"Weeds"

[Phantom Farrier]

The other day I received my AFA newsletter in the mail. On page twelve there was an invitation for one and all to attend the "Special Open Forum Membership Meeting" in Omaha on Friday, September 9, 2005.

At the bottom of the page was an insulting little innuendo from Jeff Ridley, CJF, TE. Isn't he running for president?

It read as follows:
"In Iowa our main crop is corn, which we grow strong and tall. As we plant new seeds for the future we hope for a better yield, a better year and a better life. Throughout the growing season our crops are constantly being attacked by weeds. The weed certainly has its place, but you must always battle against it in the fields, as the weed's sole function is to reduce the yield of our crop. As an association, let's recognize the weeds and pull together for a better yield, a better year and a better life."

Its offensive and typical AFA upper echelon arrogance. If you don't happen to jump for joy over forced licensing, you're just not a right thinker.

Phantom Farrier
John Blombach, CJF

[Roy Amaral CJF]

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Kidding John. :D

[tbloomer]

The other day I received my AFA newsletter in the mail. On page twelve there was an invitation for one and all to attend the "Special Open Forum Membership Meeting" in Omaha on Friday, September 9, 2005.

At the bottom of the page was an insulting little innuendo from Jeff Ridley, CJF, TE. Isn't he running for president?

It read as follows:
"In Iowa our main crop is corn, which we grow strong and tall. As we plant new seeds for the future we hope for a better yield, a better year and a better life. Throughout the growing season our crops are constantly being attacked by weeds. The weed certainly has its place, but you must always battle against it in the fields, as the weed's sole function is to reduce the yield of our crop. As an association, let's recognize the weeds and pull together for a better yield, a better year and a better life."

Its offensive and typical AFA upper echelon arrogance. If you don't happen to jump for joy over forced licensing, you're just not a right thinker.

Phantom Farrier
John Blombach, CJF

Anyone who jumps for joy over forced licensing is a "left" thinker, you know a communist :D

I tried my damdest to pin down Jeff Ridley on whether he was personally in favor of or personally against licensing. His answer was, "it is up to our members where we go from here." That answer left me uncertain about where he stands because he won't come out and say it. With that in mind, maybe his reference to weeds was in regards to the few bad weeds who are in favor of licensing.

I am willing to give Mr. Ridley the benefit of the doubt. It will be clear which team he is on after the score is posted. This assures him a spot on the winning team regardless of which team wins. How can you refer to that mind set as "upper echelon arrogance?"

In order for someone to be arrogant, they have to at least assert an opinion. Mr. Ridley refused to give me his opinion on licensing. I assume that he prefers to keep is personal opinion a private matter. By doing so, he does not risk offending anyone. Such tact and humility is the mark of a truly dedicated politician.

If elected, Mr. Ridley will lead the AFA in the direction that the membership wants him to lead regardless of his personal convictions. That is not arrogance. How can you disagree with someone when they have no opinion? How can you compare your platform to Ridley's? In order to do that you have to know what his platform is. Right now we don't even know what "is' is.

Tom Bloomer

[Phantom Farrier]

Anyone who jumps for joy over forced licensing is a "left" thinker, you know a communist :D

Sometimes I think the AFA motto should be "Only right thinkers need apply"

I tried my damdest to pin down Jeff Ridley on whether he was personally in favor of or personally against licensing. His answer was, "it is up to our members where we go from here." That answer left me uncertain about where he stands because he won't come out and say it. With that in mind, maybe his reference to weeds was in regards to the few bad weeds who are in favor of licensing.

I read his platform and aside from all the doublespeak he is on the Executive Committee. Their record speaks for itself.

I am willing to give Mr. Ridley the benefit of the doubt. It will be clear which team he is on after the score is posted. This assures him a spot on the winning team regardless of which team wins. How can you refer to that mind set as "upper echelon arrogance?"

In order for someone to be arrogant, they have to at least assert an opinion. Mr. Ridley refused to give me his opinion on licensing. I assume that he prefers to keep is personal opinion a private matter. By doing so, he does not risk offending anyone. Such tact and humility is the mark of a truly dedicated politician.

If elected, Mr. Ridley will lead the AFA in the direction that the membership wants him to lead regardless of his personal convictions. That is not arrogance. How can you disagree with someone when they have no opinion? How can you compare your platform to Ridley's? In order to do that you have to know what his platform is. Right now we don't even know what "is' is.

Tom Bloomer

You're right, we don't know what Ridley thinks about licensing, but we do know what he thinks about fellow members; "weeds"!

Phantom

[Phil Armitage]

I think there is bigger fish to fry than licensing and/or regestering farriers. Education and Certification would be a good start. The AFA's standards and views on continueing education are lacking. So before AFA certified Farriers start weeding they better take a good look at there own skills.

[Rick Burten]

The AFA's standards and views on continueing education are lacking.


Would you not agree that the AFA has at least begun to rectify the situation with their new CEU requirements?

Now I'm not saying that this is enough, but at least it is a beginning, and as the Chinese philosophize: "A journey of one thousand miles begins with but a single step......"

Rick

[Phil Armitage]

I have seen some steps towards improvement 997 steps to go. :D