Letter to editor (Chattanooga Times Free Press)

[benburke]

Here is a commentary in today’s local paper, and my reply to the editor, which I immediately sent:

http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2012 ... ioncolumns

Dear Editor,

Is David Cook on drugs? As I was reading his commentary in Wednesday’s Times Free Press, I wanted to laugh but some of his remarks made me sick to my stomach! Accusing the NRA of treason? I am angry at how utterly ridiculous some of Mr. Cook’s comments truly are. But we still have the First Amendment, and he is entitled to his opinion and to spew his commentary. But I pray he will come to realize that it is the Second Amendment that gives strength to the First Amendment.

But please allow me to educate Mr. Cook on his lack of knowledge and correct information. Mr. Cook stated, “Imagine if it (the NRA) put as much energy into promoting youth involvement in hunting as it did the defeat of Tennessee Rep. Debra Maggart or the effort to let people in bars carry guns.”

Recognized as the most comprehensive youth hunting program anywhere in North America, the Youth Hunter Education Challenge (YHEC) is NRA’s “graduate studies” program in outdoor skills and safety training for young hunters. State- and provincial-level YHEC programs, hosted by volunteer instructors, draw an estimated 50,000 youths each year. Top ranked individuals advance to the annual NRA International Youth Hunter Education Challenge, the pinnacle of the program. Since its inception in 1985, YHEC has reached more than a million young sportsmen and women.

The NRA has invested much more energy (and money) in the YHEC and Eddie Eagle programs to educate our youth than it did to successfully campaign against Debra Maggart. I thank God for the NRA.

Sincerely,
Ben Burke

[SomeGuy]

I hear you Ben. Cook and that glorious cartoonist are some hard leftists that our paper just adores. The TFP is really just the Times. When the papers merged, we essentially lost the Free Press.

[macville]