Assault Rifle Ban To Expire

[Dr Dave]

From the editorial page of this morning's New York Times (July 17):

Presidents for Gun Control

Few Americans favor a return to the day when military-style assault weapons like AK-47's, Uzis and Tec-9 pistols could be manufactured and sold in this country, making them readily available for use by gangs and drug traffickers engaged in violent crime. Yet President Bush has still not made any effort to stop the 10-year-old federal ban on assault weapons from expiring on Sept. 13.

Seeking to prod the White House into action, two Democratic senators, Dianne Feinstein of California and Charles Schumer of New York, released a letter this week that was signed by Gerald Ford, Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton and urged Mr. Bush to take a forceful role in rallying Congress to save the law. At a time when terrorism is a serious threat, the former presidents wrote, it is even more imperative to renew the ban, the Assault Weapons Act, and limit access to military-style weapons and high-capacity ammunition clips.

It seems doubtful that Mr. Bush will heed his predecessors' message. His zeal for fighting terrorism and crime appears not to extend to risking the wrath of pro-gun extremists who are vehemently opposed to the renewal of this proven public safety measure, even though it has led to a sharp drop in the use of assault weapons in crime. The weapons ban also has support from every major law enforcement group in the country.

To fuzz up the issue and soften his political image, Mr. Bush continues to pay lip service to backing the reauthorization of the gun restrictions, which he endorsed as a presidential candidate in 2000. In reality, he knows that he is dooming the assault weapons ban by refusing to instruct the Republican Congressional leaders to get a renewal bill to his desk, pronto.


-30-

I figured the gay marriage issue was enough to, as they say, "energize the base" of Bush's hard-right supporters. I figured wrong. He's going to give the NRA a big wet kiss, too.

[Dr Dave]

Yo! Pay attention, brothers and sisters!

[GoodSpeak]

Blam, blam, [freakin'] blam...

Think any republican actually gives a shit?




















Lock and load, bay-bee.

[Ron Thorne]

Many of us are paying attention, Doc, for all the good it does. I've been as energetic and active as I can be on this and similar issues. I'm hopeful that America will have a chance to correct some wrongs, reel in some out-of-control policies and actions and begin some healing at home and with our allies, not to mention regaining some global respect, beginning next January.

It was clear a long time ago that Bush will do whatever it takes to get re-elected, including pandering, creating senseless wars, putting his daughters on the campaign trail, double-talk ... you name it.

[BFrank]

He sure ain't gonna do nuthin' about gun control. You can count on THAT!

[Ron Thorne]

Amen, brother.

[bluenoter]

Originally Posted by Dr Dave

From the editorial page of this morning's New York Times (July 17):

. . . To fuzz up the issue and soften his political image, Mr. Bush continues to pay lip service to backing the reauthorization of the gun restrictions, which he endorsed as a presidential candidate in 2000. In reality, he knows that he is dooming the assault weapons ban by refusing to instruct the Republican Congressional leaders to get a renewal bill to his desk, pronto.

Lord knows that I'm on the "correct" side of the issue and that I welcome condemnations of Bush by the media, but I'm having trouble with that formulation on several levels, and frankly, it strikes me as being a little shrill and misleading, especially for the New York Times. I looked into the status of gun-control-related legislation earlier this year, when it looked as though DC's gun control law was imperiled, and it's my understanding that the Assault Weapons Act is safe. I'll try to look into it again, though.

I looked into it again, and I was wrong, wrong, wrong. The Assault Weapons Act isn't safe, and the New York Times was right (and not alone) in blaming Bush for purposely doing nothing to get it renewed.

[Captain Hate]

Originally Posted by bluenoter

frankly, it strikes me as being a little shrill and misleading, especially for the New York Times.

Maybe Jayson Blair's back!!

[patricia]

Originally Posted by Ron Thorne

It was clear a long time ago that Bush will do whatever it takes to get re-elected, including pandering, creating senseless wars, putting his daughters on the campaign trail, double-talk ... you name it.

