From: [w--l--y] at [rom.oit.gatech.edu] (Will Day)
Newsgroups: talk.politics.guns
Subject: Text of Bush's letter to NRA
Date: 11 May 1995 19:28:50 GMT

In case you were curious.  As reported by Raleigh News & Observer May 10
	http://www.nando.net/newsroom/nt/510bushlet.html

   May 3, 1995
   Dear Mr. Washington,
   
   I was outraged when, even in the wake of the Oklahoma City tragedy,
   Mr. Wayne LaPierre,executive vice president of N.R.A., defended his
   attack on federal agents as "jack-booted thugs." To attack Secret
   Service agents or ATF people or any government law enforcement people
   as "wearing Nazi bucket helmets and black storm trooper uniforms"
   wanting to "attack law abiding citizens" is a vicious slander on good
   people.
   
   Al Whicher, who served on my 1/8United States Secret Service) detail
   when I was Vice President and President, was killed in Oklahoma City.
   He was no Nazi. He was a kind man, a loving parent, a man dedicated to
   serving his country -- and serve it well he did.
   
   In 1993, I attended the wake for A.T.F. agent Steve Willis, another
   dedicated officer who did his duty. I can assure you that this
   honorable man, killed by weird cultists, was no Nazi.
   
   John Magaw, who used to head the U.S.S.S. and now heads A.T.F., is one
   of the most principled, decent men I have ever known. He would be the
   last to condone the kind of illegal behavior your ugly letter charges.
   The same is true for the F.B.I.'s able Director Louis Freeh. I
   appointed Mr. Freeh to the Federal Bench. His integrity and honor are
   beyond question.
   
   Both John Magaw and Judge Freeh were in office when I was President.
   They both now serve in the current administration. They both have
   badges. Neither of them would ever give the government's "go ahead to
   harass, intimidate, even murder law abiding citizens." (Your words)
   
   I am a gun owner and an avid hunter. Over the years I have agreed with
   most of N.R.A.'s objectives, particularly your educational and
   training efforts, and your fundamental stance in favor of owning guns.
   
   However, your broadside against Federal agents deeply offends my own
   sense of decency and honor; and it offends my concept of service to
   country. It indirectly slanders a wide array of government law
   enforcement officials, who are out there, day and night, laying their
   lives on the line for all of us.
   
   You have not repudiated Mr. LaPierre'sunwarranted attack. Therefore, I
   resign as a Life Member of N.R.A., said resignation to be effective
   upon your receipt of this letter. Please remove my name from your
   membership list.
   
   Sincerely,
   George Bush

-- 
Will Day                                 OIT, Georgia Tech, Atlanta 30332-0715
[w--l--y] at [rom.oit.gatech.edu]               http://rom.oit.gatech.edu/~willday/
---  =-> Opinions expressed are mine alone and do not reflect OIT policy <-=
They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary
safety deserve neither liberty nor safety.
    Benjamin Franklin, 1759 (Franklin B. Historical Review of Pennsylvania)