Mr. President: Secure our borders

I just signed a petition with Liberty Counsel urging the President to take immediate action to address our nation's current immigration crisis. Namely, to secure our borders and to oppose an immigration plan that gives amnesty to illegal aliens.

Please go here to join me in signing:

http://www.libertyaction.org/285/petition.asp?PID=13904721&NID=1

PERM Fake Job Ads defraud Americans

You have got to see this video: PERM Fake Job Ads defraud Americans. This appears to be a training seminar by Immigration attorneys from Cohen & Grigsby on how to bring in H-1B workers (foreign nationals) without even considering Americans (US Citizens) for the job.

Raise a stink like I did and contact your representative (www.house.gov/writerep) and senator (http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm) and spread the word where ever you can. Can you even imagine the pain that one (a US citizen) feels that is out of work (been replace by a H-1B worker at least once) and is answering these fake ads in hope of getting employment? Now that's just not right...

JustBob

ISRA: Photos of last week's counter-protest at Chuck's Gun Shop

We've posted more great pictures taken by ISRA member Jeff Marienthal of the march last week at Chuck's, click here to view them.

Make sure that you join us there again on Saturday at 12:30 PM!

If you've not been there before, here's a mapquest map of Chuck's Gun Shop in Riverdale.

Join the ISRA

ISRA Press Release

ISRA Press Release:
ISRA Wonders Whether Saturday Gun Shop Protest Will See Father Pfleger Restore Dignity To His Vocation

CHICAGO, June 20 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The following was released today by the Illinois State Rifle Association (ISRA):

The ISRA has learned that Fr. Michael Pfleger, Pastor of Chicago's St. Sabina's Church, is planning yet another march on Chuck's Gun Shop, located in south suburban Riverdale. Late last month, Fr. Pfleger sparked an embarrassing controversy for the Chicago Archdiocese by urging those attending a similar protest to "snuff" Chuck's owner as well as any state legislator who votes against gun control legislation.

In a recent e-mail alert, the ISRA urged area firearm owners to attend a counter-protest at Chuck's scheduled for Saturday, June 23, 2007 at 12:30 PM. The purpose of the counter-protest is to demonstrate support for Chuck's embattled owner and to rally opposition to gun control bills pending in the state legislature.

"Fr. Pfleger's last performance in front of Chuck's shocked the nation," commented ISRA Executive Director, Richard Pearson. "Imagine hearing an ordained priest calling for a legitimate businessman and sitting state legislators to be "snuffed" because they do not subscribe to that priest's social philosophies. The outrage over Pfleger's hate-filled remarks was compounded by his refusal to apologize for uttering them, and the fact that the mainstream press pretty much gave him a pass."

"The Pfleger situation brings to light an interesting double standard," continued Pearson. "Earlier this week, the ISRA released the results of an investigation into the apparent harassment of gun owners by the Illinois State Police. In these cases, gun owners were treated to visits to their homes by state police detectives because they had sent faxes to Sen. Dan Kotowski expressing opposition to gun control legislation sponsored by the senator. Based on our investigation, there was not even the slightest hint of a threat conveyed in the content of the subject faxes. Nonetheless, these citizens had to bear the embarrassment of having the police show up at their homes with the additional strain of having to answer humiliating questions about their mental health and personal lives. In contrast, when Fr. Pfleger publicly advocated the "snuffing" of state legislators, the Illinois State Police turned a blind eye and a deaf ear. One would think that Sen. Kotowski would be especially sensitive to threats against legislators, yet his anti-gun alliance with Pfleger has left him totally mum on the priest's dangerous remarks."

"Fr. Pfleger can rest assured that the videotape will be rolling when he takes the stage this Saturday in front of Chuck's," said Pearson. "We'll be watching and listening. It will be interesting to see whether he displays the dignity and self respect that should accompany his calling, or whether his identity crisis casts him once again in the role of an absurd, yet malevolent, cartoon character."

The ISRA is the state's leading advocate of safe, lawful and responsible firearms ownership. For more than a century, the ISRA has represented the interests of more than 1.5 million law-abiding Illinois firearm owners.

