Heston stepping down as NRA president

The SHT (that's "Sarasota Herald-Tribune"!) ^ | 4/25/2003 | some AP drongo

[Joe Brower]

Heston stepping down as NRA president
Movie star Charlton Heston has been the NRA's public face for five years.
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
4/25/2003

ORLANDO -- Charlton Heston brought more than passion for a cause as president of the National Rifle Association: His prominence as a movie star helped amplify the group's gun-rights message and put supporters in the White House and Congress.

As the NRA's public face for five years, he successfully steered the organization through several public relations disasters involving shootings, including the Columbine High School massacre in 1999, and even won the grudging respect of his philosophical opponents.

The NRA's annual convention in Orlando this weekend will be Heston's final appearance as the group's president. A tribute featuring country music singer Toby Keith is planned for today. Florida Gov. Jeb Bush is scheduled to give the keynote speech Saturday.

"It helped the NRA immeasurably to have Charlton Heston president of the NRA," said Wayne LaPierre, executive vice president of the NRA. "Here's a figure the public really does love. … It brought a built-in microphone."

Heston, 78, who starred in "Ben-Hur," "The Ten Commandments," and "Planet of the Apes" during a 50-year film career, announced last year that he had been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. He wasn't available for comment Thursday, according to NRA spokesman Andrew Arulanandam.

The actor will be succeeded Monday by Kayne Robinson, a former police detective from Des Moines and the former chairman of the Iowa State Republican Party.

Heston's elevation in 1998 to the NRA's presidency gave the gun-rights group a celebrity platform to push its political agenda at a time when it faced a hostile administration under President Clinton. Heston campaigned vigorously for George Bush in 2000 and for Republican candidates in 22 states last year.

The Bush administration has supported the NRA on many issues. In fact, Robinson created a controversy when he boasted before the 2000 election that if Bush won the White House, "we'll have … a president where we work out of their office."

Sarah Brady, who became a leading gun-control advocate after her husband, White House press secretary James Brady, was shot during an assassination attempt on President Reagan in 1981, grudgingly concedes Heston did an effective job as the NRA's public face.

"He's a very worthy opponent," Brady said. "I still disagree with him philosophically, but I respect what he has done for his fight on the issue."

In her book, "A Good Fight," Brady said she thought Heston was a "pompous ass" the first time she met him during the Republican convention in 1980. But she said Thursday that her opinion of Heston has mellowed as she has gotten older.

During Heston's tenure at the helm of the 4 million-member NRA, gun rights experienced a seesaw of legislative successes and public relations problems.

America experienced the worst gun violence in a school when two teenagers gunned down 12 fellow students and a teacher at Columbine in Colorado. In another incident Thursday, a heavily armed 14-year-old boy shot and killed his principal inside a crowded junior high cafeteria in Red Lion, Pa., then killed himself.

In addition, several states and cities sued the gun industry to recover costs related to gun injuries.

But there were legislative victories. Just this month, the Republican-controlled House approved legislation prohibiting lawsuits against gun manufacturers and distributors for damages resulting from their product.

In February, congressional Republicans included a provision in a spending bill to keep the government from releasing the names of gun shops and gun owners whose weapons were used in crimes.

The NRA plans to fight the ban on assault weapons, which will lapse next year without action by the Republican-controlled Congress.

Since Jan. 1, 2001, the NRA has contributed more than $1.9 million to federal candidates and political parties, most of it going to the GOP, according to the Center for Responsive Politics, a nonpartisan research group.

Heston was taken to task last year in Michael Moore's documentary, "Bowling for Columbine," for leading NRA rallies in communities recently struck by gun violence.

In the Oscar-winning film, Heston came off as indifferent, insensitive, and out of touch.

[Joe Brower]

When it comes to damning with faint praise, the AP certainly ranks right up there with the top five. Note that they don't pass on the self-made opportunity to dance for the 467,259th time in the blood of Columbine, and take several swipes at that demonic "Repubilican led congress". Oh, and don't pass up the chance to give a free promo for America-hating, self-aggrandizing "Stupid White Man" Micheal Moore's insidious "mockumentary"!

Nah, no media bias here.

[Joe Brower]

[ClearCase_guy]

In the Oscar-winning film, Heston came off as indifferent, insensitive, and out of touch.

Here, let me clarify:

"In the Oscar-winning film, film clips of Heston were manipulated in order to fraudulently portray the actor as indifferent, insensitive, and out of touch."

[SpyGuy]

I don't care too much for the NRA: they have surrendered too much ground (ANY ground is too much) in the fight for our Second Amendment rights.

However, I have the utmost respect for Mr. Heston. He is a fine American, a fine actor, and a fine spokesman for our RKBA. I wish him all the best.

[Puppage]

Thank you for defending our right to bear arms!!

You'll will be sorely missed.

[FourPeas]

"In the Oscar-winning film, film clips of Heston were manipulated in order to fraudulently portray the actor as indifferent, insensitive, and out of touch."

