Reporters on my Twitter feed seem to hate the NRA more than anything else, ever.
—
Jeffrey Goldberg (@JeffreyGoldberg) December 21, 2012The NRA: damned if they do, and damned if they don’t.
This morning, after a week of being threatened and castigated by lefties for keeping a low profile following the Newtown massacre, NRA chief Wayne LaPierre addressed the media. Reporters may have been expecting — or at least hoping for — a mea culpa from the NRA. Instead, LaPierre highlighted the vulnerability of our children in contrast to the armed security enjoyed by politicians, banks, office buildings, sports stadiums … everywhere but the gun-free zones that are our nation’s schools. He announced that the NRA will sponsor an initiative to equip every school with an armed police officer.
LIVE: "With all the foreign aid … with all the money in federal budget … can't we afford to put a police officer in every school?" #NRA—
NRA News (@NRANews) December 21, 2012
The NRA is going to … develop a model National School Shield Emergency Response Program for every school that wants it #NRA—
(@NRA) December 21, 2012
LIVE:"… and we will make that program available to every single school in America free of charge." #NRA #Shield—
NRA News (@NRANews) December 21, 2012
He also blasted the media for its role in glorifying killers like Adam Lanza by rewarding them with the attention they crave. Uh-oh …
Wayne LaPierre ripping the media—
Katie Pavlich (@KatiePavlich) December 21, 2012
While there is some disagreement among conservatives over the effectiveness of LaPierre’s speech, the reaction among the lapdog media is universal scorn:
NRA press conference WILL NOT allow reporter questions. Perhaps NRA should learn what "press conference" means—
Scott MacFarlane (@MacFarlaneNews) December 21, 2012
Yep… MT @jayrosen_nyu: Exact quote from #NRApresser: "This is the beginning of a serious conversation. We won't be taking any questions."—
Rebecca Berg (@rebeccagberg) December 21, 2012
Hmmm … sounds awful familiar, no?
Know who else doesn't take questions? Obama. #NRA—
Sam Valley (@SamValley) December 21, 2012
Like Obama. RT @Toure: The NRA is not taking questions at the end of the statement. Because they cannot answer simple questions.—
Sam Valley (@SamValley) December 21, 2012
And is it any wonder that the NRA might be reluctant to give lapdogs the opportunity to ask questions …
The same media whose members have been live-snarking this press conference wonder why they can't ask questions?—
(@Slublog) December 21, 2012
… when they’re conducting themselves like this?
NRA about to propose it seems, putting armed guards outside every school. This. Is. Horrifying.—
Christopher Hayes (@chrislhayes) December 21, 2012
Disgusting fear-mongering and lobbying for more guns from the NRA. Appalling and tone deaf.—
Garance Franke-Ruta (@thegarance) December 21, 2012
We waited more than a week for this? This is the beginning of the end of the #NRA as a mainstream force.—
Van Jones (@VanJones68) December 21, 2012
LaPierre giving statement from hermetically sealed alternate reality.—
Jonathan Capehart (@CapehartJ) December 21, 2012
The moral obtuseness on display here is jaw-dropping.—
Christopher Hayes (@chrislhayes) December 21, 2012
Um, Americans want common sense gun laws not because of "personal, political preferences" but compassion and logic.—
Sally Kohn (@sallykohn) December 21, 2012
Guns don't kill people, NRA people who own Congress people just make it easier for crazy people to get guns & kill people—
John Fugelsang (@JohnFugelsang) December 21, 2012
It's amazing how the right can continue to assert that guns will keep you safe after Nancy Lanza was shot by her own.—
Amanda Marcotte (@AmandaMarcotte) December 21, 2012
This press conference is a gift to every gun-control advocate on the Hill. Amazing LaPierre doesn't see this—
George Zornick (@gzornick) December 21, 2012
This is the most patronizing thing I've ever seen. And I've seen Raffi concerts.—
(@daveweigel) December 21, 2012
NRAMBLA: We need to get closer to your kids. To protect them. Also, everyone should come to school shirtless. For safety!—
David Waldman (@KagroX) December 21, 2012
Wouldn't be surprised if a gun company executive has privately expressed hope that the latest shooting featured his product: good for sales.—
Amanda Marcotte (@AmandaMarcotte) December 21, 2012
The NRA has rickrolled the whole country into watching just another standard Wayne LaPierre stump speech saying we need more guns.—
Rachel Maddow MSNBC (@maddow) December 21, 2012
Please proceed, LaPierre #disaster—
Ed Schultz (@edshow) December 21, 2012
Wow, who could have predicted that LaPierre and NRA would decided to go the full crazy? Oh, wait… tnr.com/blog/plank/104…—
Jonathan Cohn (@CitizenCohn) December 21, 2012
NRA head says everyone is to blame but them. The most deranged, delusional "press conference" I've ever seen.—
Michael Moore (@MMFlint) December 21, 2012
Looked in the mirror lately, Michael? Sickening.
Mark this down as another case of media overreaction. It's an epidemic. #NRA—
Brandon Kiser (@Kiser) December 21, 2012
@emzanotti Right. This is so much shrieking on the press' part.—
Melissa Clouthier (@MelissaTweets) December 21, 2012
The media has zero respect for gun owners or our rights—
Stephen Gutowski (@collegepolitico) December 21, 2012
Meanwhile, the media is so hell-bent on slamming the NRA, they’re ignoring a shooting in Pennsylvania that has claimed at least four lives:
BREAKING UPDATE: Sources: Several shot, including 2 state troopers, in Pennsylvania: wfts.tv/TcYvL1—
Micah Grimes (@MicahGrimes) December 21, 2012
#BREAKING: @WPXI_Courtney reports 3 dead, 2 troopers wounded, 5 others injured in Altoona, PA shooting.—
Micah Grimes (@MicahGrimes) December 21, 2012
BREAKING UPDATE: @WPXI_Courtney reports officials believe suspect was "mobile," went up-down rural road and shot victims.—
Micah Grimes (@MicahGrimes) December 21, 2012
Checking to see if 5 injured in Penn. mass shooting including 2 troopers or if 5 wounded includes troopers.—
Micah Grimes (@MicahGrimes) December 21, 2012
BREAKING UPDATE: KDKA-TV reporting 2 dead, 2 troopers injured in Pennsylvania shooting; suspect killed: pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2012/12/21/4-d…—
Micah Grimes (@MicahGrimes) December 21, 2012
MORE: Altoona Mirror reports 4 dead, including gunman' at least 1 trooper wounded at "relatively large crime scene": altoonamirror.com/page/content.d…—
Micah Grimes (@MicahGrimes) December 21, 2012
Is everyone so stunned by the NRA press conference that they aren't reporting that there has been a mass shooting in Pennsylvania or what?—
Micah Grimes (@MicahGrimes) December 21, 2012
Looks that way. Perhaps when they finally get around to reporting on the news, they’ll also demand the NRA issue a statement on Pennsylvania. Priorities. Always.