Originally Posted By Dr Hans Reinhardt Right wing conspiracy theorist and radio host Alex Jones had an explosive television encounter earlier this week with Piers Morgan over the issue of gun control. Keep in mind that Jones is a supporter of the White House petition to deport Morgan because of his stance on gun control. Watch: <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/01/09/piers-morgan-alex-jones-gun-control_n_2438963.html" target="_blank">http://www.huffingtonpost.com/...963.html</a>
Originally Posted By Dr Hans Reinhardt Here is the full interview: <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D-tsHlDviuA" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v...sHlDviuA</a>
Originally Posted By ksargen Weee. Thus why I scarcely read the news anymore. Too many nut jobs thinking they have what it takes to run things...
Originally Posted By Dr Hans Reinhardt The full interview is breathtaking. Why is it that every conspiracy theorist is a crackpot who loves firearms?
Originally Posted By utahjosh <Why is it that every conspiracy theorist is a crackpot who loves firearms?> Probably because they live in fear and feel protected by them. I just want to remind everyone that NOT everyone who loves firearms is a conspiracy theorist crackpot.
Originally Posted By ksargen utahjosh - too true. Which is why those of us who don't mind guns, but really wish we could slow down the nutjobs with the oversized clips, etc. shooting people in public places, would really like a dialogue in this country, rather than what the media is harping on - one side yelling "No guns!" and the other yelling "Over my dead body!" *sigh* I'm still not a happy camper about what happened with Gabrielle Giffords and the utter lack of sensible discussion sense. I miss the Gabby we used to know...
Originally Posted By Dabob2 <utahjosh - too true. Which is why those of us who don't mind guns, but really wish we could slow down the nutjobs with the oversized clips, etc. shooting people in public places, would really like a dialogue in this country, rather than what the media is harping on - one side yelling "No guns!" and the other yelling "Over my dead body!" *sigh*> Generally I agree with that. But it's worth noting that nobody serious in DC is taking the "no guns!" extreme position. There are some people on various internet comments section calling for that, but nobody (and I do mean nobody) with any clout, either an individual or a group. On the other hand, the NRA and some in elected positions with LOTS of clout are indeed taking the "over my dead body" position. So while it may seem like there are two extremist sides here with the vast majority of sensible people in the middle, once again it's a false equivalency. One group of extremists are basically preaching to themselves and spouting off online; the other has clout aplenty and the ear of powerful people in Washington. Luckily, it seems like the sensible middle may actually have some pull (and access to some powerful ears) this time. That usually doesn't happen. And we'll lose this chance too if we don't keep up the pressure.
Originally Posted By mawnck Lucky for us, Mayor Bloomberg has a plan to take care of Alex. <a href="http://gawker.com/5974166/fresh-off-completely-sane-piers-morgan-interview-alex-jones-says-mayor-bloomberg-is-sending-crackheads-to-kill-him-for-speaking-truth-to-mafia" target="_blank">http://gawker.com/5974166/fres...to-mafia</a>
Originally Posted By Dr Hans Reinhardt Does anyone else see the irony in the fact that Jones rails against “the media” and yet as a radio host and filmmaker he is a part of the “the media” himself? "I just want to remind everyone that NOT everyone who loves firearms is a conspiracy theorist crackpot." There is no need to remind us Josh. Reasonable people understand that, however whenever someone starts by saying, "We need to do something about guns" following a shooting massacre the nutjobs immediately come out of the woodwork. Jones’ rant, although not a representation of all gun owners, is a prime example of how unwilling and defiant many individuals are when it comes to a discussion about gun safety and restrictions. On a slightly different note, the NRA is in a position to do a lot to improve people's perception of gun owners by denouncing lunatics like Jones, but they do not and will not do it. Instead, they hold a press conference in the aftermath of a tragedy that left dozens dead that only served to reinforce the notion that it is fully aligned with people who lack normal perceptions of reality.
Originally Posted By Dr Hans Reinhardt "Lucky for us, Mayor Bloomberg has a plan to take care of Alex." Interesting. Judging by his delusional rant on TV I'd assumed that Alex was the crackhead. Shall I conclude then that he's mentally ill or is his behavior some kind of act?
Originally Posted By ksargen Dabob2 - yep. Here's hoping Gabby and Marc's push for the middle ground gains more traction and gets something concrete done. With all the useless flailing about in Congress, I won't hold my breath, but at least the average, midline human might say something to tune of, "Hey Congress, I want THIS - please pay attention for a minute outside your golf game and posturing!"
Originally Posted By mawnck >>I just want to remind everyone that NOT everyone who loves firearms is a conspiracy theorist crackpot.<< We just want to remind people who love firearms not to BE a conspiracy theorist crackpot. ;-)
Originally Posted By leobloom He's entertaining in Richard Linklater films, but what a crackpot. Probably just a good act. He knows what sells. Publicity.
Originally Posted By Dr Hans Reinhardt "Isn't he a big 9/11 conspiracy theorist." Oh boy, is he! Watch the full video and see him break it down.
Originally Posted By Kar2oonMan >>On a slightly different note, the NRA is in a position to do a lot to improve people's perception of gun owners by denouncing lunatics like Jones, but they do not and will not do it.<< Wayne LaPierre comes off only slightly less crazed than Jones does. The NRA would do well to adopt someone with at least a "kinder, gentler" facade and basic PR skills. It's in everyone's best interest for there to be a reasonable discussion about guns in this country, specifically, what is to be done to attempt to stop crazy people from gunning down school kids. But we can never get there, because the screamers take control of the dialogue.
Originally Posted By ecdc >>I just want to remind everyone that NOT everyone who loves firearms is a conspiracy theorist crackpot.<< I get that. But I'd query, why on earth would anyone "love" firearms? I understand if someone has, say, a rifle and enjoys target shooting or hunting. I've been targeting shooting - it's an enjoyable enough time. I can even see "loving" that, if it's your thing. Hey, I "love" books. But while I completely understand that Alex Jones is a nut, owning a gun for home protection is a bit delusional. At best, it's not a well thought out proposition. It makes one "feel" safe even though the odds are against you. Furthermore, most gun owners I've spoken to about the issue harbor some variant of "well, we have to protect ourselves from tyranny" type thinking. None of them take it anywhere is far as Jones, and I think most of them don't think they'll need to march on Washington anytime soon, but the thought is part of the reason they own a gun. And as has been well pointed out here, being armed to the teeth is a terrible way to fight tyranny. Are all gun owners crazy? Absolutely not. Are many of them a little too attached to their guns and a little too divorced from the reality of firearm violence? Absolutely.
