Journalist fired for writing about public access

[smarandr]

The notion that any one wealthy individual can dictate policy to hundreds of thousands of grass roots members of an organization (especially when those policies are at odds) or stifle a journalist just because their feelings got hurt should scare us all.

That's exactly why I've spoken up.

Going forward I'm very conflicted. On the one hand I believe in what DU does and ask the great work they do and want to continue to support them. But then on the other I don't want to support the kind of chit that's going down right now.

 

[RobG]

Hello all. I'm new to this site so please forgive any clumsiness. First, thanks to all who have expressed support. And a few points to emphasize. This is NOT about me or a job. (I have lots of writing to do.) I derive no pleasure from the beating DU has taken over the last two days. I have great respect for what DU has done for waterfowl, and for its staff in the field. This issue is about transparency in the boardrooms of the organizations we give our wildlife dollars to, the need to recognize the values of rank and file members (like the people here) as opposed to monied interests, and freedom of the press. The notion that any one wealthy individual can dictate policy to hundreds of thousands of grass roots members of an organization (especially when those policies are at odds) or stifle a journalist just because their feelings got hurt should scare us all. I am reluctant to respond to earlier posts critical of writers for not being "impartial" (I'm here to make friends, not enemies), but it is hard to be impartial when you're covering an individual who has illegally blocked access to public land or water, called for the overturning of Montana's stream access law, and had his lawyer ask the Montana Supreme court to rule the state's constitution unconstitutional. Sorry, but you''ll have to find another writer to do that job. I'll stay in touch. Thanks again. Don

Thanks for stopping by... I hope this results in some changes in policy at DU.

 

[RobG]

There it is, my New Year's resolution: re-evaluate the organizations I'm donating to.

Thanks Kat and Dr. Thomas for not letting this get buried.

Change of heart. Screw DU, they aren't going to change. Instead support PLWA. MT would be a far less accessible place without them.

 

[cowboy]

Well I guess I really enjoyed the very last DU banquet that I will attend.

 

[Big Sky Dreamin]

I got the same form letter. At least they made a half assed effort to justify the stifling of a mans freedom of speech and press. The impersonal touch of the copy and paste letter serves to justify my original point and the removal of my support for DU.

 

[npaden]

One thing for sure that this whole thing has done was probably the complete opposite result of what was intended by DU and their "volunteer leader".

A lot more people have now read the Outside Bozeman article by E. Donnall Thomas.

 

[cowboy]

This made the Billings Gazette today.

http://billingsgazette.com/news/sta...cle_0f623f22-c4aa-5e3c-9a61-35434a085b77.html

Probably not real good publicity for all the billionaire land owners that believe money is the ultimate power.

 

[Hunting Wife]

The main issue for me is that DU pays lipservice to democratic access to opportunities for hunting, fishing, and trapping according to their own website:

http://www.ducks.org/about-du/du-position-on-hunting?poe=homeLink

Yet they would muzzle those who speak out in defense of that democratic access. The more I think about it, the more it feels like a deal breaker for me. It does seem like PLWA would be a better place for my dollars.

 

[RobG]

About 15 years ago I was involved in TU in Pocatello, Idaho and there was a blowup about stream access. I seem to remember an early precedent involving duck hunters. I thought it was picabo but that was fisherman. Does anyone know?

What are the rules in Montana, Idaho, etc for duck hunting on rivers?

 

[fowladdict]

About 15 years ago I was involved in TU in Pocatello, Idaho and there was a blowup about stream access. I seem to remember an early precedent involving duck hunters. I thought it was picabo but that was fisherman. Does anyone know?

What are the rules in Montana, Idaho, etc for duck hunting on rivers?

In Idaho duck hunters have the same rights as fisherman. Stay below the high water line and you are free to hunt/fish as you please. The exception for hunters is to pay attention to the city limits for the most part.

 

[Josh Kuntz]

Message sent. Thanks to all for bringing this to light. And a huge thumbs up to Don Thomas for standing up for what he believes in and calling out this type of shady behavior.

 

[Ben Lamb]

The main issue for me is that DU pays lipservice to democratic access to opportunities for hunting, fishing, and trapping according to their own website:

http://www.ducks.org/about-du/du-position-on-hunting?poe=homeLink

Yet they would muzzle those who speak out in defense of that democratic access. The more I think about it, the more it feels like a deal breaker for me. It does seem like PLWA would be a better place for my dollars.

