Calderon’s attacks on the NRA did not stop there. He called out “every single company” that has not yet cut their ties with the NRA. He then attacked the NRA as “toxic”, “vile” and not supportive of the right to live. One can’t help but think that CNN shares the same feelings as Calderon. For the duration of most of the interview, the headline “Corporate America Doing What Congress Won’t on Guns” was displayed at the bottom of the screen.
Perhaps equally noteworthy was Blitzer’s response, or more accurately, lack thereof. Rather than push back on Calderon’s outrageous comments, Blitzer instead chose to end the interview and proceed to a commercial break.
During an appearance on Inside Politics earlier in the day, Mary Katharine Ham called out CNN for their biased coverage of the Parkland shooting fallout, specifically their lopsided focus on promoting students who have called for tighter gun control, saying “We also have had 24/7 coverage of these students who ask for those things and not nearly as much coverage for those students who have other thoughts on this and that is part of what is pushing this as well.”
Considering the fact that it has set itself up as an adversary to the NRA, which has its own TV network, CNN might want to consider changing its name to GCNN, the Gun Control News Network.
Wolf
02/28/18
01:43 PMWOLF BLITZER: Yeah, it’s an awful situation all around. I know it’s painful and difficult for you and all of your friends at school. Let me get your reaction to what’s happened with Dick’s Sporting Goods, a major retailer business that actually sold the Florida shooter a shotgun last year at the age of only 18. They say they will stop selling AR-15 style rifles. The CEO of, of, of the store, of the company, also says the decision was made for the kids of Stoneman Douglas. You’re going to have to be 21 from now on to purchase any kind of weapon there. What’s your reaction?
ALFONSO CALDERON: I know I just talked about some very depressing issues, but I want to say that is the most uplifting news I have heard in a while. It’s been very tough going to my state capitol in Tallahassee and being told that I won’t be able to do anything or the hill in Washington, D.C., and facing some trouble. But I’m glad to see that companies are finally hearing not only the children’s outcry but everybody in this country who is sick and tired of the dysfunctional laws and system that we have set in place. I’m glad that Dick’s Sporting Goods supports common sense gun laws, such as an 18-year-old should not be able to buy a shotgun or an AR-15. That’s just not sensible. And I’m glad that companies, which are what will stop the NRA from doing what they’re doing, basically killing kids, the companies are going to be the ones that are going to stop this. And I’m calling out every single company right now who is not in favor of cutting their ties with the NRA. The NRA has shown themselves to be toxic, vile, and to not support the right to, to live, which is in the preamble of the Constitution. I want them to remember they always talk about the Second Amendment but that preamble is before it because of its importance and its necessity for America to be the way it is.
BLITZER: Alfonso Calderon is a junior at the Stoneman Douglas High School. Today was the first day back at school. Alfonso, we’ll continue these conversations down the road. Good luck to you. Good luck to all your friends at school, your families who are with you. Thank you very much for joining us.
CALDERON: Thank you very much.
BLITZER: Coming up, as the Parkland community continues to mourn, a Republican Florida lawmaker reacts to those calls for stricter gun restrictions and whether he thinks there is any real change on the horizon. That interview coming up.