Amnesty gang bending Senate rules to pass bill

The Amnesty gang is still at it. They appear to want amnesty for illegals at any cost. From Grassfire.org:

The Senate is committed to formally bringing back the Bush-Kennedy amnesty bill possibly as early as this Friday--meaning we may have precious time remaining to make our voices heard!

Here's what our insiders are telling us...

The Amnesty Gang (including Bush, Kennedy, McCain, Kyl, and Reid) will introduce a new bill as a "substitute" of the last failed bill. This allows them to bring the bill to the Senate floor without going through committee -- just like the first Bush-Kennedy amnesty bill.

This is where it gets shadowy. Harry Reid will employ what is being called the "clay pigeon" procedure whereby all the amendments are lumped together as one to limit the ability of opposition to resist the bill!

What does all this mean?

It means that you and I and the rest of the citizens of our nation have been sold out by an arrogant Senate that has completely lost touch with the American people. Just listen to the bristling arrogance of Senate Minority leader (and Amnesty Senator from Mississippi) Trent Lott, who spoke to reporters yesterday. "I've had my phones jammed for three weeks. Yesterday I had three people answering them continuously all day. To think that you're going to intimidate a senator or any senator into voting one way or the other by gorging your phones with phone calls -- most of whom don't even know where Gulfport, Mississippi, is -- is not an effective tactic. But it's their right to do that."

That's right, Trent, it is our right, and you are feeling it! In simple terms, the ONLY barrier left for the Senate to pass this bill is YOU. That is why I'm calling for an even greater grassroots uprising than before.

Whether they formally bring the amnesty bill back on Friday, or Monday really doesn't matter. What matters is that they are bringing amnesty back, and it is up to grassroots America to stop them cold!

+ + Action #1: Faxes and Phone Calls

If you have not scheduled faxes in the past few days, do so right now. We must have faxes flooding the Senate every day until AMNESTY IS DEAD. Use our FaxFire system or fax them yourself (info. provided here):

http://www.grassfire.org/19042/offer.asp

After scheduling your faxes, call your two senators.

We've gotten many reports of citizens calling their Senators EVERY DAY, and I want to challenge every member of our team to do the same. Here's a number of KEY talking points:

1. You are disappointed that the Senate is reconsidering the amnesty bill.
2. A "yes" vote on cloture is a "yes" vote for amnesty.
3. Vote NO on cloture for the Bush-Kennedy Amnesty bill.

Your two senators:

Sen. Durbin (202)224-2152
Sen. Obama (202) 224-2854


I'm also asking team members from Mississippi to contact Mr. Lott, to let him know that his constituents who oppose amnesty certainly know where Gulfport is!

Here's his number: 202/224-6253

Or call his district offices: Jackson, 601/965-4644; Gulfport, 228/863-1988; Pascagoula, 228/762-5400; Oxford, 662/234-3774

To recap, AMNESTY IS COMING BACK perhaps as soon as Friday and certainly by next Monday. We've been told the back-room deal cut last week is in motion, and a plan to manipulate Senate rules and tie the hands of Senators opposing the amnesty bill is underway.

YOU AND I are the last line of defense!

Thanks for your help fighting amnesty!


Steve Elliott, President
Grassfire.org

P.S: I've just heard that the AFL-CIO is finally realizing that an amnesty bill would devastate and demoralize their membership. They have come out strongly against this bill!

+ + Recent media coverage (NYTimes, NPR, MSNBC):

http://www.firesociety.com/blog/107/14532

+ + Comments/feedback/more resources on this update:

http://www.firesociety.com/comments/14859/?src=111

+ + Grassfire's May Presidential Straw Poll Results:

http://www.firesociety.com/article/14468

It's also quite funny to find out that the Republican Amnesty Senators don't seem to be able to handle the concept that they will be scoffed by conservatives when they go against the will of the people! In Republicans Hearing Static From Conservative Radio Hosts, "Vacant Lott" says:

When they're with you, it's great, When they're not, it's not good.

Maybe, with enough pressure from grassroots conservatives, the Republican Amnesty Senators will finally get it. If not, there's always the next election...

