Why Every Liberal Should Join Me In The NRA

[robertpaulsen]

Why Every Liberal Should Join Me In The NRA

by Eric Frost-Barnes Dec 10, 07:54



Raise your hand if you like Dead Americans. Just stick it right up there. If you raised your hand, then stop reading, this article is not for you – you’re not welcome here anymore.

If, however, the thought of Americans needlessly dying is as upsetting to you as it is to this proud liberal then perhaps you’ve also become depressed, frustrated, and disgusted by not only the near-endless mass shootings across our land but also from the apathy, empty rhetoric, and feigned compassion our political leaders spout after every one of these unacceptable – and potentially avoidable – tragedies.

I know the “dead Americans” opening angle is harsh, even somewhat cruel. But what’s going on in our country – this undeniable epidemic of gun-related violence – is harsh and cruel. We’re losing on average more than 30,000 American men, women, and worst of all, children every single year, with more than 1/3rd of those gun-related deaths being homicides. Yet, here we are. Stories about gun-related homicides and tragic accidental shootings are as common on the nightly news as sports scores and way-too-cheery weather people with way-too-white teeth.

There are two common-denominators to all these gun-related deaths occurring here in the United States. One, they’re happening to Americans (yes, you may call me Captain Obvious). Two, they involve some kind of firearm (yes, you may call me an idiot).

more...

https://www.slantnews.com/story/2015-12-10-why-every-liberal-should-join-me-in-the-nra

[Jester Messiah]

1. I will not have my name associated with those maniacs.

I'm an armed citizen for what I believe to be good reasons, but I'm not getting into bed with the NRA.

[Angry Dragon]

2. If the NRA REALLY cared they would make sure every American had a 9mm pistol and a good rifle

[OakCliffDem]

3. Do you have any comment on this article you have dropped off?

[robertpaulsen]

5. Sure.

I checked out a number of other forums, but most of them would not allow an OP on guns. The rules strictly forbade it. This seemed like the best place to post this article.

Do you have any comment on this article? Did you read it?

[OakCliffDem]

6. Most pro - NRA articles are viewed with suspicion

The baggage that comes along with their message has a definite anti-progressive slant to it.

[ManiacJoe]

7. The point Oak was trying to make is that

the regulars in this forum do not appreciate drive-by posts. If you think an article is worth posting, we would like you to start the conversation with a comment about what you found worth in the article.

Yes, yes, we do have a couple prolific drive-by posters here....

[robertpaulsen]

8. Fair point.

I think it's worth posting because I think the author's larger point is that we really need to think outside the box when taking on a billion dollar lobbying juggernaut like the NRA. I don't know if subverting the NRA from within is a realistic concept, certainly not within a few years. But it sure didn't start out the way it is now.

Anyway, my apologies, it was not my intention to make my first post in this group seem like a drive-by. My personal view is that nuts like Wayne LaPierre and his ilk need to be taken out of the lobbying equation as they do not represent the majority of opinion by any stretch of the imagination. What's the best way to do it? I'm open to suggestions, but as a long range idea, I think Mr. Frost-Barnes, even with his tongue in cheek, might be on to something.

[TeddyR]

9. I actually like the post

I'm a gun-owner, a Democrat and a person who can't stand the NRA. I think the NRA's actual influence is overblown and that they aren't the all-powerful boogeyman that folks think they are, but getting gun-owning Democrats (about 1/3 of Dems are gun-owners) to join the NRA and use that influence to redirect the NRA's influence is an interesting thought.

[ManiacJoe]

10. Now that is a good comment about that article.

Thanks!

[pablo_marmol]

13. "But it sure didn't start out the way it is now."

For the true account of how Democrats created the modern NRA, grab yourself a used copy of Restricting Handguns - The Liberal Skeptics Speak Out.

Interesting story. In a nutshell, FDR cynically attempted to distract attention from Prohibition by going after guns -- only to have Congress deluged by letters from gun owners. That stopped gun prohibition in its tracks. Of course today, lies re. "assault weapons", "gun show loopholes" etc. maintain the power of the NRA.

The entire chapter History of Handgun Prohibition is a great read. Every Democrat who is honestly interested in reducing gun violence in the U.S. should own this book......as well as others by liberal authors/scholars.

[Eleanors38]

4. Wonder if Frost-Barnes will get an NRA royalty for reprint.

[DonP]

11. Five years until you can vote in NRA elections

I'm pretty sure that's the standard they have.

The idea of "win from within" has been around for over a decade on DU.

The 5 year delay pretty much ends the discussion. Gun control minded people are not known for their perseverance.

[beardown]

12. Microcosm of being in current Democratic party

The Democratic party left me around the middle of Clinton's terms. Working from within has you slammed as an idiot or traitor for voting for candidates who share pre DLC and Clinton values, instead of the latest dem corporate owned slightly less bat crap insane as repubs are on anti-work, anti-civil liberties, anti-woman candidates. The powers that be just keep getting more insane repubs so the more corporate dems seem to have not shifted ever more right.

While I've actually thought about the same idea and joining, I've decided not to because of various reasons. Don't want to pay dues to them. Don't want them using increased memberships to leverage their agenda. Believe it's effectiveness is akin to joining the KKK to help steer them to becoming the second coming of the Southern Poverty Law Center.

If as one poster noted, you have to be a member for 5 years to vote, then even more reason plan won't work.

Very good to think outside of the box to improve the current climate as the current box is too toxic to get anything done now.

Keep them coming.