Are these child activists just puppets for the anti-gun lobby?

PFC Jim Wheeler — Sun, 25 Mar 2018 20:05:40 -0400

To clarify, I am not meaning that they have no ideas of their own or anything to that effect, but I do notice that one of their main points against Congress is that these Representatives are simply puppets for the NRA gun lobby because they accept campaign donations from them. Based on that position, would that not make them puppets for all of the anti-gun lobbyists who donated to fund their marches and rallies?

Response by SSgt Christopher Brose made Mar 25 at 2018 8:09 PM

SSgt Christopher Brose — Sun, 25 Mar 2018 20:09:01 -0400

Of course they are. They're also a pool of very willing recruits to join a number of other leftist causes. But I scoff at the idiots who claim the march was "organized" by the kids.

Response by CPT Jack Durish made Mar 25 at 2018 8:16 PM

CPT Jack Durish — Sun, 25 Mar 2018 20:16:15 -0400

When you see anyone of any age joined in a herd, they are puppets. True activists are thought leaders, usually artists, clergy, and the like. Children are easily herded, especially when they have been denied an education that encourages independent thought.

Response by SSG Edward Tilton made Mar 25 at 2018 8:17 PM

SSG Edward Tilton — Sun, 25 Mar 2018 20:17:56 -0400

The anti-gun lobby vs the GRU owned NRA

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 25 at 2018 8:51 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 25 Mar 2018 20:51:04 -0400

They are the real deal. Even though during the last 8 years there were 0 protests. It's almost like they haven't been told about Chicago, East St. Louis, Baltimore, etc extreme gun control laws that still resulted in over 100k fatalities.

Response by SGT Joseph Gunderson made Mar 25 at 2018 10:01 PM

SGT Joseph Gunderson — Sun, 25 Mar 2018 22:01:10 -0400

I definitely think that they are just puking out a message fed to them. They don't understand the world enough to comprehend what they are asking for.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 25 at 2018 10:56 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 25 Mar 2018 22:56:33 -0400

My child was forced to “march against guns”. The teacher ordered the entire class to do this. I resent another adult forcing my child to serve their political means. I am deployed and couldn’t do anything to stop it.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 26 at 2018 2:45 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 26 Mar 2018 02:45:42 -0400

Puppets? No. They are knowingly complicit.

Response by PO1 Brian Austin made Mar 26 at 2018 4:38 AM

PO1 Brian Austin — Mon, 26 Mar 2018 04:38:58 -0400

One of the organizers is Giffords.org
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2M0FWh2tOwg

HIDDEN AUDIO: Broward County Teachers Busted Planning Illegal March

A meeting between Parkland students and anti-gun activists mobilizing for the highly anticipated March For Our Lives event in Washington, D.C. this weekend w...

Response by MSgt George Cater made Mar 26 at 2018 8:00 AM

MSgt George Cater — Mon, 26 Mar 2018 08:00:30 -0400

Yep. But again, don’t be inserting your durn logic into their behavior. Next thing you’ll be saying is that the Dims are puppets of the baby murderers in Planned Parenthood.

Response by SGT David T. made Mar 26 at 2018 8:08 AM

SGT David T. — Mon, 26 Mar 2018 08:08:21 -0400

I don't think they are puppets exactly. I do think they are being manipulated. They want to fix the problem and that is admirable, but I think they are being used by certain folks. They want a quick and easy fix to a complex issue. Goes along with how our society is now. Guns are just an easy thing to target and they are being manipulated to pushing that agenda. I firmly believe we need to fix this issue, but not at the expense of the rights of the law abiding. I seem to remember a quote about sacrificing liberty for temporary false security...

Response by SPC David Willis made Mar 26 at 2018 9:05 AM

SPC David Willis — Mon, 26 Mar 2018 09:05:30 -0400

There are puppets on both sides, if you're ok with the NRA's money in politics you cant question the validity of the money going into the other sides argument. You can disagree with their ideas, but anyone with an NRA membership is funneling money to actors (politicians and propagandists) just as the left does with their orgs.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 26 at 2018 10:15 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 26 Mar 2018 10:15:24 -0400

More accurately, they are props. Like the parade of folks put on stage at a DNC or RNC convention, or the folks invited to the gallery for a State of the Union speech.
What this really is is the powers that be funding people to appear and say their piece in the hopes that will translate to an incremental increase in "energy" in the minds of single-issue voters to turn out for the midterm elections. Nothing more.
Ironically, many of the protesters either won't vote anyway because the election is too far away and they get bored and stuff... or are ineligible to vote due to being minors or in the case of last month's issue with DACA recipients, illegal aliens.

It is all smoke and mirrors, people.

When the opportunity comes around to actually change the status quo, the energy disappears.
Remember all of the Tea Party protests all over the place?
Obamacare still is on the books.
Remember all the sad DACA kids and political leaders that shed crocodile tears in support of their plight?
No immigration reform, either. Those same politicians were all too quick to sell "Dreamers" out when their pet projects get funded.
Sandy Hook parents?
Planned Parenthood selling fetal tissue videos?
Occupy Wall Street?
Dakota Access Pipeline?
Black Lives Matter?
Yup, nothing in terms of change. Movement in the opposite direction in some of the cases I mention.

These kids are the latest props being used to further an agenda, sadly.
The DACA kids found out recently that they were used, too.

