Take Back The MDC
A Gathering Point for True Sportsmen
MDC Battles the NRA
Monday April 14th, 2008
Finally people are turning their attention to the MDC and realizing the true colors of their politically correct leadership.
The NRA and a coalition of Missouri gun and hunting groups are supporting a bill (HB 2321 info) that would force the Missouri Department of Conservation to send out voter registration cards to permit vendors and retailers. When Missouri residents purchase their hunting and fishing permits, vendors can decide whether or not they want to offer a voter registration card with the purchase. The permit buyer would then have to fill out the card and send it in on their own.
The NRA and Missouri gun groups are very much in support of this bill however the MDC is really the stumbling block standing in the way. They testified at a recent committee hearing against the bill saying only that it would put unneeded pressure on permit vendors and retailers.
Uh, no. The real reason they are against this bill and what is very apparent to the NRA and Missouri gun groups is the MDC is being led by a bunch of politically correct liberals who understand that hunters and people who fish generally vote for conservative pro-gun candidates and that is not something that MDC leadership wants. Let's keep in mind that some of the MDC leadership have in fact worked for liberal democrat politicians during their careers. In fact, Outreach and Education Division Director, Lorna Domke has donated to a presidential democratic politician in the past endorsed by an employee of the anti-2nd Amendment Brady Campaign group.
QUOTE:
"It offends me that Missouri tax dollars are used to recruit new permit buyers"
-Lorna Domke
Div. Director of Outreach and Education
Thankfully the bill passed out of committee with a 10-0 vote and has now passed the Missouri House and is working its way through the Missouri Senate.
So it should be no surprise why the MDC is openly working against the NRA and Missouri Gun Groups. And finally we are told that people at the NRA headquarters are taking note of the MDC's latest actions which include last years lead ban. The NRA sees this as a stepping stone to tougher lead ban laws that have been passed in other states like California.
Other bills the MDC is fighting would provide more oversight to the Conservation Commission.
HJR77 would increase the number of Conservation Commissioners to 8 instead of 4. We and others in the General Assembly feel that this would provide more access to Commissioners to the public and their opinions concerning the department and how it is run.
HB2254 would provide 8 conservation commission advisors. The MDC is fighting this and testified against the bill in committee. They feel that these advisors would influence the commission and their decisions. Well Duh? Can anyone tell me what would be wrong with more input? It's clear the MDC doesn't want outside influence and would prefer to keep themselves insulated against public opinion on day to day operations and decisions concerning hunting and fishing regulations.
And finally, the Missouri House passed Resolution HCR41 that criticized the MDC on their premature ending of the handfishing season based on flawed scientific data. An out-of-state review panel of fishing experts and biologists determined that handfishing presented no immediate threat to the Missouri catfish population but the MDC decided to end the season anyway.
You can see the passed resolution here: http://www.house.mo.gov/billtracking/bills081/biltxt/intro/HCR0041I.htm
The bottom line is that we feel good that hunting organizations such as the NRA are taking note of what has been going on in Missouri the last few years and that regular folks who enjoy hunting and fishing activities are taking note and are becoming more vocal.
It's time for a change in leadership at the MDC.
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Sen. Dan Clemens Remarks
Just last month State Senator Dan Clemens made remarks on the Missouri Senate Floor expressing his concerns with the current leadership at the MDC. Please read his remarks and forward them on to others who may wish to read them. Click Here
Report to Elected Officials
Please download and pass on the Take Back The MDC report to elected officials concerning the current state of the Missouri Department of Conservation. Please call your state elected representatives and senators and tell them that you are concerned with the Leadership at the MDC. Tell them you want change!
Download HERE
