Time for Legislature to get serious about ethics reform
If serious ethics reform passes the Georgia Legislature this year, House Speaker David Ralston will have played a major role from beginning to end.
His biggest contribution probably came in helping to inspire the public crusade that has pushed the issue to such prominence in the first place. If he had not taken his family on a $17,000 holiday trip to Europe at lobbyist expense, and if he had not responded to criticism by shrugging it off as unimportant, it is unlikely that the ethics issue would have gained so much traction. The speaker is a smart guy who is widely respected, but that trip and his handling of its aftermath was a major blunder. He turned himself into a symbol of the type of political entitlement that angers voters and leads them to distrust government.
That distrust has become a major problem, as evidenced by an AJC poll published last week. It found that a major reason for metro Atlanta’s rejection of last summer’s T-SPLOST was lack of faith in the integrity of elected officials and a fear that they serve special interests rather than the public. That same lack of faith will make it difficult for elected leaders to build support for a public contribution to a proposed new stadium for the Atlanta Falcons.
Earlier this year, however, Ralston performed a startling about-face. After steadfastly rejecting any limitation on lobbyist gifts to legislators, the speaker suddenly embraced an outright ban on such gifts. Whether that reflects an honest if rather swift change of heart will be determined over the next few months.
In the state Senate, Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle has been a vocal supporter of ethics reform, even if that rhetorical support has seldom translated into action. The new leadership team elected in the Senate has also expressed support for such reform, although the speaker’s call for a total gift ban rather than a limit on gift value may test that commitment.
One early test of how seriously the Senate leadership takes ethics will be its handling of Senate Rules Committee Chairman Don Balfour, one of the most powerful figures in the Capitol. Last year, Balfour kept ethics legislation bottled up in his committee, refusing to let it come to the Senate floor for a vote. More importantly, in August the Senate Ethics Committee fined Balfour $5,000 for filing a series of false expense reports with the state, and a criminal investigation launched by the GBI continues.
Under those circumstances, allowing Balfour to return as chair of the Rules Committee would suggest that the Senate’s new leadership is no more serious about ethics reform than were its predecessors.
However, the most important test of legislative commitment to ethics reform and the rebuilding of public trust will be its handling of what was once known as the Georgia Ethics Commission. Political leaders in this state have never tolerated a truly independent ethics commission, but legislative attacks on the agency in recent years have stripped it of what little independence and authority it once enjoyed. They even stripped the word “ethics” from its title.
The Legislature’s most prominent ethics champion, state Sen. Josh McKoon, R-Columbus, has introduced a proposed constitutional amendment that would guarantee a certain level of funding for the ethics commission. In the past, legislators unhappy with commission rulings have “disciplined” it by slashing funding or positions. McKoon’s proposal would be an important step in insulating the agency from such pressures and restoring public confidence in government.
– Jay Bookman
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
272 comments Add your comment
Thulsa Doom
December 14th, 2012
1:09 pm
“If not I may need go to the DR.”
Well now if you need to go to the Dr. then hurry up appleseed. No one here to hold you back.
Brosephus™
December 14th, 2012
1:10 pm
Kamchak
wow….
They BOTH suck
December 14th, 2012
1:12 pm
Thulsa
How do you know that Scout was involved in what Kerry was saying? Let’s get to the crux of your implication.
And again, go look it up or you can just be you and blather.
Look it up……….
And when you do you can BOOM BOOM in your pants……
You were certainly one who was in mind when I said on the last thread that the comedic tirades would ensure if Kerry is nominated. He hasn’t even been nominated and like clock work, you arrived.
I will let you rant on by yourself or with JHM. Have to run.
Peace
Regnad Kcin
December 14th, 2012
1:13 pm
The Gold Dome is percieved as corrupt. The leadership is not pleased by that perception, but don’t care enought to actually DO anything about it – it might stop the goodies from coming in.
And they have a RIGHT to the goodies, dadgummit. They’ll try to take care of their constituents, too, while there at it, but they’re pretty sure the voters don’t mind if they get a little off the top.
And even if the voters DO care, it’s just because they don’t understand…
getalife
December 14th, 2012
1:13 pm
larry,
That is a massacre.
Initial media coverage was horrible as usual.
