Sunday, December 23, 2012

Did you know that George Bush Sr. resigned from the NRA in 1995 due to the hateful statements of its Vice President? You know, the same one they have today.

Back in 1995 Wayne LaPierre sent out a fundraising letter in which he described federal agents as " `wearing Nazi bucket helmets and black storm trooper uniforms' (and) wanting to `attack law-abiding citizens.'

This did not go over very well with ex-President Bush and he replied with the following letter of resignation:

May 3, 1995 Dear Mr. Washington, 

I was outraged when, even in the wake of the Oklahoma City tragedy, Mr. Wayne LaPierre, executive vice president of N.R.A., defended his attack on federal agents as "jack-booted thugs." To attack Secret Service agents or A.T.F. people or any government law enforcement people as "wearing Nazi bucket helmets and black storm trooper uniforms" wanting to "attack law abiding citizens" is a vicious slander on good people. 

Al Whicher, who served on my [ United States Secret Service ] detail when I was Vice President and President, was killed in Oklahoma City. He was no Nazi. He was a kind man, a loving parent, a man dedicated to serving his country -- and serve it well he did. 

In 1993, I attended the wake for A.T.F. agent Steve Willis, another dedicated officer who did his duty. I can assure you that this honorable man, killed by weird cultists, was no Nazi. 

John Magaw, who used to head the U.S.S.S. and now heads A.T.F., is one of the most principled, decent men I have ever known. He would be the last to condone the kind of illegal behavior your ugly letter charges. The same is true for the F.B.I.'s able Director Louis Freeh. I appointed Mr. Freeh to the Federal Bench. His integrity and honor are beyond question. 

Both John Magaw and Judge Freeh were in office when I was President. They both now serve in the current administration. They both have badges. Neither of them would ever give the government's "go ahead to harass, intimidate, even murder law abiding citizens." (Your words) 

I am a gun owner and an avid hunter. Over the years I have agreed with most of N.R.A.'s objectives, particularly your educational and training efforts, and your fundamental stance in favor of owning guns. 

However, your broadside against Federal agents deeply offends my own sense of decency and honor; and it offends my concept of service to country. It indirectly slanders a wide array of government law enforcement officials, who are out there, day and night, laying their lives on the line for all of us. 

You have not repudiated Mr. LaPierre's unwarranted attack. Therefore, I resign as a Life Member of N.R.A., said resignation to be effective upon your receipt of this letter. Please remove my name from your membership list. 

Sincerely, [ signed ] George Bush

So all the way back in 1995 there were people of principle that simply could NOT condone the attitude and paranoia of the NRA leadership, and yet today we STILL see those same characteristics on display. 

One has to wonder just how badly does Mr. LaPierre have to behave before he will finally drive away all but the most lunatic fringe of the gun owners in this country. Or perhaps more to the point, has he already accomplished exactly that?

7 comments:

  1. Anonymous4:47 PM

    I so hope this information goes national! It's the first I've heard of it. Thanks for sharing, IM!

    This NRA guy continues to be a first class asshole as is continually being shown by the media today.

    To think that he never apologized, or the NRA never had him do so, speaks horribly of their organization.

    I know I'd never join their membership and I am a gun owner.

    There was a NRA application in the box my gun came in (purchased six years ago) for me to apply for membership in their organization. Even back then, I had no desire to be one of their members. Reflection - made the absolute correct decision!

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  2. O/T, but when Barbara Bush (Sr.) is talking to George Bush (Sr.) she refers to Bill Clinton as “your son Bill.” That old fart was never intimidated by the NRA.

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  3. Anonymous6:34 PM

    He raised taxes when necessary, also. Glad to know he stood up for what he knew was right and practical at times. Maybe he didn't need a Dick Cheney telling him what to do.

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  4. emrysa7:56 PM

    amazing how things have changed, isn't it? I sure has hell didn't like sr. but it's stuff like this that makes you realize - hey, some of the r's used to be reasonable - even if some of us (including me!) thought they were extreme at the time.

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  5. Anita Winecooler10:01 PM

    Thanks for that. I'll give him credit and I wish we had more Republicans with brass ones. That tells us something about this man's heart.

    Nothing, and I mean nothing, will ever change my feelings for President GWBush.

    I heard he's (the father) in the hospital with bronchitis and has to remain there for the holiday.
    I wish him well and hope he gets home soon.

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    Replies
    1. Balzafiar6:35 AM

      I hope you meant GHWBush.

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  6. Chenagrrl1:18 PM

    I wonder what Pepe LaPew would say about this. Armed cops at all fires?

    http://www.adn.com/2012/12/24/2733775/firefighter-shot-at-scene-of-blaze.html

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