Associated Press
Illinois state Sen. Toi Hutchinson (D)
We've been keeping a close eye on this month's congressional special election in Chicago -- the race to fill the vacancy left by former Rep. Jesse Jackson, Jr. (D) -- for a few reasons. For one thing, it's the first congressional race since the 2012 election. For another, it's also the first since the massacre in Newtown, Conn.
But more to the point, it's also proving to be the first race in recent memory in which candidates are facing considerable pushback over their ties to the National Rifle Association. Indeed, over the weekend, this one issue helped push a leading Democratic candidate out of the race.
State Sen. Toi Hutchinson dropped out of the 2nd District special Democratic primary Sunday and endorsed ex-state Rep. Robin Kelly in the contest to replace Jesse Jackson Jr. in Congress.
The move, announced in a morning news release, shakes up the Democratic field just nine days before the Feb. 26 primary election.
As Rachel noted on the show on Friday, a super PAC run by New York City Mayor Mike Bloomberg (I) has taken an active interest in the special election, hitting Chicago's airwaves with ads targeting Hutchinson and former U.S. Rep. Debbie Halvorson (D) for having earned "A" ratings from the National Rifle Association.
The RNA's grade, Rachel noted, "is a scarlet letter" in the heavily-Democratic district, so much so that it helped push Hutchinson out of the race altogether.
If there were any doubts that the post-Newtown environment has changed, ask yourself: when was the last time a congressional candidate was forced to quit after taking heat over a positive NRA rating?
Robin Kelly, meanwhile, is eager to tout her "F" rating from the right-wing organization. Though the Democratic primary remains quite crowded, the race increasing appears to be a showdown between Kelly, who enjoys backing from Bloomberg and progressive groups like the CREDO super PAC, and Halvorson, who is scrambling to convince voters she disagrees with the NRA on a series of key issues, her previous boasts about her "A" rating notwithstanding.
The Democratic primary is a week from tomorrow, the winner of which is very likely to win the seat. Given the national implications, it's a race worth watching -- we haven't seen one like this in a long while, but it may prove to be a sign of things to come.
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It's amazing that we have to engage in such hand-wringing and excruciating bargaining overt even the smallest and most rational common sense steps to combat gun violence like universal background checks. Apparently the NRA endorses the idea of terrorists or other foreign agents intent on doing harm to America being able to purchase military-style weapons, because that's the result of their repetitive righteousness and lobbying against these basic checks. This is about protecting innocent Americans and doing what most sane folks would consider a no-brainer. - progressive
Question to everyone here: Why do you think the government wants to do a gun-ban (semiautos or others) here in America?
Which answer do you think is closer to the truth:
a) Because they love you, only have your best interests in mind, and they want to save lives, especially the lives of children.
or
b) Because they know if the people are disarmed then it would be virtually impossible for them to fight back when the government tries to enslave them.
Dave: A, duh! We are the government, so of course we care for ourselves. And if we somehow manage to enslave ourselves by way of democratic voting, then we deserve it.
Anyway, given the quality of thought coming from the noisiest right-wingers, enslaving themselves is exactly what they want. They're already slaves of their party and ideology, and they'll willingly knuckle under if/when Fox News manages to purchase Pennsylvania Ave.
You really believe that? I am sad to inform you that even now with all the guns crazies like you own, the government can nuke you in a second!
Dave, if you honestly believe B, something is wrong with you. The people of this country ARE the government. This isn't some third-world dictatorship. The people of this country ARE the military. There won't be any military coup. Paranoid fantasies where you're the armed hero are a sign that someone needs help.
Also, the 2nd amendment mentions "well-regulated," which is too often overlooked.
Hey everybody...tell me again how this government represents YOU. They DON"T. They represent the bankers and mega-corps very well. The government is not "the people". The government does not love you. They do not have your better interests in mind. Anyone who says "A" is either brainwashed or a disinfo troll (this site is crawling with the latter).
