The News Courier encourages letters to the editor. Submissions should be no more than 400 words and include name, address and telephone number for verification. Submissions that do not meet requirements are subject to editing. Writers are limited to one published letter every 30 days. Send letters to P.O. Box 670, Athens AL 35613 or email to adam@athensnews-courier.com.

Disappointed by NRA support of Strange

Dear Editor:

I am disturbed by the recent action of the NRA in the Alabama Senate race.

The National Rifle Association has betrayed gun owners across American. People have donated to them thinking their gun rights were being protected.

It was recently reported that the NRA was caught spending $873,790 in just one week in the support of Luther Strange against Judge Roy Moore in Alabama’s special Senate election. This is how they are using American gun owner’s money. Mind you, both candidates in our special election are strong supporters of the Second Amendment and have “A” ratings from the NRA.

Wouldn’t it have been better spent against an anti-gun liberal or legislation? It is not honest to take money under the guise of protecting Second Amendment rights and then use it squandering it on one candidate over another when they both have good ratings with their organization.

When you follow the money, you find that Luther and the NRA seem to be tied to the Washington swamp. After seeing NRA’s injustice in this Senate race, I researched and found that they have a long history of compromising on the Second Amendment. They also have a history of supporting establishment candidates over conservatives in the primaries.

They have endorsed democrats such as Harry Reid and Ted Strickland (redstate.com). NRA spent over $660,000 supporting Mitch McConnell’s last election (opensecrets.com).

You have an alternative for your Second Amendment interests in Gun Owners Of America, or another truly consistent Second Amendment group.

I urge you to put your money where it won’t be wasted. Cancel your membership with NRA today and join a conservative Second Amendment group. $873,790 with more to come is a lot of gun owners’ money to throw away against a pro gun candidate.

Sincerely,

Jack Hall

Athens

Do your research on Strange vs. Moore

Dear Editor:

I don’t know about you, but I am tired of hearing all this mud in the U.S. Senate race. It seems to be one-sided.

I decided to do a little digging. There is an old saying: “People who live in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones.” It turns out Luther Strange, Robert Bentley and Mitch McConnell are like peas in a pod, Montgomery and Washington corruption. By slinging mud they are hoping to keep the light off of themselves. Here is a quote:

“The Senate Leadership Fund, the powerful super PAC with close ties to the majority leader, has already reserved $2.65 million in TV airtime and is pledging up to $10 million in the conservative state. The National Republican Senatorial Committee has warned political consultants about working for Strange’s competitors. One of Strange’s challengers is already complaining that McConnell is stifling his fundraising.” (Politico)

Why would Mitch McConnell be helping Luther so much? Because they have worked together before. Luther is not just a long time liberal politician, he’s much worse, a life-time professional lobbyist for the rich and powerful in Washington for more than 20 years. He has been making special interests rich, hurting Alabama families.

Luther has been spreading his Washington ideas around Montgomery. Like when he supported Amendment One, the largest tax increase in Alabama history. The law firm that he was a partner in even made a $50,000 contribution to the campaign to convince voters that higher taxes are a good thing. Check it yourself.

What about the attacks on Roy Moore? Did Moore really take over a million dollars from his own foundation?

The truth is, that it was Roy and Kayla Moore’s salaries and a retirement that he has not even started collecting yet. Not only that, it was over an eight-year period, making it around $50,000 a year. Most lawyers in Alabama get payed much more than that. Strange wanted you to believe it was in one year, and that Moore took it while he was working for the State. Neither are true.

As far as I can find, Roy Moore never used his own or his foundation’s money for a private jet. Neither could Birmingham station WVTM, who stated they spent hours looking over tax return’s but found nothing.

Is Roy Moore soft on gun rights? He has an “A” rating from the NRA. Don’t believe the lies Alabama; check it yourself.

Sincerely,

Zach Wahl

Athens

NRA bought off?

Dear Editor:

I am beginning to think the NRA has been bought off in this Senate campaign. Otherwise, I can’t see why they would be so strong for Luther Strange over Judge Roy Moore. They are saying that Judge Moore is soft on the Second Amendment.

Judge Moore is an extremely strong supporter of our Second Amendment rights. He submitted amicus briefs to the Supreme Court in both the Heller and McDonald cases. These cases were important victories for our Second Amendment rights, and Judge Moore helped the court make the right decisions.

Mitch McConnell and the Washington establishment are pouring multiple millions of dollars into this campaign in a desperate attempt to buy this senate seat for Luther Strange. McConnell said he didn’t want a conservative rebel that he couldn’t manage. Well that is exactly what we need to send him, a conservative rebel he can’t manage.

Judge Roy Moore is that man. Luther Strange will be a lap dog for Mitch McConnell. He has been bought and paid for.

Sincerely,

Charles Sample

Athens

Don’t let D.C. decide

Dear Editor:

Has Alabama considered the attention that Washington is paying to our Republican Special Senate Election Runoff? The Washington insiders are investing their fame and fortune on us. Why? How can two Alabamian Republicans garner this much out-of-state interest.

Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and his Washington elite, including the Senate Leadership Fund, are all investing themselves in us to the tune of firing up Air Force One (Who is paying?) and $8 million plus just from the Senate Leadership Fund. The Political Victory Fund added another million and on and on.

Is Washington figuring Senator Strange is in their pockets, and if so for what? Are they afraid of Judge Moore? Do they think one U.S. Senator will undo them? How?

When the general election comes around will they still like Strange or maybe Jones? What about our other elections? They have already attacked Congressman Mo Brooks, will they turn on Senator Shelby, or our other representatives? Do they know better than us what is good for Alabama? It seems something is fishy.

What about other states? Will their elections be hijacked as well?

The people of the state should pick their representatives, not the Federal Elite.

I encourage Alabama voters to look to Alabama’s best interests and think for ourselves. Don’t let Washington vote for us.

Sincerely,

Yara Ruther

New Market