I was trying to come up with some way to express my supreme displeasure at the Senate for the farce they perpetrated on the American public. That being the failed legislation on any kind of reasonable gun control.  I’ve been distracted by all of the useless things and bad reporting from the latest terror attack in Boston.  But my animus has returned.  It’s bad enough to do nothing after the Sandy Hook massacre, but to go against the will of 90% of the American public is unconscionable.  Why improve the background check system?  That might actually be useful.  In any case, rather than going on an expletive laden rant, I’ll let Congressman Gabby Giffords tell her story.  Mrs. Giffords, herself a victim of gun violence, penned an excellent op-ed in the New York TImes:

On Wednesday, a minority of senators gave into fear and blocked common-sense legislation that would have made it harder for criminals and people with dangerous mental illnesses to get hold of deadly firearms — a bill that could prevent future tragedies like those in Newtown, Conn., Aurora, Colo., Blacksburg, Va., and too many communities to count.

Some of the senators who voted against the background-check amendments have met with grieving parents whose children were murdered at Sandy Hook, in Newtown. Some of the senators who voted no have also looked into my eyes as I talked about my experience being shot in the head at point-blank range in suburban Tucson two years ago, and expressed sympathy for the 18 other people shot besides me, 6 of whom died. These senators have heard from their constituents — who polls show overwhelmingly favored expanding background checks. And still these senators decided to do nothing. Shame on them.

That’s just an excerpt of the full article. It’s definitely worth of everyone’s attention.

There are a bunch of theories as to why the vast majority of Republicans filibustered the bill. Everything from fear of the NRA to conspiracy theories about the bill itself. The reasons don’t really matter in the end. The sad truth is that they just suck. If you people can’t vote for the most watered-down bill that didn’t even have an assault weapons ban, an extended clip ban, nor heightening penalties for straw purchases, what the hell good are you? I’m not sure if it’s cowardice, stupidity or some combination but I hope they all pay for it with their seats next election cycle. You people are such a pestilence!

I’ll let Congressman Giffords have the last word. Her statement directly after the failed votes on gun legislation was as perfect as it was succinct. The Phoenix Business Journal has the quote:

“Moments ago, the U.S. Senate decided to do the unthinkable about gun violence — nothing at all.”

Categories: Politics Fix, Random Rant

Tags: 2nd Amendment, Background Checks, Gabby Giffords, Gun control, National Rifle Association, Newtown, Republican, Sandy Hook, Senate