Handgun Ban
Kucinich Offers Comprehensive Plan to Address Violence in America
The Level of Violence in Society Constitutes a National Emergency; Hand Gun Law Prepared
Flags
Washington, Apr 18 - WASHINGTON, D.C. (April 18) - In the aftermath of Monday's deadly shooting in Blacksburg, Virginia, Congressman Dennis Kucinich (D-OH) is proposing a comprehensive, three-point plan to deal with the violence plaguing America, including a ban on handguns.
"The tragic events in Blacksburg, Virginia which took 33 lives are not an isolated example of the effects of gun violence in America. In fact, about 32 people perish each and every day in America in hand gun related incidents," Kucinich said in a speech to Congress today.
"It is becoming painfully obvious that the easy availability of handguns constituents a growing national crisis of public health and safety, one that calls for a powerful, wide-ranging response from Congress.
"The level of violence in our society constitutes a national emergency. I'm offering an approach to change America's direction away from death and disintegration and toward life and social cohesiveness."
Already this Congress, Kucinich has introduced HR 808 and HR 676-two bills that directly relate to the events of Blacksburg. HR 808, legislation to establish a Department of Peace and Nonviolence, addresses the issue of domestic violence, gang violence, and violence in the schools, which is reflected in the current homicide rates. HR 808 has 62 cosponsors.
"The bill provides hope for a transformation through education of our children in principles of nonviolence and support for existing community groups and professionals whose dedication would be empowered by a national commitment to peace and nonviolence," Kucinich said.
A recent study indicates that many perpetrators of murder had histories of mental illness. The lack of parity for mental healthcare remains one of the most serious deficiencies in healthcare in the United States - the system has long been lacking in substantive support of mental health. HR 676, Medicare for All, would establish a universal not-for-profit healthcare system, which would provide full and comprehensive mental healthcare. More than 14,000 physicians support HR 676 and it is cosponsored by 63 Members of Congress.
Kucinich is currently drafting legislation that would ban the purchase, sale, transfer, or possession of handguns by civilians. A gun buy-back provision will be included in the bill.
"America is being engulfed in violence every day. Let's show them we have the wisdom and the courage to come from our hearts to meet this challenge," Kucinich said.
The Level of Violence in Society Constitutes a National Emergency; Hand Gun Law Prepared
Flags
Washington, Apr 18 - WASHINGTON, D.C. (April 18) - In the aftermath of Monday's deadly shooting in Blacksburg, Virginia, Congressman Dennis Kucinich (D-OH) is proposing a comprehensive, three-point plan to deal with the violence plaguing America, including a ban on handguns.
"The tragic events in Blacksburg, Virginia which took 33 lives are not an isolated example of the effects of gun violence in America. In fact, about 32 people perish each and every day in America in hand gun related incidents," Kucinich said in a speech to Congress today.
"It is becoming painfully obvious that the easy availability of handguns constituents a growing national crisis of public health and safety, one that calls for a powerful, wide-ranging response from Congress.
"The level of violence in our society constitutes a national emergency. I'm offering an approach to change America's direction away from death and disintegration and toward life and social cohesiveness."
Already this Congress, Kucinich has introduced HR 808 and HR 676-two bills that directly relate to the events of Blacksburg. HR 808, legislation to establish a Department of Peace and Nonviolence, addresses the issue of domestic violence, gang violence, and violence in the schools, which is reflected in the current homicide rates. HR 808 has 62 cosponsors.
"The bill provides hope for a transformation through education of our children in principles of nonviolence and support for existing community groups and professionals whose dedication would be empowered by a national commitment to peace and nonviolence," Kucinich said.
A recent study indicates that many perpetrators of murder had histories of mental illness. The lack of parity for mental healthcare remains one of the most serious deficiencies in healthcare in the United States - the system has long been lacking in substantive support of mental health. HR 676, Medicare for All, would establish a universal not-for-profit healthcare system, which would provide full and comprehensive mental healthcare. More than 14,000 physicians support HR 676 and it is cosponsored by 63 Members of Congress.
Kucinich is currently drafting legislation that would ban the purchase, sale, transfer, or possession of handguns by civilians. A gun buy-back provision will be included in the bill.
"America is being engulfed in violence every day. Let's show them we have the wisdom and the courage to come from our hearts to meet this challenge," Kucinich said.
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quote:Originally posted by RugerNiner
"The tragic events in Blacksburg, Virginia which took 33 lives are not an isolated example of the effects of gun violence in America. In fact, about 32 people perish each and every day in America in hand gun related incidents," Kucinich said in a speech to Congress today.
