“We’ve got to stop being the stupid party. It’s time for a new Republican Party that talks like adults. We had a number of Republicans damage the brand this year with offensive and bizarre comments. I’m here to say we’ve had enough of that.”
– Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal,
in a speech to the Republican National Committee
————————————————————-
“I’ll tell you this right now: If Barack Obama becomes the president in November, again, I will either be dead or in jail by this time next year. Why are you laughing? Do you think that’s funny? That’s not funny at all. I’m serious as a heart attack….
“… it isn’t the enemy that ruined America. It’s good people who bent over and let the enemy in. If the coyote’s in your living room, pissing on your couch, it’s not the coyote’s fault. It’s your fault for not shooting him. So, it’s an important time. So, you’re talking about exhibits, you’re talking about hardware and ammo and everyone’s fondling sporting goods and everybody’s got a big old sexy grin on their face ’cause they’re surrounded by ballistic celebration — that’s cool. But what I feel in this room, is I feel this: I’m not taking this crap anymore.”
– Ted Nugent, NRA board member, gun enthusiast and ex-rock star, speaking to the NRA convention in April, shortly before a visit from the Secret Service
—————————————————————————–
WASHINGTON – Musician and gun advocate Ted Nugent will be Congressman Steve Stockman’s guest at Tuesday evening’s State of the Union Address by President Barack Obama. Nugent will be available to speak to the media before and after the Address.
“I am excited to have a patriot like Ted Nugent joining me in the House Chamber to hear from President Obama,” said Stockman. “After the Address I’m sure Ted will have plenty to say.”
To schedule an interview with Nugent, contact Senior Communications Advisor Donny.Ferguson@mail.house.gov.
– A press release issued Monday by Stockman’s congressional office.
The optics are not hard to predict. At some point in tonight’s State of the Union address, President Obama will bring up the tragedy in Newtown in which 20 young children were murdered. The cameras will pan to a Newtown teacher who survived the mass shooting, or to the first two Newtown police officers to arrive at that horrific scene, or to other invited guests linked to that tragedy. And then they will pan to Nugent and Stockman, asking the viewers an implied question: Which side are you on?
So no, Jindal’s plea notwithstanding, the GOP apparently is not ready to stop being the stupid party.
To be fair, a lot of Republican leaders must understand just how stupid it is to allow Nugent to become the personification of their party’s policy on gun control, especially in counterpoint to the victims of Newtown. They have to recognize that while the Motor City Moron’s presence at such an august event may thrill the hard-core gun crowd, serving as the equivalent of a very public middle finger extended in the direction of the president, it does not help a party trying to shed its extremist image.
Yet to date, I have seen no elected Republican official or party leader dare to say that publicly. I have seen no criticism, implied or otherwise, of Stockman’s decision. I have seen no attempt to put distance between Nugent and the party. I do not believe that would be the case if the situation were reversed, if a Democratic congressman had shown the extreme bad judgment of inviting a rapper who had strongly implied violence against a Republican president.
That silence doesn’t mean that Republican leaders necessarily endorse Stockman’s move or Nugent’s antics. However, it does mean that they lack the political courage and judgment to confront those destructive elements in their own party and to try to distance themselves from it. As a result, their political fortunes will continue to suffer.
– Jay Bookman
542 comments Add your comment
Itchy Finger
February 12th, 2013
12:38 pm
Buzz Belle
Still waiting for those on the right to answer – do you consider “Ted” a patriot? Inquriing minds want to know.
Of course he’s a Patriot. He’s not a convicted felon. He believes in GOD, country, and the American way…. I honestly can’t think of a dem politician who thinks that way….
Keep Up the Good Fight!
February 12th, 2013
12:40 pm
How sad that some thing Nugent believes in “country and the American way”…. But its what expected for the foolishness of the conned.
getalife
February 12th, 2013
12:40 pm
They are still talking about Jindal calling his party stupid and I just laugh and ask can you fix stupid?
Itchy Finger
February 12th, 2013
12:40 pm
BuckeyeInGa
Nugent made a threat towards the sitting President of the United States yet was invited to the State of the Union address..sad and the Republicans didn’t learn a thing from Nov 2012.
Of course that was debunked and proved to be made up non-sense by the left. I guess MessNBC forgot to tell you that….
Cosby
February 12th, 2013
12:41 pm
I guess the Dems are smarter than the average bear….ok they bring the mother of the girl killed in Chicago – by gang member out of jail on probation after breaking probation…the cause..stupidity by the judicial system promoted by stupidity by the Democratic party…so there Jay…both sides seem to be stupid..but it has to be that tingly felling running down your leg or is that up your …oh well
TBone
February 12th, 2013
12:41 pm
It’s really exciting to know that those of you frequenting this blog are just so erudite and pretty much have all of the answers to our country’s woes. Thank the Lord for you.
TiredOfIt
February 12th, 2013
12:41 pm
“The guy is a scumbag, draft dodger, and a buffoon.”
++
According to the Shawn he just another great American. I guess Shawn has a really low opinion of Americans.
moonbat betty
February 12th, 2013
12:42 pm
He is a gun advocate.
