This is the first of several blogs I will be posting on this issue
Every five years, Congress passes a bundle of legislation, commonly
called the "Farm Bill" that sets national agriculture, nutrition,
conservation, and forestry policy. The last Farm Bill was passed in
2008, and expires in 2012. The Agriculture Reform, Food and Jobs Act of 2012 (S. 3240)
represents the most significant reforms in agricultural policy in
decades. The bill ends direct payments, streamlines and consolidates
programs, and reduces the deficit by $23 billion. It also strengthens
top priorities that help farmers, ranchers, and small business owners
continue to grow our economy.
NRA Sends Complimentary Bereavement Gun Baskets To Families Of Shooting Victims
Jan 11, 2013 Is this sarcasm, After what Mr LaPierre has said and Mr Keene
NEWTOWN,
CT—As the nation continues to mourn the women and children who lost
their lives in last month’s shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School,
the National Rifle Association has reportedly joined the outpouring of
support for families of victims by sending each household a bereavement
gun basket. “On behalf of everyone here at the NRA, we extend our
deepest sympathies to your family during this difficult time, and hope
you enjoy this complimentary assortment of the finest semi-automatic
weapons and ammunition,” read the note accompanying each wicker basket,
which included a variety of magazine cartridges, shooting range
memberships, dried fruits, and high-powered firearms. “If there is any
other ammunition or handgun accessory we can send to you, please let us
know. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.” Sources said the NRA has
also offered to match any assault rifle purchase in the Newtown, CT
area.
NRA President David Keene Rejects Outline Of White House Gun Control Recommendations (VIDEO)
Posted: 01/13/2013 9:55 am EST | Updated: 01/13/2013 11:21 pm EST
National Rifle Association President David Keene rejected the
reported outline of suggestions Sunday and dismissed any ban on assault
weapons or high-capacity magazines as a non-starter.
"We don't think any of those things work," he said in appearance on
CNN's "State of the Union." "You should absolutely be able to compromise
on things that accomplish the purpose. Our objection to those things is
that they interfere with people's rights without doing anything to
solve the problem."
On Sunday, he called for a greater focus on mental health and said
those who are mentally ill and potentially dangerous should be placed on
a list of people prohibited from purchasing firearms. He did not raise
the NRA's initial suggestion to place armed guards in schools across the country, which was not only met with widespread criticism but has also proven to be ineffective in prior mass shootings.
The NRA president predicted a difficult road ahead for those pursuing
a ban on assault weapons and said he believed he had enough support to
prevent such legislation from passing.
"They are not going to be able to get an assault weapons ban through
Congress," Keene said, adding that even outlawing high-capacity
magazines would be difficult. "The fact is that we live in a society
where first of all, we have constitutional rights, and secondly, there
are millions upon millions of Americans who value the rights that they
have under the Second Amendment and who are involved in the shooting
sports or use firearms for self-defense, and we think that they will be
heard."
But while an assault weapons ban remains a divisive issue on Capitol Hill, several of its opponents have said they could get behind action on high-capacity magazines.
Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) called high-capacity magazines "a whole
different issue," while Rep. Phil Gingrey (R-Ga.), who has enjoyed a
lifetime "A" rating from the NRA, said he would be "willing to listen to
the possibility of the capacity of a magazine."
THESES ARE THE CONGRESS PEOPLE WE HAVE ELECTED INTO OFFICE.
Rep. Louie Gohmert (R-Texas)
"I
wish to God she had had an m-4 in her office, locked up so when she
heard gunfire, she pulls it out ... and takes him out and takes his head
off before he can kill those precious kids," Gohmert said of slain
principal Dawn Hochsprung on Fox News Sunday. He argued that shooters often choose schools because they know people will be unarmed.
Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell (R)
"If
people were armed, not just a police officer, but other school
officials that were trained and chose to have a weapon, certainly there
would be an opportunity to stop an individual trying to get into the
school," he told WTOP's "Ask the Governor" show Tuesday, warning that Washington may respond to such a policy with a "knee-jerk reaction."
Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam (R) & State Sen. Frank Niceley (R)
Gov. Haslam says he will consider a Tennessee plan to secretly arm and train some teachers, TPM reports. The legislation will be introduced by
State Sen. Frank Niceley (R) next month. "Say some madman comes in. The first person he would probably try to
take out was the resource officer. But if he doesn’t know which teacher
has training, then he wouldn’t know which one had [a gun]," Niceley told
TPM. "These guys are obviously cowards anyway and if someone starts
shooting back, they’re going to take cover, maybe go ahead and commit
suicide like most of them have."
Oklahoma State Rep. Mark McCullough (R) & State Sen. Ralph Shortey (R)
State Rep. Mark McCullough (R) told the Tulsa Worldhe plans to file legislation that would bring guns into schools, calling their absence "irresponsible."
“It is incredibly irresponsible to leave our schools undefended – to
allow mad men to kill dozens of innocents when we have a very simple
solution available to us to prevent it," he said. "I’ve been considering
this proposal for a long time. In light of the savagery on display in
Connecticut, I believe it’s an idea whose time has come." Sen. Ralph Shortey (R) told the Tulsa World that teachers should
carry concealed weapons at school events. "Allowing teachers and
administrators with concealed-carry permits the ability to have weapons
at school events would provide both a measure of security for students
and a deterrent against attackers," he said.
Florida State Rep. Dennis Baxley (R)
Baxley, who once sponsored Florida's
controversial Stand Your Ground law, told the Sarasota Herald-Tribune that keeping guns out of schools makes them a target for attacks.
In an email obtained by Gawker
and excerpted below, Richardson tells three superintendents that he
could have saved lives had he been armed and in Sandy Hook on Friday:
If I had been a teacher or the principal at the Sandy Hook Elementary School and if the school district did not preclude me
from having access to a firearm, either by concealed carry or locked in
my desk, most of the murdered children would still be alive, and the
gunman would still be dead, and not by suicide. ... [O]ur
children's safety depends on having a number of well-trained school
employees on every campus who are prepared to defend our children and
save their lives?
Former Education Secretary Bill Bennett"And I'm not so sure -- and I'm
sure I'll get mail for this -- I'm not so sure I wouldn't want one
person in a school armed, ready for this kind of thing," Bennett, who
served as education secretary under Ronald Reagan, told Meet the Press Sunday.
"The principal lunged at this guy. The school psychologist lunged at
the guy. It has to be someone who's trained, responsible. But, my god,
if you can prevent this kind of thing, I think you ought to."
Sunday, January 13, 2013
RA Sends Complimentary Bereavement Gun Baskets To Families Of Shooting Victims
Jan 11, 2013
NEWTOWN,
CT—As the nation continues to mourn the women and children who lost
their lives in last month’s shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School,
the National Rifle Association has reportedly joined the outpouring of
support for families of victims by sending each household a bereavement
gun basket. “On behalf of everyone here at the NRA, we extend our
deepest sympathies to your family during this difficult time, and hope
you enjoy this complimentary assortment of the finest semi-automatic
weapons and ammunition,” read the note accompanying each wicker basket,
which included a variety of magazine cartridges, shooting range
memberships, dried fruits, and high-powered firearms. “If there is any
other ammunition or handgun accessory we can send to you, please let us
know. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.” Sources said the NRA has
also offered to match any assault rifle purchase in the Newtown, CT
area.
Frustrated Wayne LaPierre Thought Murder Of 20 Children By Crazed Gunman Would Have Blown Over By Now
Wayne LaPierre is one large gross piece of blob. All he really cares about is being able to keep his automatic weapons, large clips, and no control. Really read what he has said, because it will give you a look athis black cold heart. Take note, he is sweating just ever so slightly, and so very frustrated, by the depth of human emotions being shown, as he puts it "all these kids are dead now, let's just get over it."
