UPDATE 2:50 pm: Yea-59, Nay-39--Not agreed to. Original column follows
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"This morning," The Washington Independent informs us, "the Senate plans to vote on the DISCLOSE Act..."
I'd encourage you to read more, except we're talking about an account that describes RINOs Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins as "centrist."
Even the National Rifle Association, which dropped active opposition to the bill when it received its notorious "carve out" exemption, says it does not support the bill. It's just not their job to fight it, they say.
What does Gun Owners of America, which thinks it is their job to fight this, have to say?
Preparing for heavy losses in the general election, anti-gun Democrat leaders like Reid and Charles Schumer (D-NY) appear to be readying for a vote on the so-called DISCLOSE Act...
Instead of protecting the most important type of speech protected by the First Amendment -- political speech -- this bill would force groups like GOA to "disclose" the names of donors in certain political advertisements.
Since Gun Owners of America is not willing to disclose its membership lists to the Federal Election Commission, we could be prohibited from running radio or TV ads exposing a federal candidate's voting record within 60 days of a general election.
Click here to read the entire GOA alert.
Oregon Firearms Federation has also come out swinging:
The clock is ticking on the current Senate’s ability to ram its big government agenda down our throats, and now Harry Reid is trying one last time to silence groups like OFF while giving a free pass to the NRA with whom he cut a deal. (Reid had received almost $10,000.00 from NRA in the last two elections.)
The “Disclose Act” is scheduled for a vote tomorrow and it’s designed to protect the establishment while ending the ability of grass roots groups to engage in political speech.
Click here to read the rest from OFF.
My friend, former NRA Director Russ Howard, offers this assessment and call to action, via email:
Please call to stop this corrupt NRA-brokered assault on the 1st Amendment and ultimately the 2nd as well. Tell Senators you oppose the blatantly unconstitutional "DISCLOSE" act, that failing to do everything in their power to block it would violate the constitutional oath, you want them to filibuster and kill it, that you're a donor and will remember this vote...
You don't just have to call Senators in your own state. Anyone can donate to any challenger in any state, so they still have an interest in heeding you. Plus you have the right to remind any Senator in any state of his constitutional oath...I prefer to tell them, if asked for a zip, that I don't live in Senator X's state, but I'm a donor and I'm active in other states (true). Note that Joe Miller beat RINO Murkowski in Alaska in part because the Tea Party Express bussed volunteers into Alaska to help with get out the vote.
Most importantly, follow through and get involved in volunteering and donating to campaigns, precinct committees, etc. If Republicans were more involved in taking back their party from the RINOs and neo "cons", we wouldn't have so many dishonorable senators. Ultimately, what good does it do to call and send faxes to the enemy? They need to be fired. If they know we won't follow up and try to fire them, they have no incentive to listen.
What can you do?
Go to the U.S. Senate website and use the "Find Your Senators" tool in the upper-right corner of the page.
Call your senators NOW.
Also see: "DISCLOSE Act passes House"
UPDATE: It took about five minutes to get through to one of my senators and two calls to get through to the other. Apparently a lot of people are calling. Don't let that stop you. Let that encourage you. It doesn't mean your call isn't needed--it means it especially is, to demonstrate the strength and resolve of opposition. Make the calls now.
UPDATE 2: It's scheduled for 2:15 (EST)--you should be able to watch it on CSPAN2.
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Taking aim at criminal mayors
American Trigger Sports Network host James B. Towle and I talked about criminal mayors who support citizen disarmament on yesterday's "Trigger Sports LIVE!" show. Here's his recap of the entire program:
Who has the NRA endorsed in the upcoming elections? Rachel Parsons reports from NRA Headquarters, Fairfax, VA. Still looking for a big BEAR? Don't miss Barbara Crown's report on Alaska Bear Hunting. Has your Mayor been arrested? David Codrea has a list of Mayors that have been arrested...
