Have you noticed?

[Danny]

Dude,

You certainly are welcome to your opinion, but you sure posted with some over kill. I mean comeon, comparring world changing inventions to behavior? What about sportsmanship? Do you think it is time to change the culture enough that we do away with sportsmanship? Do you think that Saturday mornings we should have bleeped out obscenty dialogues?

In fact, one could take your side of the argument or discussion, and say that Charles Mansion was really just misunderstood, and that he represented the change of our soceity.

This brings me to a question for you, would you prefer to live in the asscension of a civilization or its descention?

Before you answer, think of the assension of our civilization. We had strict christian ethics that basically ruled our law. Now we are in the descention (my opinion) where mores are more relaxed, but hey, it is progress. I mean, you can't even say the pledge of allegiance in school because of the phrase "under God" and the finding the Ten Commandments?? forget about that. I am amazed we still have "In God We Trust" on our paper money. I am sure that will be removed very soon to as we progress.

Change for change sake is not necessarily progress.

Danny

[ranimated]

Overkill? maybe. But this also could be a small example of a big problem. Intolerance of people different than yourself. And as for sportsmanship, I've seen worse sportsmanship out of some of the "good ol' boys" than I ever have from the likes of Ike. Reminds me of Julius Erving and Michael Jordan (after all fishing these days IS only a sport) There were many people who hated their flashy ways. Said they corrupted the purity of the game. Now granted, the NBA has gone to thug hell but not because of these two classy guys who are among the best the sport has ever seen. Now, I am not saying that I have anything whatsoever against the old fashioned "good ol' boys" but how about we remember that they make up about .00001% of the world population. And our culture and etiquette is not the same as that of others. Let's allow all forms of entertainment and self expression and you choose which is acceptable for you. I'll watch Ike and you watch Houston or whatever.
As for strict Christian ethics, I'm glad you have faith but I must remind you of all the evils that have been done in the name of strict Christian ethics. The crusades for example. Jesus was accepting of ALL types of people. He never asked us to all look and act the same. But here, we have romanized, americanized, southernized christian religion which looks a lot like Pharisees. But I digress............

Bet we'd get along just fine in a boat.

[Danny]

Raminated,

I'm done, you had the last word. Now let's let this go and talk some fishing!!

How much do you think the snow is going to drop the water temps? It is coming down pretty hard here right now, but the weather men have decreased our predicted total.

I can't wait to get on the water. My boat is uncovered in the garage, and my storage boxes open. I'm itching to get out there and start re-organizing everything. I do this once a year whether it is needed or not... LOL Slopfishin and I are going to do some fishing together soon, and I have to get it straightened up before then. I sure don't want him coming and telling everyone how baddly orgainzed my boat is... LMAO

Danny

[ranimated]

LOL..........maybe it's just cabin fever gettin' us all riled up on here lately. I'm with you, ready to put my boat in the drink! I've been making spinnerbaits lately...way more than I need. And though I'm usually pretty quiet, my next bass may make me go Ike myself!

[Danny]

make you a deal raminated....

Meet me at the lake... Barkley or KY, throw several of those home made spinnerbaits, and the first biggun I catch on one, I'll go IKE in honor of you!!

LOL

Danny

[getthanet]

Are you seriously comparing the downfall of society to, what you call, the downfall of the sport of fishing?
If you want to talk about the true problem with society it is not loud fisherman yelling "that's a five pounda..." It is not Swindle cussing at Zell Rowland about a fishing spot....It is not Ike running to close to a point that another fishermen is casting....
These are not, in any way, a reflection of the downfall of society...
A professioanl fisherman that sells himself with his out of the box personality is not doing it to make the sport less appealing...He is doing his job...He is selling more boats, spinnerbaits, jigs, and motor oil....
How does landing a fish from the motor have anyhting to do with the demise of a sport...
I do agree that the athletes should watch their language if the camera is on them...That is the least that they can do, but this is how they make their livings...Fishing....No fish, no money, lost fish, lost money...
I think that the people that do not join BASS or watch ESPN for the way that the sport has changed is really losing out...
Your wives should feel pretty good about things since you can do those "honey does" instead of watching Ike, Swindle, Skeet, Hack, KVD, Peter T., Zell, Horton, Hite, and the boys jerk those lunkers in the boat....
The game has changed...That is the reality...It is not going back.....
By the way, since you talk about the demise of society how many have missed a church service on Sunday morning or missed a child's ballgame or an importanat event in your wife's life to go wet a line...hummmm....Priorities....

Just my two cents.....

[steve604]

[font size="1" color="#FF0000"]LAST EDITED ON Feb-10-06 AT 00:02AM (EST)[/font][p][font size="1" color="#FF0000"]LAST EDITED ON Feb-09-06 AT 11:51*PM (EST)[/font]

While I can't agree with your entire post, your closing thought is dead on. WE are supposed to be teaching the new generation of sportsman. We can blame no one but ourselves. If you don't believe it, look in your rear view mirror the next time you pull out of the driveway for that all important tournament. Who is standing there wishing he or she could go? Are bragging rights and a ten dollar trophy worth it? I have two daughters who have been fishing and hunting with me since they were in diapers, and I still feel that I missed to much of there lives. I know, fishing with kids is a pain, but who taught you? It's time to give back.
The big change that I see is that fishing has gone from a family experence to a competition that, if you win, won't mean squat when you're 65 and he is 35 and he leaves YOU in the driveway to go get that ten dollar trophy.
Don't blame the Ikes of our sport, WE are failing.

Steve

[buzzking]

very well said

[buzzking]

Danny and all, do you think that sportsmanship is dead in fishing? You have to understand that ESPN shows these incidents to get attention, its like the little kids who won't stop breaking the rules, they want attention. They want the fishing community talking about Swindle running Zell off a spot, etc. SO WE will all tune in next week and see what happens. Its a marketing ploy, they use altercations on the water to gain interest. Do you think we would be sitting here debating if Swindle and Zell decided to share the spot and share tips with one another, NOPE. So while we sit here poking back and forth, they are winning. If you really want to give the direction that fishing is heading these days the perverbial choke slam, stop watching it, and stop the discussion of a topic that does nothing but add fuel to a fire the industry desires to start. Let it rest, don't give them the attention they strive to get, if enough people are with you, they will get the message and change the venue of their programming. let it rest, or LET'S take some action here instead of beating our heads against the wall.