In Michigan’s District 1, the SEIU candidate in the Republican primary is proud to announce that the NRA has endorsed him in that primary against Tea Party candidate and physician, Doctor Dan Benishek.
Many conservatives are taken aback and very angry, while rumors abound that the NRA will also endorse Harry Reid in the US Senate race against conservative Sharron Angle. As Senate Majority Leader, Harry Reid has stolen the liberties of Americans on a scale I would call incalculable, nigh unimaginable.
Why would the premier Second Amendment rights group in America endorse an extremist left-wing liberty thief like Harry Reid? His opponent is an arch-conservative tea party candidate who would be 100% guaranteed to fight for all liberties, AMONG THEM the right to keep and bear arms. That’s not even in question. When Harry Reid gets through taking away your freedom of speech, your freedom to assemble peaceably, and your freedom to cast a ballot that has a chance of being counted correctly, THEN he’ll take away your right to keep and bear arms, and you will have no tools to object to it.
So why would the NRA endorse such a character? The short answer is because they are stupid, dishonest, and short-sighted. I say that, as a lifetime member until I get around to cancelling my membership, (which I will certainly do). They assume that an unimpressive but tolerable voting record on the single issue of gun freedom by an incumbent trumps a new candidate, even if that candidate comes from conservative roots and is running on a constitutional platform.
Well, so be it. They endorsed Jason Allen, SEIU’s candidate in MI-1′s Republican primary to replace retiring baby-killer Bart Stupak, because apparently Allen has been amenable to gun rights as a state senator.
You know who else provides a “ringing endorsement” that Jason Allen is proud to tell you about? The Detroit Free Press, a lefty rag from out of the district that also endorsed Barack Obama in 2008.
Just remember, while Dan Benisheck has shouted “Enough is enough!” to Washington spending and stealing of liberties, Jason Allen has been sponsoring bills as a state senator to facilitate the forced unionization of independent day care workers.
So, who will it be for you? The NRA-, SEIU-, and media-approved candidate? Or the tea party candidate?
I know, silly question.
Moe Lane
Steve Maley
KnightsofMalta
Dan Spencer
Dan McLaughlin
Plan for a Reid endorsement
Doc Holliday (Diary) Monday, July 26th at 8:48AM EST (link)Chris Cox prepared NRA members in the recent issue of American Rifleman. He acknowledged that some members are angry, but he stuck to his “guns”. If you read the article, you will be hard pressed to not see the writing on the wall.
Cox said the NRA favors incumbents and proven votes over newcomers (tea party folk?). It seems to me it is time to give to other organizations.
BTW, here I describe when I realized Cox was not strong on making real changes versus, just getting along with the inside the beltway types.
I am sure everyone knows that we now have 2 Amendment rights in our National Parks. These parks, consisting of millions of acres of our land, were victim zones until just recently. The reason this change was finally made is a very long story about very dedicated activists working for a very long time. The NRA is not part of that story.
Suffice it to say this effort was spearheaded by the Virginia Citizens Defense League and some other local rights organizations. These gun rights organizations finally banded together and compiled a Petition for Rule Making to the Bush Department of the Interior. The assumption was it would be easier for the Bush administration to just change the rule against gun rights, than to go through Congress. This was not the case.
The Bush administration ruled for 8 years, and up until the end, they had NO interest listening to responsible gun owners who simply wanted their rights to extend to National Parks. The Secretary of the Interior at that time was Jane Norton. She completely ignored the petition and then later just sent some feeble response saying no.
Where does Chris Cox play into this? Well, first of all, the NRA did NOT do anything to help in any of this. And secondly, and most infuriatingly, he interviewed the Secretary of the Interior, Ms. Norton for an extended period and DID NOT EVEN BRING THE ISSUE UP.
Of course when other people pushed the issue to the point where Congress got involved and was willing to pass it, the NRA jumped in and tried to take the credit. Basic NRA today.
Molon Labe!
addendum, not everyone has 2A rights in national parks
Doc Holliday (Diary) Monday, July 26th at 8:53AM EST (link)you have to live in a freedom supporting state, check your own state, local, and national park rules.
Molon Labe!
I'm considering the GOA
E Pluribus Unum (Diary) Monday, July 26th at 12:04PM EST (link)What do you think of them, Doc?
Personally I’ve been disgusted with the NRA for quite some time over their willingness to surrender to Democrats over which votes get counted on the NRA scorecard.
