This has got to be the all-time classic comeback. This is an exact recount of US National Public Radio (NPR) interview between a female broadcaster, and US Army General Reinwald who was about to sponsor a Boy scout Troop visiting his military installation.
FEMALE INTERVIEWER: "So, General Reinwald, what things are you going to teach these young boys when they visit your base?"
GENERAL REINWALD: "We're going to teach them climbing, canoeing, archery, and shooting."
FEMALE INTERVIEWER: "Shooting! That's a bit irresponsible, isn't it?"
GENERAL REINWALD: "I don't see why, they'll be properly supervised on the rifle range."
FEMALE INTERVIEWER: "Don't you admit that this is a terribly dangerous activity to be teaching children?"
GENERAL REINWALD: "I don't see how, ....we will be teaching them proper rifle range discipline before they even touch a firearm."
FEMALE INTERVIEWER: "But you're equipping them to become violent killers."
GENERAL REINWALD: "Well, you're equipped to be a prostitute, but you're not one, are you?"
The radio went silent and the interview ended.
This is the absolute truth. I had a very similar conversation with a young woman at work around 1989. Somehow, the subject turned to guns (what a surprise with me there and all ... ha ). Anyway it went something like this ...
SHE: Oh, you're not one of those GUN NUTS, are you??
ME: Well, I prefer to refer to myself as an "enthusiast".
SHE: What's wrong with you guys? My father's a GUN NUT, too. What do you NEED an assault rifles for, anyway?
ME: It's not a matter of needing it. It's just that there's nothing wrong with lawful, responsible use of these firearms.
SHE: What do you want one for? Are you gonna hang around schoolyards and playgrounds?
NOTE: Now, this wasn't too long after Stockton, Ca. I immediately got angry at this nasty (dare I say "mean-spirited"?) comment, but controlled myself, and asked her this :
ME: Well, you wear a fair amount of makeup, right?
SHE: Yeah ... but what's that got to do with anything?
ME: I was wondering if you were planning on hanging out on a street corner after work.
She got mad, but it shut her up. Logic and wits beat emotion - this time. I wonder if these people think that all men should be castrated, as we're all potential rapists?
- Spirit of '76 Greg .