Imagine If Democrats Had Sat In Against
The Bush Tax Cuts
The Invasion of Afghanistan
The Invasion of Iraq
The Socialism for the wealthy during the Bail Out Of the Banks then as soon as possible the privatization of the profits.
The ravages of foreclosures during the great recession
The pardoning of torture
The ignoring of war crimes
The removal of contraception and abortion rights from being covered in the ACA.
The Denial of Climate Change by Republicans
The Citizens United victory in SCOTUS.
Voting rights suppression.
The millions that still have no health care insurance.
The bombing of Hospitals by our own military and the wrist slaps barely dealt out.
The Patriot Act and its cousins.
et.etc
Then I might be more impressed by their current stance on weapons control [no fly no buy] which only deals with one tiny sector of the daily slaughter by guns [mass shootings]. Like the assault weapon ban when the actual elephant in the room is hand guns.
Then on the other hand they seem more than willing to sign off on our export of our weapons of death and destruction to the rest of the world without a seconds thought. Why would they after signing off on our wars and war crimes?
Comments
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!
Now that would have taken courage.
It also would have hit them where it would hurt -- the pocketbook,
There are known knowns; there are things we know we know. We also know there are known unknowns; that is to say we know there are some things we do not know. But there are also unknown unknowns – the ones we don't know we don't know.
I know, right
Thanks, LaFem, for
pointing out the elephant (shit) in the room.
Duh!
Nice 'optics' if they think it will somehow impress young folks, actual liberals, Berners, etc....otherwise, meh.
But now, they can say they 'did' something, I guess?
"When the powerless are shut out of the media, we will make the media irrelevant" ~Anonymous~
Sooo. . .
about that TPP document full text being released. . .has anybody heard ANYTHING on the media about this???
If you do not understand that being part of the "establishment" is a slur in the minds of 99% of the U.S. population then you are completely out of touch and probably are one.
Their little sit in was in support of a non due process method
for a decision regarding who should or should not buy/own guns.
I recall this discussion at OrangeState (Little Orange Footballs) and there were plenty of people pushing to give up rights there too.
This attention whoring by the Dems was nothing but theater, but we're supposed to thank them for being so bold.
Just like Dems usually do (the blue squad of team politics), they took a stand by sitting down. That describes their tactics on pretty much everything else as well. - Sit back, pretend they did something. Shrug. Utter a few words about next time, and the future. Job done.
As I said elsewhere,
There are known knowns; there are things we know we know. We also know there are known unknowns; that is to say we know there are some things we do not know. But there are also unknown unknowns – the ones we don't know we don't know.
Yep. Can't say it enough.
Those Democrats held a sit in to take away rights from average Americans.
Granted, they knew it was for show, but the fact that they would support removing due process rights from even more Americans is disgusting.
They're not to be thanked or congratulated for their actions. But then, they won't feel any shame for their actions given they have no respect for the average American citizen anyway. Most of our politicians don't anymore and have not for a very long time.
Democrats have already moved to become the center right Republicans of yester-year. What's next is more punishments for the American commoners who question their betters sot hat morale will improve - sounds about right.
Vindictiveness
is gonna get them nowhere, fast.
They're all hat...
No cattle. Even when they were in charge they did absolutely nothing to protest and/or change bad policy. There's only one guy I remember filibustering against the extension of the Bush tax cuts...
Exactly. And I don't seem to recall any Democrats
supporting him on the floor, do you?
This was just a dog and pony show by the Democrats. If they REALLY wanted to have a sit-in and bring attention to this issue, they wouldn't have gone on vacation. They could have picked any venue to hold a sit-in through July 4 and after when the House reconvenes if they weren't allowed to be in the Capitol.
Ummmm... Hillary met with them before the sit-in, didn't she? But then didn't even come by for a minute and show support.
Guns are perfect.
They are a perfect product from a marketing perspective. There is no product liability. There is recurring revenue, as people need to replenish bullets, pay shooting range fees and buy cleaning supplies. There are follow-on purchases, as you must have a holster and other add-ons. And like Lay's potato chips, many gun owners cannot stop at just one.
Guns are the perfect encapsulation of capitalism in America. We should be so proud.
Only one legal item is more perfect.
Only one legal item is more perfect. Cigarettes. You can make one for far less than a penny; they sell for nearly a dollar apiece (in NYC); they, like guns, generate add-on purchases; and they are physically and psychologically addictive.
