The thoughts of Michigan Open Carry, Inc's president on Rick Snyder.
I know I’m preaching here to many that already know this. I’ve said it before, but I feel the need to say it again. Rick Snyder is a no good piece of “s” when it comes to gun owners. It’s my humble opinion that we would be much farther along in Michigan if Virg Bernero had be elected governor in 2010.
Is Virg a strong pro-gun politician? Far from it — exactly the opposite, in fact. If Virg was dictator, every gun would be banned. That being said, Virg is a Democrat. Why is that important? In 2011/2012 we had well over 2/3rds Republicans in the State Senate. The State House was just short of a 2/3rd Republican majority. Given this, it was like pulling teeth to get both houses to adopt pro-gun legislation. Why? RICK! Both the Speaker and the Senate Majority Leader have over the past 3 years done nothing but carry the water for our dear Governor. You see, you don’t get to become the Speaker of the House nor the Senate Majority leader by willfully breaking the 11th commandment: thou shalt not speak ill of a fellow Republican. Both of these guys and most of the Republicans in the legislature won’t pass something unless Rick is okay with it.
As it happens, Rick isn’t very pro-gun for a Republican. It’s rumored his roommate was shot in college and that has made a long term impression on him regarding guns.
If Virg had been elected, on the other hand, the super-majority pro-gun legislator would have sent him pro-gun legislation, just to spite him because he’s a Democrat. Of course, he would have veto’d it — but that is okay. With 2/3rds of each chamber we would have easily over-ridden his veto. Regarding the 2 or 3 missing votes (Republican wise) in the House, I could have found them on the Democrat side of the aisles in people like Richard LeBlanc in 2011/2012. I maintain if Virg had been elected, Michigan would be a constitutional carry state right now with fewer Pistol Free Zones.
Now, I’m not going to tell anyone how to vote this year…but I plan to vote for a Republican legislator and a Democrat Governor — even if said Democrat is flaming anti-gun.
These thoughts are the views of Phillip Hofmeister and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of Michigan Open Carry, Inc.
(18)Nuh Uh.
(9)
Dude, it ain't a rumor.
Damn unfortunate for Michigan indeed.
Ballot box...
Two-thirds of 110 is 74. After 2010, the GOP had 63 state house seats, so they were 11 seats short of 2/3, not 2 or 3. No controversial bill would get that many dem defections. Snyder isn't good on gun rights, but we have gotten more under him than we would under Bernero.
I won't be voting for the demoncrap Golden Schauer, and I will also not be voting for the undocumented democrap Snyder. He has betrayed us on so many levels.
Just wait until his second term when he is term limited. Katy bar the door.
You know how you get an Obama or Hillary as president? You take a few million conservatives who demand someone who is 100% with them and who refuse to support someone who is 75 - 80% with them. It's called "stupidity" and, as I told my sons when they were young, "Stupidity has its own rewards."
You always support the candidate who is closest to your principles. If that candidate does not make it to the general election, you always support the candidate next closest to your principles. Otherwise you get an Obama or a Hillary. Same thing with a governor. Find a challenger that aligns with you and support that person. But if your candidate can't make it to the finish line, support the next best choice.
You can always work on actively moving him toward your position.
I presume the negative votes are by those who prefer "nothing" to "almost". You wanted steak, were offered roast, and settled for giblets by sitting in the corner and pouting.
I'd say you presume too much but, interesting take anyway, Mr. Hall. Conversely, one can say that if one settles for roast long enough they end up with giblets like everyone else. Bottom line is if you don't believe you're worth a steak, then eat whatever slop you're trying to corner in your bowl.
Believe me, there is no pouting here in my world, and the steak is good.
Well now, let's see here............
Taxes on pensions, check.
Using taxpayer money that according to him isn't taxpayer money to bail out the sewer that is Detroit, check.
Finagling licensing and annual fees for hunting licenses, ORV trail stickers, and other outdoorsy stuff which is a net gain for the state coffers, check.
Unlike Scott Walker right next door in Wisconsin, didn't take on the State noble workers on RTW, check.
Has not/will not address the hugely underfunded Michigan State Public Employees Retirement System which is at some point having to be bailed out/addressed, check.
The $400 plus million dollars poured down the sewer that is the state film boondoggle, check.
