Warren Taylor, the alleged gunman accused of taking three people hostage in a Virginia post office, was angry "about the government taking over the right to bear arms ... he was angry at the government over taxing us," and railed against President Obama, according to hostage Jimmy Oliver, who
spoke to the Associated Press,
From where could Taylor have possibly gotten that misinformation?
Informed people know that the Obama administration and the democratically-controlled congress have made absolutely no attempt to curtail the right to bear arms in any way.
The only legislation passed regarding gun laws after Obama was elected expanded gun owner's rights by
allowing loaded weapons to be carried in national parks. The only time guns were ever confiscated arbitrarily was in the aftermath of hurricane Katrina under the Bush administration.
Regular viewers of Fox news or regular listeners of right-wing talk radio, however, do not seem to have been exposed to such information, as is evident with the gun-toting tea baggers who proudly display signs like these:
There are also
two ironies in this story. According to federal officials, Taylor "had been angry at the government for months, even years." He is also "being represented by a federal public defender, [and] was ordered to be evaluated at a federal prison medical facility to determine whether he is mentally fit for the criminal proceedings.
High taxes on people like Taylor did begin years ago, but corporate media and right-wing radio lead people to believe that the current administration is to blame for that. Oh, and speaking of taxes, who is going to foot the bill for Taylor's public defender and his psychological evaluation in a public facility? It will not be Taylor, Glenn Beck, Bill O'Reilly or any of the organizations that fund the tea bag protests.
Although Taylor popped off a few rounds, thankfully, no one was hurt or killed and the hostages were peacefully released - this time. The three police officers that were
murdered by Richard Paplowski, who was led to believe that Obama would be taking away his guns were not that lucky. Nor were the
two killed and seven injured by Jim David Adkisson at a Knoxville, TN church shooting because he "wanted to kill...every democrat in the Senate and House, [and] the 100 people in Bernard Goldberg's book" entitled,
100 People Who Are Screwing Up America. Nor was Dr. George Tiller, shot in the head and killed in church after
Bill O'Reilly spent 29 episodes of his show on Fox News describing him as "Tiller the Baby Killer" who will "kill your baby for any reason." Goldberg also happens to be a regular guest on O' Reilly's show.
Inflammatory comments are nothing new to conservative media. Many are familiar with Fox News host Glenn Beck's assertion that Obama is a "racist" who has "exposed himself as a guy" with "a deep-seated hatred for white people or the white culture." Here's a sample of some other quotes put together by
Media Matters:
- Savage: Obama is "biggest liar in the history of the presidency," and he's "getting away with it... because he's a man of color"
- Morris: "Those crazies in Montana who say, 'We're going to kill ATF agents because the U.N.'s going to take over' -- well, they're beginning to have a case"
- Limbaugh claims White House is "[p]erfectly timed, perfectly programmed, perfectly educated to destroy capitalism ... and they're in the process of doing it"
- Claiming Obama is "letting our troops literally bleed and die" in Afghanistan, Beck suggests he will "pay for it" in afterlife
- Savage: "[L]ikelihood is very high" that "martial law will be declared" after "equivalent of the Reichstag fire" occurs
- Rodgers: A "few million dead Americans" will "wake up" public "to the fact that they have elected an anti-American President"
- Brandishing bat, Beck declares, "Anyone not on board, look out, because you too could be the next victim of the killing spree"
- O'Reilly's 2009 "highlights" include endorsing waterboarding and attacks on "old lady" Helen Thomas
The list goes on and on...
Freedom of speech and the right to bear arms, like all other constitutional rights, should be protected. But a line must be drawn somewhere in terms of responsibility. Most Americans would agree that freedom of speech does not give one the right to shout "fire!" in a crowded theatre, or the right to bear arms does not mean it is acceptable to keep a loaded handgun in an elementary school. There is nothing wrong with disagreeing with either parties' politics and presenting facts to back up opinions in a rational manner. It is an entirely different matter when opinions are stated about entire groups of people or individuals, without any basis in fact, that are designed to invoke irrational fears and provoke violent reactions among an audience.
It is unlikely that these seemingly random acts of violence are not connected in some way, considering that the motives cited by the alleged perpetrators are so similar. It is likely, however, that the sources of information behind the motives are the same irresponsible media personalities that have people believing that taxes will be increased, death panels will be created, Obama was born in Kenya and "they're" coming to take your guns, and you might be the next victim of the "killing spree." What's next Fox News, armed revolution? Be careful what you wish for.
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Comments
You dont think hes talking about the extra $700 helth care tax Obama is going to pass. And Gun laws passed by the democrats under Clinton?
Its people like the guy that wrote this story that make people so angry they do things like this. You can just tell the author is biased against gun owners. He knows verry well Obamas AG is anti gun.
The author is the "Independent" Examiner? Please.
Lenny Bruce once said that liberals can understand everything but people who don't understand them. Obviously, judging by the comments here, that works just as well for conservatives.
It's all Bush's fault. No wait, I mean it's the NRA's fault. Or maybe it's Glenn Beck's fault. Except for the part that's Sarah Palin's fault. But don't anyone dare to say any of it is Obama's fault.
