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| Murphy: NASCAR sponsorship "inappropriate." |
Murphy,
a freshman Democratic Senator from the Nutmeg State, called the race
"inappropriate" in light of the recent massacre at Sandy Hook
Elementary School in Newtown.
"The
race not only brings national attention to an organization that has been the
face of one side of this heated debate, it also features the live shooting of
guns at the end of the race," wrote Murphy, alluding Texas Motor Speedway’s
longstanding tradition of having the winner fire six-guns filled with blanks in
Victory Lane. "This celebration of guns is inappropriate in the immediate
wake of the Newtown massacre,” wrote Murphy. “But most importantly,
broadcasting this race, which will highlight the NRA and its radical agenda
during this time, sends a harmful signal to the families affected by gun
violence, as well as the millions of Americans who support sensible gun control
measures and enjoy your sports programming.”
TMS
President Eddie Gossage said recently that in deference to the ongoing debate
over gun rights, Saturday night’s winner will not be required to honor that
tradition.
Murphy
has been an outspoken proponent of gun control and pointed to Murdoch’s “support
of sane gun control measures and the extreme nature of the NRA,” in urging the
media mogul to not brioadcast the race.
Murphy
sent a similar letter to NASCAR CEO Brian France last month, asking that NASCAR
either pull its sanction from the event,
or bar the NRA from sponsoring it. France has not commented publically on that
request.
The
full text of Murphy’s letter reads as follows:
Dear Mr. Murdoch:
I write today to urge you to not broadcast NASCAR’s NRA 500 at Texas Motor Speedway on April 13th. This race, which is being sponsored by the National Rifle Association (NRA), is going to take place during the Senate’s consideration of legislation to reduce gun violence. The race not only brings national attention to an organization that has been the face of one side of this heated debate, it also features the live shooting of guns at the end of the race. This celebration of guns is inappropriate in the immediate wake of the Newtown massacre. But most importantly, broadcasting this race, which will highlight the NRA and its radical agenda during this time, sends a harmful signal to the families affected by gun violence, as well as the millions of Americans who support sensible gun control measures and enjoy your sports programming.
The horror that unfolded on December 14th at Sandy Hook Elementary School has sparked a national conversation about the adequacy of our gun laws. You, News Corporation and its subsidiaries, including Fox News, should contribute and continue to cover this discussion. Given that you have been outspoken in your support of gun reform, it is the height of irony that some would perceive that your company would now essentially endorse the NRA’s extreme position against such laws by broadcasting this event.
Shortly after the tragedy in Newtown, you called on policymakers and the President to strengthen our gun laws, asking, “when will politicians find courage to ban automatic weapons?” This valid question will be answered when the Senate considers major reforms to our gun laws in early to mid-April. As a senator, I can tell you that many of us possess the courage, and will strongly advocate for sensible gun reforms to take assault weapons and high-capacity magazines off our streets and require all gun purchasers to submit for a background check.
You also challenged President Obama to show bold leadership on this issue after he addressed the nation. I believe that the President has shown incredible leadership since the tragedy by trying to help our country, my state, and the community of Newtown heal in the wake of this terrible event. I would like to make a similar challenge to you. You should play a constructive role in our national dialogue by refraining from broadcasting the NRA 500. By airing this race you will be strengthening the brand of a radical organization that is currently standing in the way of meaningful progress on this issue. Today’s NRA bears little resemblance to the one of its founding. It stokes fear and perpetuates a perverse interpretation of the Second Amendment in order to sell more guns and fuel larger donations from gun manufacturers. After the events of Newtown, Aurora, Oak Creek, and so many other senseless tragedies, the NRA continues to say that the only solution to gun violence is more guns. It even disavows common sense measures, like universal background checks for gun purchases - a policy that enjoys the support of 74 percent of its members and that it advocated for in 1999.
