Sarah Palin: So What?

American gun owners - as well as others in the ostensibly-rational conservative part of the political spectrum - have a great deal in common with victims of spousal/partner abuse.

Western Rifle Shooters Association expands on an observation by Billy Beck responding to Vin Suprynowicz. All raise points we need to consider.

WarOnGuns readers will note I've been generally positive in what I've said about Sarah Palin. Does that mean I'm softening and getting ready to endorse McCain?

I'm afraid you'll not see an endorsement from me. But a few considerations are at play here that I'll explain.

First, as I've asked before, "Why should someone with political aspirations ruin his chances by championing something as unsupported as gun rights?"

It may not be that big a deal in Alaska, but on the national stage, it's pretty remarkable. Gun owners deserve to know her position and she deserves us knowing.

Another theme I've raised is the moral implications of whatever we choose. Whether we compromise and go lesser of two evils, whether we sit on our hands, whether we go third party, it will affect the results--and we will share in responsibility for what follows if our decision helped enable it. That's why I always advise to vote your conscience. My conscience says if I'm to do so rationally, I need more information, not less.

With that in mind, look for me to talk more about Sarah Palin, and much of it will no doubt be positive. Look for me to provide a forum for people like Michael Dukes, who knows and supports her, for the reasons I've stated.

Plus, I have to admit I really am enjoying the way the Daily Kos/HuffPo left and their "Authorized Journalist" co-conspirators are going into increasingly desperate emotional meltdown, and the way Team Lightworker is funding an expedition of hit men to try and dig up something...anything... that might stick. Tell me if the GOP were doing this against Hillary that it wouldn't be decried as another paranoid republican witch hunt against women. When The Lightworker himself is reduced to pig and lipstick attacks, there's just something deliciously ironic and entertaining.

But all this aside, look at what WRSA has written. That's part of what we need to consider, too. Soberly, and with full understanding that what we do--or don't do--can have very real consequences.