Month: March 2015

Wasting money

On: By: admin

Rich, antigun crackpot shows how to waste money:

“The Newton nonprofit that for two decades sponsored the eye-grabbing billboard along the Massachusetts Turnpike that inveighed against gun violence is promising to keep that message fresh in the minds of motorists with a new series of targeted ads.  Beginning Tuesday, Stop Handgun Violence will be “saturating” highway signs at three-dozen locations across the state, an interim solution until cofounder John Rosenthal finalizes construction of the Fenway Center complex over the turnpike …”

These billboards have been up for decades.  What have they accomplished?

“… Jim Wallace, executive director of the Gun Owners’ Action League, the state affiliate of the National Rifle Association, laughed at the words and imagery used for the billboard when a reporter described it … Wallace called Rosenthal’s turnpike billboard an “eyesore,” and said it hasn’t amounted to anything in the 20 years since it was installed.  He expects the same could be said about Rosenthal’s latest push.  “The billboards are ineffective.  I don’t think they have any effect at all, and I don’t think they’ve had any effect on firearm safety in general,” he said …”

Exactly.  A small gun group tried that in New York with similar billboards calling for repeal of the SAFE Act.  The result?  Tens of thousands of dollars wasted and nothing to show for it.

Still overpriced

On: By: admin

A follow-up to my previous post on why the Daily News is losing money, Reuters reports, “Cablevision to make $1 offer for New York Daily News“:

“U.S. cable T.V. operator Cablevision Systems Corp is planning to make an offer for the New York Daily News as early as this week, valuing the troubled tabloid at just $1, according to a person familiar with the matter.  The offer would come one month after New York media and real estate magnate Mortimer Zuckerman said he was considering selling the newspaper and had hired Lazard Ltd to assist with the process.  It underscores the declining readership and plunging advertising revenue that have plagued the tabloid for years.  Cablevision’s $1 bid takes into account the New York Daily News’ reported $30 million annual loss and $150 million investment in a printing press, and declining circulation that relies heavily on newsstand sales rather than on subscriptions, the source said …”

Perhaps sales would not be an issue for the paper if they stopped attacking gun rights, among other things.

Legislative Report #6

On: By: admin

Legislative Report #6 is now online.

Senate Democrat Leader Charles Schumer

On: By: admin

With Harry Reid retiring at the end of his term, he’s endorsed Chuck Schumer to be his replacement:

“Senate Minority Leader Harry M. Reid (D-Nev.) has endorsed Sen. Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.) to succeed him after he retires at the end of 2016.  “I think Schumer should be able to succeed me,” Reid said in a Friday morning interview at his home in Washington’s West End.  Reid predicted that Schumer, the No. 3 Senate Democrat in leadership and a close friend, would win the Democratic leader post without opposition …”

I speculated on this happening several years ago.

Funding the SAFE Act

On: By: admin

This memorandum was sent to all members of the state legislature:

Dear Legislator,

Founded in 1871 NYSRPA is the oldest organization of its kind in the country. Our membership doubled in 2014 following enactment of the “SAFE ACT” thus making us the largest NRA affiliate in America. These truths demonstrate an enormous and unprecedented discontent as expressed concerning the “SAFE Act” in New York.

Whereas it is a fact that without a memorandum of understanding, a “moratorium” on “SAFE ACT” funding and enforcement, any attempt by the legislature to “de fund” the “SAFE ACT” is an exorcize in futility. This is due to the fact the Governor has at his disposal funds that can be re-allocated to effectively thwart the will of the legislators. 

Whereas it is a fact the majority of counties in NY have issued resolutions rejecting the “SAFE ACT” in totality and a majority of voters in upstate NY voted in both the Democratic primary and the general elections rejecting Governor Cuomo due to his enacting of the Safe Act.

Whereas the New York State Rifle and Pistol Association has a federal court case pending that deems the Safe Act unconstitutional and the end result of NYSRPA’s federal case may well be the dismantling of the “SAFE ACT”.

Whereas the pending NYSRPA lawsuit is valid on its face, therefor we assert any spending to enforce the “SAFE ACT” only serves to increase tort liability of the State of New York. This liability being the direct result of unconstitutional acts preformed enforcing this ill-conceived law.

Therefor we submit it is in the best interests of the people of NY for there to be a moratorium on “SAFE ACT” spending and enforcement to include a rollback of ALL state funds and a “message of understanding” for the purpose of restraining enforcement of all provisions contained in the “SAFE ACT”. These provisions include ammo registration, re-certification of pistol permits, enforcement of the ban on interstate sales of ammo and enforcement on modification of the description of assault weapons. 

The bottom line is, no provision of the “SAFE ACT” should be enforced or funded while NYSRPA’s federal case remains un-settled.

Respectfully,

Tom King

What Tom left out is the fact that, as with CoBIS, SAFE funding isn’t a line-item in the state budget.  Some legislators have been trying to con clueless upstate gun groups into thinking defunding or even repealing SAFE is viable.

Just do it

On: By: admin

One of the last Rockefeller Republicans, Rep. Pete King threatens to jump off a bridge if Ted Cruz gets the GOP presidential nomination.

Talk is cheap Pete.  Put up or shut up.

 

What the bill really does

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Assemblywoman Carrie Woerner asks high school students their opinion on a gun control bill:

“… The bill, called “Nicholas’ Law,” would require people to lock up and store their guns and ammunition separately.  If a child gets their hands on an unsecured gun and injures or kills someone, the adult would be criminally liable …”

Time to set the record straight as to what the bill actually does:

“… The bill prohibits the keeping of firearms readily available for personal protection inside the home. It has been around for decades and debated repeatedly by members of the State Assembly so there is no confusion as to what the legislative intent is.  In 2006 prime sponsor Assemblyman Harvey Weisenberg was specifically asked by Assemblyman David Townsend during the floor discussion whether the bill would impact his ability to keep a loaded .38 revolver next to his bed for personal protection. Assemblyman Townsend asked if he could be prosecuted if an unauthorized person obtained access to his gun and Assemblyman Weisenberg unequivocally stated, “to me that would be negligence.” …”

Cruz to announce presidential run

On: By: admin

Ted Cruz plans to announce tomorrow that he will seek the GOP nomination for President in 2016.

I like the guy, but he doesn’t have much political experience.  He needs to show early on that he has the ability to raise money and organize a campaign.

Still going

On: By: admin

The R&P is still getting mileage from the press release I quickly threw together last week.  It even upset Media Matters, which they keep retweeting, but refuse to acknowledge the response I sent to their first tweet.