Ben Shockley
December 14th, 2012
1:13 pm
Looks like we have another shining example of “tolerance” and “inclusion” from the left…
“An African-American ESPN commentator is under fire for racially charged comments about Robert Griffin III, the charismatic rookie quarterback for the Washington Redskins who has been lauded for his talent, brains and even ability to unite partisan lawmakers on Capitol Hill.
Since being drafted out of Baylor University after winning the 2011 Heisman Trophy, Griffin, who graduated early with honors and qualified for the Olympics as a hurdler, has become the face of his NFL team. But Rob Parker, a veteran newspaper columnist who appears regularly on several ESPN television and radio shows, played the race card on ESPN’s First Take on Thursday.
“Is he a brother, or is he a cornball brother?”
- Rob Parker, ESPN personality on RGIII
“Is he a brother, or is he a cornball brother?” Parker wondered. “”He’s not real. Okay, he’s black, he kind of does the thing, but he’s not really down with the cause. He’s not one of us. He’s kind of black, but he’s not really, like, the guy you want to hang out with because he’s off to something else.
“We all know he has a white fiancee. There was all this talk about how he’s a Republican … Tiger Woods was like, ‘I’ve got black skin but don’t call me black.’”
Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/sports/2012/12/14/not-one-us-espn-commentator-slams-rgiii-over-gop-leanings-white-fiancee/#ixzz2F3EeAzmR
Simple Truths
December 14th, 2012
1:15 pm
Jay, off topic, but relating to your post about the new Falcons stadium from earlier this week. I would enjoy you doing a follow up on that. Compare how cities like Miami and Cincinnati are after building their new stadiums.
Kamchak ~ Thug from the Steppes
December 14th, 2012
1:15 pm
And how in the world are these people are getting the weaponary to do this? A hundred rounds?
The report is that two 9mm guns were recovered. Depending on which model they are, they have the capacity for any where from 10 – 19 round magazines.
A hundred rounds means multiple reloads.
And they have reportedly taken a second gunman in custody.
Doggone/GA
December 14th, 2012
1:16 pm
“And how in the world are these people are getting the weaponary to do this? A hundred rounds?”
It only took a guy with a knife to kill 22 kids in China yesterday
Joe Hussein Mama
December 14th, 2012
1:16 pm
Doom — “Did I say that Kerry claimed “all” U.S. soldiers committed atrocities?”
No, you just claimed that he included 0311.
Scout is included in this part about “thousands of other soldiers” that you must have somehow missed.
Which, as usual, you have no proof whatsoever of. And par for the course, you’re demanding that *others* produce proof while you yourself have none.
Brosephus™
December 14th, 2012
1:16 pm
Looks like we have another shining example of “tolerance” and “inclusion” from the left…
Looks like we have another shining example of “broad brushism” from an individual on the right.
getalife
December 14th, 2012
1:18 pm
scout is Si on Duck Dynasty.
Ben Shockley
December 14th, 2012
1:18 pm
Makes you think back to the black actress who got all the racist hate mail and death threats for supporting Mitt Romney.
Thulsa Doom
December 14th, 2012
1:19 pm
“How do you know that Scout was involved in what Kerry was saying? Let’s get to the crux of your implication.”
Now you’re just sounding ridiculous tbs. Have a good day.
Ben Shockley
December 14th, 2012
1:20 pm
“Looks like we have another shining example of “broad brushism” from an individual on the right.”
Oh my bad. I’m sure you and all your lib buddies supported Clarence Thomas and Condoleeza Rice.
They BOTH suck
December 14th, 2012
1:20 pm
“Scout is included in this part about “thousands of other soldiers” that you must have somehow missed.”
Ok Thulsa………….
and I’m gone
Ben Shockley
December 14th, 2012
1:22 pm
Libs love people of all shapes. sizes, colors, and religious or ethnic background…just so long as none of them dare think for themselves and stray off the lib plantation.
getalife
December 14th, 2012
1:22 pm
bs,
Racist much?
Ben Shockley
December 14th, 2012
1:24 pm
Oh wow…Hillary is reneging on testifying about Benghazi, and the libs are trying to hide the results of the investigation from Congress…
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2012/12/14/state-department-preparing-for-libya-bombshell/
larry
December 14th, 2012
1:24 pm
And they have reportedly taken a second gunman in custody
A second gunman ?