Kill the Terrorists
Protect the Borders
Punch the Hippies h/t IMAO
I don't know too much about the GOA
Doc Holliday (Diary) Monday, July 26th at 8:19PM EST (link)other than they are more conservative politically than the NRA and they call themselves the “no compromise gun organization”. I think if you dig down you will find they don’t have anything like the reach and breadth of the NRA. This is not a reason to dismiss them, it is just reality. I think the GOA would likely be a better fit for you, so I say join them. The more members they get, the more influence they will have. Check out their site, their endorsements include many tea party candidates.
I think everyone that cares about the Constitution should join SOME pro 2A organization. I think many ignore the state organizations, and that is a mistake. Check to see if your state has a Citizens Defense League. Here is a link with some 2A organizations, but I know there are more Defense Leagues out there than listed here. The reason I support state organizations is because they actually get laws changed that affect your daily life. Those guys in your state house have a lot of power over your right to self defense.
Of course we can’t forget the national organizations either. The local orgs are more for offense and the national ones play defense; which is needed with the hard left around.
http://www.vcdl.org/static/links.html
Molon Labe!
EPU I confettied my NRA card and sent it back to them with a nice little note..
ladyimpactohio (Diary) Tuesday, July 27th at 10:50AM EST (link)I got disgusted when a great conservative ex-Toledo police chief was running against ultra-lib Kaptur in the Oh primary. Said ex-cop teaches new cops how to shoot and he himself capped a serial killer in the forehead with one bullet & NRA denied him an endorsement because he “didn’t have a voting record.” What a load of horsesh*t.
We the people tell government what to do, it does not tell us.–Ronald Reagan in his farewell speech
I joined GOA a few weeks ago
BA Cyclone (Diary) Tuesday, July 27th at 12:19PM EST (link)I’d been on the fence about joining NRA for some time – and my in-laws are lifetime NRA members.
When “all this” came out I started an installment plan to become lifetime member of the GOA. They seem to have all the right traits to get my
(limited) funding support. Also there are some local “GOA”s that are stronger on principle than the NRA in my opinion, and I hope to also support them individually as funds allow.
The NRA will not get a dime from me until their legislative tendencies improve considerably. My in-laws are on the fence yet about canceling their membership. I suspect if a Reid endorsement comes to pass, that will be the last straw for them.
“If Congress can do whatever in their discretion can be done by money, and will promote the General Welfare, the Government is no longer a limited one, possessing enumerated powers, but an indefinite one, subject to particular exceptions.” — James Madison
“Electing Republicans who don’t have the courage of their convictions may be easier in some circumstances, but it won’t save our country.” — Jim DeMint
BA Cyclone’s blog
BA Cyclone on Twitter
NRA also endorsed Nathan Deal. NRA =Not Right, Again
tngal (Diary) Monday, July 26th at 8:56AM EST (link)The pattern, I’m sensing a pattern. Its coming into focus.
yes
E Pluribus Unum (Diary) Monday, July 26th at 1:49PM EST (link)We call it becoming a ‘pet conservative’.
Like David Frum, like Mitch McConnell, like John Cornyn…
Kill the Terrorists
Protect the Borders
Punch the Hippies h/t IMAO
I think the NRA is so liberalized at the top that....
JadedByPolitics (Diary) Monday, July 26th at 10:18AM EST (link)ANYONE they support should be thought of the same way that a GOP endorsed candidate is treated and that is as a RINO!
Unified Patriots – How-To:
Activists Taking Action
They need to get rid of Chris Cox
Doc Holliday (Diary) Monday, July 26th at 8:27PM EST (link)the NRA does a lot of good, but their political arm, the NRA-ILA, is compromised.
Molon Labe!
NRA invitation / survey
lnthomp Monday, July 26th at 12:41PM EST (link)I received a survey / membership invitation in the mail from the NRA just a day or two after the information about the NRA possibly endorsing Reid first came to my attention. I answered the survey questions, then added a note at the end telling them I won’t join because no money of mine is going to support Harry Reid even indirectly if I can help it. Put the completed form in the reply envelope and sent it back. No doubt they will ignore my comment. They seem to be ignoring actual members, why should they pay attention to a non-member?
This too shall pass
Lee T.