So the left will vilify him and he likes it that way.
So what?
BFD.
The comments from the left are hysterical.
“Oooh I hope they stick a probe up his butt!”
“Oooh I bet they find a little gun on him”
“Oooh I hope they drag him outside”
“Why isn’t he dead yet?”
lol
Itchy Finger
February 12th, 2013
12:42 pm
Keep Up the Good Fight!
How sad that some thing Nugent believes in “country and the American way”…. But its what expected for the foolishness of the conned.
Yet the President and his party continue to rack up massive debt…. Hmmm.. Go figure…
the dog
February 12th, 2013
12:42 pm
Itchy-the Secret Services feels differently.
stevie ray
February 12th, 2013
12:42 pm
So Ted is the kim jung il of nra. He likes guns, killing creatures. Much better choices, like anyone, but the Newtown tragedy was more about mental illness and access that gun rights. 300,000,000 guns out there. Even with practical common sense legislation, can we really expect a safer society?
Thulsa Doom
February 12th, 2013
12:42 pm
“Nope, just Kamspam.”
Peadawg,
My bad. I just ASSumed it was a con. I wouldn’t let the lame ass repetitive post bunny tick me off if I were you. Rather than viewing kamspam as something that makes you mad you should do as I do and view it as a clown jester whose purpose in life is to amuse you. Works for me.
saywhat?
February 12th, 2013
12:43 pm
Despite Nugent’s many shortcomings, I really do love the guitar riff for “Great White Buffalo”.
As for inviting him to the SOTU? Sure. Why not? As Jay notes, there is only the potential to further harm the Republican brand with moderate voters, and I’m all for that. Worst case scenario from the left’s perspective is that his attendance is an uneventful irrelevance.
OBIWAN
February 12th, 2013
12:43 pm
CNN Anchor Wonders To Bill Nye: Is A Near-Earth Asteroid The Effect Of Global Warming? LOL gee she is so smart… but then again look at the people who watch CNN…
Kamchak ~ Thug from the Steppes
February 12th, 2013
12:43 pm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6inwzOooXRU
BuckeyeInGa
February 12th, 2013
12:44 pm
Itchy Finger,
That wasn’t debunked.. You might want to read more.
Fisher
February 12th, 2013
12:44 pm
So the cons want us to address the mentally unstable having guns. And yet Ted still has his and he is as unstable as they come.
getalife
February 12th, 2013
12:45 pm
fox news is another joke like ted.
The right is not even trying anymore.
Itchy Finger
February 12th, 2013
12:45 pm
Speaking of another obama failure. I was shocked to read that most people wasn’t even qualified to receive a free obamaphone…..
BuckeyeInGa
February 12th, 2013
12:46 pm
@Dog 12:42..
Exactly.
Itchy Finger
February 12th, 2013
12:46 pm
Democrats certainly live up to the billing party of stupid….
http://chicksontheright.com/posts/item/23812-democrat-state-senator-arrested-for-using-taxpayer-money-to-buy-clothing-for-her-poodle
getalife
February 12th, 2013
12:46 pm
“free obamaphone…..”
Stupid party indeed.
Itchy Finger
February 12th, 2013
12:46 pm
Fisher
So the cons want us to address the mentally unstable having guns. And yet Ted still has his and he is as unstable as they come.
Got proof???
Moderate Line
February 12th, 2013
12:47 pm
DannyX
February 12th, 2013
11:35 am
“First, I did not vote Republican at all in the last election but the comment seems little over the top.”
Why not? You defend them around here every chance you get. Anyone that says its the article that is over the top in this case is not giving the moderate line.
++++
I don’t vote Republican for several reasons. 1) I believe in unvirseal health care 2) I don’t think entitlement programs will every be cut enough not to raise taxes. 3) I believe in reducing the defense budget. 4) I do not support the right to own assualt weapons. 5) I did not think the war in Iraq is justified.
Whether it is over the top or not is a matter of opinion and that opinion is largely shaped by partisanship. Also, whether it is moderate or not is a matter of opinion largely shaped by partisanship.
I do not “defend them around here every chance you get”. What I do is questions peoples statements and ask to prove their statements. Since Jay is a partisan Democrat it would only seem logical if I am questioning the validity of statements most of the the statements I would question would be partisan Democrat.
If we disagree on whether it is over the top then we disagree. If the left wants to win the argument on gun control I think they should stick to the facts and sound logic instead degenerating people by calling them stupid. Many people argue that the order of the Bill Rights is a justification for gun control because they were grouped based on individual rights then states rights. I link to a Salon.com page which show this to be incorrect. Was this defending Republicans?
DownInAlbany
February 12th, 2013
12:47 pm
BuckeyeInGa
February 12th, 2013
12:37 pm
Nugent made a threat towards the sitting President of the United States yet was invited to the State of the Union address..sad and the Republicans didn’t learn a thing from Nov 2012.
What threat?
Moderate Line
February 12th, 2013
12:47 pm
Moderate Line
February 12th, 2013
12:47 pm
DannyX
February 12th, 2013
11:35 am
“First, I did not vote Republican at all in the last election but the comment seems little over the top.”