No effort to address Prevailing Wage as in eliminate it. Sure does make it fun watching gaggles of noble workers standing around getting paid top dollar to lean on their shovels while we're backed up in construction traffic, and that does happen, check.
Advocating, pushing, demanding gas tax increases to fix the roads, but hey we've got that non-taxpayer State money to pour down the sewer that is Detroit, and the $400 million for films that don't make any money for us or the robbers that get the money, check.
Allowing the People's University of Michigan to get away with giving 300K to the africanhyphenamerican BAMN student group to improve its propaganda center (aka ahyphena student union), PUM gets a pile of State taxpayer funding, check.
The Medicaid exchange, check.
So I guess Bruce, as long as the undocumented democrat puts Vaseline on it before he slips it in that makes it alright and we should just, ahem, turn the other cheek? "Nothing" to "almost" nothing? Hmm, that smells a lot like Sophie's Choice, but they didn't make that movie in Michigan, perhaps the remake on our dime? Another term limited term, God only knows what he has in mind to punish us with for living in Michigan.
And having a real Socialist as governor is a better idea? Seriously? I'm not defending everything Snyder has done, but Virg Bernero would have been an unmitigated disaster for the state. Remember, though, laws don't originate with the governor. The legislature is key. Then find someone to replace Snyder who can and will address your concerns. That doesn't include Virg Bernero or his ilk.
"It’s my humble opinion that we would be much farther along in Michigan if Virg Bernero had be elected governor in 2010."
Never, never, never! Absolute stupidity.
Yes, the legislature is the key. The very same legislature that unanimously voted a second term for Speaker a boob that got caught electioneering a fence jumping Democrat.
Mr. Hall, respectfully, you do protest too much. Old school rank and file roast becomes giblets, et al.
OABTW - Virg ain't running for gov.
This article was written with the perspective of gun ownership only. Note in the article:
"If Virg had been elected, on the other hand, the super-majority pro-gun legislator would have sent him pro-gun legislation, just to spite him because he’s a Democrat. Of course, he would have veto’d it — but that is okay. With 2/3rds of each chamber we would have easily over-ridden his veto. Regarding the 2 or 3 missing votes (Republican wise) in the House, I could have found them on the Democrat side of the aisles in people like Richard LeBlanc in 2011/2012. I maintain if Virg had been elected, Michigan would be a constitutional carry state right now with fewer Pistol Free Zones."
But you can't... can, but shouldn't... elect a governor on the basis of one issue. That's too myopic. The Rs showed how to mess up an election when two conservatives shot each other and let a "moderate" become the front runner. I may be "old school" in some respects, but I try to avoid shooting myself in the foot... open carry or not.
You're right. Let's go hit-for-hit. You name a reason to elect Snyder (not a reason to not elect his opponent, but a reason Snyder has given us to re-elect him), and I'll name a reason we shouldn't. Let's go "hit for hit".
This article was focused on guns, plain and simple. The man is a traitor to the second amendment. When it comes to the second amendment, Snyder is no Republican nor conservative.
Two conservatives shot each other? More like the blundering duo of Bouchard/Land pulled 10% away from TARPstra and Cox, giving the Democrat wooing Joe Schwarz-Nerd on bus tours with Bill "I endorse Granholm - Kerry - Obama" Milliken his 36% to get into the show.
What's up with your revisionist history, Mr. Hall?
Phil, do you even know Mark Schauer's record? As a 17 year 2nd Amendment activist going back to the days of the original CPL fight (and later left MCRGO when they sold out to Chuck Perricone), I'll say this. If you vote for Mark Schauer, you are an IDIOT. Snyder isn't great on the 2nd Amendment. I can't defend him there. Schauer's record is worse.
Mark Schauer voted for almost every bad amendment for the original CPL bill as a state rep. He then voted for the final bill to tell us all how pro-2a he claimed to be.