USN (ret)
Oregon City, OR
It is better to let them know, than to be quiet
Doc Holliday (Diary) Monday, July 26th at 8:50PM EST (link)In fact we need to light up their switchboards.
Molon Labe!
I'm recommending this
kowalski (Diary) Monday, July 26th at 4:00PM EST (link)I’m recommending this not because I agree with every part of it but because people at the NRA need to see that their supporters and members are having a lot of trouble understanding and accepting some of their recent stances and their potential endorsements.
My own opinion is still mixed on this subject, although I did sign the petition asking them to endorse Sharron Angle. I hope Wayne LaPierre is reading RedState, because what is happening here is important for him to grasp, and I think he needs to do more than have Chris Cox talk about boilerplate policy in the pages of The American Rifleman.
This election cycle is going to be a tough one for the NRA in a lot of ways. I hope they do the right thing and listen to their members and think hard about what adjustments they need to make.
Defend Liberty — Join the NRA | Live in Massachusetts? Join GOAL.
I will recommend this too
Doc Holliday (Diary) Monday, July 26th at 8:29PM EST (link)My initial hesitation was that I don’t know the two in this Michigan primary. The guy EPU hates, says he is pro 2a. But I am going with my gut and giving EPU the benefit of the doubt. Plus, the NRA needs to know we are not happy with them.
Molon Labe!
Doc Holliday- Doc Benishek
Scope (Diary) Tuesday, July 27th at 7:39PM EST (link)and his wife are big time hunters and people who love to fish. They are big time sportspeople. It is a little hard to buy into an endorsement because someone has a voting record to judge them by, rather than looking at who the best candidate may be. Is there anything wrong with not endorsing anyone? Why do they seem to want to involve themselves in seemingly every race in the country? You would have a better perspective on that than me.
Scope I am not sure I can ad more to what I said
Doc Holliday (Diary) Thursday, July 29th at 11:34AM EST (link)up thread. They are a single issue organization and give priority to elected officials who have proven votes. This is what they say about themselves.
Personally, I think the NRA has changed for the worse. I do think Chris Cox thinks they have changed for the better. I think they feel they are in a good place right now and they want to keep it that way. What I mean is they are not that scared of the people in Washington today, they seem a bit scared about the new conservatives (tea types) because they don’t know them as well. To me, the NRA is way to complacent and has declared victory too soon.
I am going to do the very rare thing for me, write a diary lol. I have some more ideas about what is wrong or could be wrong with the NRA today.
Molon Labe!
Fox News interviewed
drbob1988 Wednesday, July 28th at 10:20PM EST (link)Wayne LaPierre earlier this week and asked him specifically about this subject. He tap danced and never answered the question, much like a politician. I have been a member for years and will not renew until I hear some answers that are satisfactory.
I did call the switchboard and expressed my opinion. It seems like we have been abandoned.
In the end
kowalski (Diary) Monday, July 26th at 4:06PM EST (link)In the end I think a lot of people are going to leave the NRA out of tea-party purity outrage this election cycle. The NRA is not going to abandon it’s policy of being nonpartisan and endorsing candidates with a proven track record from either party.
I think what is going to happen instead is a fracturing of the 2nd Amendment movement in America, and whether that’s a good thing or not depends, I suppose, on your perspective.
I will say that anyone who is supporting the breakup had better be ready to put their heart and their money and their effort behind whatever pieces are left, because in the wake of Heller and McDonald the legislative battles yet to be fought are going to be increasingly daunting and complex.
So when people are calling other people “short sighted” I guess we’ll all have to wait a few years and really judge whether political zeal got the better of wisdom.
I know from living in Massachusetts that I’ll be one of the first to know.
Defend Liberty — Join the NRA | Live in Massachusetts? Join GOAL.
People might not like the fact
kowalski (Diary) Monday, July 26th at 4:20PM EST (link)People, especially tea party candidates, might not like the fact that the NRA is a single-issue nonpartisan organization, but it is, and it has been for a long time. Right now in American politics we have a lot of Conservatives and Tea Partiers who want to say that if the NRA doesn’t do what they want in terms of endorsements right down the line, they’re going to raise a stink.
And a stink they have raised indeed. Some of it smells OK, some of it is blind to the fact that the NRA isn’t and cannot be the Tea Party handmaiden just because the Tea Party is ascendant (at least in the minds of Tea Partiers).