Hey guys: Warren Taylor, the suspect in this incident, has a long and violent criminal history. Whether or not you like the President, his actions are not justified. He is not the only one with hurt feelings. We all experience hurt feelings but to vary degrees. His political rants notwithstanding, I am not going to excuse and WE SHOULD NOT excuse his criminal and despicable action. The only victims in this case are the hostages and their families.
Nevertheless, A CRIMINAL IS A CRIMINAL! A CRIME IS A CRIME!
The author is correct that there have been no attempts by the Obama administration to infringe on the right to bear arms. The strictest gun law in this century, the Brady Bill, was signed into law by Ronald Reagan. Under the Bush administration, guns were confiscated without due process in New Orleans. Under the Bush administration, Americans were detained at rallies for wearing anti-Bush or anti-war tee shirts or having anti-Bush bumper stickers on their cars, yet people were allowed to carry weapons at Obama's speeches and democratic town hall meetings. If you dingbats are really concerned about freedom of speech and the right to bear arms - then STOP VOTING REPUBLICAN! They are the ones that are the real threat to your rights.
haha lol. Pro-pro-Propaganda.... gimme a break.. I love the line, "Informed people know that ...have made absolutely no attempt to curtail the right ..."
Pahleeze. NOW, sounds more like "As well training, well manipulated sheep know.." Say Greg, i recommend you check out a few articles, and start a daily following of your fellow "Examiner" David Codrea.
I challenge any one of right wingnuts who post these idiotic, generalized comments without any basis in fact to post even ONE example of any bill, any law or even any public comment made by Obama or anyone in his administration in the past year that shows intent to infringe on the right to bear arms. I have a feeling I'll be waiting for a while, because there are NONE! I am a hunter, I have been a member of the NRA in the past and I am also a Democrat. I follow these issues. You people need to get informed, because if anyone comes for our guns, it won't be a Democrat.
Left-wing NUCASE, Thom's propaganda states at least 3 things that are PATENTLY FALSE: 1)"under Ronald Reagan" - WITH A DEMONRAT-CONTROLLED CONGRESS
2)"under the Bush administration" - CONFISCATIONS DONE UNDER ORDERS OF THE BLACK MAYOR AND PO-LICE CHIEF OF N.O.
3)"people were allowed to carry weapons at Obama's speeches and democratic town hall meetings" - ONLY BECAUSE CONSERVATIVE DEMS AND REPUBS FROM PREVIOUS ADMINSTRATIONS PASSED PRO-2ND AMENDMENT LAWS, INCLUDING CONCEALED OR OPEN CARRY IN MOST AREAS (EVEN AREAS NEAR WHERE THE MOST ANTI-GUN PRESIDENT IN AMERICAN HISTORY - LOOK AT HIS PAST WORDS AND ACTIONS - IS TO SPEAK) OF STATES WITH SUCH LAWS.
The REAL dingbats are those that continue to vote for GUN-GRABBING LIBERAL/PROGRESSIVE POLITICIANS (NORMALLY demonrats) who pass Draconian gun control laws, and have the HIGHEST rates of violent crime as a result.
Make that NUTCASE Thom.
Hey doch, blow me. Reagan signed the bill, how is that false? I never said a word about congress. I don't know and I don't care who ordered gun confiscations in New Orleans, the fact is that they happened when there was a Republican majority in Congress and a Republican in the White House and they were carried out by Blackwater mercs, not exactly a leftie organization. Why didn't your boys stand up for your rights then? Thirdly, please enlighten me as to what laws youe so-called "conservative Dems" passed to enable people to carry weapons at town hall meetings? The truth is, no new laws were passed. Constitutional rights simply stood as they are. Doch, you couldn't find your bunghole with both hands. You have no idea what you are talking about, you just repeat the same right wing talking points like the vulgar pigboy Rush and his parrot Hannity.
When the powers that be finally start a party war to the point of no return that both the dems and the repubs take out their loaded weapons and start shooting and asking questions later is that when all this will stop finally? Then who will be to blame for it? Well all you will have to do is talk to a person like Beck and we will know for he will tell you it is our race biased president that is no good for this country. In truth it will be the idiots that spout all that garbage more and more each day. So when it comes down to the shoot out at the OK Corral and no one is left you will now know who is truely responsible, and it won't be our president!
If we truly drew a line on free speech, as suggested, the author of this article might then become a felon.
Thom: "I don't know and I don't care who ordered gun confiscations in New Orleans, the fact is that they happened when there was a Republican majority in Congress and a Republican in the White House and they were carried out by Blackwater mercs, not exactly a leftie organization."
BLACKWATER MERCS?!<P>
Please enlighten us, Thom, as to a REPUTABLE citing of PROOF that Blackwater personnel were in New Orleans confiscating weapons. Of course, since your claims sound like the unsubstantiated rantings of a TYPICAL left-wing MOONBAT who does not deal in REALITY (are you a 9-11 TRUTHER, by the way?), I don't really expect any PROOF regarding Blackwater in N.O.