Response by CPT Lawrence Cable made Mar 26 at 2018 10:38 AM

CPT Lawrence Cable — Mon, 26 Mar 2018 10:38:02 -0400

Follow the money trail. There is a reason we don't let Pre Teens and Teens vote, drink, buy cigarettes, sign contracts, etc. That reason is that they have little experience or real world knowledge and don't know squat. Half of them in the present education system couldn't spell Constitution, much less know what the Bill of Rights actually said. I was running a farm by myself at that age and I was still a dumbass. If you are from a state where the NRA has an influence on local elections, which they have because of the ability to mobilize substantial grassroots support, your Congressman/Senator will pay no more attention to this than they did the Vagina Hat Women's March. Kid's don't vote and these kids mommies and daddies didn't vote Pro Gun in the first place.
Now the real Cynic in me says that they are up in arms because some white kids got shot at school and haven't gave a damn about the hundreds murdered in Chicago, Baltimore, Detroit or St Louis, places where the real murder problem exists. Of course, they aren't middle class white kids either.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 26 at 2018 10:51 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 26 Mar 2018 10:51:57 -0400

I don't understand why people continually try to discredit these teens. There are adults online harassing them, attacking them, calling them vile names and issuing death threats. Why? Because they are using their voices? When you have people running for office who are attacking the, the NRA is attacking them...it says something about the older generation.

I wonder do people ever think back to when they were teenagers. How did you feel every time an adult pushed your thoughts aside and told you that you didn't know anything because of your age? Some teenagers pay attention to the world around them. I did. My dad taught us all to research things we didn't know. If we didn't understand something, figure it out. Look it up.
It's just mind boggling that people cry about how lazy this generation is and doesn't do anything but when they do, people get even more mad at them.

Are there probably adults behind the scenes pushing an agenda? Sure. But I have read that in this school independent thought has been highly encouraged and they have a great journalism program, speech, debate, etc.

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Mar 26 at 2018 12:43 PM

SGM Bill Frazer — Mon, 26 Mar 2018 12:43:02 -0400

I find it amazing- these are the same kids who eat TIDE Pods on a dare, can't define the 3 branches of our gov't, don't know who was on our side during WWI or WWII. Have no idea what type of gov't we even have. Yet they want to make laws, and not have any laws passed that infringes what they want. Where is the march for the 14 kids dead of suicide every single day, that this same kids drove to it. Or the 430 per day that visit the hospital for self cutting, or the 6 per day that die in car wrecks. These same snowflake angels are not pure- 1.66 per day arrested for murder, 7,53/day for forcible rape and 60 per day for aggravated assault.

Response by CW3 Jeff Held made Mar 26 at 2018 1:21 PM

CW3 Jeff Held — Mon, 26 Mar 2018 13:21:51 -0400

It sure did not start out that way. But you can be certain that anti-gun proponents have gotten more than a hand hold on these impressionable youngsters.

Response by Capt Sabrena Goldman made Mar 26 at 2018 3:04 PM

Capt Sabrena Goldman — Mon, 26 Mar 2018 15:04:44 -0400

Wow LTC Ivan Raiklin, Esq.,LTC Jeff Shearer

Response by SGT Tony Clifford made Mar 26 at 2018 3:50 PM

SGT Tony Clifford — Mon, 26 Mar 2018 15:50:53 -0400

While I think that these kids aren't too cognizant of the rights they're willing to sacrifice, the argument they're advocating needs to be addressed. Using ad hominem attacks against them doesn't weaken their argument it does damage to your own.

The only sensible thing is to have an open debate where the points can be argued. If one side resorts to conflating the other side as evil they've essentially given up on civil discussion and you can see that further discourse is counterproductive. That CNN townhall is a good example of proving your point is based on emotion rather than reason. Sen. Rubio gave a good and reasonable defense of his position and a kid was allowed to conflate his position with pointing a gun at him (as hominem). In an open debate, the one who can give reasons without emotional appeals is usually arguing from a more sound position.

Response by SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth made Mar 26 at 2018 5:42 PM

SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth — Mon, 26 Mar 2018 17:42:09 -0400

They must be sheep, they're being led by wolves down a slippery path.

Response by Cpl Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 27 at 2018 3:11 PM

Cpl Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 27 Mar 2018 15:11:56 -0400

The phrase "useful idiots" comes to mind.

Response by SPC David Willis made Mar 28 at 2018 8:53 AM

SPC David Willis — Wed, 28 Mar 2018 08:53:08 -0400

What's funny is I see friends on FB who lambast those who rally against guns as being pawns but act like the kids rallying for guns are somehow more valid and aren't paid actors. Either all kids are dumb or they all have valid ideas.

Response by SSG Edward Tilton made Mar 28 at 2018 11:45 AM

SSG Edward Tilton — Wed, 28 Mar 2018 11:45:39 -0400

The NRA takes donations from the GRU. Best way to keep the sheep moving in their directions. It looks like Politicians are taking over the kids marches. Once again nothing will change and more kids will die

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 28 at 2018 11:48 AM

LCDR Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 28 Mar 2018 11:48:27 -0400

I say they are being used as puppets for one reason-- they don't know the first thing about the NRA.