Why not? You defend them around here every chance you get. Anyone that says its the article that is over the top in this case is not giving the moderate line.
+++++
Do you have any more questions?
Itchy Finger
February 12th, 2013
12:48 pm
BuckeyeInGa
That wasn’t debunked.. You might want to read more.
So what was he charged with… I’d love a link…. Sure they wasted tax dollars by paying him a visit but nothing else became of it… Of course you lefty’s went crazy whooping your puppies over it to no avail…
USC
February 12th, 2013
12:49 pm
Alpha Male? This is the same guy who was so frightened of military induction he lost control of his own feces. Rejected. A ‘little man syndrome’ if there ever was one. He says he carries a gun to gain respect and to make other people be polite. Sounds like a bully and a coward who tries to intimidate other people by threatening them. A perfect representation of the gun nuts club who are paranoid reactionaries. One step from the mind set of the shooters in Colorado, Columbine, Connecticut, Arizona, etc. This guy can not make it to the little can, so put him in the big can where he belongs.
Jefferson
February 12th, 2013
12:51 pm
Until Ted flip flops, dies or goes to jail, he is a petty liar.
Jm
February 12th, 2013
12:54 pm
Joe Biden like jalapeños
getalife
February 12th, 2013
12:54 pm
“According to AL.com, four Alabama football players were arrested Monday. UA spokeswoman Cathy Andreen confirmed the arrests of freshman linebacker Tyler Hayes, 18, freshman safety Eddie Williams, 20, redshirt freshman D.J. Pettway, 20, and redshirt freshman H-back Brent Calloway, 20.”
No wonder doomy is upset.
OBIWAN
February 12th, 2013
12:54 pm
Native Atlantan
Are you really that dense that you missed the point? I guess so.
BuckeyeInGa
February 12th, 2013
12:55 pm
Itchy Finger 12:48
BuckeyeInGa
That wasn’t debunked.. You might want to read more.
So what was he charged with… I’d love a link…. Sure they wasted tax dollars by paying him a visit but nothing else became of it… Of course you lefty’s went crazy whooping your puppies over it to no avail…
Thanks for making my point..”They wasted tax dollar by paying him a visit. ..Exactly the SS paid him a visit and not because they like his songs..
moonbat betty
February 12th, 2013
12:55 pm
“This guy can not make it to the little can, so put him in the big can where he belongs.”
“Until Ted flip flops, dies or goes to jail, he is a petty liar.”
2 more to add to the hysterical quote list.
Naw, he doesn’t agitate the left at all!
skipper
February 12th, 2013
12:55 pm
The killings by the thugs and TRASH in Chicago are what they are. The rocket-scientist that shot that poor girl was nothing but the scum (smegma) of the earth. That is not a liberal, conservative, or independent statement. It is a fact. And before somebody says “How do you know him” rest assured, I did not know Jeffrey Dahmer, either, but I know that he was scum. Gun control laws have worked well up there, have thay not? Nugent may rant and rave, but he couldn’t kill as many folks as the thugs in Chicago have if he nuked a place. I’m so tired of the Al Sharptons having no solutions, and not wanting to enforce anything up there due to “discrimination” factors, etc. Leave race out of it, and likewise try to solve a problem instead of ranting about guns. How does anyone propose keeping guns out of the hands of these trash-bags up there….new laws? Good night above…..these folks do not respect life anyway, so wtf will a new law mean? Mass shootings, like colorodo, Sandyhook etc. are awful, but you can add up all the numbers and cannot get a good start on the mess that goes on in Chicago, Philadelphia, etc. on a daily basis. New lawas will never have an effect on folks (a very liberal use of the term) like these. The Sandyhook shooter, the colorodo shooter, and others like that are psycopathic loons. The gangs, etc. in Chicago are just cold-blooded killers.
Erwin's cat
February 12th, 2013
12:55 pm
A perfect representation of the gun nuts club who are paranoid reactionaries. One step from the mind set of the shooters in Colorado, Columbine, Connecticut, Arizona, etc. This guy can not make it to the little can, so put him in the big can where he belongs.
oh the drama!
Vet
February 12th, 2013
12:57 pm
It’s funny to see how all these Democrats get so worked up about what the Republicans are saying or doing! Call each other stupid or whatever…there is two sides to the street! Democrats enjoy your victory and the spoils! Why be so consumed with hate or what ever drives you folks crazy!
Thulsa Doom
February 12th, 2013
12:58 pm
Moonbat betty,
That hysterical quote list is getting pretty long. I think its safe to say we have an entire herd of liberal fainting goats in the house.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f_3Utmj4RPU
getalife
February 12th, 2013
12:58 pm
ted is just another stupid con with a big mouth.
Hank Jr cut and run and so will ted.
Phuk Ewe
February 12th, 2013
12:59 pm
So, Ted’s stupid. GOP’s stupid. Got news for you. You’re stupid. And I could have told you that before I received my Ph.D. or my J.D. You thoughtless people are going to get what you’re asking for if you keep this up. And guess who’s gonna win? Those with the guns (and no, it won’t be your precious government or Federal police who win – no government in history has ever had the potential even to face an armed population like we have in the US). We will continue to secure our GOD given freedoms for ourselves and our children. Like it or suck it.