And I’ll leave it at that for now, because if we’re going to apply these kinds of absolutely rigid standards to national groups, there aren’t many that are going to pass. The question is, after you tear them down because of that, do you have anything better? And I don’t think the Tea Party does, at least not yet.
Defend Liberty — Join the NRA | Live in Massachusetts? Join GOAL.
Kowalski, and not "that type of Kowalksi"
Doc Holliday (Diary) Monday, July 26th at 8:39PM EST (link)I understand your mixed feelings, I have them as well. I agree the NRA should be non partisan to keep its reputation as a consistent, fair, pro 2A organization.
However, being a “single issue organization” does not mean you should be a myopic, clueless, one. If the NRA doesn’t realize helping Harry Reid keep the Senate hurts gun freedoms, then they are dumber than I thought. This “single issue” excuse is getting old, the real issue is the NRA ILA is playing games with our money and our rights. I have never seen an organization move left this fast since GE did so under Immelt.
One more thing, politics aside, the NRA has been less effective since Charlton Heston passed away. And LaPierre seems to have been marginalized by the squish Chris Cox. If the NRA want’s us to simmer down, they need to start doing a better job defending our gun rights.
* all my comments about the NRA above relate solely to the leadership and the political arm in particular. I am still an NRA member and I have tremendous respect for the rank and file and the work they do to educate people on firearms use and safety.
Molon Labe!
Same here Doc,
remnant60 (Diary) Thursday, July 29th at 8:37PM EST (link)I just had to give some $$ to the NRA to keep my instructor ratings current, and will continue to be a member for that reason alone.
Years ago I was getting the GOA newsletter, but couldn’t (and still can’t) support 2 2A groups. But since I’m a life member with NRA,
(no more dues) I might just look into GOA again…or USCCA.
understood remnat60
Doc Holliday (Diary) Thursday, July 29th at 8:58PM EST (link)I am still an NRA member, they still do a lot of good in the instruction and safety arena. also, we should stay in the organization or it will really be over. My argument is to not give extra money, to give nothing to the NRA-ILA run by Chris Cox. And the other thing is the GOA will notice more members, whereas the NRA will not. If ten percent of NRA members also join the GOA, it will make a huge statement and raise the GOA’s status exponentially.
Molon Labe!
Yeah,
remnant60 (Diary) Thursday, July 29th at 9:04PM EST (link)The only $$ the NRA gets from me is for me to keep my ratings…nothing else.
Am torn between USCCA and GOA though…USCCA is non-political and more practical, but much smaller than GOA which is political. USCCA is set up for folks that concealed carry whereas GOA is set up for most all 2A folks.
well I am a member of VCDL
Doc Holliday (Diary) Thursday, July 29th at 9:17PM EST (link)the Virginia Citizens Defense League www.vcdl.org This organization has probably changed more laws and confronted more gun grabbers than any organization of its size. You do not have to be from Virginia to join, they spear headed national park carry and are the go to grassroots organization when the national media wants to hear our side.
I have said before that people need to look to state and local organizations too, they are the ones that support concealed carry, open carry, restaurant carry and castle doctrine.
I have seen little from the NRA to date. From what I can tell, they are like the guy who keeps drawing a line in the sand and when the bully steps over it, they draw a new line. The NRA is not actively trying to roll back Second Amendment infringements, they are happy trying to hold the line at this sorry and sad point.
Molon Labe!
there really are many pro 2a groups without the NRA baggage
Doc Holliday (Diary) Thursday, July 29th at 9:27PM EST (link)I am actually looking into this Jewish group, although I am not Jewish. I have heard they do good things. I am not into race or demographic politics, but if the group is effective and reaches places we normally don’t, then maybe it is not that bad a thing. http://www.jpfo.org/
And if women want to join a pro 2a group based on their concerns, these people have a good rep too. http://www.2asisters.org/
there are many really strong 2a orgs, I am not just throwing out links. I am sure there are lots that are a waste of time, but those I mention are not.
Molon Labe!
everyone should watch this video
Doc Holliday (Diary) Thursday, July 29th at 9:53PM EST (link)from the Jew for preservation of firearms ownership. They are doing one about anti-jewish gun control laws soon, this one is about blacks and gun control.
http://www.jpfo.org/media-vid/ngn.wmv
Molon Labe!
Oh for crying out loud...
pompadour (Diary) Tuesday, July 27th at 12:22AM EST (link)NRA leadership had better shape up. Or someone–like me, for example–is going to have to wonder if they’ve been infiltrated by Leftists. Then again, maybe it’s just that aliens ate their brains.
