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Posted on 07/01/2010 5:17:42 PM PDT by neverdem
The NRA has received a number of questions about blog posts that claim I issued a “gag order” to NRA board members on the nomination of Elena Kagan to the U.S. Supreme Court. This is absurd and wrong.
This claim shows complete ignorance of how the NRA operates. NRA staff, including everyone (myself included) at the NRA Institute for Legislative Action, work for the NRA Executive Vice President, who in turn works for the NRA board, which in turn is elected by NRA’s voting members.
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Under the NRA by-laws, NRA-ILA has "sole responsibility to administer the legislative, legal, informational and fund raising activities of the Association relating to the defense or furtherance of the right to keep and bear arms, in accordance with the objectives and policies established by the Board of Directors.” To carry out that mission, NRA-ILA strives to ensure that the NRA’s positions are clear and based on the most accurate information possible. |
The confirmation of a Supreme Court justice is not to be taken lightly. That’s why, when Justice John Paul Stevens announced his retirement in April, I sent an e-mail to NRA board members and staff stating that with the critical case of McDonald v. Chicago still pending before the Court, “it is very important that NRA not comment on Justice Stevens nor engage in speculation on potential successors.”
Similarly, when the President nominated Solicitor General Kagan to the Court in May, I sent a message to the NRA Board pointing out her lack of a judicial record; noting that NRA-ILA was reviewing all available information; and stating that “it is important that we all refrain from commenting until we know more about Kagan’s views regarding the Second Amendment.” Again, I referenced the fact that NRA has a case pending before the Court.
When Ms. Kagan was nominated, little information on her record was available. More recently, the William J. Clinton Presidential Library has released an enormous volume of documents from her time in the White House. NRA-ILA staff has reviewed these carefully and they raise serious concerns. As we said last week:
What we've seen to date shows a hostility towards our Right to Keep and Bear Arms, such as her role in developing the Clinton Administration's 1998 ban on importation of many models of semi-automatic rifles; her note mentioning the NRA and the Ku Klux Klan as “bad guy” organizations; and her comment to Justice Marshall that she was “not sympathetic” to a challenge to Washington, D.C.'s handgun ban.
Respect for the Senate confirmation process requires that a nominee be given the opportunity to explain his or her position on critical issues affecting gun owners. That’s why the NRA has been working with members of the Senate Judiciary Committee to make sure she is thoroughly questioned on these issues. Once the hearings are complete, the NRA will announce its position on her confirmation.
This is exactly the approach the NRA took last year when we opposed the nomination of Sonia Sotomayor. Early in the process, we expressed our serious concerns about her record. We announced our opposition after her confirmation hearings ended without evidence that she would properly respect our fundamental, individual right to keep and bear arms and apply it to the states. Her dissenting vote in McDonald v. Chicago confirmed that our position was correct.
Unfortunately, false Internet rumors are far too often repeated as fact. Rest assured, however, that the NRA is fully committed to representing the interests of our members and all gun owners in this process and defending the Second Amendment to the United States Constitution, as we do in all legislative, legal and political arenas.
Then why are they supporting Harry Reid?
He Better get on you tube and deny that support that GD Reid or he is finished and so is the NRA. That SUCKS!!
“Then why are they supporting Harry Reid? “
Perhaps they’ll look at whether Harry votes to support this Gun-Grabber for the Court - and if he does, they’ll change their position on him (since Angle will be at least as good on guns, but would NEVER support a woman like her).
THEY HAVE EVERY RIGHT TO DO SO.
good question...why do they support Harry
The days of wishy washy are over, it is time to pick a side and stand fast!
>> Cox: “This is absurd and wrong.”
The National Association of Absurd and Wrong.
I was hoping NAAW was going to clarify the Reid rumors.
I have every right to question the direction and leadership of the NRA.
I’m done with them.
Recent headlines from a compromised NRA.
NRA Now Leans Toward Endorsing Harry Reid
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2545151/posts
NRA holding its fire on Kagan, puzzling other on right
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2544692/posts
NRA Discourages Board Members From Testifying Against Kagan
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2542882/posts
NRA bails on Constitution to pursue self-interest ( NRA sells out Constitution to get exemption)
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2541243/posts
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2541638/posts
AUDIO: Wayne LaPierre Tries to Explain NRA Position on Campaign Law and Fails
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2539697/posts
The NRA’s Deal with the Devil
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2537134/posts
NRA endorsement of McCain destroys groups credibility (McNasty attempting to buy his reelection)
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2528763/posts
Friendly Fire (should I burn my NRA membership?)
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2528343/posts
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2541638/posts
“When Ms. Kagan was nominated, little information on her record was available.”
.
Total Horse $hit!
kagen has not been any secret, and everything about her is frightening.
Time for the NRA to get real.
Angle is rock solid on gun rights; Dingy Harry is a two-stepping sleaze.
.
Dead wrong...
pro-gun democrats are like pro-life democrats...ghosts....you hear about them but they never materialize...
I also notified NRA that if they endorse Harry Reid my many years as a member will come to an end. They responded that endorsements will be made closer to the election and noted that Harry has been supportive of NRA issues. Tough. Harry also has helped ruin the country. If Harry gets their endorsement I become a member of Gun Owners of America. (I may anyway).
Harry will do whatever Obama tells him to do, not what NRA wants him to do.
I left the NRA years ago because they endorsed John Murtha. Trust me, they'll support Reid again too.
I thought I was on a political website?
How the hell can you be so brain dead stupid?
Step one: Get rid of Harry Reid
Step two: Fail to have a Republican majority in the Congress
Step three: Watch as an antigun leftist fills Harry’s job
Step four: Watch as dozens of antigun bills flood the Congress
Step five: Complain to the NRA they aren’t doing enough to stop dozens of bills in Congress
Did you make your donation to the Brady center yet? You lazy fudds make me sick.
Now, just lackys looking for a government handout.
I'm thoroughly disgusted. I'll be ending all membership and will NEVER look back.
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