More Voices For Gun Control

[MrBenchley]

We've seen the sort of ugly scum (Lott, Hatch, Nugent, Pratt, etc.) who push the dishonest "gun rights" agenda...

Here's more on the courageous decent Americans pushing for gun control.

[MrBenchley]

1. Eleanor Holmes Norton

"Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton is now in her sixth term as the Congresswoman for the District of Columbia. Named by President Jimmy Carter as the first woman to chair the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, she came to Congress as a national figure who had been a civil rights and feminist leader, tenured professor of law, and board member of three Fortune 500 companies. Ms. Norton also had been named one of the 100 most important American women in one survey and one of the most powerful women in Washington in another.

The Congresswoman’s work for full congressional voting representation and for full democracy for the people of the District of Columbia continues her lifelong struggle for universal human rights.

Congresswoman Norton has used her background in national affairs and in law to become a leader in the House in important posts. She has served in the Democratic House leadership group and as the Democratic chair of the Women’s Caucus, and she has been a member of the Committee on the Reorganization of the Congress, appointed by the Speaker when the Democrats controlled the House. Her success in writing bills and getting them enacted has made her one of the most effective legislative leaders in the House. She has the full vote in House committees and serves on the Government Reform Committee and on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.

Congresswoman Norton led her city in the Congress through the most serious financial crisis in a century during the 1990's. She achieved a historic package that for the first time restructured the financial relationship between the Congress and the District by transferring $5 billion in unfunded pension liability and billions more in state functions to the federal government. Her accomplishments for her district include other historic breakthroughs, among them the achievement of the right to vote on the House floor (until the rules were changed by the Republicans); a two day debate and the first vote on D.C. statehood; and senatorial courtesy in the selection of major federal posts.


Congresswoman Norton, who taught full time before being elected, continues as a tenured professor of law at Georgetown University, teaching a course there every year. After receiving her bachelors degree from Antioch College in Ohio, she simultaneously earned her law degree as well as a masters degree in American Studies from Yale. Yale Law School has awarded her the Citation of Merit as an Outstanding Alumna of Yale Law School, and Yale Graduate School has awarded her the Yale Wilbur Cross Medal as an Outstanding Alumna of the Graduate School. She is the recipient of more than 50 honorary degrees."

http://www.house.gov/norton/news_biography.htm

And she's for gun control.

[juancarlos]

2. Too bad

That the residents of her district can't defend themselves. IIRC, DC has virtually banned guns, yet has some of the highest gun crime in the nation. Looks like another example of "if you ban guns, only criminals will have guns". Bench, you have let us know of many good people who support gun-control, others have let you know of many good people who are against gun control. The fact is that there are people like you, who think guns are evil, and others, like me, who think guns are tools and a right. Please give these silly threads about so & so thinking thus & such a rest. They are pointless. Evil people who were pro-gun control abound also, so just give it a rest and come up with a new tact.

[CO Liberal]

4. The Problem Is NOT With Gun Control In DC

But rather with the lax rules in surrounding states. If there was a nationwide standard, there would be less of a problem.

But then you get into a "states right" arena, and I don't see this ever happening.

[juancarlos]

5. Really?

You think the fact that only criminals have guns has NOTHING to do with it? Criminals will find a way. Sure, let's just make more laws, that'll solve the problem. The way to solve the problem is to do what works, restore the rights of the people to fight back. I'm sorry, but I find your thesis to be illogical. It is already illegal for transfers from surround states to go into DC. Obviously, the criminals did not obey the law.

[CO Liberal]

6. Transfers May Be Illegal....

...but it's perfectly legal to drive into DC from Virginia or Maryland.

Non-standardization is not as big a problem out west, because the states are larger. But back east, where you can drive through several states ina matter of hours, it is.

[juancarlos]

8. Then tell us what you would do...

And tell us how the fact criminals not obeying the law can be overcome. Tell us how lack of civilian access is a good thing, seeing as how it prevents them from defending themselves against the criminals.

[DoNotRefill]

9. It's not legal to drive from DC to va or Maryland and buy a gun, though...

eom

[Township75]

13. So why aren't they getting the guns in surrounding states...

and commiting crimes there?

Why do those states with lax gun laws not have the high crime rates that DC has? After all, if they have lax rules and there is no need to import guns because they are so easy to get shouldn't their crime be as high or higher?????????????????????????

[Tinfoil]

39. I'm waiting...

for the answer to this question....

Why do those states with lax gun laws not have the high crime rates that DC has? After all, if they have lax rules and there is no need to import guns because they are so easy to get shouldn't their crime be as high or higher?????????????????????????

[Township75]

44. I think....

he doesn't have one.

[CO Liberal]

45. Here's My Answer

Population density. I believe that the relationship between population and crime is not linear - it's more exponential.

[Stilgar]

55. Good point

I believe that as well, Density creates all sorts of increases in crime and heathcare costs.

But do me a favor, teach that to Benchley. I think he has a hard time with it. He is surprised that texas with 20 million people has a much higher murder count than Australia does, having the same population but no where near the same size. I tried, but I am one of those RKBA nuts.

[el_gato]

3. this again?

give up your guns and
bow down before the master class
you can do nothing to resist now


corrupt governments love unarmed civilians

[juancarlos]

7. as you said...

"corrupt governments love unarmed civilians"
Yes, like Mao, Pol Pot, Hitler, Castro, Stalin, Communist Romania, Milosevic, Idi Amin, the white government in apartheid-era South Africa, the Taliban, East Germany (esp. East Berlin), and other anti-freedomers.

I add...Criminals love unarmed civilians.


I now guess at somebody's response: "Sez You"

[Stilgar]

10. Yet hawaii, england, and austarlia are islands

They all have strict gun laws, and high murder rates. The UK has now the highest crime rate in Europe. ITS AN ISLAND!!! Are criminals rowing across the channel? If you ban guns criminals will find a way to get them. The more strict the ban, the more a gun is worth and the more criminals will risk to bring them into the country/city.

[MrBenchley]

11. What a pantload

How many times do we have to hear these lies about the supposed bloodbaths in Australia and England from the RKBA crowd?

Australia....300 gun deaths a year
Texas.....2,600 gun deaths a year

[Stilgar]

14. Sorry should have said Violent crime

The International Crime Victims Survey, conducted by Leiden University in Holland, found that England and Wales ranked second overall in violent crime among industrialized nations.

Twenty-six percent of English citizens -- roughly one-quarter of the population -- have been victimized by violent crime. Australia led the list with more than 30 percent of its population victimized.

The United States didn't even make the "top 10" list of industrialized nations whose citizens were victimized by crime.

Jack Straw, the British home secretary, admitted that "levels of victimization are higher than in most comparable countries for most categories of crime."

http://www.geoffmetcalf.com/guncontrol_20010302.html

[MrBenchley]

16. Geoff Metcalf quoting World Nut Daily

Swell....Who's the next "expert" from the RKBA crowd here...Ann Coulter?

