Seven, count ’em, seven amendments have already been prefiled for HB 35(Longhurst), the criminal background checks bill. And these are only the so-called friendly amendments. In the immortal words of Casey Stengel while managing the inept New York Mets in their inaugural season:
“Can’t anybody here play this game?”
This bill should be the easy one. They’ve got the votes, no fuss, no muss. But, by paying undue deference to the NRA, they have become the Senate (United States version) Democrats, turning what should be defining statement victories into, at best, marginal progress and, at worst, defeat. The issue is larger than HB 35. The House dithering has emboldened the NRA b/c they’ve learned that they can run circles around the house managers of this legislation. That will make passage of other key elements of the gun control package far more difficult than it needed to be.
Need I remind these Profiles In Courage that a massacre of school children in Connecticut was the catalyzing event for this package? After several other massacres all over this country? This kind of appeasement will only help to ensure that such a massacre occurs here. Maybe then they’ll stop listening to these uncompromising zealots. Until then, we have HB 35, on today’s House Agenda. Do us all a favor, and at least pass this one?
As far as yesterday’s session, outside of the committee meetings, nothing happened. Other than non-substantive resolutions. And, the re-creation of the Blue Collar Jobs Task Force.
Today’s Senate Agenda features the Jack Markell tax/revenue package, which features a tax cut for Delaware’s wealthiest citizens in the form of HB 50(Longhurst). I’m sure I must have missed it, but can anybody point me to the Governor’s explanation as to why the Upper Crust needs more bread taken directly out of state services to people less fortunate than themselves? Bordeaux futures up again? Offshore accounts being squeezed by the IRS? Or do all those cop cars protecting Greenville’s ‘finest’ just make Jack nervous? People need to remember this if/when Markell tries to peddle himself elsewhere as a Democrat.
I really don’t know what else the House will do other than HB 35 which, I assume, they will want to get out of their hair before the Easter Break. There are other bills on the agenda, some worthy, like HB 20(Jaques), and at least one that may be worthy…of admission into Klown Kollege. From Delaware’s most law-abiding, and now, most patriotic, legislator, we have HB 44(Atkins), which ‘permits a real property owner or tenant to display an American flag on a pole attached to the exterior of the property’s structure or on a flagpole located within the property’s boundaries, provided the flagpole does not exceed 25 feet in height and conforms to all setback requirements. Any and all community restrictions to the contrary will not be enforceable.’
Now, I don’t know what precipitated this bill, other than it wasn’t a massacre of school kids in Connecticut. Probably a disagreement between a couple of Sussex’ finest, perhaps an effete snob who moved here from say, DC, or, worse, SF, and an upstanding patriot with a shed full of military grade weaponry. But I know that Atkins is trying to solve this ‘problem’ with a metaphoric AK-47 where a fly swatter might do. Which is what I love about the guy. As his reelection prospects continue to dwindle, we can look forward to his ‘patriotic’ index rising precipitously. Coming soon (I kid you not): His Constitutional Amendment to Protect Farming and Ranching In Delaware Unto Perpetuity.
John, if this is to be your final term in office, please stick around ’til the end. There is nobody like you, and I don’t want you to do anything…unfortunate. Remember, stay away from those lingerie parties, don’t burn any tires, don’t write any ill-considered memos, don’t speed, and don’t drive while intoxicated. Oh, and you might want to stay away from the prison for awhile…unless you become a ward of the state. Happy Easter!
Your Amigo,
El Somnambulo
(BTW, to those of you in the know, can anybody tell me who the bleep this William F. Christy guy is? I thought that every nutcase in Delaware already vented over here. I. Was. Wrong.)