Kids who were completely disinterested in firearms before this shooting couldn't spell NRA (yes, I'm exaggerating) much less were 'experts' on the political activities of the NRA. I'll bet that I could count on one hand the number of student activists who have actually read the mission statement of the NRA, yet somehow they all jumped on the same bandwagon of making the NRA some boogeyman and threatening to vote out (once they are old enough to vote, that is) anyone who takes contributions from the NRA. THAT idea was planted in their heads.

They could have hidden the agenda better if they had stuck to the 'take away our guns/ rights' (except our privacy rights... no clear backpacks or requirement for ID's) message rather than so pointedly targeting the NRA...
"Kids who were involved in a school shooting don't like guns" makes perfect sense and is perfectly believable.
"Kids who were involved in a school shooting organically launch a large and well choreographed movement against a major conservative organization utilizing money and organizational expertise provided by large liberal organizations ('Women's march, Planned Parenthood, the Clooney's, Oprah, etc.)" is what is actually going on here.
Boycotting or bullying any person who espouses a different view or set of values from you (in this case, the NRA) is straight out of the liberal, community organizers' playbook, and anyone who has been paying attention for more than 5 minutes (unlike these child activists it would seem) sees it for what it is.

Claiming the NRA is responsible for killing innocent people-- nothing could be farther from the truth.
I have not researched every gun crime in America, but I would challenge anyone to provide data that suggests a single gun crime was committed by an NRA member. (Not being sarcastic here... I would actually be VERY interested to know of any case where a murder or robbery using a firearm was done by a member of the NRA.) Very, very few gun accidents are caused by NRA members or their families. For all the liberal JFK worshippers out there-- guess what? JFK was a proud LIFETIME member of the NRA.
The mission of the NRA is very heavily weighted toward self defense against attacking criminals and training people to be RESPONSIBLE gun owners while of course defending the 2nd Amendment against those that would see us removed of any legitimate means of self defense against either a tyrannical government or criminals (who by definition do not abide by laws, so would still have firearms even if they were banned). It does NOT advocate violence, nor does it have a problem with background checks and denying access to firearms to mentally unstable or dangerous individuals.

These kids have exactly ZERO beef with the NRA on its real principles, yet they have decided to make The NRA--NOT the mentally deranged murderer who would NOT have passed a 'good' background check if the feds had all the appropriate information and who would have been roped in BEFORE he went on his murderous rampage had the FBI not dropped the ball-- public enemy number 1?
Why not 'blame' the murderer?
Why not 'blame' the FBI?
Why not 'DEMAND' full compliance with States providing required information to the database used to conduct background checks? (Oh wait... that includes citizenship status... Nevermind. We'll give not populating the background check database a pass...)

Nope... we are going to attack the NRA-- a peaceful (albeit well armed) entity that had absolutely NOTHING to do with any school shooting EVER... That makes perfect sense.

Response by CDR Henry Baker made Mar 29 at 2018 3:34 PM

CDR Henry Baker — Thu, 29 Mar 2018 15:34:45 -0400

We have to be careful of labeling them as puppets or sheep that cannot think for themselves. It is a brush off that recalls the "too ignorant to organize themselves" smear with which segregationists labeled civil rights activists in the '60s. Segregationists claimed it was all a communist conspiracy when it wasn't because there was no way "their" minorities could organize themselves.
While I am a gunowner, I cannot deny the genuine feelings and beliefs these kids have. Like any issue, this is complicated and nuanced.
As veterans, we need to stop letting our brothers and sisters act like jerks and dismiss them so easily. We can disagree with them. We can work to oppose them, but we, as veterans, need to stop being curmudgeons. It is beneath us.

Response by MAJ Bruce Carriker made Mar 30 at 2018 8:43 AM

MAJ Bruce Carriker — Fri, 30 Mar 2018 08:43:51 -0400

I think you've completely missed the point. These kids don't believe that our so-called "representatives' are puppets simply for taking money from the NRA. It's because they take money AND THEN DO EXACTLY WHAT THE NRA WANTS, even when it goes against the will of an overwhelming majority of the American people.

Response by PO2 Louis Fattrusso made Apr 1 at 2018 8:09 PM

PO2 Louis Fattrusso — Sun, 01 Apr 2018 20:09:02 -0400

They are absolutely puppets. Notice there wasn’t a peep about the armed guard who saved the other school. The rally was well financed and organized. That’s well above what the teenagers can do.

Response by Edward Samsen made Apr 2 at 2018 12:18 AM

Edward Samsen — Mon, 02 Apr 2018 00:18:22 -0400

These students are being used as puppets of the anti-firearms left. The students are not being given a choice in the matter they are being paraded about through the teacher' unions and the LIBERAL LEFT radicals that seem to fill public education today.

Response by Edward Samsen made Apr 2 at 2018 12:25 AM

Edward Samsen — Mon, 02 Apr 2018 00:25:10 -0400

Young Mr. Hogg appears to be too ready to be the poster boy for thi movement. He seems to be spouting the pre prepped talking points of the anti firearms movement. He is having his strings pulled as a puppet by his handlers. I question that he is a student at the HS in Florida....I suspect him as being considerably older than the 17 he claims to be....a crisis actor if you will. Something is rotten en Denmark as that well known author and poet once said.

Response by PO2 Ben Ferguson made Apr 3 at 2018 9:02 PM

PO2 Ben Ferguson — Tue, 03 Apr 2018 21:02:51 -0400

Unfortunately these kids have become useful idiots and don't realize it.

