The President Obama Cannon and Mortar Contest

[RocklockI]

I would suggest that NO undo attention is directed towards us . In paticular you may NOT use my name in any way shape or form .

Calling the White House can come to no good end . They are are not interested and I dont want them interested .

Gary

[Double D]

Lance,

I would suggest you reconsider emailing the White House.  Given the current political climate and the number of threats being communicated to government officials across the nation, it would be very easy to misconstrue the harmless intent of your message.  I think if you do send an email you will find yourself under unwanted scrutiny.  

The choice of course is yours, but  if you do email the White House, I would appreciate it if you make no reference to this board or forum.  I'm sure Secret Service data miners have already  picked up on this public discussion, that's afar as I want this to go.

This topic is only marginally relevant on this board and very narrow margin at that.   As long as it stays cannon focused and doesn't focus on the man, I'll let it remain.  

[lance]

 I started this contest with very simple rules, guess they were too simple.
Maybe President Obama likes historic cannons and mortars, maybe he don't.
Maybe when he was a kid, he saw one in a park or museum, or saw some in a history book.
Maybe he has a favorite cannon and or mortar, maybe he don't.
You moderators want this cannon and mortar forum left out of it, so that tells me that if i was to get an answer, you don't want to know.
Guess it will be President Obama's and my little secret.

[Double D]

Lance,

You may be very right.  The President may indeed have some favorite cannon or mortar.  But given what is known about his upbringing and where he grew up I think it very unlikely he has been exposed to firerams or cannons.  I would be extremely surprised to even hear he has ever fired a gun.

If he does have a cannon or mortar that he likes, it would be interesting to hear what it is and why he likes it.  

On the other hand given the tense political climate in Washington and the recent rash of threats made against politicians, such an inquiry even as well meaning as it is, is going to be looked on with a jaundiced eye.  Some one is going to look at your email and ask, "What kind of questions is this and why is this guy asking it?" "What is this guy's motivation?".

It just isn't the right question to ask this President.    

[Cat Whisperer]

I started this contest with very simple rules, guess they were too simple.
Maybe President Obama likes historic cannons and mortars, maybe he don't.
Maybe when he was a kid, he saw one in a park or museum, or saw some in a history book.
Maybe he has a favorite cannon and or mortar, maybe he don't.
You moderators want this cannon and mortar forum left out of it, so that tells me that if i was to get an answer, you don't want to know.
Guess it will be President Obama's and my little secret.

Not quite.  Observe the great restraint folks have exercised in NOT expressing their feelings about the current occupant of 1600 Pensylvania Ave.  THIS is not the forum for political discussion AND topic is one wherein one can easily drift a LITTLE and express one's deep feelings.  The answer is of interest.  The risks of US becoming a target of someone in authority are real - we have nothing to hide, but we don't need to asking for trouble.  We, like you want to keep this simple - simply within the guidelines of the law and simply polite.  If we didn't want to know we wouldn't have run this topic this long.

[RocklockI]

"Yea dude dont spoil the mood with the negitive images man , "

wolfman , Kellies Heros

[Cat Whisperer]

"Yea dude dont spoil the mood with the negitive images man , "

wolfman , Kellies Heros

EXCELLENT!!!!!!!!!!!!

[lance]

"Yea dude dont spoil the mood with the negitive images man , "

wolfman , Kellies Heros

I thought the line was negitive vibes, i know there is a line, negitive waves.

[lance]

Let me guess, Y'ALL don't want to talk to me anymore right? Well then you'll love this: What if i want to invite President Obama to the Third Almost Yearly New River Valley Cannon and Mortar Shoot?

[Double D]

Of course we want you to talk.

I really don't see anything wrong with a courtesy invitation, and I doubt if he would come...but the danger is, it's an invitation and he could say yes.

Can't speak to the Virginia shoot, but I wouldn't invite any President to our Montana shoots.  I have been through a couple of presidential visits and the Secret Service gets real anal about security...like,  oh the Prez is coming to your cannon shoot!, You can't have any powder or projectiles and your cannons will have to be welded in place. Presidential visits are a pain is the back side.

[Zulu]

Hey Lance,
I bet you a dollar he won't come.
Zulu

[Cat Whisperer]

COOL ! 

It would put us on the front page of the NATIONAL news.

Would he come?  Slim chance.  Would it be fun to invite him - of course. 

Could we handle it if he did?  It would be full-time challange.

He is not one whom I would enjoy having a beer with, but I would do it for the experience.

The VP, is ....    No, though germain to the topic, my statements about his political positions would belong on another forum.

Would our hosts for the range agree to it?  Don't know, I'll ask Dale to ask Dennis.  First things first.

[RocklockI]

COOL !  

[Ex 49'er]

If you invite him send a copy of the invitation to the local newspaper, too. Then when he doesn't show up let the newspaper know about that, too.
Realize that he can't go to every cornpop or barbecue he's invited to, tho. If I were the Prez; I would love to go to a cannon shoot. I'd bring my own powder and mortar.

