Wayne LaPierre Wimps Out

Speaking on behalf of the NRA, Wayne LaPierre, proclaimed that the answer to gun violence, is more guns.  What a liberal weenie.  The correct answer is many more guns.  The NRA proposes an armed police officer at every school, at a nominal projected cost of 6.6 billion per year.  While admittedly there is nothing more heartwarming, and freedom affirming, than 6 year olds being greeted by an AR-15 each morning, it is not enough.

Left out our Sunday school classes, other religious instruction, and, most importantly, home schooling.  Nor are those the only sources of education.  Armed guards should patrol Sesame Street and take residence in Mr. Roger's Neighborhood.

Mr. LaPierre advised that the only solution to a bad man with a gun is a good man with one.  But Mr. LaPierre is too modest about the NRA's role in this near biblical battle between good and evil.  For while Wayne's speech waxed eloquent about evil and deranged men with guns, he failed to take credit for the impediments to background checks successfully sponsored by the NRA.

The Gun Lobby: Principled Paranoia (redux)

The senseless deaths in Newtown may, at long last, renew the debate over gun control.  With that hope, I  reoffer this post from  July 25.


The Gun Lobby: Principled Paranoia

Gun ownership is enshrined in the Second Amendment.  For women, the right to bear arms predates the right to bare arms.

Americans resoundingly, if not universally, agree that hunters should be able to purchase rifles, and that all, who believe the risk of criminal assault exceeds the danger of accidental discharge, may buy a pistol for self protection.

Gun control legislation consistent with this consensus, would ban automatic and semi-automatic weapons, as well as custom magazines that may chamber as many as 90 rounds.  James Holmes would not be able to purchase enough rounds online, to slaughter the entire deer population of North America.  An efficient and interconnected federal, state and local data base would track such purchases, as well as, multiple gun purchases.  Better background checks would be possible through shared information.

But legislation is prevented by a fringe phalanx that is locked and loaded by the NRA.  America is a long standing democracy with an intricate system of checks and balances.   But some believe that the federal government is, or about to become, a gestapo trampling on their rights.  They reason that only a well armed citizen militia can protect freedom and liberty.   Gun control is held hostage, by this well financed minority.

If the inmates are allowed to run the asylum, we should at least ensure that they do not have assault rifles.

Romney Can't Get No Respect

Even bank robbers trifle with Mitt.  A bank robber in Virginia wore a Romney mask.  The cruel blow was the accompanying Florida State sweat shirt, representing the state Romney needed, and was expected, to win.

A Romney spokesperson took solace that a plurality of customers recognized the former candidate.  The other top contenders were, Ronald Reagan, Brian Williams and Ed McMahon.  One stunned customer exclaimed, "I finally know how Romney intends to pay for the tax cuts."

Let's Get Fiscal

Although Boehner will delay at the mouth, mouthing off to assuage the conservative base, he must cave.  Democrats have a mandate.  The talk of a close election was not echoed in the results.

Romney received just 47% of the vote.  That is the floor with a polarized electorate.  He only won blue states, and two states with a slight purple fringe.  Democrats, and independents who caucus with them, won 25 of the 33 contested Senate seats.  Democrats did not gain enough house seats to take control, but nationally got more votes. 

Obama's political advantage is matched by his strategic edge.  The Bush tax cuts expire at the end of the year.  The once formidable Grover Norquist, is now running around calling people poopie heads.  It makes me yearn for profanity.

Obama may allow Boehner to save face, but will still take his pound of flesh.