Don't Give In, Ed

As noted in this Philadelphia Inquirer story, this banner was displayed at a gun rights rally in the state Capitol Rotunda in Harrisburg, PA protesting legislation sponsored by Angel Cruz of Philadelphia requiring gun registration and a $10-a-gun annual fee.

Here is how Governor Ed Rendell responded…

At a news conference yesterday, Gov. Rendell decried the violent sentiment and racist overtones in the banner's language, but said he did not support a state police investigation into the incident.

"I prefer to use the state police to protect people," Rendell said. "Rep. Cruz should take it for its worth and understand that there are people out there who say inappropriate things. He should let it go."

Wrong answer, Ed.

I support Gov. Rendell perhaps to a fault, some would say, though I think they’re incorrect. However, I’m tired of watching politicians cave in the face of noisy idiots.

Yes, it’s wearying to deal with people who refuse to listen or engage in anything that approximates an informed discussion, but that comes with the territory, unfortunately, especially if you hold a position in government. Besides, that kind of mentality is responsible for the repeal of the motorcycle helmet law in this state.

(As an aside, I should point out that I set up comment moderation again in response to a recent post. And since I’ll manage to piss off both the pro-gun and anti-helmet people at once here, I’m sure I’ll have to maintain it for at least a little while.)

And I love this excerpt also…

One of the protesters who held the banner, Alan Kiser of Warren, said yesterday that an investigation would be "totally frivolous."

"I didn't even know the color of the guy's skin," Kiser said.

(As if that has anything to do with it when all is said and done…).

Oh, I don’t know, Mr. Kiser. If the case were to be made that your sign constituted a terrorist threat and you were tried and convicted of such a charge, it would constitute a first-degree misdemeanor punishable by a maximum sentence of five years in prison, as you can read here. That doesn’t sound very frivolous to me.

I’m not going to say that you would deserve that for your stupidity; I’d say giving you the scare of your life over it instead would suffice.

Update 4/28/07: The same is true for the person who threatened House Rep. Jewell Williams here (registration required).