Daniel writes : “What bothers me about this stuff is the scorched-earth tactics; the vision of government as a faceless evil empire in opposition to private citizens. Folks telling this yarn have no sense of how such things actually happen. But they are happy to tell stories of gun-toting heroes squaring off against a government turned inexplicably on its own population”.
Fantastic post.

northierthanthou

I suppose it is too much to ask that folks distinguish the varieties of gun control from an outright ban. The way the gun rights crowd raises the specter of a completely disarmed populace when speaking about any variety lesser measures smacks of dishonesty.

It would hardly give away the farm to distinguish such things from one another. There are plenty of legitimate questions about the efficacy of lesser gun control measures, especially when applied to a population already so well armed as we are here in the U.S. But that is an interesting and well focused discussion some folks don’t seem to want to risk.

But what is really fascinating about memes like this is the slippage between a right to bear arms and a prescription for doing so. The second Amendment was alive and well when the internment of Japanese occurred in the first place. So, that right…

View original post 1,122 more words

Blog Running – ‘The Two Sentences That Should Be Part of All Discussion of the Debt Ceiling’

‘Here they are’:

1) ‘Raising the debt ceiling does not authorize one single penny in additional public spending’.

2) ‘For Congress to “decide whether” to raise the debt ceiling, for programs and tax rates it has already voted into law, makes exactly as much sense as it would for a family to “decide whether” to pay a credit-card bill for goods it has already bought’.

‘That is all’.
From : http://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2013/01/the-two-sentences-that-should-be-part-of-all-discussion-of-the-debt-ceiling/267115/

 

What is wrong with the Republican Party – ‘Conservative Think Tank Ranks Countries With Government-Run Health Care As The Freest In World’

Rep. Michele Bachmann a tea bagger nut, introduced the very first piece of legislation the the 113th Congress. Legislation to repeal ‘Obamacare’.

Then the centerpiece of right wing ‘think’ (pun intended) tanks comes out with a report that says Government mandated health care is good for economies.

But please Republicans.

Keep trying to repeal and defund something that if you just let it be implemented, might actually be a good thing.

‘Former Senator Jim DeMint, the new president of the conservative Heritage Foundation, has decried Obamacare as “a cancer” that is “is fundamentally inconsistent with liberty.”

‘But a new report from DeMint’s own organization suggests that, far from being incompatible with freedom, countries with health care systems with as much or significantly more government control over healthcare are the freest countries in the world’.

‘The report in question is Heritage’s Economic Freedom Index, released annually since 1997’.

See : http://www.heritage.org/index/ranking

‘The report defines the concept of “economic freedom” in misleading right-wing terms, but even by those standards, it appears that universal health care systems far more expansive than Obamacare aren’t “fundamentally inconsistent with liberty.”

‘In fact, the ten “freest” economies in 2013 by Heritage’s lights range from mandating individuals save a certain amount of money for health care to almost the entire health care system, including hospitals, being owned and operated by the government’.

1. ‘Hong Kong: The semi-autonomous city inside China has a universal, publicly run health care system: about 80 percent of Hong Kong hospitals are government owned and operated’.

2. ‘Singapore: Singapore is often cited as a free-market health care system that works. But one of the centerpieces of the Singaporean model, as conservative David Frum notes, is a government mandate requiring citizens to place a certain percentage of their income in “medical savings accounts” to ensure they can pay for routine health care costs out of pocket (when their income is inadequate to pay, the government pays direct subsidies a la Obamacare’s Medicaid expansion)’.

3. ‘Australia: Australia has a single-payer system in which, like Canada, doctors are privately employed but all Australians are eligible for insurance coverage through a government-run provider called Medicare’.

4. ‘New Zealand: The Kiwi government has made most services free or nearly free to all residents; the government covers roughly 80 percent of national health care expenditures and directly owns and operates about half of all health care services in the country’.