There is no need for a coup or to even fire a shot. Just the mere presence of firearms in the hands of millions of Americans makes any wanna be tyrant hesitant.
"This isn't some third-world dictatorship."
Don't give me that "it can't happen here" BS. That's the same thing the Germans said in the 1930's.
"Well-regulated' meant well-maintained in the language of the day.
You know, I always enjoy a good conspiracy theory. But the crazy notion that the government wants to "take yur gunz" (I always hear a redneck South Park character whenever anyone says that) isn't a conspiracy theory, it's just the sad brainwashed rambling of another victim of Faux News. I have news for you, the amount of money spent by the U.S. Government on military is astronomical. If they really want to enslave or kill people, they can (and probably do). I don't understand how the right simultaneously defends the government's obscene spending on "defense," waves the flag endlessly boasting about how they're "real Americans" compared to those on the left who want common-sense gun control (no, NOT to take all of your guns, stop saying that, no one but a very small group suggests that), but yet harbors these paranoid fantasies where the evil military comes to your house to "take yur gunz" and you come out with a semi-auto in a blaze of glory. Get your head out of Hollywood action movies, and preferably, out of your a$$. What do you think "well regulated" means?
It's not the government that wants gun control it's me, it's a million moms like me. This is what is wrong - you, right here, and the hundred (not millions like you). You have paranoia that should be treated, it is seriously a mental health issue. The government is not out to get you or any other average person. You are like that man who built that bunker and then took that child, you fear the government, you are like Timothy McVeigh, Ted Kaczynski,Eric Robert Rudolph,Jim David Adkisson, Andrew Joseph Stack III. People with this paranoia need to seek help, and they sure as heck shouldn't be allowed to own guns!
hey Dave, false choice and you know it. If the government wants to enslave you, do you think automatic weapons are going to stop them? We are far more likely to enslave ourselves, by voting Republican. Whereby women lose their right to choose, our children lose proper education (creationism instead of evolution, anyone?), the middle class dies and we all work for minimum wage so the rich can prosper.
Come to think of it, we are already enslaved by the NRA and gun manufacturers. They buy the votes in congress, hoping to make our towns and cities like the OK corral, where we all carry guns and shoot each other at the slightest argument. To hell with any kids that happen to be walking down the street and get hit by a stray bullet, because the most important thing in America is FREEDOM (oh, and to help the gun manufacturers SELL MORE GUNS!)
You are the one who is obviously brain-washed. Big Business is behind the Republican Party. Big Business is the Koch Brothers, Karl Rove, etc. They are the ones that funded the tea party rallies, conventions, and spent big bucks to on their hand-picked candidates in the last election -- and wasted megabucks as many were defeated -- because this is not the will of the people. You really think the Republican Party represents you? You really think the Republican Party would represent your interests if they held the presidency and Congress?
You gotta be kidding me.
I just visited family down in Georgia. One of our family members is a Pre-K schoolteacher, who may lose her job over government cut-backs. I don't think her father had given a minute of thought that cutting federal government budgets eventually causes cutbacks in county school system workforce. Well, now he knows.
So all the sudden "the language of the day" defense comes up when it comes to the "well regulated" part, but somehow, that defense doesn't apply when someone argues that the "language of the day" didn't even fathom semiautomatic weapons with large capacity clips and that any paranoid, angry person could get them. Convenient. I also hate to point out that the NRA isn't exactly free from big business money.
I hate to break it to all your brain-dead TV watching sheeple, but the reason the FFs put the 2A in there was NOT for duck hunting or protecting yourself from crackheads. Btw, I don't watch Faux news, or any other TV, but you guys obviously do...and you believe all the BS they spew.