[GGaskill]

Hard to believe the Secret Service would allow him to go somewhere there would be a bunch of McCain voters with firearms, even if they are muzzle loading cannon models, and even if he wanted to go.

[Cat Whisperer]

Hard to believe the Secret Service would allow him to go somewhere there would be a bunch of McCain voters with firearms, even if they are muzzle loading cannon models, and even if he wanted to go.

Agree.  But that's part of the game of life.  To reach out 'across the aisle' to those that think radically differently than you do, and to welcome them to the freedoms that we enjoy.

Risk taking, yes.  Benefits - directly very likely none as he's not likely to attend.  BUT the fact that we a) think of it and b) do it, defines who WE are.

[lance]

Of course we want you to talk.

I really don't see anything wrong with a courtesy invitation, and I doubt if he would come...but the danger is, it's an invitation and he could say yes.

Can't speak to the Virginia shoot, but I wouldn't invite any President to our Montana shoots.  I have been through a couple of presidential visits and the Secret Service gets real anal about security...like,  oh the Prez is coming to your cannon shoot!, You can't have any powder or projectiles and your cannons will have to be welded in place. Presidential visits are a pain is the back side.

Well, i figured an invitation to the Virginia shoot would be better, than sending an e-mail wanting an answer. I'll tell you right now, i'll be dog gone if i weld up any cannons or hide the black powder. I have safely taught and allowed teenagers to shoot mortars, i reckon i can safely let a grown man like the President shoot a mortar.

[lance]

Hey Lance,
I bet you a dollar he won't come.
Zulu

Are you going to make that bet in person at the shoot?

[lance]

COOL ! 

It would put us on the front page of the NATIONAL news.

Would he come?  Slim chance.  Would it be fun to invite him - of course. 

Could we handle it if he did?  It would be full-time challange.

He is not one whom I would enjoy having a beer with, but I would do it for the experience.

The VP, is ....    No, though germain to the topic, my statements about his political positions would belong on another forum.

Would our hosts for the range agree to it?  Don't know, I'll ask Dale to ask Dennis.  First things first.

Don't forget that we have two ranges, over there at the regular spot, and over here where i live. I'll have to drive and check the distance between the two, but it's only a few miles.

[lance]

COOL !  

COOL!

[lance]

If you invite him send a copy of the invitation to the local newspaper, too. Then when he doesn't show up let the newspaper know about that, too.
Realize that he can't go to every cornpop or barbecue he's invited to, tho. If I were the Prez; I would love to go to a cannon shoot. I'd bring my own powder and mortar.

Hey, if i were the Prez, i'd already have the powder and mortars. What am i talking about, i already do have the powder and mortars

[lance]

Hard to believe the Secret Service would allow him to go somewhere there would be a bunch of McCain voters with firearms, even if they are muzzle loading cannon models, and even if he wanted to go.

GG, don't worry, i can keep him safe here, but you'll have to talk to Tim about Dennis and Dale's

[Cat Whisperer]

Dale said OK.
 
Hang on for the ride if he comes!

[KABAR2]

Lance,

You need more time to plan an event that the President might attend......

I was involved with the 1981 Yorktown event everyone attending was vetted there were many inspections
of cartridge boxes and muskets to be sure there were no live rounds being carried, during certain parts of the
events we were told to leave our ram rods in our tent, now this event was large around 4500 to 5000 participants
plus camp followers,

Now consider what the secret service will require of us before the president would come..... most likely in the present
age we would have to leave our balls and powder home...... and have a nice BBq.

[GGaskill]

Wouldn't be much of a cannon and mortar shoot without cannons and mortars and powder and shot.

[lance]

Tim, i'll go to a local print shop and see if i can get a few fancy invitations printed up.

Allen, we will have balls and powder for the cannons and mortars, the President and Secret Service can stand behind the rope with the kids. If President Obama won't get close enough to use one of our cannons or mortars, i don't think he should get any of the BBQ.

GG, wouldn't be much of a cannon and mortar shoot without BBQ.

[lance]

Today i went to a local print shop and checked on fancy invitations or formal if you prefer, have to buy more than i want and can take up to ten working days to get them. I really see no need to send out invitations when the up-coming shoot is advertised at the top of the board anyway. If President Obama wants to come to the shoot, he can show up like other people do. Who knows? i might not even show up, i can always stay home and shoot cannons and mortars without hearing a bunch of fussing. I have e-mailed the White House in the past, so i see no problem with me asking a historical question. That's all for now.

[Cat Whisperer]

Yea.  Printed stuff is $$.
We await the answer(s) from the White House.

[Ex 49'er]

Shucks, Lance, Make your own fancy,shmancy invite on the 'puter and print
it out and send it to the prez to let him know about the cannon shoot.

[gulfcoastblackpowder]

Shucks, Lance, Make your own fancy,shmancy invite on the 'puter and print
it out and send it to the prez to let him know about the cannon shoot.

I was thinking the same thing.  An invitation is not hard, just make sure you use nice card stock.  Some card shops may even have some blanks you can use that come with fitted envelopes.