Hoplophobia

Yesterday, October 8, 2008, Elizabeth Snead, author of The Dish Rag (a Los Angeles Times blog) penned a piece concerning a photograph that appeared on the cover of  Newsweek magazine (reference the photograph in this post).  Snead's purpose in writing the post concerned the relevancy of printing a photograph of Sarah Palin taken in 2002.  Snead went on to write, "Hey, is that even the right way to hold a rifle? Can't you shoot your foot off like that?"  Many have interpreted that comment as critical of Palin and sceptical of her familiarity with firearms.  No pun intended, well maybe it is, Snead's comment seems to have blown up in her face. However, this comment merely displays a naivete common among our tender, moisturized urbanites.  But, so what? No harm, no foul.  But, Snead just can't leave well enough alone.  It seems, prodded by some unflattering comments, Snead revealed a bit more about her views concerning gun owners today, Thursday, October 9, 2008.  The embattled blogger responded to negative comments by saying, "maybe gun-owners/lovers really are short-sighted. And maybe even hot-headed and dangerous."  This is the bile that runs just under the surface.  Perhaps, critics weren't so off the mark about Snead.  

We have in our midst those afflicted with paroxysms of the mind that, when provoked, show themselves in full relief; the unvarnished self laid bare.  The irrational fear that many posses concerning firearms prevents their understanding of the issues from a composed, logical perspective.  This psychological affliction has been termed Hoplophobia by the late Jeff Cooper.  Cooper coined the term, deriving it from the Greek word hoplon, meaning "instrument" or synonymously "weapon", and phobos, meaning "terror."  Hoplophobia is a fear or horror of a morbid character concerning weapons.  "The essence of the affliction is the belief that instruments cause acts." Jeff Cooper, To Ride, Shoot Straight, And Speak The Truth.  As a phobia it is irrational, being derived from impressions foisted on individuals through a liberal media and educational system.  Firearms are tools of power.  The rifle, in particular, has enabled mankind to extend his dominion over the earth, providing food for the table, protection from wild beasts, and defense against oppression.  Evil men, who would extend their malevolent will over their fellow man have found a nemesis in an armed citizenry.  In this, the Second Amendment to the Constitution finds its fullest meaning.  And, this is why the liberal left so opposes the right to keep (possess/own) and bear (to carry about) arms.  The rifle, pistol, or shotgun are a tools of power.  Therefore, the liberal Marxist conspirator seeks to eliminate every source of power that threatens its political, religious, and economic hegemony.  The liberal left cannot win the war of words.  Therefore, they seek to eliminate the means of physical resistance.  

Snead thinks gun owners are dangerous.  She's afflicted with a malignant case of hoplophobia.  Snead fears what she doesn't understand and attacks out of instinct.  She is of the over civilized ilk that hide behind the dust covered boots of men and women with guns, who stand watch upon the battlements of this republic. There are hard and ready men both here and abroad who know the price of a free republic and live as the warriors of old with courage, honor, and passion.  They share nothing in common with the effete urbanite who preens his lacquered fingernails and moves with oily manner in his silken shirts. These hard and ready men know that the world harbors evil and that this evil is not amenable to parlay and must be met abroad and at home by force of arms.  The honor of arms is the heritage of Americans, our birthright and the surest defense of our liberties.

Sarah Palin understands the meaning of the Second Amendment.  She understands that these words have been hallowed by the sacrifice of blood.  The figure that Sarah Palin strikes in the Newsweek photograph is the paradigm of femininity; an empowered woman with a command of firearms.  By this tool of power she is made the equal of men and master of all she surveys.  The Sarah Palin in that Newsweek photograph is my kind of woman. 

"Personal weapons are what raised mankind out of the mud, and the rifle is the queen of personal weapons.  The possession of a good rifle, as well as the skill to use it well, truly makes a man the monarch of all he surveys.  It realizes the ancient dream of the Jovian thunderbolt, and as such it is the embodiment of personal power."  Jeff Cooper, The Art Of The Rifle