BY KENNY BELFORD

A few weeks ago I penned an op-ed piece that addressed the transformation underway in our nation from civility to hate and rage. It was my contention then, and now, that this change is being fueled on a daily basis by the wingnuts that populate the AM radio band.

At the same time as this change, Republicans are ratcheting up their desire to have America armed to the teeth, and never leave home without your weapon. They spread great fear our president is going to take away their guns. The baloney has taken root.

You can even see this language appear in the print ads run by the gun show promoters, which is a great place for the fearful knuckle-draggers to add to their arsenal, free from scrutiny.

Republicans go absolutely bonkers at even the suggestion that a cursory check be made to determine if someone is a criminal or total wack job before stocking up on more fire power.

Even Republican preachers have come on board, hosting “bring your guns to church” days.

Here in Oklahoma we’ve seen Republican-sponsored legislation to allow, and encourage, college kids to pack heat as they head off to the classroom. In Arizona, apparently the Republicans felt they were falling behind in the “Arm America” race, so they’ve just passed a legislative measure placed before their Republican governor, which would allow the scared Republicans to bring their guns with them when they go out for a night of bar hopping.

Alcohol and guns – that’s a swell idea, at least it is to the wingnuts.

We’re on a roll with this. The AM radio wingnuts are escalating their hate-spewing rhetoric, working tirelessly to frighten their sheeple. The very scared Republicans are arming themselves to the max, and fighting to allow total freedom to carry their weapons with them every waking hour of the day no matter where they go.

Smears, lies, fear, hateful speech, alcohol and guns … do you really need to be a rocket scientist to see where this is headed?

– Kenny Belford lives in Tulsa, OK and is a regular contributor to The Oklahoma Observer