SCOPE Annual Banquet
By Tom Reynolds
SCOPE’s annual banquet on September 26th was a success from multiple standpoints.
Joe Hernandez (R-NYS Comptroller candidate) and Saritha Komatireddy (R-NYS Attorney General candidate) were the two scheduled speakers, but Congresswoman Claudia Tenney ( R) and Tom Hood (R-Lieutenant Governor candidate) also asked to join us. What followed were rousing speeches about the problems and solutions in NY State.
All the speakers used the term “team” and emphasized that the election will be decided by the voter turnout – and the turnout of gun owners, in particular.
Both Tenney and Hernandez drove home the dangers of the Marxist takeover of the Democrat party and singled out the NY City Mayor, in particular, is a symbol of that danger to America. Tenney summarized, “It’s really about Marxism;” they “don’t believe in our rights.” Claudia opined that moderate Democrats can’t say no to the radicals in their party.
Hernandez spoke about his father being a political prisoner and how his family escaped from Cuban communism when Joe was seven. He spoke about opportunity in America and what an amazing society we have and his need to “…give back to America.” As to communism, Hernadez said that, “History is on our side,” making reference to communism’s multiple failures.
Saritha spoke about being born in India, emigrating to America, and how the 9-1-1 attack changed her career focus into law. Her goal is protecting America and, in her decade as a federal prosecutor, Komatireddy specialized in terrorism, cybercrime, transnational criminal enterprises, money laundering, and foreign public corruption. She spoke about some of her cases taking on leaders of Al Qaeda, the Islamic State, and the Mexican drug cartels.
Saritha Komatireddy and Tom Hood emphasized the fight against crime. Both felt that a major issue is the lack of consequences to criminals for their actions; Hood emphasized this as a factor in youth crime being on the rise. Komatireddy says the Attorney General must support law enforcement and enforce the laws.
Fraud in government programs also was discussed with Hood singling it out for attention. Komatireddy pointed out the unsolved epidemic of fraud in Medicaid and SNAP programs and how the Democrats want universal Medicare without solving these problems, first.
Utility expenses were also discussed.
Tenney pointed out how little of New York’s energy comes from wind and solar and how the lack of Natural Gas transportation infrastructure is a threat to the grid. She also pointed out at that there is a law banning new Natural Gas appliances and Governor Hochul is delaying implementing it until after the election.
Hood sat next to me and we had a discussion on how the Natural Gas ban is hurting the upstate economy as New York residents buy natural gas pumped from just across the border in Pennsylvania.
All the speakers addressed 2nd Amendment issues.
Saritha said she will “…follow the Constitution” and “…stand up for the rights of law-abiding gun owners.” That she, “knows the difference between law-abiding gun owners and criminals.”
Hernandez spoke about the current Comptroller advising investment firms to treat gun related stocks ‘…like ‘pornography and drugs’ and how, in 2013, the Comptroller dumped gun stocks from the NY Pension fund that he controls. Hernandez believes that these investments should be decided on the merits and not politics.
Hood spoke about the Governor Hochul’s tax and background check on ammo purchases and how it is driving ammo sales into Pennsylvania. He is concerned that New York State firearm retailers cannot stay in business due to these lost sales.
Tenney is well known for sponsoring 2nd Amendment friendly laws and she pointed out some of them. She also emphasized, as a clue to her opponent’s real convictions, that her opponent claims to be 2nd Amendment friendly but favors a requirement for gun owners to have liability insurance, which would make gun ownership even more expensive.
I mentioned to a person providing security that I was carrying and he replied that I was probably not the only one! When I asked Todd Hood if he carried when campaigning, I got a broad smile.
During the evening, several mentions were made of SCOPE’s MYVOTEMATTERSNY.com as well as SCOPE’s social media accounts and the efforts to get-out-the-vote, this November. Steve Leonard was praised for heading up this effort.
Gary Zielinski and Doug Mitchell were each presented with a ‘SCOPE Eagle’ award for their long service to the 2nd Amendment and to SCOPE.
The organization Armed Women of America was also present and singled out for praise for their work with women.
SCOPE President John Elwood spoke about SCOPE’s support of lawsuits protecting the 2nd Amendment and the positive outcome of one, in particular.
As always, the success of the banquet is due to the efforts of Sue Maressa.
Thanks to the efforts of Chairman Jack Prendergast, the entire program came in twenty-five minutes under schedule, in spite of two extra speakers.
