The National Rifle Association just sold out your First Amendment right to participate in the democratic process. Sources on the Hill tell RedState that House Republican members are “furious” at the National Rifle Association (NRA) for negotiating a special provision exempting the NRA from a new campaign finance reform measure racing through Congress.
Roll Call describes the campaign finance reform measure as follows:
The bill, officially the DISCLOSE Act, comes in response to the high court’s 5-4 ruling in Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission in January that struck down many restrictions on political communications and the groups that fund them. The proposal would bulk up disclosure, political coordination and disclaimer requirements, and impose new limits on political involvement by government contractors and foreign governments.
Evidently, the NRA has inserted a provision in the bill that would exempt organizations under 501(c)(4) of the IRS code that qualify under certain conditions. The conditions apply to the NRA and were clearly crafted by the NRA. This special interest carve out for the NRA has sent Republicans in the House into a rage. Expect House Republican Leader John Boehner (R-OH) and Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) to unload all they have against the Democrat and NRA enabled attempt to restrict First Amendment rights of all Americans to participate in the electoral process.
Under the DISCLOSE Act, 501(c)(4) organizations would be limited in political communications, unless they qualify for a special exemption. If a group satisfies the following conditions (that fit the NRA’s description like a trigger lock on a gun) then they are allowed to participate in First Amendment activity:
- Established under 501(c)(4) for 10 years;
- 1 million or more dues-paying members;
- Members in all 50 states;
- No more than 15% of funding from corporations or unions; and,
- Does not use corporate or union money for campaign related expenditures.
A senior staffer on the Hill tells RedState that “the NRA apparently believes that the 2nd Amendment is the only constitutional amendment that matters. They don’t care about the 1st Amendment. Their selfish actions will help this bill pass.” This rage is well founded because the NRA is a hypocrite on the matter. On Thursday, January 21, 2010, the NRA issued a statement about the Citizens United v Federal Elections Commissionpraising the Supreme Court for “removing unconstitutional restrictions on the NRA’s ability to speak freely at election time.” The DISCLOSE Act is an attempt by Members of Congress to overturn parts of that Supreme Court holding. The NRA’s recent actions evidences a will on the part of the NRA to sell out the 1st Amendment right of free speech for all in order to protect a 1st Amendment carve out for themselves.
For the NRA, a group that is fighting to protect the rights of all Americans to exercise their constitutionally recognized natural right to “keep and bear Arms,” to sell out on another constitutionally recognized right is an outrage. It also destroys its credibility on Capitol Hill. Why would the NRA cave on the natural right of people to participate in the electoral process? It is because it is manned by political insiders and part of the illness plaguing Washington, D.C. elites.
The most recent actions of the NRA are enraging so many principled conservatives. It is shocking that David Keene, a veteran of the conservative movement and head of the American Conservative Union, would not have put a stop to this madness in the lobbying arm of the NRA. Wayne LaPierre is Obama-like in his propensity to take actions that are contrary to his public statements. Wayne LaPierre, NRA Executive Vice President, said about the Citizens United case as recently as January (please put on a BS flack jacket before reading):
This ruling is a victory for anyone who believes that the First Amendment applies to each and every one of us. The majesty of free speech is that any American can roll out of bed and speak as freely as The New York Times, NBC or politicians. This is a defeat for arrogant elitists who wanted to carve out free speech as a privilege for themselves and deny it fo the rest of us; and for those who believed that speech had a dollar value and should be treated and regulated like currency, and not a freedom. Today’s decision reaffirms that the Bill of Rights was written for every American and it will amploify the voices of average citizens who want their voices heard.
Great rhetoric — too bad it is complete BS. Wayne LaPierre should be ashamed of himself. You know who else should be ashamed? Chris Cox, chief lobbyist and principal political strategist for the NRA for coming up with such a terrible strategy to protect the NRA at the expense of the Constitutional right of all Americans not members of the NRA.
Erick Erickson wrote yesterday on RS the reasons why the NRA is selling out the Constitution in the name of self preservation:
This is just the NRA not wanting competition for itself. If they were really committed to freedom, let alone the second amendment, they should be encouraging more freedom loving, second amendment loving organizations to rise and fight. Instead, they are collaborating with the left to shut out competition.
