Let’s all have a good laugh at the NRA
Clearly they don’t have enough to do with their time or their money, since they’re apparently hiring “spies” to “penetrate” organizations such as The Brady Campaign and other organizations which work to pass sensible gun laws (you know, the kind that would keep assault weapons and rocket launchers and machine guns out of the hands of people who CLEARLY shouldn’t have them. (Read also: Virginia Tech).
This is the story of two Marys. Both are in their early 60s, heavyset, with curly reddish hair. But for years they have worked on opposite ends of the same issues. Mary McFate is an advocate of environmental causes and a prominent activist within the gun control movement. For more than a decade, she volunteered for various gun violence prevention organizations, serving on the boards of anti-gun outfits, helping state groups coordinate their activities, lobbying in Washington for gun control legislation, and regularly attending strategy and organizing meetings.
Mary Lou Sapone, by contrast, is a self-described “research consultant,” who for decades has covertly infiltrated citizens groups for private security firms hired by corporations that are targeted by activist campaigns. For some time, Sapone also worked for the National Rifle Association.
But these two Marys share a lot in common—a Mother Jones investigation has found that McFate and Sapone are, in fact, the same person. And this discovery has caused the leaders of gun violence prevention organizations to conclude that for years they have been penetrated—at the highest levels—by the NRA or other pro-gun parties. “It raises the question,” says Paul Helmke, the president of the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence, “of what did she find out and what did they want her to find out.”
9 Comments »
Doug Pennington Says :
July 30, 2008 at 7:20 pm
Thanks for writing about this. I never met the woman, but people I work with have known her for a while and were in disbelief after the MJ story came out. Paul Helmke (Brady president) wrote about it today on our blog, too.
Doug Pennington, Bradycampaign.org
Too Progressive » UPDATE: NRA hiring and deploying spies Says :
July 31, 2008 at 7:03 am
[...] Comments Comment on Let’s all have a good laugh at the NRA by Doug PenningtonComment on John McCain collecting social security benefits by Laurentine GatesComment on John McCain [...]
Sailorcurt Says :
July 31, 2008 at 4:47 pm
I’m curious. What’s an “assault weapon”? Wouldn’t that apply to any weapon used to assault someone?
I thought rocket launchers and machine guns were already highly regulated under the National Firearms Act. Was I wrong?
What did the Virginia Tech shooting have to do with “assault weapons”, rocket launchers or machine guns?
Who gets to define “sensible”? If I don’t agree with a policy of the Brady Campaign, does that make me non-sensible? What qualifies one to make that determination?
And, finally, is it possible for you to discuss the issue without using judgmental and/or misleading catch-phrases?
Just wondering.
Terry Carter Says :
July 31, 2008 at 4:53 pm
You’re missing the point. C’mon, seriously?
“And, finally” — Uhm, this is a personal blog and therefore no, I will not stop giving my opinion on political news stories. Like it or not George Bush and his Republican cronies still haven’t banned that.
Sailorcurt Says :
July 31, 2008 at 10:33 pm
Actually I’m not completely certain you get your point. DID you know that machine guns and rocket launchers are regulated by the NFA? You didn’t seem to. DO you have a valid definition for “assault weapon”, or are you just repeating Brady Campaign talking points? That’s why I asked. Granted, I was a little snarky about it, but I gave you the benefit of the doubt and didn’t just assume that you actually DO know these things and are just being intentionally dishonest.
I was just trying to start a dialog. I asked a few questions related to clarify exactly what you meant. I didn’t even hint that I’m trying to get you to stop giving your opinion, I only asked if you can do it (at least on the issue of firearms) without using the canned, somewhat non-sensical catch-phrases coined by the Brady Bunch And Friends.
Take this as you will, but I spent 21 years in the military and I would give my life to defend your right to say things that I disagree with. Doesn’t mean I’m not going to tell you I disagree or challenge you on them.
If you don’t want to discuss it, that’s fine too. Enjoy your echo chamber. But I fail to understand why you would allow open comments if you don’t want any…um…commentary.
But, it’s your blog and your choice. No skin off my backside.
Sailorcurt Says :
July 31, 2008 at 10:40 pm
P.S. Fair warning: I’ll be out of town tomorrow so if you do want to have a civilized discussion, I probably won’t respond until Saturday or Sunday.
Oh…and sorry for the typo in the second paragraph above. Editing artifact. the second sentence should have read: “I asked a few questions to clarify exactly…
Terry Carter Says :
July 31, 2008 at 10:50 pm
First, I have never looked over nor have I ever been provided with Brady Campaign talking points (but I suspect our friends at the NRA have!!).
Second, I could really give two rips about if and how long you served in the military. I do find it comical that you taunt it as if it’s something to act high-browed over, though.
Third, if you’re going to use your half-wit, pseudo-intellectual “snark” to try and prove a point it doesn’t really help your argument when you’re picking apart things I’ve said that are blatantly sarcastic.
Finally, don’t put words in my mouth. My comments are open because I enjoy reading what readers have to say. I do not, however, enjoy being accused of ripping talking points from an organization I have no affiliation with nor do I enjoy reading asinine comments telling me what I should or shouldn’t write about on my personal blog.
Next please.
Sailorcurt Says :
July 31, 2008 at 11:34 pm
Roger that. Can’t support positions and so resorts to childish and ineffectual insults. Conjures offense over imaginary slights in order to justify the self-righteous indignation of the aggrieved victim. Extremely tolerant of everyone except those with whom he disagrees. Typical liberal.
I keep hoping that I’ll run across one that disproves the stereotypes, but no luck so far.
Keep up the good work.
Terry Carter Says :
August 4, 2008 at 6:36 pm
I’m not going to try to have an intellectual conversation with someone who clearly doesn’t know the facts. I don’t have time to play “teacher” for you conservative Faux News ear pieces.
P.S. Do you even know the meaning of the word liberal? Or are you just using it because Bill O’Reilly does?
Good day.
Leave a Comment