I figured something out that had been puzzling me, and the answer came as a surprise.
President Obama made a speech in the wake of the San Bernardino massacre. During that speech he called for everyone to keep cool heads and not respond by giving in to irrational fear and hatred. It seemed like a sensible, if obvious, thought: Let’s not give ISIS the very thing they want (and in fact, have been saying they want).
I didn’t understand why there was so much vitriolic dislike for the speech from the Republican party, until I actually read the official response of the Republican National Committee. It seems that they believe ISIS is murdering innocent citizens around the world in order to advance a very specific goal: Repeal of gun control in the United States.
I know that sounds crazy. Why would a radical theological sect bent on mass genocide care about our domestic policies half way around the world?
Apparently, according to the RNC, ISIS is killing people in order to goad the U.S. into taking away the rights of its citizens to bear arms. The RNC concludes its argument with these words: “To react by trying to limit the rights enshrined by our Constitution would be a terrible mistake.”
Wow.