You can't please everyone...
Or, sometimes, you can't please anyone.
I hardly think that publishing in an alert, a story that a member submitted can be classified as "treating him like he cured cancer". That's just silly and petty.
You're letting your emotions get in the way of your judgment.
The other complaint...the story about a bank...was a reprinting of an article...not necessarily VCDL's position on the matter...just "spreading the word" about what happened.
It's almost like you WANT to dislike VCDL so you intentionally look for things to get bent out of shape about.
VCDL is NOT anti-open carry I don't even know where you would get that from. The FOUNDERS of Opencarry.org are both VCDL Executive (or board of directors) members. VCDL does not concentrate on Open Carry specifically, which is why the founders of Opencarry.org formed the group, but VCDL doesn't endorse concealed carry over open carry. VCDL supports and works to expand the right to keep and bear arms in general and does not take a position on any preference in the form of carry.
Every VCDL event I've ever attended has had the majority (Including the President and BOD members) open carrying.
VCDL works to advance gun rights in whatever arena is ripe. Unfortunately, VCDL doesn't get to set the legislative agenda. Our role is to monitor the legislature, support good legislation (even if it isn't perfect), oppose bad legislation, speak out in favor of or in opposition to that legislation, and hold legislators accountable for their votes.
Ultimately, we'd like to see Vermont/Alaska/Arizona style permitless carry and the ability to carry openly or concealed anywhere that you are lawfully able to go in the state of Virginia. But we can't just wave a magic wand and make it happen. We have to work within the legislative system.
We didn't get to where we are overnight and in one fell swoop and we're not going to get back that way either. VCDL is a no-compromise group in the sense that we will never stop pushing for full and complete recognition of the right to keep and bear arms in the state of Virginia. In the process of that work, however, in order to make progress toward that goal, some incremental compromises must be made to achieve success. Then we can build upon that success in the future.
What's really interesting about diatribes like these is that, for every person who thinks VCDL compromises too much or doesn't support THEIR concerns enough, there is someone on the other side who thinks we spend too MUCH time and effort on that issue or think we're radicals or extremists because we DO support that issue.
Which brings me back to the title and the first line of my comment: You can't please everyone...sometimes you can't please anyone...so you just do the best you can do.
We'd like to have your support and assistance in fighting for gun rights in Virginia, even if you don't completely agree with everything VCDL does, says or supports, but if that's not possible, we wish you nothing but the best in your own efforts to expand gun rights in Virginia and look forward to fully endorsing and supporting the no-compromise legislation that you get introduced and sponsored.