I notice that there’s a Jackson recall petition out there. I would highly urge everyone to not vote for Joaquin Jackson in the next election, but this recall provision is a bad idea and I’ll tell you why.
It’s an election year, which means the NRA is going to need to spend a lot of money to make sure we don’t ever have to hear “President Clinton” again. This recall provision will force a special election, which will require mailing all voting members, hiring firms to design the ballot, to count, audit, and certify the results. In short; this measure is not cheap, and I’m not sure getting rid of a single board member, who I very highly doubt had a prayer of keeping a seat on the board after this, is worth it. The damage on the Jackson thing has already been done.
I’m all for getting rid of Jackson, but this isn’t the way to go about it. I think it’s high time that Joaquin Jackson owned up and resigned his position. At this point, it’s the best thing for the movement as a whole.
Except he won’t. Better to just ignore him.
I had expressed reservations, too, but ultimately decided to sign the petition and blog on it. I’ll add a link to your post, because you may have provided the best “out” possible: If NRA perceives this will be a distraction and a drain, they may be able to convince Jackson behind the scenes to exit gracefully and spare everyone the effort and expense.
I hope he does.
The thing that worries me is there’s nothing that can force him to resign short of the recall. Other board members can put pressure on him, but they can’t force him. If he decides to be stubborn about it, they might have to go forward with the recall.
Sebastian:
At the end of the day, the mission (I believe) is to get JJ gone. The exact nature of “how” is immaterial. However, IMHO, there is zero chance of the NRA cajoling the old duffer off the Board w/o the pressure supplied by the recall petition drive.
Jeff82 would have to make the call, but I’ll bet if the Association were to say “JJ is gone; pull the petition”, their request would be likely granted, once verification was attained.
The worst that would happen is that we had to wait 3 years until his term is up and not re-elect him. I’m all for not re-electing him. I’m all for him resigning.
But if he forces the issue and we have to go ahead with the recall, I’m not sure the (and I’m guessing here) million or so dollars it will cost to put a ballot issue together on short notice is worth it just to make a point.
In short, I’d like JJ to resign, but I don’t know that he will. If he doesn’t, my preferred pathway would be waiting until his term is up, and not re-electing him. The recall provision might pressure him to resign, which would be a good thing. But it might not. Once this train leaves the station, there might not be any recalling it.
How many board members does the NRA have, anyway? It’s not as though he can singlehandedly derail any major initiatives. If he steps down voluntarily, great. If he doesn’t, don’t re-elect him next time. Preventing President Clinton from assuming a third term is far more important than whether the NRA’s board does the right thing unanimously vs. “only” by an overwhelming majority.
He’s one of 76. I agree with you Xrlq. I’d like him to step down, but that’s totally up to him. As a single board member, he can’t really do much. Especially now that he’s caused so much trouble for both staff and other board members.
Both Chris’ and Wayne’s position reports to the board of directors and are hired by them. Individual board members don’t wield that much power in regards to the day to day operations of the organization. I think Jackson should go because he failed in one of the prime duties I think a board member needs to fulfill: speaking well for the organization.
The Recall Jackson blog is now operational at:
http://recalljoaquinjackson.blogspot.com/
Folks, there’s a larger issue than Ranger Jackson. It’s getting the NRA to be more agressive in defending the 2A and working on rollback of existing laws. They’re too damned cozy with the statists in DC, and this effort is a way of showing them that the membership can and will rally to punish those agents of our Association that don’t toe the “what part of ‘shall not be infringed’ don’t you understand?” line.
See here for more:
http://westernrifleshooters.blogspot.com/2007/10/principles-principals-agents.html
On a final note, electing Rudi (as the NRA will be pushing) will be a heckuva lot worse for us than the Hildebeest. They’re both totalitarians on the gun issue and other civil liberties – Rudi is just a lot more effective than Hitlery.
Be careful what you wish for…..
Oh boy! A good old fashioned witch hunt! Where do I sign up? Seriously dude, I just don’t go for the whole “we must cleanse the movement of the ideologically impure”.
The NRA is pretty effective. You’re not going to get much out of a Congress that’s run by Nancy Pelosi; that’s just how it is. You can get rid of Joaquin Jackson and that fact isn’t going to change.
If NRA endorses Rudy, I’ll eat my hat. I have no idea why folks believe they are going to do that.
I decided to draw a line in the sand. It’s time the NRA (and us!) realize they are postponing the inevitable by “negotiating” away our Rights.
WE the members are in control of the board, IF we choose. This isn’t just about “one member” either. It’s a shot across the bow of the entire BoD that the members are sick and tired of “politicking” our inalienable rights.
Mr. Jackson has a decision to make. By it we’ll see what his true character is although I think we got a glimpse of it with the prepared statement he’s said to have made. He can resign knowing that it’s best for th NRA as a whole or he can continue to be a distraction. He can make this “go away.”
The NRA has an option too. The Executive Vice President could have taken action resulting in the member found violating the Bylaws [Article II 1, 2, 3; and Article III Section 9 (a) and (b) in Mr. Jackson’s case] being suspended until the Ethics Committee makes a recommendation. Article III, Section 11 (c)(11).
I (as do all other members in good standing) have options too. I could have initiated the above action via Article III, Section 11 (c)(1) but haven’t as I am only interested in Mr. Jackson stepping down from the BoD, not losing his membership.
Use it or lose it!
“I have no idea why folks believe they are going to do that.”
Oh, I dunno…I mean, it’s not like any seeds are being planted…
http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=58073
“Every Republican candidate – including current front-runner Rudy Giuliani – has promised to appoint originalists and textualists to the Supreme Court.”–Sandy Froman
And they don’t need to endorse him–all they need to do is either not oppose or manipulate from the sidelines–the former exemplified by the Davis recall election in CA that allowed Arnold to assume the throne while NRA ignored 2A-stalwart Tom McClintock, the latter by what they did to Ron Paul in his last election–rating his opponenent higher.
As for what NRA will have to spend on a recall, that is entirely their choice. If this induces them to do–if not the right thing, then the expedient thing, then why the opposition?
And the “witch hunt” comment was uncalled for and an inaccurate parallel. The witches were innocent.