Does anybody in the RKBA crowd ever read anything SANE people read?

[el_gato]

18. crime is a red herring

the "criminals are gonna get you if you don't have a gun" meme is lame
and has nothing to do with why we have a right to gun ownership

as I said earlier corrupt governments love unarmed citizens

[MrBenchley]

20. Too TOO funny....

"corrupt governments love unarmed citizens"
And yet there's never been a more corrupt turd in the White House than Chimpy...and he's the gun nuts' choice. The NRA boasted they'd be working out of his office...Jebbo was keynote speaker at the National Rifle Association’s annual banquet in 2003, where he thanked the assembled wad of racists and loonies: "Were it not for your active involvement, it's safe to say my brother would not be president of the United States," Jebbo said. He got a standing ovation.

[Withergyld]

19. Here is another cite

I figured you would complain about Wold Net as a source.
Here is another source:
http://www.minjust.nl/b_organ/wodc/publicaties/rapporten/pubrapp/ob187.htm
Burglary

The proportion of households who had a completed or attempted burglary was highest in Australia (7%), England and Wales (5%), Canada, Denmark and Belgium (all 4%).
The pattern of relative risk is reasonably similar whether the focus is on burglary with entry or attempts. Where burglars are successful in gaining entry, they are also more active in trying to do so.
Nonetheless, the proportion of burglaries that involved attempts varied somewhat by country. More attempts at entry failed in Finland, France, Belgium, Scotland, the Netherlands, England and Wales, Switzerland and the USA (all had above 50% attempts). With the exception of Finland, the ICVS evidence suggests that homes in these countries are better protected by security devices. This may explain why burglars more often fail to gain entry.

Theft of personal property

Thefts of personal property will be heterogeneous in nature, but the highest risks were in Australia, Sweden, and Poland (about 5%-6% of people were victimised).
In roughly a third of thefts, the victim was carrying what was stolen - termed 'pickpocketing'. Risks of pickpocketing were most common in Poland (4%). Risks were also comparatively high in Belgium, the Netherlands, Denmark, Catalonia, and England and Wales (about 2%). As previous sweeps have found, risks were lowest outside Europe: in Japan, Canada, and the USA.

Contact crime

An overall measure of contact crime was taken as robbery, assaults with force, and sexual assaults (against women only). The highest risks were in Australia, England and Wales, Canada, Scotland and Finland: over 3% were victims. This was more than double the level in USA, Belgium, Catalonia, Portugal, and Japan (all under 2%). In Japan the risk of contact crime was especially low (0.4%).

Robbery

Robbery was comparatively uncommon in all countries. Risks were highest in 1999 in Poland (1.8%), England and Wales, and Australia (both 1.2%). By far the lowest risks were in Japan and Northern Ireland (0.1%).
On average, just over a third of victims of robbery said the offender(s) carried a weapon of some sort - in most cases a knife. There was a higher than average use of weapons in the USA, Catalonia, Scotland, and Portugal. Although not very statistically robust, the data indicate that guns were used relatively more often in Catalonia and the USA.

[Stilgar]

27. Well since it came from and INTERNATIONAL study

How about another country's review of it.

I cant read the Websites name (it looks German) so what the website is I dont know, but the article is in English.

http://www.minjust.nl/b_organ/wodc/publicaties/rapporten/pubrapp/ob187.htm

[Withergyld]

35. I found that one with google

Here is what looks like the "official" site. It would appear to be a UN sponsored study.
http://www.unicri.it/icvs/

[Stilgar]

34. Here it is in all its glory, the Appendix with all the info.

Read it yourself, the Appendix shows it all, no editorials. No pro or anti gunners comments. This is what the reporters wrote from.

http://www.unicri.it/icvs/publications/pdf_files/key2000i/app4.pdf

[MrBenchley]

12. Sheila Jackson-Lee

"Congresswoman Jackson Lee, a veteran of both corporate and private law practice, is a member of the House Committee on the Judiciary where she is a member of the Subcommittee on Crime and was selected as the first African-American woman to serve as the Ranking Democratic on the Subcommittee on Immigration and Claims. In this leadership role, Congresswoman Jackson Lee has worked to overhaul the Immigration and Naturalization Service to better address the nation's immigration laws. In fact, Congresswoman Jackson Lee recently joined a number of her colleagues in Congress in meeting high tech business executives and touring their facilities. Also, as a member of the Judiciary Committee, Congresswoman Jackson Lee played a pivotal role during the impeachment hearings of President Clinton.
In the 104th Congress, the Congresswoman was elected President of the Democratic Freshman Class, and was appointed to serve as the freshman member of the House Democratic Steering and Policy Committee.
Congresswoman Jackson Lee received her undergraduate degree from Yale University, graduating from the Honors Program in Political Science. She went on to receive her Juris Doctorate from the University of Virginia School of Law."

http://www.jacksonlee.house.gov/display2.cfm?id=3241&type=News

And she's for gun control...

[Liberal Classic]

22. Representative Jackson-Lee accepted campain donations from Enron

Of the maximum amount every election season. Not good, in my opinion.

[MrBenchley]

29. Gee, and what did she DO for Enron?

Nothing.

But hey, any accusation, no matter how desperate.

Total to Jackson-Lee? $38,000 over 12 years.

http://www.opensecrets.org/alerts/v6/enron_cong_house.asp

By the way, wonder how much some of the pro-gun rights loonies took from Enron. Take pResident Turd, for example...he got more than $420,000.

http://www.opensecrets.org/alerts/v6/enron_pres.asp

And what that unelected drunk did for Enron is well-known.

[Liberal Classic]

33. Call it an attack if you want, but it remains the truth

Mrs. Jackson-Lee takes a lot of campain donations from the energy industry. That having been said, Enron as a matter of practice gave as much money to any candidate who would accept their donations, Republican and Democrat.

[MrBenchley]

36. Surrrrrrrrrre...

And 420-38 is a tie....in RKBA land.

[Spoonman]

41. It appears to be fact

http://www.opensecrets.org/politicians/contrib.asp?CID=N00005818&cycle=2000

[Spoonman]

38. Please use her as a shinning example ....

Of someone who is a total and complete fucking idiot!!!!!!!

“You don't understand. I am a queen, and I demand to be treated like a queen." - Sheila Jackson Lee

http://www.houstonpress.com/issues/1998-05-14/news3.html

Her most recent dumbass move is the supporting of the proposed light rail system for Houston, to the tune of 8 billion dollars.
It will only accommodate 1% of the cities commuters, and for that price tag Houston could by every one of them a brand new Ferrari!

http://www.texansfortruemobility.com/index.shtml

Yea, she's someone I would listen to on the gun control issue.

Maybe the practice of having staff members drive her one block to work at taxpayers' expense makes her an authority on the issue.

