“not my crusade”
I called a longtime friend/spiritual brother in the Midwest today to get his take on the gun control debate raging in the U.S. He joined the NRA ten years ago, attracted by its training and safety programs. Now, he says, he won’t renew his membership because of the recent political histrionics of CEO Wayne LaPierre. After every mass shooting, LaPierre reflexively spouts the party line about the Second Amendment being in imminent danger of being repealed. But he has no choice. Generous contributions from the gun industry and its corporate allies help bankroll the NRA.
Anyway, my friend/brother said LaPierre lost him with his obsession over the alleged gutting of the Constitution. “Not my crusade”, my f/b said.
The Parkland shooting is starting to really be different this time, mostly because of the survivors. Since the slaughter, these kids have shown more courage, articulation and rational thought than LaPierre and LaTrump combined. I hope that — as the vanguard of Generation Z — they spawn massive political interest among their peers.
I witnessed significant trauma in Vietnam as a casualty reporter, but I stuffed it and didn’t own it for 25 years. I applaud the students for confronting their trauma before the wounds turn to scars. That’s crucial.
I don’t know if any of the kids will go into politics, but, please, Emma Gonzales. Run for President ASAP. At the very least, hopefully they will register to vote in huge numbers.
So as teenagers are being the voice of reason, LaPierre has blathered about the Second Amendment and The Donnie has simply blathered. In his classic style, Trump pulled –not necessarily the first — but the worst thing out of his ass. His proposal to arm teachers is not only loony, it would be a boon for the gun industry, which needs more government subsidy. Remington just filed for bankruptcy.
As the gun-crazy crowd continues to wrap itself in Old Glory, please note that Super Patriot Wayne LaPierre had a Selective Service number in 1970 that placed him in the “most likely” to be drafted pool. But he didn’t go. Snopes pooh-poohed an internet rumour that he was spared due to a nervous disorder, then speculated that he got a student deferment. I’d like to offer an alternative theory: he caught bone spurs from Trump.
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Anchor Struck 
What they have stopped reporting for some reason is that the shooter Cruz was in a NRA sponsored gun club at the school and was quite good. He was wearing the gun club shirt when he was caught.
Great point, Judith. I just saw that Trump assured an anxious nation that he would have gone in the school, even without a gun. I have to call bullshit on that. He doesn’t even have to courage to fire people face-to-face.
The NRA has to change. They used to be about family, the sport and safety. Now its just mouthpieces without an ounce of empathy. They could have got rid of bump stocks and thrown the kids a bone but they are so entrenched they feel invincible and wont budge an inch, Its a shame that I feel shame in being a gun owner
I don’t know when the gun industry completed its hostile takeover of the NRA, but I’m cheered that corporate America is showing spine while lawmakers remain resolutely chickenshit. The move by Dick’s Sporting Goods is great news. Casey Cagle, the Lieutenant Governor of Georgia, just threatened to use his power (Yes, he’s up for re-election in the fall.) to retract a huge tax break for Delta because it withdrew discounts for NRA members. The Atlanta-based airline was immediately wooed by Virginia and New York State. Cagle may not have thought this one out.
I agree with summergale, the NRA has a rich history of promoting safety and that is what first attracted me to become a member. But, as things turn out, they have become WAY too political, to the point of being illogical in their ravings. I have composed a short note that I will include with my unfilled-out renewal and send it back to them. It probably won’t have any effect on them, but I’ll feel better!
BB
Sad part is these kids have also shown more courage, articulation and thought than most the adults – Dam and GOO – in Congress and state legislators around the country.
While Dam and GOO is compliments of spell check for Dem and GOP, I do sort of like the sound of it.
HAY MY BROTHER – LOVED YOUR DIALOG – UNTIL YOU JUMPED ON TRUMP – THIS TIME. DO NOT LAND THE “ARM TEACHERS” THING ON HIM. IT WAS A SUGGESTION – NOT A GOOD ONE ( MY OPINION) BUT STILL A SUGGESTION.
SCHOOLS NEED PC’S AND CHALK – NOT MORE GUNS!
I DO NOT KNOW THE ANSWERS TO GUN VIOLENCE, DRUGS, OR NORTH KOREA BUT OUR POLITICIANS ARE IDIOTS! MAYBE THAT “Z” GENERATION WILL MAKE THEM LISTEN – HA! ANY BETS.
WONDER HOW MANY POLITICIANS ARE NOT MILLIONAIRES AND ACTUALLY CARE ABOUT AMERICA.
INSTEAD OF TRUMP – WHY NOT ATTACK THEIR OWN FLORIDA OFFICIALS FOR CHANGES.
LOVE YA MAN –