Governor Doofus...
Posted on 08/12/2003 6:10:48 PM PDT by sistergoldenhair
SPRINGFIELD -- Gov. Rod Blagojevich turned down an opportunity to debate Illinois' gun control laws with rock star Ted Nugent Monday night before Nugent's grandstand show at the Illinois State Fair.
"We've got other things going. We appreciate his interest, but maybe next time," Blagojevich said Monday afternoon.
Nugent said his wish to debate Blagojevich has been misrepresented by the media. Nugent discussed the issue during a telephone interview late Monday afternoon as he waited to catch a plane to the Illinois State Fair.
"I've seen quotes around words that didn't come out of my mouth," Nugent said.
Nugent said he often meets politicians and law enforcement officers backstage to discuss issues ranging from gun control to conservation.
"I talk to politicians because they work for you and me," Nugent said. "I'm just a guitar player, but I'm driven to do the best that I can and it's the same in my civic duty."
Nugent, a gun rights advocate, has sold more than 30 million albums and is the author of the New York Times best seller "God, Guns and Rock 'n' Roll," and the recent cookbook "Kill It and Grill It."
Nugent said he wanted to raise concerns about Illinois law that prohibits retired law enforcement officers from carrying guns.
"It's embarrassing and reprehensible," Nugent said.
"The gun control laws in Illinois insult the people in law enforcement -- the day they retire we don't trust them with a gun anymore."
Blagojevich said last week during the grand opening of the 151st Illinois State Fair that as a U.S. congressman he had supported attempts at the federal level that would have allowed retired law enforcement officers to be armed.
"I was a co-sponsor on the bill that he's complaining about," Blagojevich said.
A similar proposal was bottled up in the state's House Rules Committee during the last legislative session. The measure, sponsored by Rep. John J. Millner, R-St. Charles, would have allowed any retired local, state or federal law enforcement officer to carry a concealed weapon on them or in their vehicle. To be eligible, the retired officer would have to have served at least 15 years, been honorably discharge and carry a valid Firearm Owners Identification Card.
matt.adrian@lee.net 217-789-0865
(If you want on or off my Illinois Boom (ping) list, please FReep mail me)
TRANSLATION: "I crapped my pants just thinking about Ted verbally stomping me into the dirt, and I have to go change my diaper now".
A bit of a mismatch.
By mimes.
These guys on the other hand...
By mimes.
Ouch...sounds painful. (Being tied up with imaginary rope and put in a cell with imaginary walls. Then tortured with imagninary WMDs.)
I agree 100% with Ted & like usual, disagree with most of what the ISRA said
If anyone has the transcript to the radio interview they are talking about, please post it
During a recent, and well publicized, appearance on a radio talk show, NRA Board Member and musician Ted Nugent uttered some unfortunate remarks about Illinois citizens and questioned just how much resolve they have when it comes to protecting their gun rights.
In making his remarks, Mr. Nugent characterized Illinois citizens as “sheep” and “spineless wimps.”
Many ISRA members have expressed their concern over Nugent’s remarks – and rightly so.
The officers and directors of the Illinois State Rifle Association beg to differ with Mr. Nugent. It has been our experience that the majority of Illinoisans are proud, upstanding people who place a high value on their freedoms and traditions.
But, the proof is in the putting. And, to date, the freedom loving people of Illinois have amassed an enviable track record in protecting their right to keep and bear arms. To some, the successes of the Illinois gun rights movement may seem small. However, our successes are made all the more significant given the fact that Illinois gun owners must wage a constant battle with Richie Daley – arguably the most powerful and ruthless politician in the nation.
In early spring of 2003, Daley and his allies in the Illinois General Assembly unleashed a punitive, wide-ranging package of gun control bills. If passed and signed into law, this package of bills would have essentially eliminated private firearm ownership in the state. Passage would have spelled an end to all legitimate uses of firearms in Illinois, including hunting and target shooting. Interestingly enough, none of the Daley bills addressed criminal firearm use. The Daley gun control package was thus nothing more than an unabashed attempt at eliminating the individual right to keep and bear arms.
The freedom-loving people of Illinois responded to the Daley package with indignation. Legislative offices were flooded with e-mails, letters and phone calls from citizens fed up with Daley’s on-going attempts to take their guns away from them. The voice of the people was louder than Daley’s and, in the end, nearly all of the Daley gun control bills died except for two that are languishing in the legislature under postponed consideration.
The fact that the law-abiding gun owners of Illinois stopped the Daley Gun Grabbing Machine dead in its tracks this spring is nothing short of remarkable. For that, the people of Illinois deserve a pat on the back…not an insulting kick in the slats.
The effect of Mr. Nugent’s remarks on gun-owner morale cannot be measured. But it would be a safe bet that we will have to spend valuable time mending fences as a result.
Nugent’s thoughtlessness notwithstanding, the law-abiding gun owners of Illinois will continue to fight for what they believe in – with or without Mr. Nugent’s support.
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