To those of you who have children and grandchildren , hug them a little tighter when you get home.
I know i will
Thulsa Doom
December 14th, 2012
1:25 pm
Joe Mama,
I’m including scout in those “thousands”. You don’t like it. Tough shyte. Besides, you’re dismissed until you can back up your absurd assertion from the other day about the reporter making rude and presumptous statements. Gawd that was stupid. Remember what you said? Eff him. What now I’m saying the same to you. Toodles.
Ben Shockley
December 14th, 2012
1:25 pm
Jay, you were looking for a scandal….guess what, I found one for you…
“State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland, though, surprised lawmakers and reporters on Thursday when she indicated the report, and the secretary, might not be ready.
“The Hill has talked about a planning date on the calendar. That presumes that the (report) is finished,” Nuland said. “I don’t have any dates, any schedule of the secretary’s to announce here.”
Asked whether Clinton has committed to testify, Nuland said “it’s dependent on the work being finished.”
Further, Nuland rejected the notion that the final report on Libya needed to be shared with Congress at all. She stressed, instead, that the only thing the statute requires is for “the secretary’s response” to the report’s conclusion to be sent to Congress.
The comments were met with surprise on Capitol Hill. A spokesman for House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairwoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, R-Fla., who scheduled a hearing for Dec. 20, said this was the first they heard a scheduling issue.
Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman John Kerry, D-Mass., said it’s still “the plan” for Clinton to testify on his committee next week. “
larry
December 14th, 2012
1:26 pm
Oh wow…Hillary is reneging on testifying about Benghazi, and the libs are trying to hide the results of the investigation from Congress…
We want our Watergate and we want it now!!!! Go to it Fox!!
Ben Shockley
December 14th, 2012
1:27 pm
getalife
December 14th, 2012
1:22 pm
bs,
“Racist much?”
No.
Another episode of one-word answers to stupid lib questions…..
getalife
December 14th, 2012
1:27 pm
bs,
Hillary is waiting on the report like you cons should have done.
getalife
December 14th, 2012
1:29 pm
“No.”
bs is a racist.
His first two posts prove this fact.
larry
December 14th, 2012
1:30 pm
Besides, you’re dismissed until you can back up your absurd assertion from the other day about the reporter making rude and presumptous statements. Gawd that was stupid.
No, what was stupid was ” Americans for Prosperty ” , an anti-union organization, setting up a tent at a pro-union rally.
Now if that isn’t asking for trouble.
Americans for Prosperty, really. LOL!! They’re funny.
Ben Shockley
December 14th, 2012
1:30 pm
getalife is an idiot.
all his posts prove this fact.
Ben Shockley
December 14th, 2012
1:32 pm
“No, what was stupid was ” Americans for Prosperty ” , an anti-union organization, setting up a tent at a pro-union rally. ”
The nerve of those people, expecting to exercise their free speech rights when union thugs are in the neighborhood.
getalife
December 14th, 2012
1:32 pm
bs,
Get lost con.
Corbin Sharpe. I think, therefore I am...I think
December 14th, 2012
1:33 pm
Think it’s about time to have a serious talk about gun control? Eighteen kids…whoever says there is a God is an idiot.
getalife
December 14th, 2012
1:34 pm
bs,
I will go to the next tea party , pick a fight and film it.
Fair enough?
oops
December 14th, 2012
1:34 pm
“Josh McKoon, R-Columbus”
crazy extremist republicans from columbus
Dharma Bum
December 14th, 2012
1:35 pm
The state Legislature could pass all of the ethics reforms they want and I still wouldn’t trust them (and that goes double for the national level).
