<html><body bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><div>Also, I didn't look it up but rhetoric comes in two forms: logic or rational persuasion; and non-rational persuasion. Usually folks use and understand the term in the latter sense but you are right to point out that historically (dating back at least to Aristotle) it has a wider meaning. Offering reasons in an effort to persuade, as opposed to fallacies (two wrongs make a right) and appeals to emotion (like pity and fear), is a good thing. Usually rational rhetoric is only possible with dialogue. When people avoid dialogue and use non-rational rhetoric the democratic process is harmed, IMO. Everyone looses except those who have already made up their minds and are thus are immune to further reasoning.<br><br><br></div><div><br>On Oct 31, 2010, at 1:55 PM, "Gary Crabtree" <<a href="mailto:jampot@roadrunner.com">jampot@roadrunner.com</a>> wrote:<br><br></div><div></div><blockquote type="cite"><div>
<div><font color="#000000" face="Calibri">Visionaries:</font></div>
<div><font color="#000000" face="Calibri"></font> </div>
<div><font color="#000000" face="Calibri">Shirley Ringo has promptly
and graciously responded to my query and for that I thank her. It's
interesting to me that she imagines that a small business person has the
time to attend forums that are scheduled in the middle of work days or spends
time listening to low wattage progressive propaganda radio. She elected to
participate on the vision 20/20 forum and that is where I elected to make my
inquirey. The assertion that my comments make her uncomfortable is
unfortunate but, I believe that any remarks I have made pale in comparison to
those made by </font><font color="#000000" face="Calibri">her supporters regarding Ike Young and Gresham Bouma. I'm
not entirely sure what I might have posted that she would characterize as
"vitriolic." Granted my acerbic remarks concerning a prompt response to my
question were intemperate and unfounded and for that I apologize. In my meager
defense, the blank e-mail posted after my question led me to believe no further
response was forthcoming. Beyond that any other remarks I made were
simply facts and I stand behind them.</font></div>
<div><font color="#000000" face="Calibri"></font> </div>
<div><font color="#000000" face="Calibri">NRA score of F = Fact, t</font><font color="#000000" face="Calibri">he definition of an F grade was theirs not
mine. The explanation for not supporting the recently enacted legislation
related to weapons manufactured in Idaho rings hollow. Nothing in that law had
to do with creating arms that were any less safe than any others and everything
to do with local control of firearms regulation. The willingness to support
Nancy Chaney and her odious gun ban scheme doesn't do much to support the
weak "some of my best friends are NRA" posturing.</font></div>
<div><font color="#000000" face="Calibri"></font> </div>
<div><font color="#000000" face="Calibri">In favor of raising taxes =
Fact</font></div>
<div> </div>
<div><font face="Calibri"><font color="#000000">Enthusiastic</font><font color="#000000"> mouth piece for teaches unions =
Fact</font></font></div>
<div><font color="#000000" face="Calibri"></font> </div>
<div><font color="#000000" face="Calibri">Thrall of unions in general =
Fact</font></div>
<div><font color="#000000" face="Calibri"></font> </div>
<div><font color="#000000" face="Calibri">Did I miss anything?</font></div>
<div><font color="#000000" face="Calibri"></font> </div>
<div><font color="#000000" face="Calibri">As a more sycophantic voice on the
vision put it "If you can't swim, stay out of the pool." </font></div>
<div><font color="#000000" face="Calibri"></font> </div>
<div><font color="#000000" face="Calibri">On a final note, the last I checked
the word was defined as "<strong>rhetoric</strong> n. The art or study of using
language effectively and persuasively." Not a disparagement as much as an
aspiration.</font></div>
<div><font color="#000000" face="Calibri"></font> </div>
<div><font color="#000000" face="Calibri">g</font></div>
<div style="FONT: 10pt Tahoma">
<div><br></div>
<div style="BACKGROUND: #f5f5f5">
<div style="font-color: black"><b>From:</b> <a title="mailto:ringoshirl@moscow.com
CTRL + Click to follow link" href="mailto:ringoshirl@moscow.com">ringoshirl</a> </div>
<div><b>Sent:</b> Sunday, October 31, 2010 8:22 AM</div>
<div><b>To:</b> <a title="mailto:vision2020@moscow.com
CTRL + Click to follow link" href="mailto:vision2020@moscow.com"><a href="mailto:vision2020@moscow.com">vision2020@moscow.com</a></a> </div>
<div><b>Subject:</b> [Vision2020] Crabtree and the NRA</div></div></div>
<div><br></div>
<div><font size="2" face="Arial">Visionaries:</font></div>
<div> </div>
<div><font face="Calibri">Gary Crabtree has requested a discussion from me
concerning my low rating from the National Rifle Association.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>It’s interesting to me that Mr. Crabtree
did not attend any of the forums, nor take the time to submit a question during
the KRFP interview.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I am also
uncomfortable with his vitriolic comments towards people with whom he disagrees
politically.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>After asking me to
respond, he brands my answer “rhetoric” in advance.</font></div>
<div>
<p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><font face="Calibri">However, he
has raised an issue about which some of you may be curious, so I will give a
candid response.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></font></p>
<p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><font face="Calibri"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"></span>I have many friends who are sportsmen, belong
to the NRA, and enjoy their publications.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</span>I think the organization provides a service that people appreciate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I also think that, at times, their
political action wing has been over the top.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></font></p>
<p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><font face="Calibri">This is a
powerful lobbying group in the Idaho Legislature.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Many legislators just produce the votes
the NRA requests because of its powerful influence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>During my service in the Legislature, I
have not always voted according to their wishes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I have listened to constituents who have
contacted me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I have contacted
attorneys to determine whether the legislation was deemed necessary by
them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>After weighing all
information, I vote according to what seems most responsible, and I never take
this lightly.</font></p>
<p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><font face="Calibri">Gun safety is
very important to me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>In the most
recent session, the majority passed legislation stipulating that firearms
manufactured exclusively in Idaho would be exempt from federal regulations.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I think that is dangerous and
irresponsible.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Our Attorney General
said it was likely unconstitutional.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</span>My vote was one of the few against that legislation.</font></p>
<p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><font face="Calibri">During my
five terms in the legislature, I have not introduced legislation that would
threaten anybody’s second amendment rights.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I have none planned.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Nobody enjoys a low rating from a
political action group, and we should always listen to all sides of an issue
before voting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>But our legislative
decision-making should not be driven by a desire for high ratings. </font></p>
<p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><font face="Calibri">Shirley
Ringo</font></p></div>
<p>
</p><hr>
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