Let me re-iterate before the same debate that started on NLS begins here:

No, the gut is NOT real.  It is a sweatshirt.  I even wrapped the arms of the hoodie around my waist to make "love handles."

...and because it's the only one I could find.  Do you have a better one of yourself?

That was right before Bill Clinton came to visit Virginia Tech earlier this semester.  The Young Dems helped set up all the stage and sound equipment in War Memorial Gym.  I got a chance to run up on stage and do my Bill Clinton impression before the President got there.

Just my two cents, but I think the other photo was better.  This one kinda looks like you're going for a pick.

Where's depth perception when you need it?

and I like the DMB shirt.  That is a firedancer, right?

It's a shirt from the Hokie Memorial Concert.  Both Dave AND Jonh Mayer had a freestyle on stage.  Was insane.  And awesome.

I think I'm the only President of a Young Democrats chapter who is an NRA member.  I'm not positive on that.  Also, I agree with most of what the NRA does, but not all of it.  I was in agreement with most people here when it came to closing the "gun show loophole".

P.S. - Remember, Jim Webb is an NRA member, too. ;)

(i.e., the one with half a brain), resigned his life membership in the NRA when they issued a statement critical of law enforcement officials.

But I agree with the general principle they stand for, and that is the right the bear arms.  We can argue all day about what that means, or we can agree to disagree.

are: 1) that it's become a totally partisan Republican organization; and 2) that it opposes even what most Americans consider to be "reasonable," like waiting periods and background checks.  Luckily, there's an alternative to the NRA:

AHSA vigorously defends the constitutional right to keep and bear arms, promotes safe and responsible gun use, and supports reasonable public policies, so that all Americans can enjoy the benefits of this crucial and historic liberty.

More from their website:

According to a 2003 Field & Stream National Hunting Survey, sportsmen overwhelmingly support reasonable gun safety proposals. Moreover, an overwhelming majority of hunters support proposals like background checks to purchase guns, keeping military style assault weapons off our streets and the elimination of cop killer bullets.

In recent years, extreme political positions purporting to support gun rights have jeopardized our sport and have hurt the image of responsible gun owners. Unless the sporting community can become unified behind an organization that fights for safe and responsible hunting and shooting practices and sensible gun ownership, future generations may be unable to participate in and enjoy the shooting sports.

Americans who love the outdoors and the shooting sports deserve an organization that represents their views, avoids angry political rhetoric and delivers well thought out, rational programs and policy proposals.

Thanks for that link, Lowell.  That other organization may be something worth looking into.

As for the NRA being a "Republican Shill", quite frequently I feel the same.  But if you look at their endorsements, there are plenty of Democrats in SWVA who have solid NRA support.  And Jim Webb will likely receive it in 2012.  

The NRA was once a far more reasonsable organization.  My grandfather was a member for a longtime.  He was a responsible gun-owner for many years.  But along the way, they became more libertarian in their efforts: rather than promoting safe gun use, they have come to the "you should be able to own any weapon you want."  Still, their more radical beliefs are almost always shot down in terms of legislation, and I agree with them in most of the issues where they have a chance for success (I oppose the DC Gun Ban, for example).  Being pro-Gun isn't anything bad.  I support the Second Amendment, with reasonable regulations.  I think in a free society, one must ultimately be free to defend one's self.  

I've never had a congratulations post where I had to defend my beliefs.  First time for everything, right Lowell? :)

From a former YD (my husband was president in both Broward and Duval counties of the YDs, and I met him at a YD meeting in Ft. Lauderdale), my heart felt congratulations to you.  I will always have a warm spot in my heart for all the  College Democrats and Young Democrats.

Also, quite a lot of union members who are Democrats also support gun rights and even belong to the NRA, so you are definitely not alone there.

I'm also a very strong Union supporter, so I guess I fall in with that crowd.

Congrats!
As a former National committeewoman for the VYD, I salute you!

Evan Junker in the late 1990s was the VYD President--he was a member of the NRA and a VERY "Blue Dog".

Now I feel old....sigh...

who abuse the troll rating system. :)

just went up another notch.

give it a few weeks.  It'll return to normal :-P

Proud to know you!

First of all, congratulations on your election as President of the Va. Tech YD's.

I must admit, my views as far as the NRA is concerned are much more in line with Lowell's.  The NRA is nothing more than a partisan Repuvlican organization and oppose waiting periods and background checks.  Do you agree with the NRA on these two issues?

The NRA funds the most extremist candidates in the Republican party and many great Democrats have been defeated over the years due to the viscious attacks made against them by the NRA on issues like waiting periods and background checks.  As a Democrat and a memeber of the NRA, aren't the dollars you contrubute to the NRA being used to defeat some of the very Democrats you support?  

And now the NRA is are after Senator Obama.

Maybe you can work your way up through the NRA Ranks and reform them?

I'm opposed to most of what the NRA says and does, but I know that even among Democrats there is a broad spectrum of opinion on gun issues. I'm not a member, but you might consider looking into Amendment II Democrats.

And congratulations on your election.