NRA meeting becomes GOP rally

[villager]

Source: Arizona Star

NRA meeting becomes GOP rally

Administration is called hostile toward gun rights

By Daniel Scarpinato
arizona daily star

Published: 05.16.2009

PHOENIX — If you didn't know better, you might have thought you'd been transported back in time to last summer's Republican National Convention.

Thousands of people packed into an arena. A lineup of Republican elected officials blasting the liberal agenda of Democrats and the mainstream media. Boos every time Rep. Nancy Pelosi's name is mentioned. And Sen. John McCain, front and center behind the podium.

This was not, however, a Republican event. At least not officially.

It was the annual meeting of the National Rifle Association, which used its convention here in Phoenix as a platform to rally 60,000 attendees Friday against what a lineup of speakers called a growing hostility toward gun rights under the Obama administration.

At the "Celebration of American Values Leadership Forum" in the U.S. Airways Arena, headliners ranging from McCain to former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney affirmed their support for the Second Amendment — often launching attacks on Democrats for wanting to limit constitutional rights.
Standing before a backdrop of a giant bald eagle, Executive Vice President Wayne LaPierre opened the event by talking about how "in America, it's so easy for the anti-gun crowd." "The world government dreamers out there" and "the Washington boss bunch" are launching "unsubstantiated attacks on our cores values," LaPierre said.

<snip>


Read more: http://www.azstarnet.com/allheadlines/293129

[msongs]

1. all those fascists trembling in fear of a black president - bibles flags n guns nt

[StarryNite]

35. "bibles flags n guns"

Oh my!

[Doctor_J]

2. Uh-oh. The DU proliferationists are going to be here soon to

tell us the NRA isn't really a GOP interest group. And that they're really for *all* rights, not just gun rights :eyes:

[villager]

3. The NRA is "jus' folks" -- and woefully misunderstood!

n/t

[TheWraith]

23. Which is why DU's gun owners prefer Second Amendment Democrats.

Or in some cases, the Pink Pistols.

[benEzra]

70. The NRA is FIVE PERCENT of U.S. gun owners.

You seem to have a hard time grasping that the other 95% exist.

If you add up gun-owning Dems and indies, we slightly outnumber gun-owning repubs. We'd like to keep our gun rights too, if you don't mind...

[DainBramaged]

79. Yup. En masse, like locusts

[mitchum]

4. No surprise there since the NRA is nothing but a republican PAC

I have nothing against gun ownership, but NRA members are just suckers, dupes, and marks.

[Recursion]

6. Eh. They have and do support Democratic candidates locally

It's the national organization that's the big problem.

[mitchum]

8. But their $$$ contributions fund the national organization

[Name removed]

5. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[jmondine]

7. In other news, ice cream melts when you leave it out

[lies and propaganda]

9. "Acres and Acres of Guns"

my best friend lives in phoenix, i just escaped thank jeebus, and he just photographed this:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/zap451/3498048655/

[madrchsod]

17. cool stuff...bookmarked for future gifts

[S_B_Jackson]

38. And yet....none are for sale at that event

But all of the manufacturers will be there showing their wares as to what is available for sale to distributors and FFLs.

At least this Democrat is greatly disapponted that several members of President Obama's administration - DHS Sec Janet Napolitano, SoS Hillary Clinton, AG Eric Holder - have made continued to agitate in support of increased gun control measures that shift this single-issue group advocacy group to the wrong side of the aisle. Sometimes is seems that we take one step forward, and then two steps back.

[krispos42]

10. No surprise here

The NRA is not going to support a party that has an "assault weapon" ban in it's party platform. Ergo, they're going to support the Republican party as a whole.


This is no more surpising than finding out NOW supports the DNC and that the keynote speakers are Dems.

:shrug:

[Greenheron]

12. wingers

You got to love when the wingers invoke the world govt thing. Aren't they the architects of that whole idea.Of course there are plenty of spine challenged dems who sit at that table as well.

[krispos42]

13. The same people that are hysterical about a world government...

...are frothingly pro-world-economy. Which is now the de facto world government.