Moe Lane also had an excellent post on RS titled “Deja Vu: the NRA and the Democratic crockodiles.”
Members of the NRA need to understand that an internal Tea Party may be in order to right the ship. The NRA has shown signs of weakness over the past few years and they seem more interested in protecting their right to participate in the democratic process than the right to “keep and bear Arms.” Tea Party rage should hit the elites in the conservative movement when they sell out their principles in the name of political expediency.
Moe Lane
Steve Maley
KnightsofMalta
Dan Spencer
Dan McLaughlin
The NRA has always arrogated to itself the role of arbiter of the Second Amendment.
luciusacius (Diary) Tuesday, June 15th at 2:44PM EST (link)Lucius Accius
“oderint dum metuant”
The NRA has always arrogated to itself the role of arbiter of the Second Amendment.
luciusacius (Diary) Tuesday, June 15th at 3:03PM EST (link)I am a life membeer of the NRA. The NRA does excellent work in educating children about gun safety, protecting hunting habitat and rights and training police. With that being, said I cannot agree more with the statement that they are “insiders and part of the illness plaguing the Washington, D.C. elites.” This goes back to the Gun Control Act of 1968 and before. Ignoring the “right of the people to keep and bear Arms, SHALL NOT BE INFRINGED.’” they negociated numerous infringements with Congress, bringing the Feds into, and legitimizing involvement in, the entire system of commercial transactions in firearms. Just ask Bill Ruger, who attempted to be reasonable with Congress in suggesting a 20 round magazine limit in the early 1980′s, how that worked out. Infringement os OK , as long as they keep their political clout. That is what this first amendment sellout is all about, political power, not the rights of the people. They need to wake up and realize that the Constitution is a carefully crafted, mutually supporting document. Weaken any of its supporting pillars and you have allowed the entrance for the enemies of liberty to attack the other supports.
Lucius Accius
“oderint dum metuant”
AMEN LUCIUS!!!
pittbull Wednesday, June 16th at 11:56AM EST (link)You’ve got the right idea. You have stated my sentiments almost to
last detail. I salute you.
NRA member # 152574051
GenEarly Wednesday, June 16th at 11:58AM EST (link)The NRA is sleeping with the Devil, just like the German Christians turned their backs on the German Jews in pre-WWII , only postponing their own demise.
Cut out a niche of safety for yourself, let others fend for themselves,we can’t protect everyone,and we must keep our rights to communicate to those in power who deny others their rights to speak.
I trust Ben Franklin more than the PR people at NRA when he said “we will all hang together,for surely we will hang separately.”
This NRA scardy-cat sell out and justifications clearly demonstrate that our very basic freedoms are being seized at this moment.
I want to get in on this again.
Locked and Loaded (Diary) Tuesday, June 15th at 2:46PM EST (link)I first posted the following on Moe’s diary, Deja Vu.
From the April NRA mag, America’s 1st Freedom, cover story byline,
“Speech Freed!
Thanks to the diligent efforts of the NRA and its reporters throughout the country, the Supreme Court has restored First Amendment rights for all.”
From the story:
“The NRA took a lead role in the first challenge to the speech ban, the case of McConnell v. Federal Election Commission.”
and
“Once again, the NRA participated in the case (Citizens United), foling an amicus brief that urged that the censorship law be struck down.”
And from the June cover story:
“Trimming Citizens
When it comes to censoring the First Amendment rights of Second Amendment advocates, some in Congress aren’t about to let a U.S. Supreme Court decision like Citizens United slow them down.”
So the NRA is being quite dishonest, IMO. Full disclosure: I am a Life Member of the NRA, and I always read A1F cover to cover when it arrives.
Now, it is dishonest for the NRA to claim it is not involved in First Amendment issues, They have clearly illustrated they believe what should be obvious to anybody, that you cannot advocate for Second Amendment rights without the liberty enshrined in the First Amendment. What they have now illustrated is that they are not so much concerned with the rights of all Americans, just those who join the NRA. (Aside: don’t give me any bull about only protecting their members; it doesn’t work that way, just like negotiated contracts protect the group, not only the dues-paying members.)