Response by Don Cely made Apr 7 at 2018 11:48 PM

Don Cely — Sat, 07 Apr 2018 23:48:44 -0400

These hero kids are being exploited like never before. They are being treated as pawns in a huge game of chess. Children, as well as those mentally immature enough to act out, often with empty cries of "Ban all guns now!" or "if we just stopped having guns, no one would die from them."

We need to listen carefully to these brave children, honor them for their commitment, and make our policy based on an adult perspective.

Response by Cpl Robert Crockett made Apr 9 at 2018 11:46 PM

Cpl Robert Crockett — Mon, 09 Apr 2018 23:46:21 -0400

It's all kabuki theater! Of the two main dramas being featured, I have spent an inordinate amount of time trying to choose between the two. Since I lack information, at best my hunches will never be anything more than guesses.

The first is war with Russia and / or China. The U.S. does not act like it is going to war -- other than with corporate media, who are screaming 24 x 7. Conversely, neither Russia or China is acting very enemy-ish. If it does happen, it will be either nukes or nothing.

The second scenario is the complete confiscation of guns, and this a very much more likely scenario in my opinion. Their methodology will not involve convincing the American people -- who are overwhelmingly in favor of guns from what I've seen. My guess is a Red Dawn scenario, with the invasion being trojan-horsed through container ships instead of formal military landing craft. The gun grabbers will do their best to distract the citizenry as well as having very few American military actually on U.S. soil. The deep state, by whatever means, will suddenly declare firearms to be illegal, followed by Chinese U.N. troops -- just like Johnny on the Spot. It will greatly help their cause to ensure that the concerned citizens will only have Noble Losers leading them -- leaders that will bumble their way through their duties, let themselves be targets of ridicule and jokes on a daily basis, and inevitably take the knee at each and every moment of truth. If there is a stupid way to do something, leave it to the Noble Loser to make it even more stupid.

The motive for the second scenario is pretty simple: the deep state loves the ciminals far more than you. Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn wrote in "The Gulag Archipelago" about how the communists very much preffered the criminals to ordinary citizens. Citizens that might get bright ideas about wanting liberty and stuff like that. The end result being fuedalism 2.0 where the invidual cannot raise themself beyond their station. Only the rich can afford to tinker and elevate based on merit.

I hope there are a few truly dedicated officers that will at least war game such scenarios in their own mind.

Response by PO1 John Edwards made Apr 11 at 2018 6:50 PM

PO1 John Edwards — Wed, 11 Apr 2018 18:50:40 -0400

Look when I was their age I protested the the Vietnam War and fought for civil rights. It started when I was their age. I wasn't anybody puppet and don't think they are too. It seems that people question their motives I don't know how I would have acted if I survived this event but I know I sure in Hell would want to change things and that is what their doing. More power to them .

Response by PV2 Screwderia Ferrari made Apr 11 at 2018 7:39 PM

PV2 Screwderia Ferrari — Wed, 11 Apr 2018 19:39:52 -0400

Puppets. Hogg is a mini Adolph wannabe. He'll prob suffer a similar fate...

Response by COL Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 11 at 2018 9:46 PM

COL Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 11 Apr 2018 21:46:03 -0400

Yes

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 12 at 2018 12:25 PM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 12 Apr 2018 12:25:51 -0400

That is a great question. To call them 'activists' I think is misleading (although that is what the anti-gun lobby calls them) in that they rally once or twice and then get on with their exams. I can understand their knee-jerk reaction to the mass shooting as they are children and children by and large are not equipped mentally to process major issues for the long term. This is not a criticism of them, just how they are. So I think many of them were sincere in the moment without having to think things through. Having said that, I also think that the anti-gun lobby (politicians, lobbyists and adults) hijacked the walk-outs towards their own political ends.

Response by Sgt Robert Gardner made Apr 17 at 2018 1:35 PM

Sgt Robert Gardner — Tue, 17 Apr 2018 13:35:46 -0400

Of course they are, they're a product of our liberally controlled public school system which teaches our children WHAT to think instead of HOW to think. From there they go to colleges and universities which are mostly run by liberals as well so when they graduate we're stuck with whining, I'm entitled, crybabies who are in no way ready to deal with the real world.

Response by A1C Ric Weide made Apr 22 at 2018 9:33 PM

A1C Ric Weide — Sun, 22 Apr 2018 21:33:50 -0400

Yup!

Response by SCPO Larry Knight Sr. made Apr 22 at 2018 11:40 PM

SCPO Larry Knight Sr. — Sun, 22 Apr 2018 23:40:17 -0400

I have several issues with the movement. 1). Why aren't these kid's in their respective school's continuing their education ?
2). If teacher's are telling them to miss classroom criteria that involves their education. (Fire the teacher) they dont get a pay check for promoting a movement of any kind .
3). Parents who allowed their child to join in this non school sponsored event should be held legally accountable !
4). 98% of these kids haven't a clue about what it is they're protesting at all.
Yes there's outsider involvement ie; security, lodging, meals, transportation . Democratic party, George Soros, the Clinton foundation and the list can go endless. They can rebuttal with it's their freedom of speech and right to march, but they dont seem to recall who has given them these rights . All of us who have served our country and those brave men and women of our armed forces both abroad as well as at home currently serving on active duty !!
Just like us they now stand guard at all hour's of the day and night to ensure they are afforded the to an education and the ability to become productive citizen's. So someone in each of their respective families, will need to perform the delicate procedure of removing their cranial cavity from their rectal location !

