A Half-Cocked Bill
Jul 30th, 2005 at 2:28 pm by Susie
Editorial from the radical Christian Science Monitor:
One might think that senators heading home for a month-long summer holiday would first want to pass the defense bill, a gesture that would show support for America’s troops risking their lives around the world. Instead, Senate majority leader Bill Frist (R) has decided they should spend these last hours sending a box of candy and a bouquet to the gun lobby.
Earlier this week Senator Frist abruptly cut off debate on the defense bill - effectively pushing it back to the fall - to turn attention to a measure that’s a darling of the National Rifle Association. It would shield firearms manufacturers and dealers from individuals or local governments trying to hold them responsible in court for damages caused by the unlawful use of guns. Lawsuits already under way would have to be dismissed. And no local laws could be passed in the future to supercede this special protection.
That the Senate would turn away from important national security legislation to deal with a special plea from a powerful lobbying group is unsavory enough. But, just as important, the bill itself is both unnecessary and harmful.
Proponents, including the White House, have implied that gun manufacturers could be driven out of business by a deluge of frivolous lawsuits and thus need special protection. But there’s no evidence to show that US arms manufacturers are facing any financial difficulties or any grievous onslaught of suits.
Now just you wait a minute here missie. I saw a documentary on how easily juries can be messed with, and how close our poor gun makers truly are to financial ruin even though there doin God’s work in preserving our right to one half the second amendment.
Runaway Jury I think it was called. Learned a lot about how the evil trile lawyurz are ruinin merica too.
So don’t you go smartin’ off about your betters. God holds people like Mr. Santorum and Brownback and Coburn and all those others and whispers in there ears. Must tickle some, but they seem to put up with it okay.