Considering your support of sane gun control measures and the extreme nature of the NRA, I urge you to not broadcast this race on April 13th. Inserting Fox Sports in this debate at this critical time will give credence to an extreme organization that is opposed to reasonable policies to stem gun violence. Thank you in advance for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Christopher S. Murphy
United States Senator
I write today to urge you to not broadcast NASCAR’s NRA 500 at Texas Motor Speedway on April 13th. This race, which is being sponsored by the National Rifle Association (NRA), is going to take place during the Senate’s consideration of legislation to reduce gun violence. The race not only brings national attention to an organization that has been the face of one side of this heated debate, it also features the live shooting of guns at the end of the race. This celebration of guns is inappropriate in the immediate wake of the Newtown massacre. But most importantly, broadcasting this race, which will highlight the NRA and its radical agenda during this time, sends a harmful signal to the families affected by gun violence, as well as the millions of Americans who support sensible gun control measures and enjoy your sports programming.
The horror that unfolded on December 14th at Sandy Hook Elementary School has sparked a national conversation about the adequacy of our gun laws. You, News Corporation and its subsidiaries, including Fox News, should contribute and continue to cover this discussion. Given that you have been outspoken in your support of gun reform, it is the height of irony that some would perceive that your company would now essentially endorse the NRA’s extreme position against such laws by broadcasting this event.
Shortly after the tragedy in Newtown, you called on policymakers and the President to strengthen our gun laws, asking, “when will politicians find courage to ban automatic weapons?” This valid question will be answered when the Senate considers major reforms to our gun laws in early to mid-April. As a senator, I can tell you that many of us possess the courage, and will strongly advocate for sensible gun reforms to take assault weapons and high-capacity magazines off our streets and require all gun purchasers to submit for a background check.
You also challenged President Obama to show bold leadership on this issue after he addressed the nation. I believe that the President has shown incredible leadership since the tragedy by trying to help our country, my state, and the community of Newtown heal in the wake of this terrible event. I would like to make a similar challenge to you. You should play a constructive role in our national dialogue by refraining from broadcasting the NRA 500. By airing this race you will be strengthening the brand of a radical organization that is currently standing in the way of meaningful progress on this issue. Today’s NRA bears little resemblance to the one of its founding. It stokes fear and perpetuates a perverse interpretation of the Second Amendment in order to sell more guns and fuel larger donations from gun manufacturers. After the events of Newtown, Aurora, Oak Creek, and so many other senseless tragedies, the NRA continues to say that the only solution to gun violence is more guns. It even disavows common sense measures, like universal background checks for gun purchases - a policy that enjoys the support of 74 percent of its members and that it advocated for in 1999.
Considering your support of sane gun control measures and the extreme nature of the NRA, I urge you to not broadcast this race on April 13th. Inserting Fox Sports in this debate at this critical time will give credence to an extreme organization that is opposed to reasonable policies to stem gun violence. Thank you in advance for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Christopher S. Murphy
United States Senator
Photo: Autumn Driscoll
I imagine his request will go over like a turd in a punch bowl to most NASCAR fans. That is about the way I view it.
ReplyDeleteSounds to me like Senator Murphy has never watched a NASCAR race and needs to pay more attention to Americas great sport. Michael Waltrip drove with a paint scheme that supported the victims of the sandy hook massacre. The NRA does not have a radical agenda it is supporting the American peoples right to keep and bear arms. If that school had a armed guard present at the time of the shooting the massacre would have never happened. The only extreme nature that is being expressed is Senator Murphy and his stance on gun control. Taking the guns out of citizens hands will only leave guns in the hands of criminals.
ReplyDeleteArmed guards did not prevent the tragedies at Virgina Tech or when Gabby Gifford's tragedy happened. Micheal Waltrip's car was a fundraiser for the victims and Newtown....not a political stance!!!
DeleteThere were no armed guards at Va Tech or in Arizona, that's why the shootings happened.
DeleteAnd what about the Gun Broker truck too? What about all the merchandise made up 2 days before the event, would this loon be willing to reimburse both Fox, and TMS for lost revenue? And no mention of the Shotgun they give the pole winner either. He is the little boy in a see of people crying for attention, trying to use the massacre as a means to propel his political career higher by getting his name out there more. Further more calling an organization that supports Constitutional rights as radical should in itself be a warning this guy has no clue about the oath he took. And by Sunday people will have forgotten this guy even exists.
ReplyDeleteYou are absolutely right. Sounds like Mr. Murphy is just trying to get more publicity. IMO, if he really wanted something changed, the first person he would've sent a letter to was Mr. Gossage. I'm not an expert on TV contracts, but I'm pretty sure that there would be severe consequences for FOX breaking their contract with NASCAR.
DeleteJesse Lee said all that needs to be said!!!
ReplyDeleteThis whole gun thing is getting out of control . Heck Texas put six shooters in the whole crews hand. lol .Guns don't harm any one the human factor does
ReplyDeleteI have been a member of the NRA for over 20 years, I retired from the Army after 24 years, and own numerous legally registered assault rifles. With that being said, I support the effort of Senator Christopher Murphy to drop the race from the FOX broadcast. There is a time and place for everything and IMO, this is NOT the time to have the NRA sponsor a sporting event after the tragedy at Sandy Hook. According to Rachael Nichols, there were 3 other organizations willing to sponsor this race but Eddie Gossage chose the NRA because they had the highest bid. In most cases, having sensitivity over making money is the right thing to do. I will do my part and not watch this race.
ReplyDeleteI agree. I have nothing against the NRA but there is a time and a place. People can say that there isn't a political agenda behind the sponsorship but given the timeliness of the it and the controversies caused- makes it appear otherwise. I don't have to agree with the sponsor choice of Texas Motor Speedway but I still plan on tuning in to what will be a great show.
DeleteI'm tired of all this politickin'. Let's Race!
ReplyDeleteJust more political bullshat from a novice politician trying to get some national attention.
ReplyDeleteThat said, I don't necessarily agree with everything the NRA does, but this is just political pandering.
If you don't like it, do as Jake said. Don't watch it.
Further proof that our so called leaders have lost touch us, the masses. Is it any wonder that congress's approval rating is at an all time low.
ReplyDeleteNASCAR needs to listen to their fans not some politician that has NEVER been to a race or watched one!
ReplyDeleteI'm offended by Sen Murphy's comment"sends a harmful signal to the families affected by violence". We lost both Jimmie's brother and youngest son to ex-cons with handguns.We are NOT offended by NRA's sponsoring our sport nor the tradition of shooting guns in Victory Lane Ellen, Jimmie Johnson's girlfriend
ReplyDeleteThis whole thing is blown WAY out of proportion and I wont even begin to get into it. It has to stop.....If the worst thing this Senator has to worry about is the NRA sponsoring this race he needs to reevaluate what he was elected to office to do. They are using this as a vehicle to gain themselves publicity in the public eye. WAKE UP AMERICA
ReplyDeleteif you dont like it change the channel
ReplyDeleteConnecticut Senator Christopher Murphy is the voice of the people of Connecticut.The people of Connecticut do not want the race to be presented in Connecticut as his actions indicate.There is one Fox
ReplyDeletetelevision affiliate WTIC-TV in the state.If that station would simply present some alternate programs such as Family Guy,Simpsons,King of the hill etc. to fill the 7:00 to 11:pm time slot then the problem is solved.
Just another politco looking for free points riding the coat tails of a terrible tragedy...SHAME on you senator...Can't wait for the Dull D race (another 1.5 snoozer)..Earner
ReplyDeleteI wonder where the Senator was when one of the cars in hte Daytona 500 was trying to raise money to benfit Newtown. I don't remember him ask to for FOX not to air that race. I think the best thing would be if the Senator doesn't turn his TV on saturday night and firgures out a way to balance the buget.
ReplyDelete