Cowboy Poetry and Harry Reid

[DustDevil]

Maybe I'm just naive, but I'm highly disappointed to hear that the Cowboy Poetry Gathering (in Elko) let the N.E.A. anywhere near it with funding. I'm assuming that's the one Harry Reid was referring to, didn't sound to me like he could even call it by the right name.

 

[MsSage]

I belive that it did get funds from the Endowment of the arts......but I have NO PROBLEM with them using that money that was taken from me through taxes.
Like I told shoer.....all reid did was bring more attention to the gathering. You couldnt get better advertisement

 

[leanin' H]

A lot of folks in northern Nevada would of turned down the money if Reid had anything to do with it. Bunches of them pretty much hate the man for trying to pipe thier water to Las Vegas. Reid has zero credability with just about anyone out west as he has sold his soul to developement and gambling interests while throwing agriculture under the bus. Unless he is attempting to look good for liberal arts prospective campaign donors!

 

[cure]

H tell us how really feel about him don't hold back. Personally I would like ty him to one of those free ranging broom tails out in your area and let him get dragged to death after all it was his that destroyed the horse market.

 

[Faster horses]

:twisted:

To quote Doc Harris, Don't get me started!

 

[Hayguy]

as schultz would say "i know nothing"

but do i detect some bitterness?

 

[Anonymous]

I belive that it did get funds from the Endowment of the arts......but I have NO PROBLEM with them using that money that was taken from me through taxes.
Like I told shoer.....all reid did was bring more attention to the gathering. You couldnt get better advertisement

Something I don't often do MsSage- but I agree with you :wink:

The Endowment for the Arts funding was set up to promote all the arts-- a definition that I think Cowboy Poetry definitely falls in...
And while I disagree with some of the expenditures NEA does- I'd much rather see it spent on that then some nude art exhibit or beatnik "poetry" reading in San Francisco-- altho I will be the first to admit they are all part of what makes up the broad array of Americana art forms anymore....

I'm sure in California or some other part of the nation- there are those that are sitting b*tching about their taxes being used to promote some hick cowboy poetry--- but IMO thats the thing that made the US so great- its broad diversity...

 

[Big Muddy rancher]

Is supporting the arts in the mandate of the federal government? US or Canada?

Should we be taxed to support this or should they be supported on their merits by their patrons?

 

[hypocritexposer]

Is supporting the arts in the mandate of the federal government? US or Canada?

Should we be taxed to support this or should they be supported on their merits by their patrons?

I have nothing against cowboy poetry, but the arts should not be funded through Federal taxes. It's just another opportunity for such things to become politicized.

And we all know that means waste, theft and duplication.

 

[Larrry]

Exactly Hypo, we can't be a hypocrite and then want the gov to fund our pet project. We dig into our pockets and pay for our own entertainment.

 

[Big Muddy rancher]

Is supporting the arts in the mandate of the federal government? US or Canada?

Should we be taxed to support this or should they be supported on their merits by their patrons?

I have nothing against cowboy poetry, but the arts should not be funded through Federal taxes. It's just another opportunity for such things to become politicized.

And we all know that means waste, theft and duplication.

I have done the cowboy poetry deal , i have only organized one and it was right here at the ranch. We just put it on with the help of some friends. We were tied in with Wood Mountain Gathering and mostly just hosted their writers workshop but also put on a little gathering in the evening for the public. I if companies or individuals want to support it more power to them,but not the taxpayer.

 

[Anonymous]

What happened to the rugged individualism that the cowboy and rancher is supposed to stand for? Just goes to show that some of those people (Waddie Mitchell, Ian Tyson and Micheal Martin Murphy for example) would rather hear there own head rattle, than to actually stand up for something. At this moment I'm right in the middle of reading "The Time It Never Rained", by Elmer Kelton. The lead character, Charlie Flagg, represents those traits that a cowboy and rancher are known to possess. In the book, he refuses government money, eventhough it could mean losing his ranch. His philosophy is, he made it this far by himself and if he can't do it without help from the government, he don't need it.

 

[Faster horses]

"The time it never rained" is one of my all-time favorite books.
I think it should be required reading for everyone. It would
certainly help the public to understand the ranching business better.

And I agree, if we want cowboy poetry (I'm a fan!!) we need to
support it ourselves, not taxpayers.

 

[MsSage]

I have tried to read that book.....uuuggggg I guess the problem is it takes place here and we are in a major drought and its bad enough living it let alone reading about it.

I was not saying I agree with them taking tax money just that they did. I really dont know where I stand ....I keep going back and forth.

 

[Anonymous]

Endowments, subsidies, social programs, foriegn aid = WELFARE. I like cowboy poetry too. But how can anyone profess independence and individuality while taking a government handout. Who cares if everyone else does it? Maybe that's why we have so many people in this country who feel entitled. When is enough, enough? If the cowboys won't stand up for what is right, who the hell will? Justify it any way that makes you feel comfortable, wrong is wrong.

 

[Red Barn Angus]

:agree:

 

[Big Muddy rancher]

I think Harry Reid was just throwing the Cowboy Poetry in the faces of the Rep.s There is alot more money given to the "ARTS" then what Elko got and it is all wrong.