Top Links: The arguments against expanding background checks are getting increasingly stupid and/or insulting

Top story: The NRA’s annual meeting begins Friday. Hopefully, one of the panel discussions will be “Democrats, you’re welcome.”

• The convention features speeches from Sarah Palin, Rick Santorum, Rick Perry and Ted Cruz. You know: Winners. (NRA)
• Maybe during their speeches, they can discuss how more polling confirms that voting for an expansion of background checks helps your re-election chances. (Public Policy Polling) and (The Atlantic Wire)
• That’s unlikely, though. More likely will be discussion of the tin-foiled hat theory du jour, which has grabbed the attention of Truther Sen. James Inhofe, R-Okla. (Talking Points Memo)
• Of course, as Republican Sen. Jeff Flake contends, those polls are skewed. Of course they are Mitt, I mean, Jeff. Of course they are. (Talking Points Memo)
• Then again, perhaps they can discuss Alabama’s approach to gun control laws: nullification. (Associated Press)
• Hopefully, they discuss this anti-background checks billboard that’s totally not racist. (Media Matters)
• Oh, and definitely, Ted Nugent – who’s listed as his own event at the convention – can expand upon his theory that military suicides are the result of “frustration” with Obama. Classy, Ted, classy. (Mediaite)
• Your NRA fact of the day: It’s poured “nearly $81 million into House, Senate and presidential races since the 2000 election cycle.” (The Center for Public Integrity)
• Rep. Charlie Rangel, D-New York, reminds us this week that one of the things the NRA is fighting for is restricting law enforcement from doing its job. (Think Progress)
• Ladies, the NRA hasn’t forgotten you. Listen to the the testimonials in this new NRA ad for its new TV channel for women: “I’m a diverse, educated woman.” (Guns.com)
• Heck, Snoop Dogg Lion gets it. (Politico)