Guns and Drones and such

CNN started its morning off on its now usual anti-gun note, first targeting gun shows and then announcing that a raft of anti-gun and anti-gun rights bills have already been filed in the new Congress.  CNN's people, like virtually all of the critics of guns and gun rights, know virtually nothing about them.  And these critics know Zero about gun shows.  "Stars", who embrace gun control are touted -- such as Gabby Giffords of Tucson who, prior to the shooting of her and others, was a strong supporter of gun rights, and whose personal tragedy had, at least in my opinion, something  to do with the wild anti-immigrant hysteria sweeping southern Arizona at that point, has now embraced gun control.

On the other hand, the current demonization of guns and gun owners and gun shows appears to be losing steam.  And one of CNN's political pundits did opine that it would be extremely difficult to get any significant gun control legislation through Congress.  Around the nation, some teachers are arming -- a mistake, in my opinion; and many schools are utilizing trained security guards and police -- probably wise in these times.  Gun rights organizations are growing rapidly and firearms purchases are booming.  I did see an interview with a Black gun dealer in Georgia who said he hoped Obama and Diane Feinstein would keep talking -- very good for business.

So why is Barack Obama et al. suddenly revealing gun control desires?  Especially since the prospects of such are extremely unlikely.

I think it's basically another diversionary tactic -- to draw attention away from the real problems facing this country (and the world) re a wide variety of mounting challenges.  The newly re-elected Obama doesn't seem much more inclined to tackle those constructively than did his former incarnation.  And, so far, the liberal and liberal left and some left groups that championed his "return" are still showing little inclination to directly challenge him.  His extending the very widespread domestic spying that, as a candidate he once vigorously denounced, went virtually unnoticed by most everyone -- except the civil liberties organizations.

In this atmosphere, I do think it's significant that some domestic opposition to drone spying is building, at least slowly.  True, it's important to also focus on drones abroad and much more in this country's many military adventures -- but anything that challenges the "total security" mentality and practice, and the systematic erosion of personal privacy, should be welcomed enthusiastically.

H


HUNTER GRAY [HUNTER BEAR/JOHN R SALTER JR] Mi'kmaq /St. Francis 
Abenaki/St. Regis Mohawk 
Member, National Writers Union AFL-CIO
www.hunterbear.org 
(much social justice material)

I have always lived and worked in the Borderlands.

See my extensive Movement Life Interview, done by Bruce
Hartford of Civil Rights Movement Veterans:
http://hunterbear.org/HUNTER%20BEAR%20INTERVIEW%20CRMV.htm
And see my reflection ON BEING A MILITANT AND RADICAL
ORGANIZER -- AND AN EFFECTIVE ONE:
http://crmvet.org/comm/hunter1.htm

The Stormy Adoption of an Indian Child [My Father]:
http://hunterbear.org/James%20and%20Salter%20and%20Dad.htm
(Expanded in Fall 2012. Photos. Material on our Native
background.)  And see Personal Background Narrative: 
http://hunterbear.org/narrative.htm  (Updated into 2012) 

For the new (11/2011) and expanded/updated
edition of my "Organizer's Book," JACKSON MISSISSIPPI -- 
with a new and substantial introduction by me.
 http://hunterbear.org/jackson.htm