Free Republic

McConnell's speech prompted Nelson County GOP leaders to hold an emergency meeting, voting unanimously to issue a resolution censuring the senate majority leader for his comments. "This has shown his true colors," Nelson Co. GOP Chairman Don Thrasher said. "We felt today during his floor speech on the senate where he impugned the character of President Trump was unacceptable to us. His whole behavior overall through this whole process of the last week is not consistent with what he promised us when he was running for re-election." McConnell hasn't said how he will vote in the second impeachment trial of...

Like thousands of other Kentuckians over the last few months, Travis Powell just wanted a simple answer from the state Office of Unemployment Insurance. Powell is not an unemployed worker; he’s vice president of the Council on Postsecondary Education, and he wanted to know what to tell state universities about how to handle unemployment claims from work-study students. On April 20, he was put in touch with Muncie McNamara, the executive director of the Office of Unemployment Insurance. According to emails obtained through an open records request, McNamara said he’d look into it. After a week went by with no...

Many states are passing right to hunt constitutional amendments. The first court decision on the amendment shows that this is the beginning of a long legal process to determine just what this law means By James A. Swan, Ph.D. Author of "In Defense of Hunting" A dozen states across the country have recently passed constitutional amendments protecting the right to hunt and fish. Others are in the process of doing so. This seems like an important step toward protecting the future of hunting, but it also raises the thorny legal issue of just what is "hunting?" In 2000, Virginia voters...

LOVINGSTON -- A Nelson County judge refused yesterday to dismiss a lawsuit claiming the county had violated hunters' constitutional right to hunt. The lawsuit is being followed closely by hunters across the nation. Orion Sporting Group LLC claimed the Board of Supervisors violated Orion's rights to hunt under the Virginia Constitution by denying a special-use permit to operate a shotgun sports center where customers shoot at clay targets that simulate game. The county argues that hunting can only be defined as the pursuit of live animals and sought the suit's dismissal yesterday. Circuit Judge Michael J. Gamble said he needed...

Judge approves unusual court demonstration LOVINGSTON - The legal dispute between Orion Estate and Nelson County took an unusual turn Wednesday when a judge allowed Orion to hold a shooting demonstration as part of the trial next week. Orion’s lawyers at a pre-trial hearing said they want a supervised demonstration on the 465-acre Wingina property that would include shooting clays and similar activities. “We believe that the court’s decision would be enhanced if it had the opportunity to view the land” and the activities proposed for it, attorney John Simpson said. The event would take place during the afternoon on...

EFFECTIVELY COMMUNICATING WITH LAWMAKERS ON S. 397/H.R. 800 As you know, "The Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act" was recently introduced as S. 397 in the U.S. Senate, and H.R. 800 in the U.S. House. This critically important, NRA-backed legislation would protect law-abiding firearm manufacturers from reckless, predatory, and potentially bankrupting lawsuits. With efforts to pass this legislation in full swing, below are some tipsto ensure your communications with your U.S. Representative and U.S. Senators produce the desired effect. Ask any elected official which individual`s concerns are most important to him or her, and chances are he or she...

HELP SAVE THE FIREARM INDUSTRY CONTINUE YOUR SUPPORT FOR S. 397 AND H.R. 800 As you know, "The Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act" was introduced this year as S. 397 in the U.S. Senate, and H.R. 800 in the U.S. House. This critically important, NRA-backed legislation would protect law-abiding firearm manufacturers from reckless, predatory, and potentially bankrupting lawsuits. In 2003, the "Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act" passed the U.S. House of Representatives on an overwhelming bipartisan vote of 285-140, enjoyed more than 50 Senate cosponsors, and had the full support of President Bush. Sadly, the legislation...