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"it's time for hunters to leave the NRA"

Gil Bang

By Gil Bang
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Bama Chick
Bama Chick

Broken brains.

Horn Dog
Horn Dog

Received a membership solicitation from NRA.  Sending them this in their prepaid envelope   

HornOnTheBayou
HornOnTheBayou

My thoughts and prayers are with Mr. LaPierre. There, that should take care of the problem. 

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Gil Bang

Gil Bang 25899

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HAHA.  Fuck you NRA

 

 

The circular firing squad at the National Rifle Association claimed another victim on Thursday, as the gun rights group suspended its chief lobbyist for his alleged involvement in a failed coup attempt against NRA CEO Wayne LaPierre.

As the New York Times reported, the accusation against Chris Cox was made in a lawsuit the NRA filed Wednesday in New York State Supreme Court against the NRA’s erstwhile president Oliver North.

This is a bombshell development given that Cox was one of the most visible faces of the NRA. He has worked for the NRA since 1995, serving as executive director for the Institute for Legislative Action — the NRA’s lobbying arm — since 2002. He was just reelected to his position at the board meeting this April.

Cox spearheaded lobbying for the group, and garnered respect within the organization. His branch – the ILA – is seen as one of the NRA’s most effective components, blocking any meaningful gun control legislation from going through Congress mass shooting after mass shooting.

It’s the latest development in the escalating battle between North and LaPierre, which began when the NRA sued its longtime ad firm, Ackerman McQueen, for refusing to disclose details of North’s lucrative separate contract with the Oklahoma City-based firm. North has accused LaPierre and other NRA bigwigs of wasting the company’s dwindling funds on frivolous expenses, and launched a failed coup attempt against LaPierre ahead of the board meeting in Indianapolis.

Per the NRA’s lawsuit, Cox exchanged emails and texts that showed he was in on the whole thing.

The lawsuit was brought by William Brewer III, the NRA’s longtime legal counsel and the son-in-law of the head of Ackerman McQueen. A leak of documents in May showed North accusing Brewer of draining cash from the gun group at “mindboggling speed,” allegedly billing it $18.5 million for 13 months of work.

 

NRA spokesman Andrew Arulanandam told the Times that Cox had “been placed on administrative leave” and that an internal review was underway.

 
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Cox’s departure suggests that a deep rift between the NRA and the ILA – its lobbying arm – may be beginning to emerge.

The Times quoted an NRA-ILA spokeswoman as saying that Cox and LaPierre “worked closely together for a quarter of a century, and any notion that Chris participated in a coup is absurd. Chris Cox is known as a calming force who always acts in the best interests of our members by effectively defending the Second Amendment, so it’s not surprising that board members would reach out to him for advice during tumultuous times.”

Cox, in a statement to the Times, called the allegations “offensive and patently false.”

“For over 24 years I have been a loyal and effective leader in this organization,” he said. “My efforts have always been focused on serving the members of the National Rifle Association, and I will continue to focus all of my energy on carrying out our core mission of defending the Second Amendment.”

 

The lawsuit names another NRA board member – former Rep. Dan Boren (D-OK) – as participating in the alleged coup.

An exhibit attached to the New York state complaint purports to show Boren, head of another Ackerman client called Chickasaw Nation, telling another Chickasaw employee that he was worried that Ackerman was charging the NRA for “full salary to these employees that may have been working on our accounts.”

“I bet Ackerman is in trouble on this one,” he added.

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Gil Bang

Gil Bang 25899

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58 minutes ago, tx 3 putt said:

Those dumbasses had the golden goose but greed let them fuck it up 

can you imagine what must be going through the mind of some fat, dumb, gun loving dipshit in some redneck state when he finds out his dues went to pay for LaPierre's duds at a men's store in Beverly Hills?

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ChiTownDoc

ChiTownDoc 21102

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45 minutes ago, Gil Bang said:

can you imagine what must be going through the mind of some fat, dumb, gun loving dipshit in some redneck state when he finds out his dues went to pay for LaPierre's duds at a men's store in Beverly Hills?

Luckily that fat fuck doesn't think for himself.  I'm sure he already has his 'fake news' bulletin.  He's just waiting around for the next grifter to come and hook his ass.  

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DigglerontheHoof

DigglerontheHoof 21069

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7 hours ago, Gil Bang said:

can you imagine what must be going through the mind of some fat, dumb, gun loving dipshit in some redneck state when he finds out his dues went to pay for LaPierre's duds at a men's store in Beverly Hills?

