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Thom's blog
Could better gun control have prevented the Arizona massacre?
Could better gun control have prevented the Arizona massacre? The President of the Brady Center to prevent gun violence perhaps put it best in an interview yesterday saying, “[Loughner] probably couldn’t have gotten a job at a fast food joint if they checked out any references, but we allow him to buy as many guns as he wants." Loughner legally bought the gun he used to shoot Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords and 19 other people at a Sportsman’s Warehouse in November of last year. It was a semi-automatic pistol with a high capacity magazine – a weapon that was illegal in the United States from 1994 until 2004 when George W. Bush did away with the Federal Assault Weapons Ban. And Arizona has among the laxest gun controls in the country.
Last year – the State Legislature – yes, the same legislature that passed the “papers, please” immigration law – also passed a law allowing gun owners to carry concealed weapons in public without a permit. And in 2009 – allowed people to even carry guns in a bar. Alcohol and guns – a great mix. According to the NRA – Americans own more than 250 million guns – far more than any other country in the world. And in terms of gun violence – the numbers are staggering. As the Brady Campaign points out – in one year - 39 people were killed by gun violence in the UK, 200 in Canada, and more than 9,000 in the United States. Besides changing our political rhetoric in the country – I think it’s pretty clear we need to change our gun laws too.
-Thom
(What's your view? Tell us here.) |
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Tonight on The Big Picture on RT TV at 9pm and 11pm... Time for tougher gun control? (check your local listings for stations or stream at RT, and catch past shows on Youtube)
Debate: Tragedy in Tucson: Time for tougher gun control?-- Josh Horwitz, Executive Director of the Coalition to Stop Gun Violence -- Dr. John Lilly, Board President-The Y.O.U.N.G. Conservatives of America (TYCOA).
Who's fault is it? Stop blaming the Tea Party for the Arizona tragedy. With George Landrith, President, Frontiers of Freedom.
Calls for `civility' generally prove short-lived With Seton Motley, President of Less Government.
Could better mental health care have prevented the Tucson tragedy? With Igor Volsky, Reporter/Blogger-Think Progress.org
Connecticut Claims Public Option Could Save State Up To $355 Million In 2014 With Jamie Weinstein -- Deputy Editor, DailyCaller.com.
Crazy Alert
The Best of the Rest of the News...
Three Years in Prison for Former House Majority Leader Tom DeLay Is Too Little With Andy Wilson, Public Citizen.
The Good, The Bad, The Ugly
Daily Take: Right Wing Victimhood
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Read Thom's Book for Free!
Now you can read all of Thom Hartmann's " Rebooting the American Dream: 11 Ways to Rebuild Our Country" for free online. Truthout is publishing weekly installments over 12 weeks. Read Chapter Nine: Put Lou Dobbs Out to Pasture today. |
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The Daily Stack 
Quote: "You can delegate authority, but not responsibility" -- Stephen W. Comiskey.
Hour One: Giffords shooting and the best of the rest of the news
Hour Two: In light of the Arizona tragedy, is it time for tougher gun control laws? John Valleco, Director of Federal Affairs, Gun Owners of America, is in the studio with Thom.
Hour Three: Current political climate and the theory of authoritarian personality With John Dean, former White House Counsel (Nixon Administration); columnist for find law.com; author of numerous books including Conservatives Without Conscience and his latest Broken Government: How Republican Rule Destroyed the Legislative, Executive, and Judicial Branches.
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Coming up Wednesday on The Thom Hartmann Program
Hour One:
Hour Two: Will the Tea Party accept responsibility for the consequences of their vitriolic rhetoric or is it business as usual? Thom confronts Dan Gainor of the Business and Media Institute.
Hour Three: "Aflockalypse Now" - Why We Should Really Be Concerned About the Huge Bird and Fish Die-off Thom talks with Tara Lohan, Sr. Editor with Alternet and editor of the new book "Water Matters".
And, the best of the rest of the news and your calls right here on...
The Thom Hartmann Program... your media support group for we the people.
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Thom's Poll
Does Sarah Palin bear any responsibility for the Tucson shooting?
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Watch & Listen to Thom
Does Fox News Destroy Brian Cells?
Facebook's Donation Pledge Outrages Ayn Rand Center
Thom Hartmann vs. the Tea Party on Obama Compromise
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 Would you like to help give a child with a very troubled background this feeling of peace? Thom and Louise Hartmann founded the New England Salem Children's Village (NESCV) in New Hampshire in 1979. With states delaying payment for the children they entrust to the village, they need help with cash flow. Can you help? |
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Show Info
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