Drizzt
Member
FLORIDA TODAY (Brevard County, FL)
February 19, 2003 Wednesday Final and all Editions
SECTION: EDITORIAL; Pg. 4
LENGTH: 618 words
HEADLINE: 'Non-joiners' need to express support for worthy causes
BYLINE: Bob Tinsley
BODY:
'Non-joiners' need to express support for worthy causes
Bob Tinsley
"I'm not a joiner."
This is the response you often get when asking people if they belong to a particular organization.
Some closely guard their individuality, or don't want to be bothered with dues, meetings and projects. Let George do it. I hope to persuade non-joiners to think differently.
If you believe strongly in a cause, any cause, an organization exists to support that belief.
There is strength in numbers. By allying with a worthwhile group, you have a better chance of seeing your goals come to fruition, and you may benefit personally.
For example, if you are a military retiree over 65, I'm sure you enjoy the Tricare-For-Life program, which picks up nearly everything that Medicare does not.
Supplementary policies are expensive -- TFL equals a substantial pay raise.
Did Congress pass this legislation out of the goodness of its heart? Hardly.
It resulted from the combined efforts of organizations like the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars and The Retired Officer's Association (now Military Officers Association of America.)
For years, they pressured the government to keep its long-ago promise of free medical care for those who served for at least 20 years.
Without their dedication, you would not have that benefit. Their local chapters need new blood. You should join.
Are you an environmentalist? (I don't mean a whacko tree-hugger.) Many organizations support responsible protection of endangered species, preservation of the beautiful places and conservation of natural resources.
But for them, the Grand Canyon would be lined with hot dog stands and T-shirt shops, while tacky condos uglified its rim.
I highly recommend the Nature Conservancy. Research first: some so-called green establishments (and charities) suffer from high "administrative costs."
Locally, the Friends of the Enchanted Forest might be just your cup of tea.
Do you hunt, target shoot, or keep a firearm in your home for protection?
If so, and you're not a member of the National Rifle Association or the Gun Owners of America, you should hang your head in shame.
Without those groups, you would have lost your Second Amendment rights long ago.
Look what happened in the United Kingdom.
In 1997, Parliament passed drastic gun control laws. (Confiscation was enabled by previous licensing.)
Violent crime rose, of course, as only criminals have guns.
Point your weapon at a thug who invades your home in the dark of night, and you're in more trouble than the invader. Armed self-defense is a crime there.
Seriously, possession of a forbidden gun may bring the homeowner five years' imprisonment. Anyone found armed is presumed to be planning murder.
In our country, more and more kids grow up without ever having shot a firearm. They may not even know anyone who has. Clueless!
They are ripe to become anti-gun, because the liberal media and certain Hollywood types demonize the NRA, and like to portray gun owners as sinister or unlettered.
But NRA people own more guns than anyone. Funny how you never hear of these "gun freaks" committing crimes.
National organizations can't do it all. Your membership in a local club tells your neighbors, who know you to be an upstanding citizen, that maybe gun owners are not a bunch of degenerates after all.
The Titusville Rifle and Pistol Club offers membership to persons of good character.
The club has an excellent, well-supervised range.
Various matches, as well as a junior shooting program, take place on weekends.
Join!
Bob Tinsley is a retired naval aviator and retired airline captain. He welcomes your comments through the Star-Advocate.
February 19, 2003 Wednesday Final and all Editions
SECTION: EDITORIAL; Pg. 4
LENGTH: 618 words
HEADLINE: 'Non-joiners' need to express support for worthy causes
BYLINE: Bob Tinsley
BODY:
'Non-joiners' need to express support for worthy causes
Bob Tinsley
"I'm not a joiner."
This is the response you often get when asking people if they belong to a particular organization.
Some closely guard their individuality, or don't want to be bothered with dues, meetings and projects. Let George do it. I hope to persuade non-joiners to think differently.
If you believe strongly in a cause, any cause, an organization exists to support that belief.
There is strength in numbers. By allying with a worthwhile group, you have a better chance of seeing your goals come to fruition, and you may benefit personally.
For example, if you are a military retiree over 65, I'm sure you enjoy the Tricare-For-Life program, which picks up nearly everything that Medicare does not.
Supplementary policies are expensive -- TFL equals a substantial pay raise.
Did Congress pass this legislation out of the goodness of its heart? Hardly.
It resulted from the combined efforts of organizations like the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars and The Retired Officer's Association (now Military Officers Association of America.)
For years, they pressured the government to keep its long-ago promise of free medical care for those who served for at least 20 years.
Without their dedication, you would not have that benefit. Their local chapters need new blood. You should join.
Are you an environmentalist? (I don't mean a whacko tree-hugger.) Many organizations support responsible protection of endangered species, preservation of the beautiful places and conservation of natural resources.
But for them, the Grand Canyon would be lined with hot dog stands and T-shirt shops, while tacky condos uglified its rim.
I highly recommend the Nature Conservancy. Research first: some so-called green establishments (and charities) suffer from high "administrative costs."
Locally, the Friends of the Enchanted Forest might be just your cup of tea.
Do you hunt, target shoot, or keep a firearm in your home for protection?
If so, and you're not a member of the National Rifle Association or the Gun Owners of America, you should hang your head in shame.
Without those groups, you would have lost your Second Amendment rights long ago.
Look what happened in the United Kingdom.
In 1997, Parliament passed drastic gun control laws. (Confiscation was enabled by previous licensing.)
Violent crime rose, of course, as only criminals have guns.
Point your weapon at a thug who invades your home in the dark of night, and you're in more trouble than the invader. Armed self-defense is a crime there.
Seriously, possession of a forbidden gun may bring the homeowner five years' imprisonment. Anyone found armed is presumed to be planning murder.
In our country, more and more kids grow up without ever having shot a firearm. They may not even know anyone who has. Clueless!
They are ripe to become anti-gun, because the liberal media and certain Hollywood types demonize the NRA, and like to portray gun owners as sinister or unlettered.
But NRA people own more guns than anyone. Funny how you never hear of these "gun freaks" committing crimes.
National organizations can't do it all. Your membership in a local club tells your neighbors, who know you to be an upstanding citizen, that maybe gun owners are not a bunch of degenerates after all.
The Titusville Rifle and Pistol Club offers membership to persons of good character.
The club has an excellent, well-supervised range.
Various matches, as well as a junior shooting program, take place on weekends.
Join!
Bob Tinsley is a retired naval aviator and retired airline captain. He welcomes your comments through the Star-Advocate.