Wow, I'm almost swayed by this impressive figure. Too bad its totally useless. How many of those who die are criminals killed in the act? How many of them are convicted felons? How many of them are innocent civilians protecting themselves? Numbers don't lie but politicians sure do.0 -
How many died in auto accidents?
Let's ban automobiles it will save lives and the environment.
I guess since the Constitution doesn't protect ones right to own a car that this is a non issue with the politicians.0 -
Well I can see that it time to get off our lazy Buckeye Butts and find this bozo a new line of work..... Look like I'll be making some trips north east...... passing literature out.... I can't believe this bozo is from Ohio???? 0 -
take out the amount of gang violence, and then see what the numbers are, almost everyday in saint louis there is a black on black murder with a firearm, last year there was a shooting on highway 70 car to car with a type of ak-47
but it would be racist to even imply the amount of blacks age 15-27 that raise this number dramatically0 -
It just amazes me that our legislators have time to write up a POS Bill like this instead of focusing their time on bigger problems both Domestic and Foreign. 0 -
According to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration, these are the stats for motor vehicle fatalties:
2003 total fatalities: 42,884 (17,105 involved alcohol)
2004 total fatalities: 42,636 (16,694 involved alcohol)
So over these two years we averaged 117 fatalities PER DAY (46 PER DAY involved alcohol).
Perhaps he needs to focus on banning vehicles and alcohol (oops...tried that already and it proved useless) instead of firearms.
All these people say to ban guns and crime will stop or be drastically reduced. My argument to them then is that once we pass that law, then ALL the police departments and federal agencies need to turn in their firearms. They immediately respond that they need theirs because criminals will get guns and still committ crimes. Their logic would be funny if it wasnt so dangerous.0 -
It'll be just like the previous Washington DC handgun ban bill...shot down by the Court. 0 -
quote:Originally posted by fastcarsgofast
How many died in auto accidents?
Let's ban automobiles it will save lives and the environment.
I guess since the Constitution doesn't protect ones right to own a car that this is a non issue with the politicians.
They only give you the privilege of driving as long as you Pay all your Taxes, License, and Registration, Inspection, Etc $$$, Just imagine if you had to do that to own a gun... Oh wait, some suckers are already "buying" into their evil plan, via CHL...0 -
quote:Originally posted by 1911a1fan
take out the amount of gang violence, and then see what the numbers are, almost everyday in saint louis there is a black on black murder with a firearm, last year there was a shooting on highway 70 car to car with a type of ak-47
but it would be racist to even imply the amount of blacks age 15-27 that raise this number dramatically
Something that has always puzzled me is how do they get their guns, Mostly stolen I guess. If they are buying them at gunshows they are a lot more intelligent than you would expect a gang member to be... I meet guys at shows from every race on the planet and have only met one or two that I have been concerned about. That is in about 200 shows.... Yet according to what I've read a lot of these weapons are in fact coming from these same shows...That means to me that we have a very smart, sick individual, who obviously knows better, Capitalizing on wholesale murder....
I just read where they just caught 3 College students doing this and hopefully we have our guys. I sure wish there was a way to make them pay for the loss of life they caused. An accidental sale to a gang member that fooled you is one thing, but when you know exactly where the weapons are going you are as guilty of murder as the man that pulled the trigger....0 -
I remember 2 airplanes killing thousands of people a few years ago, how come nobody tried to outlaw airplanes? Or smoking? Smoking kills more people and ruins the lives of more people each year than guns ever do but nobody tries to outlaw smoking. You said it already, alcohol was made illegal and how did that go? Drugs are illegal, but how is it that the vast majority of students at my college alone use them at least once a week or minimally, once in their life time? All the kids in my neighborhood use drugs, I can smell them every day. They used to smoke in the high school bathrooms all the time too when I was there. I have friends that do not use drugs but everyone they know uses them. Some good that does. And banning guns would be no different than banning drugs. The bad guys use them and the good guys get killed because of it. 0 -
Like rats, they are all coming out into the spotlight to feed in the media frenzy about the shooting at VT. This is their opportunity to gets some attention and support from their anti-gunner voter base.
Zumbo time for Ohio residents!!!![:0][:0][:0][;)][;)] Go get him Ohio pro-gun citizens!0 -
quote:Originally posted by tobefree
quote:Originally posted by 1911a1fan
take out the amount of gang violence, and then see what the numbers are, almost everyday in saint louis there is a black on black murder with a firearm, last year there was a shooting on highway 70 car to car with a type of ak-47
but it would be racist to even imply the amount of blacks age 15-27 that raise this number dramatically
Something that has always puzzled me is how do they get their guns, Mostly stolen I guess. If they are buying them at gunshows they are a lot more intelligent than you would expect a gang member to be... I meet guys at shows from every race on the planet and have only met one or two that I have been concerned about. That is in about 200 shows.... Yet according to what I've read a lot of these weapons are in fact coming from these same shows...That means to me that we have a very smart, sick individual, who obviously knows better, Capitalizing on wholesale murder....
