Guns, Chickenhawks and the NRA

“You can't handle the truth! Son, we live in a world that has walls. And those walls have to be guarded by men with guns. Who's gonna do it? You? You, Lt. Weinberg? I have a greater responsibility than you can possibly fathom. You weep for Santiago and you curse the Marines. You have that luxury. You have the luxury of not knowing what I know: that Santiago's death, while tragic, probably saved lives. And my existence, while grotesque and incomprehensible to you, saves lives...You don't want the truth. Because deep down, in places you don't talk about at parties, you want me on that wall. You need me on that wall. We use words like honor, code, loyalty...we use these words as the backbone to a life spent defending something. You use 'em as a punchline. I have neither the time nor the inclination to explain myself to a man who rises and sleeps under the blanket of the very freedom I provide, then questions the manner in which I provide it! I'd rather you just said thank you and went on your way. Otherwise, I suggest you pick up a weapon and stand a post. Either way, I don't give a damn what you think you're entitled to!” These lines were famously spoken by my favorite actor, Jack Nicholson in the movie “A Few Good Men.” Mr. Nicholson flawlessly portrayed Col. Nathan R. Jessup as a spit and polish and no-nonsense military figure. No one was going to make him think differently.

We all know that Jack Nicholson is an actor. He put on the costume of Col Jesse and let fire a barrage of machismo actions and statements. Today, there are many that do the exact same thing. They act brave and strut around with bloated chests, boasting how we need to be tough, act tough, have bigger guns, more guns, torturing prisoners is acceptable and invading other countries is our right. However, if we examine these real life characters we soon find out that although they talk the talk, NEVER have they walked the walk.

COWARDS AND HYPOCRITES OF THE NATIONAL RIFLE ASSOCIATION (NRA)

David Keene – Current President of the NRA did not serve in the military and claims the AR -15 military assault rifle is nothing more than the musket of modern times. Oh, let’s not forget that in 2003 his son was sentenced to 10 years in prison for a road rage incident in which he shot at another driver, missing his head by inches.

Wayne LaPierre – Current CEO of the NRA took his military deferment during the Vietnam War and never served. In 1999, he was for background checks on potential gun owners (see video) and now he’s against them. In Wayne’s world, you get to complain about the POTUS and his children having armed Secret Service protection and then you sputter like a Piper Cub airplane with engine trouble, once you are confronted by FOX Newsman Chris Wallace on his own armed security detail.

THAT WAS THEN.......

Ted Nugent – NRA Board Member had proudly proclaimed that once he received his draft notice he ceased all personal hygiene, consumed an unhealthy diet and subsequently, went to the bathroom in his pants, all in an effort to avoid military service. Later he would claim it was a joke, but the fact remains he did not serve his country during the Vietnam War. According to Freedom of Information Act documents, Nugent did receive student deferments in 1967 and 1968 even though he actively performed in excess of 300 music performances a year.

Grover Norquist – NRA Board Member never served in the military. After the mass murder at Sandy Hook, Mr. Insensitive gave ABC News this little gem of wisdom…”We ought to calm down and not take tragedies like this, crimes like this, and use them for political purposes.”

Larry Craig – NRA Board Member and former Senator from Idaho did manage to serve in the National Guard from 1970 -1974. Larry the homophobic was arrested in the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport in the restroom after trying to play footsies with the man in the bathroom stall next to him.

FAUX MACHO-MEN EXPOSED

Dick (shoot my friend in the face) Cheney who advocated for war and torture was too cowardly to serve the United States in uniform. Dick took four (4) student deferments and his fifth one was for being a father. Rudy Giuliani received student deferments and another one for being a law clerk. Roger Ailes, has been at the helm of FOX News from the beginning and continues to spew right wing rhetoric, but yet never wore a uniform. Dick Armey, the Washington insider, conservative, Texan, engineer of the Republican Revolution and former House Majority Leader never served in the military. Glenn (conspiracy theorist) Beck, the ultra-conservative, who loves to rewrite history, never served in the military. Karl (Turd Blossom) Rove, otherwise known as “Bush’s Brain” vilified Vietnam decorated veteran, John Kerry. Although “Mr. Architect” found plenty of time to travel college campuses in 1971, he just couldn’t bring himself to visit Southeast Asia, wearing an Army uniform.

OH NO…NOT A PILONIDAL CYST

Homophobic, sexist, fear monger, kings of hate speech, Emperor of the Tea Party, blowhard extraordinaire, college dropout and by far the biggest pain in the butt to sensible people is none other than Rush Limbaugh. So how did Rush get out of the draft? Well, “bottoms up” to Mr. Venom who received a medical deferment for a pilonidal cyst. How ironic is that?

MORE “TOUGH GUYS” WHO NEVER REPRESENTED THE UNITED STATES IN UNIFORM

Sean (there’s nothing wrong with waterboarding) Hannity

Pat (Obama’s reelection killed white America) Buchanan

Mitt (the pretend presidential candidate) Romney

Michael (the white male has nothing to lose) Savage

Naturally, I could go on and on with names of individuals wearing loin cloths, beating their chests as they swing through life proclaiming their masculinity, only to discover their cowardice when faced with the harsh reality of military service.

Personally, I’m exhausted listening to those who have NOT led by example. I’m fed up with pundits and politicians in print, on television, the radio and the internet who regurgitate nauseating bile. In reality, these self-obsessed talking heads have ONLY one thing that feeds their appetites and that is the money they’re paid for the fear and hate spread like manure on a daily basis! It’s time to kick these folks to the curb and instead, we need to revert back to a middle of the road, common sense approaches to make us all stronger and safer as citizens.

WARNING: THE FOLLOWING VIDEO CONTAINS STRONG ADULT LANGUAGE AND SHOULD NOT BE LISTENED TO BY MINORS

Written By: Dennis L. Page