When the crazy gets crazier; or, town-hall madness, assault rifles and all
By Michael J.W. Stickings
President Obama may have been "honored and humbled" to speak to veterans in Phoenix yesterday (at the VFW National Convention), but the right-wing mob outside the convention center was in no mood for such niceties. As TPM is reporting, "[a]bout 12 people were carrying guns, including at least one semi-automatic assault rifle." Just because something is legal, even if it shouldn't be, doesn't mean that it's a good idea, and this was no such thing. I understand that the guy carrying the rifle explained that he was only carrying it because he could, because it's one of his "freedoms," but come on, that's bullshit. Taking firearms to an Obama event isn't an expression of freedom, it's a threat. And it says a lot about the current state of conservatism in America -- for it is conservatives who are stoking this insanity, conservatives in politics and the media, and they, too, must be held accountable.
President Obama may have been "honored and humbled" to speak to veterans in Phoenix yesterday (at the VFW National Convention), but the right-wing mob outside the convention center was in no mood for such niceties. As TPM is reporting, "[a]bout 12 people were carrying guns, including at least one semi-automatic assault rifle." Just because something is legal, even if it shouldn't be, doesn't mean that it's a good idea, and this was no such thing. I understand that the guy carrying the rifle explained that he was only carrying it because he could, because it's one of his "freedoms," but come on, that's bullshit. Taking firearms to an Obama event isn't an expression of freedom, it's a threat. And it says a lot about the current state of conservatism in America -- for it is conservatives who are stoking this insanity, conservatives in politics and the media, and they, too, must be held accountable.
Labels: Barack Obama, guns
posted by Michael J.W. Stickings at
12:05 AM
3 Comments:
Since this was a libertarian publicity stunt I asked a friend of mine who's a libertarian why they would do something like that:
"in order to make a calculated political statement that I approve of ("People should not fear their governments, governments should fear their people")"
By
Anonymous, at 11:58 PM
Isn't it like most right wing rhetoric -- grandiose statements of principle obscuring irresponsible, dangerous and possibly malicious intent?
By
Capt. Fogg, at 9:31 AM
I agree that bringing a holster to an event is foolish. This is an offensive action at a time when this right is, in fact, in question. Should something be said about discretionary conduct?
By
Anonymous, at 12:43 PM
Post a Comment
<< Home