As far as the CPL amendments (1999-2000). Some he voted for were:
A. Make training standards law enforcement standards. (who teaches to those standards?)
B. Liability damages
C. Against Mike Green's amendment on awarding attorney fees to those denied wrongly by gun board.
D. Making Shall-issue not take effect until a vote on a ballot question.
E. Requiring proof that one is NOT mentally ill.
F. Required "safe" storage when at home
G. Requiring Chief of Police's approval (That's Schauer's own amendment)
H. Requiring CPL holders to announce to property owners that they are carrying.
I. Ban CPL in libraries
J. Change "Shall issue" to "May issue" (killing the whole purpose)
K. Ban those with "history of substance abuse" which was undefined.
L. Require drug testing.
M. Ban CPL in churches, daycare, hospitals, and libraries (before the final compromise bill)
O. Any government owned building, school, or college.
P. Schauer tried to stop the bill coming out of conference.
I think he voted to ban CPL in cars as well. I'll have to dig further there. He later introduced gun control bills with Gilda Jacobs, Laura Baird, and Buzz Thomas. You may remember those names.
HB4919 from 1999
September 29, 1999, Introduced by Reps. Baird, Martinez, Jacobs, Lockwood, LaForge,
Schauer, Brater, Dennis, Brewer, Minore, Hanley, Price, Garza, Clark, Hardman, Stallworth,
Quarles, Thomas and Lemmons and referred to the Committee on Constitutional Law and
Ethics.
A bill to amend 1961 PA 236, entitled
"Revised judicature act of 1961,"
(MCL 600.101 to 600.9948) by adding sections 2969 and 2970; and
to repeal acts and parts of acts.
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF MICHIGAN ENACT:
1 SEC. 2969. (1) AN OWNER OF A FIREARM IS LIABLE TO AN INDI-
2 VIDUAL OR THE INDIVIDUAL'S ESTATE FOR COMPENSATORY DAMAGES FOR
3 INJURY TO, OR THE DEATH OF, THE INDIVIDUAL IF THE OWNER OF THE
4 FIREARM, EXPRESSLY OR BY IMPLICATION, PERMITS ACCESS TO THE FIRE-
5 ARM BY AN INDIVIDUAL AND BOTH OF THE FOLLOWING ARE PROVEN:
6 (A) THE INJURY OR DEATH IS CAUSED BY USE OF THE OWNER'S
7 FIREARM.
8 (B) THE OWNER OF THE FIREARM KNEW OR SHOULD HAVE KNOWN THAT
9 THE INDIVIDUAL'S ACCESS TO THE FIREARM CREATED AN UNREASONABLE
10 RISK THAT INJURY OR DEATH WOULD OCCUR.
03275'99 GWH
2
1 (2) IN A JUDGMENT AGAINST AN OWNER UNDER SUBSECTION (1), THE
2 COURT MAY AWARD REASONABLE ATTORNEY FEES.
3 SEC. 2970. (1) AN OWNER OF A FIREARM WHO KNEW OR SHOULD
4 HAVE KNOWN THAT THE FIREARM WAS ACCESSIBLE TO A MINOR IS LIABLE
5 TO AN INDIVIDUAL OR THE INDIVIDUAL'S ESTATE FOR COMPENSATORY DAM-
6 AGES FOR INJURY TO, OR THE DEATH OF, THE INDIVIDUAL THAT IS
7 CAUSED BY USE OF THE OWNER'S FIREARM, UNLESS THE OWNER DID 1 OR
8 MORE OF THE FOLLOWING:
9 (A) KEPT THE FIREARM IN A SECURELY LOCKED CONTAINER.
10 (B) KEPT THE FIREARM SECURELY LOCKED WITH A TRIGGER LOCK.
11 (C) KEPT THE FIREARM UNLOADED AND IN A LOCATION THAT A REA-
12 SONABLE PERSON WOULD BELIEVE TO BE SECURE.
13 (2) IN A JUDGMENT AGAINST AN OWNER UNDER SUBSECTION (1), THE
14 COURT MAY AWARD REASONABLE ATTORNEY FEES.
15 Enacting section 1. 1990 PA 319, MCL 123.1101 to 123.1105,
16 is repealed.
That's not all. HB 4918 - same year
That adds more restrictions on purchasing including liability insurance and one gun a month.