Illinois Governor's Day Trips Cost Taxpayers $76,000

FOXNews.com reports (http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,285378,00.html):

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Gov. Rod Blagojevich's practice of flying from Chicago to Springfield and back for daily budget negotiations is costing Illinois taxpayers more than $5,800 a day, for a total of roughly $76,000 and climbing.

So why is it that the Governor isn't staying in Springfield? Is he too busy taking care of the King of the People's Republic of Chicago?

Action Alert for Saturday, June 23, 2007

Action Alert for Saturday, June 23, 2007:
Counter-Protest at Chuck's Gun Shop, the 3rd Time in 4 Weeks

ISRA has found out that Fr. Michael Pfleger is going to march yet again at Chuck's Gun Shop, 14310 S. Indiana, Riverdale, IL on Saturday, June 23rd. This is four weeks after the highly publicized protest at the same location where he called for the "snuffing out" of Chuck's owner, John Riggio. He will probably bring Reverend Jesse Jackson with him.

Many of you have followed the news about Pfleger's threat and wished that you could have been at Chuck's on May 26th to show your solidarity. Some of you took advantage of the short notice to come out to Chuck's last weekend. ISRA 1st Vice President Mike Weisman was there to stand with John Riggio and the counter-protestors at both marches. He's going to be there again, and he's urging all gun owners who can do so, to come to Chuck's this Saturday.

"Chuck's Gun Shop is a part of my own personal history with firearms. I first went there over 25 years ago, when I lived in the city. The staff helped me get my first FOID card." Mike Weisman said, "Chuck's Gun Shop as been part of the community in the south suburbs for decades, it's a vital, family-run business that should stay and serve the community in the decades to come."

"So I'm going back there this Saturday, and I'm calling on my fellow ISRA members and Illinois Gun Owners from all across Chicagoland to join me. I'm also making a special appeal to those who have ties to this part of the metro area. It's important to me personally that we have strong representation there." Weisman concluded.

Background info: The owners of Chuck’s have been long-time defenders of the right to keep and bear arms. Unfortunately, they have paid dearly for supporting your rights. Chucks was the primary target of Mayor Daley’s $433 million lawsuit against the 2nd Amendment. Although the Daley suit failed, Chuck’s was forced to bear huge legal costs to defend their business - and to defend the 2nd Amendment. Chuck’s has also been harassed ceaselessly by anti-gun church groups and the gun-hating media - including “60 Minutes.” Rev. Jackson and Fr. Pfleger have marched twice on Chuck's Gun Shop in the recent weeks, including May 26, when Fr. Pfleger called for John Riggio to be "snuffed out." The ISRA has an audio copy of his turn at the microphone, which you can download and listen to. (550KB mp3 file)

ISRA is calling upon gun owners to make the return trip to Chuck's Gun Shop to take a stand for the right to keep and bear arms. Please do the following:

1. Plan on gathering at Chuck’s Gun Shop & Range, 14310 South Indiana Avenue, Riverdale, IL, at 12:30 PM on June 23rd for a counter protest against Michael Pfleger and Jesse Jackson. Click here for a mapquest map.

2. While at Chuck’s, express your solidarity with the owners and, if you can, make a purchase. No matter how small, your loyalty to Chuck’s will be greatly appreciated.

3. Prepare to peacefully confront anti-gun protesters with the truth. Don’t be shy about defending what you know is rightfully yours.

4. If possible, take photographs of the anti-gun protesters and send copies to webmaster@isra.org.

5. Please post this alert to every Internet blog and bulletin board that you belong to. Encourage all your friends and fellow shooters to join in this counter-protest against the gun grabbers.

Only you can defend your rights from destruction by guys like Fr. Pfleger and Rev. Jackson. The gun grabbers must not attack our rights with impunity. You are the gun owner who will stand up and be counted. Make sure that you are there Saturday, June 23rd at Chuck’s Gun Shop.

ISRA Press Release 06/18/2007

Note to our members:
Please read the following ISRA Press Release, and if any of you have received similar visits from the Illinois State Police after contacting Illinois Legislators (via telephone, USPS mail, email, or fax), then please contact the ISRA office at 815-635-3198.