The NRA has willingly – gladly – fallen victim to Alinsky Rule 11: They became the target, froze, carved out an exemption for themselves (personalized), and set themselves apart from other organizations that protect the Second Amendment (polarized). In the process, they marginalized all groups that don’t meet the qualifications carved out in their agreed-to exemption.
Back to the April story:
“In truth, 96 percent of business corporations are small businesses. While the Fortune 500 companies have the manpower resources to process all the complicated paperwork to run a political action committee, the 2002 law (McCain-Feingold) actually silenced the voices of the neighborhood auto repair shop and the family grocery store.”
For context, just picture NRA as the Fortune 500 company, Gun Owners of America as the auto repair shop, and Jews for the Protection of Firearms Ownership as the family grocery store.
Now, again, in June:
“In the coming months, the defense of the First Amendment will be a crucial issue in Congress.
Despite what much of the ‘mainstream’ media told you, Citizens United has nothing to do with contributions to political campaigns. Citizens United only protects the right of unions and corporations, including NRA, to make independent expenditures before elections. By participating in civil rights organizations such as NRA, ordinary citizens can combine their small donations to speak as one, so that all the American people can hear their message.
The media (who were not affected by the campaign finance law) will probably tell you that the only corporations with anything at stake in the debate are bit businesses. But the truth is that a top target of many speech controllers is you and your participation with millions of other Americans in the National Rifle Association. Fortunately, NRA members can be confident that NRA will continue, as it has for years, to defend its members’ privacy and its ability to communicate freely with the American people.”
Clearly, the NRA is trying to have it both ways. They want to paint themselves as a “small business” in the throes of a federal bureaucracy, but they gain an exemption based on everything big business.
Can’t anybody with an objective view see that the NRA is trying to build a fence, while throwing the little guys to the wolves?
The NRA is playing along with Congress in the creation of rules that do not apply equally to all citizen groups. It is not right. It is why the Tea Party revolutionists have banded together.
Make no mistake. The NRA has accepted the dimunition of the rights of millions upon millions of Americans, as long as it doesn’t apply to the NRA’s own millions.
Now here is my solution.
Locked and Loaded (Diary) Tuesday, June 15th at 2:56PM EST (link)I am a member of two gun clubs that require membership in NRA as a pre-condition to membership in the gun club, as I am sure many gun clubs across the country also do. Neither of these clubs (including a club in which I was formerly a member) accept membership in Gun Owners of America or Jews for the Protection of Firearms Ownership in fulfillment of this pre-condition.
I intend to speak out about this topic at our next monthly meetings and to propose that the clubs also accept membership in GOA or JPFO. It seems to me this would make for a true grassroots effort that could light a fire under the NRA and make a difference nationwide. Even the best organizations need a little correction now and then.
The NRA deserves no monopoly in defense of the right to keep and bear arms.
NRA politician rating polls are
bostinks2 Tuesday, June 15th at 3:12PM EST (link)now a dubious poll at best. Cant be trusted.
Ratings Dubious?
edintexas Wednesday, June 16th at 8:58AM EST (link)The ratings are quite accurate for what they purport to be – rating politicians on the positions and/or voting record about firearms issues. They claim to be nothing more, so why do you believe they can’t be “trusted” to inform you about the only thing they claim to represent? I wouldn’t take their rating as a list of who to vote for (although living in Texas their list and Conservative voting preferences merge pretty well in most Congressional and State districts).
Well no
Neil Stevens (Diary) Wednesday, June 16th at 12:01PM EST (link)We now have to wonder if they’re also rating restrictions on speech that favor the NRA.
So their ratings are now dubious and can’t be taken at face value.
RS contributing editor, technical administrator, and “a hardy variety of crabgrass.”
Read the RedState Posting Rules
Unlikely Voter: Poll Analysis, Election Projection.
“I rejoice that America has resisted.” – William Pitt, the Elder
Socialism brings out Bizarro World
Veronica (Diary) Tuesday, June 15th at 3:48PM EST (link)NRA turning its back on the 1st Amendment.
USCCB aligning itself with marxist ideology social justice via socialist healthcare to exercise “social justice.”
When the hell are these congressmen going to take a break and go on an extended vacation?
Can they not stop thinking socialist revolution for a moment?
They are attacking America on every front — is every American getting it yet??