FAIRFAX,
VA—More than three weeks after the mass shooting at Sandy Hook
Elementary School, annoyed NRA president Wayne LaPierre told reporters
Monday that while he understands the seriousness of the tragedy, he had
only assumed the senseless murder of 20 first-graders and six educators
by a mentally unstable gunman would have blown over by now.
Noting
that the massacre was “almost a month ago” and that all of the victims
had been laid to rest, the frustrated lobbyist said he couldn’t help but
think the nation’s continued efforts to mourn victims and its
protracted discussions of gun control were “a little much” at this
point.
“I get that this horrible thing happened and all these kids
are dead now, but honestly, how long are we going to keep talking about
this?” the gun advocate said as he scanned a recent editorial on
weapons permits, adding that “enough’s enough, you know?” “Everywhere I
go it’s Newtown this, Newtown that. Meanwhile, it’s 2013, and we’re
still talking about some shooting that happened last year. Seriously,
move on already.”
“I mean, jeez, it’s not as if talking about them will bring them back,” he added. “Let’s just get over it.”
The
longtime NRA head acknowledged that as someone who has followed dozens
of mass shootings over the years, he had anticipated roughly a week or
so of mourning following the deadly tragedy, but “nothing like this, for
God’s sake.”
In addition, LaPierre said he was deeply surprised
and even somewhat irritated that discussion concerning the heartbreaking
loss of young life and the efficacy of existing gun control laws had
continued to persist into the new year “as if people had nothing better
to do.”
“Look, I get it: A bunch of kids died, and it’s really
fucking sad or whatnot, and blah blah blah, but it’s not the end of the
world here, people—the beat goes on,” a visibly agitated LaPierre said.
“Hell, people die in car accidents every day, and we don’t make a big
stink about that. We don’t shut down—just totally shut down—everything for weeks so we can talk about it over and over and over again, do we? Of course not. Oh, but I guess I’m
the bad guy for suggesting we get our priorities straight and stop
acting like a bunch of mewling babies because of 20 dead kids. Is that
it? I’m the bad guy?”
“Yeah, I’m the bad guy,” he added. “Fine.”
AMERICANS SPOKE OUTWASHINGTON LISTENED
TO PREVENT A $2,000 TAX HIKE ON MIDDLE-CLASS FAMILIES
On Jan. 2, President Obama signed bipartisan
legislation preventing a tax increase on millions of middle-class
families. In the weeks before, hundreds of thousands of people shared
what losing $2,000 would mean for them.
"@whitehouse #My2k Being able to know I will have a roof over my head and comfort in keeping the lights on."
"It means being able to attend graduate school as it goes toward my
tuition bills. It means law school for my brother and health benefits
while we are at school. The money goes towards these things, and also to
home improvements after a recent house fire, and basic things like
rent, heat and food. It does not fully fund but goes toward all these
things which are so important to so many of us and our families."
Marissa, DC
"My family is about as 'middle' as you can get. My husband is a
police officer and I work in a childcare center; we've both worked all
our adult lives. We have three children — an adult daughter, a son in
the US Army, and son in high school — as well as a granddaughter who
lives with us. This year for Christmas, instead of exchanging gifts, we
are traveling to visit my 78-year-old parents on the other side of the
country. If we had $2,000 less in our pockets, the trip would be
impossible — total for airfare is $2100."
Susan, NJ
"It means my parents can buy the medication they need. My Mom can
pay for the care to help my father who has Alzheimer's. It means my
cousins can save for their children's future education. It means I can
save to pay for my own health problems."
Christopher, WA
"I am a retired high school math teacher who loved my job but never
made a grand fortune of money. In our retirement, we are helping both of
our daughters, with the little extra we have through our pensions, even
though both girls are college-educated and are working two and three
jobs in the economy left by the Bush years!! So that extra $2,000 would
not only hit us hard, but would painfully ripple down to our two
daughters as well."