skipper
December 14th, 2012
1:35 pm
Rob Parker was wrong…..who is he to define how RGIII should act or live his life? RGIII is not a black QB, a white QB, a green QB, or a purple QB. He is just a frickin’ QB….and he does not have to be “down” with a damn thing. By the way, and I love AND played football, he is one helluva QB. There are whites as well as blacks who ain’t good QB’s….enough of both or all to go around. Ryan Leaf, who is white, was not worth a squat. Jamarcus Russell, who is black, was not worth a squat (ok in college…busts in the NFL.) RGIII and Russell Wilson, who are black, are superb QB’s. And neither of them needs Parker to validate their play, existence, etc. Wilson left out of N.C. State to play baseball. Came back and used his year of eligibility at Wisconsin because N.C. State did not offer the major. His teammates made him captain of the team his first and only year there. And guess what, folks, he did not have to act ANY certain way…he just did it! Parker is not contributing…he is prolonging. Sad when a clown like that gets a job on ESPN, where REAL sports people like Stephen A. Smith and “Boomer” reside.
getalife
December 14th, 2012
1:35 pm
Corbin,
One politician talked about gun laws yesterday.
The Governor of Colorado said it is time to talk about gun laws.
larry
December 14th, 2012
1:38 pm
The nerve of those people, expecting to exercise their free speech rights when union thugs are in the neighborhood.
Especially when other people are losing their rights. Like i said, it was stupid and they were trying to cause trouble.
I wonder what would have happened if they got ignored, they wouldnt have liked it a bit.
Granny Godzilla
December 14th, 2012
1:42 pm
All those little children gunned down.
Dear God,
Please help America talk about gun violence.
Just sitting here crying.
larry
December 14th, 2012
1:44 pm
Dear God,
Please help America talk about gun violence.
And , if i might add, mental health.
Kamchak ~ Thug from the Steppes
December 14th, 2012
1:45 pm
Now they say only 1 shooter and he is dead. 1 person taken into custody that is denying shooting anyone.
Doggone/GA
December 14th, 2012
1:45 pm
“Please help America talk about gun violence”
Dear God – Please help America talk about violence”
The guns were just the tools. The PROBLEM is the violent.
did you see that 22 children were attacked in China by someone with a knife? The issue is violence, not guns.
Welcome to the Occupation
December 14th, 2012
1:46 pm
POLITICIZE this tragedy. P-O-L-I-T-C-I-Z-E it.
Nowwwwww.
oops
December 14th, 2012
1:48 pm
“did you see that 22 children were attacked in China by someone with a knife? ”
I’m anti-Ninja.
Welcome to the Occupation
December 14th, 2012
1:53 pm
Doggone/GA: “did you see that 22 children were attacked in China by someone with a knife? The issue is violence, not guns.”
There is truth to this. We’re witnessing a breakdown of the very psyche of the human being, before our eyes, with the onset of a nihilism that erodes very basic structures in the human mind. And it is global.
However, the lesson is not to throw up our hands and say that gun control is useless. On the contrary, gun control on a MASSIVE scale is absolutely essential, and inevitable.
Granny Godzilla
December 14th, 2012
1:53 pm
Doggone/GA
I’m so tired of that line of crap.
Yes, a sick ba$tard pulls the trigger, but we continue to allow it by not dealing with
how easy it is for sick ba$tards to get a gun.
Until we deal with the guns, the sick ba$tards won’t stop.
Regnad Kcin
December 14th, 2012
1:54 pm
““Looks like we have another shining example of “broad brushism” from an individual on the right.”
Oh my bad. I’m sure you and all your lib buddies supported Clarence Thomas and Condoleeza Rice’
WOW! Another example! You’re on a roll today!
Common Sense isn't very Common
December 14th, 2012
1:55 pm
Bro
I can’t watch the live report any more. It is making me sick to think about the kids and their families.
oops
December 14th, 2012
1:55 pm
“We’re witnessing a breakdown of the very psyche of the human being, before our eyes, with the onset of a nihilism that erodes very basic structures in the human mind. And it is global.”
Socialism. It is global. Erodes the family. Eat your Wheaties.
Finn de Siècle (The System isn't Broken; It's Fixed)
December 14th, 2012
1:55 pm
Ya’ll keep waving your guns around and killing our kids and we will take them away from you. Either get a grip on the crazies owning guns or we are going to have to pull a Barney Fife and “nip the whole thing in the bud.”
oops
December 14th, 2012
1:56 pm
“I can’t watch the live report any more. ”
Teevee is bad for you. Kill your TV, not your friends and neighbors.