The sink will surely sink when our the stalwarts who keep the ship afloat begin to negotiate with these socialist pirates.
They feel the strength of these creeps and think the only way to survive is to position themselves now — belly up.
NRA isn’t the only one doing this. It’s happening everywhere.
Conservatives need to stick to to their principles and honor up and down the organization.
Doesn’t anyone believe in honor anymore?
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Pray as if everything depends on God, and work as if everything depends on us. – St. Augustine
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NRA Sells Out Us All
308winchester Tuesday, June 15th at 5:50PM EST (link)I am an NRA member and this is flat out WRONG… I’m bringing this up at our monthly Gun Club meeting and I suspect that NRA won’t be getting any contributions to the ILA, which is the legislative branch. I’m sending my money to GUN OWNERS OF AMERICA. They are a no nonsense rights groups and I sugguest everyone else to the same… They are selling out the 1st Amendment and the Consitution for a little temporary free speech. The Democrats will be coming for them next. The Democrats real goal is the supression of ALL politcal speech. Just like they’re trying to do with the Internet takeover
Another NRA Member responds
soljerblue Wednesday, June 16th at 2:28PM EST (link)I’m a Life/Endowment member of NRA, and have always supported — and will continue to support — the organization verbally and financially. That said, I’m where 308 is. As I understand it, however, the NRA’s attempt to carve out an exception for itself began because the legislation in question would require disclosure of its membership list. I have to think that provision alone would be unconstitutional, certainly worth challenging on constitutional grounds. The NRA is certainly justified, in my view, in opposing this — but they’ve chosen the exact wrong way to go about it. As for other firearms rights groups, more power to them. But without the NRA’s clout, they would be marginal entities at best. The NRA alone has the political and financial clout to change minds, votes, and results in Congress and in state and federal elections. That they sometimes make wrong choices — like endorsing John McCain in the AZ GOP senate primary — is no good reason to deny support. Their political power — more than police training, gun safety training, Eddie Eagle, etc., etc. — is what makes them listened to and feared among the political elites.
It must be nice to always exist is a World of such simplicity
Tbone (Diary) Tuesday, June 15th at 4:03PM EST (link)that precludes one from having to expend any effort to understand situations of complexity.
I believe the lyrics to the theme song are:
Lalalalalalalalalala.
Envisioning when all that is Left is the Right.
Stupidity is complex, Tbone.
Veronica (Diary) Tuesday, June 15th at 6:59PM EST (link)Just think.
Had the NRA actually headed the charge against DISCLOSE instead of selling out and bargaining for their exemption, they would reached their membership and donation quotas for the year — yesterday.
This would have been a golden opportunity to beat back the socialist king and link the1st and 2nd Amendments to the bedrock of democracy.
Instead, they whored themselves out for protection by Obama’s Socialist Mafia, knowing full well DISCLOSE will be rammed through like everything else in this Congress.
They SO WASTED A CRISIS and so screwed the public.
Pass the KY.
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Pray as if everything depends on God, and work as if everything depends on us. – St. Augustine
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Not its job.
Tbone (Diary) Tuesday, June 15th at 7:40PM EST (link)“Had the NRA actually headed the charge against DISCLOSE”
Its job was to make sure it had the tools it needs to do its job regardless of whether a law was passed. Had they not done the carve out and the Dems rammed through the bill anyway,(can you say Obamacare?), the NRA ould have had to suffer the consequences of being on the losing side. This way it wins either way.
Sometimes losing is just not an option.
Envisioning when all that is Left is the Right.
It's Job for Leftist Groups, too
Veronica (Diary) Tuesday, June 15th at 7:53PM EST (link)if they don’t exist already.
How long has barackobama.com/organizeforamerica/SEIU/ACORN been around?
I bet they can’t wait to hit the 10-year mark.
Carve outs for the NRA and any other non-prof:
* Established under 501(c)(4) for 10 years;
* 1 million or more dues-paying members;
* Members in all 50 states;
* No more than 15% of funding from corporations or unions; and,
* Does not use corporate or union money for campaign related expenditures.
They’ve just set a goal for every leftist organization to become competitive with the NRA — and you know for sure this will be accomplished using every bit-rate, lefty tactic they’ve got in the book.