I think the World Bank and IMF get listened to a hell of a lot more than the United Nations. So that makes the World Bank and the IMF the default world government.


But somehow, this point keeps missing them.



Just like how they're hysterical about an arbitrary border line between the US and Mexico and people passing that line, but can't give a rat turd about the flow of wealth and technology that crosses that same line.

[TheWraith]

24. Newsflash: Right wing supports hypocritical positions! Film at 11!

:D

[anonymous171]

28. EXACLTY. nt

[thelordofhell]

11. Dey're Gunna Teek R Gunzzzzzzzz!!!

Did the NRA learn ANYTHING from hurricane Katrina?

[krispos42]

37. Yeah, that the government took their guns

Or, for the complete corporate right-wing fantasy, PRIVATE CONTRACTORS took their guns.


I imagine it was quite confusing for them. Yay, privatization! Boo, gun confiscation!


Welcome aboard! :hi:

[benEzra]

73. Actually, it was Federal DEA, California Highway Patrol, and some rogue Oklahoma Guard units.

at least the ones caught on the ABC News footage.

Blackwater et al were there, but were mostly guarding the homes and neighborhoods of the wealthy (and I notice the brave CHP who beat up that grandmother and took her revolver didn't try to confiscate guns from the Blackwater guys).

[judesedit]

14. What's new about that? A bunch of big wusses that can't fight their way out of a paper bag

MOST of whom probably NEVER served in the military. Only when one of the gutless GOP's children or grandchildren die due to the lack of attention paid to reckless gun use will gun ownership be questioned. And look out if it's a semiautomatic. You'd think all of these "macho" men would be more capable of handling themselves. In reality they are pansies that need guns in their hands at a safe distance to kill innocent animals AND human beings. Many of whom are no threat to them whatsoever. I say they are all pussies. And...if they had half a brain in their heads, they would realize no one wants their killing machines, they only want the gun laws that are already on the books ENFORCED.

[villager]

16. gun violence apologists always claim they want "existing laws enforced" as well...

...until you try actually enforcing them!

Then it's crying to the NRA for money for another lawsuit, to upend whatever local will of the people stands in the way of their particular worldviews...

[anonymous171]

29. Local laws are fine. Federal laws are not. nt

[villager]

44. Really? Is that why the NRA is suing Chicago -- and sued DC -- over their local laws?

You folks hate local laws that go against your proliferationist grain.

At least cop to it.

[S_B_Jackson]

47. Hate to break it to you, but the NRA wasn't part of the HELLER suit against DC....

that case was filed by Alan Gura in cooperation with the Second Amendment Foundation. In interviews, Gura has stated that the NRA was specifically not allowed to join the case in order to keep the message on point.

[villager]

48. Hate to break it to you, but they filed an amicus brief

and they're still the ones behind suits against Pittsburgh, Chicago, and San Francisco...

Lovin' those local gun laws yet?

[S_B_Jackson]

50. They did once DC had appealed the Parker decision to the USSC (retitled as Heller)

but that doesn't mean they'd joined the case. Gura was very careful to keep the NRA at a distance on Heller, but he had no control over - indeed he couldn't prevent - the NRA from filing an amicus brief...any more than DC could have prevented you, if you had wished, from filing a brief in support of DC's position.

As for the laws in Pittsburgh, Chicago, and San Francisco why should their control schemes not be subjected to challenge when those ordinances were premised upon what turns out to have been a faulty interpretation of the nature of the 2nd Amendment? And with the Nordyke decision incorporating the 2nd Amendment as a precedent (at least in the 9th Circuit) those lawsuits have a very good chance at forcing the draconian control schemes in Pitt, Chicago, and SF to be changed either under court order, or in an effort to avoid litigation.

[villager]

55. so we agree they weren't exactly "hands off" that lawsuit...

