his recent email to the proper & deserving source.
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Correct, since we don't know who it was, we have to send it to Michael as he is the only contact. He will certainly send it up the line.

As to the person who mentioned about Mr. Ford, good idea, I will do that and to the PM as well. We are one nation after all, what hurts one in Ontario effects the rest of Canada.
 
johnone said:
In case you still had any doubts as to how we are viewed by the Liberal government and their appointed flunkies, read this....
Maybe take a moment to drop Mt Fusco a note ??John

From: Michael Fusco

Subject: RE: Athlete Ambassador Appearances
Sent: Jul 17, 2012 3:31 PM

Unfortunately due to the untimely shootings that have taken place in Scarborough and the City recently, we have received a directive that we can no longer have the Sporting Rifle Athlete Ambassadors present on stage at the World Record Camp Games event. This is unfortunately something that has been handed down to us out of our control and we deeply apologize. We realize that gun violence has nothing to do with the sport of Sporting Rifle or any of your Athletes and that your sport promotes the safe and responsible use of rifles. We appreciate your understanding of this matter and apologize to both the CSSA and your Athlete Ambassadors sincerely. Should you have any questions, please contact Cathy Vincelli at 416-397-5349.

Regards,

Michael Fusco Ontario Summer Games 2012 City Hall 8th Floor West Tower
100 Queen Street West
Toronto, ON M5H 2N2
(416) 338-5721 mfusco@toronto.ca
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Phone.
Complain.
Voice it.
No protest means they can walk over us again next time.

And an email is NOT as good as a phone call or a letter.
 
My understanding from reading same post topic in different forum is that all the emails did the trick and the decision has been reversed
 
johnone said:
In case you still had any doubts as to how we are viewed by the Liberal government and their appointed flunkies, read this....
Maybe take a moment to drop Mt Fusco a note ??John
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I also sent Michael's letter, my response to it, and comments to PM and Ford, I will include the comments here.

Mr. Prime Minister & Mr. Mayor,

You both are men of honour, and of the highest honour in both of your respective political situations. This is something that I certainly hope offends you both. I can guarantee that if a rowing team was asked to not appear because of a rash of drowning deaths that this would be all over the news. Firearms in Canada are a part of our proud history, culture and heritage. It is wonderful to see two exceptional youths excelling in their competitive disciplines carrying on the traditions of our parents, grand parents & back throughout our history.

These two young people are being discriminated against because of their practicing of traditional culture and heritage. If we labeled all Muslims as terrorists because of 911 that would make us all completely morally bankrupt. If we labeled all homosexual people as perverts, that would make us all completely morally bankrupt. Muslims are NOT terrorists, homosexuals are NOT perverts, just the same as sport shooters are NOT criminals. If one type of discrimination is unacceptable, so should they all.

I thank you both for your much needed time and attention to this matter. If our children are our future, that future looks bleaker if this type of bigotry goes unchecked.

With Best Regards,

J.P.
 
My letter to the 2012 Chair and the Premier

Rahul K. Bhardwaj
Chair
2012 Ontario Summer Games

Dear Rahul Bhardwaj:

I have just received word that young high performance rifle shooters have been banned from the stage of the World Record Camp Games ceremony.

To say that I am dumbfounded is an understatement. The lack of logic and sensible reasoning leaves me speechless. It it a total insult to those young athletes and the coaches who mentor them.

These young people have spent thousands of hours, and I dare say and equal amount of money, preparing for competitions. They are involved in just the activities that the premier says we need more of. There is no one more disciplined and focused than a young firearms competitor.

As a retired elementary school principal and youth coach for more than 40 years, I can say without hesitation that young sports shooters are among the most disciplined and focused youths I have ever coached. Their strict adherence to safety rules and mental focus on this high precision activity is a testament to their dedication and disciplne.

The reasoning that the recent senseless high profile shootings carried out by thugs and gang members, and young shooting sports athletes is somehow related is absolutely absurd. I fail to see any connection at all. Anyone in a decision making capacity that would make such a link should not be in a decision making role.

In recent weeks, several children have drowned in lakes and pools. Does that mean we remove the swimmers from the stage? Street racing kills scores of adults and children alike. Does that mean we ban cars? Drunk drivers contribute to the carnage of society on a daily basis. Do we ban alcohol? I think we tried that once to less than rave reviews.

The message that you are sending to our young shooting athletes is not only inappropriate, it's totally unacceptable.What is inferred by this action is that somehow their sport is unacceptable in the Province's eyes.....a message that is completely without merit.

These games are funded by all Ontario taxpayers. They belong to all Ontario citizens. Our young shooters have been preparing for this event for years. Competitions have been held at gun clubs across Ontario for months. To say that these young people are somehow second class citizens is an affront to us all.

It would appear that whomever made this decision was ignorant of the shooting sports and imposed his/er personal bias upon a whole generation of aspiring sporting shooters. I'm not keen on the recreational use of alcohol, but that doesn't give me the right to impose mt personal bias on others.

I urge you, as the leader of the games to protest in a most forceful way and do whatever is necessary to right this terrible wrong.

Sincerely
 
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