Instead of wearing the designer gowns and posing for Vogue, as part of the war effort, perhaps if Barbara and Jenna got fitted with fatigues and went over to Iraq, that could put Bush over the top.
As I recall, Mr Bush was campaigning for Dad as a substitute for his having to go to Vietnam. Worked then, works now.

[Dr Dave]

You know, "shrill" seems to be a recent addition to the political vocabulary. God forbid anyone should be shrill.

[Ron Thorne]

Originally Posted by patricia

Instead of wearing the designer gowns and posing for Vogue, as part of the war effort, perhaps if Barbara and Jenna got fitted with fatigues and went over to Iraq, that could put Bush over the top.
As I recall, Mr Bush was campaigning for Dad as a substitute for his having to go to Vietnam. Worked then, works now.

You said it, Patricia!

[bluenoter]

Re #7:

I looked into it again, and I was wrong, wrong, wrong. The Assault Weapons Act isn't safe, and the New York Times was right (and not alone) in blaming Bush for purposely doing nothing to get it renewed.

[SinginSumo]

Only created for and bought by those who think they experience some sort of penile disadvantage.

Another reason (in a seemingly never-ending LIST of them) to vote GWB out of office FOREVER.

[lynn]

Where are Bush's little people that always come out to defend his positions? This one must truly be indefensable.

[clinthopson]

They'll only extend the ban if the NRA gives them permission.

[Darryl G. Thomas]

America's tolerance for gun violence (especially in urban areas) makes this is a moot point. You'd have to have 50 Columbines before gun control becomes a huge issue, large enough to get past the gun lobby.

[Tanager]

I am here to tell you from experience that owning an assault rifle with a large capacity magazine does, in fact, make you better in bed. You get double points if you store it in your Corvette.

[clinthopson]

Originally Posted by Tanager

I am here to tell you from experience that owning an assault rifle with a large capacity magazine does, in fact, make you better in bed. You get double points if you store it in your Corvette.

Triple points and a gold star if you store it in your Hummer.

[SinginSumo]

I think you guys were referring to a GTO.

[Tanager]

Originally Posted by clinthopson

Triple points and a gold star if you store it in your Hummer.

I tried - what can I say, I am just not man enough for that vehicle.

[Captain Hate]

I guess all you antigunbots have gotten to Sisco so that he doesn't even try to discuss things with you anymore. This whole thread sounds like the usual hubristic boomer-speak that passes for intelligent conversation.

I couldn't care less about assault weapons; never owned one, probably never will (never say never). But do you think you assholes and your ambulance chasers can stop shredding the Bill of Rights now?

[Uli]

Originally Posted by Captain Hate

But do you think you assholes and your ambulance chasers can stop shredding the Bill of Rights now?

I hope this will get past Lois or mone. Where is all this rage coming from?

[Captain Hate]

Originally Posted by Uli

I hope this will get past Lois or mone. Where is all this rage coming from?

It's too fucking hot. Hey, if I get banned, that's life. It's not like I don't have other things to do.

Thanks for asking.

[Uli]

Hey, we're just joking here but it's a bit pathetic how you guys blame the bad stuff on the weather.

[moneyp]

JazzCorner: Dedicated to keeping people from doing those other things they have to do.

[Ron Thorne]

Originally Posted by Captain Hate

I couldn't care less about assault weapons; never owned one, probably never will (never say never). But do you think you assholes and your ambulance chasers can stop shredding the Bill of Rights now?

Damn, what a profound question. May I think on this one a bit, Mr. Wonderful?

np: Dr. John - In A Sentimental Mood

ps: The temperature here is fu**ing perfect ... 76° and sunny, until sometime after 11pm.

[clinthopson]

Originally Posted by Ron Thorne

[/i]ps: The temperature here is fu**ing perfect ... 76° and sunny, until sometime after 11pm.

Thorny, I hope you enjoy your week of summer.