Thulsa Doom
December 14th, 2012
1:56 pm
Well at least welcome to the occupation is upfront and honest about wanting to politicize this. Don’tcha just know the libs are just dying to find out more so they can politicize it. I’ll bet they were pissed when the Arizona shooter had no political affiliation or when the Va. Tech shooter was Asian.
Regnad Kcin
December 14th, 2012
1:56 pm
“I’m including scout in those “thousands”. You don’t like it.”
So, Mr. Doom admits he makes up his “facts.” We would do well to remember this admission the next time he presents some “facts.”
Finn de Siècle (The System isn't Broken; It's Fixed)
December 14th, 2012
1:57 pm
Just remember – the Cons did give an idiot the keys to the nukes for 8 years…..
Kamchak - "Socialism" is just a code word for "fear," the monster under you bed ~ Kamchak
December 14th, 2012
1:58 pm
Socialism. It is global.
Socialism — BOO!
Thulsa Doom
December 14th, 2012
1:58 pm
Regnad,
There’s nothing to make up. Mr. Kerry said “thousands” of U.S. troops committed atrocities. If I or Scout believe that Mr. Kerry is referring to ground troops like Scout then that is our right to do so. You don’t like it that’s just tough. You’re just mad cause I exposed your lack of basic economics knowledge yesterday.
Corbin Sharpe. I think, therefore I am...I think
December 14th, 2012
1:59 pm
To all you NRA supporters, what if one of those 18 were one or two of yours? What would your views be then? I personally wish the NRA would rot in Hell. Children are sacred.
The other half of your brain.
December 14th, 2012
2:01 pm
getalife
December 14th, 2012
12:34 pm
President Barack Obama says he would be “considered a moderate Republican” in the 1980s because his policies are “so mainstream.”
True.
GetaClue, Then you must of loved Reagen.
Thulsa Doom
December 14th, 2012
2:02 pm
granny godzilla,
Maybe we should adopt the gun laws of places like DC,Chicago, etc. You know-places where they have the toughest gun laws but the most gun violence.
Joe Hussein Mama
December 14th, 2012
2:04 pm
Doom — “Joe Mama, I’m including scout in those “thousands”. You don’t like it. Tough shyte.”
Include him all you want. You have no proof. Tougher shyte. (laughing)
“Besides, you’re dismissed”
Your dismissal, like you yourself, is irrelevant.
“until you can back up your absurd assertion from the other day about the reporter making rude and presumptous statements. Gawd that was stupid.”
Guess you missed your spanking that evening, Thelma. (laughing, pointing)
http://blogs.ajc.com/jay-bookman-blog/2012/12/12/the-taxpayer-the-falcons-and-the-question-of-priorities/?cp=7#comment-1174317
“Remember what you said? Eff him.”
And just like Senator Kerry, you don’t get to decide what he means any more than you get to decide what I mean.
“What now I’m saying the same to you. Toodles.”
Don’t let the door hit you on your sore hind end on the way out, Doomie! (giggle)
Thulsa Doom
December 14th, 2012
2:04 pm
Yep. They’re starting to go nuts over the 2nd amendment. Kinda sick to use a tragedy for their political crap. But then were talking about liberals. And they do love they emotionalism parades they do.
Brosephus™
December 14th, 2012
2:04 pm
I’m sure you and all your lib buddies supported Clarence Thomas and Condoleeza Rice.
Honestly, “I” didn’t give a rat’s ass about either one. I think my liberal friends had their own opinions just as my conservative friends did. What none of my friends nor I engage in is broad brushism which you can’t seem to survive without. Must suck to be you, but I bet Sherwin Williams has you on speed dial.
Joe Hussein Mama
December 14th, 2012
2:05 pm
Doom — ” If I or Scout believe that Mr. Kerry is referring to ground troops like Scout then that is our right to do so.”
Your belief that it’s true doesn’t *make* it true.
You can believe all you want. Doesn’t make it factual, though.
The other half of your brain.
December 14th, 2012
2:06 pm
Corbin Sharpe. I think, therefore I am…I think
December 14th, 2012
1:59 pm
To all you NRA supporters, what if one of those 18 were one or two of yours? What would your views be then? I personally wish the NRA would rot in Hell. Children are sacred.
Corbin, I am not a member of the NRA and I don’t own a handgun, but do you really think that if the good people all gave their guns up that the criminals would?
