We run in different circles. When a lot of us on FR say it must be the Amish we are mocking the lack of description of the perps in these stories by the MSM. We are also likely to suggest that a crazed shooter was surely a Tea Party member. Sometimes we post sarcasm tags other times we don’t. Sorry to be a little esoteric.
The TEA Party reference - bears truth because the liberal media searches out and tries to make it so - in nearly the same sense that every firearm is "assault"whatever, high powered, high capacity and a derivative of an M16. It is one thing to say "Tea Party member" or "right-wing nutjob" will probably take the blame and point out the media's bias - it is entirely different when nearly every single thread about black on black or black on white crime is chalked up as another crime by "the Amish."
It is maddening to see so many people refer to these criminals as "Amish" instead of acknowledging who they really are. It is maddening to hear people talk about "tragic canoe/boating accidents" in respect to gun ownership. Why? Why do people feel the need to do this?
Why do we feel the need to pretend to be something we're not? How can we say that conservatives are the group of ideas when we won't acknowledge or stand up for them? How can we say the MSM and liberals lie and we hold the truth when we won't express it?
I challenge you to find a thread, with more than 20 posts, on FR that references violent criminal activity where there isn't at least one (usually more) references to "the Amish." I'd wager you would find the majority do.
I challenge you to find a thread of similar length regarding firearms where a reference to a "tragic boating accident" isn't referenced.
If I was a lurker visiting this site, I'd probably think that FReepers were ashamed they owned guns, or willfully disarmed.
I'd probably think that maybe the media was right since the majority of our discussions claim violence is committed by the Amish - and whenever anyone points out, no there is a strong likelihood a black male between the ages of 16 and 25 committed that crime there is someone to snipe, acting like maybe it was the Amish and you're racist for thinking otherwise.
I am a gun owner. I have more guns than I can recall. I have several (SEVERAL) thousand rounds of ammunition. I don't leave the house without a gun. I didn't lose them in a boating accident. I will do my damndest to shoot anyone that comes to take them.
I'm not fearful of young kids with harmless youthful exuberance - aka "yutes". I'm not afraid of the Amish. Or generic average height males, of average build, that wear dark clothing.
When I'm in public: I keep a close watch on younger whites that dress like hoodlum trash. I keep a close watch on young black males dressed like gangbangers. I keep close watch on latinos dressed like gangbangers. Not the Amish.
Pointing out the lack of description in an MSM story is one thing. Our imitating and being afraid to provide truthful description makes us no better than they are. It was funny the first few times. Now, it is just sad. Because if we refuse to point it out then how are we going to tell others what the truth is and show them the truth in our ideas?
We as conservatives get accused of being racist. We allow the story and the descriptions to buried, after all - it's the Amish that did it.
Of course we need "common sense gun laws." What does it matter if restrictions are put on guns? You don't have any anyway because you lost all yours. And, if you didn't and guns weren't so bad, you wouldn't have to hide behind your cute little sayings like that "tragic canoe incident." You'd be able to say you have guns.
To put all this another way: Suppose you were having an adult conversation with your 16 year son/daughter that just got their drivers license. They are now receiving a bit of independence and able to travel by themselves further from you than before, maybe to built up areas. And you wanted them to be aware of their surroundings and protected.
Would you tell them to look out for the Amish? Would you say 'those white guys, in blue shirts, suspenders, and dark pants, with long beards are dangerous? Would you tell them to be wary of those people because they may hit you in the back of the head as some sort of "game?" I would hope not.
Lastly, please do not take my post personally as an attack against you. As that I'm stringing you up and flaming you. But overall, it is rather disheartening that so many would rather jokingly cast off who it is that is attacking people than than to acknowledge it. Above all, I do apologize if it seems I am personally attacking you, as this is not my intent.