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<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
color:#1F497D'>Thank you Shirley for a thoughtful response to Gary’s
question. Many of my family members enjoy hunting and own guns. From
my perspective, however, an “F” rating from the NRA is a
badge of honor. Ranting about 2<sup>nd</sup> amendment rights by louts
who would be unable to discuss (intelligently) any other constitutional issue
rings more than a little hollow to me. Of course, I’m suspicious of
any civilian group that wraps the flag around their agenda.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
color:#1F497D'>Rosemary<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"'>From:</span></b><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"'>
vision2020-bounces@moscow.com [mailto:vision2020-bounces@moscow.com] <b>On
Behalf Of </b>ringoshirl<br>
<b>Sent:</b> Sunday, October 31, 2010 8:23 AM<br>
<b>To:</b> vision2020@moscow.com<br>
<b>Subject:</b> [Vision2020] Crabtree and the NRA<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>Visionaries:</span><o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'>Gary
Crabtree has requested a discussion from me concerning my low rating from the
National Rifle Association. 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. I am also uncomfortable with his
vitriolic comments towards people with whom he disagrees politically.
After asking me to respond, he brands my answer “rhetoric” in
advance.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:10.0pt'><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'>However,
he has raised an issue about which some of you may be curious, so I will give a
candid response. </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:10.0pt'><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'>I
have many friends who are sportsmen, belong to the NRA, and enjoy their
publications. I think the organization provides a service that people
appreciate. I also think that, at times, their political action wing has
been over the top. </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:10.0pt'><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'>This
is a powerful lobbying group in the Idaho Legislature. Many legislators
just produce the votes the NRA requests because of its powerful
influence. During my service in the Legislature, I have not always voted
according to their wishes. I have listened to constituents who have
contacted me. I have contacted attorneys to determine whether the
legislation was deemed necessary by them. After weighing all information,
I vote according to what seems most responsible, and I never take this lightly.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:10.0pt'><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'>Gun
safety is very important to me. In the most recent session, the majority
passed legislation stipulating that firearms manufactured exclusively in Idaho
would be exempt from federal regulations. I think that is dangerous and
irresponsible. Our Attorney General said it was likely
unconstitutional. My vote was one of the few against that legislation.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:10.0pt'><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'>During
my five terms in the legislature, I have not introduced legislation that would
threaten anybody’s second amendment rights. I have none
planned. Nobody enjoys a low rating from a political action group, and we
should always listen to all sides of an issue before voting. But our
legislative decision-making should not be driven by a desire for high ratings. </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:10.0pt'><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'>Shirley
Ringo</span><o:p></o:p></p>
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<p><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>No virus
found in this incoming message.<br>
Checked by AVG - www.avg.com<br>
Version: 8.5.449 / Virus Database: 271.1.1/3229 - Release Date: 10/31/10
07:33:00</span><o:p></o:p></p>
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