Please Remember Your Priorities

[jakemccoy]

The problem with that analogy is just because a somebody isn't on a team doesn't mean they aren't doing anything.

Or are you saying that a person who writes letters weekly to their senators and congress-person, and instructs new people in the art of shooting isn't doing anything, whereas the guy who buys a membership and then bitches online about how unfair the gun laws are but actually isn't doing anything is fully supporting RKBA?

(For the record, I'm currently neither)

The other problem is in an actual sport, you aren't trying to convert people to your cause. Protecting the 2nd, you are. So saying "You're on of THEM" really going to do that?

Such a person may be doing something. However, if they're trying to do something as an individual, they simply aren't playing in the same game. The rules simply aren't set up for individuals to participate. Anyway, this monster is too big for any single person to have an effect.

As long as you understand the team concept, that's the main thing. Get on the team somehow, somewhere. If teaming up with Congress via letters is your method of getting on the team, then there you go.

It's not about us versus them. Work with me.

 

[COMPNOR]

Fair enough, so how do you draw those single people onto your team?

Certainly not by using the "Us vs Them" theme. Oh it might work on some, those who are sheep of a different color so to speak, but for those who actually think things through you might want to try a different tactic, instead of constantly referring to them as well, Them.

And maybe for you, its not. But I point you to a NRA member further up the thread, who uses just those words. And he isn't the only one. Its a recurring thought that pops up whenever joining the NRA is brought up. And its not one individual either. Seems half(that might be too much, but more than a few) espouse that concept.

I don't care if I like them or not. But if the only thing they can say to try and convince me to join is if you're not one of us you're one of them, or stop freeloading on those who actually to join, its not a strong arguement.

I've seen plenty of reasons not to join. Very few that make me want to.

 

[jakemccoy]

I edited my post above after you posted #27.

 

[jakemccoy]

First, this isn't a game.

Obviously...It's just an analogy. An analogy is a comparison of concepts, not of literal terms. Have you ever played organized team sports?

Second, (and to continue your analogy) if one team doesn't suit your needs you can always find another team to play with. I've chosen a team that won't sell me or my rights down the river to protect the Zumbo's.

You're being divisive. As I said in my post above, gun associations collectively are one team. People who participate with others to protect the Second Amendment are also on the same team. The people who are not on the team are the people who are hell bent on thinking as individuals in all circumstances. These people have no positive effect and frankly aren't even allowed to participate anyway.

 

[COMPNOR]

And I edited my post after seeing your edit.

 

[Highland Ranger]

Living in NJ where 99 and 44/100% of our NRA dollars flow out of the state, I probably have the most to complain about - we have been abandoned and left to our own devices.

Having said that I re-upped for 5 years this week and bought an EBR I certainly don't need.

Call it voting with my dollars and borrowing the analogy from above, taking one for the team.

You should too.

 

[COMPNOR]

I find it hard to take one for the team when it could mean me no longer being able to enjoy my firearms.

 

[sturmgewehr]

You're being divisive.

No, I'm being realistic. You can join whatever organization you wish, be it HCI or the NRA. It makes little difference to me, in the end you're the one that has to live with your decisions.

I'm making an informed decision on which organizations I'll back and which ones I will not back.

If people would send the money they normally send to the NRA to the GOA, our guns rights would be far more secure. But people are happy with the status quo... that is, until they wake up one day and their rights are gone. Then you will be sitting around, like we were in 1986, going "what just happened, where was the NRA?".

 

[rust collector]

Perhaps it would be more constructive to give a little of our background before passing judgment on the NRA or other members of THR. Please tell us what you have done for our 2d amendment rights.

I've been a member of the NRA for more than 20 years, have taught hunter safety classes for 25 years, and I take friends and relatives to the range frequently. I do write and interact with my state and federal legislators.

I do not agree 100% with the NRA's policies, but that can certainly be said of the American League of Bicyclists, Izaak Walton League, Kiwanis and my religious denomination as well. Still, they do good work and they are much more effective at accomplishing good things that I could possibly be on my own.

The NRA helps. Dissembling does not.

 

[Rimmer]

Highland Ranger;
Living in NJ where 99 and 44/100% of our NRA dollars flow out of the state, I probably have the most to complain about - we have been abandoned and left to our own devices.

Having said that I re-upped for 5 years this week and bought an EBR I certainly don't need.

Call it voting with my dollars and borrowing the analogy from above, taking one for the team.

You should too.

Excellent post.

I believe that was the intent of the OP. If your involved, GREAT, if your not, the NRA is a viable option.

Edit: Highland Ranger, see the link for what the NRA has done in Jersey.
http://www.nraila.org/Legislation/State/Specific.aspx?st=NJ

The NRA will never be perfect for everyone.
My 2¢, if you don't like the NRA, fine. Start your own thread and say so. This one is about being pro-gun and one way to pro-actively keep them.
This is "The High Road" after all. Although from time to time it morphs into something less.