AND, WHAT ABOUT THE REST OF US?

This is the other story that caught my attention this morning. For the record folks have the right to own guns. I don't hunt. I've got family that does. And they eat what they shoot. I don't really see the need for guns that have magazines that hold dozens of bullets. But, hey that's just me.

Frankly, I see guns as a canary in the coal mine symptom of a much deeper problem. Why in the hell is this country so violent? Have a wardrobe malfunction during the Super Bowl and the fundies go ballistic because a kid might have gotten a glimpse of Janet Jackson's nipple. Market blow 'em away video games to the same kids and "it's just a game folks." Don't get me started.

But I don't hold with intimidating people who don't agree with you and that's what these people are doing. Intimidation pure and simple. And a lot of commenters got a real "hoot" out of where the group finally retreated to. Yeah, the group included kids. I wonder if these brave souls took there kids with them when they adjourned to the local Hooters.

Anyway, this is the text of the Think Progress article. Check out the picture folks. White bread America out in "force" against I think it's four moms meeting inside the restaurant. Lordy, Lordy, Lordy. Those gals would have me shakin' in my boots.

"On Saturday, nearly 40 armed men, women, and children waited outside a Dallas, Texas area restaurant to protest a membership meeting for the state chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, a gun safety advocacy group formed in the aftermath of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting.

According to a spokeswoman for Moms Demand Action (MDA), the moms were inside the Blue Mesa Grill when members of Open Carry Texas (OCT) — an open carry advocacy group — “pull[ed] up in the parking lot and start[ed] getting guns out of their trunks.” The group then waited in the parking lot for the four MDA members to come out. The spokeswoman said that the restaurant manager did not want to call 911, for fear of “inciting a riot” and waited for the gun advocates to leave. The group moved to a nearby Hooters after approximately two hours.

MDA later released a statement calling OCT “gun bullies” who “disagree[d] with our goal of changing America’s gun laws and policies to protect our children and families.” The statement added that the members and restaurant customers were “terrified by what appeared to be an armed ambush.” A member of OCT responded by tweeting, “I guess I’m a #gunbullies #Comeandtakeit.” 

Me: great attitude asshole. You can keep it. I sure as hell don't want it. What's the difference between you and a member of the Taliban? Yeah, you're not wearing a turban, maybe you shaved this morning and I'm guessing you're a Christian, not a Muslim. But I'm betting that if we stood the two of you together there wouldn't a glimmer of daylight to be seen between you.

This is not the first time that gun advocates have rallied at MDA events. In March, a group of armed men crashed a MDA gun-control rally in Indianapolis. Other gun advocate groups will hold rallies this upcoming December 14, the anniversary date of the Sandy Hook shooting.


Licensed gun owners are allowed to carry concealed weapons, but Texas is one of six states that prohibits open carry of firearms. Attorney General Greg Abbott, a likely Republican successor for Gov. Rick Perry (R), has vowed to permit concealed handgun owners to display their firearms in public. Four GOP contenders for lieutenant governor similarly hope to put in place open carry laws if elected."

Ok, let's see if you can wrap your brains around this. There are ten amendments. Before the second amendment there was the first. You know the one that guarantees, freedom of religion, speech, assembly and the right to petition for the redress of grievances.

Those women were exercising their rights to assemble, speak and plan how to petition for the redress of what they see as legitimate concerns. Repeat after me. They have the right to do this. Again, THEY HAVE THE RIGHT TO DO THIS. And if I could I'd put that sentence in again in forty point font.

THEY HAVE THE RIGHT TO DO THIS. You may not agree with them but they have the right to do these things without being intimidated by you or anyone else.

This is the anniversary of Kristallnacht. Care to tell me what the difference is between you and Hitler's Brown Shirts or the Pakistani Taliban.? Or the cartel goons in Mexico? Because from where I'm sitting I don't see very much. Oh, did I hurt your tender second amendment feelings. Cry me a river.

I'm on the north side of sixty. I'm running out of time to be polite.