Florence, VA
We are a family of 5 with 3 teenagers and are desperately trying to
save money for college. Unfortunately, we're not getting very far
because our mortgage is taking up such a huge chunk of our income. We're
underwater with our mortgage, having lost about 100K in value in the
recession like a lot of people. We have tried to refinance, but we don't
qualify under the new programs passed. We're trying to hang on, but in
order to pay for college, we will likely need to foreclose or do a short
sale. A hell of a choice, eh?"
Tamra, VA
$2,000 for my family means helping my daughter who is a single Mom
buy diapers, milk, clothes and help with the day care tuition for my
grandson. If you take that away, she could be force to go back on public
assistance, which means we will still be putting the country into more
debt."
Mary, DC
"It means a pantry full of groceries; a tank full of gas in the car;
new shoes and clothes for my son who's outgrowing them so quickly; and
peace of mind for me and my wife."
Charles, MI
"My husband and I are retired on a fixed income and have our 401K
invested. 2000 would mean a lot to us since emergencies are taken from
our retirement fund. No more stalling, for once Congress should do their
duty to our country."
Diane, TX
"Well, as a single mom of two with no support from their father..... It means food,shelter,and special needs for my kids."
Sherry, FL
"Right now $2,000 means that I can afford to pay for the lunch that
my four children take to school every day. I am already facing a
decision of not going back to school because I am not able to afford to
pay. Thank you for not raising our taxes."
Karen, VA
"I am 72 and still working part time—having to pay higher taxes
would mean no extras....I was a single Mom with 3 sons and I always
hoped that I would have some things when I got older that I could not
have when I was needing to watch every penny. That sounds selfish but I
think there are many older people like me who deserve not to have to
worry or cut out everything enjoyable. I hope you can help us all."
Nancy, CO
"If my taxes go up by $2000, I will default on my student loans,
give up my car, and move back with my parents with my husband. #My2k"
"My wife and I could not afford to visit our granddaughter. We would
not be able to give money to the local food shelter. Finally, we would
have to dip into our savings to continue to eat in a healthy way."
Jon, CA
"We finally are in a position to own our own home. It's a very
modest dwelling, but it's ours. Every year, we must come up with about
$2,000 to pay our property taxes. We want to be able to pay them and
keep our home; our piece of the 'American Dream.' ... Please protect the
dream for so many working class Americans ... Let's get our priorities
straight in this country and do what's right for the greatest majority
of our people!"
Shawnee, WA
"20 weeks of groceries. Or, my annual auto insurance + property tax
(on a mobile home) + auto registration + homeowners insurance (on a
mobile home) including flood and earthquake coverage."
"2,000 means having money to help my niece and nephew - one is
putting herself through college and the other is entering a maritime
academy. Students need our help!"
Claire, TX
"Almost 4 months of rent! Or 2 months of total expenses! This more
than one month of my take home pay! The republicans want me to pay more
taxes but spend less to help the economy!"
"$2000 dollars is the difference between eating and starving. Its
also the difference between having a running car or not. We barely make
it from check to check as it is."
Aaron, TX
"It means the difference between paying my healthcare premiums or not. In other words it means a lot to my well being."
"It would mean that i wouldnt be able to help my daughter out as
much with daycare for my grandaughter (500.00/mo) and would need to
watch her myself at home (i run a home-based business for 23 years) My
daughter makes around 1200.00/month as a hair stylist and is also going
to college FT. She cannot afford daycare. Not extending the tax cuts on
people making 250,000 or less would hurt every single person that I
know. The wealth survived during the Bush era I think they will figure
it out again!"
Tracy, OH
"Means keep a roof over our heads, and food in the house."