One thing’s for sure: Until the NRA pulls its head out of its collective arse, it doesn’t deserve another thin dime of membership dues.
I can't fault the NRA this time
Republican_Michigander (Diary) Tuesday, July 27th at 10:04AM EST (link)I’m often an NRA critic.
I’m more offended at the NRA’s endorsement of Fred Upton who is a squish on 2a issues than I am of Allen who has a good record and no bad votes ON THIS issue. Dan Benishek does not have a record ON THIS issue. For the record, I personally would vote for Benishek over Allen, because I’m not sure he’s electable against McDowell, who I think is a very strong democrat.
That’s the point. The NRA is supposed to be a gun rights organization. Period. I can see being up in arms about a Reid endorsement. Reid’s not that pro-gun and voted for the gun show ban. I was irate when Joe Schwarz, a die hard anti-gunner was endorsed in 2006 against Tim Walberg. I don’t like the Upton endorsement. He voted for the gun show ban.
I don’t have a problem with the NRA endorsing Allen or McDowell. On economic issues, I’m not happy with them, but this isn’t the Chamber of Commerce PAC, but NRA-ILA/NRA-PVF. The NRA needs to stick to single issue.
Less Government, More Freedom
http://republicanmichigander.blogspot.com
Single issue is no issue.
BA Cyclone (Diary) Tuesday, July 27th at 12:14PM EST (link)“Doesn’t have a record” is a clever way to hide poor decisions.
One person has a record on your single issue but pretty much sucks liberal teet on others. So when that person goes to D.C., then what? They’ll be dependable on your single issue?
LaPerre talks about their “laser focus” on 2A, but as has already been said above – if the Bill of Rights is otherwise shredded, what difference does a strong 2A really make? I do not find comfort in the 2A getting “eaten last”.
If Benishek (or any candidate regardless of district) is otherwise strong in principles of constitutional conservatism, I strongly question how “having a record on 2A” is an adequate trump card that justifies supporting near-statists when an across-the-board conservative is a legitimate choice on the board. Constitutional conservatism, by pure definition, is strong on the 2A.
I understand their focus must principally be upon the 2A and I appreciate that – but that does not justify BLINDERS to all else.
“If Congress can do whatever in their discretion can be done by money, and will promote the General Welfare, the Government is no longer a limited one, possessing enumerated powers, but an indefinite one, subject to particular exceptions.” — James Madison
“Electing Republicans who don’t have the courage of their convictions may be easier in some circumstances, but it won’t save our country.” — Jim DeMint
BA Cyclone’s blog
BA Cyclone on Twitter
Talk vs Action
Republican_Michigander (Diary) Tuesday, July 27th at 12:55PM EST (link)The NRA is a 2nd Amendment organization. Period. That’s its job.
\If the entire constitution is an issue, then there’s other organizations to support for that, but it doesn’t make sense to attack the NRA for endorsing candidates for reasons besides the 2nd Amendment. Jason Allen has a record on gun issues. Gary McDowell has a record on gun issues. The others do not. They talked a good game and may or may not be good. My gut tells me that they are, but that is not an objective way to give an endorsement.
Jason Allen is a relatively pro-union Republican. That has nothing to do with guns. The NRA isn’t the Tea Party PAC, Chamber of Commerce PAC, or anti-Obama healthcare PAC.
It’s popular these days to claim to be pro-2nd Amendment. John Kerry always talked about “hunting.” Bill Clinton did the same things. Their records say otherwise when push came to shove.
There’s many legitimate reasons to be a critic of the NRA. I remember when they endorsed Joe Schwarz over Tim Walberg (who my group endorsed in 06, 08, and today) back in 2006. Schwarz is anti-gun. Harry Reid is a squish on guns and voted for the gun show ban, alongside Fred Upton who was endorsed this year. Those are where the NRA needs to be called out.
I’m on the PAC of a different 2nd Amendment Organization. (SAFR-PAC) We didn’t endorse Fred Upton or Joe Schwarz, and wouldn’t endorse Harry Reid if we went outside Michigan. We’ve graded hundreds of surveys, many from tea party activists. They ran the gambit from good to bad like anyone else. Same goes for Republicans and even democrats. The worst survey we had was from a Republican, although more democrats have “unacceptable” ratings than republicans.
