MicroBalrog
New member
NRA mum on Douglass' case
By BRIAN ECKHOUSE
Union Leader Correspondent
LONDONDERRY — The National Rifle Association yesterday refused to quell local speculation that it would not help finance Londonderry High School senior Blake Douglass' lawsuit against the school district for refusing to publish his submitted yearbook photo featuring a broke-open shotgun.
"We don't comment on pending legal matters," NRA spokesman Ashley Varner said in a phone interview yesterday.
Douglass attorney Penny Dean, who filed a complaint against Londonderry in U.S. District Court on Nov. 15, yesterday said she was uncertain whether the NRA would financially back her client.
"Until you have a check in your hand, you must expect that you only have ideological support," said Dean, who will request and file a preliminary injunction to delay the yearbook's printing until the matter is resolved in court.
When asked if NRA "ideologically supports" Douglass, Varner would not comment.
Varner's limited response is a departure from her organization's prior comments.
In a Sept. 24 interview with The Union Leader, NRA spokesman Kelly Hobbs said, "This is a case of political correctness run amok."
She later added, "The photograph clearly has nothing to do with violence. In fact, it reflects a deep-rooted American heritage that teaches safety and responsibility. (Sport)-shooting is an all-American tradition, just like football and baseball. And more Americans participate in the shooting sports than play baseball or ski or mountain bike."
The Gun Owners of New Hampshire continue to back Douglass, both ideologically and financially. Dean confirmed that the organization sent Dougl
ss a check, but she refused to disclose the amount.
And individual backers throughout the nation have offered financial support, Dean said.
"I open the mail every day with checks," she said. "A lot of people are outraged and amazed about what's happened to Blake Douglass. I got a letter from a guy in Connecticut with 10- and 8-year-olds who love to trap and skeet. He said he never thought this would be an issue. I've received calls from people across the nation. A doctor has sent me a check."
Londonderry recently learned that its insurance provider, Primex, will cover the bulk of Douglass lawsuit-related expenses.
"Primex has reviewed the case, and although there's no exact dollar figure, it appears that we will get a majority of expenses either through provision of attorney, or payment to the attorneys that we have," Londonderry Superintendent Nathan S. Greenberg said yesterday.
Greenberg confirmed that Upton would likely represent him, the Londonderry school board members, LHS principal James Elefante and yearbook adviser Steve Juster in court. In the lawsuit, Dean named them all, plus town manager Dave Caron.
Upton said he and Dean would likely convene with a judge within the next two weeks to determine deadlines and court dates.
Both attorneys prefer an early court date.
"We don't want this held up more than anyone else," Dean said. "If either one of us loses, we need time for appeal."
By BRIAN ECKHOUSE
Union Leader Correspondent
LONDONDERRY — The National Rifle Association yesterday refused to quell local speculation that it would not help finance Londonderry High School senior Blake Douglass' lawsuit against the school district for refusing to publish his submitted yearbook photo featuring a broke-open shotgun.
"We don't comment on pending legal matters," NRA spokesman Ashley Varner said in a phone interview yesterday.
Douglass attorney Penny Dean, who filed a complaint against Londonderry in U.S. District Court on Nov. 15, yesterday said she was uncertain whether the NRA would financially back her client.
"Until you have a check in your hand, you must expect that you only have ideological support," said Dean, who will request and file a preliminary injunction to delay the yearbook's printing until the matter is resolved in court.
When asked if NRA "ideologically supports" Douglass, Varner would not comment.
Varner's limited response is a departure from her organization's prior comments.
In a Sept. 24 interview with The Union Leader, NRA spokesman Kelly Hobbs said, "This is a case of political correctness run amok."
She later added, "The photograph clearly has nothing to do with violence. In fact, it reflects a deep-rooted American heritage that teaches safety and responsibility. (Sport)-shooting is an all-American tradition, just like football and baseball. And more Americans participate in the shooting sports than play baseball or ski or mountain bike."
The Gun Owners of New Hampshire continue to back Douglass, both ideologically and financially. Dean confirmed that the organization sent Dougl
ss a check, but she refused to disclose the amount.
And individual backers throughout the nation have offered financial support, Dean said.
"I open the mail every day with checks," she said. "A lot of people are outraged and amazed about what's happened to Blake Douglass. I got a letter from a guy in Connecticut with 10- and 8-year-olds who love to trap and skeet. He said he never thought this would be an issue. I've received calls from people across the nation. A doctor has sent me a check."
Londonderry recently learned that its insurance provider, Primex, will cover the bulk of Douglass lawsuit-related expenses.
"Primex has reviewed the case, and although there's no exact dollar figure, it appears that we will get a majority of expenses either through provision of attorney, or payment to the attorneys that we have," Londonderry Superintendent Nathan S. Greenberg said yesterday.
Greenberg confirmed that Upton would likely represent him, the Londonderry school board members, LHS principal James Elefante and yearbook adviser Steve Juster in court. In the lawsuit, Dean named them all, plus town manager Dave Caron.
Upton said he and Dean would likely convene with a judge within the next two weeks to determine deadlines and court dates.
Both attorneys prefer an early court date.
"We don't want this held up more than anyone else," Dean said. "If either one of us loses, we need time for appeal."