Will said fat, dumb, gun loving dip shit read it in a FB meme or on Fox News?  Oh, neither?  He'll never know. 

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Chooky

Chooky 13302

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They should go back to their former version of a family-oriented, conservative, outdoors enthusiast, respect-the-land, protect-the-land, pro second amendment group that's willing to promote an activist stance when absolutely necessary. You know, instead of the wild- eyed, fear-mongering, xeno-pussy, dog-whistling, hate filled, gibberish spewing shit machine that only creates niche celebrity for guys like Ted Nugent who only need you for catching your members in their relevancy net. You went from promotional material based on generational hunters, photos of a grandfather and father standing above the son's first deer to buying into and pitching victimhood to the levels of suggesting it might be time to kill residents of certain states and political opponents. Nobody expects you to embrace gay issues or liberal politics or protected classes you don't respect. The ones that do expect you to do that are the same binary species of assholes who ratcheted up your organization to a level that some of your most extreme members didn't even recognize. Reboot and fucking relax a little bit. 

And is that massive gun lobby chunking stacks of cash at you in appreciation for the basically free promotion and influence of favorable legislation that served no real patriotic stance other than increasing their retail margins? No? Haven't heard from those guys about any financial support? Ever get the feeling you've been cheated? And do you really think they owe you anything after they watched a small handful of you greedheaded fatasses descend on the trough like hogs who have never been hand fed? Should they feel morally bound to send a life raft after watching you allow a small group grift your own members to support lavish, materialistic lifestyles like the cheapest forms of televangelists?

You really thought you could continue to support that level of entitlement while floating a bloated entertainment network that would be loyally viewed by a large but way too singular audience? Ever hear of the Longhorn Network? Did you discover that high quality broadcast production can be an infinite money sink? Where's Remington Arms Company now? Are they eager to help or are they whistling while refusing to make eye contact? Are you getting the feeling the ammunition companies will only lend some cash if you pry it from their cold ... oh, yeah, never mind. Thought you were all in the same boat, did ya? 

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Francisco 2.0

Francisco 2.0 32346

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Thoughts and prayers.

https://oklahoman.com/article/5634847/nra-cutting-ties-with-ackerman-mcqueen-nratv

 

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The NRA is cutting ties with its longtime advertising agency Ackerman McQueen and also is ending operations at NRATV.

The Oklahoma City firm has worked with the National Rifle Association for 38 years, but that relationship imploded over the past few months with lawsuits filed by both sides alleging fraudulent billings, betrayal, blackmail and lies.

NRA CEO Wayne LaPierre posted a letter to members Wednesday morning on the organization’s website advising all live programing is being halted.

 

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“As many of you may know, we have been evaluating if our investment in NRATV is generating the benefits needed,” LaPierre wrote. “This consideration included the return on investment and the cost and the direction of the content. Many members expressed concern about the messaging on NRATV becoming too far removed from our core mission: defending the Second Amendment.”

In response, a statement from Ackerman McQueen called the NRA’s failure to pay the firm and attacks part of a “smear campaign” against the agency. The firm alleges the NRA is using intimidation tactics to create fear of the NRA’s leadership.

 

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“The NRA is attempting to avoid the strict financial obligations it undertook when it outsourced its work to Ackerman McQueen,” the agency wrote. “NRA has the obligation to pay several millions of dollars of delinquent payments for work already completed that has benefited the NRA. They are refusing to pay, in part to harm Ackerman McQueen, but also because the NRA probably is having trouble meeting its financial obligations in large measure due to massive unbudgeted legal costs.”

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In the newest court filings by Ackerman McQueen against the NRA, the city’s largest and oldest advertising agency warned it faces significant layoffs and its continued existence is in jeopardy.

NRATV, created by Ackerman McQueen with all of the network’s personalities working for the advertising agency, including Dana Loesch and Oliver North, was started as a 24/7 live streaming network in 2016. Court filings indicate Loesch and North each were being paid about $1 million a year.

 

 

Spoiler

The future of NRATV has been in question for the past year. Criticism and internal debate over the channel date back almost to the start, but heated up as hosts like Dana Loesch turned from discussing gun rights to challenging critics of Republicans and President Donald Trump.

