Just got my American Rifleman, containing the special election issue, telling me who to vote for. State House of Representatives District 25, Russell Rusty Bowers, what a slippery, oily, weasily bastard. When I was on the board at Rio Salado Sportsmans Club in Mesa, this guy tried to close the range numerous times because he had a piece of land that some developer wanted his hands on, and now the NRA wants to see him elected. Some times when you fight the devil you end up sleeping with him.

Jim Beckley wrote:Just got my American Rifleman, containing the special election issue, telling me who to vote for. State House of Representatives District 25, Russell Rusty Bowers, what a slippery, oily, weasily bastard. When I was on the board at Rio Salado Sportsmans Club in Mesa, this guy tried to close the range numerous times because he had a piece of land that some developer wanted his hands on, and now the NRA wants to see him elected. Some times when you fight the devil you end up sleeping with him.

Makes one wonder doesn't it. I was looking over the list for my area thinking the same thing. I have been saying for awhile now, the NRA gets more and more like the government every day. My opinion of course, I think I'm still entitled to that, better check. The devil has us in the sleeping bag, and it's zipped up. I hope it's not to late too right the ship, but I'm afraid it is. The replacements for us old like minded, tax paying, hard working, god fearing people, are being brought in daily.
Stay Safe,
Mark

Jim Beckley wrote: . Some times when you fight the devil you end up sleeping with him.

It has worked the opposite for me... just sayin...

In the Army we called them fart sacks now I'm glad I'm lactose intolerant!

Jim,

The NRA-ILA, in particular, has long been a problem. There isn't space here to go into detail about what's wrong with it, but suffice it to say that it is, in my opinion, run by the wrong people with the wrong ideas who do not well represent us. Indeed, it is not unfair to say that there are far too many instances in which the ILA, predictably, not only readers the exact wrong solution and damages our interests. The ILA's approach on most things, at least in my state, is fundamentally flawed, arrogant and, more importantly, not terribly effective.

There are better organizations to attempt to effect change at the state level and, perhaps, the federal level as well.

This may come as a shock to many, but a close examination of the facts and circumstances of their performance will prove, at the least, disappointing.

In my view, our interests are better served by seeking alternatives to represent our interests.

Rick

Well Hell Rick, When the French were building a penal colony on a little island to hold their worst offenders, Mr. Bonaparte was ask who was they going to get to guard them and his reply was simply worse criminals. Now when the NRA is tasked with going up against the sleezy slimball, weasily politicians, who are they going to get to do it? And in my humble opinion overpay them also!

I noted that for the first time they actually came out against ol' Dingy Harry. In the past they'd given him the OK because he'd been such a friend to us... and Obama's been the best gun salesman since Sam Colt.

For a number of years now if the NRA backed the candidate I voted against them. GOA does a much better job of reporting the political stances of the candidates, and supports those that are pro gun.
Mary W

If the NRA-ILA doesn't come out on top, we are ALL screwed. If we loose our second amendment rights, we will not bee killing any steel animals. Don't forget what's at stake.

Innocent wrote:For a number of years now if the NRA backed the candidate I voted against them. GOA does a much better job of reporting the political stances of the candidates, and supports those that are pro gun.
Mary W

I read this statement over and over and I must conclude there is either a typo, transposed wording, or ?, otherwise this is the most idiotic statement I have read in a long time. That is, you voted for Obama if what you stated is true. Could any gun owner be that stupid?

Jim Beckley wrote:Just got my American Rifleman, containing the special election issue, telling me who to vote for. State House of Representatives District 25, Russell Rusty Bowers, what a slippery, oily, weasily bastard. When I was on the board at Rio Salado Sportsmans Club in Mesa, this guy tried to close the range numerous times because he had a piece of land that some developer wanted his hands on, and now the NRA wants to see him elected. Some times when you fight the devil you end up sleeping with him.

Hey Jim is this what you are referring to? The excerpt below is from a 1997 article on Rusty from a local new outlet.

"Bowers attended Mesa Community College on a music scholarship and worked construction for a while before returning to BYU in 1978, which he attended off and on until graduating in 1982 with a bachelor's degree in fine arts.

He returned to the Valley and began construction on the house where he still lives. It's an idyllic place, set in the shadow of the low bluffs of nearby Usery Mountain Park. Neighbors--what few there are--can barely be seen, let alone heard.

In 1990, that solitude was threatened when Maricopa County agreed to lease nearly 400 nearby acres to a rod-and-gun club, which hoped to expand by adding 16 trap-and-skeet ranges.

Bowers was the lead plaintiff in a lawsuit filed against the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors. The suit, which sought to stop the construction, claimed that the ranges, which could have accommodated eight shooters each, would have transformed the quiet patch of desert into Beirut.

"They [the county] never checked with us, they never held public hearings . . . the level of arrogance was extraordinary. It was like, 'We're the government. We don't have to check with you,'" Bowers remembers, "and it made me mad."

Bowers, who says he has gone shooting at the range himself, also caught grief from the club's proprietors and clients, who branded him an antigunner.

"I said, 'Look, I've probably got more guns than all you guys. But this isn't about guns. There are other amendments besides the Second Amendment. This is about justice.'"

After a two-month legal showdown, the county backed off, but not until much of the land had been bladed under--a fact that Bowers still laments.

Bowers describes the battle over the shooting range as the opening salvo in his public life. Two years later, when longtime District 21 representative Stan Barnes stepped down, Bowers ran for the seat, beating five other contenders."

JimT, as I recall in 2008 the NRA gave Obama a B rating. I am referring mainly to their rating on senate, congressional and local races, they are way off base. No, I did not vote for Obama, but truly research many of the ratings they give your local politicians. In Florida where we have Marion Hammer I can tell you she is way off base as well, supporting those that respond to her agenda. I have not even looked to see what rating they give Charlie Crist now, 'mister sway with the wind' but he did receive high marks in his previous runs, in fact he even came and spoke to the FSSA general meeting years ago. Was not impressed then and even less impressed with his 'gun rights second amendment' support now.

Mary Watkins

Sadly ladies and gentlemen politics is a dirty business. In defense of the NRA you need to look at the alternatives to their endorsements. Most often its a choice of the lesser evil or less odorous skunk....but skunk nevertheless.

Thats why its our resposability to check things out our selves... kick the tires and know these people before we vote.... there is a lot of deception and double talk.

FYI ...Obama ran for Senate in 2004 and the NRA rated him as an "F"....not a B. Its archived information....interestingly most of Illinois' pols over the years were F's The NRA did endorse Harry Reid....but Harry did pork barrel a multi million dollar shooting complex just outside Las Vegas