I've maintained a deep, running silence on the grotesquery of modest gun-control measures as yet another Obamian step to jackbooted tyranny principally, I think, as a mental-health prophylactic. This country has more than its national share of crazy to ponder without the added insanity of America's gun freaks and their diseased representation in Congress. But here we are, yet again, unable, I see, to behave as though we as a self-governing nation are not as famously nuts as we actually are.
All that Vice President Biden said was that "executive action ... can be taken" to help mitigate the unspeakable carnage of gun violence in America--rather unremarkable action such as confirming an ATF director (whose permanence has been missing in action for seven years now) and prosecuting more felons who illegally endeavor to buy guns. Outrageous, huh?
Well, Drudge thought so, so of course it immediately threw up a headline--"WHITE HOUSE THREATENS 'EXECUTIVE ORDERS' ON GUNS"--above which were featured photos of Hitler and Stalin, for the benefit, I suppose, of readers too hideously stupid to remember that President Obama is a Joker-like fascist-communist whose executive orders are sure to get us all in the end, if first his death panels don't.
Meanwhile, a Republican congressman implied that the federal government's prosecution of gun-buying felons would amount to a "dictatorship," and somewhere, undoubtedly, the NRA was dispensing smelling salts in another emergency fundraising mailing.
Crackpots? The fringe? Uncommon wackos? Yes, to be sure--as well, however, as the underlying pathology in official charge of one-third of our governing branches and in unofficial charge of another third; a fanaticism-fed pathology which also guides us in all matters fiscal.
And with that, have a nice day.
What a cheery start to the day. Thank you for the happiness filled post.
On a more serious note, this country became the laughing stock of the world when we reelected Bush. The world started to think we were coming out of our self-induced insanity when we elected Obama, then realized that was only a momentary clearing of our national mind when we put the GOP back in charge of the House in 2010.
They obviously now see us as totally off our meds again. I expect shiploads of Haldol to start arriving at our ports soon.
Specially after the last election, when our bipolar status was fully recognized.
Imagine if Obama put the WH security people in funny uniforms like Nixon did. Back then, everybody more or less viewed it as a joke. Now it would be cause for impeachment. Another example of the Muslim, Kenyan, Atheist (?) socialist showing his uppity arrogance and dictatorial tendencies.
Posted by: japa21 | January 10, 2013 at 08:46 AM
As one of those foreigners, Japa21, who regularly follows the happenings in our southern neighbor I think you might be surprised by the perceptions about Americans and America that are held abroad. By and large the US is not a laughing stock. In fact in my own country there are people whose opinions parallel the beliefs of every faction in the US. Who is in a position to do the laughing?
Posted by: Peter G | January 10, 2013 at 09:07 AM
It takes such a small poke these days to jolt the right wing into these kinds of outrageous reactions that you have to think that PBO and Co. do it deliberately, just to push them further off the edge, and focus the media's attention on the insanity.
Posted by: shsavage | January 10, 2013 at 09:15 AM
Peter, thank you for that insight. And I am fully aware that in just about every country, there is the wide range of beliefs that you find here. I will confess that I am probably guilty of a little projection. However, I am not as sure that the wide spectrum of beliefs in other countries has had the same dysfunctional impact as it has had here.
Posted by: japa21 | January 10, 2013 at 09:26 AM
shsavage, If that is the intent, I am not sure it is fully working. The media has not yet been willing to actually highlight the insanity yet.
Posted by: japa21 | January 10, 2013 at 09:27 AM
I suspect that Obama will call the political bluff on this country. Yes, draconian restrictions can be placed on gun owners without violating constitutional rights. Yes, I am OK with that and would support that, but I doubt how effective it will be. No, I don't think this will happen, but it is worth taking a shot.
So, Obama will convene a commission, make recommendations for legislation, define the criteria comprising comprehensive legislation, then watch it die a slow death on The Hill - just as he knew it would. he knows this because he knows us and knows DC.
Guns are as much a part of the fabric of American as alcohol, drugs, prostitution and pornography.
I wish you well.
Posted by: Robert Lipscomb | January 10, 2013 at 09:50 AM