The NRA’s Wayne LaPierre delivered in Reno, Nev., tonight what he called a “major response” to President Obama’s inauguration address.
NRA's LaPierre will respond to Obama inaugural address 2nite at 56th Annual Weatherby Foundation International Hunting & Conservation Awards
— Felicia Sonmez (@feliciasonmez) January 22, 2013
The NRA’s website promised an aggressive answer to Obama’s speech, and LaPierre delivered, focusing in particular on the president’s line, “We cannot mistake absolutism for principle.”
LaPierre: Obama's "words make a mockery" of declaration of independence
— Zeke Miller (@ZekeJMiller) January 23, 2013
LaPierre: "Obama wants to turn the term of absolutism into a dirty word."
— Zeke Miller (@ZekeJMiller) January 23, 2013
LaPierre: "Absolutist — Obama-code for extremist"
— Zeke Miller (@ZekeJMiller) January 23, 2013
Obama wants to turn the idea of “absolutism” into a dirty word, just another word for “extremism.” He wants you to accept the idea of “principles” as he sees fit to define them. It’s a way of redefining words so that common sense is turned upside-down and nobody knows the difference.
Think about it. As families, when we’re broke and all our credit cards are maxed out, we’re forced to tighten our belts.
But when the government is broke and our bond rating is tumbling and the president wants more new social programs, borrowing more money is supposed to be “principled.” And anybody who questions that is a no-good “absolutist” — Obama code for extremist.
LaPierre: "There are only two reasons for a federal gun registry — either tax them or take them — only two reasons."
— Zeke Miller (@ZekeJMiller) January 23, 2013
LaPierre: "Absolutes do exist, words do have specific meaning in language and in law."
— Zeke Miller (@ZekeJMiller) January 23, 2013
LaPierre: "We're not children who need to be parented or bitter clingers to guns and religion"
— Zeke Miller (@ZekeJMiller) January 23, 2013
LaPierre: "If that is absolutist then we are as absolutists as the framers of our consitution & our founding fathers…& we are proud of it"
— Zeke Miller (@ZekeJMiller) January 23, 2013
With the NRA effectively framed as the villain in the Sandy Hook Elementary shooting even before the organization had responded to the tragedy, LaPierre has had a tough public relations fight on his hands. What could LaPierre have said to placate the following critics? Not much, we suspect.
Does anybody else think Wayne LaPierre, grand Poobah of the NRA, is a paranoid extremist hack? I wish more people were embarrassed by him.
— Richard D. Anderson (@andersonrdean) January 23, 2013
When LaPierre says criminals, he means minorities. Trust me. Racist. #NRA
— Eric Krakauer (@EricKrakauer) January 23, 2013
Have white men in power lost it? Good question, @inthesetimesmag, considering tonight's Wayne LaPierre rant: http://t.co/SttGila2
— Jamil Smith (@JamilSmith) January 23, 2013
Well, that was absurd. All those white gun owners, eating their fancy meals, listening to #LaPierre are either naive or delusional.
— Dissent Is Cool (@dissent_is_cool) January 23, 2013
Wayne LaPierre seems like he's about a minute away from going postal.
— UNE_BELLE_VIE (@rue1295) January 23, 2013
#NRA LaPierre Most Americans found President Obama's inauguration address to be powerful and uplifting. You are on the wrong side of history
— Claudia ???? (@CMarPA) January 23, 2013
#NRA LaPierre looks and acts like the person no-one would want to have a gun! Is he on the list of crazy people? no? he should be…
— Erin (@scrab8448) January 23, 2013
This is the truth. He is about to self combust with hate and lust for guns. RT @jamilsmith: Someone get Wayne LaPierre some help.
— ProfB (@AntheaButler) January 23, 2013
https://twitter.com/DoktaVODKA/status/293929399361892352
Crazy scary times we're living in.How does anyone believe they're so important they get to rebut POTUS speech? #lapierre #guncontrol
— Mary Barnes (@axidentaltexan) January 23, 2013
Someone dares to abuse the First Amendment to rebut the president’s speech? Scary times, indeed.
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