I just read where they just caught 3 College students doing this and hopefully we have our guys. I sure wish there was a way to make them pay for the loss of life they caused. An accidental sale to a gang member that fooled you is one thing, but when you know exactly where the weapons are going you are as guilty of murder as the man that pulled the trigger....
when i worked in university city {sub of stl.} i worked with a guy that could produce a stolen gun once a week, he would ask me the value, and would get mad when i would tell him 50.00 bucks, of course in their minds value is predicted in calibers not manufacturers, a (9) being their most sought after0 -
Illegals are illegal and they sure in the heck can't control them.They kill 25 Americans a day thru drunk driving and murder, where is MADD,NRA, our Government just where in the heck are they hiding. 0 -
Cigarettes kill more people each day than a freak'n gun.
I'd venture to say that they kill more Americans/day, then guns kill anyone around the world in a day.0 -
What a joke.
Kucinich at work. This'll never get out of committee.0 -
quote:Department of Peace and NonviolenceOkay, at first I thought this was a joke... and a bad one at that.
Well, the joke's on me, I suppose...[B)]
For all that it wishes to accomplish, this proposed Cabinet-level department should be called "The Department of Wishful Thinking and Leftist Political Posturing."[xx(]
This reminds me of what Chris Rock said, and I'm paraphrasing here, but nowadays people blame TV, video games, and rap music (and in this case guns) for all of these horrendous vrimes - whatever happened to "crazy?"
Doesn't anyone blame the criminal anymore?0 -
quote:Originally posted by ElMuertoMonkey
quote:Department of Peace and NonviolenceOkay, at first I thought this was a joke... and a bad one at that.
Well, the joke's on me, I suppose...[B)]
For all that it wishes to accomplish, this proposed Cabinet-level department should be called "The Department of Wishful Thinking and Leftist Political Posturing."[xx(]
This reminds me of what Chris Rock said, and I'm paraphrasing here, but nowadays people blame TV, video games, and rap music (and in this case guns) for all of these horrendous vrimes - whatever happened to "crazy?"
Doesn't anyone blame the criminal anymore?
Of course not. We can't be to blame if our actions are beyond our own control; if we're just instruments of larger forces (society, the entertainment industry, history, means of production, the NRA, JOOOOOOOOOOOOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!, Halliburton, Prozac under/overdosing, the Trilateral Commission, teenage angst, individual alienation from the community, our team lost the Superbowl, whatever) at work.
These excuses crop up, at least on one level, because people really do feel powerless. The world is a big, scary, unfair, unpredictable place. No one, including yours truly, is denying that. But guess what? IT ALWAYS HAS BEEN!!!!!!!!!!! It's only recently that the legal and societal barriers have been chipped away at to such an extent that enough people buy the "I did it but it's not my fault because [insert excuse here]" pablum that we're in danger of losing something every human society has depended on as an indispensable currency of doing social business: individual responsibility.0 -
That moron should be drug out into the street an shhhh....lapped silly! [:I] 0 -
If it passes we should have a civil war 0 -
Mr. Gunz,
quote: If it passes we should have a civil war
To hell with that... if it passes, I'll make war and I'll make it as uncivil as friggin' possible.[;)]0 -
quote:Originally posted by ElMuertoMonkey
Mr. Gunz,
quote: If it passes we should have a civil war
To hell with that... if it passes, I'll make war and I'll make it as uncivil as friggin' possible.[;)]
"what's so civil 'bout war anyway?"0 -
don't think it will pass in Ohio, i have family there, i know the folks up there won't let that happen. if it does i will be surprised. 0 -
Wouldn't they have to ammend the 2nd ammendment in order to ban handguns? 0 -
quote:Originally posted by frankcastle13
Wouldn't they have to ammend the 2nd ammendment in order to ban handguns?
not according to Chicago, D.C., San Francisco and a host of other places that continually flirt with the idea.0 -
Didn't the NRA get that overturned in San Francisco?