"I believe in education and helping our children to be more
competitive. $2,000 less in my paycheck means the cost of repaying my
daughter's college loan will take me twice as long to pay off. Don't
penalize the middle class for trying to help the next generation."
Lisa, DE
"#My2k is keeping this house and keeping it warm for my growing family this winter"
"Being a father of 2 supporting a middle class family, $2000 is a
huge amount of money. It would help pay for our children's medical bills
and help to build a savings for their future. We really need to stop
raising taxes on the 'middle class' and make tax brackets fair, by
making everyone contribute their fair share."
Christopher, TN
"For now, our most immediate priority is to stop taxes going up for middle-class families, starting tomorrow."
President Obama called on Congress to stop taxes
from going up in 2013 for 98 percent of American families and 97 percent
of small businesses.Learn more
"If our income decreased by $2000/yr, we would probably be unable to
meet our monthly obligations. My husband and I are both drawing Social
Security...he is 71 and in poor health, I am 68 and still working
because otherwise, we would not have enough income to live on…We are
just barely making it each month…"
Nita, KY
"#My2K is money to help my fiance open her business"
"It means being able to afford the necessities of life - my rent,
food, clothing, and the occasional trip home to see family. It means
that my parents, who are retired, don't have to worry about if they'll
have enough."
Angela, MA
"We really need to get this right. I can only do
it with the help of the American people. So, tweet — what was that again
— 'My2K' — tweet using the hashtag 'My2K'"
As promised, President Obama signed bipartisan
legislation that will make sure income tax rates for middle class
families will stay low permanently.Learn more
"With 2 young adults in college, $2,000 is not small change but the
difference in having money to pay the mortgage, college tuition, books.
Middle class families cannot be held hostage by partisan politics,
obstruction in Washington. We voted on 11/6 and chose the leaders
expected to move the U.S.A. forward."
Ruby, PA
"if there’s one thing that I’ve learned, when the American people speak loudly enough, lo and behold, Congress listens."
"Though I no longer have a family to worry about, I am concerned about
families that are struggling to make ends meet. I think an additional
$2,000 will help them and help boost the economy."
Marian, RI
"#My2k it means food on table, co-pays at the Drs office, gas in the car & our kids extra activities…"
"Groceries on my table for four months. Heating my home for a year.
Two mortgage payments. Any of those, or Christmas gifts for my family,
or a contribution to my 401K."
Anne, PA
"And a lot is riding on this debate. This is too
important to our economy, it’s too important for our families to not get
it done."
"$2000 is a lot of money! The only wiggle room I have in our budget is
for food. We prepare all of our meals at home, but feeding a family of
four is expensive. Paying an extra $2,000 means $50 less a week for
food."
Cynthia, WA
"#My2k means rent, food, and student loans. Without I'd have nothing!"
Consumers could have spent nearly $200 billion
less than they otherwise would have this year just because of higher
taxes, slowing our nation’s economic growth.Learn more
"Let’s give families all across America the kind
of security and certainty that they deserve during the holiday season.
Let’s keep our economy on the right track."
"The sooner Congress gets this done, the sooner
our economy will get a boost. And it would then give us in Washington
more time to work together on that long-range plan to bring down
deficits in a balanced way"
— President Obama, November 30, 2012
"#My2k means I won't have to choose between life-saving meds or food."
In the 24 hours after President Obama asked
Americans to speak out about what a $2,000 tax hike would mean to them,
56,000+ people shared their story on wh.gov.Learn more
"$2000 is the difference between making our family business work, by
purchasing much needed equipment, or going under because we can't afford
the equipment."
Lauren
"It's 13 weeks of groceries in my household."
Martha
DID YOU KNOW?
In the 24 hours after President Obama asked
Americans to share what a $2,000 tax hike would mean to them, more than
140,000 people spoke out on Twitter using #My2k.Learn more
"You and your family have a lot riding on the
outcome of this debate. We all do. And as citizens, we all have a say in
the country we want to build… So make your voice heard."
