Why Tea and Guns Don't Mix

You may have heard about the "Anti Tax" rallies that were held (coincidentally?) on April 19, the 10th anniversary of the Oklahoma Bombing (ie, major act of domestic terror).  I read some comments that were just so over the top that I had to ponder them for a few days. 

First, let's get it straight that I am not anti-gun.  I've shot guns, I've had to carry guns for work (bear protection!).  I am a-ok with the GENERAL idea of gun owership.  What I'm not ok with is completely unregulated ownership -- but then I'm such a commie treehugger that I'm not into unregulated anything....

So, the quote I read (over on HuffPo, if you want to see yourself) was essentially this (paraphrased): If you don't buy health insurance, they'll come to arrest you, and you'll need your gun then to resist.

Ok, let's just put aside the fact that it is COMPLETELY LUDICRIOUS that there will be roving squads of insurance-checking cops.  Seriously, this guy is advocating ARMED RESISTANCE TO ARREST??????

There are so many things wrong with this I don't know where to begin and remain civil.  Maybe I should explain to the tea-bagging nutters that the long and honored tradition of resistance is called CIVIL disobedience for a reason.  Perhaps I should point out that no sane human being, ever, has advocated fatal armament against lawful arrest.  Perhaps I should point out just how fucking stupid this is.

I know it's useless to ask, but exactly why is having a little screening on gun buyers a violation of one's rights?  After all, if one is a crazy motherfucker, perhaps he/she shouldn't be allowed to own a gun.  Maybe it's ok to allow, say, hunting guns, but not handguns and assault machines like AK 47s.  I mean really, do you honestly think you need either of those in your daily life?  Do you think that is what the Fathers envisioned?  I am pretty sure that Jefferson and friends would agree that such weapons are beyond the scope of Amendment #2. 

Of course, Amendment #1 protects your right to be a dumbass, so there you have it.

Armageddon, Revolution, or Just Plain Nonsense?

Last week we got all riled up about the Baggers and their violence.  Maybe we started to feel a little afraid for our country, our future.  What did it mean that these crazies were so willing to commit actual crimes as a way of expressing their political views?

In the words of one progressive talk show host: nothing.  I wish to god I could remember which one it was, but I listen to so many that they start to run together.  It was either Ed Schultz, Corey Farley, or Thom Hartmann.  This beloved host was saying that no, this is not a real movement.  No, the Baggers are not a majority, they do not represent the party.  And as I listened, I felt hopeful again.

Yes, I'm too cynical to truly believe it, but it did make me consider how big (or small) this movement actually might be.  Progressive Host said, in effect, that Baggers are just a bunch of freaks out on the fringe.  That even though the GOP leadership was egging these folks on, their numbers really aren't that high.  That at the end of the day, most Americans will say "wtf?" and decide they don't really enjoy tea.

I really, really want to believe this is true.  No matter what may be the matter with Kansas, the deeply-buried optimist in me just can't believe that there are that many idiots in the country.  Because at the end of the day, I have faith in humanity: faith that people, even if all they have is Fox News and similar ilk, will just pull a W and listen to their guts.  And when they do, they'll realize something stinks, big time.  You don't need no book lernin' to know when sumthin ain't no good. 

Progressive Host also pointed out that the only other time in our history that we had a movement so devoted to protecting the corporate bastards was......the Civil War.  So the Baggers really are like the Southern Slave Masters.  Fancy that.

Week Two of the Revolution has brought quite a different type of action.  Instead of brick throwing and racist language, we see not one but THREE different Bagger-affiliated militia groups busted.  One of which openly stated they were going to assassinate Obama.  And the best thing yet: Obama made some recess appointments!  ha!

So, despite my innate cynicism, I'm going to ride this wave of hope and believe that maybe, just maybe these people really are just the wacko fringe.  Sure, they may get all the media coverage, but so what.  It feels good to feel hopeful for once.

Uncivil Disobedience

Last night I posted a pretty angry article on how the Baggers think they are having some sort of little revolution.  Thankfully today I feel a little more myself, and as such I would like to address the same topic with a little more aplomb.

There is a HUGE difference between what the Baggers are doing and anything the Left has done in the past.  (WTO and similar dumbheads excepted -- we don't claim them as our own).  Civil disobedience this is not. 

Civil disobedience has been a cornerstone of the Left for decades.  Sit ins, chaining oneself to a tree, going limp when being arrested for these actions......The key is that all these actions, while disruptive, are inherently nonviolent.  In fact, participants in and advocates of civil disobedience routinely disavow any acts of violence.  Personal assault (spitting), racially based hatred (n-word), and violence (brick throwing) are not tolerated, much less promoted.

