Great line from Bill Clinton

[malaise]

Last edited Wed Aug 28, 2013, 04:40 PM - Edit history (1)

A great democracy does not make it harder to vote than to buy an assault weapon

[Little Star]

1. This country needs reasonable gun control bad! k&r

[liberal N proud]

2. Got that right!

[Carolina]

3. Actually

Bartcop.com had that line and a dramatic graphic to go with it, on its site ages ago. Glad the Big Dog said it, but it should be on billboards and event jumbotrons nationwide!

[malaise]

4. Maybe - but it will be repeated over and over tonight

[Carolina]

5. And good thing, too!

It's also a brave democracy that values human rights and peaceful protest at home... that uplifts rather than tears down...

It's been 50 years yet this country is devolving. Today's speeches just don't mean as much because the words and actions are so disparate. In 1963, we really did have hope (and I was in Washington, then).

Now, I hear the words but it all seems empty... just speechifying.

[Boomerproud]

18. Sadly, I couldn't agree with you more.

Devolving.....Regressing...lacking complete political and social will to do anything to correct severe problems.

[Cali_Democrat]

6. Nailed it

[malaise]

7. That lady singing now - Heather Headley

is from Trinidad and Tobago. She has a magnificent voice

[gademocrat7]

8. So true.

[riversedge]

9. Seems we are not a brave democracy!!

[hamsterjill]

10. I love Bill.

Big Dawg!!!!

[DFW]

11. Someone ought to repeat that on the Senate floor, and ask his fellow Senators, "so what are we?"

And put into the Congressional Record who endorsed it and who didn't.

No need to poll the Supreme Court. We know their answer: 5-4 against the brave democracy.

[malaise]

13. We need to make it viral on Twitter

for starters

[DFW]

15. Absofuckin' lutely!

It doesn't matter if it didn't originate with Clinton. The fact that he thought it was worth quoting is good enough to cite him as having repeated it. And it sure as hell WAS worth quoting. I hope 200,000 letters and emails with this quote flood the NC statehouse

[SummerSnow]

12. That quote will be used for years to come. Spot on Bill

[malaise]

14. Here we go

https://www.google.com.jm/?gws_rd=cr#fp=5bf3f52d8c57f168&q=clinton+A+great+democracy+does+not+make+it+harder+to+vote+than+to+buy+an+assault+weapon

It's everywhere - as expected

[Uncle Joe]

16. A most excellent synopsis from Bill Clinton

which perfectly captures the tragic irony of the situation.

Thanks for the thread, malaise.

[malaise]

19. Hello Uncle Joe

Nice to see you. Just google his sentence - it is everywhere

[Uncle Joe]

21. Hello, malaise

it's nice to see you as well.

[malaise]

28. Bring out the Porta-potties - Freepers respond to Bill Clinton's classic line

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/3059939/posts
<snip>
At the Lincoln Memorial today, with Pres. Obama – The First Gay President – sitting nearby, former President – The First Black President – Bill Clinton:

“A great democracy does not make it harder to vote than to buy an assault weapon.”

ROFL!

US Federal law requires people who want to purchase a firearm, hand gun or longer-barreled, not only to show government issued photo identification, but also to undergo a background check!

Is that more demanding than what is required simply to vote? How many of you routinely undergo a criminal background check when you go to the polls?

Here is a summary of US Federal law concerning sales of firearms from HERE (p. 105):
--------------------------------
Poor fools Clinton knew what he was doing - Freepers exposed yet again

[Blue Idaho]

17. Hell to the Yes! nt.

[malaise]

20. ReTHUGs and WingNuts are pissed

http://twitchy.com/2013/08/28/disgusting-bill-clinton-co-opts-mlk-memorial-to-lie-about-voter-id-push-gun-control-video/
<snip>
Disgusting: Bill Clinton co-opts MLK memorial to lie about voter ID, push gun control [video]
Posted at 3:55 pm on August 28, 2013 by Twitchy Staff | View Comments
?

does anyone truly believe that it's harder to vote than to buy an assault weapon?
—
David Harsanyi (@davidharsanyi) August 28, 2013

Bill Clinton evidently does — and he wants the rest of us to believe it, too.

Speaking at today’s event commemorating the 50th anniversary of the March on Washington, Clinton took the opportunity to do what he does best: Lie his flaming pants off.

And now Bill Clinton is lying about Voter I.D.—
Katie Pavlich (@KatiePavlich) August 28, 2013

Clinton: 'A great democracy does not make it harder to vote than to buy an assault weapon.'—
Byron York (@ByronYork) August 28, 2013
--------------------
Oh dear Byron has crawled out from wherever

[Blue Idaho]

23. No wonder their pissed...

They expect their hypocrisy to be ignored and their horse shit to be swallowed by the cart full.

[malaise]

24. Bill served it up properly and knew exactly what he was doing

That's why they're pissed. Even Fox picked it up, I'm lovin' it.

[Blue Idaho]

26. Perfection.

Its the sort of verbal jab that will travel through the media at the speed of light. Memorable, Quotable, and it has the advantage of being absolutely true!

[malaise]

30. Just google the sentence

[Historic NY]

50. Well if they are pissed I'm ecstatic...

[malaise]

51. +1,000

[polichick]

22. That really is a great line. We are not right now "a great democracy."

[malaise]

25. Great piece in the Nation

http://www.thenation.com/blog/175968/anniversary-march-washington-new-fight-voting-rights#
<snip>
During this week’s events commemorating the fiftieth anniversary of the March on Washington, the fight for voting rights emerged as a central cause for the civil rights movement. In 1963, few blacks could vote in the states of the Old Confederacy. In 2013, there’s a black president, but the right to vote is under its most sustained attack – in the states and the courts – since the passage of the Voting Rights Act in 1965.