Could her run-in with Continental Airlines for not treating her in the style to which she's accustomed play a part in this grand enlightenment she has achieved?

Passengers on a flight with her from Washington to Houston say that when she could not be upgraded because first class was full, the gentle lady exploded and, "started shouting that she was in congress and worked hard." And, according to The Hill newspaper, she only quieted down once flight attendants found her a row in coach all to herself. Ms. Jackson Lee's office would neither confirm nor deny the report.

She has also stated that that the naming conventions for Hurricanes are decidedly non-Afro friendly. There are names like Larry and Wanda and Bill (my personal favorite), but she wants names such as Keisha and Jamal and Deshawn to be represented as well. This year Spanish & French names were included in the roster, but none that met with her approval.

Our fellow citizens are starving, going broke, unemployed and worried about the leadership of this country. Mrs. Lee’s own district is in shambles and is one of the poorest in Houston, and yet she feels that the ethnic divide in Hurricane names is the most important bill she can put forth.

Being one of the most blatant idiots in congress, she makes a perfect example of why we should do everything but support her views on gun control or anything else!

[MrBenchley]

40. Happy to, spoon...

Gee, another attack on a Democrat from the RKBA crowd. Really, who is surprised?

[Spoonman]

43. Gee someone posing as a Democrat

who is actually complete and total fuck up!
Ms. Lee is a waste of oxygen, and represents know one but herself, she might as well become a repuke!

Truth and fact are shit bitter, so open up and take a big ol' gulp!

Mr. B I suspect that you would even condone Charles Mansons acts if his name had a (D) after it.
While I admire your loyalty, it makes a piss poor justification for your argument.

[MrBenchley]

52. Sorry, spoon...Charlie's one of YOUR crowd

"Truth and fact are shit bitter"
You sure act bitter every time you get a dose from me. Open wide.

"I suspect that you would even condone Charles Mansons acts if his name had a (D) after it."
Gee, spoon, I'll bet Charlie is one of your "gun rights" boys....he sure fits in with the rest of that rancid crew.

""What is the next thing that happened?" 
"Then we walked back downstairs to the car, and he gave Clem a gun." 
"Charlie Manson gave him a gun?" 
"Yes. At this point he said something--"  "

http://www.law.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/ftrials/manson/mansontestimony-k.html

[Spoonman]

60. Gee, what else would we expect?

I guess you could not refute the facts that Ms Lee is a complete fucking idiot, and the furthest thing from a Democrat that any REAL Democrat would endorse.
No, instead you have to spin it off into some fantasy bullshit divert from the topic rant that clearly demonstrates your lack of conviction in your original post.

We have yet to see anything but a steady diet of shit from you, and there are many here that are losing a great deal of weight due to it.
Because we won't swallow it, regardless of what you coat it with!

Now with that in mind, stick to the topic, which is YOUR beloved Sheila Jackson-Lee is as worthless as tits on a boar hog, and should have never received the DNC endorsement. She is an embarrassment to Texas, Houston and the Democratic Party as a whole!

During her two year stint as an Associate Municipal Court Judge in Houston from 1987-1989, she had more verdicts overturned than any other sitting judge in Texas!

The list goes on and on. No matter though, I'm sure, as we all are that you will attempt to spin all this into some other off the topic subject.

So I will end with this.

The bottom line is simple.
If you claim that someone is a shinning example of your agenda, make sure they are not covered with shit before you post them up and stink up the board!

[MrBenchley]

61. We know the RKBA crowd hates Democrats

"I guess you could not refute the facts that Ms Lee is a complete fucking idiot"
Gee, spoon, I just considered the source of that acccusation and laughed my butt off. And it's funny as hell to hear you bitching about gun lover Charlie Manson after YOU dragged him into the conversation.

"there are many here that are losing a great deal of weight due to it."
There are many here who were paper-thin and nearly transparent to start with....

[Spoonman]

62. "acccusation"

No I think not, as do the vast majority of real Democrats.
It would be better stated as FACT.

I guess you have failed to support your argument due to lack of research.

As for bitching? I failed to see where I was bitching about, as YOU put it "gun lover Charlie Manson after YOU dragged him into the conversation".
I guess we can all see your feable attempt, once again, to divert from the topic.
Here's another one for you to chew on with regards to queen dip-shit.

Rep. Jackson-Lee was one of only seven members of the House Judiciary Committee of the 105th Congress who voted to allow U.S. firms to lay off Americans to hire foreign workers.

Oh, she's a shinning example of what the DNC stands for.

[MrBenchley]

63. Accurate

Really, who here is surprised to see members of the RKBA crowd attacking Democrats? Especially black Democrats?

By the way, spoon, who were the other six who voted that way? And what is THEIR stance on gun control? For that matter, what bill exactly are you talking about? And why would such a bill be before the Judiciary Committee?

[Spoonman]

65. Try, Try, Again

"Really, who here is surprised to see members of the RKBA crowd attacking Democrats? Especially black Democrats?"

Please, try something other than a cry for emotional reaction, because it's blatantly obvious that it's all you've got left.

She's black? Who the fuck cares? I'm attacking her because SHE'S FUCKING STUPID!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Race has nothing to do with the fact that she's a FUCKING IDIOT!!!!!!

"For that matter, what bill exactly are you talking about? And why would such a bill be before the Judiciary Committee?"

H.R.3736

Imigration? Judiciary? Hello, I thought you knew government?

Seeing as you support her so much, we would have thought you would know her whole record.

With all the other stupid shit she pulls, it makes since that her stance on gun control should match.

[MrBenchley]

69. Too too funny....

Bob Barr made the same vote in the 105th, and he's on the actual board of the NRA. And he's on the C of CC.. Yet we didn't see you screaming about HR 3736 when Barr was discussed, in among the gun rights scum. Guess its only a stupid vote for a bad bill to you when a Democrat votes for it..

"She's black? Who the fuck cares?"
Bob Barr does...as do a lot of the crowd that go to gun shows and spout rubbish in public about "gun rights."

"Please, try something other than a cry for emotional reaction"
You first, spoon. So far you're both trying AND failing.

[Spoonman]

72. Whats that smell?

Is that the smell of TOTAL fabrication, or just the smell of ignorance?

H.R.3736

H-1B bill in 1998

Rep. Barr voted AGAINST H.R. 3736, the bill that ultimately increased by nearly 150,000 the number of foreign workers that high-tech American companies could hire over the next three years. H.R. 3736 passed 288 to 133.

During consideration of H.R.3736 in Committee , an amendment was presented by Rep. Rogan to strip worker protections from the bill and make the House bill more like the Senate bill. Rep. Barr voted with the 24-7 majority AGAINST the Rogan amendment and against Rep. Jackson-Lee.

