I did not know until the Newtown massacre that there was a group at dailykos committed to the "right to keep and bear arms."
Apparently, this group of "second amendment supporters" has produced a large number of diaries which you can see here.
It's a bit surprising to me that this group should be part of a liberal or progressive website. While I don't dispute the right of individual members to disagree on a particular policy or issue, it strikes me as odd that RKBA should exist as a formal group.
Dailykos would not allow, as far as I know, groups to be formed that were pro-Romney, or anti-choice, or anti-gay. Though please correct me if I'm wrong.
So I'm curious as to why RKBA members were allowed to form a group to disseminate their pro-gun views with the at least tacit blessing of the powers that be at this site?
Again, I don't argue against individual members having a view that dissents from the liberal or progressive mainstream, I just wonder if it makes sense for there to be a formal group at dailykos dedicated to promoting "gun rights". Especially in the wake of the Newtown massacre, which has clearly shown where such policies lead.
If we want to take on the NRA, shouldn't we begin by putting our own house in order?
Please take the poll...
11:28 AM PT: Interesting that a majority answer yes to the poll. I wonder if that is reflective of the community, or, perhaps more likely, that the RKBA group voted in disproportionate numbers.
Also: anyone who mentions a first amendment right at stake is just plain silly. This site is private property and belongs to Kos. He can pretty much arbitrarily decide what is or is not permitted on this site. The first amendment only applies to government action, not to private events. The Supreme Court has faced similar cases in the past, and ruled unanimously that ownership = ability to decide what does or does not get published. Of course, anyone is free to start their own website or newspaper to get their own views across, but no one has a right to publish at Dailykos.