Monday, April 16, 2007

Coincidence? Cause and Effect?

President Bush speaking on the slaughter at Virgina Tech today: "I told them that my administration would do everything possible to assist with the investigation and that I pledged that we would stand ready to help local law enforcement and the local community in any way we can during this time of sorrow."

Really? "Everything possible" to help? Its a bit late for that, isn't it George?

From September, 2004, during the tight end game of the Presidential election:

Federal ban on assault weapons expires- "Bush said in the 2000 campaign that he would sign an extension of the 10-year ban on the semiautomatic weapons. However, he did not press Congress to send him such a bill, and its Republican leaders never did"

The Virginia Tech murderer supposedly used semi-automatic pistols. Banned in the assault weapons prohibition were:

"Semi-automatic pistols with detachable magazines and two or more of the following: Magazine that attaches outside the pistol grip, Threaded barrel to attach barrel extender, flash suppressor, handgrip, or silencer, Barrel shroud that can be used as a hand-hold, Unloaded weight of 50 oz or more, A semi-automatic version of an automatic firearm."

Maybe these young people were killed with a previously banned weapon, maybe not. But you'll do everything to protect Americans, right Mr. Bush? You even protect zygotes from stem cell research: you wouldn't compromise people's "right to life" in other areas, would you?

From the blog of advertising executive Apryl Duncan, October 13, 2004:

"NRA Endorses Bush- The National Rifle Association has officially endorsed President Bush and says the organization will spend millions for political ads and other methods to help get Bush re-elected. The NRA has already spent about $1 million on anti-Kerry ads and expects to spend about $20 million total in 10-15 states."

"Everything possible" to help, Mr. President? Truly? Asshole.

3 comments:

mainelife said...

VA is the second easiest state to purchase a firearm, according to CNN.com. CNN also reports that they believe the shooter purchased at least one of these semi-automatics at a gun show on Friday the 13th (again, this is not verified, it's preliminary).

It makes my head hurt when I start to mull the "stem-cell, pro-life, pro-death penalty" conundrum of the sanctity of life party.

Thanks for saying what I've been thinking since W. tried to make us feel better yesterday.

Bill Norris said...

I see we're on the same page on this one.

Jim said...

I tried to write something cogent on this latest mass killing, but the more I thought about cause and affect, the more my brain hurt.

I do know that one doesn't have to be a rocket scientist to realize that this latest school shooting was aided by those who insist that banning of AK-47's and other assault rifles is somehow treading on their 2nd amendment rights and won't even consider some measure of sanity when it comes to limiting the availability of weapons nationwide.

Thanks for going back and pinning down GWB and throwing some accountability back at the right-wing on this.

It's a sad day when parents can't send their young ones off to college without worrying that they'll come home in a body bag.

Education used to be an alternative to becoming cannon fodder, but this latest carnage proves that crazy people+guns=death.

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