As expected, responses to last week's column that took on the National Rifle Association were fast and furious. Not expected, the majority of emails and phone calls were positive and laudatory. Not all, of course. A few retorts were, well, let's say, uncomplimentary. Here's a sample.
A reader I count as a friend said: "I am a member of the NRA and resent you calling me one of the 'dupable minions/lemmings.' You referred to taking the high ground. Name-calling is not that."
I respond: It wasn't name-calling; it was apt description. As friends, we often agree to disagree, and do so in civil exchanges.
A Fargo business operator wrote: "Thanks again for hitting the NRA issue dead on. Right is right. Wrong is wrong.
"The GOP Big Top Circus continues to showcase all of their clowns with the chief clown showing his talent of staying on the merry-go-round as it gains speed ...
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"Enjoy your ... semi-retirement, but please don't quit writing about these important issues ..."
Then, there was this: "Your (column) relating to the NRA is offensive and totally bull----. Crawl into bed with (Sen. Heidi) Heitkamp where you belong. (Rob) Port, (Jim) Shaw, (Mike) McFeely (Forum columnists) and you are totally out of touch with the people of North Dakota. The Forum is a liberal rag."
I'm in good company. Those writers do good work. Happy to be associated with most of them. Liberal rag? Mr. Port, the conservative atheist, gets more ink, online and radio time than the others combined. He's no liberal.
A friend from the west said: "Your columns are the best ... No wonder my Medora friend ... now a resident of south Fargo, clips them!
"You do your research, and speak the truth boldly ...
"Keep speaking the truth for the sake of your grandchildren.
"And maybe (just) one mind will stop and realize that it has been deceived by BS and lies propagated in the name of freedom."
The writer compared me to John the Baptist-a voice crying in the wilderness. That's too much. I plan to keep my head.
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A long-time reader wrote: "Thank you so very much for saying what so many of us feel ... I'll be sharing this with my Bible study group ..."
A local businessman took a different tack: "Sometimes I agree with your (columns), sometimes I don't, but I almost always learn more about our English language ... I learned 'salience' and 'miasmic,' plus a new way to use ... 'septic.' Love it! Thank you for the continuing education ..."
This response expanded the theme: "The insurance climate for gun owners is changing quickly as more companies cut ties with pro-gun entities. Two ...-Chubb and Lockton Affinity-ended their coverage of those sued over shootings, and in doing so, dismantled their partnership with the NRA."
I repeat: Business leaders see enlightened self-interest in disassociating from the NRA. That's what I wrote about last week.
Keep those emails and calls coming. Good to hear from readers-well, not all readers ...
Zaleski retired in 2017 after nearly 30 years as The Forum’s editorial page editor. He continues to write a Sunday column. Contact him at jzaleski@forumcomm.com or (701) 241-5521.
