Interesting discussion on dropping NRA as 'partner' for discounts.

[Stonepounder]

Found this on WaPo but there is no way I can link to the appropriate piece, if you want to try and find it for yourself, go to:

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/powerpost/paloma/daily-202/2018/02/27/daily-202-trump-gets-a-seminar-on-federalism-as-governors-push-back-on-arming-teachers/5a94c2b830fb047655a06963/?utm_term=.88b54c87ec0a

Then (on a PC) do a ctrl^F and search for FedEx. Then start reading.

My friend Jeni, of @jenisicecreams just said that they will move 100,000+ annual mail orders from @FedEx to @UPS if FedEx doesn't drop their support of the NRA.

This took guts.

FedEx responded:
https://about.van.fedex.com/newsroom/fedex-responds-questions-national-rifle-association-gun-safety-policy/

FedEx is aware there are some continuing concerns related to the NRA, and we want to provide important, clarifying facts.

First, the pricing program that is the focus of these concerns is not for the NRA itself – it is for American small businesses and consumers that are members of the association. For shipping from its online store (http://www.nrastore.com/shipping-information), the NRA uses UPS and not FedEx.

FedEx has never provided any donation or sponsorship to the NRA which is one of hundreds of alliance and association participants that serve more than one million customers. FedEx remains committed to all our customers and the pricing we provide them independent of their political affiliations and views.

February 26, 2018 – FedEx Corporation’s positions on the issues of gun policy and safety differ from those of the National Rifle Association (NRA). FedEx opposes assault rifles being in the hands of civilians. While we strongly support the constitutional right of U.S. citizens to own firearms subject to appropriate background checks, FedEx views assault rifles and large capacity magazines as an inherent potential danger to schools, workplaces, and communities when such weapons are misused. We therefore support restricting them to the military. Most important, FedEx believes urgent action is required at the local, state, and Federal level to protect schools and students from incidents such as the horrific tragedy in Florida on February 14th.

FedEx is a common carrier under Federal law and therefore does not and will not deny service or discriminate against any legal entity regardless of their policy positions or political views. The NRA is one of hundreds of organizations in our alliances/association Marketing program whose members receive discounted rates for FedEx shipping. FedEx has never set or changed rates for any of our millions of customers around the world in response to their politics, beliefs or positions on issues.

Interesting conundrum for folks trying to get sponsors to drop the NRA.

[gratuitous]

1. It's easy as pie

Stop giving the bloodthirsty ghouls at the NRA special treatment, Fedex. Charge them the same rates you'd charge the survivors of the massacre at Douglas High. It's not discrimination to treat the NRA the same as you treat everyone else. Fedex's attempt at diversion ("deny service" ) is duly noted, however.

[Sherman A1]

5. Precisely

FedEx has made a business decision that it feels to be in it's best interest. That's fine as far as I am concerned. I however and I suspect more than a few other folks are also making business decisions based upon what we believe to be in our best interest both short and long term. In my case I will not be doing business with them to ship (which I rarely do) and will instruct those shipping to me to use another carrier or expect their packages to be returned.

I did this years ago when operating a small business and a supplier wanted to use a carrier that would save them money. I agreed as long as I got equivalent service to UPS. I did not and instructed them to change or I would have to refuse the orders. My instructions were followed and it became my company's policy.

[HopeAgain]

2. How is something that can give over 54 million to causes and candidates

be considered a "small business"?

[NCTraveler]

3. I don't see the conundrum.

The business entities support them as well. That isn't a conundrum. It's consistency.

Their discrimination sentence doesn't hold up. Then when they talk about other organizations receiving benefits, they don't list them. Are they really comparing a Teachers Association with the NRA. Dumb fucking gun humpers. It's an inconsistent and erroneous position they are holding. Gun humpers are easy rubes for propaganda.

[Squinch]

4. Does FedEx give Nazis a special deal? If Nazis asked

for one would they give it because they don't set rates based on customers' politics?

I strongly doubt they would enter one of these agreements with a Nazi group. So they ARE perfectly able to deny these special rates on the basis of odious politics. The nra should be treated the same way.

And I don't see the conundrum you are seeing. I'm seeing a bullshit weasel response to justify their support of domestic terrorism.

[progree]

6. Why don't I get any discounts??????

I've been shocked to read how many companies give NRA members a discount.

I can only think of one organization that I'm a member of that gives discounts on a large number of companies -- AARP. But if I were not an AARP member, I wouldn't be eligible for shit, other than going through grocery coupons, magazine ads, and the like for items on sale.

Anyway, Fedex's statement is just bullshit. Everyone should get a discount (or just lower your prices). Otherwise, they are favoring the NRA and the other organizations they give members' discounts to.

[Squinch]

7. Seriously, though, Stonepounder, what is the conundrum? This isn't snark. I want to

know what you see that I am missing.

[Stonepounder]

8. Well, ok

1. FedEx can not refuse to ship NRA stuff and keep its status as a 'common carrier'.
2. I would need more information. As I read their response, and I freely admit that I didn't do a lot of digging, it appears that members of the NRA can qualify for some kind of discount as can hundreds of other folks and small businesses.
3. They also state that the do not agree with the NRA on many issues and do not not and have not ever contributed to the NRA.

Also, I was hoping to spark a discussion, which seem to have done, about how far do we go in trying to get all of corporate America to sever all ties with the NRA.

Personally, I hate guns and do not allow them in my home. But I would really, really like for the NRA go back to what it used to be, which was a group for sportsmen and one which put on classes on gun safety and the like (and probably would have been appalled at the thought of people openly carrying assault-style weapons down urban and suburban streets). Back, that is, before it sold its soul to the gun industry and no cares about anything except selling more and more guns and ammunition.

P.S. Please excuse any misspellings or awkward sentence structure. Had cataract surgery today and not being able to wear my glasses due to a transparent patch over one eye makes proofreading just a tad more difficult.)