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Wayne LaPierre - Parkland Is Coming For You
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/wayne-lapierre-parkland-coming-you-lonny-anger/Wayne LaPierre - Parkland Is Coming For You
Published on February 22, 2018
Lonny Anger
President at Merrick Industrial Management Corporation
Mr. LaPierre,
We don’t know each other. You are a famous author, lobbyist, and CEO of the NRA.
I respect the success you have been able to achieve. You have a brilliant business model.
I mean that sincerely.
You have created a movement that has become a cult – no matter what happens, no matter what people say, you and your fellow members have dazzling and consistent responses, as well as the resources necessary to protect your beliefs. You have built a fortress that is difficult to penetrate, and you have successfully infiltrated yourself in politics without being politicians.
That’s impressive.
I have friends who are card carrying NRA members - they hunt, and do and say all things that I wouldn’t. They own guns, assault rifles, and carry concealed weapons in my presence.
They post bat shit crazy stuff on Facebook, and respond with vitriol to whoever disagrees. Others defriend or stop following them, while I am fascinated with how they reconcile these ideas while also seemingly appear to be great husbands and fathers - wondering if their beliefs would change if their loved ones were struck by a bullet. Would they defend their right to own an assault rifle with the same passion, conviction, and fury?
I don’t know, so I stay connected.
I respect their right to do and express all of those things, and I can still be friends with them despite our opposing viewpoints.
And I promise I won’t say “I told you so”, if the unthinkable happens to them the same way it happened to those 17 innocent victims. I will offer my unwavering support, in the same way that the world has shown us here in Parkland.
Now here’s the thing, I’m really a nobody - my calling card to you would be a very simple message:
I live in Parkland.
And I’m here to tell you one thing:
Parkland is coming for you.
I’m sure when you heard about the shootings in my city, you said to yourself “Oh, F$%k”.
Not because of the 17 people who were killed, not because of the 3,000 students who feared for their lives, and not because of the entire community of Parkland whose lives have been changed forever.
It is because you are going to have to once again have to deal with the aftermath of an attack on gun ownership after a tragedy like this happens.
I know that your initial reaction will be to dismiss my article.
Let me take a guess at what will happen next:
Your members who you never met will troll me on social media talking about how society is coming for their guns, along with all the other rhetoric that you have convinced them to say.
They will post articles that talks about how mental health is the root of the problem, prescription medications, how if teachers were armed this wouldn’t have happened, it’s the FBI’s fault, the school didn’t protect the students, and Parkland kids are being funded by the left, and that they are paid actors.
They will say the Government doesn’t have a right to tell me what they can and cannot buy, and next we will ban cars because they kill people too.
They will write disparaging comments about me and my family on my social media feeds.
I actually don’t fear any of that – Trust me when I tell you that there is no more fear than you can throw at me than having to wait for those three bubbles to appear when you want to see a text from your daughter that is hiding in a closet from a deranged gunman, with an assault rifle that was purchased legally.
That’s fear.
The thought of those 17 families having to live each and every day without their loved ones?
That's courage.
Parkland is coming for you.
Now here’s the thing - I can help you, because I wouldn’t want Parkland after me.
Have you met some of these Parkland kids? The ones that went to Tallahassee or are going to DC? The ones who have been interviewed by the media, met with President Trump, and are leading the revolution for change?
Scary.
For you, that is.
Have you seen what has happened with the #metoo movement? Some incredibly brave women and men went after people who were considered untouchable.
Despite all of their money and all of their power, people asked for a change.
And it has happened. The process has started.
Their downfall was historic and swift.
Politicians who are concerned about how you may react or that you may cut off their funding, will be meeting the same fate very soon.
They know it.
They can’t sleep knowing their fate, just like the City of Parkland can’t sleep since 2/14/18.
There’s no hope for them.
For you, there is.
I am trying to spare you the same demise.
Parkland is coming for you.
I have always believed that there isn’t a problem that I couldn’t solve with communication.
Therefore, I am asking you for a meeting.
A sit down.
In person.
Not an interaction on email, Facebook, LinkedIn, or Twitter.
An actual face to face conversation.
No media.
No cameras.
No attorneys.
Not a representative.
Just you and me.
Parkland is coming for you.
I’ll meet you in Fairfax. Or wherever. I don’t like to fly - but if you make the time, I’ll make the ride.
You can even bring your gun(s), I’ll bring the cannoli.
(Absolutely no ties though.)
Parkland is coming for you.
I have a proposal that will get most of America off your back, and you will still be popular with the right. (I’m a registered Republican, BTW.)
Your members can keep their guns, and the manufacturers will still make money.
I’ll even go as far as to say it will save you money, because you will no longer have to spend money on politicians’ campaigns.
For instance, I can save you $30,000,000 on the 2020 Presidential campaign alone.
While I recognize $30,000,000 is tip money for you - if someone told me I could save that kind of money, I would be crazy not to at least take a meeting.
Parkland is coming for you.
I need two hours of your time, and I promise I will save you years of aggravation.
Parkland is coming for you.
You can be a catalyst for change, and make the NRA even more popular than it already is – without all of the headaches.
In the coming years, you will need this generation to maintain and grow your membership base.
Have you seen what the Millennials have done to some industries?
It’s only going to get worse.
Casual Dining, Department Stores, Beer, Napkins, Cereal, Golf, Motorcycles - just to name a few – have all felt the impact.
I would tell you to read the news, but you will tell me it’s just fake news.
That’s ok.
Just ask some of your NRA members who work in these industries if they have felt the impact.
The gun industry is next.
Parkland is coming for you.
It would be to your benefit to accept my invitation.
If you decline, I won’t be able to stop what’s ahead for you.