At the official commemoration today, Presidents Obama, Clinton and Carter voiced their dismay for the Supreme Court’s decision gutting the VRA and the rush to implement new voter suppression laws in seven Southern states since the ruling.

“A great democracy does not make it harder to vote than to buy an assault weapon,” said Clinton, referencing a Texas voter ID law that allows a concealed carry permit, but not a student ID, to cast a ballot.

“I believe we all know how Dr. King would have reacted to the new ID requirements to exclude certain voters, especially African Americans,” said Carter. “I think we all know how Dr. King would have reacted to the Supreme Court striking down a crucial part of the Voting Rights Act just recently passed overwhelmingly by Congress.”

We must challenge “those who erect new barriers to the vote,” said Obama.

[Shankapotomus]

27. I thought so too

I had to repeat that line to myself when I heard it to remember. Short. Memorable. Bumper sticker worthy.

[malaise]

29. Perfect bumper sticker

[Hekate]

31. Yes it is. Thank you, Big Dog. nt

[malaise]

32. Conservatives Use Clinton Speech To Pretend Background Checks Are Required For Every Gun Sale

http://mediamatters.org/mobile/blog/2013/08/28/conservatives-use-clinton-speech-to-pretend-bac/195648
<snip>
Responding to Clinton's comment, Fox News contributor Erick Erickson facetiously wrote on his RedState.com blog that Clinton had "called for the elimination of background checks to purchase guns." Erickson claims that "purchases of firearms in every state must go through a firearms background check" and thus concludes that since one "does not even need photo identification in every state to vote... I take this statement to mean Bill Clinton wants background checks for gun purchases eliminated."

At TownHall.com, fellow Fox News contributor Katie Pavlich similarly wrote:

Clinton's words came in reference to voter identification laws being passed all over the country which require voters to show government issued photo identification in order to vote. Federal gun laws also require people purchasing firearms to show government issued photo identification. In addition, firearms purchasers are required to undergo a background check.

In fact, under federal law background checks are only required on those who seek to purchase a firearm from a licensed dealer; no such check is needed for those who buy them from private sellers, including at gun shows and online.
----------------------
ReTHUGs are LIARS

[AtheistCrusader]

49. Online sales require it for across state lines. State laws vary otherwise.

Essentially, sales on new firearms are all checked. Sales on used firearms from people in the business of selling firearms are all checked, gun show or no.

Only private transfers (between individuals, wherein the seller does not cross a threshold of (X) guns per month, as set by the BATFE) are not required to have background checks.

And even then, some states require it on private transfers, and some state's gun show organizers require it even though state and federal law does not. (Washington Arms Collectors is an example)


Universal checks would help, but the USDoJ has done studies on where criminals get their guns, and LAWFUL private transfers are not the primary, or even a double-digit-percentage-point source. Universal REGISTRATION is required to combat the most common sources of crime guns, which is political plutonium. No one will touch it. (I support universal Registration, but it is so incredibly politically unlikely, I might as well be wishing for a pet unicorn)

[WillyT]

33. HUGE K & R !!!

[Ohio Joe]

34. K&R - nt

[SunSeeker]

35. Ya got that right, Bubba!

[malaise]

36. Chris Hayes is covering this now

Oh yes!!!

[tofuandbeer]

38. I don't feel like Googling it: where did the knickname "Bubba" originate?

[SunSeeker]

41. Well, now you got me wondering...so I Googled it:

In American usage, bubba is a relationship nickname formed from brother and given to boys, especially eldest male siblings, to indicate their role in a family. For some boys and men, bubba is used so pervasively that it replaces the given name. The nickname may also be used outside the family by friends as a term of endearment.

Because of its association with the southern part of the United States, bubba is also often used outside the South as a pejorative to mean a person of low economic status and limited education. Bubba may also be taken to mean one who is a "good ol' boy."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bubba

Clinton is often referred to by the nickname "Bubba", which alludes to his southern "good ol' boy" background.

http://www.usa-presidents.info/clinton.htm

[tofuandbeer]

43. Excellent! Thanks so much!

[Dawson Leery]

37. k/r

[tofuandbeer]

39. :D

[Jake2413]

40. We need more Billisms

[BootinUp]

42. Yes it was. nt

[Paladin]

44. Bullseye, Mr.President. Thanks. (nt)

[aikoaiko]

45. It is a great line if you don't know anything about buying guns

From a Federal Firearm Licensee you not only have to have a state ID, but also pass a background check.

Sure, in many states your can buy one without an id or background check from a private seller, but then again I can vote in any private poll I wish without ID, too.

[Lizzie Poppet]

46. Yep. And that's a great point about private sales/private polls.

Obviously sales from FFL holders (as well as private online purchases that require shipping) are "harder" to accomplish than voting. I think the comment was meant as a form of advocacy for universal background checks.

[uponit7771]

47. +1

[corkhead]

48. Therefore, our country is not a great democracy.

I can hear them on Faux news now... lead story - "Further Proof That Bill Clinton Hates America".

[Pterodactyl]

52. Yeah, you should have at least a photo ID and a clean criminal record to buy an assault weapon.

[JimboBillyBubbaBob]

53. Indeed,

a memorable line, to the point.