This frame grab image shows a scene from video released by the National Rifle Association.President Obama had barely finished outlining his brave embrace Wednesday of a politically fraught uphill battle for comprehensive reform of gun-control laws before the National Rifle Association hurled back its callous, repugnant response. The difference in the messages — the former a rational attempt to rein in gun-related crimes, the latter a harsh personal attack that mocked the president and crassly interjected his young daughters into the political fray — hardly could be more telling.
Recalling the massacre of 20 young children and six educators in Connecticut that prompted his pledge to attempt reform of the nation’s lax gun laws, the president intoned his purpose:
“While there is no law or set of laws that can prevent every senseless act of violence completely, no piece of legislation that will prevent every tragedy, every act of evil, if there is even one thing we can do to reduce this violence, if there’s even one life that can be saved, then we’ve got an obligation to try.”
The NRA’s obtuse response went the other direction. It mocked the president as an “elitist hypocrite” who lavishes security on his young daughters, Malia, 14, and Sasha, 11.
“Are the president’s kids more important than yours,” a snarky voice demands. “Then why is he skeptical about putting armed security in our schools when his kids are protected by armed guards at their school.” The ad continued: “Mr. Obama demands the wealthy pay their fair share of taxes, but he is just another elitist hypocrite when it comes to a fair share of security.”