Great sig btw.0 -
quote:Originally posted by nemesisenforcer
quote:Originally posted by ElMuertoMonkey
Mr. Gunz,
quote: If it passes we should have a civil war
To hell with that... if it passes, I'll make war and I'll make it as uncivil as friggin' possible.[;)]
"what's so civil 'bout war anyway?"
hey that was my line...
oh well
*starts strumming guitar riff* [;)]0 -
Dennis Kucinich is a very scrappy little (5'7") guy with a tough background. As a kid, his parents moved constantly, cramming 7 kids into 2 bedroom apartments or even, at times, a car parked outside the steel mill where his dad worked. He was elected as the nation's youngest mayor (of Cleveland) in 1977, and was known mostly for scrapping with established politicians, banks and just about everybody else. After he fired his police chief -- live, on the 6 O'Clock news -- he was so unpopular that he wore a bulletproof vest when he threw out the first pitch at an Indian's baseball game, and had police sharpshooters lined up all along the roof of the building.
After he was unceremoniously booted from office in his 1979 reelection fight, though, he drifted toward California and New Mexico, living for a while in his "dear friend" Shirley MacLaine's house, and began what he calls ""a journey into the poetry of my own life." Now, he has made quite a journey from scrappy poor kid to quixotic New Age lefty presidential candidate.
Quotes
"Dennis Kucinich has spent his life fighting for the little guy -- and that little guy is Dennis." -- David Martin, the Cleveland Scene
"The energy of the stars becomes us. We become the energy of the stars. Stardust and spirit unite and we begin: one with the universe, whole and holy. From one source, endless creative energy, bursting forth, kinetic, elemental; we, the earth, air, water and fire-source of nearly fifteen billion years of cosmic spiraling." -- Kucinich, in the "Journal of Concious Evolution"
"As a bachelor, I get a chance to fantasize about my first lady. And you know maybe Fox will want to sponsor it as a national contest or something. But in any event I would want definitely want someone who would not just be there by my side, but be a working partner because I think we're in a day in age when partnerships are imperative to making anything happening in the world. And I certainly want a dynamic, out-spoken woman who was fearless in her desire for peace in the world and for universal single-payer health care and a full employment economy. If you are out there call me." -- Kucinich, Nov. 5, 2003
"After I lost the [mayoral] election in Cleveland in 1979, I moved to California for a while. I actually remember walking in the area around L.A. known as MacArthur Park, and I was thinking of that song and thinking of the lyrics where they talk about 'Someone left the cake out in the rain. It took so long to make it.' And it goes on, raising the question of whether I'll ever have that recipe again." -- Kucinich
"There's no one in America who believes in Dennis Kucinich more than Dennis Kucinich. We used to say back here in Ohio, you've got to drive a stake through the guy's heart to get him out of it." -- Tim Hagan, former Cuyahoga County Democratic President
"My journey has spanned political, social, economic and even spiritual gulfs. And because of that journey, I really have a sense of the potential for oneness which exists in this nation and in the world community. I see how it all fits together . . ." -- Kucinich, in Beverly Hills
New Age Mystic
Kucinich likes to portray himself as a progressive, but for him that takes a turn not seen in mainstream politics since Jerry "Moonbeam" Brown ran for president. While his website tries to paint him as a down to earth midwesterner with a page titled "Polka, Bowling and Kielbasa", Kucinich is certainly the only admitted Vegan in the race (that is, a vegetarian who won't consume any animal products at all, including milk and honey.) The only kielbasa he'll be eating is made of tofurkey.
The blue collar kid from Cleveland now supports creating a Department of Peace. "I have a holistic view of the world," he explains. "I see the world as interconnected and interdependent and that leaves no room for war." He is also friends with Shirley MacLaine, who is the godmother of his daughter.
Other policy positions of his get a bit "out there" as well. In 2001, he introduced a bill to ban space-based and other exotic weapons, including "radiation, electromagnetic, psychotronic, sonic, laser, or other energies . . . for the purpose of information war, mood management, or mind control of such populations."
Included in the ban were "chemtrails," supposed airplane emissions that change the weather or cause rashes in schoolkids, if you listen to the Art Bell radio show anyway. Chemtrails were removed in a revised draft of the bill. "I'm not into that," Kucinich told The Cleveland Plain Dealer. Really? But Kucinich was the legislation's sole author.
As snide as I'd like to be, I can't improve on Kucinich's own mysticism, so here's some more from the article in New Connexion magazine:
"In our soul's Magnificent, we become conscious of the cosmos within us. We hear the music of peace, we hear the music of cooperation, we hear music of love. In our soul's forgetting, we become unconscious of our cosmic birthright, blighted with disharmony, disunity, torn asunder from the stars in a disaster ..."
