Chuckie Watch 96: Ole Chuckie done made the news!

But it ain't because of his Soapbox column.  As I've said before, I have no idea if Chuckie has mood swings his own self.  But his column sure does.

And it's been on more-or-less of an upswing the last couple of weeks.  He posted again on Terri Schiavo (An American Tragedy 04/01/05).  But he managed to sound less hostile than his usual role models among the Christian Taliban.  He was as bland as a small-town newspaper in praising Pope John Paul II (A Good Man 04/02/05).  He even went so far as to praise a non-military gubment program!  Specifically the Colorado Department of Transportation, 'cause Chuckie is impressed with how well they clear the snow (CDOT 04/15/05).

On the other hand, in the middle of these, Chuckie went back to his theme about child sexual abuse (How Many Times 04/08/05).  And Chuckie obviously didn't take none of my previous advice to him on writing about the topic.  So I won't repeat it.

Chuckie says this time he's all for posting the names of convicted child molesters on the Internet.  Uh, Chuckie, a lot of jusidictions (like Oakland in the Bay Area) don't do that because that's a prime way that pedophiles contact each other.  You might oughta actually check out some these things before you start demanding them.

I'm beginning to wonder if there's some rightwing code I'm not getting on this thing.  Is there some corner of the far-right badlands where ole Chuckie hangs out that has somehow used the Michael Jackson trial to convert "child abuse" into a code word meaning "ah don't like Negroes?"

Or maybe Chuckie's just trying to raise money for one of Tom DeLay's "charities."  See Tainted conservative by Joe Conason Salon 04/15/05.

As a matter of fact, Chuckie made the news by hangin' out in Texas with ole Tom and their Christian brethren  of the National Rifle Association.  See Exhibit draws hunters, politicians and rockers by Rachel Graves Houston Chronicle 04/16/05.

In opening ceremonies, country singer Charlie Daniels described those on the left of the political spectrum as "a cadre of save-the-whales-and-kill-the-babies pantywaists." He then mimicked his interpretation of a pantywaist: " 'If we just leave the terrorists alone, they'd leave us alone.' "

The AZCentral.com version of the Graves article adds:

Daniels, who performed "Drinkin' My Baby Goodbye" and several other songs with his band, emceed the NRA's opening celebration.

"I've had guns all my life," he said, "and I've never once had one of those guns get out of a drawer and go downtown and shoot somebody."

Shoot, ole Chuckie got to emcee the opening sessions hisself!  I'm sure Jesus is proud of him for that, spreadin' the Gospel message of love and forgiveness and all.  Heck, ole Chuckie's Christian NRA buddies seemed even willing to forgive them there terrorists: NRA fights closing loopholes, even if it means terror suspects can still buy guns by Rachel Graves Houston Chronicle 04/17/05.

The National Rifle Association, holding its annual convention in Houston this weekend, believes guns are crucial in helping Americans feel secure against terrorism. The group is so adamant that law-abiding citizens be able to purchase firearms unfettered that it is unwilling to support changing the law to keep terror suspects from buying guns.

I ain't quite so sure how this fits in with Chuckie's Christian notion that, "The only good terrorist is a dead terrorist." But even I have a hard time penetrating the depths of ChuckieThought sometimes.  I guess you'd be a "pantywaist" if you wanted to make it harder for terrorists to git weapons to murder Americans, huh?

And Chuckie's Christian NRA friends had no trouble at all forgiving Tom DeLay for a little corruption here and there:  DeLay Finds Safe Haven at NRA Meeting by Scott Gold Los Angeles Times 04/17/05.

House Majority Leader Tom DeLay returned Saturday to the embrace of his home turf and core supporters, capping a convention of the National Rifle Assn. by telling the organization's leaders that guns were a crucial instrument of keeping the peace and preserving the American way of life.

"It isn't just our homes and selves that need defending," he said Saturday night in the convention's keynote speech. "It is our freedom…. God gave it. The Constitution preserves it. And together we will defend it."  ...

Yes, what would things be like if we didn't have fine white guys like Tom DeLay and ole Chuckie to defend the God-given right of terrorists to buy weapons any time they want to so they can use them to kill Americans?

Inside the convention DeLay was received with a standing ovation.

"I hope the national media saw that," he said, the only allusion to the controversy.

DeLay has been one of the NRA's most stalwart supporters for more than 20 years, even fighting gun control legislation that has popular support, such as a program giving cities money to buy guns from residents. Though some have suggested that DeLay should resign his leadership post, many NRA members blamed his problems on Democrats.

"It's just another target the liberals have found," said David Adams of Richmond, Va. "They did it to [former House Speaker] Newt Gingrich. He's just their next target. It's much ado about nothing."

Yes, the Christian love was just overflowing in Houston this weekend: Nugent urges NRA members to recruit other gun owners (AP) Houston Chronicle 04/17/05.

Rocker and gun rights advocate Ted Nugent urged National Rifle Association members Saturday to be "hardcore, radical extremists demanding the right to self defense" and to work daily to recruit new members.

Speaking at the group's annual convention in Houston, Nugent said the NRA's current record-high membership of 4 million was nothing to get excited about. He said each NRA member should try to enroll 10 new members over the next year.

"Let's next year sit here and say, 'Holy smokes, the NRA has 40 million members now,'" he said, adding NRA members should only associate with other members. "No one is allowed at our barbecues unless they are an NRA member. Do that in your life."

Nugent, who walked onto the stage with a large assault weapon in each hand, said those who support gun control aren't the enemy.

"They are a joke," he said. "Our enemy is the gun owners that don't belong to the NRA."

Maybe we should ask Chuckie what Gospel verse Nugent was quoting on this one.  I'd like to check the Greek original on this:

"Remember the Alamo! Shoot 'em!" he screamed to applause. "To show you how radical I am, I want carjackers dead. I want rapists dead. I want burglars dead. I want child molesters dead. I want the bad guys dead. No court case. No parole. No early release. I want 'em dead. Get a gun and when they attack you, shoot 'em."

Yes, this is today's Republican Party.  Chuckie's right at home there:  NRA Declares Victory Over Gun Foes by Jeff Franks Boston Globe 04/15/05.

In a bow to the NRA's political clout, some of Texas' top officeholders, led by Gov. Rick Perry, took the stage to show their support.

"Responsible gun owners like those in this room are not a threat to society, but they are a deterrent to crime," said Perry, a Republican. "The 2nd Amendment is not a loophole. Quit trying to fix it."

Republican U.S. Rep. Henry Bonilla of Texas went a little further.

Liberal "extremists" are "not just trying to punch a hole in the 2nd Amendment, they are trying to tear down our American way of life," he said. "They really don't like our country."

...Charlie Daniels emceed a tribute to past NRA legislative "heroes."

"Ladies and gentlemen, the left-leaning political faction in this nation is not only dangerous, they're silly and unrealistic," said the fiddle-playing Daniels.