5 (J) THE PERSON HAS NOT APPLIED FOR ANY OTHER LICENSE TO PUR-
6 CHASE, CARRY, OR TRANSPORT A PISTOL IN THE CURRENT CALENDAR
7 MONTH.
8 (K) THE PERSON PROVIDES PROOF OF FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
9 ARISING OUT OF THE OWNERSHIP OR USE OF THE PERSON'S PISTOL OF NOT
10 LESS THAN $20,000.00 FOR BODILY INJURY TO OR DEATH OF 1 PERSON IN
11 ANY 1 ACCIDENT, AND SUBJECT TO THAT LIMIT, TO A LIMIT OF NOT LESS
12 THAN $40,000.00 FOR BODILY INJURY TO OR DEATH OF 2 OR MORE PER-
13 SONS IN ANY 1 ACCIDENT. A PERSON'S HOMEOWNER'S OR RENTER'S
14 INSURANCE POLICY THAT, AT A MINIMUM, PROVIDES COVERAGE PRESCRIBED
15 IN THIS SUBDIVISION IS CONSIDERED AS COMPLYING WITH THIS
16 SUBDIVISION.
And HB4926
That bans private sales at gun shows among other things. Completely.
THAT'S Mark Schauer. To quote the former MCRGO executive director before Perricone. "He sucks"
Well no shit, Dan. The point is Snyder has not earned a vote. You're exercising the same logic you had for supporting Schostak.
Except he didn't say he's not voting for Snyder, but he's voting FOR Mark "Gun owners need liability insurance" Schauer.
I recognize that. Something for you to consider as a County Party chair - perhaps that'll wake you folks up. Sorry Dan, there are some that are tired of the rank and file bullshit within the state Party apparatchik. Be mindful that it does not go without notice that a certain County Party chair resigned for the freedom of speaking mind.
I think you missed the point of the article. With Republicans like Snyder, we might as well have a Democrat -- at least then the Republicans in the legislature won't be beholden to his anti-gun leanings.
More significant 2A legislation was passed during/signed by Granholm than Snyder. It's a damn shame. Here we are in a State that has a Republican Controlled: Legislature, Executive, and Judicial -- yet we still have: registration, pistol free zones, a permit required to carry a concealed pistol, no knife preemption, laws against many kinds of knifes....the list goes on and on.
Woops!
There. Fixed that fer ya.
True story, though shall issue (including the pistol free zones in MCL 28.425o) was passed under Engler.
To Serve....
The crap never ends.
Considering he just signed into law last night the bill that finally allows Michiganians to own short-barreled rifles and shotguns as long as they're in compliance with Federal law, your post may need a reevaluation.
Snyder isn't great or bad on guns, most likely they're a side-issue and distraction to him and with the right approach we can get some reform accomplished.
Unfortunately the CPL reform bill came up for his signature right after Newton happened and as a politician he didn't like the optics and vetoed it. I'm not happy about his lack of fortitude in vetoing that either, but it's time to push that bill forward yet again now that emotions have cooled and get the process moving again.
He's now done something verifiably pro-gun, which certainly ups him over an out-and-out anti like Schauer.
Well, jumping bejebus! Where does one begin with this hot mess.
So, if it did not comply with .FEDGOV it was a bogus law to begin with, and the Nerd is now in SB 610 compliance with .FEDGOV. Sorry sport, that dog ain't hunting here with me but, I'll share this... for years on any given day I've had a short-barreled shotgun in a pocket and *gasp* without a state issued mother may I slip. Bummer, eh? No permission slip wanted yet, not a soul on this planet that'll ever change the fact I'll be judged by 12 not carried by 6. Bow to your chosen masters.
The "Reformers" throughout history were Marx, Engels, and Trotsky. I hate that f#@%ing word. They also were the originators of P3 - Public Private "Partnerships".
"as a politician [with a law degree]". Yes, that sentence should be a red flag for anyone with a brain. Optics? GMAFB.
AYFKM? The Nerd slapped down unanimous transparency, and what happened? Did the bootlicking Majority override? Nope.
F#@% 'em both. Aron, do yourself a favor - don't walk and chew gum at the same time.
This state is getting exactly the government it deserves.
One would hope with actual comprehension of the facts and issues involved, but that may be too much to ask for.
Ok, so you’ve firmly established that you don’t know what we’re talking about nor what SB 610 does. To briefly explain, and I’ll use small words – states can ban possesion of short-barreled rifles and shotguns, this going beyond fed law that said people could own them if they were in compliance with fed law. As such until SB610 was passed Michigan citizens could not legally own SBRs and SBSs without facing state felony charges and the feds would not process the paperwork that would let you own one under federal law so you would also face a 10-year felony for possession. SB610 changes that, savy?