Native Atlantan
February 12th, 2013
12:59 pm
soooo….is Itchy the reincarnated USMC? You know….drop a linkee, attempt to distract, fail to construct sentences properly…..that USMC?
n
February 12th, 2013
12:59 pm
“You know, a long time ago being crazy meant something. Nowadays everybody’s crazy.”
Charles Manson
bookman parrot
February 12th, 2013
12:59 pm
Jay, your title today shows that you are so childlike in your utterings.
TiredOfIt
February 12th, 2013
1:00 pm
Ted would be a perfect candidate for stump hanging and while that’s happening Shawn can get water-boarded like he said he was going to do. Afterwards they can cuddle.
alittlecommonsense
February 12th, 2013
1:00 pm
Nugent might be extreme, but I will take him and you can keep your stupid liberal celebrities –
“I propose a limitation be put on how many sqares [sic] of toilet paper can be used in any one sitting.” Sheryl Crow
“Whenever I watch TV and see those poor starving kids all over the world, I can’t help but cry. I mean I’d love to be skinny like that, but not with all those flies and death and stuff.”
Mariah Carey
“If you take out the killings, Washington actually has a very very low crime rate.” Marion Berry
“World Trade Center … miraculously, the first time in history, steel was melted by fire. It is physically impossible.” Rosie O’donnell
You can’t fix stupid!
Kamchak ~ Thug from the Steppes
February 12th, 2013
1:00 pm
2 more to add to the hysterical quote list.
“Obama, he’s a piece of sh*t, and I told him to suck on my machine gun,” Nugent said in front of a screaming crowd as he brandishes what appear to be two large assault rifles.
“Hey Hillary, you might want to ride one of these into the sunset you worthless bitch,” Nugent said, brandishing his weapons.
He also went after Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-CA), suggesting she, too, might like to “suck on my machine gun.” Nugent’s tirade against California’s other Democratic Senator, Diane Feinstein, is too garbled to transcribe, but one can hear Nugent call her a “wh*re.”
Ted Nugent says, “What?”
getalife
February 12th, 2013
1:01 pm
“You can’t fix stupid”
The party of stupid can’t be fixed.
0311/8541/5811/1811/1801
February 12th, 2013
1:02 pm
JAY:
How about this lady then as the Republican spokesperson??????
“A BLACK WOMAN’S PERSPECTIVE ON GUN CONTROL”
http://www.youtube.com/embed/vn7bkncf1_E
retiredds
February 12th, 2013
1:02 pm
Dick Cheney defended President Barack Obama’s drone program Tuesday.
“I think it’s a good program and I don’t disagree with the basic policy that the Obama administration is pursuing now in that regards,” former President George W. Bush’s vice president said to CBS News anchor Charlie Rose on CBS’s “This Morning.”
Read more: http://www.politico.com/story/2013/02/dick-cheney-praises-obama-on-drone-use-87511.html#ixzz2Ki1wfvV8
the dog
February 12th, 2013
1:04 pm
0311-you have not answered whether you think nugent is a patriot. Why is that?
RB from Gwinnett
February 12th, 2013
1:04 pm
“”I don’t think he has the guts to do it. He doesn’t have the courage to take on the liberal side of his own party — never has,” Boehner said. ”
That would because he IS the liberal side. Anybody who claims Obama is a cenrist is just not paying attention. Tonight’s speech is going to be nothing more than yet another campaign speech full of more spending and more freebies to more people designed to get more people on the Obama gravy train. Keep in mind every one of his promises has a price tag behind it somebody has to pay for with a reduction in their paycheck.
0311/8541/5811/1811/1801
February 12th, 2013
1:04 pm
Nugent did not make a threat or he would have been prosecuted:
1) Free speech (non-prosecutable)
2) Implied threats (non-prosecutable)
3) Direct threats (prosecutable)
Redneck Convert (R--and proud of it)
February 12th, 2013
1:06 pm
Well, when you think about it, all this party fussing is about raising campaign cash. The librul Democrats won’t let the godly Republicans tilt things more toward the
richJob Creators and they hate Obama for it. It’s hard to raise campaign cash if you ain’t done nothing for the people you’re trying to get the cash from. The godly Republicans won’t let the librul Democrats tilt things more toward thewelfare bumslow income people so they hate the Republicans for keeping them from getting all those votes.And then you get nuts like this Ted Nugent. He’s rich and wants to be sure he stays that way so he gins up this gun thing to keep people riled up and his name in the news. I expect he don’t give a flying flip about guns but if he shows up on Piers Morgan saying all kind of strange things about gun ownership, people will remember him next time he has a concert in their area.
That’s my opinion and it’s very true.
Have a good p.m. everybody.
BuckeyeInGa
February 12th, 2013
1:06 pm
@Skipper 12:55
A new law that will help the Chicago situation is a background checks at gun shows According to I thingk Sen Durbin, A huge amount of guns are coming in from out of state. A lot of guns was traced to Mississippi.