Much better. Thank you.

[fml]

Bingo. Plus the oscar winning film is a fraud.

[SpyGuy]

In the Oscar-winning film...

Let me further clarify:

In the fictional, anti-American film that was fraudulently awarded an Oscar for Leftist propaganda purposes...

[shiva]

Brady said she thought Heston was a "pompous ass" the first time she met him during the Republican convention in 1980. But she said Thursday that her opinion of Heston has mellowed as she has gotten older.

He hasn't changed, she was the "pompous ass".

In the Oscar-winning film, Heston came off as indifferent, insensitive, and out of touch.

Well, yeah! He's an actor...sheeze! how duhhhh.

[facedown]

[shiva]

[jjm2111]

America experienced the worst gun violence in a school when two teenagers gunned down 12 fellow students and a teacher at Columbine in Colorado. In another incident Thursday, a heavily armed 14-year-old boy shot and killed his principal inside a crowded junior high cafeteria in Red Lion, Pa., then killed himself.

Why is this a public relations problem for the NRA? You don't see anyone giving the American Automobile Association a hard time when that nut went on a hit-and-run spree in New York City last year.

Also, do they HAVE to bring up Columbine. You are right. No media bias here.

[toddst]

I don't care too much for the NRA: they have surrendered too much ground.

Perhaps, but the NRA is what we've got that really packs a punch when needed. Support the NRA and work to improve its performance.

However, I have the utmost respect for Mr. Heston. He is a fine American, a fine actor, and a fine spokesman for our RKBA. I wish him all the best.

The anti-gun crown is praying the NRA doesn't come up with someone as effective as Mr. Heston, perhaps next year.

[Shooter 2.5]

Kayne B. Robinson


NRA First Vice President; Chairman of the Legislative Policy Committee; Assistant Chief of Police, Des Moines Police Department, rtd.; past President, Iowa Association of Chiefs of Police. Testified twice before U.S. Senate Committees in support of gun rights. President, Iowa Sportsmen's Federation; Director, Iowa State Rifle & Pistol Association.

Is a tireless fighter for gun owner's rights and citizen selfdefense. Director of Better Business Bureau; Chairman of the Board, Whittington Center. Has held top management positions, including State Party Chairman and Campaign Chairman for profirearms candidates for local, state and national office. Testifies before legislatures, makes many appearances on radio and TV and before audiences, supporting gun owner's rights. Vietnam veteran; member, several state R&P associations; National Trappers Association; Izaak Walton League; active hunter; licensed pilot; NRA Benefactor member. Firearms instructor, active in shooting competition, High Master and Distinguished Police Pistol.

[Joe Brower]

Yes, Kayne certainly has the credentials. It's unfortunate that he indulged in that one bit of gloating before the 11/2000 elections -- it has haunted the NRA ever since. Unlike the actions of the left, where the media often wears blinders, when examining the actions of us firearms-folk, they use a magnifying glass.

Sure would be nice if Kayne had the widespread recognition and popularity of Chuck Heston. That counted for a lot. Oh, well, you can't have everything, I suppose.

[Shooter 2.5]

It's difficult to have a staunch fighter for a cause and still have a nice open individual. A lot of the Directors are ex-military or business leaders who don't take a lot of BS from people. Heston was a glad-handing politician when we most needed one.

At least I don't have to spend time defending Heston's AK remarks anymore.

I wonder how the other gun groups choose their leader? Or is the group "owned" by the person in charge?

[Joe Brower]

"I wonder how the other gun groups choose their leader? Or is the group "owned" by the person in charge?"

I think this is exactly the case. I'm sure Sarah Brady, George Soros, Andrew McKelvey, et. al. would answer truthfully if we asked them. < /sarcasm>

[Shooter 2.5]

No, I was thinking about Larry Pratt and the GOA and Alan Gottlieb of the CCRKBA. I believe Pratt's son is taking a leadership position.

I met Larry Pratt a couple of years ago when he was a keynote speaker at one of the North Texas Arms Rights Coalition rallys.

[Joe Brower]

If the smaller pro-gun groups have trouble getting notable folks to assume their leadership roles, it's probably because the pay is subsistence-level at best, at least compared to what the NRA can afford. No slight to them, I think they earn it, but what do the honchos at the NRA make? I heard that LaPierre makes a quarter-mil a year; dunno how true that is, though.

I met Larry Pratt myself back in October of last year. He struck me as a guy who would stand up for gun rights even if he didn't make a dime. Sort'a like us, eh? $;-)

[Shooter 2.5]

I would have to think Heston, LaPierre or the Board don't do it for the money anymore than Pratt or Gottlieb do. Heston probably did like the attention though. I think the Directors have expense accounts so they can attend the meetings. I do seem to remember that LaPierre made something like 200 thousand which about right for a 4 million member group.

A large and successful group can attract the candidates.