Wayne LaPierre's "meaningful contributions" are to arm the bejesus out of school administrators and convert our schools into armed fortresses and shove every American into one of the NRA's gun safety programs.
I know I'm hearing this slop--right now, the idiot is still speaking--but I can't quite believe it.
***
LaPierre's smartest moment was when he shut up. Good Lord, he finally finished, but only after doing his organization inestimable damage--more inestimable damage. This was not the time to double down, yet that's precisely what he did.
But, that's an extremist for you.
I was interacting with a commentor on another site who was lamenting that LaPierre was being given any type of a spotlight. I responded that it was fine with me. This guy is certifiable and going out in public only can be a detriment to him and the NRA. And anything that weakens the NRA is good for the family.
Posted by: japa21 | December 21, 2012 at 11:05 AM
I agree, japa21. One of the things I love the most about the first amendment is that it makes it easier to know who to avoid in life.
Posted by: AnneJ | December 21, 2012 at 11:22 AM
It's not like you to include redundant adjectives but I guess it does have an amplifying effect. I know of no other kind of horseshit but the meaningless kind. I heard what you heard and I think the mot juste would be toxic horseshit.
Posted by: Peter G | December 21, 2012 at 11:48 AM
And yet, this loony crank's organization still has the lobbying muscle to stop any meaningful action, and at least credibly threaten to punish lawmakers who attempt to take such action.
This is some democracy, ain't it? Dangerous, crazy morons like Grover Norquist and Wayne LaPierre have more power in our capital than the voices of 65+ million people who sent the president back for a second term.
Posted by: Turgidson | December 21, 2012 at 12:19 PM
This is, of course, not to be confused with the very meaningful horseshit the GOP House has been spewing since November 6th.
Posted by: shsavage | December 21, 2012 at 12:48 PM
I was expecting some crocodile tears and a weaselly effort by LaPierre to sound like he understood why people were upset, maybe even offer up a minor or meaningless concession or two. Instead, this. Big mistake. I'm sure the NRA was hoping it would all blow over in a week while they kept their mouths shut. But this time I don't think it's going to blow over. The feel I get this time is different. And after getting everyone's attention by announcing today was the day they'd make their statement, this is the one they made?! They're as extremist as ever, but they just blew their own cover in front of a national audience.
Posted by: mdblanche | December 21, 2012 at 12:50 PM
Though I can't quite free myself from cynicism, my hope is that this tone deaf and crazy speech will push more reasonable people into the pro-gun control column. At the very least, it will help to keep the issue alive a while longer and delay the moment when we get distracted by the next shiny object.
Posted by: JTL | December 21, 2012 at 01:20 PM
Doubling down on catastrophic policies? Sounds like he might be a Republican.
Posted by: JD | December 21, 2012 at 03:57 PM
@Peter G -- "I know of no other kind of horseshit but the meaningless kind."
Hey! As a horse owner, I beg to differ, sir; the kind I shovel every day is eminently useful as superior fertilizer once it's cooked for a few months in the manure pile.
"Toxic" and "meaningless", however, are equally apt for what extruded from LaPierre today.
Posted by: janicket | December 21, 2012 at 11:49 PM
I yield to your expertise Janicket on the subject of horseshit of the aromatic type. I confess my experience is mainly confined to the verbal and written type to which I have a severe allergy. It is a condition which I suspect I share with our host. And you.Professionally I am constrained when confronted by steaming piles to be gentler in remonstrance than I can ever be online. Bless the Internet.
Posted by: Peter G | December 22, 2012 at 03:44 AM