This.

Plus, the doublespeak in the canned response from DU is equally as troubling. If Kennedy is part of the DU family, then why hasn't DU taken him to task or returned his funding due to his insistence that he owns the air and water, thereby causing harm to DU members who hunt & fish? Kennedy's attack on the public is much more vitriolic than anything Don penned. Kennedy has just hired lawyers to do his talking. Don have guts to stand up and say it for himself.

843-261-7445 is the cell number given by DU's communications director. Perhaps he needs to hear from more of us.

 

[RobG]

This.

Plus, the doublespeak in the canned response from DU is equally as troubling. If Kennedy is part of the DU family, then why hasn't DU taken him to task or returned his funding due to his insistence that he owns the air and water, thereby causing harm to DU members who hunt & fish? Kennedy's attack on the public is much more vitriolic than anything Don penned. Kennedy has just hired lawyers to do his talking. Don have guts to stand up and say it for himself.

843-261-7445

843-261-7445

843-261-7445 is the cell number given by DU's communications director. Perhaps he needs to hear from more of us.

I believe Cox-Kennedy's employees also harassed a certain Ben Lamb when trying to hunt on an adjacent property.

He is a bad guy for the public hunter. The guy is worth $9 billion but wants even more at the public's expense. He should expect criticism and DU should have the integrity to tolerate it.

From what I've seen on Facebook, DU's response was written by Matt Coffey, Senior Communications Specialist
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[Hunts]

I emailed and phoned DU about this miscarriage of justice this morning. Don Thomas is a hero in my book for not being afraid to speak the truth. Screw DU.

 

[katqanna]

I was meeting with a conservation hunting friend and attorney for breakfast at the Bagel Works, here in Bozeman, this morning, just to catch up on some things. While we were standing in line ordering, I asked him if he had seen the NYT article on this yet and explained it to him when he said no. He is a PLWA supporter. Then a lady in line behind me, tapped me on the shoulder and interjected, said that she is not even a hunter and the article came up on her facebook feed this morning, now she understands more of what this about, said she would share it and forward it on.

Small world with social media these days.

 

[bigskyblueman]

Unjust and dumb firing, as my email to DU states. I'll fish the Ruby even more often.

 

[Big Foot]

Letter sent to DU. I hope the backlash continues and RMEF and other conservation organizations take note.

 

[ewludwig]

This is the respense I got. I'm assuming it's the same everywhere. I guess this is my last year with DU:

Mr. Ludwig: This is in response to your recent e-mail.


E. Donnall Thomas was a freelance contributor to Ducks Unlimited magazine. He was not a DU employee. He wrote the “Closing Time” column, which appeared on the back page of every issue. Mr. Thomas had been writing this column for DU since 2001.



In the Fall 2015 issue of Outside Bozeman, Mr. Thomas wrote an article entitled: “A Rift Runs Through It; Fighting For Access to the Ruby River.” The article dealt with ongoing legal challenges related to public access on a portion of Montana’s Ruby River that runs through a longstanding DU volunteer leader’s property in Montana. DU recognizes there are many views on this issue, but our mission is waterfowl and wetlands conservation. As a result, DU has no position on the stream access issue in Montana.



In DU’s opinion, the article published by Mr. Thomas in Outside Bozeman publicly and very personally attacked a DU volunteer leader. We felt that the article demonstrated a lack of fairness in vilifying a member of the DU family without allowing that person the opportunity to provide his perspective.



As a result, DU decided to discontinue its relationship with Mr. Thomas. We would be similarly concerned if Mr. Thomas had written comparable statements about any DU volunteer leader. DU honors freedom of speech, but also honors our volunteers.



Mr. Thomas has the right to express his opinions in any way he sees fit. DU has the right to choose who contributes to its publications.



Attachment: Outside Bozeman article by E. Donnall Thomas

Thank you,

Eric Keszler
Senior Communications Specialist
Ducks Unlimited
One Waterfowl Way
Memphis, TN 38120
office: 901-758-3924

 

[ewludwig]

I could somewhat understand if he was writting on behalf of DU reagrding issues that DU regularily tackles. He was not and they clearly state they have no position on the issue. Sad. Once again, money before all else....

 

[SofaKing]

My email has been sent as well also will no longer be a member of DU.