Man Who Brought Assault Rifle To Obama Rally Was Part Of Radio Stunt

[Are_grits_groceries]

On Monday, a dozen people packing heat -- including at least one man carrying a semi-automatic assault rifle -- were spotted at a pro-health care rally next to the convention where President Obama was speaking. While it appeared at the time to be a random incident, similar to several other gun sightings at health care events, it's become clear today that this time the gun show was at least partially planned.

The man with the semi-automatic (referred to in interviews as "Chris," no last name) was spotted at the protest by CNN news cameras, in the middle of a Q&A. Today, his interviewer -- Ernest Hancock of conservative talk radio show Declare Your Independence With Ernest Hancock -- went on CNN and explained to host Rick Sanchez that he and Chris were actually in the middle of a radio broadcast. Hancock, also packing heat at the rally, had invited Chris to come down the protest with his rifle to be interviewed. The two men had known each other for two years, through their work for presidential hopeful Rep. Ron Paul (R-Texas).

During the segment on CNN, Rick Sanchez said, "the more we look into this, the more it appears that it was really planned." Hancock concurred: "Oh, it's more planned than you think." In addition to scheduling the interview, Hancock had also informed the local police force.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VSOd4I-wAWs

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/08/18/right-wing-radio-host-sta_n_262559.html

Jackasses! They seem to think carrying guns is some sort of game.

[PeaceNikki]

1. And further: Activist Who Staged Interview Was Prominent Defender Of '90s Militia

http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2009/08/ernest_hancock_viper_militia_gun_obama_event.php

Ernest Hancock, the online radio host who staged an interview with an assault rifle-wielding cohort at the Obama event in Arizona yesterday -- and was himself armed with a 9 millimeter pistol -- was a vocal supporter and friend of right-wing anti-government militia members who were convicted of conspiracy and weapons charges in the 90s.

And in an interview today with TPMmuckraker, Hancock said he still believes the Viper Militia case was "manufactured" by the same government that manufactured Waco and lied to its people about 9/11.

The federal government initially accused the Arizona Viper Militia of plotting to blow up federal buildings, which the twelve-member group cased on videotape.

In July 1996, after a grand jury indicted the suspects, federal agents "seized about 90 high-powered rifles and hundreds of pounds of a bomb-making compound from the shabby bungalow of a man whom officials identified as the ordnance specialist of a local paramilitary group," the New York Times reported at the time.

Hancock, who in recent years designed the famous "Ron Paul rEVOLution" graphic, was an oft-quoted defender of the militia members. The tapes of the government buildings, he said at the time, were purely "educational."

More at link

[Raschel]

3. Stunts with guns. What fun.

[Tangerine LaBamba]

2. Teh stupid,

it burns.

These assholes need to be taught some American history and then put their goddamned guns away. Or up their asses.

Fucking jerks............................

[obliviously]

4. Good thinking huh?

[walldude]

5. Great.. so this is all a reality show joke to them.. Getting their 15 minutes.

They all want to be Joe The Faux Plumber getting paid to stand around pretending they are the only "true Americans".