The National Rifle Association has, ahem, set its sights on a very diverse group of opponents via a so-called “enemies list” that’s since been scrubbed from the organization’s website. Though originally published in September, the 500-plus-strong rundown only recently made headlines for its absurd lineup — ranging from the St. Louis Rams to the American Nurses Association to Meryl Streep — and has subsequently disappeared.
Thankfully, enough of the gat-listed names have been noted thus far. While plenty of actors, companies, churches, publications, and organizations were cited as having “officially endorsed anti-gun positions,” several musicians were as well, from the seemingly innocuous (Boyz II Men, Shania Twain, Tony Bennett) to the pop-powerful (Beyoncé, Britney Spears, Bon Jovi, Art Garfunkel) to the WTF (Missy Elliott, Gloria Estefan, Chaka Khan).
Also falling firmly under the latter umbrella: Frank Zappa’s children Ahmet, Diva, Dweezil, and Moon. Additionally, A&M Records (Maroon 5, Hollywood Undead) was named alongside Rolling Stone, longtime rock ‘n’ roll outfitters Levi Strauss & Co., and that fine purveyor of tour-van delicacies Sara Lee Corporation, according to reports by the BBC, NBC, and the NME. Oh, and sorry stoners-who-like-guns: Ben & Jerry’s are targeted, too.
As silly as all of this seems, it’s also wildly irresponsible. Directly reminiscent of Sarah Palin’s unfortunate crosshairs map, and arriving at a time when Los Angeles police officers are pulling extra shifts to protect people named in the lunatic Christopher Dorner’s manifesto, the thought behind the thing has to be questioned. Is it wise to publish a list of your enemies when your friends make a point to tout their at-home arsenals?
