Holy smokes Heather! you never, ever, need to apologize for anything ever as far as I'm concerned! you're work is such a gift. It is the first thing i read in the morning and i share it widely. thank you, a thousand times thank you, for the heart and intelligence you pour into your posts. You and one other person i read/listen goes a long way in keeping me sane!
Most of the NRA history was at least somewhat familiar, except for the details of Maria Butina's involvement.
Of equal interest, and of major political importance, is how the NRA, over the past 40 years since the extremists' hostile takeover of the organization in 1977, has been able to manipulate and mold public, and eventually judicial, understanding of the Second Amendment into accepting an interpretation grotesquely inconsistent and dissociated with what the Framers intended when they wrote it.
The move to dissolve the NRA provides a rare opportunity to steer conservative opinion. Though many on the right may seem out of reach, this sort of stinging betrayal still resonates with some. I am writing a Letter to the Editor of my local paper (below) to address this subject, with a strategy seeking to *influence* others' opinions rather than to *express* my own opinion. Please feel free to borrow as you see fit -- I wanted to include words like "heritage", "history", and "values", but couldn't quite squeeze them in ;-)
DEAR EDITOR:
The proceedings to dissolve the National Rifle Association mark a tragic ending for what was once the most highly regarded advocacy group for responsible gun ownership in America. Its leaders lost sight of this valuable mission, and instead shamefully chose to divert millions of membership dollars for their own personal gain. Now we face the consequences. The NRA is an unrecognizable shadow of its former self, and America is poorer for it.
Wow! Connects a lot of dots for me! I was clueless! I don’t think the true dumpster supporters will really listen to the facts. They will just hear their rights are being attacked. It is baffling that I take active shooter training to be a teacher with little regard for real safety. Being thrown back into the classroom during a pandemic proves the same thing to me. Politicians don’t care about kids, parents see us as kid warehouse. The rich need us back so their minions get back to work.
Glad you are okay with power restored! Stay Safe! 😊
Hope you realize how much you are loved and appreciated and how your fans worry about you when your letter hasn’t arrived. But, like others, I checked Facebook and read the post so I knew you were okay
I was so glad to know you were all right, Heather. Thank you for this post on the suits against NRA leadership. Very helpful. I am a lay preacher in the Episcopal Church in Western MA and a board member of Theology & Peace, an ecumenical group of Christian theologians, clergy, and laity that seeks the flourishing of nonviolent Christianity. Our Collaborators Conference next week (online rather than in Nashville) is featuring the documentary “J.E.S.U.S.A” by filmmaker Kevin Miller which is available to rent or purchase on Vimeo. The first 15 minutes are disturbing clips from political rallies, churches, and interviews with gun promoting pastors and arms instructors that are horrifying in that they promote the theology of a violent God and the role of humans in carrying out this God’s violence on earth. (The rest of the film unpacks that bad theology.) This religion of a violent God which is used to justify owning and using weapons is the superglue bonding the NRA to individuals. These lawsuits could be instrumental in revealing the latest chapter in our long history of religion approved violence. Hope you continue to follow this for us.
I’m just glad it was only the power—not you! We’re all like your mother, worried sick until you show up, safe and sound. If you’re ever actually in danger, imagine the hordes of people who will show up on your behalf!! 😁❤️
Power lost. Still she persisted and we benefit from the daily digest. Thank you.
Pro tip: I use a Wi-Fi hot spot on my phone, mainly for security, but it works well for intermittent power outages too. It's all memorized in the computer. the computer will automatically swap whenever other wi-fi is not around. Of course assumes the same occurrence that knocked out your power left cell service unaffected.
It's worth noting that the man who led the 1977 coup that transformed the NRA into a right wing political organization was convicted murderer, Harlon Carter.
Nature is sometimes a harsh mistress ...especially when man messes with it and one lives in the wild blue yonder! Happily we could read it on Facebook. Excellent review of the NRA and the way that it has been perverted by self interest and greed of the ultra right wing and the US/Russian oligarchs. Hopefully it can be resuscitated as an organization promoting safe and controlled use and access to firearms. It's going to be interesting to see the impact on Trump/GOP electioneering. Will those who have received NRA funding reject it because it has been "tainted" with fraud?
Holy smokes Heather! you never, ever, need to apologize for anything ever as far as I'm concerned! you're work is such a gift. It is the first thing i read in the morning and i share it widely. thank you, a thousand times thank you, for the heart and intelligence you pour into your posts. You and one other person i read/listen goes a long way in keeping me sane!