I believe that all life is sacred, regardless of age. I know if anyone hurt someone in my family they would have to deal with me.
The laws in our country suck as do a lot of the Judges.
Thulsa Doom
December 14th, 2012
2:07 pm
I got Joe Mama writing novels. Right on cue. I have to admit. I do like the (giggle), the (laughing, pointing) and the smiley face emoticon I do. Even when he tries to insult me he makes me laugh. Ya gotta love that! Thanks much Joe mama.
Granny Godzilla
December 14th, 2012
2:08 pm
Thulsa Doom
December 14th, 2012
2:02 pm
granny godzilla,
Maybe we should adopt the gun laws of places like DC,Chicago, etc. You know-places where they have the toughest gun laws but the most gun violence.
.
.
.
.
ARe you telling this entire forum that you don’t know what happened to those Chicago gun laws?
Not only are you a cold hearted SOB, but not too well informed either.
Granny Godzilla
December 14th, 2012
2:09 pm
I’m outa’ here….
Thulsa Doom
December 14th, 2012
2:09 pm
You can believe all you blah blah blah. Fun-knee!
East Lake Ira
December 14th, 2012
2:11 pm
This is how folks who harm children should be dealt with.
The other half of your brain.
December 14th, 2012
2:12 pm
Granny, Gun laws or no gun laws, the nuts will always have them. There is no way to stop the nuts, not with millions of guns in our country.
JamVet
December 14th, 2012
2:12 pm
Just remember – the Cons did give an idiot the keys to the nukes for 8 years…..
That I do like.
I stated the obvious – Mitt Romney was and is wholly unfit to lead this great nation.
Thankfully the voting public agreed.
And unless and until they start nominating some intelligent people of principled integrity and moral courage, who aren’t ostracized as RINOs like Jon Huntsman, I see the Republicans not getting the White House back for some considerable time.
Perhaps 2024…
Welcome to the Occupation
December 14th, 2012
2:13 pm
Thulsa: “Well at least welcome to the occupation is upfront and honest about wanting to politicize this.”
The Columbine killers of course really wanted to blow up their entire school, but they failed to pull it off technically.
The thing that an automatic gun is: a technical means for drastically reducing the odds of failing in your attempt at killing large numbers.
East Lake Ira
December 14th, 2012
2:13 pm
Link Fixed, dang it.
Thulsa Doom
December 14th, 2012
2:14 pm
“Not only are you a cold hearted SOB, but not too well informed either”
Sorry granny but you cannot peer into my heart and know what I feel or what I think. Like everyone else on here I think this is a terrible tragedy and I feel terrible for the kids and parents involved. But it doesnt stop me from thinking about an issue rationally.
We all know about the recent Chicago gun laws in the court.But that was very recent. Doesn’t change what’s been going on before that for years and years. Stringent gun laws and yet unabated gun violence including a staggering number of deaths this year. Is there something about that that you don’t understand?
stands for decibels
December 14th, 2012
2:15 pm
Like Digby said:
http://digbysblog.blogspot.com/
—–
When the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor, nobody said that we should just pray for the victims and do nothing about it. When terrorists used planes full of people as missiles and killed thousands of Americans, few suggested that it was an inevitable tragedy that shouldn’t be politicized. The country took action to prevent those things from happening again. In fact, the nation went far beyond the bounds of decency and reason to do so, locking up entire races of Americans, starting needless wars and ramping up an expensive and unnecessary police surveillance state. Multiple Constitutional rights were and continue to be violated.
But very few went out of their way to suggest that the only reaction to these tragedies should be solemn mourning. These incidents involving heartbreaking loss of innocent life were intensely political, and appropriately so. In fact, to have done nothing in the wake of 9/11 and Pearl Harbor would have seemed to most Americans to have shown callous disregard for the victims, and disdain for the lives of victims of similar attacks to come.
There is no reason that these almost routine gun massacres in America should be viewed any differently. Those who wish to take steps to ensure that the next massacre be prevented–and they are entirely preventable–are showing the greatest respect for the lives of the victims. They’re the ones who are trying to make sure that they didn’t perish in vain, and that similar future massacres don’t claim any more innocents. It is intervention of the most necessary kind.