"US govt/military = bad. Russian govt/military = bad. Any politician wanting power = bad. Anyone wielding power = bad." --Shahryar
"All power corrupts absolutely!" -- thanatokephaloides
Cigarettes are beneficial
I enjoy smoking cigarettes and have smoked two packs a day for twenty or thirty years.
Cigarettes and coffee start my day off on the right foot and help me maintain emotional balance.
No Smoking laws are just as fascist as anti-drug laws. They serve no useful purpose besides allowing the police state to intrude into my personal life.
"They'll say we're disturbing the peace, but there is no peace. What really bothers them is that we are disturbing the war." Howard Zinn
Snark?
It is so hard to tell these days.
Product liability?
Regardless of how you may feel about guns, they do function as advertised. However, if a gun exploded in your hand, you can sue the manufacturer for injury.
I can see where you're going with this, and it would cause a disastrous precedent. For example, it's one thing to sue a car manufacturer for an exploding gas tank, it's another thing if you die the manufacturer of your car for getting injured in an accident.
One can only imagine the waste of judicial resources this would cause.
We don't sue the car manufacturers when a driver
runs someone over either. One killer uses a trigger, the other a pedal, but the manufacturer isn't responsible for their actions.
And criminals won't be buying insurance for their guns either.
http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2012/12/28/should-people-be-forced...
---
Don't lock your door. Teach criminals not to steal. /sarc
We do charge drivers with murder in the US
…when they run over someone with intent and kill them.
We don't charge gun owners with murder if they accidentally drop their gun and it fires killing someone.
The criminal laws and civil liability are identical for guns and cars.
That's what liability insurance is all about.
____________________
The political system is what it is because the People are who they are. — Plato
Function as advertised?
Bullshit. AR-15 style weapons are advertised for hunting animals. Most other weapons are advertised for target shooting or for hunting. They are unfortunately designed so as to also be very useful for killing humans. Thus, they should not be exempt from liability and vicarious liability should attach.
When and if
we ever get money out of politics your idea may have a chance, until then not so much.
AR-15s should be banned, along with all semis, assault, etc.
And no one has a "right" to them. Yes, through English common law, going back centuries, people have the right to self-defense. But there has never been a Constitutional right to own guns outside the context of state militias, which no longer exist. And there is absolutely no credible way to read the 2nd, even if we remove the most important part (well-regulated militia) . . . to say this amendment protects unfettered consumer choice. The 2nd amendment, contrary to the majority opinion in Heller, never conferred rights on individual Americans. It was always a collective right, conferred on states to defend themselves from domestic rebellion, especially slave revolts. And they quickly put this into action against the Shays and Whiskey rebellions.
It's not the kind of amendment anyone should be supportive of, given its ugly, racist history and intention, along with its purpose as a weapon of state power, under the auspices of the Federal government.
It's beyond absurd that some folks believe it is a right to rebel against government, when it was purposely instituted to support states crushing those rebellions.
Anyway, I think a fair compromise between the two extremes in the debate -- no guns; no restrictions on guns -- is to limit them to six shooters, with internal chambers only. No detachable ammo containers allowed, of any kind. Must hand load the bullets.
And we need to roll back conceal carry:
Very important article about this in the New Yorker:
Making a Killing The business and politics of selling guns. By Evan Osnos
There is in me an anarchy and frightful disorder. Creating makes me die a thousand deaths, because it means making order, and my entire being rebels against order. But without it I would die, scattered to the winds.
-- Albert Camus
Add to that high capacity magazines. Killers should have
to reload, giving intended victims a chance to escape or tackle the shooter.
"The object of persecution is persecution. The object of torture is torture. The object of power is power. Now do you begin to understand me?" ~Orwell, "1984"
Definitely. And that's taken care of by the six shooter limit.
Make it illegal for any gun to have detachable ammo containers of any kind, shape or form. Not legal to modify the gun to utilize them, either. Not legal in any form.
Internal chambers only, with a max of six. Bullets must be hand loaded.
To me, this also does away with the ridiculous battles over definitions, which gun fanatics tend to love. They think gun jargon and semantics will sidetrack the issue or stall any gun safety measures altogether.
This does away with that and is easily understood by all and sundry.
