Spank That Donkey

 Don't Listen now, but it seems STD & Max have recorded a totally unofficial radio spot highlighting Sen. Emmett Hanger's persistent voting record of raising taxes.

(click on the Board)

 James Webb, a Republican turned Democrat has aired his first campaign ad featuring our Honorary Chairman, Former President Reagan in his bid to unseat Senator Allen George Allen in Virginia.  An Emergency Meeting was called to discuss the matter.  Some Text from that meeting:

Mr. Michelob Ultra:  Gentleman, I propose a Toast to our Chairman!

STD Board in Unison: Here, Here, A Toast to America's Greatest President !!

Ol Blue Ass: Ladies and Gentleman of the Board, on behalf of James Webb, none of you guys complained when he put our Honorary Chairman's image on his book, "Born Fighting", so what's the beef now?

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(Click on Leaders for Freedom)

Buena Vista, Virginia is famous for being the traditional "Kick Off" for all political campaigns in the Our Great Commonwealth, and today's event's really showed the strength of the Allen Campaign.  Here is a Senator George Allen, Congressman Bob Goodelatte (R) 6th District, and Our Greatest Patriot, General, and President George Washington, Campaigning together in Buena Vista. George for George.  Benedict was a "No Show" for Jim Webb.

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Philip Van Cleave, President VCDL Interview Part 3

 We have been fortunate to get an interview with Philip Van Cleave, the President of the VCDL, see part one here, and two here. The first and second focused on who Mr Van Cleave is as a person, and the second focused on the VCDL itself. This third part will focus on the future of the VCDL.

The Interview, Part 3:

1. STD:  I would think that the State Wide Candidate surveys, and House Surveys are some of the best tools for a discerning “Pro-Gun” citizen to evaluate current and prospective candidates for elected office in VA. Do you look to expand this to the VA Senate also?

Philip:

Actually, we have been surveying the candidates for House, Senate, and Statewide offices since 1999.

2. STD:  The VCDL has a Political Action Committee, VCDL PAC. I noticed that you did not give much in terms of dollar support to the candidates. , although there were dollars on hand. Do you hope to change that in the future via fund raising, or is it not a priority?

Philip:

The PAC usually doesn’t contribute money directly to candidates. Instead the PAC pays for mailings to large numbers of gun owners endorsing the specific candidate. The mailing usually endorses a candidate and encourages the gun owner to make contributions directly to the candidate, keeping the VCDL PAC out of the middle. The candidate gets money and votes without the VCDL PAC having to raise large sums directly.

3. STD:  What are the future goals of membership for the VCDL, and how do you hope to achieve them?

Philip:

(click for the Message)

 We should be able to get a larger share of Virginia concealed handgun permit holders, which currently totals over 125,000. Those permit holders have a vested interest in everything that VCDL does.

We are discussing doing some large mailings to reach more of those gun owners.

4. STD:  Does the VCDL ever envision building their own gun range, and/or having a HQ type facility to go along with it?

Philip:

No, plans are to remain an all-volunteer organization for the foreseeable future. That allows us to accomplish a lot on a shoestring budget.

5. STD:  The VA Cavalier Rifle and Pistol Club in Hanover County has come under fire recently, what plans does the VCDL have to support currently operating, and future gun ranges in VA?

Philip:

 If a range comes under attack, VCDL will help out if asked. When Cavalier needed our help, we stepped forward to assist.

We have also supported all legislation to protect ranges and will continue to do so.

6. STD: Does the VCDL have any plans for gun safety education programs in VA either stand alone, or in conjunction with the NRA

Philip:

It’s been a while, but VCDL has offered courses on gun-safety in the past. Many of the members of our leadership are NRA certified instructors. I expect we will offer some in the future again.

7. STD: What does VCDL hope to achieve along the lines of “CHP” in Virginia’s future General Assembly Sessions?

Philip:

Here is our current list:

• Eliminate the restaurant gun ban that forces permit holders to either leave their gun in the car or carry openly in restaurants that serve alcohol
• Remove restrictions on concealed handgun permit holders from carrying on K-12 school property. We will probably do it a bite at a time.
• Allow students and faculty at public universities and colleges with permits to be allowed to carry on campus
• Remove restrictions on open-carry in state parks and wildlife management areas
• Require storage to be provided in places where guns are banned, like courthouses
• Remove the requirement to have a concealed handgun permit in order to have a concealed handgun in a vehicle. Effectively treat a car like a residence.
• Eliminate all fingerprinting for concealed handgun permit applicants
• Recognition of all out-of-state permits
• Tax credits for firearm safety training and gun safes

8. STD: Are there any programs and/or initiatives you would like to highlight for our blog readers, that I have not asked about?

Philip:

We are asking Senator George Allen to improve and push through his bill that would require that all 50 states and DC honor concealed handgun permits from other states.

STD:  Thank You Philip, for taking the time for this interview, and keep up the good work!

In light of our recent incident at Virginia Tech, you would hope that the University Administrations would lobby the GA and Governor themselves to get concealed carry back on our college campuses, which is one of the stated VCDL goals.  It would be great to see a VCDL recruiting drive on college campuses!  Let's hope that happens.

Part 2 Philip Van Cleave: The Interview-Part2

 Our first interview with Philip Van Cleve, President of the VCDL focused on who he is as a person, and his personality. This second part will focus on the VCDL itself, it’s goals, accomplishments, and recent experiences in VA Politics. The Interview, Part 2:

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