Okay, be honest with me.

[gravedigger]

Hi friends!

First, let me say how pleased I was to meet so many of you in person. An alias on a message forum is only words that take on their own personality, but when you put a face to the name, and meet the person it changes everything. For one, Roman Dad, I have a whole new respect for you! You are not at all what I pictured, and it is crystal clear to me now that I have been reading your posts and responses incorrectly. I am so glad to have met you. The rest of you who I met personally, I was glad to shake your hands. As we have other gatherings, either business or social, I hope to get to know you fine folks much better, and help you to know me better as well.

I was so glad to take a day off and attend the OC meeting yesterday. I was even more pleased that I was able to speak to the board. Yes, I am "The Guy From San Diego"

Now, please know right now that this is a FRIENDLY post intended to open up some FRIENDLY discussion about the comments I made. No flames, no tempers ... I really do want to discuss this with the rest of you!

You should also know that I choose my words very carefully, and I often incorporate a subliminal message into the words I speak and write when the occasion calls for such a tactic.

At the meeting, I chose my words very carefully as well. I also chose to NOT hand the copy of my letter to Sheriff Hutchens as I passed in front of her but rather, to deliberately pass it along to her down the line of Hutchens' people. I did this for a reason. It was no accident that I made the last comment directed at Sheriff Hutchens.

One person suggested that my words "hurt" the group. some say they should not have been said. One person told me, "Nice Touch!". Another said, "You gave her a black eye." My life long friends who have watched the video on the net say, "as usual, you don't walk on eggshells!." The chairman seemed to feel it was personal. (Hint: It wasn't)

Before I tell you why I said those specific words and directed them squarely at Sheriff Hutchens, I'd like to ask those of you who heard them or watched them on the net to tell me why YOU think I said them. I will read your responses and then respond in a few days with my reasons.

You may guess them in advance, or discount them at the end. I won't give you any more hints. I really am interested in your HONEST response. Don't hold any punches if you feel I need them. Don't be afraid to post your approval if you feel it is warranted. You might be thinking, "POW! You nailed her!" If you are, say so. Don't worry about what other people will think about your response. You cannot be your own voice if you only speak the words you think other people approve. You might be thinking, "Why don't you sit the next one out?" If that is your feeling, post it! I can take criticism.

I am anxious to read your responses. I doubt anyone will correctly guess why I said those words yesterday.

[PUNK]

honestly, it should not matter what others think.

your speech was fine.

no reason to debate.

[BonoVox]

First off thanks so much for taking the day off work and making the trek up to Orange County! IMHO you did a great job. I had met you at the gunshow originally so I knew who you were as soon as you stepped up to the mic.

(I only comment because you ask for one)....The last part you speak of was well a little....well.....akward and uncomfortable. That is my honest opinion to you.

But not enough to make an impact either way. Positive or negative. Actually I think the comment was probably less awkward than the fact you addressed the Sheriff directly and handed her (indirectly) a document. As you might have or have not noticed that seemed to be outside the procedures of the venue. So be it.

BTW I 1000% got your analogy. Though it probably went over a lot of people's heads and over 100% of the people who are not in tuned to the situation, as we are as a group.

Don't sweat it. You did great!!!

I hope to offer my support in SD when the time comes!

[BonoVox]

By the way my friend. I think the day balanced out perfectly in the end. We had some on the attack and some telling emotional stories.

I was leaning towards attack. (as nervous as I was) You too.

This was a team event! We all played our parts to perfection. Even though we all just spoke from our heart! Not sure we could have choreographed this any better than how it went down.

NO MORE SECOND GUESSING!!!! YESTERDAY WAS A PERFECT DAY!!!!

[sealbeach]

I liked your speech, and I agree with Bonovox' analysis. Thank you for taking the time to chip in and help out the cause--and nice to meet you in person.

I read the paper handout you gave me, and I really liked your points, hope they sunk in with the Sheriff, time will tell.

[THE Gimper]

Originally Posted by AMS MIKE

honestly, it should not matter what others think.

your speech was fine.

no reason to debate.

Originally Posted by BonoVox

First off thanks so much for taking the day off work and making the trek up to Orange County! IMHO you did a great job. I had met you at the gunshow originally so I knew who you were as soon as you stepped up to the mic.

(I only comment because you ask for one)....The last part you speak of was well a little....well.....akward and uncomfortable. That is my honest opinion to you.

But not enough to make an impact either way. Positive or negative. Actually I think the comment was probably less awkward than the fact you addressed the Sheriff directly and handed her (indirectly) a document. As you might have or have not noticed that seemed to be outside the procedures of the venue. So be it.

BTW I 1000% got your analogy. Though it probably went over a lot of people's heads and over 100% of the people who are not in tuned to the situation, as we are as a group.

Don't sweat it. You did great!!!

I hope to offer my support in SD when the time comes!

I agree. It doesn't matter in the end. You made some great points, as did everyone else, and the cumulative effect was tremendous. Thank you for coming up to support us. We will return the favor.

[gravedigger]

LOL! No one is going to take a guess at the motivation behind my words?

[Scout]

gravedigger,

I made the comment, "does anyone think it hurt by having the guy from SD speak.

I asked the question?

I made no comment.

I'd make a comment here, but there are those who take offense to things I say or do.

But, as AMS MIKE says, it shouldn't matter what others think.

In conclusion, my question was thrown out to the group as we were viewing the video.

I did think H. Paul Paine was overboard and only made the SHEriff more intent on making it more difficult to obtain or renew your CCW.

[gravedigger]

For the record Scout, I took no offense at your question posted. I was tickled pink though, that it motivated you to post!

[RomanDad]

The ONLY part of your speech I think I wopuld have left off was the "Ill hand it to this lady and have her pass it down/threatening part...."

The line about having the 45 for protection was TOTALLY appropriate.

And I remember Rico turning to me and saying "Wow.... We need to give this guy a pat on the back" half way through it.

So... RELAX ALREADY!!! Join me in my zen place!!!!

[IAmASensFan]

Yes...I think you did fine. You were the lawyer who says something in court, knowing full well the judge will have it stricken from the record, but ensuring that the seed's been planted in the mind of the jury.

None of us would have said it, but I'll tell you what, if this had been taking place in San Diego, we sure might have.

Don't worry about it. You did fine, and we sure appreciate you coming out. That was important to us.

[FiringLion]

I liked your speech, 'digger, and thank you very much for trekking up for the event.
All of us in the front row were momentarily thrown off balance by your final act, though privately it gave me a little chuckle, being painted as "one of them."

[SenorJefe]

I am a big fan of your enthusiasm, gravedigger. To that, I enjoyed what you had to say and thought you provided very clear thought to your reasoning.

Remember gd, that the person said who said you "hurt us a bit" also preceded his statement with "i think". While the poster is often a great thinker, he also made is be known he's stating an opinion. He also definitely didn't say "it was WAY over the top. NOT COOL, MAN!!!" In fact, he said "a bit".

When you made the comment about the firearm for protection...I pretty much said "Oh snap!" ..which probably translated into "POW!! You nailed her!"

Also, the people we'd need concern about would be the those who go way overboard in their defense. One of the things I was impressed about watching online was how great a job every-single-person did in explaining their concerns and rights.

all in all, fantastic job...by gravedigger and everyone.

[G36 Steve]

The speech was great. The fact that you came up from San Diego to lend a hand shows your motivation.
The comment about the Sheriff having the means to defend herself while she is stripping away that same right from many of us clearly highlighted the hypocrisy of the whole "may issue" situation we have in California. I liked it.

[1buba]

RD covered my feelings really well.