By "thugs" you must mean the majority of Congressional Democrats who voted for the act right?

My two sheckles on this whole thing: the rifle is being used as a "sign." Nothing more nothing less. Kind of like PETA with their enlarged photos depicting an act of cattle slaughter. Wont faze some but may shock others. He wasn't breaking any municipal, state or federal laws that I am aware of. As to what his message was, not sure, but I have a hard time of interpreting "modern" art too.

I'm still waiting for an American to cite an instance where the Patriot Act directly affected them and violated their civil rights.

The Patriot Act has turned into the biggest leftist straw man argument in history.

I'll play devil's advocate; so you don't see him as a potential threat? (I'm curious of your opinion since you're a po-lice officer):D

Not illegal, doesn't make it a great idea though. It just doesn't send a peaceful message.
So in short, bring all the guns you like, but expect to be asked why.

By Golly I agree with Tchocky on something... except I would say "Please leave the guns at home or at least in the car. It just sends the wrong message."

Aye, SteamWake, I just say bring them anyway in order to avoid the tiresome "this ain't illegal, I know the law, you don't!" argument sure to follow :DL

Bringing a gun to protest does exactly the opposite to what's intended - I take the protester a lot less seriously.

Maybe you do, but guess what - that protester got tons of more coverage than someone who's just holding a sign ... considering that the idea of protest is to start a dialogue, his tactic has worked.

Most people aren't foolish enough to equate the lunatic fringe with the merits of any argument - meaning, we're all talking about how nutty this guy is while at the same time, we are all in some way thinking (and talking even) about gun rights.

Do not deny Steamwakes instincts... proven correct again.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/0..._n_262559.html

:woot:Bumpity cause its relevant

Sure do perceive as a threat, if he was in my neck of the woods..... ole boy would have not made it three steps out of his car before he would become a new member of Chalkie 2016.

The media (and gun control/ban proponents) incorrectly considers any gun that automatically chambers the next round an "assault" weapon, including hand guns, both sliding bolt and revolvers.

In addition to "exercising their rights", these guys were most certainly sending another political message. IMHO, the subtext of greeting the President with guns goes something like, "We the People are still capable of overthrowing our tyrannical government -- by force if necessary."

However, I think an insurrection by riflemen could "liberate" at most a few isolated patches of the country, esp. given government infiltration of the militias. The essential ingredients for a violent Second American Revolution are (fortunately) still missing: i.e., a charismatic leader who can pull together all the anti-government factions, and a high-level military conspiracy supporting a coup d'etat.

Having studied the Spanish Civil War in detail for several years, I'd definitely say it is not the scenario that any sane person should hope for. But the increasing polarization of left vs. right -- and the coarsening of political debate into name-calling -- could easily lead to a spiral of violence & repression.

Let us hope that cooler heads prevail.

Ciao,
Wayne

But they didn't even get near the President let alone greet him.

Pardon me, I didn't expect anyone to take that phrase quite so literally. I think it's understood that these men were outside the venue and brought their guns out esp. for the occasion -- and we may assume the Secret Service informed the President. So it was not strictly necessary that they be seen directly by him for their message to get across.