Response by SrA Robert Schels made Apr 24 at 2018 9:38 AM

SrA Robert Schels — Tue, 24 Apr 2018 09:38:07 -0400

Yes, it would. You cannot use one side of a two sided point of view against someone and then claim you are not representing the other side.
As an example, let us look at Delta Airlines. They stopped supporting the NRA because they publicly said "We want to remain neutral" but than the give free flights to those aforementioned kids who are against the NRA. There are only 3 positions you can have on any discussion. For, Against or Neutral.
And if your actions show you are not neutral, your position is pretty clear.

Response by CPO Charles Helms made Apr 24 at 2018 8:32 PM

CPO Charles Helms — Tue, 24 Apr 2018 20:32:29 -0400

I agree 100% with Captain Jack!! Children are very easily led and brainwashed by the puppeteers!!

Response by SN James MacKay made Apr 27 at 2018 9:28 AM

SN James MacKay — Fri, 27 Apr 2018 09:28:40 -0400

Well, no, Jim, it doesn't. First of all, these aren't children, they are adolescents, and well able to think for themselves. And they weren't given money to by outsiders to adopt a point of view, like members of Congress. The student protesters were organized first, then received funding, exactly opposite of the way our legislators operate.

Response by SGT Bryan O'Reilly made Apr 28 at 2018 3:06 AM

SGT Bryan O'Reilly — Sat, 28 Apr 2018 03:06:47 -0400

Hi, I dont think they start out that way.but I dont doubt they are used as such. We who serve know what a weapon like an m4 can do in skilled hands. I shudder to think of it the hands of the untrained undisciplined civilian. I wouldnt give a child a chainsaw. And I think that weapons should reflect that. I would haye us to ignore them and see a future undermining of this essential birthright

Response by PO2 Jim Bloom made Apr 29 at 2018 10:20 PM

PO2 Jim Bloom — Sun, 29 Apr 2018 22:20:48 -0400

Thereis no way they could be anything but! Kids don’t have a world audience.

Response by MAJ Keith FitzPatrick, CPIM, CSCP made May 6 at 2018 9:53 PM

MAJ Keith FitzPatrick, CPIM, CSCP — Sun, 06 May 2018 21:53:24 -0400

I think the difference is that these kids are the victims of a mass shooting (one of many here in the US) so they actually have some skin I the game. If the protesters were kids from schools that were not attacked, and if they were being paid by an anti-gun lobby, then your thesis might have more validity.

Response by LTC Gene Moser made May 6 at 2018 11:21 PM

LTC Gene Moser — Sun, 06 May 2018 23:21:49 -0400

The NRA grades the congress members purely on how they vote for NRA ideas. Look at the web site. These kids are doing what others have done before, I wish they had risen at Columbine. We are a nation of rebels and it is time to rebel again. The NRA formed to teach marksmanship, not open carry. Last month I went to my old military prep school's alumni week end. I'm a member of the Board of Directors of the Alumni Association. At the the beginning of the corps parade I saw a fairly young alum with a holstered auto pistol. Why was he carrying? BTW, I am not a member of the "anti-gun lobby." I consider that a ill advised insult. I don't want people who should not carry guns to carry weapons that are far more dangerous now than a hundred years ago,

Response by LTC Gene Moser made May 7 at 2018 2:27 PM

LTC Gene Moser — Mon, 07 May 2018 14:27:08 -0400

Considering that most of the leadership are high school students, many of them juniors or seniors and some either old enough to vote or will vote in the next Presidential election, I think calling them "child activists" is an ad homineum comment. In the same vein so is "anti-gun." Argue in a dignified manner and not like middle school students - who, by the way, are not children either.

Response by SSG Robert Perrotto made May 8 at 2018 10:31 AM

SSG Robert Perrotto — Tue, 08 May 2018 10:31:48 -0400

a few things - 1. follow the money - that is who is running this 2. these are young children - sorry but 14,15,16 year olds do not have the life experience, the understanding of the constitution, not the maturity to organize, fund, and execute such things - someone or someones are using their emotions in order to further an agenda - personally - I would look to Soros and such for answers. Ask your self - who benefits the most, who will it hurt the most, and who stands to gain in the resulting turmoil.

Response by SSG Robert Perrotto made May 8 at 2018 10:35 AM

SSG Robert Perrotto — Tue, 08 May 2018 10:35:54 -0400

same thing regarding the racial tensions - who gains while America is busy fighting each other over stupid melatonin? who are being exploited in order to continue fueling the divide? and who controls media representation of these issues? todays youth are not equipped to utilize critical thinking - as someone said in a post earlier - they taught what to think - not how to think - because teaching how to think opens the door to questions those that run things do not want asked.

