This thread has now gone irreversibly to the dogs. It's a shame. At a time that our second amendment right is in jeopardy, examination of those who represent us is imperative. As gun owners, we need to take control of our political power and public image. We need to asess our leaders. We need to know our enemies. Sometimes though, when we can not honestly and rationally discuss an issue within our own allegiances, our enemies are ourselves.
This thread is not being closed to prevent that discussion.
This thread is being closed because of the failure to discuss that issue.
The quickest, most effective means of arriving at legitimate political power in a democracy is to increase your numbers, and then get them out to vote. To increase your numbers, you must persuade those who believe differently to believe like yourself. That goal is not achieved through alienation. As gun owners, we will lose our second amendment right if we do not increase our numbers. We can not wait for babies to be born. We must persuade the ambivalent. We must convert non-gun owners to gun owners. If we fail to do so in sufficient numbers we will be handing our prized Pythons or Winchesters to a government agent rather than our grandchildren.
The issue of who leads and represents us is important. We are seen by non-gun owners, who we need to convert as a part of the group represented by that leader. The very person we need to persuade to our way of thinking also sees our leaders, and often questions "Do I want to be represented by this person?" That is why the discussion of the effectiveness of our leaders is important. This thread, however, has ceased discussing that.
Shall we recognize a new axiom?
"If an online discussion mentions Hillary Clinton, the probability of words rhyming with rich approaches one." Xavier's Axiom
Of course, you could substitute Rosie, Coulter, and a host of other women in the public eye. One could also say the same about outspoken men and a briefcase full of disparaging names. That does not make such impotent namecalling right, correct, or appropriate for this forum. There are many other forums for those who desire to beat their chests to the tempo of internet rage. And no, I do not support Hillary Clinton. I support rational, objective and productive discussion.