NRAvings

Joe Scarborough, on and off my list of Right Wing Screamers (RWS™), has, like any thoughtful person, had it with the NRA, as currently led by Wayne "Frenchie" LaPierre. I guess there's only so much that can be said about it; and I doubt there are many people in the middle. We have the literally crazy wing who feel this close to being hauled off to concentration camps, and everyone else. Well, that is, if "everyone else" also includes people on the far left who'd like to see the Second Amendment repealed, which will never happen.

But the thing is, it's the ones who feel okay with that ad that are controlling the conversation. My brief jaunt on HuffPost Live was on a segment devoted to a Tennessee state legislator who, despite a career-long "A" rating from the NRA, was primaried and ousted by them because she took exception to a law written by them, making it illegal to prevent an armed person from coming onto your property. Your property. Saying no to guns. On your property. An armed person.

As we've seen, CongressRs include enough crazy people elected by crazy people from gerrymandered districts that'll never elect any other kind, that reasonable legislation has no chance. Some are too scared to take an intelligent stand; many, clearly, haven't the intelligence or desire to do so. They're right there with the NRA.

I have friends who are NRA members, and they're as troubled by its behavior as I am. There was a time, I think, when the NRA was an organization of gun enthusiasts (although I'm not a member and don't own guns, you could call me an enthusiast to the extent that I've gone to firing ranges for the fun of it, and plan to do it again) and hunters, with none of whom I have the slightest problem. And I doubt (wishful thinking?) that the majority of legal gun owners share the wild-eyed paranoia and hate of those behind, and agreeing with, the ad.

The problem is, though, that they're the ones getting the attention, and, because of the weak-kneed press and fecklessness of our legislators, and of the power of money and blackmail in our political system, in the end they'll carry the day. We'll be lucky if we get a mild improvement in background checks.

Around here there was recently a town meeting as a city council prepared to remove the ban on guns in city parks. Tons of people showed up, including many with pistols on their hips. The repeal passed unanimously. The US of A. Twenty-first century. People packing city hall, packing heat. Absolutely amazing.