Erwin's cat
February 12th, 2013
1:06 pm
Whats the over/under on “fair share” tonight?
Keep Up the Good Fight!
February 12th, 2013
1:06 pm
Nugent did not make a threat or he would have been prosecuted:
Evidence to the contrary ignored by Senior Digits as usual. Not all threats are prosecuted just as all violations of law are not prosecuted.
The amount of con buffoonery today is way up…. its it a full moon?
0311/8541/5811/1811/1801
February 12th, 2013
1:07 pm
JAY:
Who invited Obama to tonight’s event ??
“If they bring a knife to the fight, we bring a gun,” Obama told the audience. “Because from what I understand folks in Philly like a good brawl. I’ve seen Eagles fans.” Barack Hussein Obama
http://blogs.wsj.com/washwire/2008/06/14/obama-if-they-bring-a-knife-to-the-fight-we-bring-a-gun/
Kamchak ~ Thug from the Steppes
February 12th, 2013
1:08 pm
What’s the over/under on “takers” in the two Republican responses tonight?
the dog
February 12th, 2013
1:08 pm
0311-still waiting. Is nugent a patriot?
Itchy Finger
February 12th, 2013
1:08 pm
BuckeyeInGa:
I’m still waiting to hear what crime he was charged with. Threatening the President is supposed to be a crime right?
Thulsa Doom
February 12th, 2013
1:08 pm
Liberal fainting goats and liberal drama queen’s heads are exploding all over the blog. Someone get a towel. Its getting bloody messy in here.
TiredOfIt
February 12th, 2013
1:08 pm
The amount of con buffoonery today is way up…. its it a full moon?
++
Maybe they wish they could suck on his machine gun?
Itchy Finger
February 12th, 2013
1:08 pm
the dog:
Can you scroll up a bit. I answered your question…
0311/8541/5811/1811/1801
February 12th, 2013
1:09 pm
“Not all threats are prosecuted”
Exactly, because there is no chance of a conviction because the statement does not meet the elements of the violation outlined in the particular code section ……… therefore no conviction ………. therefore no violation of law.
GEEZ !
0311/8541/5811/1811/1801
February 12th, 2013
1:10 pm
the dog:
Is Nugent a patriot? Sure he is !
Is Obama ?
“If they bring a knife to the fight, we bring a gun,” Obama told the audience. “Because from what I understand folks in Philly like a good brawl. I’ve seen Eagles fans.”
Barack Hussein Obama
Itchy Finger
February 12th, 2013
1:12 pm
Kamchak ~ Thug from the Steppes
What’s the over/under on “takers” in the two Republican responses tonight?
I gotta feelin that Chris Mathews will get a tingle up his leg and Ed Shultz will embrace Rachael Maddcow even though neither one really go that way…
0311/8541/5811/1811/1801
February 12th, 2013
1:12 pm
the dog:
Is the Putnam Country Sheriff a patriot ??
Hon. Saxby Chambliss
United States Senate
416 Russell Senate Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20510
Dear Senator Chambliss,
I write you today at a point in my life where I have grave concerns about the future of our nation. Come this April, I will begin my 40th year in the field of public safety. I have been very fortunate in my career to have worked in almost every aspect of law enforcement, both in rural and urban areas, along with a stint in corporate security for one of the largest banks in the country. I have just been reelected to my fifth term of office, and I serve as the Director of my county’s Emergency Management Agency. I am also the President of the Georgia Sheriffs’ Association, but this letter is written from me individually as the Sheriff of Putnam County and in my capacity as an American citizen.
The recent incident where children and staff were murdered by a deranged individual at the school in Newtown, Connecticut and the many similar incidents that have occurred in the past are horrific tragedies, and they most assuredly warrant measures and policies to prevent such acts in the future. While I may have never had personal experience with an incident of mass murder, I have unfortunately responded to and investigated untold numbers of assaults and murders during my long career. All of those incidents were also tragic and often senseless, but I know that firearms were not the cause of these crimes.
Erroneously, the national media immediately focused on guns as the cause of the crimes at Sandy Hook. In addition, from much of what I have heard and read, it appears Congress seems to be going in that same direction. This is what precipitated my fears for the country. In my county, and in every community where I have served as a police officer, I have found the most patriotic responsible citizens are those who own firearms. These people are the first to stand at attention and pledge allegiance to our flag, the first to bow their heads in prayer, the first to pay their taxes, and the first in line to vote on Election Day. They know the 2nd Amendment of our Constitution, and they know that their right to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed upon.
I expect my citizens to defend themselves from harm until we arrive on the scene, and I have a sense of comfort in knowing the vast majority of them are well armed and have the ability to protect themselves. I also find great solace in the fact that they have the ability to come to the aid of me and my deputies should some circumstance warrant it.
It is very clear to me that the public has little faith in most of its elected officials at the present time. Polls related to confidence in Congress glaringly reflect this, and I believe the same attitude trickles down even to the local level. Should Congress enact laws that ban, or even require the registration of firearms, it WILL NOT keep guns out of the hands of criminals. The end result of such legislation will make criminals out of our best citizens, as I am absolutely certain that the vast majority of Georgians WILL NOT surrender any of their firearms, magazines, or ammunition, nor will they comply with any law that mandates they register their weapons with any entity of government.