I"m glad everything is OK!
Most of the NRA history was at least somewhat familiar, except for the details of Maria Butina's involvement.
Of equal interest, and of major political importance, is how the NRA, over the past 40 years since the extremists' hostile takeover of the organization in 1977, has been able to manipulate and mold public, and eventually judicial, understanding of the Second Amendment into accepting an interpretation grotesquely inconsistent and dissociated with what the Framers intended when they wrote it.
The move to dissolve the NRA provides a rare opportunity to steer conservative opinion. Though many on the right may seem out of reach, this sort of stinging betrayal still resonates with some. I am writing a Letter to the Editor of my local paper (below) to address this subject, with a strategy seeking to *influence* others' opinions rather than to *express* my own opinion. Please feel free to borrow as you see fit -- I wanted to include words like "heritage", "history", and "values", but couldn't quite squeeze them in ;-)
DEAR EDITOR:
The proceedings to dissolve the National Rifle Association mark a tragic ending for what was once the most highly regarded advocacy group for responsible gun ownership in America. Its leaders lost sight of this valuable mission, and instead shamefully chose to divert millions of membership dollars for their own personal gain. Now we face the consequences. The NRA is an unrecognizable shadow of its former self, and America is poorer for it.
Wow! Connects a lot of dots for me! I was clueless! I don’t think the true dumpster supporters will really listen to the facts. They will just hear their rights are being attacked. It is baffling that I take active shooter training to be a teacher with little regard for real safety. Being thrown back into the classroom during a pandemic proves the same thing to me. Politicians don’t care about kids, parents see us as kid warehouse. The rich need us back so their minions get back to work.
Glad you are okay with power restored! Stay Safe! 😊
Hope you realize how much you are loved and appreciated and how your fans worry about you when your letter hasn’t arrived. But, like others, I checked Facebook and read the post so I knew you were okay
I was so glad to know you were all right, Heather. Thank you for this post on the suits against NRA leadership. Very helpful. I am a lay preacher in the Episcopal Church in Western MA and a board member of Theology & Peace, an ecumenical group of Christian theologians, clergy, and laity that seeks the flourishing of nonviolent Christianity. Our Collaborators Conference next week (online rather than in Nashville) is featuring the documentary “J.E.S.U.S.A” by filmmaker Kevin Miller which is available to rent or purchase on Vimeo. The first 15 minutes are disturbing clips from political rallies, churches, and interviews with gun promoting pastors and arms instructors that are horrifying in that they promote the theology of a violent God and the role of humans in carrying out this God’s violence on earth. (The rest of the film unpacks that bad theology.) This religion of a violent God which is used to justify owning and using weapons is the superglue bonding the NRA to individuals. These lawsuits could be instrumental in revealing the latest chapter in our long history of religion approved violence. Hope you continue to follow this for us.
I’m just glad it was only the power—not you! We’re all like your mother, worried sick until you show up, safe and sound. If you’re ever actually in danger, imagine the hordes of people who will show up on your behalf!! 😁❤️
Power lost. Still she persisted and we benefit from the daily digest. Thank you.
Pro tip: I use a Wi-Fi hot spot on my phone, mainly for security, but it works well for intermittent power outages too. It's all memorized in the computer. the computer will automatically swap whenever other wi-fi is not around. Of course assumes the same occurrence that knocked out your power left cell service unaffected.
It's worth noting that the man who led the 1977 coup that transformed the NRA into a right wing political organization was convicted murderer, Harlon Carter.
The parenthetical made me laugh out loud. Found the Facebook post earlier, so I knew you were ok, but please take care of yourself!
Not gonna lie...I was afraid my connection to intelligent thought had been lost. Glad the power returned!
Waking up, I reach for my phone and look forward to reading your insights. I began to totally fret about 8:30. Whew!!! Glad you are okay!
THANK YOU --- (now, go kayaking this weekend, please?)
Bless you, dear soul, for your efforts to educate us.
Nature is sometimes a harsh mistress ...especially when man messes with it and one lives in the wild blue yonder! Happily we could read it on Facebook. Excellent review of the NRA and the way that it has been perverted by self interest and greed of the ultra right wing and the US/Russian oligarchs. Hopefully it can be resuscitated as an organization promoting safe and controlled use and access to firearms. It's going to be interesting to see the impact on Trump/GOP electioneering. Will those who have received NRA funding reject it because it has been "tainted" with fraud?
As I posted on Facebook:
I think we can say this applies to you, Heather! We can add power outage.
Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds.