My buddy Blago

Sangamon County Rifle Association
Right Reason on Second Amendment Rights
Springfield, Illinois

Chairman Butler introduced Tom Shafer to the audience with a little story about how the two met, many years ago.

Butler said he's been involved in politics at the State Capitol building for upwards of twenty years now. The very first time he went there, he saw a skinny little guy holding up a sign that read, "Get rid of the FOID card!"

Butler asked, "Who in the heck is that?"

Someone standing near commented, "Don't you know who that is. That's Tom Shafer!"

Tom was waving a flag and some of the politicians were making fun of him.

Introducing Tom Shafer

That was many years ago and times have changed.

Politicians no longer laugh at Tom Shafer or gun owners in Illinois, because they know we are dead serious about our rights - and we vote!

In fact, the last time Shafer was down there, he wasn't a lone guy holding a sign, but he was leading thousands of yellow-clad gun owners who completely filled Seventh Street and Capitol Avenue for as far as the eye could see - and they were all marching directly to the Illinois State Capitol!

Tom received a well deserved round of applause from SCRA members as he smiled and thanked everyone for the recognition.

Tom Shafer - My buddy Blago
SCRA Meeting 12/05/11

January 2012 GunNews

Since Walter Ade's son-in-law was at the meeting, Tom told one of his off-track Walter Ade stores. [Editor: Mr. Ade, a long-time friend of SCRA passed away in May 2011.]

Jim Butler and Tom finagled a free tent at the State Fair one year in the Constitutional Freedom area. Instead of having you wandering around the fairgrounds bothering people, they put you in this tent for free.

Tom told the people in charge that the gun club needed a tent with some chairs and a table and they agreed. Walter Ade wanted space there, and it was up to Jim and Tom to set it all up. Of course, they had to put everybody in there and make sure they all behaved.

Being the devious little devil that he is, Shafer sat poor Walter right next to the "Legalize Marijuana" guy - all two-and-a-half foot long dreadlocks, tie dyed shirt and a bandanna around his head. It was quite a contrast to Waler Ade, the gruff, clean-cut Austrian guy who talks like he sounds, right next to the Rastafarian.

For the entire ten days of the fair they sat there and gnawed on each other and by the end of the fair, the cush purple guy said, "I think these guns are alright and I'm going to go and buy me one." And Walter said, "You know, there's a lot to dis marijuana stuff!'

Tom said he's sure Walter is looking down on us, and bless his heart, he really was a wonderful guy. He supported the shooting sports forever, and wore his combat infantryman's badge from the Korean War proudly. Tom told Mr. Ade's son-in-law that he was proud to meet and work with his father-in-law for our cause.

Tom remarked about the idiots who raced their high-dollar race cars in Japan and had a massive crash, $3.1 million in damages. Tom said he's a big Ferrari guy, although he's never owned one and probably never will, he jokingly asked for a brief moment of silence for those beautiful cars crumpled and bashed about.

Tom was in a good mood as Illinois' former governor "Hot Rod" Blagojevich will be sentenced this week. We're not supposed to hate but intense dislike for this gomer runs deep with Tom. "I'm gonna get his inmate number and address and will encourage everyone to write this moron," Shafer said.

Blago hated whole classes of guns... ARs, AKs ("assault weapons"), guns with scopes ("sniper" weapons) and even cartridges like the .50 BMG.

He even won re-election in part by pretending to be pro-gun enough to "finish Sparta", referring to the IDNR's sole shooting facility in Illinois.

Blago's been exposed now for exactly what he is, a nakedly opportunistic, cynical, disgusting politician and Tom believes he will get upwards of 20 years.

Tom says he's getting up at o'dark thirty tomorrow morning and take the train to attend the sentencing hearing, er, "a public crucifixion" as he describes it because certainly that's what it is. Any time you've got a guy who used to be a two-term governor of this state, an anti-gun zealot, a pathological liar and a lunatic that gets sentenced to prison, Tom will be right there.

To see that type of catastrophic, monumental, beyond deserving piece of dung Blagojevich fall from grace is beyond delicious if you ask Tom.

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