Yeah, these guys were such paranoid crazies:
"The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government." - Thomas Jefferson
"A free people ought not only to be armed and disciplined but they should have sufficient arms and ammunition to maintain a status of independence from any who might attempt to abuse them, which would include their own government." - George Washington
The FFs did indeed envision a day when a "musket could shoot 100 rounds without reloading" would be invented and they all agreed that such technology should be in the hands of citizens when it advanced that far. They did NOT think that only single shot muskets should be available to the people forever and ever.
The citizens shouldn't be disarmed. GOVERNMENTS should be stripped of their weapons of mass death.
Note that the same government that wants to disarm American citizens "the protect the children" is the same that kills children every day with drone strikes, and GIVES the very same weapons to Mexican drug lords that they're trying to take from us.
Wake up and use your head for something besides a hat rack.
Sure you can trust the government. Just ask an Indian.
Sure you can trust the government. Just ask a Jew.
A unarmed population makes great sweatshop employees. Just ask any Chinese person.
Oh my, ignorant of history too? The "well regulated miltia" was for civil defense against foreign enemies. There was not standing army (and has not been until the 20th C.) The 2nd amendment was there so that people could have the arms necessary that in a time of need, they could be ready to fight for the country, not against it. Look at the Whiskey Rebellion and G. Washington (founder).
As for T. Jefferson and his "tree of liberty" and "blood of patriots," he was a big fan of the blood bath of the French Revolution - event after the truth about it came out. Is that the sort of "uprising against the government" you mean?
I know the modern militia movement and if those bozos are who are going to defend me, I'll take my chances with the guvmint and bankers!
Learn REAL history:
Innocents Betrayed: Documentary showing that "gun control" has historically been used to disarm citizens and make them helpless before governments commit genocide. Dramatically covers major genocides in the Soviet Union, Germany, Uganda, Rwanda, China, Turkey, and other countries.Shows how "gun control" in the U.S. has been used to victimize blacks, Indians, children, women, and others.Combines gut-level emotional appeal and fast-paced, powerful graphics with a cool statement of historic facts and quotes from the relevant laws.
Innocents Betrayed: http://www.youtube.com/embed/vAU9AJfttls
Dave: Youtube and all caps equals nutjob. Basic math. F16's versus your pea shooters is also basic math that you folks skim over...
The rich have just about finished enslaveing us.
If our pea shooters are so useless, why do they want to take them?
I don't see all caps in any of my posts. I have never heard that someone who posts youtube videos is a "nutjob"...is that more globalist Newspeak? I'm sure if there were vids out there that supported your twisted views, you'd have no problem with them.
Luz, this is true.
The Obama follower: I wonder how long they can be told things are getting better and they believe it, while things around them grow increasingly worse.
Dave: I don't want your freaking guns unless you are mentally ill, and from your posts you at least accept lies. Not all liars are mentally ill, but it is a foot in the door. Just the fact that you feel compelled to lie and use strawmen arguments are a great case against exactly what you are pushing. Because you are used to speaking to right wingers who accept your lies, your points ring hollow on these boards...
Oh, please tell me what lies I believe. I can make a really long list of lies I bet *YOU* believe.
It's a logical fallacy to assume I'm "right wing" because I oppose Obama's policies in general and gun-grabbing agenda specifically. Believe it or not, there are more than two points of view out there. Turn off the Tv and free yourself from the false left/right paradigm.
Well Dave we can start with the certainty you bellow out about the Founding Fathers. Anyone who claims the certainty you do about slaveowners from the 1700's and what they "meant" when they formed the Constitution is a liar, a right wing liar to be specific. Here at Maddowblog you are dealing with intellectuals, so the same posts that get you highfives at Breitbart get called out.
This is typical globalist propaganda - to dismiss all the Founding Fathers did and said because of slavery. The politically correct programming has you so snowed. Slavery was a horrible mistake - it should have never happened here - it goes against all the principles of liberty. But it was widespread at the time.
Yeah, since the founding fathers also put freedom of speech/religion, privacy, states rights, a procedure for properly declaring wars, a monetary system backed by gold, due process, habeas corpus, separation of powers and all that stuff in the Constitution, we should also just get rid of all that...oh wait....