As to the VAST MAJORITY of PRO-2nd Amendment laws passed by conservative dems and repubs that allow citizens to LEGALLY carry firearms in all but a limited number of areas within their states (or states that have reciprocal arrangements with them), let me clarify that I was mainly speaking of conservative STATE legislators.
Jake said: "I challenge any one of right wingnuts who post these idiotic, generalized comments without any basis in fact to post even ONE example of any bill, any law or even any public comment made by Obama or anyone in his administration in the past year that shows intent to infringe on the right to bear arms."
O.K. Jake, here's one of many...
In a CBS (NOT a right-wing media outlet) online news story, (no links allowed, but Google title of story, "Holder Revives Talk Of An Assault Weapons Ban" to find it) from February 26th, 2009, Obama's attorney general, Eric Holder said, "Well, as President Obama indicated during the campaign, there are just a few gun-related changes that we would like to make, and among them would be to reinstitute the ban on the sale of assault weapons".
The FACT is, Obanma, and MANY, if not MOST of those he has selected for his administration (Holder, Emmanuel, Sunstein, Kerlikowske, etc.), are KNOWN gun-grabbers from way back.
Jake said: "I challenge any one of right wingnuts who post these idiotic, generalized comments without any basis in fact to post even ONE example of any bill, any law or even any public comment made by Obama or anyone in his administration in the past year that shows intent to infringe on the right to bear arms."
O.K. Jake, here's one of many...
In a CBS (NOT a right-wing media outlet) online news story, (no links allowed, but Google title of story, "Holder Revives Talk Of An Assault Weapons Ban" to find it) from February 26th, 2009, Obama's attorney general, Eric Holder said, "Well, as President Obama indicated during the campaign, there are just a few gun-related changes that we would like to make, and among them would be to reinstitute the ban on the sale of assault weapons".
The FACT is, Obanma, and MANY, if not MOST of those he has selected for his administration (Holder, Emmanuel, Sunstein, Kerlikowske, etc.), are KNOWN gun-grabbers from way back.
"The only time guns were ever confiscated arbitrarily was in the aftermath of hurricane Katrina under the Bush administration."
Correction: The only time guns were ever confiscated arbitrarily was in the aftermath of hurricane Katrina under the democrat administration of Mayor Ray Nagin and fellow democrat Chief Eddie Compass.
This guy chose to lose his gun rights when he shot up his ex. Same for his right to vote. Like all other convicted felons, he could have pursued the path of responsible and had those rights restored. Clearly that's not the choice he made.
Responsible should have been responsibility.
Jake said: "I challenge any one of right wingnuts who post these idiotic, generalized comments without any basis in fact to post even ONE example of any bill, any law or even any public comment made by Obama or anyone in his administration in the past year that shows intent to infringe on the right to bear arms."
O.K. Jake, here's one of many...
In a CBS (NOT a right-wing media outlet) online news story, (no links allowed, but Google title of story, "Holder Revives Talk Of An Assault Weapons Ban" to find it) from February 26th, 2009, Obama's attorney general, Eric Holder said, "Well, as President Obama indicated during the campaign, there are just a few gun-related changes that we would like to make, and among them would be to reinstitute the ban on the sale of assault weapons".
The FACT is, Obanma, and MANY, if not MOST of those he has selected for his administration (Holder, Emmanuel, Sunstein, Kerlikowske, etc.), are KNOWN gun-grabbers from way back.
Jake said: "I challenge any one of right wingnuts who post these idiotic, generalized comments without any basis in fact to post even ONE example of any bill, any law or even any public comment made by Obama or anyone in his administration in the past year that shows intent to infringe on the right to bear arms."
O.K. Jake, here's one of many...
In a CBS (NOT a right-wing media outlet) online news story, (no links allowed, but Google title of story, "Holder Revives Talk Of An Assault Weapons Ban" to find it) from February 26th, 2009, Obama's attorney general, Eric Holder said, "Well, as President Obama indicated during the campaign, there are just a few gun-related changes that we would like to make, and among them would be to reinstitute the ban on the sale of assault weapons".
The FACT is, Obanma, and MANY, if not MOST of those he has selected for his administration (Holder, Emmanuel, Sunstein, Kerlikowske, etc.), are KNOWN gun-grabbers from way back.
Ah, but in the long run, while Democrats are most likely to try and take our guns, Republicans have shown they are most likely to engage in polcies that tempt us to take UP our guns against the government.
Bottom line is, don't elect congress-critters who are willing (or even eager) to overturn the 2nd Amendment and no presidential administration can do a damn thing.
Right, Doch, because we all need a fully-automatic AK-47 or M-16 to go game hunting. There's nothing more sporting than unloading a clip from an assault rifle on a deer or pheasant.
Hey, maybe if you were a better aim, you wouldn't need the heavy hardware. And you'd stop getting your hunting tips from Sgt. Rock comic books.
Of course a moron would not know that the 2nd Amendment is NOT about hunting or sporting use, and IS about citizens keeping and bearing weapons (blackpowder weapons then, more modern weapons now) in use by the military - as was the case when the Bill of Rights of the Constitution was written.
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