And of course, your use of "draconian" is simply code -- as it is for the NRA in general -- for "any gun law I personally don't like"

[underpants]

15. What a racket

Unlike the "pro-life" people who actually do work for their cause the 2nd Amendment crowd (specifically the NRA) is much to do about nothing. Gun policy is completely off the table in DC that is agreed upon by all sides. The NRA has caved on every single "core value" from serial numbers, ballistic testing, and criminal background checks over the years. The only thing they have left to "defend" is the gun show loophole and that is pretty much settled too-it is such a hot potatoe that local politicians don't want to touch it. The NRA not only OWNS West Virginia, Arkansas, and Tennessee in Presidential elections they have a cache of cash that can drown any smaller government politician who dares bring up the gun show loophole. That basically is there thing, raise money from members in order to raise money from members.

Abortion is a "pro wrestling" (never any conclusion but much drama) issue as well but they do actually DO something about it whether I agree with them or not. As "What's the matter with Kansas" so clearly illustrated abortion is a winner for the Republicans simply because they can get people to vote on that one issue regardless of how adverse that support for the GOP is to the supporter.

[Downwinder]

18. Gee, and I thought the Constitution was just a piece of paper io Republicans. n/t

[onehandle]

19. The marginal gun manufacturer's lobbyist group meets the regional party.

Fuck them.

[jimmil]

20. Am I just looking for the trees again?

When has Obama brought up anything to do with gun ownership since he has been in office? The only thing I ever read about it is the right wing is protesting or having a rally for guns. I never have seen anything put forth as any sort of legislation from Obama. Am I just missing something?

[TheWraith]

25. He hasn't. In fact, they've been mostly backing away from guns.

Though Clinton, Holder, and Ed Rendell have all made noises about the Assault Weapons Ban. However, those got shot down fast even within the party. Personally, I think Obama's smarter than to throw away a lot of votes in the mid-terms based on laws that don't do anything.

[LiberalFighter]

21. NRA is nothing more than an organization controlled for the interest of gun manufacturers.

[destes]

34. The US military is nothing more than an organization ...........

.........controlled for the interest of weapons manufacturers.

Let's call this out into the open. That's what this circular conversation, ostensibly about the 2nd amendment, is really all about. "Bear arms" indeed! Military has beens, penile frustrated battle romanticists and wish-they-were-warriors make up the whole pathetic NRA membership. Sane people shun them.

A standing army is a parasite on democracy. Just ask George Washington.

[Kolesar]

43. ...For the interest of gangsters...eom

[conspirator]

22. They should also join a KKK/aryan supremacy convention all in one, to save resources nt

[Blue_Tires]

53. +1

[xchrom]

26. uh -- yeah -- nothing new there. nt

[anonymous171]

27. World government is going to be achieved through Capitalism.

Once sovereignty becomes unprofitable (due to country specific tarrifs, taxation, and laws) it will be discarded by the financial elite.

These people are just too much. They love Capitalism despite the fact that it is cause of all their NWO worries.

[jody]

30. 84 million gun-owners and about 4+ million NRA members. Anti-RKBA forces use NRA as a bogey man to

push their goal of prohibiting a pre-existing or inalienable right.

Obama however recognized the 80 million gun-owners that are not NRA members are a significant portion of the 130 million people who voted in the last election and he tried to change his anti-gun persona based on years of supporting anti-gun programs and bowed to pressure by saying "I believe in the Second Amendment. I believe in people's lawful right to bear arms. I will not take your shotgun away. I will not take your rifle away. I won't take your handgun away."

[Arugula Latte]

31. Where's a small targeting meteor when you need one...

[Cobalt-60]

32. The National Republican Association

I was a member for one year.
They pressed endlessly for money and blind support for Republicans.
So I didn't renew.

[Owl]

42. Same here. One year was more than enough.

[DU GrovelBot]

33. ## PLEASE DONATE TO DEMOCRATIC UNDERGROUND! ##

This week is our second quarter 2009 fund drive.
Donate and you'll be automatically entered into our daily contest.
New prizes daily!



No purchase or donation necessary. Void where prohibited. Click here for more information.

