General Assembly Post-Game Wrap-Up/Pre-Game Show: Thurs., March 15, 2018
We hear all the time about the NRA’s bullying tactics. And it’s true. However, when faced with a Hall full of students demanding gun control measures, the NRA cowers in the corner. Legislators, take note. Schoolkids accomplished what you couldn’t/wouldn’t do for decades. All of the gun bills are out of their respective committees, and three of the four are on today’s agenda. Only the bill raising the age for purchasing weapons from 18 to 21 is not scheduled for today. No doubt being emasculated to avoid NRA ‘lawsuits’. Meaning, Pistol Pete is still vulnerable to NRA extortion. How about passing a clean bill and then having the AG defend the bill in court. Has that thought never occurred to anyone? Which reminds me. Jellyfish John could have chosen yesterday to introduce the assault weapons ban, what with students circulating throughout the Hall. He didn’t. Kids, don’t let up, keep at it. You are the courage we need.
Here is yesterday’s Session Activity Report. The Senate confirmed several nominations, and that was about it.
Let’s first train our guns on today’s House Agenda. It’s basically a one-bill agenda, this bill, to be specific. A bill designed to keep/take dangerous weapons out of the hands of the mentally-ill. The Delaware Chapter of the ACLU has expressed concerns about the bill. From the linked article:
Specifically, the ACLU argues that the gun owner does not have the right to be present at the initial hearing, while a recently added provision would allow the order to force someone facing a mental health crisis to vacate their home if another occupant owns firearms.
“This is a constitutional infringement on liberty without due process,” the group wrote in letter urging committee members to postpone their vote. “Sixty days or longer with no hearing is well beyond the bounds of what the Constitution permits.”
Those concerns were not raised during Wednesday’s hearing.
Gee, maybe the Delaware Chapter could get someone down to Dover with a legislative fix rather than taking potshots via letter from afar? They do have a lot of attorneys as members. Not sayin’ they’re wrong, just disengaged.
We also have that Delaware City Charter change on today’s agenda, courtesy of prime sponsor Rep. PAL Longhurst. Will anyone question that mysterious provision we questioned yesterday? Doubt it.
Both gun-related bills that passed the House last week are on today’s Senate Agenda. One bill ups the penalties for straw purchases, the other bans bump stocks. I will be watching the bump stocks vote in particular. R’s Cloutier, Lopez and Lavelle are on the bill as co-sponsors, so the bill should pass. Looks like the only D vote in question is Ennis. Watch out for ‘clarifying’ amendments. Otherwise, it’s lookin’ good.
All in all, this could be a rare good day in Dover.
Oh, I almost forgot. The clusterbleep that is the task force looking at marijuana legalization finally released its report. Turns out that they had the votes to release it previously, but the chair didn’t know and/or couldn’t count. What you need to remember is that the membership of this committee was crafted in such a way as to ensure that no consensus on the issue could be reached. And no consensus is what they got. A total screw-up:
https://delawarestatenews.net/news/pot-task-force-releases-report-amidst-turmoil-and-disputes/
I’d love to put Black Uhuru on the turn table and do bong rips with Steve Smyk.
Then I’d say, if legalisation isn’t working all the places it’s been passed, when should I expect the huge effort to repeal it?
The student interviewed on TV yesterday said, “We shouldn’t have to be hunted”. Absolutely chilling. What is it like to be hunted? Most people don’t know, but those kids in that high school do know. Which leads me to my point. What if the common denominator in all these shootings is that some people are “activated” by the NRA gun culture rhetoric to take the “next step” and decide they are going to hunt people? And where is this hunting to take place? Mostly in the local schools, but I am reminded of the guy in the Colorado theatre who decided hunting in a crowded theatre of unarmed people was his hunting venue of choice. People are searching for the construct that effectively identifies what the shooters all have in common. What if this is it? They all want to hunt people and have decided to do so. You know, the most dangerous game. The capstone of a life of a hunter. People hunting. It sounds crazy, I know, or just as bad, simplistic. Yes it is. But what if it is the key to understanding this phenomena?
Here’s another key: 50% of America’s guns are owned by 3% of its people.
Why would you want to be with Steve Smyk when you’re otherwise feeling high and good? And you caused me to check out Black Uhuru. Nice.
The Delaware ACLU is useless, IMHO. The only educational issue they care about is letting students wear nipple rings in school. Useless.
Glad you’re digging Black Uhuru. Sly Dunbar and Robbie Shakespeare are the best rhythm section in all the Caribbean. Dig the drumming and bass line on Puff She Puff. Clinic in reggae rhythm. Chop on the upbeat.
I think maybe you stepped on the joke re: Smyk. The guy’s clearly a turd. Another ex-State Trooper. He probably goes to the range with pistol Pete so they can handle each other’s weapons. Like two children on a play date.
I live in Steve Smyk’s district, so I’ve communicated with him on several occasions.
Smyk to me on the death penalty: “I am totally convinced that the death penalty in Delaware has been fairly administered without regard to race.”
So I shared with him the Cornell University study which shows the exact opposite.
Smyk: (silence)
Smyk on marijuana legalization: “I believe that marijuana is a gateway drug that leads to harder drug use.”
I sent him multiple links to studies that all said “It’s not,” or “It might be for some people but we need to study it more.” I couldn’t find any legitimate studies that supported his position.
Smyk: (silence)
He has a lot of opinions and a big mouth until you confront him with facts, which he clearly doesn’t know how to handle.
Well I dont think it is welcome by general public if it will not show right steps