The functionality of our government is completely dependent upon the majority voluntarily abiding by the law. It is my greatest fear that legislation banning or requiring the registration of guns the public can now legally posses will force our best citizens to a precipice where they will turn their backs to the law. Beyond that point, there will only be a slippery slope where only more laws will be ignored and not complied with.
I find it absolutely incredulous that there seems to be little discussion about the real issues that are at the root of people who commit crimes with firearms. Although a general decline in morality coupled with an insatiable appetite for illicit drugs are contributing factors, I believe the primary causal components of most violent crimes are a combination of mental health issues and our failure to prosecute, punish, and keep recidivist criminals in confinement.
When it comes to mentally deranged people, the State of Georgia has simply abandoned its responsibility to protect them or the public they endanger. I can explain the mental health problem in three sentences. When I went away to college some forty years ago there were about 4 and a half million people living in Georgia and there were 17,000 people institutionalized at Central State Hospital in Milledgeville. Today there are 10 million people in Georgia and there is virtually no one confined in Central State. The sheriffs of Georgia have evolved into being the largest providers of mental health services in the state as a significant proportion of the inmates in our jails suffer from a myriad of mental problems. This shouldn’t be our duty, and it is something we are not equipped nor funded for.
As for the failure to appropriately deal with recidivist criminals, I will offer you just a few recent examples. On December 17, 2012 a young Clayton County Police Officer named Sean Callahan was murdered in the line of duty as he responded to a domestic disturbance call. Tremaine Lebis, the hoodlum who murdered Officer Callahan, was out of prison on parole at the time of the crime. He, of course, had several weapons in his possession (including a so-called dreaded “Assault Rifle”) and had been released from prison early after being convicted of Aggravated Assault in Gwinnett County in 1992 where he brutally shot a man in the head with a handgun. He got 20 years to serve for that crime and escaped while in a prison in Baldwin County in 1995. He got three more years for the Escape charge in Baldwin and was paroled in May 2008. He was to remain under sup ervision of Parole until April 2016.
Lebis was arrested, yet again, in Henry County for Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon and some other charge in April 2011. He pleaded guilty to Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon and False Report of a Crime in November 2011. I don’t know what kind of sentence he received for that conviction, but the Clayton News Daily said he was given credit for time served since May 26, 2011. Nonetheless, Lebis was released on parole yet again on May 21, 2012. His next appearance at the rodeo of crime resulted in the murder of Officer Callahan. If Lebis had not been released on parole in May 2008, Officer Callahan would still be alive. If Lebis had not been released on parole AGAIN in May 2012, Officer Callahan would still be alive. It was already a violation of both state and federal law for Lebis to possess any type of firearm long before he murdered Officer Callahan.
Seven days after the murder of Officer Callahan, an individual named William Spengler shot four firefighters, murdering two of them, in Webster, New York. It now appears he may have also murdered his sister and been responsible for burning seven houses in his neighborhood. He, too, was a convicted felon and had previously served a whopping 17 years in prison for beating his own grandmother to death with a hammer. Again, it was already a violation of both state and federal law for Spengler to possess any type of firearm when he shot and killed the firefighters.
Three days ago Atlanta Police Officer Reggie Robinson was shot in the face while he investigated a complaint regarding illicit drug dealing. The individual who shot him was 20 year old Frank Emmitt Nance. Nance had a pending case of Battery against him from an arrest in April 2012 and was also on probation after being convicted of Aggravated Assault, Terroristic Threats, and Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon in Fulton County on January 10, 2012. Nance had been released from state prison on March 28, 2011 after completing an arduous 8 months of incarceration from a previous conviction for Burglary, Theft by Taking, and, of course, yet another count of Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon. Yet again, it was already a violation of both state and federal law for Nance to possess any type of firearm when he shot Officer Robinson.
You might think that the three aforementioned examples are exceptions, but I must unfortunately tell you that similar cases are routine and prolific all over Georgia and throughout the nation. The media very rarely even makes mention of a criminal’s previous arrest record. Last year our General Assembly rammed through legislation that they called “Criminal Justice Reform”. In reality it was nothing more than a statutory degradation of morality, as its primary component did nothing more than change a litany of felony crimes, making them misdemeanors and shifting the burden of cost from the state government back to the counties.
Governor Deal touted that it was simply too expensive to keep criminals in prison because we were mad at them. I believe we should be nothing less than furious with recidivist criminals. The emotional and financial expenses that victims and others are left with in the wake of their incessant pernicious voyages far exceeds the cost of keeping the savages caged and away from society.
Senator, we have a plethora of laws already in existence that can effectively deal with the unlawful possession and use of firearms of any kind by criminals. I would support any legislation that mandated a sure, swift, and severe penalty for any criminal possession and use of a gun, but I will not support, aid, enforce, nor condone, any effort or legislation that will infringe upon the right of a law abiding citizen’s right to bear firearms. You took the same oath as I did, and it was to support and defend our Constitution. I implore you to do so at this crucial point in time.
