Idiots That Play With Guns

Posted by nashville_brook in General Discussion

It is no accident that the American Southwest has grown increasingly violent. From armed militias on the border, to senatorial candidates touting "Second Amendment remedies," the American Southwest has been a laboratory used by mainstream Republicans to exploit the narrative of extremist groups, using the banner of "immigration reform" to put lipstick on their mendacious piggies seeking office.

Now, with the assassination of a Federal Judge and the near assassination of beloved congresswoman, it is our responsibility to look this aggression straight in the eye, not make excuses for these terrorists, and get about the business of ridding our political discourse of the narrative of "don't retreat, reload."

I am deeply concerned that people seem anxious to put aside the political realities of this narrative of aggression that has produced this horrific tragedy. I believe that this is something that all people of good faith could agree on: we are a nation that resolves conflict without loading a gun in the first place -- much less "reloading."

The argument that the shooter was potentially insane holds no water for me. Is every suicide bomber mentally competent? Or, are the weakest used by the powerful to carry their bombs, their guns and their "messages"? 

 Sarah Palin likes to pose with guns, and the Republican National Committee uses gun possession as a litmus test for fitness of office. Do not think for a minute that these elites intend to open fire on congressional democrats -- they are cowards, encouraging the weakest of their flock to do their dirty work, because this gives meaning to their campaign slogans in the real world.

The unfolding discussion around this tragedy has opened my eyes to the horrific reality that there are those who would give cover to domestic terrorists. They're using the First Amendment as their golden shield. That we can't regulate speech is a burning straw man because no one intends to regulate speech, we intend to hold those using the threat of domestic terrorism accountable for the deaths they're responsible for.

The so-called "mainstream" American right wing has been using the threat of domestic terrorism for decades. They've been couching their discourse in the life-or-death struggle with "death panels," and that the president is a Muslim infiltrator, and that immigration is destroying the country. You can't scratch these rage nuts for years on end, without getting a violent rash.

For years, mainstream Republicans have been chipping away at the seal holding back an insurrection of violence in this country. Now the seal has been broken, and the American Right Wing, the Tea Party, and all their minions in the media with blood on their hands have nowhere to hide. They were so eager to "water the tree of liberty" with the blood of innocents and the soul of our nation. Well, congratulations -- you've got what you asked for.

There is no mental exam that can excuse political assassination and the shooting of 19 people at a political event. It was a planned massacre, aimed directly at a political leader of a specific stripe, carried out by people with a philosophy of hate.

Because the threat of domestic terrorism is real, as we saw yesterday, there is no longer any excuse...no longer any political cover...for political leaders exploiting the fears of the weakest in their flock for their short term political gain. No more targets on congressional districts. No more guns touted at political rallies. The protest signs weren't funny then, and they can no longer be excused as oblique. 

The threat to our country, and specifically to our party is very real. If you don't think this is serious, you're not paying attention.