Start looking at lefty groups 10 yrs old and older and watch how they modify their funding.
Can you say SOROS?
So, rather than make the whole damn thing drown and stand up for what they SAY they want to protect — the 1st Amendment — the NRA chooses to protect its elite status, while protecting the pursuits of other non-profs who will model their organizations after it.
At the behest of the Thug Leadership in Congress.
Like I said.
Stupid is as stupid does.
…. don’t need to say Obamacare when I already said RAMMING.
They wasted a crisis and blew one up for the LEFT!
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Pray as if everything depends on God, and work as if everything depends on us. – St. Augustine
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Perhaps you could do some research as to what
Tbone (Diary) Tuesday, June 15th at 8:57PM EST (link)leftist organizations qualify. I bet none.
Envisioning when all that is Left is the Right.
You're joking, right?
Veronica (Diary) Wednesday, June 16th at 3:23PM EST (link)My argument still stands.
If you bet “none,” then you’ve no clue as to how far the tendrils of progressivism stretch, what they’re capable of — and now I can understand why you have no beef with the NRA carving out their puny little right to free speech.
Scary.
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Pray as if everything depends on God, and work as if everything depends on us. – St. Augustine
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What "They" Say
edintexas Wednesday, June 16th at 9:16AM EST (link)Veronica wrote: “…stand up for what they SAY they want to protect — the 1st Amendment — the NRA chooses to protect its elite status,…”
Actually the NRA has said it wants to protect the 1st Amendment ONLY so far as it assures their right to represent the membership in arguing on 2d Amendment issues. Whether we agree with that, or not, the 2d Amendment is their “issue” and they believe that all their actions must work for maximizing their capability to take action on that issue.
I would prefer they use their strength for all Conservative causes, particularly to fight for all of the Constitution. But as a practical measure, I can’t argue with their logic in standing up for the 2d Amendment and all other issues are only important to the NRA to the extent that there is support for the 2d Amendment stand.
If “firearms freedom” is the issue, the NRA isn’t the only “team”, but the comparative effectiveness of the other “teams” is similar to that of a Texas Middle School Varsity team vs. the Dallas Cowboys. And you can support both! IS the NRA perfect – heck no. I’d like to see another “Cincinnati Revolt” in the NRA (when Neal Knox led the effort to move the NRA from passivity on gun control to fighting for the 2d Amendment).
this is akin
Veronica (Diary) Wednesday, June 16th at 3:39PM EST (link)to the NRA negotiating a carve-out on healthcare and every piece of leftist legislation.
The NRA should have formed a lobby with other conservative lobbies to bring this thing down.
This is the problem with bit-politicking on such a major issue!
Chris Cox is a weanie.
This just confirms that progressive politicians only have to worry about buying the most powerful lobby to pass anti-democratic socialist policy.
This legislation was supposed to be about quelling special interests — look at how the progressives are going about doing this.
The NRA is a progressive poster child.
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Pray as if everything depends on God, and work as if everything depends on us. – St. Augustine
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Do you know Chris?
Tbone (Diary) Wednesday, June 16th at 10:02PM EST (link)I doubt all the politicians, on both sides of the aisle, who hang up on whoever, when Chris calls, think he is a weanie.
Envisioning when all that is Left is the Right.
yeah, he came to my house for dinner
Veronica (Diary) Wednesday, June 16th at 11:01PM EST (link)after he wined and dined the Left.
smallish man.
talked cya all night.
I wasn’t impressed.
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Pray as if everything depends on God, and work as if everything depends on us. – St. Augustine
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Was it a weanie roast? nt
Tbone (Diary) Thursday, June 17th at 12:14AM EST (link)Envisioning when all that is Left is the Right.
haha -- good one. Uh, No. /nt
Veronica (Diary) Thursday, June 17th at 1:07AM EST (link)~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Pray as if everything depends on God, and work as if everything depends on us. – St. Augustine
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"losing is not an option"
GenEarly Wednesday, June 16th at 12:08PM EST (link)Neither is cowardice, fear, and surrender of The Constitution, which is exactly what the NRA just did.