— President Obama, December 01, 2012
"#My2k means peace of mind…for our government to work together and get us on the right path."
Vice President Biden Meets with Groups to Discuss Violence Prevention
December 19, 2012 President Obama delivers a statement from the Brady Press Briefing Room
about the policy process the Administration will pursue in the wake of
the Newtown tragedy to reduce and prevent gun violence. President Obama
also answered questions from the press about the fiscal cliff
negotiations.
Annette Nance-Holt with a photo of her son Blair who was killed riding the bus home from school, attends a meeting chaired by Vice President Joe Biden, with gun safety advocates and victims, to develop policy proposals as part of the Administration’s response to the Newtown shootings and other tragedies, in the Cordell Hull Conference Room in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building in Washington, D.C., Jan. 9, 2013. (Official White House Photo by David Lienemann)
Right now, Vice President Biden is leading an effort to develop a new set of policies to reduce gun violence and prevent tragedies like the shooting in Newtown Conn.
Yesterday, as part of that work, the Vice President met with victims’ groups and gun safety organizations at the White House.
January 11, 2013 Vice President Joe Biden meets with representatives from the video game
industry as part of the Administration’s effort to develop policy
proposals in response to the tragedy in Newtown. The Vice President is
joined by Attorney General Eric Holder and Secretary of Health and Human
Services Kathleen Sebelius.
Following those meetings, the Vice President held conference calls
with governors of both parties, and state and local elected leaders from
across the United States. The Vice President listened to the unique
perspectives of all the participants, and solicited their ideas and
input on how to curb gun violence in this country. During the call, Mr.
Biden reiterated the Administration’s commitment to this urgent issue
and stressed that the problem requires immediate action.
Today, Vice President Biden will hold meetings with advocates for
sportsmen and women and gun ownership groups. He will meet with
representatives of the entertainment and video game industries this week
as well.
January 10, 2013 Vice President Biden Meets with Sportsmen and Wildlife Interest Groups
Cabinet officials and White House senior staff are joining the Vice
President in this important initiative. Secretary Duncan is meeting with
representatives from parent, teacher, and education groups, and
Secretary Sebelius is convening mental health and disability advocates.
Senior White House will continue to hold meetings with a variety of
stakeholders including medical groups, community organizations, child
and family advocates, business owners, faith leaders, and others.
December 20, 2012 Vice
President Joe Biden meets with law enforcement leaders from across the
country who are on the front lines every day protecting our communities
to discuss an effective path forward, as well as Attorney General Eric
Holder, Secretary of Education Arne Duncan, Secretary of Homeland
Security Janet Napolitano, and Secretary of Health and Human Services
Kathleen Sebelius.
Later this month, the Vice President will present his recommendations
to the President, who will then announce a concrete package of
proposals he intends to pursue without delay.
President Barack Obama and President Hamid Karzai of Afghanistan
participate in a joint press conference in the East Room of the White
House, Jan. 11, 2013. (Official White House Photo by Lawrence Jackson)
President Obama hosted Afghan President Hamid Karzai today at the
White House for talks on the partnership between our two nations and the
role of U.S. troops in that country.
And coming out of those talks, President Obama was able to discuss a
milestone we'll reach this year when Afghan forces take full
responsibility for their nation's security and the war draws to a close.
"This progress is only possible because of the incredible sacrifices
of our troops and our diplomats, the forces of our many coalition
partners, and the Afghan people who’ve endured extraordinary hardship,"
he said. "In this war, more than 2,000 of America’s sons and daughters
have given their lives. These are patriots that we honor today,
tomorrow, and forever."
In his statement, President Karzai echoed that message.
"During our conversations...I thanked the President for the help that
the United States has given to the Afghan people," he said, "for all
that we have gained in the past 10 years, and that those gains will be
kept by any standard while we are working for peace and stability in
Afghanistan, including the respect for Afghan constitution."
