Gale McMillan and the NRA

H

Hawkeye

New member
I was reading the thread on NRA and GOA with interest. I'm a benefactor member of the NRA, but trying to get ANY information from them on their budget and spending is apparently impossible. I like Neal Knox (although obviously, most of the NRA board does NOT), and I'm not convinced that Wayne LaPierre is necessarily doing what's best for the 2nd Amendment and gunowners rather than what's best for W LaP and some of the major NRA vendors.

What I'd really like to see is more committed pro-gun rights people with business experience on the NRA board. People that are not beholden to any faction or Executive Vice-President.

The obvious conclusion is that we should try to persuade Gale McMillan to serve on the NRA board. The elections are already happening, but I suspect that a TFL petition by our NRA members would get Gale on the 2001 ballot. It would be an interesting test of the effectiveness of internet-able NRA members, wouldn't you think?

Anyhow, how about it Gale? Would you be willing to serve? I for one would be willing to work to get you on the board.


[This message has been edited by Hawkeye (edited March 07, 2000).]
 
Hmmm. I like it. Experts on NRA politics--would we have time to do it even if Gale says yes?

Boy, once we've got Gale on the NRA board and Coinneach as sherriff of his county in CO, we'll be well on our way to TOTAL DOMINATION OF THE WORLD. . . . .

Next? DC for California state legislature.

And me for mayor of Chicago. :D
(Just threw in that last one to see who's paying attention.)
 
Assuming Gale's health will permit, I'd second that.
I would, personally, feel emotionally and intellectually very good if Gale were on the board.

Gwinny, gimme a couple more years...I do have a bay at the moment ;)

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"Quis custodiet ipsos custodes" RKBA!
 
Gwinny, you may have a chance to jump right to the Guv spot. Lots of people are pissed at him for the CDL scandal. I hear there may be a non-binding referendum to see if he should be booted out of the job. That would be cool!
 
Common-sense folks like Gale, with a knowledge of "our world" and of the world of private enterprise are always desireable on any board--and in this case, he would be very helpful. As was said, his health is obviously an issue he needs to consider.

Neal Knox is a good man, and I agree with most of what he says. He proved to be too abrasive in his dealings with Congress, and thus made himself ineffective. This added to the workload of the NRA in smoothing over the bad feelings created by Mr. Knox.

Do not forget that the present regime of the NRA is regarded as the second most effective lobbying group in the US, second only to the AARP. AARP has around fifteen or twenty times our membership.

When you consider what bills have been introduced for consideration by Congress, and how few have been passed, I have to say we're doing better than I have expected. And I've been in this squabble about gun control since the yakkety-yak over the Gun Control Act of 1968.

My questions to all those who are unhappy with the accomplishments of the NRA is: Have you ever written your Representative? Your Senators? Sent money to not just the ILA but to the other pro-gun organizations? Written letters to your local paper's editor? Sent a "Thank you" note to some legislator after his "correct" vote on a gun issue?

Have you attended an NRA convention? Corresponded with any member of the Board of Directors?

If you mostly answer "No" to the above, I'm not real interested in your viewpoints, even if there is some degree of merit. Any outfit with a debt per member of under $25 ain't doing all that bad. The NRA is financially better off than the US Gummint...

:), Art
 
Art, if your standard of excellence is surpassing the US Government, then my medical practice must be run by Warren Buffet himself!

I appreciate your suggestions, but I indeed contribute generously to the NRA, ILA, NRA Foundation, and also Neal Knox's group. I correspond regularly with my congresscritters. I regularly have letters to the editor published in the paper.

If you look at the political fortunes of gun owners today, and where we were after GCA 68, tell me how we're doing well. We're like a man in quicksand, consoling himself that's he's at least drowning slowly, instead of quickly. The ONLY "positive" we can point to in terms of removing restrictions or enhancing our freedom is shucking off a few of the ammunition record restrictions back in 1986 (was that the year), but to achieve that the NRA sold out full-auto firearms.

My original point was and is, the NRA receives and spends a vast amount of money every year. Have you ever seen an accounting of this in any NRA publication? I have written the NRA numerous times asking for a financial report or balance sheet. I have a nice stack of glossy publications about NRA activities supported by these funds that I have received in response to these requests, but never any accounting information. After contributing several thousand dollars to the NRA, I'd like them to show me how it was used.

If you have this information, please share it with us. I'd love to see it. If you don't please don't give me that "my country, right or wrong" rhetoric. I think the NRA is a fine organization and I will continue to support it. Do I think it could be improved, or perhaps run more efficiently? You bet!
 
Art: I'll agree that Knox is abrasive. But so far as I could see during the Philly convention, he didn't get kicked out because of his personality, he got kicked out because he was raising serious questions of financial corruption in the leadership of the NRA, allegations the NRA won't even acknowlege he's making, let alone respond to!

I am NEVER going to forget the slimy anonymous flyers spread around that convention attacking Neal, or the way they attacked him from the podium during the member's meeting, and cut the microphone off when he rose to respond. Until they conduct that audit he demanded, and prove to me his allegations weren't right on target, the NRA gets not one cent from me beyond my dues. And that only so I can vote for the board candidates LaPierre demands that I vote against!

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Sic semper tyrannis!
 
I have known Kneal Knox since he stopped driving a truck and started to work for Rifle Magazine. I am not sure that we could work together and ever get anything done. I appreciate the thought but It's not my cup of tea. I am not much of a politician! Its hard for me to compromise when I know I an right.. I would doubt if my affiliation with the NRA would be good for anyone as I have been a foe in most of their endeavors. I think goals are more important than ambitions. I think I have given you the impression I don't think much of the organization and you could be almost right but I still recognize the good it does. I will always support them in their fight for the 2nd amendment and encourage others to support them .It was a nice thought but since I have so little time to do anything I think I better put my efforts into something I can have some influence over. If I were 50 I probably wouldn't have to be asked a second time`
 
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