Led Cleveland Into Bankruptcy
Critics are quick to charge that Kucinich "led Cleveland into bankruptcy" as a young (31) mayor, called "Dennis the Menace" by the press, and his administration was certainly messy. One book recently named him as the 7th worst mayor of American history, not for any reasons of corruption or scandal, but due to his "abrasive, intemperate, and chaotic administration." He survived a recall vote after only ten months in office by 231 votes (out of 120,000) and was voted out after one term by Republican George Voinovich, even through Democrats outnumbered Republicans 8 to 1. When he threw out the first pitch at a Cleveland Indians game, he wore a bullet-proof vest and had sharpshooters positioned on the stadium roof.
In many ways though history has vindicated Kucinich, at least on the bankruptcy. The city was already headed toward bankruptcy when Kucinich took office, and financial advisers were telling him to sell the city-owned electric company to stave it off. He refused this power play and the banks called in the city's loans, triggering bankruptcy. But the utility remains public, and, according to a study by Cleveland magazine, the utility's low rates saved customers about $195 million over the past 10 years. In fact, he got back into Congress in 2002 campaigning on the success of his effort to keep that utility.
Looking For Love
Like so many New Age devotees desperately searching for universal love, Kucinich lacks a steady love partner. The twice-divorced dad, however, not only admits it but went public with his search for a love connection during a debate in Manchester, New Hampshire, announcing his criteria for a first lady: "a dynamic, out-spoken woman who was fearless in her desire for peace in the world and for universal single-payer health care."
To help out, the PoliticsNH website has started a personals area for Kucinich women wannabees. Already there is one from Gina Marie (33) from New Jersey, who notes that "Madonna and Jennifer Lopez are probably two of the most recognizable, powerful women in our country yet they are not helping all Americans gain access to affordable healthcare." It's hard to argue with that logic.
Flip Flop
While most politicians change their positions from time to time -- in fact, all good ones do, because they are learning and open to change -- Kucinich has made a dizzying switch on abortion with no apparent principle to back it up (other than, "I want to win some Democratic primaries.")
As a Congressman, he amassed one of the most anti-abortion voting records in Congress, one especially unusual for a Democrat. Fair enough, Kucinich was raised Catholic. He voted to criminalize partial birth abortions, to deny American servicewoman the right even to pay for their own abortions overseas, to prevent Washington, D.C. from funding abortions for poor women with nonfederal dollars, against research on RU-486, even against health coverage of basic contraception for federal employees. In 1996 he told Planned Parenthood that he did not support the substance of Roe v. Wade. He received a a 95 percent position rating from the National Right to Life Committee, versus 10 percent from Planned Parenthood and 0 percent from NARAL.
Now that he wants to run as a progressive Democrat though, he is waffling all over that stance. He told The Nation magazine that "I believe life begins at conception and that it doesn't end at birth." (Huh?) He said he was not in favor of either a Human Life Amendment that would constitutionally protect "life" from the moment of conception, nor the overturning of Roe v. Wade, and presented his votes as votes not against abortion per se but against federal funding of the procedure. That's not consistent with his votes on the servicewomen and Washington DC issues mentioned above, however. And while told The Nation he was not in favor of "criminalizing" abortion, he voted for a partial-birth-abortion ban that included fines and up to two years in jail for doctors who performed them, except to save the woman's life.
When pressed, Kucinich said "I haven't been a leader on this. These are issues I would not have chosen to bring up." Well, he has been at least a devoted follower of the anti-abortion position, until it became politically inconvenient. And if he's not a leader, why should anyone elect him as president
Sources
"Ohio's comeback kid", by Sandy Nelson, Campaigns & Election,; Sep97, Vol. 18 Issue 8, p51
"Regressive Progressive?", Katha Politt, the Nation, 5/27/2002, Vol. 274 Issue 20, p10
"Spirit and Stardust", by U.S. Rep. Dennis Kucinich, New Connexion Magazine, September 2002
Hollow Man, BY DAVID W. MARTIN The Cleveland Scene (newspaper), March 19, 2003
"Democratic candidate draws support from peace activists, New Age gurus", by MALIA RULON, (Associated Press), San Francisco Chronicle, Friday, May 30, 2003
"The American Mayor," by Melvin Holli
"Field Notes: Dennis Kucinich", ABC-News Online, Nov. 6, 2003
"Who Wants To Be a First Lady?", PoliticsNH.Com, November 5, 2003
"Dennis Kucinich: The combative mystic". by Mark Caro, Chicago Tribune, November 7, 20030 -
Dennis Kucinich is an idiot so what else would you expect from someone like that?
Smitty0
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