Loesch frequently drew fire from critics of the NRA as she hosted videos where she threatened to set a copy of The New York Times on fire and warned reporters “your time is running out.” And when Loesch sought to mock the children’s show “Thomas and Friends” for promoting diversity, her critics grew to include those within the NRA who were angered over her broadcasting an image of the train engines dressed in KKK robes and hoods.

It was after that September show that the NRA first hinted it also had questions about NRATV from influential members, including longtime lobbyist and former President Marion Hammer, asking if the network was benefiting the organization.

“What necessitated the change now is our conclusion that our longtime advertising firm and website vendor failed to deliver upon many contractual obligations it made to our Association,” LaPierre wrote Wednesday. “The NRA will always hold our vendors to high standards and ask that they maximize their value to the Association. No exceptions.”

Ackerman McQueen has denied allegations in lawsuits filed by the NRA, and has alleged the NRA is trying to break its contract so that it won’t have to meet its obligation to pay for costs associated with winding down operations and layoffs in an early termination of work.

In court filings, the firm also has indicated it likely will have to stop paying 40 percent of its employees this week with $1.6 million in billings overdue. The firm previously announced in January it is moving from its longtime home at Valliance Tower in northwest Oklahoma City to the new Monarch Building in Midtown. The agency recently filed a building permit for the interior construction and plans show several areas will be shelled in for “future expansion.”

The NRA is the agency’s largest client. Ackerman McQueen employs about 125 people in Oklahoma City, with the remainder working at offices in Dallas; Washington, D.C.; and Colorado Springs, Colorado. The NRATV operation is based in the firm's Dallas office.

In the latest filing last week, reported by The Daily Beast, Ackerman McQueen’s attorneys asked the court in Alexandria City, Virginia, to require the NRA to provide the agency with a $3 million line of credit and alleged the NRA was overdue in paying $1.6 million in billings. A judge denied that request on Wednesday.

The Daily Beast reported Ackerman claims more than half its employees work on “projects and services” that include “in-house media production capabilities” for the NRA. The firm also claims 25 percent are “essentially virtual employees” of the gun-rights group, and most of its Dallas office is “dedicated to support NRA projects and services.”

In its statement Wednesday, the agency said it had attempted an “amicable” divorce from the NRA. Pages relating to NRATV and its personalities no longer were featured on Ackerman McQueen’s website.

“When given the opportunity to do the right thing, the NRA once again has taken action that we believe is intended to harm our company even at the expense of the NRA itself,” the agency argued. “For Ackerman McQueen, it is time to move on to a new chapter without the chaos that has enveloped the NRA.”

Both sides have acknowledged the dispute has emerged as the NRA was losing members and annual revenues were dropping by more than $55 million. At the same time, annual billings for Ackerman McQueen topped $40 million starting in 2017 as the NRATV operation ramped up.

“The substantial financial damage flowing from the NRA’s ongoing breaches jeopardizes Ackerman’s McQueen continued business existence,” Ackerman McQueen attorneys wrote in their latest filing. “Ackerman McQueen will be compelled to terminate many employees who are used on other Ackerman projects as well as serving the NRA.”

 

And here's their new building going up.  Would be a shame if the bank had to take over the project since, well, Ackerman McQueen no longer existed or could cover the note.  Maybe they can reach out to some kids with some social media chops to help them in these troubled times.

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Francisco 2.0

Francisco 2.0 32346

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https://www.thedailybeast.com/nra-spent-tens-of-thousands-on-hair-and-makeup-for-ceo-wayne-lapierres-wife-susan?ref=home

 

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The NRA spent tens of thousands of dollars bringing hair and makeup artists around the country for the wife of its CEO, two sources told The Daily Beast. The expenses–which included plane flights and luxury hotel stays for the stylists–are bound to fuel an already-raging debate over what some see as a spendthrift culture in the NRA’s upper echelons. The NRA, meanwhile, called it a “non-story,” and said their ex-ad firm was responsible for any such expenses. 

 

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Susan LaPierre, the wife of longtime NRA chief Wayne LaPierre, is one of the gun organization’s many public faces, and co-chairs its Women’s Leadership Forum. She often speaks at that group’s annual gatherings for female NRA supporters. And for years now, the NRA has paid for a makeup artist and a hair stylist, both based in Nashville and plugged in to the country music scene, to do LaPierre’s hair and make-up at events around the country, according to two sources familiar with the arrangements. 