LOL. look Sparky, why don't you form
Tbone (Diary) Wednesday, June 16th at 12:35PM EST (link)the “National Protect the First Amendment Association”, get you 4 million dues paying members, fight the battles at local, state and national levels for the next 10 years and you can have the carve out too.
Getting upset with an organization for doing what you think they should do rather than what they think they should do is understandable but immaterial. Why not direct your anger at the AARP instead? Are they doing ANYTHING you want them to do?
Envisioning when all that is Left is the Right.
Ironically, the NRA is very similar
aesthete (Diary) Wednesday, June 16th at 4:02PM EST (link)to the ACLU in that both concentrate on their single issues to such an extent that they often miss the point of the laws they advocate for, and fail to act accordingly. Guns aren’t worth much if the freedoms they’re meant to protect are trashed. The NRA is not passively allowing such usurpations, it is participating in them in the hopes that it is the last org to be eaten by the crocodiles.
By all means, continue to be a member. The NRA is the biggest reason why “gun control” is only slightly more tenable than repealing the 17th Amendment in Congress. But take Locked and Loaded and Doc Holliday’s advice, and put your money and time into other organizations, like GOA. Also, try to get gun clubs that require NRA membership as a precondition to also accept GOA memberships.
The act of defending any of the cardinal virtues has today all the exhilaration of a vice – G.K. Chesterton
You go Tbone
Neil Stevens (Diary) Wednesday, June 16th at 12:03PM EST (link)You and your sidekick Jon Carry can tell us all about your shades of gray.
My copy of the Constitution draws clear, bright lines with no gray areas or wiggle room on this.
RS contributing editor, technical administrator, and “a hardy variety of crabgrass.”
Read the RedState Posting Rules
Unlikely Voter: Poll Analysis, Election Projection.
“I rejoice that America has resisted.” – William Pitt, the Elder
Is that Jon "Right to Carry"?
Tbone (Diary) Wednesday, June 16th at 12:24PM EST (link)Because without the NRA there would hardly be any states with right to carry laws and without the NRA we probably would have the same gun laws as the UK, Canada and Australia.
Again, the NRA is not the National Constitutional Rights Association.
Two questions for you Neil.
1. How many leftwing groups qualify for this carve out?
2. How many leftwing Dems will not vote for this law with the NRA carve out in it?
HMMMM.
Envisioning when all that is Left is the Right.
I'm told none
Neil Stevens (Diary) Wednesday, June 16th at 12:43PM EST (link)Not even planned parenthood.
RS contributing editor, technical administrator, and “a hardy variety of crabgrass.”
Read the RedState Posting Rules
Unlikely Voter: Poll Analysis, Election Projection.
“I rejoice that America has resisted.” – William Pitt, the Elder
That makes for some interesting dynamics, doesn't it?
Tbone (Diary) Wednesday, June 16th at 1:56PM EST (link)If the bill fails because the carve-out is in it, the NRA wins but so do all the Leftwing groups that are funded by unions, liberal foundations, corporate payoffs and the likes of George Soros.
If the bill passes because the carve-out is in it the NRA wins but all the Leftwing groups lose.
Envisioning when all that is Left is the Right.
All that matters is that 10 year restriction.
Veronica (Diary) Wednesday, June 16th at 3:46PM EST (link)Everything else, every leftist group can modify.
Membership will be a cinch. This is the age of the internet — people “sign up” to be “members” all the time. $.50 membership due would do it.
You guys think socialism and progressivism was born yesterday? These groups have been around for as long as the NRA — you know this.
Passing the other quals would not be a problem — this is a call for stronger lefty orgs to model themselves after the NRA.
It’s not that difficult to predict the future, which is what the NRA isn’t doing.
They’re just CYA.
If they’re not looking out for the 1st Amendment as a whole, they’re not looking out for other lefty orgs.
You’re getting lobby propaganda with this “not even” BS.
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Pray as if everything depends on God, and work as if everything depends on us. – St. Augustine
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Then go start your own association for the First Amendment and
Tbone (Diary) Wednesday, June 16th at 4:54PM EST (link)sign up a million members at fifty cents each. Piece of cake.
Envisioning when all that is Left is the Right.
Or we'll just oppose the NRA
Neil Stevens (Diary) Wednesday, June 16th at 4:56PM EST (link)We’ll support the GOA on RKBA issues, and hound the NRA on free speech until they die or correct the error.
