Thursday, October 24, 2013

Is Senator Ted Cruz a Traitor?

Full Definition of  TREASON:

1)  the betrayal of a trust : treachery.

2)  the offense of attempting by overt acts to overthrow the government of the state to which the offender owes allegiance, or to kill or personally injure the sovereign or the sovereign's family.

If these are accepted definitions, courtesy of Merriam-Webster, I wonder if Ted Cruz could be viewed as a traitor?
Cruz advocated for the shutdown of the government of the United States; it would seem like a fine line between overthrowing and shutting down a government. One can argue it was his goal to remove, or eliminate the government of the nation to which he owes his allegiance (not Canada in this instance).
In addition, he knowingly advocated an action he recognized would cause great financial harm to the Republic—and to its citizens. Among the many voices calling on Cruz and his cronies not to pursue this course of action was the editorial page of “The Wall Street Journal”—hardly a mainstay of liberal ideology. Yet Cruz recklessly and knowingly pursued actions that delivered a $24 billion dollar blow to our nation; certainly weakening us in the eyes of potential enemies.
Given the fact that his net worth is estimated between $204,951 (hardly plausible) to $3,526.994, Cruz certainly wouldn't feel the economic pain he’s more than willing to inflict on his fellow citizens.

Ted Cruz has clearly established his reputation as an opportunistic bully—opposing aid for the victims of Hurricane Sandy, taking an incredibly hypocritical stand on immigration reform (this native of Canada opposes a pathway to citizenship for undocumented immigrants, and urges construction of a massive border wall—while still failing to prove his U.S. citizenship), lobbying for the gun industry, and vilifying gay Americans. He also made the outrageous comment that Chuck Hagel’s nomination as Sec. of Defense was “celebrated by the Iranian government”. In fact, his behavior and line of questioning throughout these hearings drew widespread condemnation and fitting comparisons with Joseph McCarthy.
Even if one were able to set aside these and other “highlights” of his short reign of terror in the Senate, the question remains… has Ted Cruz engaged in treasonous acts against the United States of America?

Thursday, April 18, 2013

Shame on Each and Every One of Them

     Yesterday, the following Senators decided to betray the best interest and safety of the American people by filibustering the Manchin-Toomey background check measure.  They made the decision to continue lining their pockets with NRA cash rather than do the decent and honorable thing by supporting the amendment.  While polls indicate that 86-90% of Americans supported Manchin-Toomey, these brave legislators ran away from their responsibilities to their fellow citizens.  Next to each Senator’s name is the name of a victim of gun violence that took place in Newtown and Aurora.  The last seven names are victims of gun violence that occurred yesterday, as the Senate prepared to vote.  Perhaps these Senators will contact the parents or families of these victims and explain their vote?  Shame on each and every one of them.
  • Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) –the parents of Charlotte Bacon, victim of gun violence in Newtown, CT.  12/14/2012
  • Sen. Kelly Ayotte (R-N.H.) – the parents of Daniel Barden, victim of gun violence in Newtown, CT.  12/14/2012
  • Sen. John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) – the family of Rachel Davino, victim of gun violence in Newtown, CT.  12/14/2012
  • Sen. Max Baucus (D-Mont.) – the parents of Olivia Engel, victim of gun violence in Newtown, CT.  12/14/2012
  • Sen. Mark Begich (D-Alaska) – the parents of Josephine Gay, victim of gun violence in Newtown, CT.  12/14/2012
  • Sen. Roy Blunt (R-Mo.) – the parents of Ana Marquez-Greene, victim of gun violence in Newtown, CT.  12/14/2012
  • Sen. John Boozman (R-Ark.) – the parents of Dylan Hockley, victim of gun violence in Newtown, CT.  12/14/2012
  • Sen. Richard Burr (R-N.C.) – the family of Dawn Hocksprung, victim of gun violence in Newtown, CT.  12/14/2012
  • Sen. Saxby Chambliss (R-Ga.) – the parents of Madeleine Hsu, victim of gun violence in Newtown, CT.  12/14/2012
  • Sen. Dan Coats (R-Ind.) – the parents of Catherine Hubbard, victim of gun violence in Newtown, CT.  12/14/2012
  • Sen. Tom Coburn (R-Okla.) – the parents of Chase Kowalski, victim of gun violence in Newtown, CT.  12/14/2012
  • Sen. Thad Cochran (R-Miss.) – the parents of Jesse Lewis, victim of gun violence in Newtown, CT.  12/14/2012
  • Sen. Bob Corker (R-Tenn.) – the parents of James Mattioli, victim of gun violence in Newtown, CT.  12/14/2012
  • Sen. Jon Cornyn (R-Texas) – the parents of Grace McDonnell, victim of gun violence in Newtown, CT.  12/14/2012
  • Sen. Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) – the family of Anne Marie Murphy, victim of gun violence in Newtown, CT.  12/14/2012
  • Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) – the parents of Emilie Parker, victim of gun violence in Newtown, CT.  12/14/2012
  • Sen. Mike Enzi (R-Wyo.) – the parents of Jack Pinto, victim of gun violence in Newtown, CT.  12/14/2012
  • Sen. Deb Fischer (R-Neb.) – the parents of Noah Pozner, victim of gun violence in Newtown, CT.  12/14/2012
  • Sen. Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.) – the parents of Caroline Previdi, victim of gun violence in Newtown, CT.  12/14/2012
  • Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) – the parents of Jessica Rekos, victim of gun violence in Newtown, CT.  12/14/2012
  • Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) – the parents of Avielle Richman, victim of gun violence in Newtown, CT.  12/14/2012
  • Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) – the family of Lauren Rousseau, victim of gun violence in Newtown, CT.  12/14/2012
  • Sen. Heidi Heitkamp (D-N.D.) – the family of Mary Sherlach, victim of gun violence in Newtown, CT.  12/14/2012
  • Sen. Dean Heller (R-Nev.) – the family of Victoria Soto, victim of gun violence in Newtown, CT.  12/14/2012
  • Sen. John Hoeven (R-N.D.) – the parents of Benjamin Wheeler, victim of gun violence in Newtown, CT.  12/14/2012
  • Sen. James Inhofe (R-Okla.) – the parents of Allison Wyatt, victim of gun violence in Newtown, CT.  12/14/2012
  • Sen. Johnny Isakson (R-Ga.) – the parents of Alexander Boik, victim of gun violence in Aurora, CO.  7/20/2012
  • Sen. Mike Johanns (R-Neb.) – the family of Jonathan Blunk, victim of gun violence in Aurora, CO.  7/20/2012
  • Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) – the family of Staff Sgt. Jesse Childress, victim of gun violence in Aurora, CO.  7/20/2012
  • Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah) – the family of Gordon Cowden, victim of gun violence in Aurora, CO.  7/20/2012
  • Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) – the family of Jessica Ghawi, victim of gun violence in Aurora, CO.  7/20/2012
  • Sen. Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) – the family of John Larimer, victim of gun violence in Aurora, CO.  7/20/2012
  • Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) – the family of Matt McQuinn, victim of gun violence in Aurora, CO.  7/20/2012
  • Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) – the family of Micayla Medek, victim of gun violence in Aurora, CO.  7/20/2012
  • Sen. Rob Portman (R-Ohio) – the parents of Veronica Moser-Sullivan, victim of gun violence in Aurora, CO.  7/20/2012
  • Sen. Mark Pryor (D-Ark.) – the family of Alex Sullivan, victim of gun violence in Aurora, CO.  7/20/2012
  • Sen. Jim Risch (R-Idaho) – the family of Alex Teves, victim of gun violence in Aurora, CO.  7/20/2012
  • Sen. Pat Roberts (R-Kan.) – the family of Rebecca Ann Wingo, victim of gun violence in Aurora, CO.  7/20/2012
  • Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) – the family of an unidentified victim of gun violence in Nixa, MO. 4/16/2013 the day of the Senate vote.
  • Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.) – the parents of Alfred Enu-Kwesi, victim of gun violence in Long Beach, CA.  4/16/2013 the day of the Senate vote.
  • Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-Ala.) – the family of Thomas G. Manuel, victim of gun violence in Genesse, MI.  4/17/2013 the day of the Senate vote.
  • Sen. Richard Shelby (R-Ala.) – the family of Kyle Kelley, victim of gun violence in Brook Park, OH.  4/17/2013 the day of the Senate vote.
  • Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) – the family of Herman Bryant, victim of gun violence in Orlando, FL.  4/17/2013 the day of the Senate vote.
  • Sen. David Vitter (R-La.) – the family of Treyvon Jermaine Burton, victim of gun violence in Concord, N.C.  4/17/2013 the day of the Senate vote.
  • Sen. Roger Wicker (R-Miss.)—the family of Debra Shriver, victim of gun violence in Charleston, IL.  4/17/2013 the day of the Senate vote.