ISRA Press Release:
ISRA Asks Senator Kotowski to Explain State Police Infringements on First Amendment Rights of Illinois Gun Owners


CHICAGO, June 18 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The following was released today by the Illinois State Rifle Association (ISRA):

The ISRA is expressing great concern over reports that Illinois State Police (ISP) detectives have been visiting the homes of people who phoned or faxed Sen. Dan Kotowski (D-Park Ridge) to express opposition to gun control legislation sponsored by the senator. The ISRA has recently conducted a thorough investigation into one complaint, and is gathering additional information on as many as several dozen other reported incidents of police questioning citizens who have spoken out against gun control legislation.

In the case investigated thus far, the respondent reports that ISP detectives arrived at his home, unannounced, and informed him that their visit was in response to faxes he sent to Sen. Kotowski. The detectives then went on to ask the citizen questions about his mental health and other personal matters. Although the citizen was not arrested, he reports that he feels that the detectives were there to deliver the message that it's not a good idea to criticize Dan Kotowski or the gun control measures Kotowski supports.

"The First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution guarantees the right of citizens to petition the government for the redress of grievances," said ISRA Executive Director, Richard Pearson. "Of course, the manner in which citizens exercise that right must not include any threats of harm against elected officials."

"When we first heard about the ISP visits to homes of people who had sent faxes to Sen. Kotowski, we were concerned that some folks may have acted inappropriately," continued Pearson. "However, upon inspection of the faxes in question, we see absolutely no reason for the ISP to visit citizens' homes -- other than to possibly put a damper on the citizen's desire to participate in the legislative process."

"At this time, we are asking Sen. Kotowski to produce any evidence he may have which illustrates threatening behavior on the part of citizens who have received ISP visits," said Pearson. "If Sen. Kotowski cannot produce any such evidence, then we will be asking Attorney General Madigan to conduct an investigation into the apparent use of the ISP to suppress the First Amendment rights of persons who express opposition to gun control legislation."

The ISRA is the state's leading advocate of safe, lawful and responsible firearms ownership. Since 1903, the ISRA has represented the interests of over 1.5 million law-abiding Illinois firearm owners.

ISRA Urgent Action Alert for Sat June 16

Action Alert for Saturday, June 16, 2007:
Mobilize AGAIN to Protect Your Gun Rights at Chuck's Gun Shop

Late breaking news: We've just received word that Reverend Jesse Jackson & Operation PUSH is going to protest again at Chuck's Gun Shop, 14310 S. Indiana, Riverdale, IL on Saturday, June 16th. This is three weeks after the highly publicized protest at the same location where Jesse's pal, Fr. Michael Pfleger from St. Sabina called for the "snuffing out" of Chuck's owner, John Riggio. It's been predicted that Pfleger will return for a repeat performance.

Many of you have followed the news about Pfleger's threat and wished that you could have been at Chuck's on May 26th to show your solidarity. Tomorrow is your chance. If you're not sure what kind of a threat this is to gun rights, we suggest that you listen to Pfleger's screaming diatribe recorded at Chuck's Gun Shop last time. Here is the link to our copy of the audio:
<http://isra.org/quick/pfleger_calls_for_murder_052607-b.mp3> It's a small (550KB) mp3 file.

Background info: The owners of Chuck's have been long-time defenders of the right to keep and bear arms. Unfortunately, they have paid dearly for supporting your rights. Chucks was the primary target of Mayor Daley's $433 million lawsuit against the 2nd Amendment. Although the Daley suit failed, Chuck's was forced to bear huge legal costs to defend their business - and to defend the 2nd Amendment. Chuck's has also been harassed ceaselessly by anti-gun church groups and the gun-hating media - including "60 Minutes."

ISRA is calling upon gun owners to make a return trip to Chuck's Gun Shop to take a stand for the right to keep and bear arms.

As a show of support for Chuck's, and as a rebuke to Jesse Jackson and his liberal gun-grabbers, we are asking all Illinois gun owners to do the following:

1. Plan on gathering at Chuck's Gun Shop & Range, 14310 South Indiana Avenue, Riverdale, IL, at 1:00 PM on June 16th for a counter protest against Jesse Jackson and Michael Pfleger.