Response by SSG Robert Perrotto made May 8 at 2018 10:46 AM

SSG Robert Perrotto — Tue, 08 May 2018 10:46:39 -0400

I consider myself a moderate conservative - with pretty much a live and let live type attitude - how does another persons sexual preference effect me and my family - it doesn't - so that's between them and God and not my business. I draw the line at having to accept the plethora of genders - sorry - to me there are only two and how you feel does not trump how I feel about it and if it offends - so what - life goes on. but that's because I am being TOLD I must think this way or I am a transphobe or sumsuch - which is not the case - I fully believe it is a reality that there are people who are born with the wrong body. yet the minute I say the word "conservative" I became a racist, alt right, neck bearded, basement dwelling, flyover hillbilly redneck homophobe, transphobe, misogynist, white supremacist, fascist, deplorable Nazi only deserving of being punched. that is the state of the liberal progressive social justice left today, and they absolutely refuse to see that their use of violence makes them the fascists in this kerfluffle.

Response by SGM Erik Marquez made May 8 at 2018 11:34 AM

SGM Erik Marquez — Tue, 08 May 2018 11:34:06 -0400

"Are these child activists just puppets for the anti-gun lobby?"
Google the phrase "Useful Idiot"

Response by CPL Private RallyPoint Member made May 11 at 2018 3:07 PM

CPL Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 11 May 2018 15:07:17 -0400

No. Congress is supposed to be independent. Congress is supposed to regulate. People are people. People do what they want and get funded by who they want. But congress should have the moral high ground of not folding to corporate $$$. But they don’t. A bunch on spineless bitches if you ask me. Except for Bernie, let the rest of the corporate Dems and Reps get the boot all the way back to the swamp they slinked out of, and take the one the built in Washington with them.

Response by MAJ James Woods made May 14 at 2018 6:13 PM

MAJ James Woods — Mon, 14 May 2018 18:13:45 -0400

Well if we should presume any teenage American that talks about gun legislation is a puppet for anti-gun lobbyists then we should also presume any teenage American that talks about right to bear arms is protected is a puppet for the NRA and pro-gun lobbyists. Or we can accept that these young Americans can think for themselves, can have an opinion, and should attempt to learn about both sides of the issue as they approach legal voting age. In HS, myself and classmates all had an opinion about Desert Storm and the Israel-Palestinian debate and Rodney King; we didn't point at each other and start slinging insults no matter how much we disagreed. With what's going on today in Jerusalem, if students took to the streets to demonstrate on the side of Israel or the side of Palestine, something tells me the adults will call those students "the puppets of 'fill in the blank'".

Bottomline, we're supposed to be educating and encouraging the youth. Let them march, let them voice themselves, then make them listen to the other side; have rational debate.

Response by PO3 Gregg Kemp made May 20 at 2018 3:28 PM

PO3 Gregg Kemp — Sun, 20 May 2018 15:28:24 -0400

They all are puppets of some sort. With the so-called education system currently in place, they will always be puppets. They are indoctrinated by liberal bias and incorrect history. I know if I were in school I would be arguing with my teachers about the subjects. I was educated by more than my teachers. My parents, my grandparents, my family and friends and their parents all taught me to think for myself and never go against my heart. I am not sure they know how to form coherent thought for themselves.

Response by SPC Christopher Perrien made May 26 at 2018 10:39 AM

SPC Christopher Perrien — Sat, 26 May 2018 10:39:46 -0400

Yep. It is all propaganda by the communist MSM , they can pick and chose single incidents, people, and present with such a slant as to make any issue an issue. They do it with these kids, cops shooting blacks, racism , etc. All outliers, out of millions or hundreds of million people and incidents and totnon-representative of what is actually going on, and totally omitting/covering up 99%+ of gun violence and the persons who commits such violent crimes. It is sickening how they do it , all to take guns aways from law abiding citizens, and let the underclasses run rampant so they can do "Rhodesia" and "South Africa" (rob,murder, rape, divest of rights and land) i.e. genocide) to the same. The anti-gun lobby is out to kill the white people of the USA , and their outrageous methods of doing so, such as using children as "shields" and as vocal advocates is just typical.

Response by PVT Mark Brown made May 26 at 2018 11:08 AM

PVT Mark Brown — Sat, 26 May 2018 11:08:03 -0400

Yes. Plain and simple - YES! I hate to see this. These young people, while in a maturing posture, are, nonetheless, youth, are surviving victims (in some cases) of an event of such monstrous proportions that in no society should they suffer exposure. Having express that I say it makes me sick when I tune in to these various talking heads programs and witness these kids being paraded before us as lambs to the altar. While I personally can not stand hearing all this extreme left-wing rhetoric, I am subject to hearing is since it is on my wife's computer all day long. A great propaganda machine focused on a liberal agenda which includes, among other issues, what they like to call "Sensible Gun Regulations" (translation= Gun Control and the end of the 2nd Amendment.) Whatever the news de jour might be these MSNBC programs cover the same story hour after hour, featuring the same guests, the same video, the same audio snippets and all the same propaganda. So, sure, these kids have become overnight liberal press fodder. I can't fault these students for accepting a national platform upon which they are given near carte blanch to recite a litany of complaints and suggestions. I submit that to a great extent they are only slightly aware that they are simply being used.