Both our group and NRA are single issue groups.
Less Government, More Freedom
http://republicanmichigander.blogspot.com
So it comes to the legitimacy of single issue orgs then
E Pluribus Unum (Diary) Tuesday, July 27th at 1:58PM EST (link)Any group can do what they want, and members come and go as they choose.
What I take issue with (and I think BA Cyclone concurs) is that with regards to 2A, I do not think it is logical to look at that issue alone, in isolation. It is part of a ‘wall of rights’ if you will. The freedom of speech, religion, to peaceably assemble, and so on are PROTECTED by the right of individuals to bear arms. Everybody gets that, because it’s that obvious.
There is a flip side, and the Obamanistas have brought this into play like nobody has in decades. The right to keep and bear arms is PROTECTED by political free speech. If the government can beat down political free speech to the extent that basically all dissension has been squelched, then they will take away gun rights. Not maybe. Absolutely definitely.
So the NRA can do what they want. I am a lifetime member. But they are stupid. If you endorse a union lover, you endorse the end of freedom. There’s no ‘maybe’ on Jason Allen. He is against your freedom amd mine. And whatever his views on 2A, he will absolutely stand aside while his fellows steal my freedom of guns, when it comes down to it.
If the NRA has a choice between endorsing the obviously conservative candidate with no record, and the union candidate whose score is at least acceptable, there is an option called NOT ENDORSING ANYBODY.
Blindly single issue tracking in the case of 2A is not tenable. Basically my viewpoint is F the NRA in their ear.
Kill the Terrorists
Protect the Borders
Punch the Hippies h/t IMAO
*5* I agree on that.
BA Cyclone (Diary) Tuesday, July 27th at 3:55PM EST (link)[blockquote]There is a flip side, and the Obamanistas have brought this into play like nobody has in decades. The right to keep and bear arms is PROTECTED by political free speech. If the government can beat down political free speech to the extent that basically all dissension has been squelched, then they will take away gun rights. Not maybe. Absolutely definitely.[/blockquote]
This. Moreover, in particular with “disclose” act as an example, the NRA elected themselves as my unelected, state-approved, political speech arm for 2A rights. While I can’t blame them totally for seeking to hedge their bet, the net result is rather – oppressive.
What is my recourse when I disagree with the NRA?
Worse, what is the recourse when the NRA’s state-approval for political speech is [i][b]revoked[/i][/b]?
The statists in D.C. have flipped over their hole cards on this one and plainly shown how the 1A and 2A are inexorably tied together here, especially in today’s version of “federal” government. Hopefully everyone is willing to look at the cards.
And that the NRA gave political cover to further enable soft-statist Democrats to be *for* NRA but still expand the State’s muffle on political speech en masse – this is beyond the pale.
I cannot fault the NRA or any organization for being focused upon a “single issue”, however for them to pretend that their single issue is not also affected by the rest of the BOR (or unions, or pro-gun statists) is rather idealist – to a fault.
“If Congress can do whatever in their discretion can be done by money, and will promote the General Welfare, the Government is no longer a limited one, possessing enumerated powers, but an indefinite one, subject to particular exceptions.” — James Madison
“Electing Republicans who don’t have the courage of their convictions may be easier in some circumstances, but it won’t save our country.” — Jim DeMint
BA Cyclone’s blog
BA Cyclone on Twitter
If you want to tell the NRA not to endorse Harry Reid, call:
nvrepub (Diary) Tuesday, July 27th at 2:50PM EST (link)1-800-672-3888
I called them and urged, at a minimum,, a non-endorsement in the race; better still they endorse Angle. Endorsing Harry Reid would permanently besmirch the NRA’s reputation.
If a politician supports gun rights, he should expect that the NRA will endorse him.
Tbone (Diary) Tuesday, July 27th at 7:07PM EST (link)That is what the grading system is all about. Telling a politician that DESPITE his good voting record on gun rights that he will not receive the NRA’s endorsement because he is pro-union would be just plain nuts.
The NRA has a huge number of members who belong to unions who think unions are just fine. It is not the NRA’s place to tell them otherwise.
The NRA has a huge number of members who are Democrats.
The NRA doubtlessly has a huge number of members who are pro-abortion.
The NRA doubtlessly has a huge number of members that are pro gay marriage.
Etc, etc., etc.