Prayers and sympathy are nice. But they accomplish nothing, and show no greater respect. Prayers won’t help the victims or stop the next massacre. Call it politics or any other term that seems fitting, but it’s long past time we started making sure this sort of thing cannot happen again. It’s the right thing to do.
Joe Hussein Mama
December 14th, 2012
2:16 pm
Doom — “I got Joe Mama writing novels.”
Oh, Doomie, I know anything longer than thirty words qualifies as a ‘novel’ to you (laughing)
Pick up your reading pace or we’re never going to finish this argument before 5 PM.
“Right on cue. I have to admit. I do like the (giggle), the (laughing, pointing) and the smiley face emoticon I do.”
I know you do! I can tell because you complain about them so much! (laughing, pointing)
“Even when he tries to insult me he makes me laugh. Ya gotta love that! Thanks much Joe mama.”
You and your sore hiney are both very welcome.
Gale
December 14th, 2012
2:16 pm
Maybe we should start by a law to prevent selling ammunition. You want to fire your gun, you need to learn to load bullets and shells. A sportsman has no need of an assault rifle, nor more rounds than can be fired at a range in one visit or a week of hunting. My dad would go hunting with a box of slugs and come home with half the box unused. We just need to get real about what the 2nd amendment really means.
Joe Hussein Mama
December 14th, 2012
2:17 pm
Doom — “Sorry granny but you cannot peer into my heart and know what I feel or what I think”
Irony Meter PEGGED
Kamchak ~ Thug from the Steppes
December 14th, 2012
2:17 pm
Shooter identified as Ryan Lanza, he reportedly had a Glock and a Sig Sauer.
Thulsa Doom
December 14th, 2012
2:17 pm
“The thing that an automatic gun is: a technical means for drastically reducing the odds of failing in your attempt at killing large numbers.”
Did you honestly think you were posting something that everybody doesn’t already know?
Keep Up the Good Fight!
December 14th, 2012
2:18 pm
wow, mass murders happening weekly if not more frequently and the response from the idiot conned is that “nothing much can be done.” What a crock of nonsense. There is plenty that can be done but idiots only proclaim to care about the children and fetuses….actually protecting them is a whole ‘nother thing
Thulsa Doom
December 14th, 2012
2:19 pm
“Irony Meter PEGGED”
Ya got that right! Apparently John Kerry thinks he can. Tanks Joe!
jebbery
December 14th, 2012
2:19 pm
“political entitlement” – the only kind of entitlement Bookman doesn’t like.
Welcome to the Occupation
December 14th, 2012
2:20 pm
Thulsa Doom: “Kinda sick to use a tragedy for their political crap. ”
The meaning of the tragedy is primarily political. This breakdown of human civilization is a black hole opening up in the midst of us. The only response to that is one that is radically political.
Thulsa Doom
December 14th, 2012
2:21 pm
And there will always be some garbage thinking that the gubment can just go out there and confiscate millions of guns already out there. What a crock of nonsense.
Thulsa Doom
December 14th, 2012
2:22 pm
“The only response to that is one that is radically political.”
You’ld make Lenin proud.
Welcome to the Occupation
December 14th, 2012
2:22 pm
Thulsa Doom: “Did you honestly think you were posting something that everybody doesn’t already know?”
You don’t know it, so yeah.
Keep Up the Good Fight!
December 14th, 2012
2:23 pm
Only an idiot would claim that the only response of govt would be to confiscate millions of guns.
indigo
December 14th, 2012
2:23 pm
Another gun nut kills many people, this time a large number of school children. Those of us with common sense will call for stern gun laws and, if possible, guns only for the military and police as our Constitution calls for.
Those of you with phallic challenges and little or no conscience will fight to the death to keep you guns.
Guns don’t kill people, people kill people.
Right, tools?
Doggone/GA
December 14th, 2012
2:27 pm
“I’m so tired of that line of crap.”
then how about THIS line of crap: he could have attacked them with a knife, or a baseball bat, or a machete…or he could have waitied until they were all lined up at the end of the day and plowed into them with a car.
So *I* think we need to have much greated controls over knives and machetes and baseball bats and cars. Because someone violent MIGHT, POSSIBLY, SOME DAY use them to attack children.