Thursday, January 17, 2013

Gun Control At Last?

By now I would imagine Ted Nugent is foaming at the mouth, yet again. Senator Rand Paul, already dreaming about nabbing the 2016 Republican presidential nomination, is blustering on about potential legislation to block President Obama’s executive orders, and Texas Republican House member Steve Stockman , along with Florida House rookie Trey Radel, will likely (briefly) interrupt 2nd amendment-mandated militia training (in this instance goose-stepping briskly around the Capitol long enough to file articles of impeachment against the President. What has these paragons of stability so aroused? Good question.
President Obama has followed through on his promise to address gun violence by proposing legislation that will:
• Require criminal background checks for all gun sales
• Reinstate the assault weapons ban
• Restore a 10-round limit on ammunition magazine
• Eliminate armor-piercing bullets
• Provide mental health screening & services in schools
• Institute a federal gun trafficking statute
• Allocate funds to hire more police officers
There is absolutely no provision (unfortunately) that would “go after” any weapons and/or ammunition clips currently and lawfully owned.

In addition, the President issued 23 executive orders ranging from improving the background check system and avenues of inter-state cooperation, to providing law enforcement, first responders, and school officials with proper training for active shooter situations.
While no one can argue with any certainty whether or not these policies may have prevented the specific tragedy at Newtown, there’s no denying that it’s time to address the epidemic of gun violence in our country. It’s past time.
I believe that the measures the President has proposed/undertaken could save lives in the future, and it would be tragic if the NRA and its gun lobby allies are able to block a timely and thoughtful discussion. It’s clear they have no intention of relinquishing one hollow point bullet or automatic weapon if it means a loss of their power. In the meantime, they have chosen to demonize the President, his family, Mayor Bloomberg, Governor Cuomo, Senator Feinstein, Sarah Brady, and any other proponents of rational Second Amendment rights.

One is left to wish for a 24th Executive Order that would establish a (poison) rhetoric-free
zone… an island of calm, rational discussion free from the likes of Nugent, Paul, Stockman, Radel, Rick Perry,Wayne LaPierre, Kendell Kroeker, et al. Now that would be sweet.