Quick, can you explain why under both fed and state why your Bond Arms Derringer is not and never has been a SBS? We’ll wait.
Now, If you thought it was illegal, and you thought you were carrying it illegally and you just publicly announced that on the Internet, well there’s a special term for that. Also, if you rely on a Bond Arms Derringer as your primary self defense weapon, there’s a term for that too
And bow before your masters? Really? Thumpin’ your chest don’t impress around here. Either work to make the law better or go on complaining while others do the heavy lifting,
Thank goodness I didn’t say progress then, and thanks for not addressing the point. Look, you praise politicians when they do something right and condemn then when they do something wrong, otherwise they write you off as not worthy of being listened to as nothing they will ever do will please you and they go off and listen to someone else - likely someone else who wants something you don't want. He signed a pro-gun bill into law, give him credit for that as it is as appropriate to condemn him when he vetoes one.
"
Again, I don’t like what he did, but I understand why he did it and how with appropriate pressure and politicking he can be made to come around. Cursing the darkness don’t help. And guess what it's politics, deal.
Nice change of subject, CS, politics ain’t for people willing to give up at the first failure or we’d never have had shall-issue here in the first place, either work for improvement or not.
Snyder is a politician - he puts his finger in the wind and sees what way it's blowing and right at Newton with all the antis waving bloody shirts around and the media all up in his face he folded. Not what we'd want but that's politics and you change that by showing that gun owners don't just give up but keep pushing to ave the CPL improvement bill passed and keep civil rights moving forward in this state. Taking the ball and going home doesn't improve the situation.
Ignorance and incivility is a bad combination. CS.
Good God. The ignorance is thick. Look Aaron, you go right ahead and incremental your time away as I've invested enough sunrises over the decades on this - your turn. But, I'll leave you with this in what I see as your metrosexual attempt at smug psuedo-intellectual rational that you have expertly reinforced exactly what I stated not only about SB 610 but, throughout my entire comment. Actually, you exemplify Mr. Hall's comment with chasing giblets around a bowl because the roast Majority from 2010 is dwindling and will continue to dwindle due to the Executive leadership dog with fleas that oh-by-the-way just happened to not sh!t in the house, again. Aaron, go for it! Keep on cleaning up that carpet your dog with fleas keeps soiling and peddle to your neighbors whatta good boy he is. But, just don't expect the rest of the 'hood to not laugh at you.
Others do recognize the fact that some dogs have defective character traits, untrainable or, just plain retarded and get rid of the dog with fleas.
Ps. invest your time cleaning your carpet as there will be no response: I consider this conversation finis.
So you admit you have no idea what SB610 does and you have decided that insults are the better part of valor.
Very well then. Take your ball and go home.
The rest of us conservatives will continue to work to improve gun-related (and other matters in this state while you advocate voting for Democrats and complain that you don't get everything you want immediately.
"The rest of us conservatives will continue to work to improve gun-related (and other matters in this state while you advocate voting for Democrats and complain that you don't get everything you want immediately."
You'll work to continue improving gun rights?
This statement makes me belief that either:
A) You have attempted to do nothing and therefore you have no idea what an uphill battle working with Rick is (I'd rather work with Jenny any day).
B) You are woefully ill-informed about Snyder's position on guns.
From October 2012-Dec 2012, I personally spent over 150 hours lobbying for, and otherwise working on SB-59. On behalf of MOC, I agreed to several concessions the Governor asked for. Despite popular belief, Sandy Hook had nothing to do with the veto our piece of shit Governor gave to SB-59.
Inside baseball: The Governor anted to weaken preemption and Senator Green told him to go piss in a lake -- a game of chicken ensued and nobody swerved. That's why SB 59 was veto'd.
I stand by my opinion in my article above. The fact he signed a package that was approved with large bipartisan support (SB 61) proves nothing to me. Jenny would have signed it too.
Let him sign a bill to repeal sport stadiums (or pick your favorite 28.425o zone) as a PFZ and I may be a little impressed. To date, talks with the Governor's office have indicated he's not willing to remove any PFZs.
So have you fully thought through the implications in your article? BTW you're wrong on both your beliefs in both A and B, much as you're mistaken in your article.