Just because you swallow every bit of the BS propaganda your "lefty globalist" media spews, and unquestioningly love everything the government does,that doesn't make you an intellectual. Not by a long shot. In fact, it causes you to become intellectually stunted. Wake up and think for yourself, sheep.
Globals are hairdoos, and were all the rage in the fifties. My mistake to talk to you dave, carry on...
Globalists, not globals. They are the mega-rich and they want global government - with them as the masters and a greatly reduced population of microchipped slaves (us) Are you going to deny there's a move on towards global government? Liberals, you will not be spared in this New World Order. They'll try to sell it to you as a socialist utopia with rainbows and unicorns, but the reality will be quite different.
I have a dem liberal senator and house members , along with the president that represent me quite well , we are fighting for sane gun laws , and in that scenario , DAVES NRA propaganda only confirms why we need to enforce and pass sane gun laws
Please keep up the good work dave , every time you and your kind open your mouths , you turn another voter off , and make it easier for dems to win the day and pass responsible gun ownership laws
Reading list for Dave:Short History of the English People, Revised Edition 1893 by J.R. Green (you will have to go to a real library for this one, but you only need to read the first chapter)
His Excellency, George Washington by Joseph J. Ellis, 2004
Thomas Jefferson, The Art of Power, by Jon Meacham, 2012
The Seeds of Discontent, The Deep Roots of the American Revolution, 1650-1750, by J. Revell Carr, 2008
The Perils of Peace, America's Struggle for Survival After Yorktown, By Thomas Fleming.
Revolutionaries: a New History of the Invention of America, by Jack Rakove, 2011.
hey Dave, take your .45 caliber penis enlargement and go back to WackoWorld, you're behind on your sheep-fornicating quota. Get busy and put that thing to use, little boy.
NRA propaganda? I don't trust the NRA any farther than I can throw them. They're controlled opposition. They back gun-grabbing candidates. Every firearms-related law that has passed has had the NRA's blessing. The Gun Owners of America is a real, no compromise organization. here's an example of the difference between the two:
Harry Reid:
NRA: B
GOA: F-
Btw, the Innocents Betrayed documentary I posted a link to has woken up a lot of people to the history of firearms confiscation and the subsequent genocides that occurred by the governments that supposedly had the citizens' best interests in mind. Esp. those who consider themselves to be of the liberal persuasion.
That's it TCinLA -0 just resort to ad hominem attacks when you can't debate something intelligently. That is a disinfo tactic. Attack the messenger when you can't attack the message. Typically, I don't like to use them myself.... until someone else attacks me. At that point I don't bother trying to hold myself to some standard if others don't.
OOOHHHHH! Big bad trollie is getting maaaddd and making threats!
Look out ya'll!!!
Typical winger , goes off insulting people , then whines when people fire back , no one cares what party you think you are married too , every one of your wingers pretends you R not a winger , that's one of the things that makes you people wingers now
all the BS you have posted can be found on any NRA gun nut sight , deal with it pumpkin head
oh my god i'm so scared for america. let me get the left position straight. death panels and increase health care rates ok, abortion ok, but we need to save people from gun violence? smoking pot and doing drugs is a right, but the 2nd amendment is not.
the rights position is competetion is good except when it comes to political parties. ron paul doesn't exist. no more welfare except for our greed corp friends then it's ok to give billions of tax payer money away when you go bankrupt. the market will sove all but we can t let any bank fail. we need to cut spending but we need to get involved in every conflict on the map.
people wake up! laws do not stop people from doing anything they only allow society to punish people who break them. abortion, drugs and gun must all be legal, that what our founding fathers would have wanted, thats the only rational position.
