NRA takes shot and misses

On: By: admin

Daily Caller is running an op-ed by Chris Cox, “Bloomberg leaves office today, protected by firearms“:

“When New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg leaves office today he will enter civilian life protected by firearms.  The same man who has spent much of his career and personal fortune trying to render good, law-abiding men and women defenseless, will now surround himself with a team of armed bodyguards … Bloomberg’s hypocrisy validates what five million NRA members and tens of millions of gun owners already know: The freedom to own and carry firearms is essential to our fundamental right of self-defense …”

On technical merit, this is absolutely correct.  Bloomberg is being hypocritical.  What nobody at NRA seems to understand is:

  1. Bloomberg does not care.
  2. Area politicians don’t care.
  3. Area media don’t care.

Silly attempted PR stunts like this accomplish nothing.  If NRA wants to be taken seriously in NYC, they have to become part of the political process just like every other (mostly leftist) interest groups does: give money to politicians, rate candidates and talk to the press about the issues.

Court ruling

On: By: admin

Much  of the SAFE Act was upheld yesterday in a decision by a Buffalo federal court judge.

As I haven’t read an English interpretation of the decision yet,  the only comment on it is this:

“Right from Day 1, I’ve been telling people that this is the first step. This is going to the Supreme Court.” – New York State Rifle and Pistol Association President Thomas King on a federal judge’s ruling that nearly all parts of New York’s strict gun laws are constitutionally sound, via The New York Times.

Rats leaving sinking ship

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First Long Island RINO who voted for SAFE is jumping ship:

“Sen. Charles Fuschillo Jr., a key member of the Long Island Senate delegation since 1998 and influential Republican lawmaker, will soon resign to take a private-sector job, sources confirmed Tuesday.  The departure of Fuschillo, 53, (R-Merrick) immediately makes his Nassau County district one of the most crucial swing districts for control of the state Senate elections in 2014.  Fuschillo is expected to step down soon, sources said, leaving the possibility of a special election to fill his slot …”

Quoted in Troy Record

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I was interviewed by a NYSNYS News reporter yesterday and it made it into today’s Troy Record:

“…  “People know that registration leads to confiscation,” Jacob Rieper, a spokesman for the NYS Rifle and Pistol Association, referring to the portion of the law that requires anyone possessing a military style assault rifle on January 15 register it by April 15.  Failure to do so is a misdemeanor.  But Rieper and other gun-rights advocates predict that many owners will run the risk, which may not be much of a gamble if their belief holds true that local police, sheriffs and the State Police will not go out of their way to aggressively enforce the law … Gun rights advocates are in federal court in Buffalo to overturn the law.  Rieper said that the judge has indicated he will rule based on court filings rather than oral arguments, and was cognizant of the looming registration deadline …”

Steve not running

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Steve McLaughlin isn’t going to be running for Governor next year:

“… Upstate Assemblyman Steve McLaughlin, who for months considered seeking the GOP nomination for governor, has concluded, “It’s unlikely that I’m going to run.”  McLaughlin, one of Cuomo’s sharpest critics and a leader of the upstate opposition to his anti-gun SAFE Act, cited fund-raising difficulties as the main reason for his decision …”

A shame, but this was never really in the cards.  He’s going to have to settle with having the best Twitter feed in the state legislature.

NYSRPA lawsuit update

On: By: admin

Here is the latest on the NYSRPA lawsuit against the SAFE Act. Do not read anything pro or con into the Judge’s order as it is common practice to make decisions based upon the briefs rather than verbal arguments. To date we have spent $426,000 on this lawsuit. The machine gun shoot raffle benefiting the legal defense fund runs through December 31st so there is still time to get in on it.  Otherwise, donations can be made through the general link.

TEXT ORDER

On November 22, 2013, Plaintiffs requested a hearing on the pending motions.

But given the breadth and thoroughness of the briefing by the parties and amici already submitted to this Court, it is prepared to resolve the pending motions without a hearing. Further, this Court is fully cognizant of the impending deadlines instituted by the SAFE Act and the possible effects those deadlines may have on the public and government administration. Therefore, considering both that the issues have been comprehensively briefed and that various deadlines imposed by the Act will soon take effect, this Court will issue a decision on the merits in advance of the deadline dates.

SO ORDERED.

Issued by William M. Skretny, Chief Judge on 12/23/2013.

Trump follies

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Donald Trump is not going to run for Governor.  The only reason his name has been floated by some GOP operatives is because he is wealthy enough to self-finance a campaign.

Being an attention whore, Trump himself will flirt with the idea in the media, but in the end won’t do it.  All this shows is how intellectually and financially bankrupt the state Republicans have become.

Don’t even think about it

On: By: admin

Why?

“Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee (R) said Sunday there is a 50-50 chance he will run for president in 2016 …”

People want this as much as they did Rick Lazio to run for Governor back in ’08.

Astorino looking at 2014

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On Rob Astorino exploring a gubernatorial run next year:

“… Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino, who is exploring a run for governor next year, has no interest in being Cuomo’s sacrificial lamb, state Conservative Party Michael Long said.  “He told me several weeks ago if he doesn’t raise the money or can’t put an organization together, he won’t jump in the pool,” Long said. “He told me he wasn’t into a suicide mission.” …”

The question I have is does Ed Cox plan to run any serious campaigns next year for Governor, Attorney General, state legislature, etc.  Right now I would say the answer is no, he doesn’t.

The Bloomberg Party

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Adam Brodsky has an idea, “How Bloomberg can save NYC now“:

“Everyone’s got a suggestion for Michael Bloomberg’s future, now that he’s stepping down.  Well, here’s one he’s not likely to consider — but should: create a genuine two-party system in New York by building a credible Republican Party …”

A bold idea that has its pluses and minuses.

On the plus side is his money, which is the lifeblood of politics especially under our Tammany system of government.  If Bloomberg were genuinely interested in having open political discussion of ideas he could certainly use his fortune to help bankroll opposition candidates to the leftist machine.

On the minus side is with his money comes a price: allegiance to Bloomberg.   He’s spend a lot of his own money pushing various pet issues like gun control and I cannot see him doing this without putting conditions on candidates.  It would be less of the Grand Old Party and more of the Bloomberg Party.

At this point it is all academic as I have seen no indication he is interested in going this route.