What the NRA isn’t, is a conservative organization. Not it’s job.
Envisioning when all that is Left is the Right.
It's a matter of choices.
BA Cyclone (Diary) Wednesday, July 28th at 9:49AM EST (link)You have option one, whom is pro-2A and pro-union.
You have option two, whom is pro-2A and pro-freedom in general. Including the freedom to work without a union.
Whom should get the cash or endorsement? If they are both equal on the 2A, then the NRA can stay out of it and focus limited resources elsewhere.
This is not about being against Democrats, against unions, against anything. It is the choice that was made, when there are (in my view) clearly better choices available on the board. If you are for protecting the 2A, then you must also be for “freedom” and “liberty” in general. You cannot support the 2A in a vacuum, as there are other issue in that sphere that parenthetically affect 2A rights – NAMELY political speech as one prime example.
Generally, people who are Democrats and pro-union get squishy in that particular area. I find it is difficult if not messy to support “some freedoms” more than others – particularly if you are talking 2A and 1A.
Again, this is politics. It is not about being against average Americans who might align themselves as you suggest. It is about whom we want to send to D.C. to protect our rights in a Constitutional role. The Bill of Rights is bigger and affected by more than the 2A alone. In particular, it is difficult for either the 1A or the 2A to live without each other.
“If Congress can do whatever in their discretion can be done by money, and will promote the General Welfare, the Government is no longer a limited one, possessing enumerated powers, but an indefinite one, subject to particular exceptions.” — James Madison
“Electing Republicans who don’t have the courage of their convictions may be easier in some circumstances, but it won’t save our country.” — Jim DeMint
BA Cyclone’s blog
BA Cyclone on Twitter
You miss the point.
Tbone (Diary) Wednesday, July 28th at 11:58AM EST (link)If a politician votes pro-gun and gets graded up as a result, he deserves the reward promised by the NRA for voting pro-gun which is its endorsement. If he doesn’t vote pro-gun, then he gets graded down. This is a very sophisticated reward/avoidance system, the nuances of which you obviously have heretofore been unable to grasp.
For further readings on this system, to help you get up to speed, I suggest you google “carrot and stick”.
Envisioning when all that is Left is the Right.
ah, no. Tbone, it is you who are missing the point
E Pluribus Unum (Diary) Thursday, July 29th at 6:25PM EST (link)Mister Cyclone and I both get the NRA’s myopic and stupid grading syste. We got it. We moved to the logical endpoint.
We have both counter-argued that without 1A rights, there can be no security for your 2A rights, and THEREFORE ignoring . I hear nothing from you or anybody else that refutes that.
What you are proposing is that a mouth-foaming leftwing Nazi Democrat who has a proven record of shutting down political free speech, but will flip the lever on a few NRA scorecard votes should feel ENTITLED to an NRA endorsement. Perhaps that is so, given the behavior.
And if so, I wash my hands of the NRA. That ain’t good enough on my scorecard.
Kill the Terrorists
Protect the Borders
Punch the Hippies h/t IMAO
Are not there many organizations dedicated to First Amendment protection?
Tbone (Diary) Thursday, July 29th at 9:07PM EST (link)If not, rather than demand the NRA adopt that responsibility as well, perhaps you can pick up that banner and recruit 4 million members to support you. I certainly would be supportive of your efforts. See, only 3,999,999 to go.
Envisioning when all that is Left is the Right.
NRA-ILA + NRA-PVF = NRA-INO
uvbogden (Diary) Thursday, July 29th at 4:10AM EST (link)To BA Cyclone: AMEN! The NRA & other 2nd Amendment advocacy groups, protect, defend & extend gun-rights by the means of free speech. The very existence of the NRA & similar groups depends on expressing the rights guaranteed by the 1st Amendment.
Proclaiming itself justified as a single-issue organization, the NRA has supported candidates & causes that are in direct conflict with the American love of freedom, & in some cases, even their single-issue. A major liberal cause is outlawing guns on an international level. Liberals are Democrats & RINOs. Democrats & RINOs are or will be forced to be for outlawing guns. Any support by the NRA or others for Democrats & RINOs is helping the left crush the 2nd Amendment.
The NRA is rapidly becoming the lead organization for 2nd Amendment rights IN NAME ONLY!
“…an economy hampered by restrictive tax rates will never produce enough revenue to balance the budget–just as it will never produce enough jobs or enough profits.” –JFK