I'm talking about negativity. I see it being used all the time as an excuse for doing nothing, in particular as a response to observations on how gun owners could pressure NRA to help
repeal Obamacare by scoring votes. It generally manifests itself in three ways:
- It's not part of the "single issue" and NRA should stick to guns: It IS a "gun issue" if those making that charge would actually read the article and face the points it makes. And as shown in yesterday's follow-up, that is exactly what the antis are hoping gun owners will say.
- It's useless to try to get the NRA to do anything: Oh really? That will come as a shock to those of us who dragged them kicking and screaming into Gunwalker, and into scoring votes on Kagan, Sotomayor and Murthy, or who made sure they knew the ruckus that would be raised if they caved after Sandy Hook. Funny how MOST saying that have never tried, or of the ones who have, how many have helped to create outside pressure. A friend tells those who maintain NRA is unresponsive: "They figure they've already got your money, and they figure if you're lobbying them directly instead of embarrassing them publicly and multiplying your effort to hundreds or thousands of other members, then you're not a threat and they've got you in the harmless trap of thinking they give a crap what you think. IMHO, forget lobbying the NRA directly. Forward widely [he's talking about my article] and call the talk shows. That's where the NRA can be pressured, where they can't keep you from directly and indirectly informing other members and donors. There are lots of folks who are donors and annual members who could be pushed to GOA. Only lever on the NRA, only thing they really give a flying F about is $$$,$$$,$$$ and power. If they get too much heat they will be forced to take a position to keep from losing members."
- Someone else quoted the definition of insanity the other day, without ever documenting what it is he has done over and over again, or how a new idea being offered for the first time qualified as a repeat. I'll tell you a same result you can expect every time: Badmouthing as an excuse to do nothing, creating a self-fulfilling prophecy to claim "See? I told you so!" Lather, rinse, repeat. That's what's insane. And toxic to freedom.
Rational and moral people will do everything in their power to protect themselves and their loved ones from the terrible and personally unpredictable consequences of everything going to hell. Why anyone should believe that those who, through inaction guarantee such an outcome, will suddenly summon all that is needed to resist and prevail under a bold "Molon Labe!" cry of Internet defiance, is beyond me, especially when many of those same people invariably reject and discourage simple things they are easily capable of supporting.
I sure hope Mike is right about Three Percent who are actually serious, with all that implies. We're going to need every one of them, because I have no doubt most comment commandos are neither prepared nor predisposed to actually do anything besides bitch and act like anonymous badasses. The enemy is counting on those talking the liberty game to be doing just that, too personally ignorant and weak, disorganized and squabbling to even put on a decent show of strength to peaceably resolve something they all complain about -- while that is still possible.
I've seen too many powerful concepts expire unnoticed in the crib from ideological SIDS instead of growing to their full potential, all of their premature deaths preventable, but all condemned by neglect. That and by
infiltrator/disruptors.