Can you give us any example of a Michigan Democrat Governor vetoing a piece of pro-gun legislation and then having the veto overturned by Republicans and a group of break-away Democrats? Since it's never happened in Michigan before, aren't you basing your entire opinion on hope rather than facts?
Had there been a Democrat governor during Newton we likely would have gone the way of Colorado and Connecticut with further restrictions that we'd have to fight to get rid of later, or the status quo we have now, not some imagined pro-gun nirvana.
Have you seen, and I'm sure you must have, all the legislation that keeps getting proposed by Democrats in the legislature to curtail and increase restrictions on both open-carry and concealed carry?
You really think someone like Bernero or Schauer wouldn't help push those through rather than have them sitting languishing as they currently are under even a clearly not-perfect Republican governor like Snyder?
Missing the forest for the trees.
typical.
Wait, the governor can write legislation now? Amazing!
No, the legislature does. You get a supermajority in the legislature that wont feel beholden to the guv, and you get pro-firearms legislation passed.
Has anyone claimed the governor does?
Are you instead claiming the Governor has no influence over legislation?
Again, show me a Michigan supermajority that has ever overriden a Michigan governor's veto on a firearms bill. Just show me one instance.
If you can't, it's a nice fantasy you have, but we live in reality and that means a neutral or weak Republican governor that will sign at least some pro-gun legislation beats an out and out anti-gun Democrat that will sign anti-gun legislation.
Certainly working to elect a pro-gun Republican governor is an excellent idea and one to work on, but cutting off your nose to spite your face by thinking a anti-gun Democrat will do you any favors is pure fantasy, and dangerous to boot.
A dem shouldn't be having much if the legislature is comprised of a majority of true conservatives.
You don't think Snyder wouldn't sign anti-gun legislation if it made it to his desk?
Again, have a truly conservative legislature, and no anti-gun legislation would make to his desk.
Of course the governor of the same Party has influence over agenda as we all have watched the kowtowing legislature implement every Democrat policy pushed by a Progressive Nerd and his Obama funding crony from Chicago, Rich Baird. Yeah!... job security within the Party apparatchik for Modus OpeRandy and electioneering a fence hopping Democrat, Bolger.
Beyond that, just ask this public sector union FUSION Center jackboot operating on tax dollars the Nerd sent to harangue our legislature about not getting rid of the registration database as if it weren't for that big bag of reward monies the .FEDGOV offered to catch the freeway shooter. Always an excuse for the aforementioned anti Right to keep and bear arms crowd.
Or, Terri Lynn Land's 2010 running mate sending one of his public sector union toadies on tax dollars to the Senate to shit on SB 59. Helluva pick for governor, Terri, and thanks for sticking everyone with the Joe Schwarz-Nerd. And, out from the mouth of babes no less is the ongoing groveling at the feet of Party-line goat. To you "Team R" MacGregor's out there - it is what it is.
Aaron, please just give your "override" fap-fest meme a rest already because you're sounding a whole lot like the doofus college kid the Nerd hired below that now peddles cars in Troy.
"Unfortunately the CPL reform bill came up for his signature right after Newton happened and as a politician he didn't like the optics and vetoed it. I'm not happy about his lack of fortitude in vetoing that either, but it's time to push that bill forward yet again now that emotions have cooled and get the process moving again."
Oh, you mean like SB 213. That hasn't moved anywhere. I wonder why. Actually, I don't wonder. I know why. Snyder is telling Richardville to sit on it.
Wow.
The ignorance is thick here, but Corinthian, I'm seeing it coming from you. Bragging about carrying what you believe to be an "illegal" weapon publicly--and then even being wrong about what it is? Wow. (The Bond Arms Derringer is NOT a "short-barreled shotgun" and it's a pretty lame self-defense weapon to boot, FYI.) And then you pretend that Snyder has done nothing for gun owners while lauding Schauer, Birnero and Granholm, all long-time anti-gunners. What sort of Bizzaro-website is this? And every time that Aaron responded to you with fact and respect, you blabbled nonsense back and were pretty freaking rude to boot. It's pretty clear that you're just a Democrat who likes guns as opposed to being any sort of pro-gun activist, so speaking on behalf of Michigan's gun owners, stop claiming to be on our side, ok? Especially if you plan to keep boasting about committing illegal firearms-related acts.
