Gun controllers attempt to suppress a Democratic fundraiser...

[friendly_iconoclast]

...for closely-run races in states where an antigun candidate wouldn't stand a chance.

The next time someone extolls any of the mentioned groups, or claims that support
for gun control and support for the Democratic Party are one and the same, show them this:

http://variety.com/2014/biz/news/gun-control-groups-urge-cancellation-of-hollywood-fundraiser-for-mark-begich-and-mark-pryor-1201141065/

Almost a year ago, in the aftermath of the shootings in Newtown, Conn., a number of entertainment industry activists decried a vote that prevented the Senate from moving forward background check legislation. Some vowed to withhold support from Democrats who voted “No,” including Sen. Mark Begich (D-Alaska) and Sen. Mark Pryor (D-Ark.), both of whom are in the midst of tough reelection races...


...In a letter sent to Cindy Horn on Wednesday afternoon, the groups urged her to cancel the fundraiser, or, in the alternative, that they instead raise funds for Senate candidates in tough races who voted for the background checks, including Sen. Mary Landrieu (D-La.), Sen. Kay Hagan (D-N.C.), Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.) and Sen. Mark Udall (D-Colo.).

The groups, including Women Against Gun Violence, the California Chapters of the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence, the Violence Prevention Coalition and Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, wrote to Horn that “when Senators from far-flung places come to California to fuel their campaigns, we hope that you will remind them that you’re not their personal ATM. You have a right to ask why they deserve their support...

...The groups asked in their letter, ”Is ‘Democrat’ merely a box on a ballot, to be checked at any cost?”

I'd say yes. I'd even go further, and say that anyone and any organization who'd work towards a goal that would help Republicans defeat Democrats isn't progressive and shouldn't be supported at DU

The text of the letter can be found here:

http://www.cnbc.com/id/101512826

"Gun Activists Demand Cancellation of Hollywood Fundraiser"

[Eleanors38]

1. That list of controllers is chock fulla GOPers. Win-Win...

goes the cliche. Win on some gun-control issue, or have the consolation prize of electing -- yup -- Republicans.

[ConservativeDemocrat]

2. Another dirty trick

Luckily, I don't think the people with money will be fooled.

- C.D. Proud Member of the Reality Based Community

[SecularMotion]

3. Dupe

http://www.democraticunderground.com/1172140350

[uncommonlink]

5. Dupe not.

Anyone here supporting this is supporting the defeat of a Dem and supporting the election of a Repub.

[friendly_iconoclast]

7. You are correct- any Democrat that supports these groups IS a dupe...

[ileus]

4. Control is never progressive.

[Token Republican]

6. Control is never progressive.

Control is never progressive.

I'm going to borrow that quote. Kudos.

[pablo_marmol]

9. +1 NT

[pablo_marmol]

8. Learn something new every day.

Didn't know that a consistently declining level of gun violence could be described as an epidemic.

That's why we need a uniform federal law – and why the American gun violence epidemic is every Senator's problem.

[CreekDog]

10. spare us any discussion about rights when you told me that i needed papers to travel in the USA

http://sync.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1172&pid=137904

[friendly_iconoclast]

11. Care to focus on the OP, or is that too much to ask?

But before you reply (if you so choose to), know this:

There is absolutely no valid explanation or apologia you or anyone else can make
here at DU to excuse the actions of gun control advocates trying to sabotage a
fundraiser for Democratic candidates in tight reelection races
during a vital midterm election.

Rest assured, if an excuse or defense of the signatories mentioned in the OP is posted,
I *will* alert for a TOS violation with a reaction time measured in nanoseconds.

Remember this?

http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=termsofservice

...But when general election season begins, DU members must support Democratic nominees (EXCEPT in rare cases where were a non-Democrat is most likely to defeat the conservative alternative, or where there is no possibility of splitting the liberal vote and inadvertently throwing the election to the conservative alternative). For presidential contests, election season begins when both major-party nominees become clear. For non-presidential contests, election season begins on Labor Day. Everyone here on DU needs to work together to elect more Democrats and fewer Republicans to all levels of American government. If you are bashing, trashing, undermining, or depressing turnout for our candidates during election season, we'll assume you are rooting for the other side.

Since neither Begich nor Pryor are being primaried, it is most definitely election season
already.

I have been called a lot of untrue things by a lot of people here over the years, thanks (mostly)
to my stance in re guns, self-defense, and the Second Amendment. I've let most of it slide, thanks
mostly to age and my philosophy of "You've been called worse by better, such is life"-

but never, NEVER before has anyone had the crust to post an account of several ostensibly
"progressive" groups trying to hinder the reelection campaigns of two Democratic US
Senators on Democratic Underground without even the mildest dissent or demurrer on
the order of "maybe this isn't really a good idea during a tight midterm with the Senate
in play".

I'd expect such a move from the NRA, Gun Owners of America, or the
Koch brothers, not from alleged 'allies' like

SOURCE Women Against Gun Violence; Violence Prevention Coalition of Los Angeles; Moms Demand Action; California Brady Campaign

http://www.cnbc.com/id/101512826


The next time anyone touts the actions of these groups, kindly refer them to this thread...

[Bjorn Against]

12. I will give an explanation, you can alert on it but I doubt your alert will succeed

The groups you cite are not partisan Democratic organizations, they are issue advocacy groups. Issue advocacy groups often confront politicians from both parties that vote against the interests of their organization, you can't expect an advocacy group that is in no way affiliated with the Democratic Party to be silent when a Democratic politician votes against that group's interests.

[friendly_iconoclast]

13. I won't alert, I am more PO'd at those who previously supported them...

...and acted as if these groups are de facto, if not de jure parts of the Democratic Party.
Of course, MDA and the Bradys, et al are going to push their views-
it's what advocacy groups do, as you've noted.

In a non-election year I wouldn't even attempt to alert on someone- certainly
I'd disagree and post accordingly. But this year, not just no but HELL NO.
Not with the Pubbies having the opportunity to take the Senate.

As I said, I note that those posters that previously supported them have yet
to voice even the mildest disagreement or suggest that the letter
writers work to support Senators Landrieu, Hagan, Shaheen, and Udall
instead of trying to interfere with fundraising for two Democratic Senators in tight
races.

So, yes, this time DU gun control advocates do need to make clear that
these groups are wrong at the moment.

[beevul]

14. Why must you stoop to false characterizations of his position?

Heres FI quoting you:

"I shouldn't need to carry a passport to visit Arizona and Alabama (re: Immigration laws)"

And heres FI stating his position:

&quot I agree with you about that, btw)"

Do you think people can't read or something?

[friendly_iconoclast]

15. Thanks for the support, but remember that grabbers have had a rough week

We should be somewhat charitable towards them, bless their hearts-

First: The trainwreck Murthy poll in GD
http://www.democraticunderground.com/1172140458


Second: The letter in the OP exploded the myth that the interests of gun control orgs
and the interests of the Democratic Party are one and the same.

Third: The 9-0 decision in US v Castleman deprived them of the genetic
fallacy they were wont to use against Heller and McDonald


It's to be expected they would act out after such shocks...