Why Does the United States Senate Hate Our Troops?
Senate Moves to Shield Gun Industry
By Laurie Kellman
The Associated PressTuesday, July 26, 2005; 6:14 PM
WASHINGTON -- Senate Republicans on Tuesday moved the National Rifle Association's top priority ahead of a $491 billion defense bill, setting up a vote on legislation to shield firearms manufacturers and dealers from lawsuits over gun crimes.
Completion of the defense bill, which the Senate had been debating for a week, will now be delayed until fall. Democrats were incensed.
"What's happening on this gun liability bill is really despicable," said Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif. "To put that ahead of the defense bill, I think, is the most distorted priorities I can possibly conceive of."
On a 66-32 test vote, sponsors of the gun bill showed they have more than enough support to prevent opponents from defeating it with a filibuster.
Supporters said it was high time the measure received consideration in an environment of lawsuits that would devastate the gun industry. Sen. Jeff Sessions, R-Ala., complained that gun control advocates are abusing the courts "to steer public policy through litigation."
With strong support from the White House, Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, R-Tenn., used a technical maneuver to halt debate on the defense bill and move to the contentious gun legislation sponsored by Sen. Larry Craig, R-Idaho.
- snip -
The bill could eat up much of the Senate schedule before lawmakers leave at week's end for a monthlong vacation. The House passed a similar bill last year but has taken no action on it this year.
Congress was on the verge of passing the bill a year ago when the NRA abruptly asked Craig, a member of the association's board of directors, to withdraw it after gun opponents amended it to extend an expiring ban on assault weapons. A pickup of four GOP Senate seats in last November's election emboldened gun rights supporters to try again, confident they can block Democratic attempts to attach an assault weapons ban.
The bill would prohibit lawsuits against the firearms industry for damages resulting form the unlawful use of a firearm or ammunition. Craig said such lawsuits are "predatory and aimed at bankrupting the firearms industry," unfairly blaming dealers and manufacturers for the crimes of gun users.
- snip -
Gun opponents say the bill effectively exempts gun manufacturers from liability. They also say dealers sometimes allow the weapons to get into the hands of people the law says shouldn't have them.
According to the Center for Responsive Politics, the gun industry gave 88 percent of its campaign contributions, or $1.2 million, to Republicans in the 2004 election cycle. Gun control advocates funneled 98 percent of their contributions, or $93,700, to Democrats.
***
These bloodless whores who take the NRA's money in order to continue flooding our country with more and more deadly weapons have sunk to a new low. Like drug addicts willing to do anything, anything for their next hit of smack or Black Acid, they have willingly sold their souls to a group of Complete and Total Assholes. At their urging (and probably for a consideration), these "Senators" - these men and women who ARE SUPPOSED to act in our best interests - have taken the Low Road and have deferred action on a DEFENSE APPROPRIATION BILL.
This is money that will supply our troops and defend our fucking country, folks!
The title of this post is not a joke.
It's the godsdamned stone fucking truth.
And, since the test vote was 66-32, it's not only the Republicans who are backing this piece of shit masquerading as legislation - Democrats are in on it too.
Once again, it's been proven that we have the best government Money Can Buy.
By Laurie Kellman
The Associated PressTuesday, July 26, 2005; 6:14 PM
WASHINGTON -- Senate Republicans on Tuesday moved the National Rifle Association's top priority ahead of a $491 billion defense bill, setting up a vote on legislation to shield firearms manufacturers and dealers from lawsuits over gun crimes.
Completion of the defense bill, which the Senate had been debating for a week, will now be delayed until fall. Democrats were incensed.
"What's happening on this gun liability bill is really despicable," said Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif. "To put that ahead of the defense bill, I think, is the most distorted priorities I can possibly conceive of."
On a 66-32 test vote, sponsors of the gun bill showed they have more than enough support to prevent opponents from defeating it with a filibuster.
Supporters said it was high time the measure received consideration in an environment of lawsuits that would devastate the gun industry. Sen. Jeff Sessions, R-Ala., complained that gun control advocates are abusing the courts "to steer public policy through litigation."
With strong support from the White House, Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, R-Tenn., used a technical maneuver to halt debate on the defense bill and move to the contentious gun legislation sponsored by Sen. Larry Craig, R-Idaho.
- snip -
The bill could eat up much of the Senate schedule before lawmakers leave at week's end for a monthlong vacation. The House passed a similar bill last year but has taken no action on it this year.
Congress was on the verge of passing the bill a year ago when the NRA abruptly asked Craig, a member of the association's board of directors, to withdraw it after gun opponents amended it to extend an expiring ban on assault weapons. A pickup of four GOP Senate seats in last November's election emboldened gun rights supporters to try again, confident they can block Democratic attempts to attach an assault weapons ban.
The bill would prohibit lawsuits against the firearms industry for damages resulting form the unlawful use of a firearm or ammunition. Craig said such lawsuits are "predatory and aimed at bankrupting the firearms industry," unfairly blaming dealers and manufacturers for the crimes of gun users.
- snip -
Gun opponents say the bill effectively exempts gun manufacturers from liability. They also say dealers sometimes allow the weapons to get into the hands of people the law says shouldn't have them.
According to the Center for Responsive Politics, the gun industry gave 88 percent of its campaign contributions, or $1.2 million, to Republicans in the 2004 election cycle. Gun control advocates funneled 98 percent of their contributions, or $93,700, to Democrats.
***
These bloodless whores who take the NRA's money in order to continue flooding our country with more and more deadly weapons have sunk to a new low. Like drug addicts willing to do anything, anything for their next hit of smack or Black Acid, they have willingly sold their souls to a group of Complete and Total Assholes. At their urging (and probably for a consideration), these "Senators" - these men and women who ARE SUPPOSED to act in our best interests - have taken the Low Road and have deferred action on a DEFENSE APPROPRIATION BILL.
This is money that will supply our troops and defend our fucking country, folks!
The title of this post is not a joke.
It's the godsdamned stone fucking truth.
And, since the test vote was 66-32, it's not only the Republicans who are backing this piece of shit masquerading as legislation - Democrats are in on it too.
Once again, it's been proven that we have the best government Money Can Buy.
posted by Walt at 8:28 PM
1 Comments:
I had no difficulty with your 'freedom of speech,' until it digressed into profanity. I can disagree with your opinions, but I seldom agree with anything that requires such a detour.
The Appropriations Bill, even when postponed, does not take a single dime away from our troops in Iraq. However, I see your agenda clearly, and with Feinstein as your sole defense, or ally in content, I can understand your confusion as to how our government actually works.
You did not mention the Lobbyists who pay Democrats to save baby seals at $100,000 a pop, while the Foster Care System is in shambles. I prefer to feed and educate American children, before wasting such money on animals. Call me fickle.
Lose the profanity. If your boat of logic floats without it, then you possibly have a cause worth the time allocated to 'reading it.'
;)
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