The NRA as 800lb Gorilla

[Bartholomew Roberts]

That analogy holds true in more ways than one; because I swear the latest donation plea strategy I got from the NRA-ILA must have been conceived by an 800lb gorilla - though most gorillas would rightly take offense at that assumption.

Here I am living in Texas, a state where the antis were totally shut out during the normal legislative session and the legislature will not be meeting again until 2005.

Yet, I get a letter imploring me of the urgency to send these postcards off to my state legislators and urge them not to consider gun bans in the guise of anti-terrorism bills two years hence.

Gee fellas, is there any other high priority gun legislation issue coming up sometime before 2005?

What I would really like is for the NRA to stop sending me chicken-little warnings of what impending doom is awaiting me if I don't send them money and send me a letter telling me how they plan to spend my money to go on the offensive and kill the AW ban (first and foremost) and then advance from there instead of playing non-stop defense.

 

[300lbGorilla]

Hey... we gorillas must disagree.

The NRA is more like the Dodo bird... slowly dying and can't figure out why.

As ineffective as wax toilet paper... including in their fundraising efforts. I guess LaPierre has to subsidize his book income, though.

 

[Mike Irwin]

So tell us, 300lb Gorilla, what's your window into NRA's fundraising apparatus?

Just how do you know that NRA's fundraising efforts are failing?

Or is this just a wild guess?

Whom do you know at NRA who can positively speak to such issues?

I'd really like to know, as the people with whom I worked at NRA, people who are still there, who are still friends, report rather impressive fundraising numbers for this, a non-election year.

 

[Standing Wolf]

...rather impressive fundraising numbers for this, a non-election year...

I sincerely hope you're right. I've been doing my admittedly small bit to help. I've understood for years the N.R.A. may be a long way from perfect, but it beats the socks off waiting for the A.C.L.U. to stand up for the Second Amendment.

 

[hansolo]

Just an observation

Without taking sides, please consider this: the tradition of Dividing to Conquer is always lurking in the shadows.

Let's hang together, Ladies and Gentlemen!

 

[RAY WOODROW 3RD]

800 lb Gorilla Failure.....

Sorry fellas,
In New Jersey they divided alright. They divided any money they received from gunners here amongst the other 49 states. They sure as hell didn't spend it here.

Am I a member? YES

Do I feel cheated? YES

Do I feel abandoned? YES

They do not have a clue as to what is going on in this state. They need to get rid of the ancient field reps and get better blood in there. I just call it as I see it.

 

[300lbGorilla]

Mike,

Take a look where I'm from. My responses to Ray's questions are exactly the same as his.

:banghead:

I take issue with the NRA's supreme task of maintaining the status quo... making sure that they're still around and that nothing really gets done so that they still have jobs tomorrow. That burns my ???. That's why I don't "donate" money.

Maybe they do make money... but they don't make it from me. And no amount of sky-is-falling BS is going to make me change my position on the NRA's relative ineffectiveness until it takes its 800lb gorilla ??? and starts sticking it where it belongs... on the political frontlines.

Ask anybody from any state that the NRA has abandoned about the NRA's effectiveness and you'll get something to the effect of "waxed toilet paper."

 

[answerguy]

Maybe they do make money... but they don't make it from me. And no amount of sky-is-falling BS is going to make me change my position on the NRA's relative ineffectiveness until it takes its 800lb gorilla ??? and starts sticking it where it belongs... on the political frontlines.

Does no one give the NRA any credit for all the new shall-issue states there have been over the last few years?

 

[Mike Irwin]

I'm not asking where you're from, 300.

I'm asking for your PERSONAL insights into the comments that you made, that NRA's fundraising is ineffective. Two different things.

Here's a striking fact, though...

NRA can't do everything for everyone. If all you're doing is throwing a few bucks in the kitty every once in awhile and thinking that you're helping your Second Amendment rights, and then bitching about how NRA has failed you, best to look in the mirror, please, and see where another failure vector lies.

In other words, they're your rights. Don't expect to be able to protect them without doing some work.

 

[swifter]

I still contribute 10% of what I spend on my gun hobby to RKBA
Some goes to NRA. Some to GOA, GOC, CRPA. I'll support NRA as long as the "Brady Bunch" thinks they are the big threat .

It isn't important that you support NRA, it is important that you support at least ONE of the RKBA organizations.
Sorry if this gets anyone's skivs in a wad , but I've long opined that those who bellyache most, contribute least
I'm on a fixed income, and lost my part-time job due to a stroke last year, cutting my income by 1/3. I still contribute to RKBA. I have no patience with slugs riding my coat-tails...

Tom

 

[Don Gwinn]

I think it's great that they've made progress on shall-issue. I think electing George Bush was better than electing Al Gore. I'll give 'em that much.

And I'm paying for a life membership on the EPL plan, so this is not coming from a disgruntled ex-member. I'm serious about the NRA and I'd like it to be better.

