Man with pistol, semi-automatic assault rifle in Obama veterans speech crowd

By GottaLaff

President Obama just spoke at the Phoenix Convention Center to address the Veterans of Foreign Wars. But outside, before he spoke, health care reform crowds were gathering, again. People on both sides were chanting and counter-chanting, which is fine. What isn't fine is that one of them had a pistol and a semi-automatic assault rifle.

That was rather disconcerting, but what really concerns me is the idea that the police can only legally intervene after something happens. I understand that, of course, but it's still cringeworthy:

One sight was perhaps a little un-nerving to those in charge of making sure everybody remains on their best behavior.

A man, who decided not to give his name, was walking around the pro-health care reform rally at 3rd and Washington streets, with a pistol on his hip, and an AR-15 (a semi-automatic assault rifle) on a strap over his shoulder.

"Because I can do it," he said when asked why he was armed. "In Arizona, I still have some freedoms."

Will someone please let me know which freedoms have been taken away since Obama got elected president? Anyone?

Bueller?

Two police officers were staying very close to the man.

"What he is doing is perfectly legal," Detective J. Oliver, of the department said. "We are here to keep the peace. If we need to intervene, we will intervene at that time."

Jim Mariman, an Idaho veteran of the Korean War and the Vietnam War, was spending his time outside the convention center rather than in it.

"What we are seeing here is people specking their minds and their hearts," Mariman said.

Mariman is opposed to Obama's health-care reform plan, but enjoys the fact that those who disagree with him, can disagree with him openly.

"These people can protest because I gave them the right."

No, Jim, you didn't. You may have defended it, but you didn't give anyone the right. That would be the Constitution, the laws of the land, not you and your guns.

Leonard Clark of Phoenix calls himself an Independent.

Standing on the corner near 3rd street and Washington street, he stopped and said those opposed to health-care reform were only doing so because the president "is black."

Immediately, a group of people opposed to the presidents plan and surrounded him, yelling "race baiter, race baiter, race baiter" at the top of their lungs.

Doug Ducharme, of Tempe was one of those yelling.

"This has nothing to do with the president being black," he said. "My ex-wife is black."

Key word: Ex. I bet one of his best friends is black, too.

H/t: Windy City Watch