Perhaps I have missed something, but my understanding is the Act has been, as you say, tossed. It has not been reauthorized by Congress. (Again, my understanding could be flawed since I haven't followed the details of this issue.)
As for the arrests of those Asians in Torrance, I hardly think a case in which individuals were trying to smuggle missiles into the country qualifies as a strawman. There have been multiple cases of terrorist cells being broken up here in the U.S. since 2001 thanks to the tools the Patriot Act gave law enforcement.
In the Clinton years, the United States was hit multiple times. The first WTC bombing, the bombings of our embassies in Africa, the USS Cole, the Khobar Towers in Saudi Arabia, etc. Since 2001, there has been no repeat of any such attacks on American territory (which embassies and warships are), although we have been at war with them in Afghanistan and Iraq. Seems to me President Bush must be doing something right.
Let me put it this way. I trust him a whole heck of a lot more than I trust Hagel and anyone who votes with him against the President.
As for the 2nd Amendment, I am as strongly for its preservation as anyone here on FR. However, there are several other senators who are strong on gun rights. How come they didn't see the matter the same way Craig did?
As for Craig's citations, as I said the only way to be sure what's really in a bill is to read the entire thing. Craig may be telling the truth, or he may be cherry picking selected language. Often in these way-too-legalistically written bills, one clause or section is modified by another, and you have to trace through the entire subject in the bill to understand the full implications.
The very fact he felt the need to explain himself says to me he's getting heat from his constituents on his vote, and with good reason.
No. The Senate has filibustered the conference committe report already passed by the House. The conference committe could reconvene, delete the objectionable provisions, and submit a new report for approval by both houses. It's doable by the end of the year, if not a week or two after.
As for the arrests of those Asians in Torrance, I hardly think a case in which individuals were trying to smuggle missiles into the country qualifies as a strawman.
It does if you are using it to justify the government having unrestricted access to gun purchase records. Those records SHOULD NOT EXIST by the way, because they are supposed to be destroyed. That the government has failed to abide by the law in that instance is all the proof I need to assert that there is every likelihood this power will be abused.
Let me put it this way. I trust him a whole heck of a lot more than I trust Hagel and anyone who votes with him against the President.
I don't trust this President any more than I trust Upchuck Hagel. He took an oath of office to defend the Constitution and has totally refused to control our borders in time of war.
However, there are several other senators who are strong on gun rights. How come they didn't see the matter the same way Craig did?
It is highly likely that a good many of them didn't read the conference committee report.
The very fact he felt the need to explain himself says to me he's getting heat from his constituents on his vote, and with good reason.
Sure there is good reason. Limbaugh has been bashing away and I'd bet he hasn't read it either.