Quote of the Day

[Content Note: Guns; violence; terrorism.]

"Before I tell you how the NRA and our members are going to Stand And Fight politically and in the courts, let's acknowledge that all over this country, tens of millions of Americans are already preparing to Stand And Fight to protect their families and homes. These good Americans are prudently getting ready to protect themselves."—Wayne LaPierre, executive vice president of the National Rifle Association and professional jackass, in the opening paragraphs of a piece for The Daily Caller, to which I'm not linking because fuck them, but it's easy enough to find if you're so inclined.

Executive Summary of the remainder of the article: Obama wants to take our guns! Criminals! Muslims! "Hurricanes. Tornadoes. Riots. Terrorists. Gangs. Lone criminals. These are perils we are sure to face—not just maybe. It's not paranoia to buy a gun. It's survival." We definitely have to assume the worst of every other human being, and be prepared to shoot ALL OF THEM! Liberal media! Second amendment! Activist judges! "Bloomberg, Soros, and the rest of their ilk." Give money to the NRA! Freedom-loving patriots! STAND AND FIGHT!

I am not afraid of dying at the hands of an Islamic terrorist. I am, however, very afraid of dying at the hands of a frightened neighbor amped up by alarmist rhetoric and armed with deadly weaponry, who shoots first and finds out later I was walking up the driveway to ask if this wandering cat with the homemade collar is their pet.