[santamargarita]

36. How many fascist pigs does it take to fill convention center?

:think:

[AnnieBW]

39. I'm Shocked! Shocked!

NRA members are Repubes! Who would have guessed? :sarcasm:

[TheCowsCameHome]

40. Surprise, surprise.

Even lifetime member and big game varmint hunter W. Mitt Romney was dropping his drawers on stage.

Heh.

[benEzra]

72. Romney is anti-gun and clueless.

I remember during the campaign, Romney promised to fight to outlaw the most popular civilian target rifles and defensive carbines in America.

I suppose Romney hasn't been called a political weathervane for nothing...

[Odin2005]

41. Those idiots don't speak for this proud gun owner.

"NRA" really stands for "Nutty Republican Assholes", the connection to guns is incidental and a means to an end, the end being supporting the GOP.

That said the Urban Dems that bash us gun owners as all dumb hicks that need to have their guns taken away can piss off, too.

[jody]

45. "It is good to strike the serpent's head with your enemy's hand."

Those who would prohibit the pre-existing or inalienable/unalienable right to keep and bear arms for self-defense must know that they drive 80+ million gun-owners who are not NRA members into the NRA camp with its 4+ million members every time they write editorials or make speeches advancing their ban-gun agenda and denigrating the NRA and make such incredibly stupid statements as "And it's not surprising then they get bitter, they cling to guns or religion or antipathy to people who aren't like them or anti-immigrant sentiment or anti-trade sentiment as a way to explain their frustrations".

[Canuckistanian]

46. I could see it happening the other way as well

"GOP Rally turns into NRA Meeting"

It's the same people, basically.

[beevul]

49. This crap again?

"NRA Endorses Democrats Johnson and Herseth Sandlin."

http://madvilletimes.blogspot.com/2008/10/nra-endorses-democrats-johnson-and.html

Nra endorsed Democrats...


http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=118&topic_id=172118&mesg_id=172141

(NASHVILLE, TN) — The National Rifle Association (NRA) has endorsed Senator Rosalind Kurita (D-Clarksville) in her write-in campaign for re-election to the 22nd district in the state Senate. The group had endorsed Sen. Kurita during her primary victory and has now endorsed her for the general election in November.

http://politics.nashvillepost.com/2008/10/06/nra-endorses-write-in-skeet-shooter/

The National Rifle Association or NRA officially endorsed Governor Bill Richardson's re-election campaign today. Richardson spoke before a crowd of local, national, and even international competitors in the National Police Shooting Championships. He spoke about his recent training required to carry a concealed weapon.

http://www.kunm.org/news/archives/index.php?id=EEypkuFkAFyzvFubYE

NRA endorses Governor Schweitzer

http://www.montanasnewsstation.com/Global/story.asp?S=8386328&nav=menu227_3


John Tester...


And there are many more.

But seeing thier names wont be changing the minds of any gun control fanatics, hereabouts.


It is interesting and entertaining, though, to see things like the OP and the desperation they represent.


I wonder...do posters that agree with the OP have as much disdain for the brady bunch? You know...the republican founded republican led "gun violence prevention" group that continues to try to prevent gun violence by limiting the rights and choices of those that by and large aren't the perpetrators of said gun violence.


Perfectly acceptable republicans, to them, apparently.

[fascisthunter]

51. NRA, helping to Seel Arms to Rightwing Nutcases

who have been brainwashed by liars... perfect senario for a right wing uprise. Notice how over the years, right wing radio has increasingly been cheerleading racism, homophobia, hatred and violence for all political opponents?

[Javaman]

52. And the arms dealers laught all the way to the bank. :) nt

[defendandprotect]

67. Right . . . while our societies and taxpayers pick up the pieces . . .!!!

[Tim01]

54. This admin wants to ban semi auto rifles, they ARE hostile toward guns.

Obama has said it, and Holder,Clinton, Kerry, Feinstein. Hell, I can't remember them all. Hardly a week goesby without somebody talking about how they want to ban this or that.

The reason they are not moving aggressively against guns right now is that they can't get away with it politically.