Now I'm new to this blog but old to this issue, and in Michigan specifically so I'll address this one to Phil Hofmeister: Who the heck are you? I was one of the leaders in the whole fight to push shall-issue through in Michigan and I don't remember you being involved in any of that. I knew Governor Granholm, or "Jenny" as you like to call her so informally, and I'm genuinely curious as to how many one-on-one sit-down meetings you've had with her on gun issues.
I do know that you're not a registered lobbyist in Michigan--I quickly checked--and I don't think that your open-carry publicity stunt and press conference at the GOP convention in Lansing last year gained you any credibility with that party's leadership, so what exactly is it that you're trying to do?
These days, it seems that almost anyone can put up a little website and claim to be a "leader" in the pro-gun community, but when I'm seeing here is a couple of guys trying to grab that mantle and subvert the pro-gun movement on behalf of the Democrat Party or their own personal agendas, and that's dishonest on it's face.
Again, speaking as a gun owner: Quit trying to be on our side.
PS: Hi Dan! Long time, no see!
Well, welcome to the conversation. Actually, by what you write, welcome to the state of Michigan, and to this blog. Perhaps, as a suggestion it would better suit you to not shoot from the hip with who and/or what the fuck you *think* I am as you are obviously a low information guest here that also takes on such egomaniacal delusions of grandeur such as speaking for the entire state. I make no apologies for what I write or, the life I lead as I have never thought of myself as addressing issues on the behalf of all others in a Children of the Borg fashion you practice. Bottom line, bad laws are just that - Bad Laws.
If you so choose to bow to your elected masters regulatory whims that is your freedom to do so, however, I am not interested in furthering a zero tolerance agenda of lawyer/bureaucracy invented permission slip *allowing* you or I our Natural Rights - yes, undiminished by Almighty God. When purchasing a hammer there is no permission slip required for its transportation so, as with any other tool for the rational thinker the same shall apply. Had you taken the time to better acquaint yourself about my thoughts on here you would've noticed in comment above all this bullshit centering around bad law has done nothing to further Michigan, yet there are those such as I read in your comment that ultimately just serve to further define control where there is none other than what is given away by the individual. Your choice - not mine.
So, by all means, congratulations on your triumphant success by your Progressive governor with law degree with bringing Michigan inline to .FEDGOV standard as he did also with Common Core, and Obamacare Medicaid Expansion. Smashing success. So... pioneer. Why yes, Snyder is a regular Nerdy Crockett.
Now, to tread into the frequent conversation of the short barrel in their pants circle-jerk mentality you've blessed us with in regard to what is or is not considered adequacy in life threatening situations... when is it you plan to demonstrate the ineffectiveness of two 3" #4 buckshot shells with standing in front of them while you deploy them? Please do notify all of us in Michigan, when you decide to show your display of *expert* stupidity. At minimum, put it on YouTube for the benefit of replay enjoyment.
Oh! And, by the way, it does not go without notice of your attempted smearing of decent folk like Mr. Hofmeister, with your revisionist history of the stunt that Carl Berry pulled at the convention last February, for his Third world voting chair that damn near lost his re-election. It is also noted of your attempted garnering of relevance here by the post script shout out hello to those that cry "Absolute Bullshit from the credentials committee" of a known Third world voting Party chair then goes and votes to re-elect that is very telling of character or, lack of, too.
Nevertheless, welcome to the conversation.
As to being a registered lobbyist, I don't spend $500 on doing it. Unlike many multi-client lobbyist, I don't take representatives out to lunch. I can tell you I have had amiable conversations with dozens in the State Legislature though in the past 12 months.
Aw, gee, Corinthian. Thanks for "welcoming" me to my home state--a state where I worked in the legislature for several years before moving on to other things. Maybe if you weren't in such a hurry to try to demean and debase me, you might actually have figured out that I've been around for a while and I know some things. But rather than communicate with me man to man, you're doing what you did with Aaron there and you're going "Full Metal Childish" with the personal attacks instead of just trying to engage in rational civil discourse like normal rational people do.
So can we try this again from the top and actually keep this conversation on an adult level?