 

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The NRA Women’s Leadership Forum hosts many of its events in major metropolitan areas where local hair and makeup talent abounds. But because of LaPierre’s preference for the Nashville artists, the gun group has paid a premium to fly them around the country, and put them up in style. 

That may be changing, though, as those expenditures have raised eyebrows within the NRA. According to one of the sources, the stylists were booked to provide hair and makeup services for LaPierre at its member gathering in Indianapolis this past April. But as media reports emerged with allegations of extravagant spending by the gun group, NRA officials worried the Nashville stylists’ presence could attract scrutiny. So they canceled on them at the last minute. Because the cancellation came so late, the NRA still had to pay their fees. 

Spoiler

An NRA spokesperson alleged this reporting was orchestrated by the group’s former public relations firm, which it is suing. That firm, Ackerman McQueen, worked with the NRA for more than three decades. It handled payments for many expenses related to the NRA’s public relations–expenses the NRA ultimately picked up. 

“This is the latest example of the smear campaign orchestrated to damage those close to the NRA,” said Andrew Arulanandam, the NRA’s managing director of public affairs. “In this instance, our former vendor shamelessly targets the wife of the Association’s CEO. Once again, Ackerman McQueen attempts to mislead by suggesting that Ms. LaPierre had responsibility for actions taken by the agency.”

“Ms. LaPierre and other senior members of the NRA fundraising team participate in TV interviews, nationally-televised speeches, and videos used to raise millions of dollars annually. Hair and make-up services might be used in those instances–coordinated, directed, and paid for by Ackerman. This is another non-story with facts presented out of context–an act of desperation being fueled by the same group of people who attempted to extort Wayne LaPierre and the Association.”

A spokesperson for the ad firm directed The Daily Beast to prior statements saying all of Ackerman’s payments were made at the NRA’s direction. 

The expenditures, which have not been previously reported, will frustrate some NRA members who say the group’s leadership spends donor funds irresponsibly. 

“If all of these allegations are true, they are one more example of the climate of living life large on the donations of members,” said Steve Hoback, an NRA member and former NRA staffer who has criticized its leadership. “And they in no way add to the core mission of the NRA, which is the development and conduct of firearms safety and education courses and defense of Second Amendment rights. There’s no way that a bouffant ‘do and glittery eyeshadow is going to protect anyone’s Second Amendment rights.” 

Over the last several weeks, scrutiny of the NRA’s financial decisions has intensified. Earlier this month, The Wall Street Journal reported that the group considered spending more than $5 million to buy a mansion on a golf course in Dallas, Texas, for the LaPierres. The talks came last year after the Parkland shooting when the NRA CEO had concerns about his safety, according to the Journal, but the NRA did not ultimately buy the house. 

The association has also drawn criticism for spending almost $275,000 over 13 years on designer clothing for Wayne LaPierre. It also spent nearly $100,000 in 2012 on his travel, including trips to Palm Beach and the Bahamas, and stays at the Budapest Four Seasons and a five-star resort on Lake Como in Italy. The revelations came from a leaked document posted online anonymously. The NRA has defended the spending, saying its CEO needs to maintain a well-groomed public profile and that he raised money for the group on his trips. But LaPierre does not enjoy unanimous support: Col. Allen West, a member of the NRA board and grassroots favorite, called for his resignation after the news broke and said the spending was “despicable.”

The NRA’s finances have drawn intense public scrutiny over the last year as its expenses have ballooned. The group is embroiled in a host of legal tangles, including multiple congressional investigations, multiple probes from state attorneys general, and high-stakes litigation with the governor of New York. It is also suing—and, simultaneously being sued by—its former public relations firm, Ackerman McQueen. Tens of millions of dollars could be at stake in those lawsuits. 

Unsurprisingly, the NRA has amassed hefty legal bills. Its estranged ex-president Oliver North estimated the gun group’s outside law firm was charging it upwards of $100,000 a day and has said the fees threaten the group’s very existence. The NRA board and senior leadership, meanwhile, have disputed North’s estimates and defended the law firm’s work. 

At the same time, the group has lost some of its top political talent. Earlier this year, its longtime lobbying chief Chris Cox resigned. Cox, who pushed the group to spend big to support Trump’s campaign in the 2016 election, had the president’s trust, as well as a fat Rolodex of Republican members of Congress. Together, LaPierre and Cox dissuaded Trump from pushing for tougher gun laws after the Parkland massacre. It remains to be seen if the association will maintain its effectiveness in his absence. 