I have no patience with attacking the tools used when the PROBLEM is the violent PERSON
Welcome to the Occupation
December 14th, 2012
2:29 pm
The kind of thing I’m talking about — get this, Thulsa, you’ll love it — are things like:
Having the state go in and shut the doors of gun shops like this one in Athens, TN http://www.allamericangunshop.com , hauling the proprietors out and into custody for public humiliation and shaming, and ..:
Ripping down its despicable billboards that pollute the highways in SE Tennessee.
Confiscate the assets of such gun vendors.
Pass laws against automatic weapons that makes the Brady Bill look tame.
Invert our entire legal system so that the vast complex of prisons we’ve built to fill up with people for petty drug offenses are instead filled with those caught with automatic weapons, with sentences ten times as high for those caught selling them.
How’s that for radical, Thulse?
Thulsa Doom
December 14th, 2012
2:30 pm
Only a complete imbecile thinks much can be done. He can bluster like a complete fool though.
Thulsa Doom
December 14th, 2012
2:31 pm
Welcome to the occupation,
Now you’re talkin!
moonbat betty
December 14th, 2012
2:32 pm
Well said, Doggone/GA.
Our society is chock full of self righteous priks and it seems to continue to get worse.
I can’t believe this shyte.
God help us.
Thulsa Doom
December 14th, 2012
2:35 pm
“So *I* think we need to have much greated controls over knives and machetes and baseball bats and cars. Because someone violent MIGHT, POSSIBLY, SOME DAY use them to attack children”
Rwanda in 1996. The Hutus slaughtered some 800,000 Tutsis and Hutu moderates in a genocide campaign. The main weapon of choice? Machetes and hoes which were imported by the thousands for the mass genocide. Guns and bullets were too expensive so for the most part the slaughtering was done by machete and hoe. But yet no one there is talking about banning machetes and hoes which in a subsistence agrarian society are essential for slashing forest and planting crop.
That Black Guy
December 14th, 2012
2:35 pm
Gale
December 14th, 2012
2:16 pm
Maybe we should start by a law to prevent selling ammunition. You want to fire your gun, you need to learn to load bullets and shells. A sportsman has no need of an assault rifle, nor more rounds than can be fired at a range in one visit
_______________________________________
Have you ever been to a range?
You can go through 100 rounds in no time.
Doggone/GA
December 14th, 2012
2:36 pm
“Well said, Doggone/GA”
thank you, but I will say that because I don’t know everyone who owns a gun…I don’t TRUST ANY of them. We’ve got people around here shotting guns for whatever reason they have and if I’m home, I bring my dogs in and stay in the house. I’m not putting myself or my dogs knowingly in the way of someone who MIGHT decide that a live target is more fun than a paper one.
Regnad Kcin
December 14th, 2012
2:37 pm
““The thing that an automatic gun is: a technical means for drastically reducing the odds of failing in your attempt at killing large numbers.”
Did you honestly think you were posting something that everybody doesn’t already know?”
==========
Why does that acknowledged fact bother you so much, Mr. Doom?
Thulsa Doom
December 14th, 2012
2:37 pm
“You don’t know it, so yeah.”
On top of being a fashionable revolutionary occupation is also a mindreader. So is he a revolutionary mindreader. Or a mindreading revolutionary? Hmmm.
Mike Fitzgerald
December 14th, 2012
2:39 pm
Mr. Bookman,
I appreciate what you are doing to keep the pressure on ethics reform. I know this post is off topic but this massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary School upsets me very much and I wanted to see if you might weigh in on the issue. You always have an intelligent take on current events and maybe you could help make sense of this mass killing of small children. Could you support a ban on assault rifles and handguns in the City of Atlanta or do you know of a group that supports passage of such a ban?
That Black Guy
December 14th, 2012
2:39 pm
Welcome to the Occupation
December 14th, 2012
2:13 pm
Thulsa: “Well at least welcome to the occupation is upfront and honest about wanting to politicize this.”
The Columbine killers of course really wanted to blow up their entire school, but they failed to pull it off technically.
The thing that an automatic gun is: a technical means for drastically reducing the odds of failing in your attempt at killing large numbers.
________________________________________________
It’s a good thing that neither they nor the Conn shooter(s) had AUTOMATIC guns.