On Friday's CNN Newsroom, CNN host Carol Costello gave gun control activist Andy Parker his latest forum to aim over the top vitriol at opponents of gun control as he asserted that two Republican congressmen were behaving in a "treasonous" manner and are "aiding and abetting terrorists" by blocking new gun laws.
Costello only mildly pushed back against Parker's incendiary statements, which again highlighted her double standard in being more contentious toward guests with a more conservative view, but soft on those with a liberal view on the issue, as demonstrated previously on Thursday's show.
Parker, who already has a history of demonizing gun rights advocates on Carol Costello's show and other forums, made the treason charge after Costello brought up the provocative New York Daily News mockery of prayer in times of violence:
The New York Daily News, they had a headline the day after this terrible shooting at San Bernardino. And it said, in essence, it said prayer isn't enough, God won't make this stop happening. A lot of gun rights advocates took offense to that. What do you think?
The gun control activist began by ascribing the invocation of faith to "sanctimonious politicians" as he responded:
Well, I think that's, unfortunately, it's become a code word for sanctimonious politicians, it's "Our thoughts and prayers are with you," and they feel like that's enough to get by, and that's the code word for, "We're not going to do anything." You know, yeah, thoughts and prayers are certainly appreciated, but we want to see action.
Parker then singled out members of Congress and brought up treason as he added:
And when you have guys like Bob Goodlatte, who is, you know, who was the Congressman for where Alison lived, who has 100 gun legislative bills sitting at his desk that he will not consider for a hearing. When you have Mike McCaul, who is supposed to be the, looking after us as the chairman of the House Committee, the Homeland House, Homeland Security Committee, and you look at what they do and they're obstructionists. You know, I've called them "cowards" before. I now go so far as to say they're acting in a treasonous fashion, frankly.
The CNN host blandly responded, "Treasonous fashion?"
Parker then added:
Yes, when you have murder going on the way we have it, and you have the ability to affect gun legislation, sensible gun legislation, at least hearing it, holding hearings, and when the gun lobby is giving these guys money to preempt that, yeah, I think you're aiding and abetting terrorists, which, in my mind, is treasonous.
Below is a transcript of the relevant portion of the Friday, December 4, CNN Newsroom with Carol Costello from 9:51 a.m.:
CAROL COSTELLO: President Obama saying this can't become a new normal for Americans. For years, he's called for stricter gun control measures. Just yesterday, Senate Republicans say no once again to new gun control legislation. Someone all too familiar with this is Andy Parker. His daughter Alison, alongside her cameraman Adam Ward, were killed on live television back in August. Immediately after Alison's death, Mr. Parker vowed to do whatever it took to end gun violence. That mission leading straight to the steps of the Capitol. Andy Parker joins me now live from Washington. Good morning, sir. [ANDY PARKER]
You've been on a mission since your daughter's death. Has there been any progress, in your mind? [PARKER]
I think for the tide to really turn, though, you have to establish some sort of a relationship with gun rights advocates. Have you been able to do that? [PARKER]
The New York Daily News, they had a headline the day after this terrible shooting at San Bernardino. And it said, in essence, it said prayer isn't enough, God won't make this stop happening. A lot of gun rights advocates took offense to that. What do you think?
ANDY PARKER, GUN CONTROL ADVOCATE: Well, I think that's, unfortunately, it's become a code word for sanctimonious politicians, it's "Our thoughts and prayers are with you," and they feel like that's enough to get by, and that's the code word for, "We're not going to do anything." You know, yeah, thoughts and prayers are certainly appreciated, but we want to see action.And when you have guys like Bob Goodlatte, who is, you know, who was the Congressman for where Alison lived, who has 100 gun legislative bills sitting at his desk that he will not consider for a hearing. When you have Mike McCaul, who is supposed to be the, looking after us as the chairman of the House Committee, the Homeland House, Homeland Security Committee, and you look at what they do and they're obstructionists. You know, I've called them "cowards" before. I now go so far as to say they're acting in a treasonous fashion, frankly.
COSTELLO: Treasonous fashion?
PARKER: Yes, when you have murder going on the way we have it, and you have the ability to affect gun legislation, sensible gun legislation, at least hearing it, holding hearings, and when the gun lobby is giving these guys money to preempt that, yeah, I think you're aiding and abetting terrorists, which, in my mind, is treasonous.
COSTELLO: Andy Parker, thanks for joining me this morning.