Rep. Jackson-Lee voted in favor of H.R. 3736. This was a vote to increase by nearly 150,000 the number of foreign workers high-tech American companies could hire over the next three years. The bill passed 288 to 133.

Educating you is getting boring, please try to research the subject matter before you post.

On Edit - It's a bad bill when it hurts the American worker. Too bad Ms. Lee was too fucking stupid to see that. Democrat or not!

[MrBenchley]

73. We're familiar with the foul smell from RKBA posts.....

"The committee voted to pass the bill favorably with a margin of 23-4. Those voting against the bill as amended were Bryant (R-TN), Cannon (R-UT), Rogan (R-CA) and Rothman (D-NJ)."

http://www.fairus.org/Legislation/Legislation.cfm?ID=1694&c=30

[Spoonman]

75. Having problems keeping YOUR story straight?

I guess that's keeping in fashion with your whole argument for gun control.

Your Statement:Bob Barr made the same vote in the 105th
Guess its only a stupid vote for a bad bill to you when a Democrat votes for it..

Now, from your own link:
Bob Barr (R-GA) commented that Congress never seems to satisfy the business and immigration communities. He remarked that as Congress increases the number of H-1B visas, the hi-tech industry only wants more. Simply put, Barr noted that you can't please everyone.
Included in the same comment was how REAL Democrats voted (unlike your Ms. Lee)
Berman (D-CA) and Nadler (D-NY) also spoke in opposition to the amendment. Nadler stated that if the laws of supply and demand were not working due to the fact that there are just not enough people to hire, Congress should allow for more H-1B visas. However, protection of American workers comes first.

Spin away, it's all you and the anti's have.

DONE!

[MrBenchley]

76. Again.....since you seem curiously unable to read....

"The committee voted to pass the bill favorably with a margin of 23-4. Those voting against the bill as amended were Bryant (R-TN), Cannon (R-UT), Rogan (R-CA) and Rothman (D-NJ)."

http://www.fairus.org/Legislation/Legislation.cfm?ID=1694&c=30


Don't see Bob Barr's name there.

[MrBenchley]

15. Nydia M. Velázquez

"Congresswoman Nydia M. Velázquez has made history several times during her tenure in Congress. In 1992, she was the first Puerto Rican woman elected to the U.S. House of Representatives. In February of 1998, she was named Ranking Democratic Member of the House Small Business Committee, making her the first Hispanic woman to serve as Chair or Ranking Member of a full committee in the history of the House.
n 1992, after months of running a grassroots political campaign, she was elected to the House of Representatives to represent New York's 12th District. Her district, which encompasses parts of Brooklyn, Queens and the Lower East Side of Manhattan is the only tri-borough district in the New York City congressional delegation. Encompassing many diverse neighborhoods, it is home to a large Latino population, with pockets of Polish communities, and parts of Chinatown.
As a fighter for equal rights of the underepresented and a proponent of economic opportunity for the working class and poor, Congresswoman Velázquez combines sensibility and compassion as she works to encourage economic development, protect community health and the environment, combat crime and worker abuses, and secure access to affordable housing, quality education and health care for all New York City families.
As the Ranking Member of the House Small Business Committee, which oversees federal programs and contracts totaling $200 billion annually, Congresswoman Velázquez has been a vocal advocate of American small business and entrepreneurship. She has established numerous small business legislative priorities, encompassing the areas of tax regulations, access to capital, federal contracting opportunities, trade, technology, health care and pension reform, among others. Congresswoman Velázquez was recently named as the inaugural "Woman of the Year" by Hispanic Business Magazine in recognition of her national influence in both the political and business sectors and for her longtime support of minority enterprise. "

and she's for gun control....

[MrBenchley]

17. Nancy Pelosi

"Since 1987, Nancy Pelosi has represented California's Eighth District in the House of Representatives. Overwhelmingly elected by her colleagues in the fall of 2002 as Democratic Leader of the House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi is the first woman in American history to lead a major party in the U.S. Congress. Before being elected Leader, she served as House Democratic Whip for one year and was responsible for the party's legislative strategy in the House.
As a senior member of the House Appropriations Committee, Pelosi fought for America's families. She has been a leader in increasing educational opportunity, protecting workers, and promoting health care, including women's health and the creation of a nationwide health tracking network to examine the links between environmental pollutants and chronic disease. She has been a strong proponent of increased investments in health research, and has secured funding to double the budget for the National Institutes of Health. Pelosi also has successfully defeated repeated attempts to reduce funding for international family planning programs.
One of Pelosi's first legislative victories was the creation of the Housing Opportunities for People with AIDS program. She has also worked to accelerate development of an HIV vaccine, expand access to Medicaid for people living with HIV, and increase funding for the Ryan White CARE Act, the Minority HIV/AIDS Initiative and other programs vital to people living with or at risk for HIV/AIDS.
Pelosi also successfully increased access to health insurance for people with disabilities by ensuring continuation of their health care coverage. She was instrumental in passing legislation to assist nonprofit organizations in the creation of affordable housing.
Pelosi has long been an advocate for human rights around the world. She has fought to improve China's human rights record, attempting to tie trade to increased human rights standards. She has also been a leader on efforts to free the people of Tibet.
A leader on the environment at home and abroad, Pelosi secured passage of a provision in the International Development and Finance Act of 1989 which requires the World Bank and all the regional multilateral development banks to review the potential environmental impacts of development projects for which they provide funding and to make these environmental assessments publicly available. Known as the "Pelosi Amendment," it has become a significant tool for indigenous, nongovernmental organizations around the world."

http://www.house.gov/pelosi/biography/bio.html

And she's for gun control.

[MrBenchley]

21. Wesley Clark

"General Wesley K. Clark is one of America's most distinguished retired military officers. During his 34 years of service in the United States Army, he held numerous staff and command positions, rising to the rank of four-star general and NATO Supreme Allied Commander.
Always committed to public service, he went to West Point at the age of 17 and graduated at the top of his class in 1966. He also earned a Master's Degree in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics from Oxford University, where he was a Rhodes Scholar.
From 1997 through May of 2000, General Clark was NATO Supreme Allied Commander and Commander in Chief of the United States European Command. In this position, General Clark led Operation Allied Force, NATO's first major combat action, which saved 1.5 million Albanians from ethnic cleansing in Kosovo.
General Clark is a recipient of numerous U.S. and foreign military awards, including the Silver Star, Bronze Star, and Purple Heart. He received honorary Knighthoods from the British and Dutch governments and was made a commander of the French Legion of Honor. In August 2000, President Clinton awarded General Clark with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation's highest civilian honor. "

http://clark04.com/about/

And he's for gun control.

[DoNotRefill]

23. Ah, yes...Wes Clark...

the man who paraphrased Henrich Himmler's statement on gun control almost word for word...not exactly a brilliant move there, was it?

[CarinKaryn]

24. So many of the Natzi quotes are fabricated...

Can you prove your claim?

