I haven’t really had much desire to talk about the mass shooting in Alabama. I don’t like to jump on tragic situations to make a political point, but nor do I really want to offer up platitudes either. Whether we like it or not, this has become part of the national media landscape, and is probably a media generated phenomena.
The Brady Campaign is making the most out of it, and our side has been pointing out that a worse shooting happened in Germany at the same time, which has strict gun laws. I’ve been watching what the Administration says, because I think it’s key. This is the first mass shooting that’s happened under the new presidency. So far, not a peep. That’s telling. Why? Because that means Obama isn’t willing to use the bully pulpit to push for more gun control, something that Bill Clinton never missed a chance to do. That’s not to say Obama has suddenly become our friend, but he’s not willing ot engage in this particular polarizing debate. That’s a tremedously good thing for gun owners, and we ought to hope it doesn’t change.
I have a feeling that if Obama remains silent on the issue, the folks at the Brady Campaign are going to start missing Bill Clinton a lot more than I’m sure they already do.
My heart goes out to the families of the victims. I pray for the day when shootings of this type are no longer part of the landscape.
That said, and meant, I think that The Empty Suit is saying nothing because he realizes that less than 2 months in, he’s already got political problems. People are PISSED about his economic plans, and he’s looking like Carter II on foreign affairs. The last thing he needs is to start going lunatic anti-gun and galvanize another sector of his opposition. He needs to lay a bit low for a while.
Prayers for the victims and families, of course. In both cases.
BarryO probably hasn’t said anything yet, because, you know, he’s so focused, and tired, what with economy to save by his magical powers and the difficult gift-shopping.
To my surprise, neither killer fits the standard model of recognized but untreated mental illness. The German killer sounds much like the Columbine killers: someone who felt (perhaps without reason) that he was being picked on.
When in doubt, go out of your way to be nice to someone who seems like they are having a bad day. The life you save may be your own, and that of others around you.
President Barry is perhaps already aware that his election has created more new gun owners in this country than probably any one single event ever in US history, thereby increasing the overall number to an amount that cannot be discounted by any politician who hopes to stay in office at election time. Look at what happened to the Democrats back in 1994.
Much to the Brady-bunch’s chagrin, Barry O will likely not want to touch any gun issues directly for now – he’s too busy, or too tired, or whatever.
Barry O is far too busy implementing his healthcare/education for all (payed for by THE RICH) to be distracted by guns right now. But don’t hold your breath.
I certainly hope you’re right, Sebastian.
I just don’t see it. So far, the Big 0 has been notoriously tone-deaf when it comes to doing things in a good, sound, political manner – i.e. continuing to nominate tax cheats to his administration (including the guy now running the treasury, oy!).
I think Holder’s comments, while “denied” by Pelosi, are much closer to the truth. They want the AWB in a bad way. They want something they can show to the frothing left wing as a victory – so far, they’re doing pretty bad on that count: Pull out of Iraq? Yeah, only to put more troops in. National Health Care? Err, we’ll get back to you on that.
I think they’ve learned from the Holder debacle that now is not the right time, but to think they’ve shelved the AWB is folly on our part – and we are notoriously bad about getting complacent…