 

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atomheartbevo

atomheartbevo 89455

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16 minutes ago, Chuckie Finster said:

Imagine not liking a sport because they don't advertise a completely unrelated hobby.

Think about how stupid it would sound to tell someone that you are boycotting the NBA because there weren't enough coin collecting ads in the team program.

This all started over NASCAR wanting to shy away from advertisers pushing AR-style rifles and accessories, and the NRA threw a fucking hissy fit.

https://blog.k-var.com/op-ed/nascar-rejects-gun-ads-gradual-shift-guns/

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We just heard from NASCAR on a number of gun related ads and unfortunately, due a gradual shift in NASCAR’s position on guns, these ads must be edited/changed—especially those that are depicted as assault-style rifles/sniper rifles. NASCAR is still open to some of the less controversial gun accessories, concealed carry, or classe

The whole blog entry is worth a read if you like companies being butt-hurt.

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Brisketexan

Brisketexan 104642

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Just now, Post Oak said:

 

These big tough gun owners with their tactical gear and their AR-15s are the biggest pussies i've ever seen in my life.  

And I've met South Austins Mom

You oughta follow Jerry Patterson's FB page.  Jerry Patterson -- who was the architect of concealed carry in Texas, not exactly an anti-gun libtard.... and these AR nuts HATE him because he won't fellate Trump and the NRA without criticism.  These folks have one issue only -- Their ability to be strapped with a military munitions load everywhere they go, because I HAFTA PURTECT MY FAMLY!  So, they fucking HATE Jerry Patterson.  Again, the current crop of gun nuts HATES Jerry.  F'n.  Patterson.  That's how far gone we are.

Here's the thing....25 years ago, practically nobody owned an AR.  Yet the Republic wasn't on the verge of collapse, we weren't barricaded inside our homes with other woefully insufficient firepower as the only thing standing between us and the criminal/black helicopter horde.  We were just fucking fine.  This cult was created in the last quarter century, for zero evidence-based reasons.  Lovely fucking country we've got here.

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Guest Lobo

Guest Lobo

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Dan Patrick arrived much earlier to the Sante Fe School shooting than was ever reported.  He saw some carnage that imprinted itself into his psyche.  He's gone further right on so many other issues because he knew he'd eventually piss off his base with this gun stuff.  He thought he had until the back half of his second term to do that, but the two recent shootings expedited that.  He doesn't know what he's doing at this point.  He saw something he can't shake, and now he's without a country.  NRA will get after him, his chance at Governor is all but gone.  He can double down though and stay on as L.G. for another term most likely.  Anyway, I wish he'd talk about what changed him in Sante Fe...it'd be important for folks on both sides of the issue to hear no matter how much we dislike him. 

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atomheartbevo

atomheartbevo 89455

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Posted (edited)

You're talking about a guy obsessed with bathrooms.

He could have easily seen internal polling showing that a large group, perhaps soccer moms, suburban Republicans, whatever, are pissed about all of the mass shootings, and he's trying to get ahead of them, because that's the kind of person he is - he has reinvented himself multiple times, even changed his legal name, to fit his target audience.

I'll believe something non-political (like Santa Fe) actually changed him, when he comes out to talk about it.

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Ghost of LL

Ghost of LL 15493

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36 minutes ago, atomheartbevo said:

You're talking about a guy obsessed with bathrooms.

He could have easily seen internal polling showing that a large group, perhaps soccer moms, suburban Republicans, whatever, are pissed about all of the mass shootings, and he's trying to get ahead of them, because that's the kind of person he is - he has reinvented himself multiple times, even changed his legal name, to fit his target audience.

I'll believe something non-political (like Santa Fe) actually changed him, when he comes out to talk about it.

That's what I see until there's evidence to the contrary.

The polling out there is absolutely devastating on this issue.  It's a 90-10 issue nationwide, and in the suburbs that are going to be critical to the Republicans retaining power in this state, it's even worse.  But that 10 is the Republican base, and how to keep them happy (and, more importantly, not challenging you in a primary) while still looking sane to the other 90%?

I think what they've come up with is Bonnen and Patrick looking reasonable, talking about how they're in favor of "common sense" background checks while Abbott holds the line and refuses to call a special session.  It pisses everyone off just a little, but not enough to disrupt the Republican coalition.

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