[demsrule4life]

25. One thing I do know

Clark always violated the most basic rule of an officer. That is to take care of his troops. An officer should never eat or sleep untill the troops under his command has. An officer should never expect his troops to do anything if he can't do it himself. Clark was an officer that the troops would of fragged in nam. The troops can't be wrong if other general officers would not support him. Only person Clark ever gave a shit about was himself. Why I don't trust him to be president.

4 years army
20 years airforce
to many years stationed with Clark in NATO

[DoNotRefill]

26. Depends on what you mean...

Do I have video of Himmler making the statements in english? Nope. But here's the thing. The original quote has BEEN CONSISTENTLY ATTRIBUTED TO HIMMLER. Clark is supposed to be a super-scholar, right? First in his West Point class, Rhodes Scholar, right? That explains how he was exposed to it. (the same way I was exposed to it...reading. It's a widely reported statement in detailed history books of the era.)

OK, so Clark's been exposed to the statement, and knows or should know that it's widely been attributed to Himmler, right? So then he paraphrases it, saying EXACTLY the same thing, with a few changes for the audience it's addressed to (like dropping the word "german" from Himmler's statement, and referring to Americans instead.)

That, to me, makes him a pretty twisted individual.

Oh, BTW, when you look at the body of Himmler's statements, coupled with the actual things he did, the statement in question is "dead on" to other statements and actions he made. There's consistency throughout. I have no doubt that Himmler said what he's quoted as saying...in german, of course.

[MrBenchley]

30. Another attack on a Democrat by the RKBA crowd

Really, who is surprised.....

[demsrule4life]

42. One thing for sure

It sure did take him long enough to make up his mind.

[MrBenchley]

46. Steny Hoyer

"In a February 2000 profile of Congressman Hoyer, the magazine National Journal stated: "Congressional insiders roundly agree that is a workhorse with the ability to focus on getting a job done that is unmatched by many lawmakers." Later that same year, The Washington Post commented in an editorial: "Mr. Hoyer’s ability to get things done in the House . . . is well-known."
He also is a strong proponent of Federal law enforcement efforts that fall within the Subcommittee’s jurisdiction, securing funding for innovative crime-fighting projects such as the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Program, Gang Resistance Education and Treatment Program, and the Youth Crime Gun Interdiction Initiative. In addition, he is a long-time supporter of the COPS on the Beat Program, which has meant more than $30 million in Federal funding to hire more than 700 police officers in the Fifth District.
On the Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, Congressman Hoyer is a champion for education and funding for the Class Size Reduction Initiative, Head Start and teacher training programs. He leads the fight to increase funding for immunization and works to raise public awareness about the importance of immunizing children. In the 107th Congress, he teamed up with actress Julia Roberts to draw national attention to Rett Syndrome, a neurological disorder occurring predominantly in girls.
Congressman Hoyer’s experience, know-how and strong work ethic have led to increasing responsibilities within the House Democratic leadership. He served as Chair of the Democratic Caucus, the fourth-ranking position among House Democrats, from 1989 to 1994. He is the former Co-Chair (and a current member) of the Democratic Steering Committee, and served as the chief candidate recruiter for House Democrats from 1995 to 2000. He also served as Deputy Majority Whip from 1987 to 1989.
On November 14, 2002, Congressman Hoyer was unanimously elected by Members of the House Democratic Caucus to serve as the House Democratic Whip, the second-ranking position among House Democrats. His election as Democratic Whip makes him the highest-ranking Member of Congress from Maryland in history."

And he's for gun control

[RoeBear]

28. You're point is that the Democrats...

...are the good guys. Well duh!

My point is that there would be more good guys in office if they would get off the gun control band wagon. It's costing us votes.

[MrBenchley]

31. Gee, roe...guess I'm no longer on "ignore"

[RoeBear]

50. You've been discussing issues more lately...

...instead of just screaming. Keep it up.

[MrBenchley]

53. I've always been discussing issues

and the RKBA crowd has been doing all the screaming. As this thread clearly shows.

[RoeBear]

54. Come on now Bench,

...all that 'pantload' stuff gets real old after awhile. Take the high road and you'll get your message across better.

[MrBenchley]

56. Gee roe....

Perhaps if the RKBA crowd didn't post so many steaming pantloads every day....

Just today we had a claim that the Sierra Times wasn't right wing, we had a claim that Larry Pratt wasn't a racist , and we had the tired old "Australian bloodbath" lie pop up again.

[RoeBear]

57. Just dispute it

and don't make flames.

[Stilgar]

68. Acutally I said the Violent crime rate in Austrailia went up

And provided both international figures and Austrailian figures to back it up.

I did not bring up the Snopes article, I brought up actual figures, and you cant dispute them.

[MrBenchley]

70. Actually, it's still horsecrap no matter how you spin it...

http://www.snopes.com/science/stats/ausguns.htm

[Name removed]

77. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[MrBenchley]

32. Jack Reed

"Jack Reed is the 47th United States Senator from Rhode Island. Elected to the Senate in 1996, Reed, who succeeded Senator Claiborne Pell (D-RI), previously served three terms as a Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Rhode Island's 2nd Congressional District. Reed has been a leader in the House and the Senate on education, health care and campaign finance reform, promoting and strengthening Rhode Island's economy and on defense, international affairs, child care and gun control issues.
After graduating from LaSalle Academy in Providence, he attended the United States Military Academy at West Point where he received a Bachelor of Science degree in 1971. Following his graduation from West Point and receiving an active duty commission in the United States Army, Reed attended the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University where he received a Masters of Public Policy. Reed, an Army Ranger and a paratrooper, served in the 82nd Airborne Division as an Infantry Platoon leader, a Company Commander and a Battalion Staff Officer. He returned to West Point in 1978 as an Associate Professor in the Department of Social Sciences.
Reed resigned from the Army as a Major in 1979 and enrolled in Harvard Law School. In 1982, he graduated from Harvard and served a year as an associate with the Washington, D.C. law firm of Sutherland, Asbill, and Brennan. In 1983, he returned to Rhode Island and joined Edwards and Angell, a Providence law firm. Reed was elected to the Rhode Island State Senate in 1984 and served for three terms. In 1990, Reed was elected to U.S. House of Representatives. In his first term in Congress, Reed was described by the Boston Globe as "a relentless advocate for his home state." During the Rhode Island's credit union and banking crisis, he helped secure $180 million in federal loan guarantees to pay off depositors and he won support for federal funding for the design and construction of a project to upgrade the state's freight rail system. During the next six years Reed became a leader on a number of issues including education and health care.
Reed is a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, the Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee, the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee and the Senate Special Committee on Aging. "

http://www.ifpafletcherconference.com/army2000/bios/reed_rt.htm

[MrBenchley]

37. Joe Biden

"One of the most respected voices on national security and civil liberties, Senator Joseph R. Biden, Jr. has earned national and international recognition as a policy innovator, effective legislator and party spokesman on a wide range of key issues. He is the top Democrat on both the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and the Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime, and is a central player on some of the most important issues facing the nation, from crime prevention and constitutional law to international relations and arms control.