Mark Walters, Host of Armed American Radio tells us another story of a citizen assaulted in his garage. The Stars and Stripes Foundation put on a "Shoot for the Troops", and we have the full clip of the event! All this, plus a special segment on "How to defend yourself against a knife attack", right now on www.atsn.tv - On your computer, 24/7, when YOU want to see it! The #1 Network for Trigger Sports! Event DVD's available from the ATSN.tv store.
As always, if you missed this or any other show, you can always watch them at the archives.
And as long as I've brought up the criminal mayors, check out Dave Workman's related Seattle Gun Rights Examiner article. It would appear they have something else in common...
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Help wanted--inquire within
Regular readers: Please help me spread the word by sharing Gun Rights Examiner links with your friends? And get more commentary on the gun rights stories of the day at The War on Guns: Notes from the Resistance.
Comments
This is Robert-No one cares about a right until they need it and it is not available. Then they have a choice. Break the unconstitutional law or bend down on one knee and serve your new master. Most Americans like the Germans prior to WWII will bend their knee and look the other way while giving excuses. They do it every day now but refusing to be a witness to a crime or not doing the right thing. They have plenty of room to critize someone else and defend themselves through EXCUSES when it comes to their bad behavior. The same will happen today and htey will not rise up in arms and make the government that represents them that this is not something they are willing to tolerate. I would love to be wrong but I see my fellow Americans in action every day from road rage to a lack of common courtesy and manners towards each other. Too busy looking out for themselves and not for the common good of this country for our children in the future. Make the call today and even if you are late and the vote has already been taken let that person know you will be working against their reelection if they voted to stifle first amendment rights of people and organizations through discrimination.
I called and sent emails to both my moron Senators.
Not much hope though, their both liberal idiots.
That's why you should be contacting Senators in OTHER STATES, not just "your" Senators. Tell them you will donate and even volunteer for their opponents in the next primary and/or general if they violate their oath.
That should have read: "they're". Typing too fast.
I suggest organizations like GOA run their ads exactly the way they always have and defy the new law. We all know this law is unconstitutional, and open defiance right form the outset will send the message the Democrats need to hear.
This is simply one more effort of the Left to chip away at Liberty. A little here, a bit there. The Left fights a generational struggle, they are content for tiny advances when big chunks are not available.
The fact that we have to continue engaging these repeated attacks speaks as much of Them as it does of Us. They will continue as long as We permit it.
It will only end when They have been properly reprimanded...and a Time-Out is NOT going to get it done.
Sam
III
These attacks will continue until we stop playing the game. Fire the politicians and do NOT replace them. When we begin to actually govern ourselves personally, in voluntary cooperation with others around us, we will find liberty. As long as some people are given power to steal and murder others, only tyranny will result.
David, GOA understands the threat to freedom and is willing to fight.
Same with the Oregon Firearms Federation they understand we have to challenge every piece of gun control legislation regardless of the outcome.
David remember the “Our Lady of Peace Act” by the witch McCarthy?
For 3 years groups like GOA fought and stopped those bills from becoming law because they would disarm thousands of veterans.
The NRA stepped in and supported the bill after McCarthy renamed the bill, now thousands of veterans have lost their gun rights.
You have reported on veterans that have lost their rights due to the change in the law.
The threat to gun owners is clear if we give an inch the anti-gunners take a mile. We have to fight every effort to pass gun control regardless of out come.
If you are stating an opinion - should you not be willing to give your name. This commercial is paid for by........Holy Cow - what do the gun people want to say that they would be afraid to put their name to it - lg
Suppose they wanted to say that all 12 year olds should be required by law to attend a gun safety course and after such time they should be allowed to carry their guns to school to protect themselves. - If I heard this I need to know who is promoting this idea so that I can offer some sort of rebuttal if I disagree - lg
I can't help but notice you chose to comment anonymously. Why is that? Who are you and where do you live?
Why did Jay, Madison and Hamilton write under the pseudonym Publius?
Time-honored American tradition, pally. You can rebut ideas based on the ideas, not based on ad hominem.
"Why?" is irrelevant. Where is the delegated enumerated authority for fedgov to require political speech be tied to an identifiable citizen?
