NRA Pulls an ‘Emily Litella’ After Going Off Half-cocked, Falsely Targeting Park Forest

Commentary
By Gary Kopycinski

"Never mind."

Remember Emily Litella? She was the brainchild of comedy genius Gilda Radner.

Emily would complain about anything and everything, but she always got it wrong.

Chevy Chase would calmly point out, as he did regarding her rant on "violins" on television, "Um, Ms. Litella, that ‘violence’ on television. Not ‘violins.’ ‘Violence.’"

And Emily would cheerfully reply, "Oh, well that’s different! Never mind."

The National Rifle Association demonstrated it’s ignorance of villages, cities and towns in Illinois this weekend by sending a barrage of emails and robo-calls to residents of Park Forest, Illinois, warning that the Park Forest Village Board was going to pass an ordinance of some sort forbidding concealed carry of weapons.

Park Forest.

Forest Park.

River Forest.

Does it really make a difference? They’re all the same, after all, are they not?

No, they’re not all the same. Not at all.

Village officials in Park Forest received phone calls and emails with pleas from residents on all sides of the concealed-carry issue.

The problem? There was nothing on the agenda in Park Forest regarding concealed carry, or anything else relevant to the NRA’s concerns.

The other problem? The NRA’s campaign unfairly and stupidly maligned Park Forest, giving the impression that village officials were trying to slip an ordinance into the books without proper public notice.

That doesn’t happen in Park Forest.

The mayor was miffed. Board members were miffed.

The NRA targeted the wrong town.

There were residents in attendance at Monday’s board meeting who were prepared to speak out against the phantom ordinance. One left as soon as the mayor explained that nothing of the sort was going to happen that night.

Here’s the NRA’s "mea culpa" sent Monday afternoon:

Errata:  Park Forest has no gun ban on the agenda.

River Forest It is important that gun owners be there at these meetings to voice their opposition by addressing the board.  No matter where you live, you should plan on attending the closest meeting to you. Bring a friend or two. Wear your IGOLD hats and t-shirts. If you see members of the media, approach them and tell them that you are a law-abiding gun owner who is sick and tired of having others carelessly work to destroy your rights.  Be sure to arrive early to ensure that you gain entrance to the meeting. For status of previous meetings, other meeting times, talking points against semi-auto bans, copies of proposed ordinances, links to other resources; please visit http://isra.org/townhall . Please forward this alert to your mailing list and post it on your favorite forum. What: River Forest Village Board Meeting – Agenda – Full Packet (p 142) Where: 400 Park Ave When: Monday, June 24, 7:00 pm Park Forest – no gun ban on the agenda The Mayor of Park Forest has responded to inquiries, and there is nothing on the agenda at this time. Members are urged to attend some other meeting this evening.

"Members are urged to attend some other meeting this evening."

Right.

Perhaps a meeting in River Forest?

The NRA pulled a real and true ‘Emily Litella.’ And they didn’t have to. All they had to do was check the online agenda posted on the Village of Park Forest’s website.

"Never mind."

Here is Emily Litella complaining about violins on tv. Does she sound a bit like the NRA?

Gary Kopycinski is editor and publisher of eNews Park Forest and a village trustee in Park Forest. This commentary is his own. eNews Park Forest, Inc. is an independent media company and is not affiliated with the Village of Park Forest in any way.