RS contributing editor, technical administrator, and “a hardy variety of crabgrass.”
Read the RedState Posting Rules
Unlikely Voter: Poll Analysis, Election Projection.
“I rejoice that America has resisted.” – William Pitt, the Elder
Love your signature line, Neil. nt
houstoneagle (Diary) Wednesday, June 16th at 5:31PM EST (link)“We preach the conservative gospel of individual liberty and choice and point out the only choice the Democrats want you to have is whether or not to kill a baby.”–Erick Erickson, D-Day 2010
I think you would just be wolfin'. :)
Tbone (Diary) Wednesday, June 16th at 9:46PM EST (link)“hound the NRA on free speech until they die or correct the error.”
Only around 20% of NRA members cite political issues as being their primary reason for belonging to the NRA. So, assuming they all foolishly agreed with your obviously erroneous position, the NRA would only have about 3,200,000 members left to send it about $100,000,000 a year in dues.
Envisioning when all that is Left is the Right.
you're a bully, Tbone
Veronica (Diary) Wednesday, June 16th at 5:28PM EST (link)But it doesn’t work with me.
We need a guy like you to stop DISCLOSE, not the NRA.
They like hot air up on the Hill.
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Pray as if everything depends on God, and work as if everything depends on us. – St. Augustine
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Where did I bully you? If I did, I apologize.
Tbone (Diary) Wednesday, June 16th at 9:55PM EST (link)I really try not to bully people because my preference is condescension, sweetie.
Ok seriously, personally, I would have preferred the NRA fight the bill but appreciate that my personal preference is wrong. However, I understand why they didn’t and took the course they did and accept the reality that their position is consistent with their goals.
Envisioning when all that is Left is the Right.
weren't me, Ribeye
Veronica (Diary) Wednesday, June 16th at 10:47PM EST (link)I mean, TBone.
you weren’t too nice to GenEarly down there.
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Pray as if everything depends on God, and work as if everything depends on us. – St. Augustine
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Actually, I was a lot nicer to him than he was to me.
Tbone (Diary) Thursday, June 17th at 12:26AM EST (link)What with accusing me of being a McCain supporter and all. Ouch, ouch.
But, I wouldn’t accuse him of being a bully, bullies don’t sound whiny.
Envisioning when all that is Left is the Right.
"Carve Outs"
GenEarly Wednesday, June 16th at 12:52PM EST (link)Is that like some laws apply to some citizens and not to other citizens?
Like Obamacare for you and me but not for Congress? Carve Outs are the problem not the solution! Too big to fail will be the next thing I hear from the NRA sheeples on this post. You probably supported GW Bush’s Amnesty and McCain progressives too! If yuo can’t SEE that CARVE OUTS are a big government usurpation of our freedoms you have become as deluded as the enemy. (Foreign and Domestic)
Is the NRA immune to Beltway Madness, or Appeasement?
Yep, the world is full of them.
Tbone (Diary) Wednesday, June 16th at 1:58PM EST (link)“Is that like some laws apply to some citizens and not to other citizens?”
The come in the shape of windmills, knock yourself out.
Envisioning when all that is Left is the Right.
"Reform" hypocrisy
seandparnell (Diary) Tuesday, June 15th at 5:36PM EST (link)Remember when the “reformers” used to say that it was because of the NRA and the money they spent in politics that we needed campaign finance “reform” to end corruption?
Now the “reformers” are all too happy to cut a backroom deal with the NRA to pass their latest speech-stifling scheme.
On the plus side, this is turning off some of the “reformers” natural allies, like the Sierra Club: http://www.campaignfreedom.org/blog/detail/shotgun-sellout-did-disclose-act-sponsors-shoot-themselves-in-the-foot
Apparently some of the “reformers” actually believe what they’ve been saying for the last 40 years, and aren’t too amused at the thought of carving out a special deal for one of the largest, best funded interest groups in America to pass a bill that is supposed to limit the influence of – well, large, well funded interest groups.
If you’re interested in a full analysis of this bill, you can read this: http://www.campaignfreedom.org/blog/detail/shotgun-sellout-did-disclose-act-sponsors-shoot-themselves-in-the-foot
Suffice it to say, the deal with the NRA is one of the least objectionable things about this bill.