I'm not sure what to call what the Baggers are doing.  Rioting, maybe?  Whatever label you give it, it's wrong.  It's criminal!  And so is the act of encouraging these things -- inciting someone to commit violence or crime is itself a crime.  And it's bad enough that we have Beck et al encouraging it -- but we actually have elected GOP officials egging them on too! 

I feel like I've followed Alice right down the rabbit hole.  Where is this strange place I've landed?  What kind of rules govern this place where such acts are considered acceptable? 

These people are just getting off, feeling powerful or self-satisfied in their stupid acts.  Just like the idiots who burned police cars in Berkeley during the Gulf War protests way back in Bush I's rule.  We legitimate protesters publicly denounced them and their violence.  Where are the reasonable conservatives denouncing the Baggers? 

This whole thing is just so unbelievable....I really do feel like I smoked with the Caterpillar or ate some of his magic mushroom.  This is no way to have a revolution (not that there's really anything to revolt against, frankly.  See yesterday's post).  This is just stupid people doing stupid things that make them feel big.  Kind of like a guy with a small penis driving a monster truck. 

Thoreau, Gandhi, and other proponents of civil disobedience are rolling in their graves.  They are appalled.  But then, I suppose the Baggers haven't really read any of these people's works;  after all, that would put them in lefty-elite territory. 

Disobedient, yes.  Civilized, no.

Boo Frickin Hoo

Free thinking Americans, also known as liberals, suffered so much during the W years.  We were accused of being in league with terrorists for voicing our dissent.  We watched words like patriot get co-opted and twisted into horrible things.  We watched our country torn apart and abused by corporate interests and the Republican lackies they put in office. 

And then one day, to paraphrase Hillary, the clouds parted and the heavenly choir sang.  (I prefer using rainbows and butterfly imagery myself, but....)  And lo!  The Democrats were in power!  Not that that means very much, given how they grabbed their ankles during the W years, but still.  It was something.

And now that we've had our first significant victory (if you can call this lame-ass bill that), the Tea Baggers can't handle it.  They never thought it could really happen!  They were so smug, so self-assured and self-righteous, it never occurred to them that they might lose.  And now that the shoe is on the other foot, what do they do?  To they man-up and take it like we did?  I guess the first time is the hardest, but.......

Spitting on Congressmen?  Throwing bricks through windows?  Fomenting violence and crime?  Seriously? 

Now don't any of you dare try and tell me that there were lefties doing the same thing.  Because as a movement, there weren't.  There are always fringe people exhibiting their stupidity (WTO protests, anyone?), but that is not the same as a 'legitimized' movement. Which the Baggers are. 

So now we have political "leaders," "news" anchors, and other official types inciting all this.  Egging them on.  Encouraging these outrageous acts. Hey Baggers, I've got news for you: spitting on someone is assault, which is a CRIME.  Throwing a brick through a window is assault, vandalism, and damage to property -- all CRIMES. 

Oh I'm sure the Baggers are all pleased as punch with themselves, thinking they are an actual revolution.  Please.  If they think this bill is the brink of fascism, communism, or armageddon, then what on earth would they do if any of those really came to pass?  Soil themselves would be first on the list, I imagine.

But that's just it: they think they are really doing something radical and meaningful.  But they aren't.  This ain't Revolutionary France, or the Czech Republic, or the Civil War.  Talk about delusions of grandeur. 

This is a mediocre, centrist bill that was so watered down that neither side liked it very much and it barely passed.  The Right can't handle this?  This bill is so useless, I'm sick of hearing about how big a f***ing deal it is already.  What on earth would the Right do if we actually managed something like single payer?  Or repeal Don't Ask/Don't Tell, or allow Gay Marriage, or (gasp!) mandate evolution be taught in science class?

I'm sorry.  I know I'm ranting.  I know I'm not as eloquent as I may usually be.  But I'm mad as hell, and I'm not taking it anymore.  I've been trying all this time to have reasonable discussions with people, to show them the light.  And now we're down to the crazy mother f***ers who, well, just won't ever see any light.   Because they don't want to.  They are too busy basking in the tanning bed that Glenn and Rush have set up for them.  They'd better watch out, or they'll end up looking like Boehner: fake and played out. 

I am appalled that these people, and the media and elected officials who started all this, think this behavior is ok.  I am embarrassed (once again) on behalf of America.  Sickened by association.  Well I've had enough. 

Won't you join me?