Response by PVT Mark Brown made May 26 at 2018 11:20 AM

PVT Mark Brown — Sat, 26 May 2018 11:20:38 -0400

PFC Jim Wheeler Cpl Scott McCarroll COL Mikel J. Burroughs LTC Jeff Shearer I must weigh in again on this issue. While I am not concentrating on how these young people are being used and misused (I already did that) gun-control issues are a very hot button for me. As a lifelong firearms enthusiast, amateur gunsmith, ammunition manufacturer, and retailer, I admit I have a vested interest in a small financial way. However, I am not even speaking from that place, I am speaking from the place of a lawful gun owner, CCW holders, and gun rights activist. Many of us have the ability to think logically. Hypothetical situation: The let, anti-gun lobby prevails and firearms become outlawed in the United States (that will probably never happen) in the lowest form simply prohibiting retail sales of firearms. Once this prohibition becomes well established and retail firearm sales have become a thing of the past we will then see confiscation. Confiscation is aided by these so-called firearms registry schemes. Here is where the real trouble ignites from coast to coast much as a gasoline flash fire. This conversation could go on at some length, as it is, ad infinitum, thus I will close now. You all get the idea.

Response by CAPT Private RallyPoint Member made May 28 at 2018 9:25 PM

CAPT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 28 May 2018 21:25:29 -0400

Yes.

Response by SFC Thomas Stonebraker made Jun 4 at 2018 4:47 AM

SFC Thomas Stonebraker — Mon, 04 Jun 2018 04:47:45 -0400

People of that age are easily swayed usually. That's why the military focuses on them. In this case it was CNN and the left leading them astray.

Response by PO1 Todd McMillin made Jun 4 at 2018 1:45 PM

PO1 Todd McMillin — Mon, 04 Jun 2018 13:45:46 -0400

The thing is that they are seen as puppets by those who are "puppet masters" especially in the NRA and other Corporate Businesses who don't want their bottom line effected. The thing is that the need to "Arm America" from tyrants has been wasted thanks to the fact that we've got a Puppet President in office AGAIN. Who is being manipulated by his VP and others just like Reagan and Bush Jr were manipulated by Bush Sr. Let's break this down rationally, these kids are victims of gun violence and were already the "leadership" in their schools heading off to top colleges and universities before hand. Capt Jack Durish's statement is both unbelievable and unprofessional since he didn't bother to actually learn about these kids who survived just simply made a half-assed assumption and called it good (AKA Typical Officer Mentality) and expect it to be accepted as he's an OFFICER. 20 years of Service in the Navy I've seen my fair share of fuck-ups by Officers and Non-Coms. So this crap is totally unacceptable on many levels.

The future is about balancing gun ownership with gun responsibility; we took those classes out of the classroom and also other things like art and music. We concentrated on turning our children into mindless robots vs being able to find the best they could be. We waste TRILLIONS on war for profit but do ZERO to fix our own fucked up infrastructure and educational system. Only a small minority benefits from the war mongering vs everyone who should and make America as GREAT as it was under Eisenhower.

Response by SSG Raven Brunson Jr. made Jun 5 at 2018 3:56 PM

SSG Raven Brunson Jr. — Tue, 05 Jun 2018 15:56:30 -0400

yes i believe so look at all these recent school shootings tryin blame the gun i say democraps and libtards doin anything and usin anybody ta keep dividin america i refuse ta take anti gun lectures frm folks that says its ok ta kill a baby

Response by CAPT Hiram Patterson made Jun 6 at 2018 4:01 PM

CAPT Hiram Patterson — Wed, 06 Jun 2018 16:01:46 -0400

Yes, they are puppets! Research shows that peoples' brains are not fully developed until their early 20's. Look at the photos of Hogg and see how he sometimes looks/acts like a young Hitler. Definitely angry, defiant, menacing and demagogic. And no 18 y/o is at that level of public speaking or alleged leadership. His parents have definitely coached him how to speak and show his defiant emotions.

Response by CAPT Hiram Patterson made Jun 6 at 2018 10:21 PM

CAPT Hiram Patterson — Wed, 06 Jun 2018 22:21:21 -0400

Unions contribute far more money to anti-gun politicians than the NRA could ever dream of contributing by several tens of magnitude. Politicians support the NRA because they respect the Constitution and the 2nd Amendment unlike the anti-gunners who hate both. And unfortunately there are many pro-gun union members who are forced to contribute to the unions.

Response by PO2 Quentin Steinberg made Jun 12 at 2018 4:23 PM

PO2 Quentin Steinberg — Tue, 12 Jun 2018 16:23:37 -0400

Selling cookies and candy to finance jerseys for the basketball teem, and suddenly they are flushed with enough cash to organize a rally a thousand miles from home.
But they are not puppets.
Speaking of puppets, watch your nose Pinocchio....

Response by SFC Ernest Thurston made Jun 18 at 2018 10:06 AM

SFC Ernest Thurston — Mon, 18 Jun 2018 10:06:21 -0400

The lobbyist use these young people by peer pressure and group think training. If you can convince just a few of them that a position is good and idealistic the rest will follow.

Response by SSgt Russell Stevens made Jun 18 at 2018 9:05 PM

SSgt Russell Stevens — Mon, 18 Jun 2018 21:05:45 -0400

If you're referring to the high school student protesting for gun control, then I agree. Until age 18 they do not have the right to own firearms, and for handguns in most states that age is 21. So I keep wondering are they protesting my right to own weapons or are they protesting that they don't have that right until they reach a minimum age? Either way I'm not certain they really know what they are protesting for.