A strong leader on anti-crime and drug policy, Senator Biden has been instrumental in crafting virtually every major piece of crime legislation over the last decade, including the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994, also known as the Biden Crime Law, which dramatically increased funds spent on law enforcement. Additionally, Senator Biden is the author of the landmark Violence Against Women Act of 2000 (VAWA 2000) which contains a broad array of ground-breaking measures to combat domestic violence and provides billions of dollars in federal funds to address gender-based crimes. Biden, who serves as Chairman of the International Narcotics Control Caucus, also wrote the law creating the nation's "Drug Czar" who oversees and coordinates national drug control policy. Today, Senator Biden continues to work to stop the spread of new drugs such as Ecstacy, Ketamine and Rohypnol, the "date rape" drug.

As the Ranking Member of the Foreign Relations Committee, Biden is the Democratic party's chief spokesman on national security and foreign policy issues."

And he's for gun control.

[MrBenchley]

47. Elijah Cummings

"Congressman Elijah E. Cummings has dedicated his life of service to uplifting and empowering the people he is sworn to represent. Elected to the United States House of Representatives in April 1996, in a special election for Maryland's 7th Congressional District, Congressman Cummings was re-elected with 73 percent of the vote on November 12, 2002.

Now in his fifth term in Congress, Congressman Cummings is the Chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus. He serves on the House Government Reform Committee, is the Ranking Member of the Criminal Justice, Drug Policy and Human Resources Subcommittee and is a member of the Wellness and Human Rights Subcommittee. Congressman Cummings also serves on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, the Subcommittee on Highways & Transit and the Subcommittee on Railroads. In addition to his standing committee assignments, Congressman Cummings is the co-chair of the House AIDS Working Group, and is a member of the House Task Force on Health Care Reform.

Prior to his election to Congress, Mr. Cummings served in the Maryland House of Delegates for 16 years. In the Maryland General Assembly, he served as Chairman of the Legislative Black Caucus and was the first African American in Maryland history to be named Speaker Pro Tem, the second highest position in the House of Delegates."

http://www.house.gov/cummings/bio.htm

And he's for gun control

[MrBenchley]

48. Bart Stupak

"Stupak began his career in public service as an Escanaba police officer in 1972. Continuing his career in law enforcement, Stupak served as a Michigan State Trooper from 1973 to 1984. Stupak was injured in the line of duty and was medically retired from the state police in 1984. He has also served Northern Michigan residents as an attorney in Menominee. Stupak served as a State Representative in 1989-90, representing Menominee, Delta and Dickinson counties.
Stupak's 12 years of experience as a police officer have allowed him to take a lead role on law enforcement issues in Congress.  He is a founder and  current co-chair of the Congressional Law Enforcement Caucus, a bipartisan organization of more than 100 House members, which provides our nation's law enforcement community with an avenue to participate in the legislative process. He has been an ardent supporter in the U.S. House of the COPS program and of the men and women who serve in our local, state and federal law enforcement agencies.
Bart Stupak was elected in 1992 to represent Michigan's First Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives. Thirty one counties make up the sprawling Northern Michigan district. It contains the entire Upper Peninsula as well as the northern part of the Lower Peninsula, making it one of the largest Congressional Districts in the nation. Michigan's First Congressional District contains approximately half of the state’s land mass and has more shoreline - 1,613 miles - than any other Congressional District in the nation except Alaska. Stupak became the first Democrat in the 20th Century to serve successive terms in this Congressional District by winning re-election in 1994, 1996, and 1998. He was re-elected again in 2000 and 2002.
Stupak is a member of the prestigious House Energy and Commerce Committee. Since the Commerce Committee is an exclusive committee, it is the only committee on which Stupak serves. The Commerce Committee, the first U.S. House committee, was formed in 1795 and is the only Committee referenced in the United States Constitution. It was originally formed to protect the commerce clause and regulate foreign commerce.
Within the Commerce Committee, Stupak serves on four Subcommittees: Health; Telecommunications & the Internet; Commerce, Trade & Consumer Protection; and Environment and Hazardous Materials. A national publication has estimated that at least 60 percent of legislation that goes through the U.S. House passes through the Commerce Committee. Congressman Stupak's committee assignments allow him to have a substantial impact on legislation considered by the U.S. House of Representatives, from Medicare and prescription drugs to investigations of Enron and Firestone tires, as well as Homeland Security issues. "

After the tragic suicide of his son by handgun, Stupak altered his stance on gun control. The NRA launched a furious attempt to defeat him...but he won by about 20%.

http://www.jfklibrary.org/pica_essay_winner_2001_boersen.html

[RoeBear]

51. Bart is stilled considered...

...to be pro 2A by people in Michigan.

[MrBenchley]

49. Robert Matsui

"As a senior member of the Committee on Ways and Means, Representative Matsui has been intricately and substantially involved with the Committee’s portfolio of complex public policy issues including tax, international trade, social security, health care, and welfare reform. He currently serves as ranking minority member of the Social Security Subcommittee, and has previously held posts as ranking minority member of the Oversight Subcommittee, acting chair of the Trade Subcommittee, and acting chair of the Human Resources Subcommittee. Matsui has played crucial roles in developing and passing legislation that has become the foundation for some of the Ways and Means Committee’s most successful programs over the past two decades.

Representative Matsui is currently engaged as a Democratic leader in the effort to save Social Security. He is one of the nation’s most ardent advocates for a social insurance program without which more than half of Americans over age 65 would fall below the poverty line. Matsui has condemned proposals to carve private accounts from the existing system, publicly exposing the fact that all such proposals would cut benefits, raise the retirement age, or reduce retirees’ standard of living while further exacerbating Social Security’s financing challenges. In the 108th Congress, Matsui is the only current Social Security Subcommittee member who also served on the Subcommittee in 1983, the last time the program faced major changes. He is determined to revise Social Security incrementally to ensure its long-term solvency without compromising its fundamental purpose: to reduce or eliminate poverty among America’s elderly, persons with disabilities, and surviving dependents who have lost a wage-earning family member. Matsui believes that all of these groups are entitled to the certainty and stability of a guaranteed income that allows them to live with dignity.

