It seems that as soon as anyone wants to do good there will be those who will do
their best to derail the process by making wild promises and empty assurances.
They have their negative noddy associates who are in tow and see to it that they
will only find the negative and make comments as such.
This has happened
to me and others who do genuinely want to make a stand against injustices and
damaging practices being conducted daily on the environment. We are ready and
willing to get out of our lazy chairs and tear ourselves away from our online
protestations and outrage typed in upper case for maximum online effect. We want
to embark on a sustainable contract and be deployed to the area needed. We need
the help of those online people to do the fund raising and negotiate in face to
face meetings with potential investors so we can get on with the task at hand.
Unfortunately the reality is that there are just so many untrustworthy self
servers out there that posture and pass judgement while ingratiating themselves,
blowing their own trumpets without shame. Then dropping the whole project on its
collective arse and by default abandoning their comrades. Some leadership. Some
business acumen. Some loyalty.
I have learned yet another lesson in life.
You CANNOT trust anyone you meet within social network forums and must never
count on anything they say before meeting face to face and signing a legitimate
contract. I have been duped this time, however all is not lost. There are still
those willing to try and put their money where their mouths are. All i require
as a man and father with responsibilities is a show of faith in me and i will
duly reciprocate. One hand does indeed wash the other. It is noteworthy
mentioning that when i was in the military and then working for a PMC (private
military company) i was transported, clothed, armed, fed and paid for my
services. Soldiers dont pay their own way to go to war. If they do they are
called beligirant mercenaries which i as a professional type person are not! I
am disciplined and an asset in my capacity and expect to be paid an at least
minimum sustainable wage. I reiterate. I am a man and father with real world
responsibilities.
I want to be part of the initiative to stop or at very
least curtail the senseless butchery of our wild life but i deserve to be paid
for my services. I have previously written in a proposal for an anti poaching
set up that the problem can be attributed to collusion between well funded
poachers and rangers who earn peanuts. Pay a decent wage and you will get decent
men on the ground. Pay crap and expect exactly that.
Stop the poaching
and part with a few bucks if you are serious about conservation. Online outrage
is just that, online. I want to get inline and on the ground being taken
seriously.
I AM HERE TO BE UTILISED AND NOT USED
Michael B Da
Silva.
waynebisset said…
Some very good advise and excellent points here Michael.
waynebisset said…
Michael for me it is different. I stated right in the beginning as I wrote in a post on my blog
http://waynebisset.wordpress.com/2011/07/29/private-military-company-vs-anti-poaching/
That I choose to do something about the Rhino and not sign up with a mate of mine for big bucks in Afghanistan.
I realize your situation is different but again choice. I chose at 18 NOT to have children. I chose at 40 not to have a corporate job and left a very good position. I chose not to have a “regular” live in girlfriend and left a very attractive lady behind and became a Gypsy. Right now I have chosen to tell Shanti that I cannot have a “regular” relationship and I have chosen to follow this path. I told her last night.
You cannot put these people in the same bracket as Billings and Stewart mate!
As for the walking and not been 19….
I am not a recce but have played in the bush my whole life. Only so much can be seen from a vehicle and the road, vehicles are heard from miles away. I am not young but I sure ain’t dead and will keep up with the guys I am with even if they are much younger than I.
But you must follow your own path Michael, I just hope you do not become too bitter and let good things pass you by.
Wayne
September 30, 2011 11:41 AM
mike da silva said…
Wayne. We may find ourselves in “trying” times and at the short end of the financial stick but that doesnt make us any less capable or impede our abilities to get the task done and receive sufficient recognition and remuneration for our collective effort. We are the ones giving up civvy life to go and get something done so others can feel morally and socially vindicated. Being in shit street doesnt mean we can be chucked scraps and left to fend for ourselves. We still require backup. Think back to EO. Many of us were out of work and were taken in, paid and had back up. Why should this be any different? I will rather live in hell and toe the line at my emotional expense and join a “contract” as a member of the team when all facets are in swing as opposed to feeling like a charity case. To effectively learn the lay of the land and area of ops by foot is ridiculous. That seems more a tactic to get people “busy”. A vehicle is what is used to do this. We are not at war nor are we some special forces stick on a covert infil. Utilising a vehicle to “recce” an area is LOGIC. You will cover 100 times more ground in 50 times the time. If a problem is encountered you can react and drive away from or toward the problem as opposed to having to stroll back. I am guessing the game farm is a tad larger than a rugby field? Get my drift? Its great you have a place to go but logic must be employed by those sitting in offices. NOTE ALSO. We are no longer 19 years old. Wiser, older, more mature, but not young bucks anymore. Taking long romantic strolls through the heat of natal in mid summer? The buzzards will mark the spot(get my drift). Logic must be employed. Men must be paid a sustainable income and a contract/ letter of appointment must be produced and signed. Its called professionalism. We are here to be utilised not used
September 30, 2011 12:08 PM
mike da silva said…
wayne, i wish you well. i will see you in the field, just not yet. i know that vehicles make a noise but you on your ace wandering around in a reserve is not making any sense. you are there to familiarise yourself with the area not spend days walking around. this is my very strong belief and i am sure there are those that will concur with my thoughts on this. yes , there will be much slogging on foot but vehivle support is essential even if it is there simply to provide shelter if you are overnighting in the reserve. tents and bivvies are all cool, but you need to cover ground and be effective if an emergency arises , be it a rhino or person in shit. i know you are worried that they will possibly not send you but that would be dilly and shortsighted at best. i want to be involved and will have to wait till there are assets in place that necessitate my being there, i am ground crew. i accept this and know what will be expected of me. i wish you well. i want this to be successful!!! 100% mike