Sean Parnell
President
Center for Competitive Politics
http://www.campaignfreedom.org
The NRA is selling their soul, and will lose
Dan Perrin (Diary) Wednesday, June 16th at 12:26AM EST (link)their members by saying one thing and doing another — see locked and loaded above.
It makes me sick the NRA going to allow the Democrats to pass this restraint on political speech.
The exemption does bring up great equal protection questions.
The NRA should be ashamed of themselves for using their position of champions of the second amendment to help the Dems impose restrictions on the first Amendment.
This is the beginning of the decline of the NRA.
RS Insider, GREAT POST!
the hard left agrees with you Dan
Doc Holliday (Diary) Wednesday, June 16th at 12:41AM EST (link)they are beside themselves that the NRA got an exemption. Maybe the NRA knows more than you about this, maybe more than we do.
Why don’t we focus on defeating the bill. I know that sounds crazy compared to bashing the NRA, but if we defeat the bill, things would be better right?
Molon Labe!
Should the NRA not try to protect itself?
Doc Holliday (Diary) Wednesday, June 16th at 12:44AM EST (link)should the most effective anti progressive organization in America roll the dice and risks being neutered just to show they stand with the little guys? What would they say to their members if they lost all their clout?
It seems to me we can focus on a circular firing squad or we can try to defeat this bill.
Molon Labe!
Circular Firing Squad
GenEarly Wednesday, June 16th at 12:29PM EST (link)Who allowed the circle to form? Who broke ranks and fled like the timid sheep they are?
“If ye love wealth better than liberty,
the tranquility of servitude
better than the animating contest of freedom,
go home from us in peace.
We ask not your counsels or your arms.
Crouch down and lick the hands which feed you.
May your chains set lightly upon you,
and may posterity forget that you were our countrymen.” Samuel Adams
NRA member # 152574051
GenEarly Wednesday, June 16th at 12:36PM EST (link)Did the NRA even bother with a survey on this action with it’s members? They survey on all their solicitation requests. This is a FUBAR and only sheeple will go along to get along.
The NRA,
allah Wednesday, June 16th at 10:04AM EST (link)as already stated here, is a SINGLE ISSUE organization. Even though we all agree that Harry Reid needs to go, he gets endorsed by the NRA based on the fact that he has a positive view on gun ownership. Would he sell us NRA members out for comrade pelosi? probably… but until he does, the NRA will continue to endorse him based on the single issue. Just like the right to life people push a singular (and noble) issue of a childs right to live, the NRA pushes for the second amendment, I will continue to endorse them for it. Like Doc said above, lets push to defeat the bill entirely. Infighting among ourselves just helps the loony lefties.
Allah has spoken
"Single Issue"
GenEarly Wednesday, June 16th at 12:17PM EST (link)The “single issue” of the NRA is the NRA as stated in their very own press release that I just received as an NRA member. How is this any different than the large insurance companies backing obamacare?
Divide and Conquer, Saul Alinsky. Comrade Stalin loved guns too!
NRA sold it’s soul for permission to speak from a tyrannical government, when those Rights don’t even come from government! They are GOD given and subject to no man’s ruling. Shame on the NRA.
The NRA
aesthete (Diary) Wednesday, June 16th at 4:13PM EST (link)is, as others have noted, the 800 lb gorilla in the room. It does much more than simply advocate for the Second Amendment, and one reason that we have yet to see any moves towards gun control in a Congress dominated by Dems is because of their tireless nonpartisan advocacy. The org’s done more good than bad, and we should be proud to have them on our side (would that FreedomWorks had such success with its issues).
That said, it is disappointing to see conservatives defending carve-outs and other such treatment under law simply because an organization that is on “our side” is doing it. Idealistic as it may be, we should oppose all moves from any party to attempt to carve out freedoms for themselves as others lose their own freedoms. Such carve-outs make a bad law even worse, and such talk is reminiscent of “conservatives” who wanted Republicans to support Obamacare in exchange for making the bill “better” at the margins.
The act of defending any of the cardinal virtues has today all the exhilaration of a vice – G.K. Chesterton