For his long-standing commitment to free and open international trade, Representative Matsui has also gained a reputation as an effective, strategic leader in this crucial policy area. While Matsui was acting chairman of the Trade Subcommittee in 1993, President Clinton turned to him to lead one of the most heated congressional battles of the decade: the fight to pass the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). Working in concert with Republicans and Democrats, Matsui was a driver in passing this keystone of modern American trade policy. Matsui also spearheaded the 1994 efforts to secure Congressional approval of the Uruguay Round Agreements, which led to the establishment of the World Trade Organization (WTO). In 2000, the Clinton Administration enlisted him to fight another uphill battle, this time for approval of Permanent Normal Trade Relations (PNTR) with China. Again, by working with both Republicans and Democrats, Matsui played a key role in passing the legislation. His expert voice has been crucial in efforts to secure Fast-Track trade negotiating authority over the last decade, although he has supported and opposed various proposals based on their detailed merits and weaknesses. Throughout these trade debates, Matsui has constantly advocated environmental protections and the provision of fair compensation and trade adjustment to American workers whose jobs are negatively impacted by the lowering of barriers to trade.

Representative Matsui has also been an ardent advocate on issues involving the well being of American children. The first two bills he ever introduced in Congress sought to strengthen enforcement of child support payments. His commitment to helping families achieve independence led him in 1991 to draft legislation that became the backbone for child welfare reform, proposing to expand the social services available to at-risk children and families in the child welfare, mental health, and juvenile justice systems. In 1994, Matsui designed a bill to reform welfare by easing the transition of recipients to work through additional job training and education. At its core was a goal to encourage parents to achieve financial self-sufficiency without sacrificing the safety net for those it was most intended to help: our nation’s disadvantaged children. In 1997, he worked with a bipartisan team of congressional leaders to introduce a bill to provide health care coverage to uninsured children, the CHILD ACT. This bill became the basis of the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) a groundbreaking effort that has made significant progress in providing low-income children with health insurance. Matsui continues to support investment in America’s future by ensuring the health, education, and opportunity of new generations."

And he's for gun control.

[MrBenchley]

58. Jim Clyburn

Jim Clyburn has been elected to serve in the House Democratic Caucus leadership as Vice Chair, the fourth-ranking Democratic representative, for the 108th Congress. This is the latest in a distinguished list of leadership roles during his decade of Congressional service. Congressman Clyburn was elected co-President of his Freshman class, served as Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus Annual Legislative Conference in 1997 and 1998, and most notably was elected in a rare unanimous vote to Chair the Congressional Black Caucus for the 106th Congress. It was in that role that Congressman Clyburn led the largest Congressional delegation ever to visit the financial centers of New York’s Wall Street and Chicago’s LaSalle Street. He moved environmental justice issues to the forefront of the Caucus’ agenda and successfully pushed for integration of the 4th Circuit Court of Appeals.
He currently serves on the coveted House Appropriations Committee, where he is a member of the Subcommittees on Energy and Water Development, Transportation and Treasury, and Legislative Branch. In his first three terms, Congressman Clyburn served on the Veterans Affairs and the Transportation and Infrastructure Committees, where he was the ranking member on the Veterans Affairs' Oversight and Investigation Subcommittee.
Following his graduation from South Carolina State University, Congressman Clyburn served as a teacher, an employment counselor, and director of two youth and community development projects in Charleston, South Carolina. He was appointed to the staff of Governor John C. West in January 1971, and in October 1974 Governor West appointed him South Carolina Human Affairs Commissioner where he served until retiring from state government in 1992 to run for Congress."

And he's for gun control.

[MrBenchley]

59. Patrick Kennedy

"Congressman Patrick J. Kennedy, 35, was re-elected to serve a fourth term in Congress in November 2000 as the representative from the First District of Rhode Island. He received 67 percent of the vote, winning all 20 cities and towns in the district for the third election in a row.
In the Democratic primary in September 1988, at the age of 21, he unseated a five-term incumbent in the Rhode Island House of Representatives, becoming the youngest Kennedy family member ever to win office. Representing District 9, comprised of the Mount Pleasant and Elmhurst neighborhoods of Providence, Kennedy was re-elected in 1990 and 1992.
As a member of the Rhode Island House, he served on both the Health, Education and Welfare and Special Legislative Committees. In 1992, he was named Chairman of the House Rules Committee and championed reform and open government in the General Assembly. He was a leader on gun control issues, sponsoring the state's seven-day waiting period for gun purchases.
In November 1994, he defeated Republican Kevin Vigilante to win an open seat in the U.S. House of Representatives. At the age of 27, he was the youngest member elected to Congress that year.
Kennedy served three terms on both the House Armed Services Committee and the Resources Committee.
In January 2001, Kennedy assumed his seat on the Appropriations Committee, which has the authority over all of the federal government's discretionary spending. As part of his Appropriations duties, Kennedy sits on the Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and on the Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, State, and Judiciary. "

And he's for gun control.

[MrBenchley]

64. Bob Graham

Bob Graham is a former governor of Florida who now represents the state in Washington D.C. as senior senator.
Bob Graham began Workdays in 1974, teaching a semester of civics at Carol City Senior High School in Miami while serving in the Florida Senate. He performed 100 Workdays in 1986 during his first successful campaign for governor. Since then, he has completed 386 Workdays – more than a year’s worth of days spent laboring side-by-side with the people he represents. His Workdays are an extension of his belief in a personal style of governing.
Graham has continued doing Workdays throughout his tenure as governor and in the United States Senate. His jobs have included service as a police officer, railroad engineer, construction worker, fisherman, garbageman, factory worker, busboy, and teacher.
Bob Graham's leadership and effectiveness as a lawmaker earned him statewide recognition. He was the recipient of the St. Petersburg Times' Award for Most Valuable Legislator, the Allen Morris Award as Most Valuable Member of the Senate, the Florida Association of Community College's Outstanding Legislator Award, the Tropical Audubon Society's Conservation Award and many others.
As a legislator, Graham was a pioneer in support of improving public education. He authored and steered to passage a bill requiring testing for competency and progress in public schools.
In the Legislature, Graham authored and helped write much of the state's current environmental law. As chairman of the Senate Health and Rehabilitative Services Committee, he focused on two key issues – more adequate services for the elderly and community health services.
As chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence in the 107th Congress, Graham led efforts to improve our nation’s intelligence agencies. Since the horrific events of September 11th, 2001, he has been a leader in refocusing and strengthening the nation’s counterterrorism efforts.
Since 1999, Graham has led his party in fighting for a plan that would provide equitable, affordable drug coverage for all Americans over 65. Prescription-drug coverage is just one of the changes Graham believes is necessary to bring Medicare into the 21st century. He has long advocated legislation that would reorient Medicare from a sickness program into a wellness program by offering preventative benefits to head off disease before it becomes life-threatening.
Graham legislation would also ensure that low-income legal immigrant children and pregnant women have access to the Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program to meet their health-care needs. He is working with a bipartisan coalition to restore Medicaid and other benefits taken from legal immigrants in the 1996 welfare reform law. Similarly, he is pushing for Congress to live up to promises made in that law to maintain funding for social services grants to the states."

And he’s for gun control.