5. ‘Switzerland: This Swiss system is closer to the American health plan post-Obamacare than most other national systems; Switzerland has both privately owned health care and privately-provided insurance together with an individual mandate to purchase health insurance. Interestingly, Swiss insurers are legally prohibited from profiting on the basic, mandatory insurance package’.

6. ‘Canada: Our northern neighbor is, of course, the most famous example of a single payer system in the United States’.

7. ‘Chile: Like Singapore, Chile mandates that individuals pay into health savings accounts to cover health care costs and supplements the accounts of poor Chileans’.

8. ‘Mauritius: A tiny island nation in the Indian ocean, Mauritius has government-run health services that cover roughly 70 percent of the country’s health expenditures, with private supplemental practices making up the remainder. All government health services are provided free of charge to Mauritian citizens, which has helped the country improve quality of life for its citizens markedly in the past two decades’.

9. ‘Denmark: As in Mauritius or the United Kingdom, the Danish government owns and operates the vast majority of the health care system’.

‘Number 10 on the list is, of course, the United States, which will finally join the rest of the top ten “most economically free nations” in providing universal or near-universal health care when Obamacare is fully implemented’.
From : http://thinkprogress.org/health/2013/01/11/1429241/conservative-think-tank-ranks-government-run-health-care-as-compatible-with-freedom/?mobile=nc

Gun Nut Out Of Control – ‘Gun Nut James Yeager Issues A Retraction, Sort Of’

How many morons did Yeager ‘excite’ into doing what he was talking about?

The Gun Nut’s concept of ‘shoot first – ask questions later’.

In ‘shooting’ of his mouth, he finally realizes that he didn’t even know what he was talking about.

Good thing you didn’t have a gun in your hand Yeager.

With that temper – maybe you should be classified as mentally unstable and you never should have one.

‘Things have moved fast in James Yeager’s life this past three days. On Wednesday, when he posted up his “mad as Hell and not going to take it any more rant” I would imagine he believed that he was leading the charge to defend his line in the sand…to not yield “one inch further.”

“I’m not fucking putting up with this. I’m not letting my country be ruled by a dictator. I’m not letting anybody take my guns! If it goes one inch further, I’m going to start killing people.”(The internet is forever Jimbo! (GRINS!)

His first mistake : ‘A failure to be situationally aware was James Yeager’s first error. He didn’t gauge the environment; he was not aware of the lethality of backlash. He didn’t understand the Internet. In the past 72 hours he has gone from being an expert in his field to a high profile example of irrational behavior, poor judgment and unrestrained anger. He has become what those who want gun regulations believe to be the dangerous gun-nut’.

‘Yeager’s second error was in not vetting the information that triggered his anger and outburst. Had he looked he would have seen that nobody from Biden’s workgroup or the Obama Administration is suggesting using Executive Orders to “ban assault weapons.” His anger was based on pro-gun blogsphere hysteria, not steeped in fact’.

So from not one more inch” to….

Gun Nut Out Of Control – ‘State Suspends Permit Of Man In Gun Control Rage Video’

This is most likely the most the State can do.

Too bad.

Everybody keeps screaming that it’s their ‘right’.

The 1st and 2nd Amendmnets are not ‘rights’. If we are to have a civil society then they are ‘responsibilities’.

You can not own a tank.

You can not yell fire in a crowded room.

And just like anything….if you use poor judgement – there must be consequences.

NASHVILLE, Tenn.- ‘Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security has suspended the handgun carry permit of a local man who threatened to “start killing people” to protect his Second Amendment right’.

‘In a statement released Friday officials said they had suspended the handgun carry permit of James Yeager, CEO of Tactical Response based on “material likelihood of risk of harm to the public”.

‘On Thursday, a video of Yeager angrily claiming he would “start killing people” if President Barack Obama moved forward with gun control measures began to go viral on the internet’.

“The number one priority for our department is to ensure the public’s safety. Mr. Yeager’s comments were irresponsible, dangerous, and deserved our immediate attention. Due to our concern, as well as that of law enforcement, his handgun permit was suspended immediately. We have notified Mr. Yeager about the suspension today via e-mail. He will receive an official notification of his suspension through the mail,” Commissioner Bill Gibbons said’.