2. While at Chuck's, express your solidarity with the owners and, if you can, make a purchase. No matter how small, your loyalty to Chuck's will be greatly appreciated.

3. Prepare to confront anti-gun protesters with the truth. Don't be shy about defending what you know is rightfully yours.

4. If possible, take photographs of the anti-gun protesters
and send copies to webmaster@isra.org.

5. Please post this alert to every Internet blog and bulletin board that you belong to. Encourage all your friends and fellow shooters to join in this counter-protest against the gun grabbers.

Only you can defend your rights from destruction by guys like Jesse Jackson The gun grabbers must not attack our rights with impunity. You are the gun owner who will stand up and be counted. Make sure that you are there tomorrow, June 16th at Chuck's Gun Shop.

Make a much needed Legislative Donation here:
<http://isra.org/legislation/donation>

CLOTURE FAILS -- This round of Amnesty defeated

Bush-Kennedy Amnesty Bill Update

As reported by Grassfire.org:

The Senate just failed to "invoke cloture" on the Bush-Kennedy amnesty bill for the second time today. The final vote was 45-50.

What does this mean?

We did it! We defeated this round of amnesty!

Since the announcement of this bill a few weeks ago, Grassfire team members sent over 700,000 petitions and faxes to the Senate. When we add in the estimated phone calls, contacts by our team members alone to the Senate far exceeded 1 million!

We have never seen a grassroots response like this -- it was truly unprecedented. Without grassroots pressure, the Senate would have passed this bill weeks ago.

On behalf of our entire team, and on behalf of the entire nation, thank you for taking a stand!

With much appreciation,

Steve Elliott, President
Grassfire.org

P.S. If you listened to the floor speeches after the vote on C-Span, then you know that the battle is not over. The will bring amnesty back -- sooner rather than later. But for tonight, I want to thank you for everything you did to take a stand against this amnesty bill.

P.P.S. I would love to hear your feedback on this victory and our combined grassroots effort. I started a forum discussion on FireSociety.com earlier today that has some lively discussion (and celebrating) going on. Would you post your comments here as well?

The thread starts here:

http://www.firesociety.com/forum/thread/14217

Click on "post reply" to add your comments.

Reckless Lawsuits - Don’t Buy Claims About Tiahrt Gun Amendment

While updating this blog this morning, I noticed a Google Ad on the page for "ProtectPolice.org". I decided to take a look at the site. On the surface, it looks pretty innocent, of course, until you dig deeper. The focus of "ProtectPolice.org" appears to be opposition of the Tiahrt Amendment. What they don't tell you, is that the amendment protects ongoing criminal investigations. The National President of the Fraternal Order of Police, Chuck Canterbury confirms this. What the amendment doesn't do is enable access to ATF data for civil cases. It appears that this the real issue for the antigun types.

Links:
Firearms Industry Joins Law Enforcement in Support of Tiahrt Amendment
Anti-Gun Mayors Push for Gun Trace Information
Read Memo from FOP President Chuck Canterbury to FOP Executive Board
FOP letter to Congress opposing the release of trace data
Letter from the current New York Police Commissioner Opposing Firearms Trace Data Release
Read letter from Virginia Attorney General Robert McDonnell to Mayor Bloomberg
Read the Department of Justice letter to Mayor Bloomberg

Disclaimer: Even though the "ProtectPolice" ads may appear on my pages, I don't recommend supporting them (but, please click on their ad, they have to pay for it). This of course also applies to any other antigun ads that may appear as well.

ISRA - Springfield Report - June 1

Springfield Report for June 1

The House and Senate adjourned today without any action on antigun bills. SB1007 is now in the House and requires 71 votes to pass it. They could not pass it with 60 votes so now they need 11 more votes. They have their problems.

Rumors abound about the Governor calling a special session on weekends but I have heard nothing concrete. We will be meeting Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday through June in extended session.

We will be there.

Richard A. Pearson

Webmaster's note:
Here's a new ISRA position paper on SB1007 (pdf, 262kB).  The lobbyists use materials like this as they make their rounds in the capitol.