Parkland is coming for you.
Have your people call me.
Parkland is coming for you.
I’m not hard to find.
I live in Parkland.
We don’t know each other. You are a famous author, lobbyist, and CEO of the NRA.
I respect the success you have been able to achieve. You have a brilliant business model.
I mean that sincerely.
You have created a movement that has become a cult – no matter what happens, no matter what people say, you and your fellow members have dazzling and consistent responses, as well as the resources necessary to protect your beliefs. You have built a fortress that is difficult to penetrate, and you have successfully infiltrated yourself in politics without being politicians.
That’s impressive.
I have friends who are card carrying NRA members - they hunt, and do and say all things that I wouldn’t. They own guns, assault rifles, and carry concealed weapons in my presence.
They post bat shit crazy stuff on Facebook, and respond with vitriol to whoever disagrees. Others defriend or stop following them, while I am fascinated with how they reconcile these ideas while also seemingly appear to be great husbands and fathers - wondering if their beliefs would change if their loved ones were struck by a bullet. Would they defend their right to own an assault rifle with the same passion, conviction, and fury?
I don’t know, so I stay connected.
I respect their right to do and express all of those things, and I can still be friends with them despite our opposing viewpoints.
And I promise I won’t say “I told you so”, if the unthinkable happens to them the same way it happened to those 17 innocent victims. I will offer my unwavering support, in the same way that the world has shown us here in Parkland.
Now here’s the thing, I’m really a nobody - my calling card to you would be a very simple message:
I live in Parkland.
And I’m here to tell you one thing:
Parkland is coming for you.
I’m sure when you heard about the shootings in my city, you said to yourself “Oh, F$%k”.
Not because of the 17 people who were killed, not because of the 3,000 students who feared for their lives, and not because of the entire community of Parkland whose lives have been changed forever.
It is because you are going to have to once again have to deal with the aftermath of an attack on gun ownership after a tragedy like this happens.
I know that your initial reaction will be to dismiss my article.
Let me take a guess at what will happen next:
Your members who you never met will troll me on social media talking about how society is coming for their guns, along with all the other rhetoric that you have convinced them to say.
They will post articles that talks about how mental health is the root of the problem, prescription medications, how if teachers were armed this wouldn’t have happened, it’s the FBI’s fault, the school didn’t protect the students, and Parkland kids are being funded by the left, and that they are paid actors.
They will say the Government doesn’t have a right to tell me what they can and cannot buy, and next we will ban cars because they kill people too.
They will write disparaging comments about me and my family on my social media feeds.
I actually don’t fear any of that – Trust me when I tell you that there is no more fear than you can throw at me than having to wait for those three bubbles to appear when you want to see a text from your daughter that is hiding in a closet from a deranged gunman, with an assault rifle that was purchased legally.
That’s fear.
The thought of those 17 families having to live each and every day without their loved ones?
That's courage.
Parkland is coming for you.
Now here’s the thing - I can help you, because I wouldn’t want Parkland after me.
Have you met some of these Parkland kids? The ones that went to Tallahassee or are going to DC? The ones who have been interviewed by the media, met with President Trump, and are leading the revolution for change?
Scary.
For you, that is.
Have you seen what has happened with the #metoo movement? Some incredibly brave women and men went after people who were considered untouchable.
Despite all of their money and all of their power, people asked for a change.
And it has happened. The process has started.
Their downfall was historic and swift.
Politicians who are concerned about how you may react or that you may cut off their funding, will be meeting the same fate very soon.
They know it.
They can’t sleep knowing their fate, just like the City of Parkland can’t sleep since 2/14/18.
There’s no hope for them.
For you, there is.
I am trying to spare you the same demise.
Parkland is coming for you.
I have always believed that there isn’t a problem that I couldn’t solve with communication.
Therefore, I am asking you for a meeting.
A sit down.
In person.
Not an interaction on email, Facebook, LinkedIn, or Twitter.
An actual face to face conversation.
No media.
No cameras.
No attorneys.
Not a representative.
Just you and me.
Parkland is coming for you.
I’ll meet you in Fairfax. Or wherever. I don’t like to fly - but if you make the time, I’ll make the ride.
You can even bring your gun(s), I’ll bring the cannoli.
(Absolutely no ties though.)
Parkland is coming for you.
I have a proposal that will get most of America off your back, and you will still be popular with the right. (I’m a registered Republican, BTW.)
Your members can keep their guns, and the manufacturers will still make money.
I’ll even go as far as to say it will save you money, because you will no longer have to spend money on politicians’ campaigns.
For instance, I can save you $30,000,000 on the 2020 Presidential campaign alone.
While I recognize $30,000,000 is tip money for you - if someone told me I could save that kind of money, I would be crazy not to at least take a meeting.
Parkland is coming for you.
I need two hours of your time, and I promise I will save you years of aggravation.
Parkland is coming for you.
You can be a catalyst for change, and make the NRA even more popular than it already is – without all of the headaches.
In the coming years, you will need this generation to maintain and grow your membership base.
Have you seen what the Millennials have done to some industries?
It’s only going to get worse.
Casual Dining, Department Stores, Beer, Napkins, Cereal, Golf, Motorcycles - just to name a few – have all felt the impact.
I would tell you to read the news, but you will tell me it’s just fake news.
That’s ok.
Just ask some of your NRA members who work in these industries if they have felt the impact.
The gun industry is next.
Parkland is coming for you.
It would be to your benefit to accept my invitation.
If you decline, I won’t be able to stop what’s ahead for you.
Parkland is coming for you.
Have your people call me.
Parkland is coming for you.
I’m not hard to find.
I live in Parkland.
12 replies
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= new reply since forum marked as read