Sincerely,
Howard R. Sills
Sheriff
moonbat betty
February 12th, 2013
1:12 pm
“Ted Nugent says, “What?””
George W. Bush haters say, “What?”
Kamchak,
We can go back and forth all day quoting stuff people say about the president and congress men/women.
I don’t agree with what Nugent says, but it doesn’t really bother me.
The same goes for Rosie O’Donnell or any of those other Hollywood types.
0311/8541/5811/1811/1801
February 12th, 2013
1:13 pm
the dog:
How about all of the sheriff’s in the Georgia Sherrif’s Association and the other state associations listed here?
Are they patriots ??
List of State Sheriff’s Associations Saying No to More Gun Control:
1. Utah Sheriffs Association
2. Florida Sheriffs Association
3. Georgia Sheriffs Association
4. Colorado Sheriffs Association
5. New Mexico Sheriffs Association
6. Nebraska Sheriffs Association
7. Wyoming Sheriffs Association
8. Indiana Sheriffs Association
http://cspoa.org/sheriffs-gun-rights/
http://www.wsbtv.com/news/news/local/georgia-sheriffs-association-against-stricter-gun-/nWC78/
“The sheriffs took an oath to support the Constitution and will stand by the 2nd Amendment. The sheriffs will aggressively oppose federal or state legislation which infringes upon law abiding citizens’ right to bear arms.
The sheriffs further agree to support any legislation that would effectively penalize criminals who use firearms in the commission of crimes.”
Soothsayer
February 12th, 2013
1:14 pm
We have hundreds of thousands of Ted Nugents up here where I live. I’m just glad I never bought a Ted Nugent record.
It’s these paramilitary creeps that really give the country a bad name. Imagine how people from other countries (civilized countries) would view that statement by Ted Nugent.
Maybe ol’ Ted will get his blood pressure all worked up and blow a gasket or something and then we won’t have to listen to him anymore.
As far as ol’ Bobby’s message about not sayin’ stupid stuff, that’s a near impossibility. Stupid people always say stupid stuff. They just cain’t hep themselves.
Itchy Finger
February 12th, 2013
1:14 pm
0311/8541/5811/1811/1801:
Trying to explain law to a liberal is like explaining to a child the laws of physics… They simple either refuse to understand or ignore facts… That’s their MO….
Kamchak ~ Thug from the Steppes
February 12th, 2013
1:14 pm
We can go back and forth all day quoting stuff people say about the president and congress men/women.
Unlike you, I’m not keeping a running tally.
BuckeyeInGa
February 12th, 2013
1:15 pm
Itchy Finger,
He wasn’t charged. That doesn’t mean my statement is incorrect. Why did the SS visit him?
Itchy Finger
February 12th, 2013
1:16 pm
Poor Bookman. Even his buffoons can’t get in to this today…..
Thulsa Doom's casino
February 12th, 2013
1:16 pm
Erwin’s cat
February 12th, 2013
1:06 pm
Whats the over/under on “fair share” tonight?
I’m gonna say 3 on that one.
On the word “investment(s)” I’m going to say 5.
On the number of times Obama says “I” I’m going with 600. kd
On lame ass repetitive posts I’m gonna say 5 each of the usual staples of tripe.
Pay attention to the one on “investments” because O is going to call for more of these ahem “investments” in education, infrastructure, and various other spending, um, “investment” programs.
0311/8541/5811/1811/1801
February 12th, 2013
1:17 pm
“If they bring a knife to the fight, we bring a gun,” Obama told the audience. “Because from what I understand folks in Philly like a good brawl. I’ve seen Eagles fans.”
Barack Hussein Obama
Did Obama advocate violating the law? In most states bringing a gun to a political rally or event is a crime.
Or was that a “direct” statement or an “implied” statement Mr. GOOD FIGHT ??????
moonbat betty
February 12th, 2013
1:17 pm
“Maybe ol’ Ted will get his blood pressure all worked up and blow a gasket or something and then we won’t have to listen to him anymore.”
Add another one to the list!
Itchy Finger
February 12th, 2013
1:17 pm
Liberals think that banning gun would also ban evil….
http://youtu.be/vn7bkncf1_E
0311/8541/5811/1811/1801
February 12th, 2013
1:17 pm
Itchy Finger @ 1:14
Well said !!!
Kamchak ~ Thug from the Steppes
February 12th, 2013
1:18 pm
Add another one to the list!
There’s your sign.
Soothsayer
February 12th, 2013
1:18 pm
Scout: you’re up early today, aren’t you? Doctor’s appointment?
Keep Up the Good Fight!
February 12th, 2013
1:18 pm
Exactly, because there is no chance of a conviction because the statement does not meet the elements of the violation outlined in the particular code section ……… therefore no conviction ………. therefore no violation of law.
What a buffoonishly stupid statement by a self-proclaimed former secret agent man.
Thulsa Doom's casino
February 12th, 2013
1:19 pm
Oh my God! Hundreds of thousands of Ted Nugents in one locale? Oh lordy. I’m sure every liberal fainting goat up there faints at least 76 times a day knowing this awful and provable truth.