Now as to Snyder, the point here isn't whether or not he's the great all-conservative on every issue. The thread was initially started to talk about his record on gun issues, and as Aaron points out, he's delivered pretty well, certainly to the point where he deserves some thanks and credit. But you and Phil seem bent on ginning up support for anti-gun Democrats regardless of what this governor does, so I have to question your motive and your sincerity to the gun-rights issue. Aaron pegs it right when he says that the way to win friends and influence people in political office is to thank them and credit them when they do right as much or more as you object when they displease you. You seem to be of the belief that if you just cuss people, they'll give you what you want, but ask yourself how many times that's motivated you to do thing for other people that just bad-mouth you. I'm willing to bet that you're not really motivated to go all out for those people, are you? So why do you think that you can bluster Snyder or others into giving you stuff?
And this does bring Phil Hofmeister back into discussion. He likes to imply that he's got a ton of time lobbying the governor, both present and past, yet he talks about them both here in disparaging and disrespectful tones. I can guarantee you that he's never met one-on-one with either of them on the gun issue because governors don't even bother talking directly to real lobbyists who represent large memberships and throw money around. The NRA liaison doesn't get to meet with the governor nor does the MUCC lobbyist or Ted Nugent and all of them are much more influential than Phil "Hey I got a website" Hofmeister. Those people--people who can actually swing a lot of votes--meet with ranking House and Senate members and sometimes one of the Governor's staffers, but the Governor doesn't sit down with people like that so I'm pretty safe to say that Phil Hofmeister doesn't have the Governor's ears either, especially when he trash-talks them here where any legislative staffer can find and forward it. Now I'm not really looking to have a back-ad-forth with you on this subject when Phil Hofmeister is perfectly capable of speaking for himself, so we'll just drop this for now.
As an aside though, since you brought it up, you may be in awe of your little shotgun-shell-firing pocket pistol, but a two-shot firearm isn't very practical even if it fires something more impressive than a few #4 buck pellets. But hey--you just enjoy the fantasy of your two little .410 shot shells tearing some bad guy limb from limb. Just know that in the real world, it's just a fantasy and nothing more. A simple understanding of basic physics should be enough to settle that question, so if you want to go find someone with that basic understanding and bring them back here to join in here, I'm willing to wait. And just so we're clear, I don't have to guess about what guns do to people--I've seen more than enough gunshot wounds to last me a dozen lifetimes and I've been shot at and shot at others as well. You strike me as someone fortunate enough to have missed out on such experiences but that's actually good for you, and you really should't try to compensate for it by buying gimmicky junk guns and making yourself out to be John Wayne or Dirty Harry on the internet. Just chill out and try to be a person, guy; conversations are much more enjoyable that way. Not a sermon--just a suggestion.
Yep, and as suspected - there it is. Yet another example of exactly what the Hell is wrong with government, those sent to office, and more broadly, both Party's is spelled out very clearly by every word in your rather ignorant response. You believe you need your ass kissed for anything you do or happens in government, especially, when it comes to allegedly providing something that was never yours to "give".
Frankly, there is little different between you, and this demented skid mark on the underwear of humanity. I'm unimpressed with your background, and most certainly removed any doubt about having the duplicitous ingrained arrogance to have been a part of the MI-GOP apparatchik. If wise, you'd reflect on the status quo rubbish in your own Party-line towing backyard instead of wringing your hands over what the other team of losers are doing.
Either that, or keep coming on here trying to bullshit others with your ass kissing theory.
Way to step in and be productive Double D. When you say
I must wonder WTFAYTA? Its not as if you are following your own advice, as the first posting you have EVER made here is full of hyperbole and invective. Following it up with what is above only reaffirms that you have no class, nor are a gracious guest.
If that is the only way that you can communicate, your faux Republicanism is not welcome.
Jason, you may kiss my ass, But "you're welcome" for the work that others here did that resulted in you getting a CCW and other pro-gun changes to Michigan law over the past two decades. But hey--your site, your rules. You can refuse to post my posts while telling your boy Corinth how great he is if you like. I won't waste any more of my time or yours here.
Buddy, it ain't Jason giving you the boot ride. - CS
And I rest my case.
I should note: I did say I am going to vote for a Republican Legislature. I don't think THIS Republican Governor will do the conservative nor libertarian cause any favors.
Before you start attacking me as running cover for the Democrats, you should know more about my background, don't you think?
By the way, I've never claimed to meet with the Governor one on one. I do meet with people that do meet directly with him though. That being said, I know enough to know he's not a friend of guns.