I'm going to say something ...

.
.. that will put me firmly in the minority.

I'm glad we have people who will openly carry a long gun into a restaurant. There ... I said it.

If you agree with me, you can move along now; you could probably write this post for me.

If you don't, I have a few things to say.

The overwhelming truth that we live under constantly is that the media is not our friend.

Not. Our. Friend.

Ever.

There is nothing, nothing that we do that will be portrayed in a favorable light. How much, again?

Nothing.

So is it any surprise that the media attention on the Chipotle incident has been negative? It doesn't surprise me.

But would it surprise you to know that Open Carry TX asked for, and received permission to meet at the restaurant a week prior to the open carry event? Would it surprise you that on the day of the event, OCT gathered and were welcomed into the restaurant by an enthusiastic staff? Would it surprise you that, except for a few curious customers, no one gave the demonstrators a second look?

It wouldn't surprise me.

And would it surprise you that on a warm Saturday in TX, most people going about their business would be dressed in casual clothes? Would it surprise you that the membership of a group would represent people from all walks of life and all body types? Would it surprise you that most of the members of a group had (or had not) been in the military? Would it surprise you that even in a gun group, most of the members hadn't worked in a gun shop, or dabbled in collectible firearms, or had taken the latest high-speed low-drag training?

It wouldn't surprise me.

And would it surprise you that these activists don't carry handguns openly because it's illegal?

It wouldn't surprise me.

But instead, from our side, I hear all sorts of things that I usually hear from gun grabbers ...

'You're too fat ... stay off my side.'

'You're a wannabe tough guy ... stay off my side.'

'Your fake operator's beard tells me you're a poseur ... stay off my side.'

'You're just an attention whore ... stay off my side.'

You're a douchenozzle/peckerhead/internet commando/numbnuts ... stay off my side.'

'I'd like to put these two in the front-lean position until I get tired.'

Wow. I'd wonder what these guys did if I didn't already know.

H.L. Mencken said  "The trouble with fighting for human freedom is that one spends most of one's time defending scoundrels. For it is against scoundrels that oppressive laws are first aimed, and oppression must be stopped at the beginning if it is to be stopped at all."

Ronald Reagan had the 11th Commandment - Thou shalt not speak ill of any fellow Republican.

Democrats have never talked bad about one of their own, defending to the death everyone from Bill Clinton to Bob Filner and everyone in between.

But as soon as one of us crosses some imaginary line, the arrows start flying.

I have a suggestion. If you think you have a better idea about how to win hearts and minds and are willing to put that idea into action, by all means, pass your idea on to those who are willing to do the heavy lifting.

But if all you're going to do is bitch, and moan, and complain, and spew invective, may I humbly ask you to kindly Shut. The. Fuck. Up!

You can quote me.

pm