Dave: First, do you know what ALL CAPS means? Anyway, second, I believe that the reason we "have a right to bear arms" is because of the Civil War, not fear of government. Third, I'm tired of listening to your paranoia: "gun-grabbing agenda", "why do they want to take them?", "The citizens shouldn't be disarmed", "GOVERNMENTS should be stripped of their weapons of mass death", "government that wants to disarm American citizens". You must have an automatic weapon of mass destruction! What do you need it for? Are you one of the "crazies" that we need to worry about? Maybe we should keep our eyes on YOU (all caps)! Fourth, the background checks aren't going to find the mentally ill who don't have a criminal record. How many of the school yard killers had a record of any gun crimes? Just keep in mind: we're watching YOU!
The government is going to take your guns because...? it is going to enslave the people because...? and of course the rest of the world will tolerate the neo-fascist America because....? Trolling the left wing blog sites in order to leave your silly POV is not the answer,Dave..education is. Try opening a book sometime..go out and talk to people..volunteer to help out somewhere. Perhaps, then you will be less afraid, and more in touch with the better angels of your nature.
Kudos to Bloomberg!
As Good Will Hunting said, "How you like them apples!"
Hopefully he'll take out a few more DINOs.
In a perfect world the support of the NRA would brand you as a lunatic . Even mourning Joe said it today . These candidates need to be asked a simple question .
" Are you for allowing the loopholes that allow felons and crazy people to buy guns at gun shows and through private sales? "
I'm hoping that there will be many districts where the "A" rating from the NRA will be the kiss of death!
With the NRA out of the way, let's have a reasonable debate about finding a balance between individual liberty and the needs of the community - which is what every discussion on just about every issue needs to be.
Terrific book: "Our Divided Political Heart" - E.J. Dionne
From NY Times review:
"Dionne posits that American history has always been characterized by tension between the core values of individualism and community. Americans have cherished liberty, individual opportunity and self-expression while also upholding the importance of community obligation and civic virtue."
Get off your soap box and realize that the NRA is NOT out of the way. Don't start becoming like the FOX news viewers and insulating yourself from any reality other than those who agree with you and say what you want to hear. There are plenty of people I speak with on a daily basis that vote 100% based off of a candidates NRA rating, so we aren't out of the woods yet.
This would be like a team that went 0-99 against another team winning their first game to make the series 1-99 proclaiming that the other side will never win again. I appreciate the enthusiasm, but I am what you would call a reality check. The NRA still holds too much power over ALL politicians.
the underlying part of this that you fail to mention in your story, Benen, is that this district is over 60% Black. Black folks are the ones who care little for the NRA, especially those, like me, who actually support the 2nd Amendment, but realize that the NRA is full of WHITE SUPREMACISTS.
I believe that Hutchison dropped out because she is from Kankakee and Kelly is from Cook County and endorsed by the Tribune and the regular Dem organization of Cook County which is likely to have the heaviest turnout for voters. Hutchison and Halvorson both support gun rights and they would be splitting the votes of the same constituency. Now the race is really between Kelly and Halvorson so it will be interesting to see the percentages for each in a couple days. I would think that by Friday we will see who is really in the lead.
If this had been the other way around, this statement would be prominent with the headline: Rich Outsider is Trying to Control the Election
OK, maybe. But the difference is the people and the results. You folks tried this buy election crap in 2012 and failed miserably, see Rove, Karl. We tried this, and boom, the NRA lady is history. Says alot.
So, it is not the tactics but the results that determine the legitimacy of the practice? Seems odd. Outside money into a campaign is either a good thing or not. Which is it? If you agree with the cause it is good, if you don't it's bad?
Again, there's a level of hypocrisy. When the Koch brothers spend money on a campaign, it is criticized as the rich trying to unduly influence the outcome. When a liberal rich guy does the same, it is applauded.
Robtroll strikes again!
Go away blanks, 'er, robtroll!
Why is the mayor of new york city running TV ad's in Chicago??
What an ass hole bloomberg is.
