Pigeons And Politics Don't Mix

By Gonzalo Banuelos of Austin, Texas

I am a member of a few pigeon e-mail lists that many of you may be familiar with. In fact, one the most popular lists is frequently the source of many pages of the content of the NBRC Bulletin. I became a member of these lists to soak in the accumulated knowledge of the many contributors and to allow me the opportunity to add my own “pearls” whenever I find that I can say something meaningful. Typically, these e-mails focus on any number of issues surrounding our hobby, from how to train kits to just plain showing off the fruits of our genetic tinkering. I have read many interesting threads over the years and can honestly say that my enjoyment in reading them almost, but not quite, redeems the flip side of the e-mail lists: the ease with which political views are expressed, be it eloquently or tersely, on matters completely unrelated to the hobby.

On a typical day I’ll get an e-mail or two from these lists on current issues in the world in which the U.S. is involved. One guy will chime in on how immigration is destroying the U.S., while another argues that if you don’t like America, then you should leave. Other threads are long-winded, often poorly written “anecdotes” on how some U.S. soldier in Iraq is kicking ass and taking names. With any bit of research on the content of some of these e-mails, you will find that statements made in them are sometimes false. This doesn’t stop them from being “chain mailed” down the road. The stories, the arguments, and the rants go on and on in directions that no one can predict, and end up causing disagreement or displeasure. Some of these e-mails are rife with right-wing or left-wing propaganda that is completely out of place and out of context.

I have quietly bitten my lips to keep from responding to some of these rants. Some of these e-mails make offensive assertions that have attacked the core of me, my family, my origins, and my accomplishments, both professionally and in my personal life. I let it go, since this is America and everyone is entitled to his or her opinion. Everyone has reasons for believing in certain things and that is the elegance of our constitution, that one cannot be persecuted for having those beliefs.

With that said, I come to the crux of this rant: Let’s keep the rhetoric of politics out of the hobby.

Yes, our political beliefs are dear to us,and expressing them is our right. However, I don’t believe that our hobby’s communication outlets are the right place or the right time for that. There are innumerable media for expressing your opinions that are far better places to discuss whatever ails you in a balanced, well educated, and contextually appropriate manner. The roller hobby is not one of them. The roller hobby is a place where we meet to better our birds and make memories. It’s a place where we enhance our stock and use them to crush competitors. It is not a political arena.

I have been throughout California, Washington, and now Texas, and have met and shaken hands with many people, some who are ideologically similar to me and some who are completely the opposite. Not once have I shaken a man’s hand and thought that because of his ideological persuasion he had any less to offer me or the hobby. Ultimately, what binds us all in this exchange is the perfection of our sport. Being able to look beyond politics, ideologies, and personal peeves and focus on the day of competition is what makes our hobby great.

It is my sincere hope that we use these communication media for the betterment of the hobby. Let’s try to use this time in our history, when technology can enable us to virtually touch our neighbors three thousand miles away, to reach them with an outstretched hand, offering a firm handshake instead of a blunt fist.