But let Simns explain himself further: " ... Let me make this simple and perfectly clear, Russell and I were not attacking Lynn or anybody else among the lower ranks at DNR; we were merely delivering a message on behalf of the watermen that was to be relayed to the rest of the department. It was not our intention to hurt anyone's feelings and I apologize if that was the case, but I stand by everything I said and I'm sure Russell stands by everything he said, too. When you make some measured decision affecting people's livelihood, you simply cannot expect us to take it lying down."
But what Simns did went beyond "giving somebody from DNR a piece of our minds," as he claimed in his column.
He threatened to burn down someone's home or office, no doubt affecting that person's livelihood. And he stands by that statement.
DNR Secretary John Griffin said he made his displeasure known to Simns.
"I told him: 'My staff is not available for abuse. If you've got a beef, you can come to me'" said Griffin, who doesn't want threats to alter the way his staff makes decisions.
The veteran state official said he understands times are tough for watermen, but "nothing justifies that kind of reaction."
I don't think watermen concerned about their image or lawmakers who go out of their way to secure money for the beleaguered commercial industry (that's you, Sen. Barbara Mikulski) should take that threat lying down, either.
Simns should apologize. And not one of those phony political "if anyone was offended" deals. Let me make this simple and perfectly clear, a threat is offensive.
The second uncivilized comment was made during the public meeting on allowing bowhunting on the Loch Raven Reservoir watershed.
If ever there was a time for hunters to play it cool and be responsible adults, this was it. The groundwork had been laid. The size of the deer population was way beyond the capacity of the land to support it. Baltimore City and county officials were primed.
But then a few guys decided to run their mouths, with one bozo challenging a woman to settle their argument by stepping outside.
That's swell, guys. Whom were you trying to impress?
One of my favorite hunter safety course instructors in the state always warns his students against playing to stereotype.
"Eighty percent of the population is neither for or against hunting," Chuck Lewis advises. "Don't be a slob and give them a reason to turn against you. Be considerate. Be thoughtful."
Amen.