DannyX
February 12th, 2013
1:19 pm
“Is Nugent a patriot? Sure he is !”
Wow, a guy that craps his pants to avoid the draft is patriotic?
Semper Fi
Kamchak ~ Thug from the Steppes
February 12th, 2013
1:20 pm
Wow, a guy that craps his pants to avoid the draft is patriotic?
Eeeeeeeeewwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww, rah.
0311/8541/5811/1811/1801
February 12th, 2013
1:20 pm
BuckeyeInGa :
The Secret Servce visits thousands of individuals each year to determine if:
1) They are threat to protectees
2) They are not a threat to protectees
Very few are actual threats and even those who are rarely make a “prosecutable threat” and they therefore just have to be monitored/watched.
stands for decibels
February 12th, 2013
1:20 pm
List of State Sheriff’s Associations
As Jay already told you, those sheriffs are all elected pols, and their opinion on gun regs is worth about what a bucket of warm urine might fetch on the open market.
Why you think anyone should be impressed by this repeated copy/paste of yours is something you ought to work out with your therapist.
Butch Cassidy (I)
February 12th, 2013
1:21 pm
RB from Gwinnett – “Tonight’s speech is going to be nothing more than yet another campaign speech full of more spending and more freebies to more people designed to get more people on the Obama gravy train.”
Campaign speech? You are aware that the election is over and that Obama won, right?
Thulsa Doom's casino
February 12th, 2013
1:22 pm
Did Obama advocate violating the law? In most states bringing a gun to a political rally or event is a crime.
Or was that a “direct” statement or an “implied” statement Mr. GOOD FIGHT ??????
And then scout went
K
A
B
O
O
M
!
Fred ™
February 12th, 2013
1:22 pm
Kam: Did you see this?
http://www.ajc.com/ap/ap/crime/soccer-faces-epic-fight-against-match-fixing/nWMPf/
Itchy Finger
February 12th, 2013
1:22 pm
BuckeyeInGa
He wasn’t charged. That doesn’t mean my statement is incorrect. Why did the SS visit him?
Nugent made a threat towards the sitting President of the United States yet was invited to the State of the Union address..sad and the Republicans didn’t learn a thing from Nov 2012.
This is what you said. If he truly did do this shouldn’t he be charged with a crime. Last I checked he wasn’t. Just admit the only reason you try and denigrate someone like Ted Nugent is because he speaks the truth about your failed President…..
0311/8541/5811/1811/1801
February 12th, 2013
1:22 pm
Good Fight:
Regarding your 1:18 You are really showing your a** now. LOL !
How about my 1:17 Do we indict Obama or not ?
Paul
February 12th, 2013
1:22 pm
” it does mean that they lack the political courage and judgment to confront those destructive elements in their own party and to try to distance themselves from it. As a result, their political fortunes will continue to suffer.”
Yup. Takes courage to shed the old ways and move forward. So, they’re reaping what they’ve been sowing.
________________________
Afternoon, Thulsa
“And so for the 27th time kd I’ll ask my usual question and wait for a credible answer. After the Newtown massacre a number of new gun law proposals were made. Specifically how would any of these new proposals stopped the Newtown massacre had they been law before the massacre?”
That strikes me like asking would wearing seatbelts have prevented the driver’s death in a pickup truck that rolled and crushed the roof. Answer is, they wouldn’t. So the solution wasn’t to not institute the seat belt rules. It was to strengthen roof standards for pickups.
So thanks for noting there’s not a one-to-one relationship between the President’s proposals and preventing another Newtown.
So the answer is to require steps that would have prevented Newtown.
But I’d guess if he’d proposed requiring biometric palm scanners to lock out unauthorized uses, there’d be a lot more screaming than what we’ve already heard.
So the gun lobby isn’t interested in real gun control for lawful purposes.
Jefferson
February 12th, 2013
1:22 pm
Numbers is a sears american.
moonbat betty
February 12th, 2013
1:23 pm
“There’s your sign.”
Add another one to the list!
0311/8541/5811/1811/1801
February 12th, 2013
1:23 pm
Thulsa @ 1:22
LOL !!
Fred ™
February 12th, 2013
1:23 pm
Campaign speech? You are aware that the election is over and that Obama won, right?
Naw. He’s not aware of much of anything that Rush and Fox don’t program him to spew. Have you heard anything new form the man your whole time here?
Thulsa Doom's casino
February 12th, 2013
1:23 pm
“You are aware that the election is over and that Obama won, right?”
Yes. We were reminded of it when the economy had contracted to negative growth in the 4th qtr.
Kamchak ~ Thug from the Steppes
February 12th, 2013
1:23 pm
Fred
Yeah, I saw that.
Damn!
Itchy Finger
February 12th, 2013
1:24 pm
DannyX
February 12th, 2013
1:19 pm
“Is Nugent a patriot? Sure he is !”
Wow, a guy that craps his pants to avoid the draft is patriotic?
Semper Fi
Are you speaking of obama loving Al Rocker?
http://www.christianpost.com/news/al-roker-poops-his-pants-at-white-house-and-admits-it-video-87970/