Those of you who’ve been reading TSM for a while are probably familiar with Dr. Brian Anse Patrick, Associate Professor of Communication at the University of Toledo, in Ohio. I read his book The National Rifle Association and the Media: The Motivating Force of Negative Coverage back at the end of 2007, and my überpost The Church of MSM and the New Reformation was the result. Dr. Patrick is good people.
He sent me a galley copy of his latest book, Rise of the Anti-Media: In-forming America’s Concealed Weapon Carry Movement and I’m sorry to admit that it’s taken me a couple (OK, more than a couple) of months to get around to starting it, but I did start it last night. Let me quote from the introduction a particularly pertinent passage related to the title of this post:
Based on my research, it would not be inaccurate to say that “mass” antigun organizations tend to resemble mailing lists, audiences, or abstract statistical aggregations more than true organizations of people in a state of communication regarding one another, that is, a community. Except, of course, for a relatively few true believers at the top, or sprinkled here and there, the mass antigun group is a comparatively top-down affair communication-wise; it is vertical and can be mobilized only on very special occasions, providing some powerful, moneyed sponsor supplies free bus transportation or other incentives.
Case in point, the recent brouhaha over Starbucks not prohibiting open carry in their stores.
The Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Ownership Violence was one of the most outspoken opponents of Starbucks’ “leave us out of it” policy. And by sheer coincidence this evening via Dave Hardy I discovered one of the strongest affirmations of Dr. Patrick’s observation:
(Click to embiggen the screenshot.) Yup. Last updated April 27, all they’ve managed to raise is $20. Will that even buy a Vente half-caf, non-fat whole-milk foam, bone-dry, half-pump mocha, half sugar in the raw, with double cup and no lid?
I guess this IS the America We Really Want to Live In. Watch the embedded April 12 Comedy Central clip. It’s pretty funny.
Now, I must continue my reading. This book promises to be as interesting as his last.