Six bullets max. Internal chambers only. No ability to use detachable ammo containers. No exceptions.
And we need to roll back conceal carry laws. They escalate violence to new levels. They turn old fashioned fist fights into deadly encounters. Example: George Zimmerman and Tayvon Martin. Without the gun, it would have ended with some blood and maybe some broken bones, but they both would have gone home alive. Zimmerman would have had his butt kicked by a kid, and deservedly so, but both would have gone home alive.
Introduce the gun into the mix and you escalate into a deadly encounter. This needs to end.
There is in me an anarchy and frightful disorder. Creating makes me die a thousand deaths, because it means making order, and my entire being rebels against order. But without it I would die, scattered to the winds.
-- Albert Camus
My state passed concealed carry a few years ago. Shootings
dominate the news now. Just this week a business owner pulled out his own weapon when confronted by an armed robber. The owner managed to shoot the robber, but was killed himself.
The wounded robber managed to get into a car driven by his girlfriend who drove down the road, but stopped at a fast food restaurant to call 911. The robber later died.
So having a gun didn't save the owner and likely resulted in two deaths where there might have been none.
"The object of persecution is persecution. The object of torture is torture. The object of power is power. Now do you begin to understand me?" ~Orwell, "1984"
Tragic, and preventable.
A lot of the examples gun fanatics put forward of this or that person "defending themselves with a gun" . . . . actually involve an unnecessary escalation because of their gun.
As in, a heated argument leads to pulling a gun, the other person responds. Death or dismemberment. No guns? Maybe a fist fight, or the two just empty their temporary rage with words and leave. Shouting, versus shooting.
Same thing goes with an attempted theft. Is one's wallet really worth killing another human being to stop that theft? Is it really worth risking one's own life, and those around them?
Again, America seems to have lost all sense of proportion. We go to DEFCON 1 straight away, instead of attempting to deescalate.
The success of the conceal carry culture only makes this more likely, and far more widespread.
There is in me an anarchy and frightful disorder. Creating makes me die a thousand deaths, because it means making order, and my entire being rebels against order. But without it I would die, scattered to the winds.
-- Albert Camus
Shay's Rebellion was in 1786 and 1787
Before the Constitution was ratified, and several years before the first Amendments were ratified, so you might want to revisit your time line notes. That said, I agree with your opinion on collective vs. individual.
Now interviewing signature candidates. Apply within.
I stand corrected. But the Whiskey rebellion was after BOR.
It started roughly in 1791, and came to an end in 1794.
(1791 for BOR)
Thanks for the correction on Shays.
There is in me an anarchy and frightful disorder. Creating makes me die a thousand deaths, because it means making order, and my entire being rebels against order. But without it I would die, scattered to the winds.
-- Albert Camus
And some guys are addicted to guns
Family plans to destroy $5 million inheritance, mostly guns, in Los Angeles
The political revolution continues
Or, to follow your analogy,
"perfect encapsulation of junk food" : the new Opiate for the Mass (murderers).
There are known knowns; there are things we know we know. We also know there are known unknowns; that is to say we know there are some things we do not know. But there are also unknown unknowns – the ones we don't know we don't know.
They had to do it
They are going to get primaried in every single district by Bernie supporters.
It looks so... Progressive.The closest thing these guys/gals have been to a protest is helicoptering in to stand behind a banner for the photo-opp then leaving.
I want a Pony!
Where were the Dem sit-ins for prior mass shootings?
If the Dems are so progressive regarding gun control, why didn't they have a sit-in regarding little children murdered at Sandy Hook? How about those AA's murdered in a church in South Carolina? I think they're trying to imitate Bernie Sanders and act like they're 1960's radicals. That is so laughable. I wonder if the Hillary campaign asked them to do it, so they could look like tough Progressives and gain support from this group. This stunt sure didn't work on me, since there were no prior sit-ins. Why didn't the Dems do something when they had the White House, Senate, and House of Representatives in 2008? Their excuse: "Oh, those awful Republicans wouldn't let us do anything! They are so mean!"
Don't forget that Obama bargained away plenty in 2009
All that got blamed on Republicans too, because he was just trying to be straight shooter good guy - when in actuality - he was maintaining the status quo and fucking over everyone except for the insurance companies and big pharma.
I accomplished much more
by sitting on the toilet this morning.
To say they don't do shit is an understatement.
