July 1, 2004
NRA Gun Guy Takes Shot at Michael Moore
A BUZZFLASH NEWS ANALYSIS
The predictable right-wing attack against Michael Moore and Fahrenheit 9/11 gets a high-powered shot in the arm -- .50 magnum, that is -- with the June publication of a new book co-authored by Arizona lawyer David T. Hardy, a former National Rifle Association attorney and, according to freerepublic.com, "American gun owners' best friend."
Hardy is the co-author of Michael Moore is a Big Fat Stupid White Man.
So who is this guy, Hardy?
Hardy's past claims to fame include a successful appeal to overturn portions of the Brady law on 10th Amendment grounds and an unsuccessful legal attack on the federal law restricting some assault weapons.
In the past, he's whined over Bowling for Columbine, and set up an anti-Moore web site, which has a plea for funds for Hardy's own documentary -- on the Second Amendment -- "to counter the propaganda and win the hearts and minds." In debates, Hardy has falsely claimed that gun control advocate Sarah Brady actually has a concealed carry permit for a handgun.
No surprise that the best man at Hardy's wedding was none other than National Rifle Association Executive Vice President Wayne LaPierre, who labeled federal law enforcement agents "jack booted government thugs." LaPierre made that unpatriotic and defamatory accusation right before former NRA member Timothy McVeigh blew up the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City in an effort to retaliate against federal agents in charge of enforcing federal gun laws.
Other "high-caliber" NRA notables at Hardy's wedding included then-NRA Executive Vice President Harlon Carter, who as a 17-year-old in Laredo, Texas, shot and killed 15-year-old Ramon Casiano (Carter was convicted of murder, but the conviction was later overturned on appeal) and former NRA PR head John Aquilino, who once lamented to the Washington Post that "gun owners are the new n****** (black people) of society."
So visit Hardy's web site to see one of the best "unbiased," critical sources the right wing can scrounge up to attack Fahrenheit 9/11.
But whatever you do, don't buy the book. It's not much bang for the buck, unless you need something to start a bonfire on the beach or to line your litter box.
A BUZZFLASH NEWS ANALYSIS