Response by MAJ Michael Minerva made Jun 22 at 2018 4:37 PM

MAJ Michael Minerva — Fri, 22 Jun 2018 16:37:21 -0400

Puppets? Or students who were fired at while in school and decided to do something to try and stop this from happening again.

Response by PO2 Brad Broerman made Jun 25 at 2018 12:33 AM

PO2 Brad Broerman — Mon, 25 Jun 2018 00:33:19 -0400

These kids are being used by politicians who are trying to push their agenda. While some of them may feel that they are doing good, overall they are pawns. The tragedies are being used to push an agenda. More people die each year from DUI than all guns put together. More people die each year from blunt objects than all rifles and shotguns put together. This isn't about guns, it's about control. Teachers are forcing students to push this agenda. (as evidenced by other's comments) I have seen this in my sons school, and in many universities. Honestly, I fear for our republic.

Response by PO3 Don Goracke made Jul 15 at 2018 7:48 PM

PO3 Don Goracke — Sun, 15 Jul 2018 19:48:58 -0400

When I was a kid, 1976, I carried a gun to school.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 17 at 2018 10:14 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 17 Jul 2018 22:14:11 -0400

They don't have the full understanding of the consequences of what they say and do. Get that prefrontal cortex fused better.
This will end up with a victim based society that can't handle larger issues.
Stop being a platform for mom and dad's agenda.

Response by SGT Mark Sullivan made Jul 18 at 2018 9:06 AM

SGT Mark Sullivan — Wed, 18 Jul 2018 09:06:01 -0400

Puppets. Let me answer this question with a question. What life experiences have these child activists had that would give them a point of reference? None. Most don't even understand, or know, anything about the Constitution. Nor have they lived long enough to understand the difference between what a criminal does, and the tool they choose to use to commit a crime. The phrase "this generation is smarter than the others" solely based on the amount of information at their finger tips. Funny thing, that is a misnomer, just because they have the ability to look something up at their finger tips, it's another to be able to look at all information from both vantage points, and this generation only looks for information that reflects their narrative. This is called confirmation bias. It's funny because the media solely focus's on those child activists that support their own bias, but, condemn those same students when they don't conform to the medias bias. Hence, they are puppets when their herd mentality only supports one side.

Response by MSG Steve Collier made Jul 19 at 2018 7:48 PM

MSG Steve Collier — Thu, 19 Jul 2018 19:48:29 -0400

These child "activists" are shills for the various dhimmicrap sponsored/funded/ encouraged groups. None of the more visible Parkland "activists" was even close to the shootings. Numerous attempts to discern their locations have failed. They are, IMO, frauds who've reached the end of their utility to the anti-gun groups. The pathetic thing about these people is their squelching of the true victims' speech. They refuse to deal in facts: the number of firearms has increased astronomically, the number of murders has decreased by the same margin. Firearms are used defensively as many as a half-a-million times annually.

Response by Cpl Gabriel F. made Jul 23 at 2018 5:50 PM

Cpl Gabriel F. — Mon, 23 Jul 2018 17:50:09 -0400

Paid for with dollars, money for meals, transport, lodging fifteen minutes of fame and promises made. Do this for us children, say this for us children, believe in this children and you shall receive. Spit in the face of hundreds of thousands of service members that held weapons and never turned against the innocent. Condemn hundreds of thousands of citizens that obey the law of these United States then swear to the same citizens you are not against them just their guns. If you will just give up your guns all will be good and kind. The government elite will provide. Yes, just like the government provided for all the Veterans medical needs.

Response by SFC Richard Galli made Aug 26 at 2018 4:27 PM

SFC Richard Galli — Sun, 26 Aug 2018 16:27:20 -0400

NRA firearms lobby represents 7 million families, hunter & firearms safety courses across the US. The one kid in Florida, at that school shooting, that no doubt would have remained pro-firearms, alas he gave his life helping others to safety & confronting the shooter.

Response by SFC Richard Galli made Aug 26 at 2018 4:31 PM

SFC Richard Galli — Sun, 26 Aug 2018 16:31:11 -0400

The 'NRA firearms lobby' represents 7 million families, hunter & firearms safety classes across the USA. The one kid at the school in Florida that would remain very pro firearms, the one that helped fellow students to safety, was killed by the shooter.

Response by Sgt Richard Condon made Sep 5 at 2018 3:28 AM

Sgt Richard Condon — Wed, 05 Sep 2018 03:28:13 -0400

No. Many of these children were in schools or classrooms where their friends were shot and killed. They feared for their lives doing something they believed would be safe...getting an education. I think they have plenty of reason to be activists and agree or disagree they have a valid reason to make their point about gun violence. It wouldn't be an honest debate if they weren't allowed the opportunity to speak. Isn't that the reason many of us served?

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 9 at 2018 5:06 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 09 Sep 2018 17:06:01 -0400

Completely. VICE News had a piece where they were receiving coaching on a buss (SOMEONE had to PAY for) via phone on speaker. Another part showed how their perspective was strictly to target conservative legislators (as opposed to having a message for ALL who may benefit from it).

Response by PO1 Kevin Dougherty made Sep 10 at 2018 12:34 AM

PO1 Kevin Dougherty — Mon, 10 Sep 2018 00:34:50 -0400

I suspect they are what Lenin (probably) referred to as useful idiots. They may not even realized they are being used and manipulated.