Regardless of the path in life I chose, I realize it's always forward, never straight.
All they do is
There are known knowns; there are things we know we know. We also know there are known unknowns; that is to say we know there are some things we do not know. But there are also unknown unknowns – the ones we don't know we don't know.
The entire reason they did a sit in was...
they were WELL aware that absolutely nothing would come of it.
Wonderful little symbolic gesture that makes for a few photo ops. It's text book "Good Cop". Next I expect them to offer us half a glass of water, but only if the Bad Cop Gets out of the room.
I do not pretend I know what I do not know.
You nailed it, dmw.
Your list is spot on, La Fem. As tapu said, to take those on would have taken real courage. We already know they are cowards. They are cowed by their corporate donors. All of them need to be primaried by progressives. Period.
"The “jumpers” reminded us that one day we will all face only one choice and that is how we will die, not how we will live." Chris Hedges on 9/11
Not cowards, just shills. n/t
'What we are left with is an agency mandated to ensure transparency and disclosure that is actually working to keep the public in the dark' - Ann M. Ravel, former FEC member
is the sit in over?
was it even scheduled to last for more than 12-24 hours?
did 9 months in California prison, because Neoliberal Democrats and GOP maggots work together to profit off the drug war
I believe the brave batallions have got up and
gone home satisfied with a job well done
after comparing themselves to MLK ad nauseum
I kind of expected this was more than a 24 hour thing. Doesn't seem very MLK-ish to quit after one day. Stay until they arrest you. Bernie did that.
did 9 months in California prison, because Neoliberal Democrats and GOP maggots work together to profit off the drug war
After all...
it is the 4th of July recess and there all those parades to walk in and fundraising to do...
Democrats, we tried to warn you. How is that guilt and shame working out?
Their show of pretending to
Their show of pretending to be real actual protesters pissed me off.
If Democrats had sat in against any or all of those things...
the practical result would probably have been the same.
You missed the point, at least they might have
showed that they cared enough to act, but then again many of them signed off because they actually agreed even if they tried to get round it later on when shit hit the fan.
I posted this list on LOF
In brainwrap's diary
Big fight over there about the no fly list and other shit.
I agree that it was just a publicity stunt by the Dems, but it sure makes good kabuki theater, doesn't it?
ETA. I posted this in 3 diaries and got the reply I was thinking I'd get.
"What's your point, that they shouldn't have even tried "? or some type of nonsense comment.
Sigh, why do I keep bothering?
They were also very happy that so many neocons in the military are supporting Hillary. Don't they ever bother to wonder why pro military interventionists are supporting her? Or care how many more innocent civilians are going to be killed in the Middle East?
I remember when that mattered over there, but that was when Bush was killing innocent civilians, not Obama or Hillary.
Just so damned hard to figure out how they think.
Which AIPAC/MIC/pharma/bank bought politician are you going to vote for? Don’t be surprised when nothing changes.
Pandering to get the dirty hippie vote?
Ah yes, I think so. And yes, they all deserve to be primaried.
Only a fool lets someone else tell him who his enemy is. Assata Shakur
Aside from optics
How could sitting on the floor solve anything?
In the photos, they look like toddlers going down for nap time.
Bizarre.
Gëzuar!!
from a reasonably stable genius.
Anybody remember the Bush impeachment hearing?
Rep. John Conyers actually held a Bush impeachment hearing (off Capitol Hill ) when the Dems had no power and it didn't matter. Then in 2007 Conyers became chairman of the Judiciary Committee and suddenly impeachment was "off the table." They are like Lucy snatching the football away just when Charlie Brown is trying to kick it.
"We've done the impossible, and that makes us mighty."
that was so fucking infuriating
the talk of "having balls" and "spine" is all kabuki theater from Establishment democrats. maybe they once had it , like obama in 2008, then got taken behind the woodshed by Powers That Be and told to 'cut it out'. and most of them do.
bernie didn't, and that's why he's hated so much by clintonistas.
did 9 months in California prison, because Neoliberal Democrats and GOP maggots work together to profit off the drug war
Democrats are hypocrites and traitors
Those Drone-Strike Democrats "sitting in" in DC? They're up to their eyeballs in a lake of innocent Muslim blood. Fuck them all.
Yes, imagine that!
Well they did accomplish one thing,I hear those AR 15's are now a very popular item at the gun stores.