[Spoonman]

66. Cherie Trine

Million Mom group leader in Boulder who advertised a "public" meeting.
A small group of civil arms activists, led by Bob Glass, showed up to take notes.
Million Mom organizer Cherie Trine described Glass's group to Boulder Weekly columnist Wayne Laugesen as "a neo-Nazi group that wants to terrorize the whole community. They're very anti-Semitic, anti-gay, racist people. They might as well be wearing KKK caps. They're like the people who hate government and want to bomb federal buildings."
Unknown to Mrs. Trine, Glass is a Jew who advocates civil rights for everyone and denounces acts of violence.

Apparently, Trine's demonization of Glass and his friends made it easier for her to strike one of them with a clipboard, resulting in her subsequent arrest.

[MrBenchley]

67. Ron Wyden

"Oregon's senior Senator has been a dedicated public servant for over 20 years.  Before his election to the U.S. Senate, Ron Wyden served in the U.S. House of Representatives for 15 years.

Wyden won a basketball scholarship to the University of California-Santa Barbara, and played in  Division I competition for two seasons before transferring to Stanford University to earn his B.A.  He earned his law degree from the University of Oregon School of Law in 1974, and worked as director of Oregon Legal Services for the Elderly and co-director of the Oregon Gray Panthers, as well as being appointed to the Oregon State Board of Examiners of Nursing Home Administrators.

He has always been committed to protecting senior citizens.  As a young University of Oregon Law School graduate, he started a legal clinic for seniors in Eugene, and was the Director of the Oregon Gray Panthers.  In the 105th Congress, he has won passage of Medicare reforms that will increase reimbursement for Oregon seniors in managed care.  Now, Wyden is leading the fight in the Senate to pass prescription drug coverage for seniors.

Wyden introduced one of the first proposals to give middle class families a tax credit for college or vocational school tuition costs and was named 1997 "Senator of the Year," by the National Association of Police Organizations.  He is working hard to craft vital transportation legislation which will mean millions of dollars in funding for Oregon roads, bridges, and public transportation systems. "

And he's for gun control.

[MrBenchley]

71. Major Owens

"Elected to the United States House of Representatives in 1982 from New York's 11th Congressional District, Representative Owens is a member of the Education and the Workforce Committee, which guides all federal involvement in education, job training, labor law, employee safety and pensions, programs for the aging and people with disabilities, and equal employment opportunities. Representative Owens also serves on the Government Reform Committee.
 As Ranking Democrat on the Subcommittee for Workforce Protections, Representative Owens has led the fight for minimum wage increases, blocked the attempt to eliminate cash payments for overtime, confronted the steam rolling attempt to repeal Davis-Bacon, defeated the conspiracy to dismantle the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, and spearheaded the fight against legislation designed to gag labor unions.
 As Chairman of the Subcommittee on Select Education and Civil Rights for six years, Representative Owens' record for passing legislation was second only in New York to Adam Clayton Powell. As Chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus Task Force on Haiti, he led the successful three-year fight which restored the democratically elected President.
Representative Owens has had previous high achievement careers as a public library Community Coordinator, a Community Action Executive, a New York City Commissioner, a Columbia University Professor, and a New York State Senator."

And he's for gun control.

[MrBenchley]

74. Henry Waxman

"Henry Waxman chaired the Commerce Committee's Subcommittee on Health and the Environment from 1979 to 1994 and was the Subcommittee's Ranking Member in 1995 and 1996. Rep. Waxman continues to serve on the Energy and Commerce Committee. He currently sits on the Subcommittee on Health, the Subcommittee on Energy and Air Quality, and the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations.

Since 1997, Rep. Waxman has served as ranking member of the Government Reform Committee, the principal investigative committee in the House. From this position, he has conducted investigations into a wide range of topics, including the high costs of prescription drugs, conditions in nursing homes, overcrowded schools, and voting irregularities. He formed a "Special Investigations Division" of the minority staff that has prepared hundreds of investigative reports on local and national topics for Members of Congress. And he led the Democratic response during the Committee's partisan investigation of the Clinton Administration.

Since 2001, Rep. Waxman has used his Government Reform position to oppose efforts by the Bush Administration to block congressional oversight and roll back health and environmental laws. He has launched investigations of White House ties to Enron, fought for disclosure of the names of the energy industry lobbyists who shaped the White House energy plan, and filed suit to force the Administration to released "adjusted" data from the 2000 Census that corrects for the undercount of minorities. In addition, Rep. Waxman has repeatedly fought efforts by EPA to relax important air pollution and drinking water protections and by FDA to weaken enforcement of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act.

Rep. Waxman has been a leader on health and environmental issues, including universal health insurance, Medicare and Medicaid coverage, tobacco, AIDS, air and water quality standards, pesticides, nursing home quality standards, women's health research and reproductive rights, the availability and cost of prescription drugs, and the right of communities to know about pollution levels.

Rep. Waxman has been involved in health issues since 1969, when he was appointed to the California State Assembly Health Committee. In Congress, Rep. Waxman has sponsored a long list of health bills that have been enacted into law. These measures include the Ryan White CARE Act, the Nutrition Labeling and Education Act, the Breast and Cervical Cancer Mortality Prevention Act, the Safe Medical Devices Act, the Patent Term Restoration and Drug Competition Act, and the Orphan Drug Act.

Rep. Waxman has also passed legislation that improves the quality of nursing homes and home health services and that sets policy for childhood immunization programs, vaccine compensation, tobacco education programs, communicable disease research, community and migrant health centers, maternal and child health care, family planning centers, health maintenance organizations, and drug regulation and reform."

And he's for gun control...

[BullDozer]

78. Not right all the time

Mr Benchleys examples and their ACLU rating from the current 4 issue scorecard

1 - Abortion Ban
2 - Government Surveillance Powers
3 - Ban on Raves
4 - Reporting on Guantanamo Bay Detainees


Jack Reed 25%
Joseph Biden 0% (zero)with two no votes
Bob Graham 50% with two no votes
Ron Wyden 25%




Mr Benchleys examples and their ACLU rating from the current 5 issue scorecard

1 - Religious Discrimination
2 - Flag Desecration Constitutional Amendment
3 - School Vouchers
4 - Ban on Raves
5 - Abortion Ban

Nydia Velazquez 75% with one did not vote
Nancy Pelosi 80%
Steny Hoyer 80%
Elijah Cummings 100% with one no vote
Bart Stupak 40%
Robert Matsui 80%
Jim Clyburn 60%
Patrick Kennedy 60%
Major Owens 80%
Henry Waxman 80%



Looks like the ACLU isn't totally happy with everyone you want to put on a pedestal now are they? I've told you before that the D after someone's name does not provide invulnerability from criticism.

It sure would be nice if you actualy provided something detailing their actions to advance their view of gun control rather than just your claim that they support gun control.

[FlashHarry]

79. Locking

Please continue here: http://democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=118&topic_id=19290

FlashHarry
DU Moderator