NRA provides us with Nothing Reasonable Anymore! -Kevo
This is good news. The country will be sane (again) when a Republican in a rural district is disadvantaged by a cozy relationship with the odious NRA.
And after the shooting of Hadiya Pendleton in Chicago. The article on Maddow Blog fails to mention Hadiya. This story hits closer to home than Newtown. Why wasn't Hadiya mentioned in this blog posting?
The bottom line is this: The NRA does not represent individual gun owners. They get their money from - and represent - gun manufacturers, ammunition makers and the makers of ancillary products like high capacity magazines. And right now, the really high profit items are assault rifles, and high capacity clips. They will say anything that will sell more of that crap because right now, anybody who wants a gun already has one.
The Gentlemans' club, all inclusive, is being blown out of the water. Profit before people is no longer a badge of honor. The walls are crumbling down all around us, we have a voice and they oughta start listening to it. The secret clubhouses are all mute. The answer is mute.
The reason the NRA is not advocating background checks at gun shows for private sales is because it has nothing to do with what brought us to the discussion in the first place, which is school shootings. Why is that not our top priority? Why do you spend so much time worrying about ergonomically designed rifles, when they are used so rarely to kill? Banning them would have virtually no effect on the murder rate at all. The fact is, that anti gun people are using this tragedy and others to advance a long standing agenda of gun control. If you want to have a meaningful dialogue about closing a private sales in commercial venues, I would want something in return so I don't have to feel like you are constantly chipping away at my rights. Let's require the checks at gun shows, AND let's allow concealed carry permit holders to carry in all 48 states. Since they commit less crime per capita than the police, it would seem that would be a safe bet. Finally, I would not be so happy about a billionaire politician from NYC rigging elections in Chicago and CA, it won't be long before he does it when you don't agree with him.
There is already a billionaire rigging elections, his name is Rupert Murdock and he owns Fox news.
There are 2 other billionaires that tried to rig elections - the Koch brothers. Fortunately, they're not very good at it.
For the record I am against any person or groups of persons participating in an election outside their geographic location. The founding father were aware of money and it's influence, but if they had known about the advent of TV and the internet it would have been in the constitution.
Does this mean that the anti-firearm wing of the Democratic party is going to turn into a liberal version of the Tea Party that "primaries" electable candidates in favor of those that are 100% aligned with their views?
I'm extremely liberal in a lot of my social and even economic views, but I strongly disagree with the current anti-gun sentiment within the Democratic party. Aside from feeding into stereotypical right-wing narratives/conspiracy theories and turning independent voters away from Democratic candidates, the current "assault weapon/high capacity magazine" arguments and restriction proposals are largely misinformed and grounded in emotion instead of facts. In many ways it makes us look just as ignorant as the Tea Party ranting about "Family Values".
With the momentum following the presidential election and Republican failure to govern regarding the impending sequester, the last thing the Democratic party needs is to push an agenda that will turn social progressives away, especially in traditionally red/purple states. Do we need to change our current "gun culture"? Yes. However it is not a change that can be imposed through legislation.
I as A Dem and a gun owner, see there is a lot of truth in your words. But to help resolve the issue; people need to engage in the discussion. The NRA and/or The Gun Lobby have chosen to engage by not engaging, or in an unproductive way - hence their popularity. If they were smarter they would be on top and out front with this issue. But that is their problem. As knowledgeable Democrats we need to contribute to the discussion as well - to do what is correct. Together we can make America better - YES WE CAN!
Aaron: I am a progressive gun owner who is astounded by your remarks. It sounds like you value assault rifles more than human beings, and that you feel political power trumps public safety. It's not "emotion" to observe that high mag caps equals more deaths in mass shootings, it's kindergarten level mathematics. It's not "ignorant" to favor reasonable gun restrictions that will save lives...
Aaron: you really need to remember the rule "Remove head from ass before posting."
