Over the weekend, millions of teens and others who dislike the constant threat of mass shootings poured out to attend rallies and protests to push for gun control.
March For Our Lives had a number of critics. For example, Rick Santorum says that teens should take CPR classes instead of asking for the government to protect them and their peers.
As you"ll see in the video below, Meghan McCain is also criticizing the movement … because she disapproves of the language being used.
We don"t want to just write anyone"s words out of context, so the video of her comments is below, but Meghan McCain said this of Parkland survivor David Hogg"s speech:
"One thing I will say is that you don’t move the narrative when you use language like this."
That line in particular came back to haunt her, but we"ll get to that in a moment.
"He said, ‘It just makes me think what sick blankers out there want to continue to sell more guns, murder our children and honestly just get reelected. What type of blanking person does that?""
She continues to quote him, saying:
""They could have blood from children splattered all over their faces and they don’t take action because all they see are dollar signs.’"
She ends her quote with her final criticism.
"I wish we could have it where the rhetoric isn’t that any of us could ‘have blood splattered on our faces and your life perspective wouldn’t be changed.’ I don’t think it’s productive."
David Hogg was one of multiple Parkland shooting survivors who gave a speech at the March For Our Lives protest.
Millions came out in support of gun control in an effort to prevent more terrible mass shootings.
The Onion titled one of their satirical articles: "Teens Spend Wild Spring Break in D.C. Begging Lawmakers for Their Lives," which is … pretty accurate, unfortunately.
At the protest, David Hogg spoke up, saying:
"When politicians send their thoughts and prayers with no action, we say, ‘No more.""
He continues, issuing a warning to politicians who continue to drag their feet against the growing demands for gun control.
“And to those politicians supported by the NRA, that allow the continued slaughter of our children and our future, I say, get your resumes ready."
Like many 17-year-olds, Hogg will soon be able to vote.
David Hogg, seen here with fellow survivor Emma Gonzalez, was not on The View to defend his words to Meghan McCain.
But Whoopi Goldberg spoke up in his defense.
"Well, here’s the thing. These kids are not going to take it."
People who have heard their friends die aren"t going to mince words when they appeal for sensible regulations that have been proven to prevent mass shootings in other Western nations.
"They are sick of waiting for the adults to do it. They are letting you know."
And Whoopi points out that his language choice is really not a problem.
"Whether they’re cussing you out or speaking beautifully. It doesn’t matter."
Viewers of The View spoke up on Twitter in opposition to Meghan McCain"s words.
"Come on. These kids want to go to school and have a decent chance to grow up. They"re scared. Do something to help instead of crticize."
"Oh please! Get your priorities straight. Some people only listen when you shock the hell out of them. This fine young man is PASSIONATE. Kids have been blown away & gunned down. You need to focus on the issue. Stop distracting the good these kids R doing."
"Once again @MeghanMcCain misses the point. The words of @davidhogg111 aren’t effective because he cursed? The boy watched his friends die and he’s not allowed to swear? Please."
"You"re wrong Meghan. Own it."
We mentioned that Meghan"s comment about language would come back to bite her.
Her own profile includes the tag "F–kCancer," a reference to her father"s current health battle.
Tweeters did point out that if she feels that "bad" words are acceptable for a cause about which she feels passionate, she shouldn"t hold David Hogg to different standards.
We will say, to be fair, that Meghan McCain wasn"t necessarily as focused on David Hogg"s use of "bad" words as many have assumed.
It sounds like she felt that his rhetoric wasn"t really designed to change any hearts and minds. And she"s right.
Hogg"s speech was designed to inspire people who are already big believers in gun control. He wants them to vote out politicians who won"t budge over guns.
Meghan is a conservative, but she"s a moderate conservative, and she and many who feel as she does feel like changing people"s minds should be the goal of speeches like that.
Others — perhaps Hogg included — might counter that anyone who is still opposed to gun control after countless mass shootings, including the one in Parkland, is probably not going to be swayed by Hogg"s words or by anyone else"s.
Here are her comments:
