Bush in Tight Spot With N.R.A. Over Gun Legislation

The New York Times ^ | 05/08/03 | ERIC LICHTBLAU

[Sabertooth]

What's your plan? Do you have one?

Kill it in committee, vote it down in Congress, veto if it gets to President's desk. Be proud of the 2nd Amendment and the Constitution. Own the issue, seize the initiative, and end the RNC's unnecessary cowering over an issue that cuts to the GOP's advantage both politically and on principle.

Use accrued political capital to kick the Democats in the teeth, not to shaft loyal constituencies.

Wasn't the point of taking back the Senate precisely so that we could do these things? Why must the GOP use the Executive and Legislative branches to preserve territory stolen in past Leftist victories?

We should drive them back. Now.

[Dane]

And they wouldn't have, if BushI hadn't tried to win the approval of the NYTimes editorial board, rather than the approval of his base

Yada, yada, yada. The bottom line is that those people who didn't vote or voted for Perot in 92 helped bring about the era of Clinton, they moan about the Clinton era, yet they can't accept the repsonsibility for helping him get into office.

They delude themselves into thinking that they are purer than the wind driven snow, IMO.

[A Citizen Reporter]

"There you go again confusing them with facts."

Who is "them"?

[wcbtinman]

"Did I get it in one?"

It's failey obvious that you wouldn't "get it" if it hit you in the ass, with a train horn blaring.

[Billthedrill]

This isn't, actually, a politically risky action (or lack thereof) on Bush's part, it's a politically safe one. Only if the renewal of the ban passes Congress will he have to decide. If he renews it he still takes little risk, for the same reason Hillary takes little risk in getting crossways with the NARAL folks as she did last month - we'll bitch and moan but we'll vote for him anyway because the other guy will be worse.

What I will do about it is nothing unless it does reach his desk and he signs it. If so, my personal protest will be by letter and by refusing a single dime of support to Republican fundraising. It's about the best compromise I can come up with, because if Hillary or Teddy or their ilk does get in it'll be enough worse to make your head spin. I'll vote for Bush if I have to to prevent that, but my wallet stays in my pocket and I'm telling them the reason why.

[Kevin Curry]

In sum, you have no peaceable, workable plan to defeat the AWB. Apparently, you want to rush Democrat administration and a liberal SCOTUS into place in the hope that they will give you an excuse to start shooting and fragging people. Is that about it?

[Fred Mertz]

So you intend to fight a covert armed war against the government?

Isn't that why we meet here after midnight on Wednesdays?

Kevin, you are such a fool that it shows.

[Atlas Sneezed]

"What's your plan? Tell us, genius."

My plan is to actively oppose Bush for his treason to the Constitution in every "conservative forum", in hopes that it scares the "it could be worse" unprincipled Bush-bots into taking this issue seriously. I crawled through broken glass to vote for him in 2000, and probably will NOT vote for him again. I have been sold out, and not on a trivial issue.

You Bush-bots who care for nothing more then the "R" had better take our 5% seriously, or you will be facing Hillary. I'd rather an enemy in plain sight that a traitor in my midst.

You don't have to like it, or agree, but you have to accept that many of us feel this way. Act accordingly.

Query: Which Republican President has taken great strides and made great efforts to improve the Constitutional liberties of citizens, particularly regarding their ability to defend against government tyranny?

The best result would be for Bush to lose, with plain evidence that his anti-gun positions cost him his power.

Hillary would take THAT seriously!

[Kevin Curry]

But what's your plan?

[ysoitanly]

Right now, the NRA is in a bit of a disarray because the leader is obviously physically and mentally impaired, and personally admittedly and tragically so. You raise a good point - who will assume the leadership and how can we ensure our rights will be preserved? Suggestions? Sorry to end on a question - as I'm sure you've seen, it's been a sore point with me tonight. But proactive questions are good. What do you think? Let's get past the sniping and think on it.

[tpaine]

Many unconstitutional laws are passed. We are not obligated to obey them, or to enforce them.

"Acts repugnant to the constitution are not law":


Marbury v. Madison (1803)
Address:http://usinfo.state.gov/usa/infousa/facts/democrac/9.htm

[Joe Hadenuf]

If he renews it he still takes little risk, for the same reason Hillary takes little risk in getting crossways with the NARAL folks as she did last month - we'll bitch and moan but we'll vote for him anyway because the other guy will be worse.

We will?

[asneditor]

Like Father, Like Son.

[Kevin Curry]

As might be expected of a man with a user name that has the same sound as a wet fart, you certainly have nothing of substance to offer. Even humor would be welcome. The Fred Mertz of TV fame was at least funny. Go back to LP and simmer in your bile.

[dead]

Yada, yada, yada. The bottom line is that those people who didn't vote or voted for Perot in 92 helped bring about the era of Clinton, they moan about the Clinton era, yet they can't accept the repsonsibility for helping him get into office.

Yada yada yada this.

I know. BushI is totally innocent of blame. The fact that the conservative voters didn't like his d*ck up their a$s is their fault.

They shoulda just laid back and enjoyed it.

[Sabertooth]

In any case, threatening revolution, or ridiculing and abusing those with genuine concerns will only get us all tarred with the same ugly brushes.

The concerns aren't genuine; they are phantasms whose mere mention sends the RNC-types into frenzies of "compromise the principle."

When this happens, it's the GOP "leadership" that needs to be urged to stick together with the constuencies whom they are so reflexively inclined to betray.

They didn't in 1992, and that betrayal led to January 20th, 1993.

[Kevin Curry]

Rebels without a cause; losers without a plan.

[Atlas Sneezed]

"Are we all not on the same side?"

No. Some support the Constitution and our liberties, and some support any Republican thay can kneel in front of.

Our freedom was not won by a majority. It was won by a courageous, small minority who had principles. Most "reasonable" colonists wanted to get along the best they could, and not take big risks to restore their liberties.

Many here just care that their "team" wins the "superbowl."

[TLBSHOW]

I know.

[Atlas Sneezed]

"The Courts decide the constitutionality, not the Attorney General. His job is to enforce the laws on the books."

BULL. He can ignore all the unconstitutional laws he wants, and let those who disageee sure him.