[villager]

56. Gosh! How much better to be obsessive and rapturous about them!

n/t

[Tim01]

57. Insults instead of substance. Right on time.

[villager]

58. See today's Christian Science Monitor about innate paranoia among gun owners

I'm not making up the "obsessive" part. As the article says, "even when gun owners win, they think they've lost."

It's just a part of the psychological matrix, it seems...

[Tim01]

59. You don't deny this administration wants to ban sem-auto rifles. Good.

[villager]

60. I don't deny you are a classic example of what the article was talking about

Whether that's "good," or not is another question

[Tim01]

63. You keep agreeing with the NRA. Good job.

They say this administration is hostile toward guns and they should back republicans.

Why don't you just say "I agree" and be done with it.

[villager]

65. you keep making no sense whatseover

usual job.

[defendandprotect]

68. Isn't that also part of the NRA propaganda being spewed to them regularly???

[Paladin]

76. "Even When Gun Owners Win, They Think They've Lost"

Truer words were never spoken. That ought to be the new motto for DU's Gun Dungeon.......

[LeftHander]

61. 5 dead, 21 severly wounded, 32 trampled after gunfire was used for applause...

With chants of "Cold dead heads!" NRA revelers fired into the air at the steel framed roof of the Hippodrome. Bullets ricocheted and struck dozens. Panic overtook the pack when several participates began randomly firing into the crowd believing the building powder smoke was a chemical attack.

[Tim01]

64. *snort*

[47of74]

62. Much like Right to Life

The Right to Life movement in the United States has become little more than a mouthpiece for the Republican party. It's why I refuse to buy roses or whatever else they're hawking because I know that the money would go from the RTL crowd right into the hands of the GOP.

[defendandprotect]

66. NRA is an targeting force for the GOP --

Johnny get your gun ---

target a Democrat -- they've been doing that for decades.

[MetaTrope]

69. Phoenix, birthplace of the 9/11 hijackings!

At least, that's where al-Qaeda first put down roots in America.

Seems very, very appropriate.

[benEzra]

71. The NRA comprises 5 percent of U.S. gun owners.

Enough with the "gun owner = repub shill" meme.

Plenty of Dems and indies own modern firearms (and value the right to choose to), though some here may not like to acknowledge that.

[villager]

75. so you would agree the NRA's rhetoric is extremist, their paranoia unfounded?

n/t

[benEzra]

77. Some of it, yes. Some of it, no.

Their support for repubs on issues unrelated to the Second Amendment is wrongheaded and seriously troubling, as is their closeness to the repub leadership. Their rhetoric is quite often overheated and shrill, their advertising unnecessarily offensive and often irrelevant (the Kerry poodle ads come to mind), and their emphasis on "sportsmen" simply ignorant.

I'm not sure what "paranoia" you're referring to, though. You yourself have advocated strongly for banning the most popular civilian rifles in America, limiting civilian guns to Civil-War-era magazine capacities, and making it considerably more difficult for us to own them or pass them down to our heirs, as have many prominent corporatist/Third Way DLC'ers (e.g., Dianne Feinstein, Carolyn McCarthy, and Charles Schumer), and legislation to do just that is introduced every congressional session. The fact that the NRA is overly shrill and gleefully partisan about pointing that out does not change the fact that there is a powerful and very well connected lobby in this country trying to ban the most popular civilian guns, seriously bottleneck ammunition production and curtail importation, drastically cut capacity, and whatnot.

[villager]

78. so then, like a lot of pro-gun folk here, you agree with the NRA, while trying to claim

...they don't speak for you, all at the same time?

:shrug:

[benEzra]

80. I agree with them on some issues and disagree with them on others...

just like I both agree and disagree with pretty much every other person and organization on this planet. I am no one's clone or rubber stamp.

I told you what I agree with, and what I disagree with. Among the things I agree with them on are the fact that banning the most popular civilian rifles in America, including banning rifles because of the way the stock is shaped, is wrongheaded and counterproductive given that only 3% of U.S. murders involve any type of rifle.

[villager]

81. so then the claim that the NRA only speaks for a small number of pro-gun folk is actually false?

n/t

[Robeson]

74. Aren't they one and the same?