At the same time, the unrelenting meme being pushed by the right that Obama will mount an assault on the Second Amendment has helped fuel the panic buying of firearms. According to the F.B.I., there have been 1.2 million more requests for background checks of potential gun buyers from November to February than there were in the same four months last year. That’s 5.5 million requests altogether over that period; more than the number of people living in Bachmann’s Minnesota.
Pitchforks and Pistols
By CHARLES M. BLOW
Lately I’ve been consuming as much conservative media as possible (interspersed with shots of Pepto-Bismol) to get a better sense of the mind and mood of the right. My read: They’re apocalyptic. They feel isolated, angry, betrayed and besieged. And some of their “leaders” seem to be trying to mold them into militias.
At first, it was entertaining — just harmless, hotheaded expostulation. Of course, there were the garbled facts, twisted logic and veiled hate speech. But what did I expect, fair and balanced? It was like walking through an ideological house of mirrors. The distortions can be mildly amusing at first, but if I stay too long it makes me sick.
But, it’s not all just harmless talk. For some, their disaffection has hardened into something more dark and dangerous. They’re talking about a revolution.
Some simply lace their unscrupulous screeds with loaded language about the fall of the Republic. We have to “rise up” and “take back our country.” Others have been much more explicit.
For example, Chuck Norris, the preeminent black belt and prospective Red Shirt, wrote earlier this month on the conservative blog WorldNetDaily: “How much more will Americans take? When will enough be enough? And, when that time comes, will our leaders finally listen or will history need to record a second American Revolution?”
Representative Michele Bachmann of Minnesota, imagining herself as some sort of Delacroixian Liberty from the Land of the Lakes, urged her fellow Minnesotans to be “armed and dangerous,” ready to bust caps over cap-and-trade, I presume.
And between his tears, Glenn Beck, the self-professed “rodeo clown,” keeps warning of an impending insurrection by saying that he believes that we are heading for “depression” and “revolution” and then gaming out that revolution on his show last month. “Think the unthinkable” he said. Indeed.
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Think the Unthinkable!!!!
Stock up as many guns and as much ammo as you can get. Your going to need it!
Sounds like a threat.
Sounds like a threat.
And when they incite folks, like the whacko in Pittsburgh
Won't none of them step up to the plate and accept RESPONSIBILITY for the climate they have created.
I just read that one of
I just read that one of Poplawski's friends said that he was concerned about "Zionist control of the government." I don't think any of the cops he murdered were Zionists. The situation in the Middle East must drive folks like Poplawski right over the edge. They hate Arabs and Jews and they can't develop a critique of Israel that does not have generous doses of rabid anti-Semitism embedded in their analyses. In addition, their racist dismissal of Arab people does not allow them to see any real world connection between their own significant real world plight as workers and the issues confronting the Palestinians and other Arabs in the Middle East.
But the pig likes it when you wrestle with it
The only trouble with "engaging gun guys" is that it justifies their blather and encourages them.
I suppose it encourages them
I suppose it encourages them at first. But justifies? In whose mind?
Besides, it's not much different than disputing racists. If you let them stay theoretical they can argue forever. When they see you won't let them do that...though it does take devoweling once in a while...they go away. Preferably after saying something so obnoxious you throw them out so they can claim you banned them because you couldn't win.
Besides, as you see, they seach out pro-common sense discussions to dispute.
P6: I suppose it encourages
P6: I suppose it encourages them at first. But justifies? In whose mind?
In theirs, I mean.
It probably makes sense to find out if a new "gun guy" visitor brings anything new to the table, or will just repeat tired old arguments ad nauseam. Obviously, the latter is more common. But they still get a nice little wrestle in the mud. What's in it for you (or, allowing for the separation, what's in it for P6)?
I do allow them their first
I do allow them their first comment, and check for follow ups. Fact is, I've had a more than decent relationship with a couple of Libertarian gun nuts. They actually tend not to pour race into their arguments. What's in it for me is a chance to assess their current tactics. What's in it for P6 is an interesting question, which made me realize not everything I do on P6 is for P6.
What I find insulting about
What I find insulting about the whole "rise up" and "take back our country" meme is that for centuries, black folks have been ignored, unheard, etc and so on, and we never mounted a revolution. These same people condemn just marching for civil rights. But hardly 3 months in on a new president, they wanna go all neo-Confededarcy. It's intellectually disgusting.
I'm all for the right to
I'm all for the right to bear arms. But people on the right and gun nuts really need to chill out. Even in this day and age no president really has that much political capital to do away with guns. There are just too many barriers he would ahve to deal with, namely the 2nd Amendment and the people. By and large, the people simply wont stand for it. I just think that the "optics" of the Obama Presidency is really doing a number on many on the right.
Article is full of bunk
This article is full of bunk and looks to be intended to raise fear in those who excercise their 2nd Amendment right to keep and bare firearms. As an Advid hunter, target shooter, and run rights person. I find this article insulting. It is meant to get those who already wish to see the 2nd amendment removed up in arms. TYo rile them into political action against their own civil rights.
One can easily go out and find, interview just as many if not more who will bow down to an oppresive government anywhere. As long as it makes them feel safe.
Recently I was approached by a man in a gun shop who was asking such questions. When do you think the revolution will start? How many guns do you own? Do you support Obama, etc etc. not only did I give this person a funny look but so did all in the shop. This man was clearly trying to insite trouble and spark conversation of a highly volitile nature.
This myth that there is growing revolution is a left wingers wet dream. More and more are becoming politically active not militant.
I hope you're right about
I hope you're right about them becoming politically active rather than militant. The follow up article gives me little hope, especially since I've had similar discussions with militia-types long before the economic environment was this stressful.
I also assume you've never lived in any country but the United States of America, or you'd know better than to call this an oppressive government.
I'm sorry, Mr/s anonymous,
I'm sorry, Mr/s anonymous, but do you really think we get this ideas out of then air? No. We occasionally listen to what people on the right are saying and doing. And one thing we know for sure is that the sale of guns has increased, both Republicans and conservative Dems are buying guns in fear of a gun ban, and that your talkers like Glen Beck are saying a lot.
Also, how about the myth that Obama wants to take away people's guns?
P6, I applaud your patience.
Also, how about the myth
Also, how about the myth that Obama wants to take away people's guns?
Joe Biden declared during the campaign that he wasn't giving up his guns. I didn't hear a peep from Obama about his running mate's statement.
These folks remind me of the behavior of dope fiends whenever there was a rumor on the streets that the cops had made a huge dope bust thus causing a drug shortage. Typical addict behavior.