Here’s what my senator, Claire McCaskill, said in early December: “I don’t know how anyone can keep a straight face and say they are for deficit reduction while they insist on a permanent tax cut for the wealthiest Americans, completely unpaid for. If they think it’s okay to raise taxes for the embattled middle class because we don’t give more money to millionaires, it really is time for people in America to take up pitchforks.” Well, Claire … I don’t know how anyone can keep a straight face when reading your quote either. Take up a pitchfork? And do what? Poke someone with it? Really?
But then again, coming from the woman who has not bothered to learn the difference between a semi-automatic and automatic firearm, what should I expect? I once heard her rattle on about a semi-auto model of firearm as if it were a machine gun. When I wrote to her and asked her to get educated about the difference between the two types of guns, I got no response. 
I have a former brother-in-law who is in law enforcement who once told me that the only way he can get through some days is to consider that some folks have been put on earth for our entertainment.
You know, I’m going to employ his attitude a little more in 2011. And, I just volunteered to work for Sarah Steelman’s campaign for the next go-around. No pitchforks required, though.
Publisher/Editor Barbara Baird is a freelance writer in hunting, shooting and outdoor markets. Her bylines are found at several top hunting and shooting publications. She also is a travel writer, and you can follow her at https://www.ozarkian.com. View all posts by Barbara Baird
I fell outta my chair laughing! Thanks, Barb, for pointing out the horrid politician practice of rhetoric, rather than reason! Sound bites over sound thinking. All I could see was the picture American Gothic. Perhaps Ms. McCaskill could use that for her next campaign image?
I can’t claim to know what’s in Sen. McCaskill’s mind. But some people who figure the Second Amendment was some sort of indiscretion on the part of the Founding Fathers deliberately (or at least knowingly) sow confusion to frighten people who don’t know the difference between machine guns and semi-autos into surrendering their rights.
Your former BIL is right! I can’t vote in Missouri, but I wish your candidate Sarah Steelman all the best.
I gotta wonder … what if McCaskill had used some other type of weapon, like say, a gun or a knife as her illustration? Would that make this less comical? But to the same end?
Bill — scary thought … crawling into a senator’s mind.
Traci — American Gothic … I can see it, too. But who, pray tell, who would be her “husband?” Harry Reid?