The irony is that Halverson is a good candidate and was a good Representative who came from what was at one time a genuine swing district (a district, BTW, that has been gerrymandered into oblivion). She lost in the 2010 to a Tea Party candidate running on the demagoguery about the ACA and on anti-tax, anti-Obama, anti-incumbant mania. One of the Tea Party Express bus tour stops and rallies was in her district in 2010. She is genuinely centrist, something our Congress sorely needs but is sadly loosing. The only thing that could save her candidacy, were there time to do it, is to spearhead a loud, anti-Wayne LaPierre, anti-NRA leadership breakaway by gun-owners and soon-to-be former members of the NRA. Nine days? Not likely.
We need more Blue Dog Democrats like we need major oral surgery without anesthesia.
Ribonucleic acid (RNA) is a ubiquitous family of large biological molecules that perform multiple vital roles in the coding, decoding, regulation, and expression of genes. Together with DNA, RNA comprises the nucleic acids, which, along with proteins, constitute the three major macromolecules essential for all known forms of life.
NRA: The National Rifle Association of America (NRA) is an American nonprofit organization[3] founded in 1871 that promotes the right of citizens to bear arms, as well as police training, firearm safety, marksmanship, hunting and self-defense training in the United States.
You might want to correct that typo.
Interesting that there is concern about Bloomberg spending money in Chicago in support of gun control....but did those same people express concern about the money spent by the Koch Brothers, Karl Rove and his organizations, and all of the other groups who spent money all over the nation in support of lies and more lies?
No no, I do have concerns with ALL monied parties interfering in local elections. Like others in these postings I am a strongly pro second amendment democrat. I hope that all you who are in favor of gun control realize what it will cost to enact these restrictions. It will cost you me, everyone like me, all the independents like me and probably a Republican in the white house next year. All for a bunch of feel good, accomplish nothing legislation that will leave us asking, after the next school shooting, "Why did we get off topic on gun control instead of protecting our kids?"
gotmiki: If it saves lives, I am for it. Valuing political power/clout over people is nothing to be proud of IMHO. I suspect you don't honestly believe that, and that you are just trying to protect your gun fetish.
I think it is a far stretch to say the NRA is a bunch of
white honkeys that love the KKK! I am not a member of the NRA and yes I am
white and think the KKK is a bunch of idiots as well as the Black Panthers. I
find it sad and very disturbing that many Americans blindly follow the propaganda
from both parties as well as the networks that promote them. It used to be the
networks just stated the facts. Now they promote spin and choose sides no
matter how irresponsible some of the issues may be from the elected ones who
think they know everything.
Take the Mayor of Manhattan or in some corners known as NYC.
He has decided to conduct himself as the food police communist China would love
this guy. Who the hell does he think he is to demand as to what size drink
someone can buy from a business? This in my view is an over stretch in
government. I could understand if a
calorie statement was made on the product for the consumer to decide. But to
act as if he is all knowing is conceded.
Some might ask what does Bloomberg have to do with the 2nd
amendment? Well you would think nothing
but in principle it does an a few ways.
Government overreach happens all the time and in many cases
with no balance. The government or may I say the clowns we elect, tend to go overboard
and in my view, come up with laws just to come up with a law.
Many on the highways of our country are killed by some fool
driving while they are drunk! Do we band the auto or beer, wine ect? No we do not.
Yes under the 10 amendment the state of NEW York can and did make a tougher gun
law. It will not do that state one bit of good and in my view banning the AR-15
will not stop any type of nut job from committing murder. The balance would
have been to only allow gun shows have dealers sell any firearms where they can
do instant back ground checks as well as all medical institutions must report
anyone who could pose a threat because of a psychological problem. You add
domestic violence and folks who continue to get DUI have and crack down on the
straw purchase well then you have a balance. The citizens who do not break the laws do not
have their rights taken from them and not deemed as a criminal for something
they had nothing to do with and those who are a threat to our society are dealt
with in a realistic manor.