As for "gun people," your implied bigotry speaks volumes--I'd hate to be a "gun person" dependent on you for employment, assignments, raises, promotions--and trust you'd be equitable in giving me the same consideration you would one of your ideological soul mates.
Many of the letters that became known as "The Federalist Papers" were published under pseudonym by the founders of our republic. I suspect they did so because they wanted the focus to be on the debate, not on the debaters. I for one think that's a good idea.
Let me try again. The Citizens United Supreme Court Ruling said that any company/organization had the right to advertise for/against any politician using their own funds by exercising their free speech. These expressions of free speech do not fall under the pervue of any campaign financing. They are free standing private expressions of free speech.
If you or your company have the money you can make a very expensive commercial/documentary/infomercial and say anything you want (assuming you can pay for it) with complete anonymity (you are not subject to campaign fairness laws). Therefore, big money will be heard above the voice of everyone else.
I just want our candidates for public office to not have to be beholden to big companies/big money in order to win an election. Without disclosure - that is where we are heading.
Does this bill really infringe on your 2nd Amendment Rights? I ask again what kind of advertising would a group do that they would be reluctant to list the name of their organization? If you are willing to contribute to an organization for their support, why would it concern you to disclose/admit that you supported that group?
If people do not know who is speaking then they only get half the message. I fear blocking this legislation will do way more damage to our election process than any damage that could be done to your inalienable 1st and 2nd Amendment Rights.
Furthermore, I believe that your passionate support of your cause is being used against your ultimate long term best interest in being able to elect representatives who will best serve you by protecting your rights while trying to effectively govern for the good of all and not just a few.
I am not a gun bigot - we own at least 15 and I apologize for not trying to find a better word. I am a concerned citizen worried that the voice of the average American will be silenced without this or a similar law.
lg are my initials that I have always used on the Examiner sites and with the changes it will not accept them in the name slot. I am not posting anonymously - or I wouldn't if I didn't have to. - lg
You are implying that votes in elections and in congress can be bought by those who spend the most money in a campaign. You are not alone in what you say, but I refuse to believe it. It is true that in modern America the costs to get your message to the people can be substantial, but spending the money does not guarantee that anyone who hears your message will be swayed by it. History is full of campaigns that spent the most money yet lost the election. Perhaps your vote can be bought by a slick, well produced, and expensive commercial. Mine cannot.
DDS -- NRA Life Member
Now this is a civilized response.
You don't "have to". I repeat, what's your name and where do you live? Don't we have a right to know, since you're advocating a position supported by powerful special interests?
15 guns, eh?
I wonder if there might be a reason it might not be a good idea to advertise where they are?
I represent no powerful special interests. I am one person who is frankly scared of who you have become to try to make your point. I made my point and clearly there is no room in this forum to offer a counter argument to your positions stated. I will quietly go away since this is what you want. I believe that you have proven domination over me and have silenced my dissenting opinion. You are bigger, you are scarier and I can't imagine why I ever believed that you might be interested in hearing someone speak besides yourself. Points to you. I am cowed down to your bully platform. I will offer another opinion, totally unsolicited, I think when you deliberately posture to threaten - you hurt your cause and others who fully support complete freedom Constitutionally.
When I said don't have to I was referring to the site - not I don't have to. As to who I am - I am a fifty year old housewife with two children living in East Tennessee. The guns belong to my husband and my son and only one belongs to me. As for more specific information - as I said I think you are scary and I don't think I am stupid. - lg
Sorry Ig--the worst I'll do is question and challenge assumptions I disagree with--as is my right.
You, on the other hand, advocate bringing the the federal government into an arena you still haven't answered where they get the authority to be, and forcing those of us who disagree with you to comply with your assumptions. Ultimately at gunpoint if we disobey.
But I'm the scary bully. And the anonymous state force advocate is the victim.
Apology accepted - very reasonable rebuttal from your perspective and I agree, that is absolutely your right. - lg
I did not apologize. That was "sorry" as in "sorry, I reject what you're saying," as opposed to "I'm sorry I said what I did."
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