Politics – Page 204 – Shall Not Be Questioned

Back from the Rally

It was a very productive day. I will have anÂ anecdoteÂ or two later, and some observation on media coverage. But I was happy to meet with several state reps, and some Senate staffers for some candidates in the area favorable to our issue. Sadly the Senate wasn’t in session today, so the Senators themselves were home in their districts. I was happy to have a frank discussion with one of the longstanding A+ reps in our area on the political situation gun owners are facing, and exactly what we need to do in order to create a better constituency for supporting gun rights in these changing districts.

I will say this though, Pennsylvania is in trouble long term if gun owners don’t step up and get involved. The Philadelphia suburbs are becoming increasingly less friendly to gun rights, and while Philadelphia can’t outvote the rest of the state, if the suburbs start voting with Philadelphia on the gun issue, the Second Amendment in this state is in serious trouble. We’re hoping to do our small part to try to turn that around.

Here’s some pics from the day. These are different than the ones posted to Twitter, since I took them with a better camera.

Until next year. A lot of hard work went into organizing the rally. Thanks to Kim Stolfer of FOAC, who started this tradition and helps keep it going. To NRA for finally sending Wayne out. To PAFOA, who’s members make a good showing at the rally (and who was helped greatly by Bitter with rally items his year). And thanks finally to all the legislators, too numerous to list here, but some of whom are pictured, who do a lot on behalf of our issue.

Taking a Break from the Lobby Day

Just tried to stop by our state rep, who I saw outside of the rally, but had no time to talk to him. It looks like they are on the floor this afternoon. Right now we’re chilling in the Capitol Cafeteria with the rats. Got ourselves something bottled, and even then I’m thinking “I hope the rodents didn’t pee on the bottle.” It’s kind of sad watching gun owners scarf down the food. Do they know? Surely they don’t. Someone just spilled something on the floor. Hopefully we won’t see a cafeteria employee come out and exclaim, “Don’t worry about that. The rats will eat it.”Â This is why gun owners need to read this blog. If they did, they would know to not eat anything made the Capitol Cafeteria. Especially not the chocolate chip muffins.

Wayne LaPierre is still the rock star of the movement, despite what a lot of folks on the fringes of our movement think about him. After his speech he was mobbed by autograph seekers, and hand shakers. It was difficult to make a quick exit. After the rally I saw him depart with Andrew from Public Affairs, John Hohenwarter, who is the NRA lobbyist for PA, and a Corbett staffer. I’m guessing they are meeting with the Attorney General, who is the lead GOP candidate for governor. This is going to be an important one. NRA is sitting out of theÂ GubernatorialÂ race for the primary, which is the good move since both GOP candidates for Governor are very pro-gun, and with records on the issue. Both have also, in their current offices, carried NRA endorsements. The other candidate is Sam Rohrer, who was also at the rally this afternoon.

Corbett Noncommittal on Castle Doctrine

In the Capitol Ideas Q&A with the candidates yesterday, Tom Corbett didn’t seem to want to take a position on passing Castle Doctrine. I should note that Corbett is NRA A rated, and has done a lot for gun owners, and this doesn’t necessarily mean he’ll come out against it. But we sincerely hope that if Attorney General Corbett is elected Governor, he’ll help us get this passed.

On Our Way to the Capitol

Bitter and I are on our way to the Capitol for the rally. Once we get there it wil be the firearm check-in process with the Capitol Police, then the rally. If you’d like to follow along live, you can see my Twitter Feed.

Big Harrisburg Gun Rally

Bitter and I will be attending the big rally in Harrisburg tomorrow. I’m off work today to tend to some household tasks. Today we’re headed to my dad’s for some dinner. We’ll stay the night, since he’s an hour away from Harrisburg, and I’m more like three.

It’s not too late to attend, if you want to come help make the crowd bigger. This is basically Pennsylvania’s version of IGOLD, only we don’t get nearly the crowd, unfortunately.

Kennedy on the Campaign Trail

It’s zombie Kennedy. Fortunately for us, it’s John, not Teddy.

The JFK Library is recreating JFK’s campaign through tweets as though they were written on the trail on @Kennedy1960. If you enjoy history, politics, or just innovative uses of social media for teaching, you should follow it.

I have to say, this is one of the best uses of Twitter I’ve seen for an organization like this. It’s a very different way to bring history alive, and a great way to celebrate an anniversary that most people would understandably forget.

Remember November

This is probably the best use of the “have to pass it so we can find out what’s in it” and “we make up the rules” lines I’ve seen all year. Â I doubt it will be topped.

“Baseball and Pot”

Two subjects apparently more interesting to DemocraticÂ gubernatorialÂ candidate Dan Onorato than the Second Amendment.

Donation Djour

I have little idea what Charles Djou’s position is on the Second Amendment. Given that it’s Hawaii, my expectations aren’t that high. But it’s Obama’s home district, and this guy has a great, simple, effective message, which you can see in his videos here and here. So I kicked a few bucks to hisÂ money wave. The idea of turning Obama’s home district seat in a special election was too good to pass up. I’m glad to see he exceeded his goal of raising 100 grand in 24 hours.

“Excessive and Unnecessary”

That’s what Democratic candidate for Governor, Joe Hoeffel, calls Castle Doctrine. Not too much of a surprise, though. When Hoeffel was in Congress, one of his pet issues was closing the musket loophole, by making black powder and antique firearms subject to the same regulations as modern firearms. Tony Williams, his leading competitor in the Southeast, is also very anti-gun, but I hope he cleans Hoeffel’s clock, because Williams is at least a sensible guy on other issues, and not aÂ doctrinaireÂ lefty. Overall, the best Democratic choice for gun owners would be Jack Wagner so far. He’s at least only bragged that he once supported an assault weapons ban.

UPDATE: Things really got interesting with Tony Williams in today’s chat. According to him, Castle Doctrine will “erode the quality of life” of his fair city, and he also took questions on the viability of his campaign for running anti-gun commercials in Western Pennsylvania markets.