‘Yeager, CEO of Tactical Response, a company that offers training to civilians in weapons and tactical skills, has multiple certifications with several different types of weapons. Officials with the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security were explicit in stating that the Yeager was not a Department of Safety and Homeland Security certified instructor, nor is his school department certified’.

‘According to officials Yeager can seek a review of the department’s decision in the general sessions court’.
From : http://www.newschannel5.com/story/20566009/dept-of-safety-suspends-handgun-permit-of-local-man-after-gun-control-rage-video

 

What’s worse then being stupid? Being this stupid – ‘Gun Appreciation Day’ chairman: Slavery wouldn’t have happened if slaves were armed’

Larry Ward : “That if African Americans had been given the right to keep and bear arms from day one of the country’s founding, perhaps slavery might not have been a chapter in our history”.

Think about that for a minute.

And the first thing that comes to my mind is ‘Is this guy serious’?

Sadly the answer is yes. He actually is.

‘Larry Ward on Friday told CNN that he created the first annual Gun Appreciation Day just days before President Barack Obama’s inauguration and the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday to “honor the legacy of Dr. King” and that slavery may never have happened in the United States if African-Americans had owned guns’.

‘United for Change USA founder Maria Roach, who created a petition opposing Gun Appreciation Day, confronted Ward during a Friday appearance on CNN over the timing of his event’.

“There are common sense, sensible ways to exercise your Second Amendment rights, and then there’s theater,” she explained. “I think too much of the argument and the discussion and the discourse this week is focused on just theater, ways that organizations are looking to fund raise and build their membership.”

“I’d like to address the Martin Luther King Day charge,” Ward replied. “I believe that Gun Appreciation Day honors the legacy of Dr. King.”

‘He added: “The truth is, I think Martin Luther King would agree with me if he were alive today that if African Americans had been given the right to keep and bear arms from day one of the country’s founding, perhaps slavery might not have been a chapter in our history. And I believe wholeheartedly that’s essential to liberty.”

‘Roach pointed out that Ward’s argument was ridiculous because “slavery means that you are a possession just like a gun.”

“So to say that if slaves had been armed — that’s just theater,” she remarked. “There is selfish, self-serving intent in a Gun Appreciation Day. I’ve spoken to thousands of people, they are outraged that you would plan your event two days before an American icon — a day that we celebrate nationally — who was murdered, he was slain by a rifle.”
From : http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2013/01/11/gun-appreciation-day-chairman-slavery-wouldnt-have-happened-if-slaves-were-armed/

 

What is wrong with the Republican Party – ‘Candidates seeking nomination in 8th district tout conservative credentials’

“Assault weapons is a misused term,” Kinder said, “used by suburban soccer moms who do not understand what is being discussed here.”

It wil be interesting to see if this guy gets picked.

SALEM, Mo. — ‘U.S. Rep. Jo Ann Emerson, the current representative for southeast Missouri in the House of Representatives, is a self-professed moderate. She touts her efforts to work with Democrats to the extent that she has chaired the “Center Aisle Caucus”, a bipartisan group formed to focus on civility between the two parties’.

‘Emerson will leave Congress, perhaps by the end of the month, and Republicans in her district are already working to select their nominee to replace her’.

‘In Salem Thursday night, more than a dozen candidates spoke to a packed City Hall Auditorium, where they attempted to get to the right of Emerson by touting their conservative bonafides and their opposition to President Barack Obama and the Democratic agenda’.

‘A couple hundred members of the general public were present, despite the fact that most of them do not have votes’.

‘The selection process is unlike a conventional primary: Instead of the typical campaign where candidates seek support from primary voters, the candidates are instead seeking support from the majority of 85 members of the Eighth District committee’.