But hay I am just a non-lobbyist blue collar guy that just
says what he thinks.
William Capps
Laurel, Maryland
Yes but every car is registered and insured and thus if somebody does something with the car that they shouldn't you can catch them.
god it's so simple universal back ground check. Have the guns if you want, can we just make sure that the crazies don't get them.
William: The National Strawman Association Golden Straw Medal is within your grasp...
William: please remember the "Remove head from ass before posting" rule. Thank you.
Wm, Not to be a jerk but last I heard, Bloomberg was a Republican. Your suggestions about how we address this issue also have merit and are issues needed in this discussion i. e. Background checks on all, yes all, changes of ownership. Clear definition in law as to who is unqualified to own a firearm. Today, you could still have near instant background checks between individuals. Example, They go to an authorized shop or party who contacts ATF/FBI and further certifies the transaction. Pawn shops do that now as well as car emission stations with car emissions. Registering of all firearms, yes all, to follow movement of firearms and reduce theft and other crimes. But voices need to be heard.
While I agree that the lack of background checks during private sales is a massive loophole that can potentially allow firearms to fall into the hands of criminals, there is not a realistic enforcement mechanism aside from mass forced registration of all firearms. An attempt to impose this would be political suicide and unlikely to be favorably received. Such a measure would also create a massive illegal market for unregistered weapons that would only fuel further crime, corruption, and violence.
Aaron: So your solution to the problem is to complain about the potential solution? Man you gun defenders wave the white surrender flag alot! I thought gun owners were tough people who had cold dead hands...
Aaron: Please, please, please - "Remove head from ass before posting." Thank you.
One out, one more to go. Halvorson has NO CHANCE of winning the primary. She can drop out now or wait to be defeated in 8 days.
"the RNA's grade, Rachel noted, "is a scarlet letter" in the heavily-Democratic district, so much so that it helped push Hutchinson out of the race altogether."
What does Ribonucleic acid have to do with anything!? Poor RNA Just sits around replicating and the next thing you know it gets associated with nut bags with semi-automatics.
Well, I guess if it mutates enough it might be it's fault. I dunno.
Could it be that she was forced out because those who control the discussion think the problem is BLACK people with guns? How racist is that, Democrats?
"Remove head from ass before posting." Thank you.
why is anyone bothering to answer crazy dave here? seriously. facts don't matter and reason doesn't touch paranoia.
After looking at the gamut of comments,it only reinforces the truism that a great number of "gun owners" either don't have the trustworthiness --and/or intelligence to be allowed anywhere near any kind of firearms If they did--they would be smart enough to "self police" themselves when the opportunity arose. They OBVIOUSLY can't --so someone else must.
I see the opposite. I see the majority of gun owners as more like myself, an owner perfectly willing to accept reasonable gun laws. You seem to be mistaking loudness for popularity...
So democrats being vilified by NRA supports over the years , and losing many elections as a result , never happened huh Dude ? Go back to the GOP hack
Pat: Not what I said at all. The original poster was talking about comments in this thread and made a non-valid claim about gun owners IMHO. Nothing about old elections that I can see. Why do you make crap up...
You trying to rewrite what is written right there is pretty comical , and pretty GOP like LOL
And I was addressing YOUR comment , not the 1st one , please do not deflect , 5 years ago not one dem could run ,and win , by campaigning on passing responsible gun laws , and you are going to try and claim GUN OWNERS had nothing to do with that now?
FLOP
Pat: So context does not matter? I am not allowed to respond to other comments without you taking my comments into another realm? Maybe I can simplify this for you, as the concept of context might be above your pay grade. See Pat, my comment was number 25.1. That means I was responding to number 25.0. Had my comment been a whole number, perhaps a fishing expedition by you into the words would be somewhat relevant. See there fella, no caps, and I simplified it for you. Let me know if you need more help with concepts like context, it's a pleasure to help you understand... like community service...