Posted on 11/08/2001 5:44:09 AM PST by brityank
NRA: Heroes and Zeroes
By Mike Hardiman - American Land Rights Association
11.08.01The National Rifle Association's Board of Directors met on November 3 and placed new restrictions and qualifications on its support for the "CARA" Land Grab bill. Below is what various Board Directors and others had to say about CARA.
CARA is HR 701, the Conservation and Reinvestment Act. But our nickname for it is CARA - the Condemnation and Relocation Act, since it provides over one billion dollars per year for state and federal government agents to condemn private property.
IMPORTANT: The NRA Board serves staggered three year terms. One-third of the board is up for election each year. If you are an NRA member, the next time you vote for the Board of Directors, consider who favored the CARA Land Grab versus who supported gun rights and property rights.
Next Board election, ASK the NRA Directors - where do you stand on CARA???
How did you vote on the Land Grab? See below who led the fight both for and against.
Here are a few of the "Heroes and Zeroes" among the NRA Board of Directors. THANK the Heroes and SPANK the Zeroes!!! Remember them next time they are up for reelection to the NRA Board!
THANK the following NRA Directors for leading the charge against CARA and for gun rights and property rights:
HEROES:
U S Senator and NRA Director Larry Craig of Idaho - Led the charge on Thursday and Friday, when CARA was debated in committees.
U S Representative and NRA Director Barbara Cubin of Wyoming - had a commitment in Wyoming and could not attend, but sent word that she was opposed to CARA and was quoted by Directors during debate.
Director John Cushman of New York - pointed out that the words "sportsmen" and "hunting" are not even mentioned in CARA, and questioned it's benefit to gun owners.
NRA Second Vice President Sandra Froman of Arizona - was unable to attend, but called in and made it clear that CARA has massive grassroots opposition among the broad base of NRA members.
Director Susan Howard of Texas - spoke at length against CARA, stating "Texas is nearly all private property, and thank goodness for that!"
Director Dave Keene of Virginia - CHAMPION. With Wayne Ross, he proposed striking out the resolution language that claimed CARA actually helped property owners. Keene and Ross carried the day by a vote of 35 to 10.
U S Senator Don Nickles of Oklahoma - is not a Board member and did not attend the meeting. However, he was cited as a prominent opponent. Nickles has given the best response of all when asked about CARA's claims to having "property rights protections." He said they were "a head fake!"
Director Grover Norquist of Washington, DC - Norquist pointed out that most conservative organizations are strongly opposed to CARA, and that the NRA is even becoming isolated among gun owner and hunting groups. Several of the NRA's own state affiliates have come out against the Land Grab.
Director Ted Nugent of Michigan - was not present, but made his opposition to the Land Grab known publicly ahead of the meeting. In his own words, the Motor City Madman and rock and roll legend simply said, "CARA SUX!"
Director Jay Printz of Montana - announced ahead of meeting that he did not support CARA, and helped to organize opposition.
NRA First Vice President Kayne Robinson of Iowa - chaired the meeting on Saturday ( NRA President Charleton Heston was not present ). He was fair and even handed, but made it clear that he does not support the CARA Land Grab.
Director Wayne Ross of Alaska - CHAMPION. Led the charge for freedom at the full Board meeting on Saturday, delivering a lengthy speech against the NRA's involvement in a massive, unprecedented land acquisition buying spree like CARA. Worked with Director Dave Keene to strip out pro-CARA language from the resolution.
Director Bruce Stern of Connecticut - Quote of the Day: Stern said that the resolution endorsing CARA was "semi-congealed pudding." He added that Directors should not "sign a document before it is filled in" because CARA keeps changing and adding more pork as it moves through the legislative process.
Director Harry Thomas of Ohio - asked several times about CARA's fire hose of guaranteed billions to condemn private land.
ZEROES - supported CARA, the Pork Barrel Land Grab - over one billion dollars per year to condemn private property (in alphabetical order):
Director Thomas Arvas of New Mexico - Chairman of the Wildlife Committee, spoke in favor of a strong endorsement for CARA.
NRA Institute for Legislative Action Chief Lobbyist Jim Baker - demonstrated nothing but contempt for CARA opponents. The NRA's top lobbyist is definitely out of touch with grassroots membership.
Director Mike Lee of Maine - suggested that members should "have trust and confidence in the staff." Let's see now, that's the same staff that got NRA into this CARA mess in the first place! No way!
Director Jim Nicholson - is fortunate to live in Texas, which is 98% private land. It will not be 98% private for much longer if CARA is approved - careful! You may get what you ask for!
Director James Porter - thinks CARA is great, but also said "this issue is screwed up - we have got to find a way out of this."
NRA staff member Susan Lamson - authored several letters to Congressmen and Senators over the past three years in support of the CARA Land Grab, and testified in person as well.
***The Worst*** Director Harold Volkmer of Missouri - was the Number One CARA supporter on Saturday, speaking in favor of it several times. Volkmer was a Congressman for nearly twenty years, and eventually gained a reputation for being out of touch with constituents. He was finally booted out of office in 1996 by Missouri constituents who had had enough. Perhaps it is time for NRA members to do the same, and send Volkmer packing!
Director J D Williams of Texas - claimed repeatedly that CARA will not lead to condemnation of private property, said it would all be "willing sellers." Sure, Mr. Williams! "Willing sellers" after endangered species devalue your land, government agencies threaten your access, and environmental extremists slap you with lawsuits!!! WAKE UP !
U S Representative and NRA Director Don Young of Alaska - the congressional sponsor of CARA. Young did not anticipate that there would be a floor fight on Saturday, and so left the NRA Board meeting a day early, on Friday. He was sure surprised upon discovering that his resolution had been sliced and diced!
Saturday's Board resolution, which scaled back but did not yet eliminate NRA's misguided support for CARA, is another small victory for the forces of freedom - thank those who were with us, educate the rest, and keep fighting.
Good advice. I'll think about that. Thanks!
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