When you live in one of the states the NRA has effectively "written off," like New Jersey or Illinois, it gets a little lonely. We could use an 800-lb gorilla right about now. What we've got is one lobbyist whose biggest ally in Illinios politics is an anti-gun goofball who helps him in his other job as a lobbyist for ABATE. Add that to an NRA affiliate that's as crooked as the Illinois political machines--AND refuses to do anything at all in the Chicago area--and you can see why there's so little hope in Illinois.

In fairness, of course, it should be pointed out that it's not the NRA's job to save us from ourselves. For better or for worse, the vast majority of Illinois gun owners are not involved in any way. Of those who are involved, most just send a check to the NRA and ISRA and consider their duty done.

 

[Waitone]

Pro-2nd type have one common characteristic that I think will eventually kill 'em. We tend to believe in the fairy tale of "Live and Let Live." When pushed back by the anti-2nd types we get huffy, puff out the chest, and wade into them. The problem is we think we can simply go back to living our lives when there is no immediate threat.

Bad mistake. The second amendment war is not going to be won with one or two skirmishes. It is an intergenerational conflict that will wax and wane as the fortunes of war wax and wane. Our mistake is not pushing the anti-2nd types to keep us on the offensive. We quit just as soon as we see a victory. We need to keep pushing and claiming ground even though the anti's are at that time not on the offensive.

So what if Tejas legislatures don't show up for another two years (I wish mine would go away for two years). With the NRA postcards and letters you can continue to intimidate your legislatures while they reside in NM for example. I think the NRA is dead right in keeping the heat on. I think the pro-2nd types make a big mistake in "live and let live."

 

[Futo Inu]

That is hilarious - "send us some money for your state legislative fights", and your legislature doesn't even meet for over another year - lol. Yep, I too am sick of the incessant 'cry wolf' money dunning letters. A selected few targeted letters would be more effective with *me*.

I like GOA alerts best, because you can send them money if you want, but whether you do or don't, they've got something specifically helpful you can do for the RKBA each and every time, that being sending in the postcards to the critters, with no more than the cost of three .23 cent stamps. GOA rocks!

 

[seeker_two]

That analogy holds true in more ways than one; because I swear the latest donation plea strategy I got from the NRA-ILA must have been conceived by an 800lb gorilla - though most gorillas would rightly take offense at that assumption.

The bad thing about 800lb gorillas--and any wild animal--is that it'll turn on you when you least expect it...

I wonder how NRA would respond if, when you recieve a fundraising letter, you return it to them w/ a note telling them that your donation is going to another organization (JPFO, GOA, etc.) that isn't compromisisng your rights or squandering your membership fees on junk mail...

 

[Coult D]

Another NRA (life) member from New Jersey.

They make no attempt in NJ to do anything pro active. Everthing comes from the state level RKBA group. We in Jersey are very politically active and we know it an uphill battle... but when we shout for the NRA all we get is an ECHO.

I am a LIFER but the NRA will never get another dime out of me.

Guys from NJ am I wrong on this viewpoint?

 

[Bartholomew Roberts]

So what if Tejas legislatures don't show up for another two years (I wish mine would go away for two years). With the NRA postcards and letters you can continue to intimidate your legislatures while they reside in NM for example. I think the NRA is dead right in keeping the heat on. I think the pro-2nd types make a big mistake in "live and let live."

Hey, I am all for keeping the heat on them; but what is the point in sending postcards to my Texas legislator right now? He isn't even going to remember them the next time the legislature meets.

In the meantime, NRA still has the frivolous lawsuit protection legislation tied up in the Senate (despite having 54 co-sponsors) and then has the renewal of the ban coming up in September 2004 - two incredibly important NATIONAL gun issues that they could have addressed.

Not to mention that I wouldn't send NRA a dime to fight in my state anyway as TSRA (the state NRA Chapter) is about 10x as effective as the national organization and would make better use of the money. Sending it to the NRA would only guarantee me 300 more pieces of junk mail that would insult the intelligence of a monkey.

 

[bogie]

Well, the _really_ hacked me off a few years ago, when they supported a Republican named Jim Talent, over a certain gentleman who is now a member of this esteemed group.

 

[Silver Bullet]

I like the postcard campaign, as evidenced by my thread
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=37860, which I posted before I read this thread.

It seems dirt cheap to produce, and if all several million NRA members mail in their cards it serves the very important purpose of reminding the congress critters that we're out here, and that we're watching them.

Plus, it involves so little time and effort on the part of the membership that it's hard to find an excuse to not participate.

 

[RAY WOODROW 3RD]

Coult D......

Your correct. I have nothing to add to your comments except for you to check out our group and see if you can pitch a hand with it.

We are also having a fundraising shoot on Saturday, Sept. 6th. If you or anybody else is interested, go to www.njcsd.org for more info.