‘Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder, State Rep. Todd Richardson, Missouri Republican Party Executive Director Lloyd Smith, and State Rep. Jason Smith are believed to be the frontrunners in the race’.

“Assault weapons is a misused term,” Kinder said, “used by suburban soccer moms who do not understand what is being discussed here.”
From : http://missouri-news.org/featured/candidates-seeking-nomination-in-8th-district-tout-conservative-credentials/22685

 

 

‘Vigilante dad pretends he’s mass-murderer to test grade school security’

‘A vigilante dad went to his son’s grade school and pretended he was a mass-murdering gunman, in order to test the school’s security’.

‘Yeah, what could go wrong with that’?

‘It’s almost a surprise that more events like this haven’t happened around the US, but the year is still young. A lot of parents have to be concerned about the safety of their kids but this may not be the ideal way to address the issue’.

‘The vigilante father is now facing third degree felony charges’.

‘School officials said Ronald Miller went to Celina Elementary School, where his child is a student, on Wednesday and claimed to have a gun’.

‘Administrators said Miller first approached a school greeter with whom he was acquainted and said he had a gun’.

“He told her he was a gunman and his target was on the inside — and ‘I’m going inside. What are you going to do about it?’” Superintendent Donny O’Dell said’.

‘O’Dell says the school greeter froze in panic, allowing Miller to walk through the school’s front door while children were entering the building for the school day…’.

‘Miller then entered the office and made similar threats, he said’.

“He told them that he is a shooter and ‘you’re dead, and you’re dead,’” O’Dell said’.
From : http://americablog.com/2013/01/vigilante-dad-tests-elementary-school-gun-security-gets-arrested.html

 

Why America Is Failing – ‘Ohio School Board Votes To Arm School Janitors’

See World!

THIS is why we are the ‘greatest’ Nation on Earth.

We arm our janitors in our schools to ‘protect’ our children.

‘The Montpelier Exempted Village Schools Board of Education in Montelier, Ohio voted unanimously on Wednesday night to allow handgun training for four custodians, who will then tote firearms on the school’s campus’.
From : http://thinkprogress.org/justice/2013/01/11/1439061/ohio-school-board-votes-to-arm-school-janitors/?mobile=nc

Why America is Failing – American Exceptionalism – ‘Portland residents panic as men armed with assault weapons ‘educate’ the city’

The ‘greatest’ Nation on Earth with everybody walking around with guns.

If we don’t take a stand, a realistic approach to responsible gun ownership, then America will be exactly what the right wings nuts have told us to fear – an armed State. Except the right wing nuts will be the ones patrolling our streets.

‘Two men walked the streets of Portland armed with assault weapons earlier this week because they said they wanted to “educate” residents, who reacted by fleeing and calling police’.

‘Warren Drouin and Steven Boyce told KPTV that they were forced to take drastic measure to make sure people were aware of their Second Amendment rights after 20 children in Connecticut were massacred with same type of AR-15 rifles they were carrying’.

“We’re not threatening anyone,” Drouin explained. “We don’t have that type of criminal behavior.”
“This happens to open that line of communication, to let people know that you can defend yourself in a time of crisis or any time that you want to,” Boyce added’.

‘But KPTV’s Kaitlyn Bolduc reported that the demonstration created a “state of panic” in Portland’s Sellwood neighborhood’.

“Employees inside of E Hair Studio hid in the back of the salon and locked there doors, while other ran for help for fear the two were really there to cause harm,” Bolduc said’.

‘Police spoke to Drouin and Boyce and said the conceal-carry permit holders had not broken any laws’.

‘The men insisted that they understood that people were on edge after recent mass shootings but hoped residents would approach them to ask questions during future demonstrations’.

“We did mind the school posting signs,” Boyce pointed out. “We don’t don’t want to cause any trouble with that. We totally respect — there is a little bit of emotional sensitivity towards that and it’s just — we were walking the streets.”
From : http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2013/01/11/portland-residents-panic-as-men-armed-with-assault-weapons-educate-the-city/