Obama Exercises Executive Actions

[Algearond]

I don't have a problem with any of these except for #16. This combined with the ACA stinks of a way to start restricting people. Now, if their is none of that involved I'm fine with all 23, especially the one about resources for SRO's.

[GreatSageCorban]

Should have probably stated "some conservatives." Not everybody is going to blindly jump on a headline, and my remark made it sound like I was implying that they would.

People get passionate. Combine that with anonymity and you can get some pretty crazy replies. Personally, I think if Obama would just cut spending he wouldn't of been that bad.

(The spending is the killer for me, and in my opinion makes him incompetent as a leader. I don't care where they cut it. Defense and Entitlements Whatever. Balance the friggin budget.)

[Requiem4aDr3am]

I never really understood this. Why would you need a personal arsenal? If you need a variety of guns for hunting or sport, you'd have them already.

So......what exactly it this kinda of ridiculous statement trying to say?

That those gun models I've been looking to buy for a while but on the fence about should be purchased while I can. I would like to enjoy them before having to turn them in when Obama bans more models. I already had to downside my clips and limit my ammo thanks to my strict state gun laws.

[ptwonline]

It's not hard for them to request mental health records only. It doesn't take up any time on the end doing the background check at all it only takes time from the receptionists at your doctors office.

As for the research into gun violence is it really going to tell us something we don't already know? There have been many different studies conducted on brain disease/trauma for many years...I'm sure they have found plenty to demonstrate what makes people snap. Why waste more money when there has already been research done on the brains of serial killers, people with brain disease, and people with brain trauma?

As for gun control itself Australia did a very interesting nationwide program over a year ago. They put a ban on guns and spent 500 million dollars collecting all the weapons and destroying them. Guess what happened? All types of violent crime went up some of those stats went as high as 44% higher than the previous year. When you make restrictions on guns you don't affect criminals, you harm the law abiding citizens. Criminals and crazies will always find a way to get a weapon or enact violence. You are just making it easier for them by restricting the law abiding citizens.

First, I am from a family that has professionals in different forms of mental health (my father is a neurologist. One of my brothers is a psychiatrist.) It's actually not as clear-cut as you would think. Things often go undiagnosed until referred to specialists, and even then sometimes they are not recognized right away.

Second, there is quite a bit of research but lawmakers and stakeholders keep ignoring it, saying that it's for somewhere else and not applicable, or complaining about some specific parts of methodology. If you make them commission their own study then it's much harder to get away with that dismissal (though not impossible). The big problem though is that data is frequently inconclusive because it is so hard to control for all factors, so you get conflicting conclusions based on the same data especially when you may have been commissioned specifically to come to a certain conclusion to muddy the waters.

As for Australia, they did their gun buybacks not last year (AFAIK) but over a decade ago from 1996-2003. Since their gun buybacks and strict new enforcements, homicide rates and suicide rates have not changed dramatically from the already decreasing trend that existed before the new laws (there is a lot of false propaganda from the NRA saying that violent crime in Australia went up, but this is manipulated data being used). However, before that Australia already had fairly low rates of homicides and violent crimes, so it may not be possible to draw parallels with the USA.

[Cthulhu 2020]

Conservatives:

ERMAGERD 23 executive orders Obama has declared martial law and is stealing our freedoms!

*Reads the executive orders*

Oh, well he didn't trample on our freedoms... THIS TIME, but next time he will. I guarantee you, he's coming for our guns!

Meanwhile, back in the real world...

God, why are people so quick to jump down Obama's throat? It's like the Republican party is driven by fear, hatred, and paranoia to push political agendas. Oh wait...

[PACOX]

Am I the only one that went to a school with a school resource officer?
He rides around with one of these bad boys;

I had them since 7th grade. My high school had 2.

[Lenonis]

That those gun models I've been looking to buy for a while but on the fence about should be purchased while I can. I would like to enjoy them before having to turn them in when Obama bans more models. I already had to downside my clips and limit my ammo thanks to my strict state gun laws.

Obama can't ban guns. That's congress.

Seriously, take a civics class. PLEASE.

Now the states rights -- you may have a point there, but as conservatives always like to say -- if you don't like it, move to a different state.

[Lysah]

The President can only spend money as directed by congress, and per the constitution spending bills originate in the house, currently controlled by Republican's.

Unfortunately, it doesn't matter what the Republicans do. Either they do nothing and get heavily blamed by our media for doing nothing or they give in and are no longer Republicans. We're living in a time where 40% of the country gets to decide what 100% of the country does.

[Skroe]

That those gun models I've been looking to buy for a while but on the fence about should be purchased while I can. I would like to enjoy them before having to turn them in when Obama bans more models. I already had to downside my clips and limit my ammo thanks to my strict state gun laws.

How about instead of blowing hundreds or thousands of dollars of hard earned money on weapons of war and living a ridiculous fantasy, you invest it. Use money to generate money?

Seems more productive than fiddling with a rifle designed to kill other human beings or shooting it at some wooden planks at a range.

[Lenonis]

How about instead of blowing hundreds or thousands of dollars of hard earned money on weapons of war and living a ridiculous fantasy, you invest it. Use money to generate money?

Seems more productive than fiddling with a rifle designed to kill other human beings or shooting it at some wooden planks at a range.

That's not fair. You can declare any hobby a waste of time and money. Take video games for instance -- that doesn't generate money.

He has every right to use his hard earned money how he wants.

[Jayrod238]

How about instead of blowing hundreds or thousands of dollars of hard earned money on weapons of war and living a ridiculous fantasy, you invest it. Use money to generate money?

Seems more productive than fiddling with a rifle designed to kill other human beings or shooting it at some wooden planks at a range.

How about people like to have fun dont tell what to spend their money on. Instead of clothing designed from gucci or prada you go to walmart and buy clothes from there.

[Requiem4aDr3am]

First, I am from a family that has professionals in different forms of mental health (my father is a neurologist. One of my brothers is a psychiatrist.) It's actually not as clear-cut as you would think. Things often go undiagnosed until referred to specialists, and even then sometimes they are not recognized right away.

Second, there is quite a bit of research but lawmakers and stakeholders keep ignoring it, saying that it's for somewhere else and not applicable, or complaining about some specific parts of methodology. If you make them commission their own study then it's much harder to get away with that dismissal (though not impossible). The big problem though is that data is frequently inconclusive because it is so hard to control for all factors, so you get conflicting conclusions based on the same data especially when you may have been commissioned specifically to come to a certain conclusion to muddy the waters.

As for Australia, they did their gun buybacks not last year (AFAIK) but over a decade ago from 1996-2003. Since their gun buybacks and strict new enforcements, homicide rates and suicide rates have not changed dramatically from the already decreasing trend that existed before the new laws (there is a lot of false propaganda from the NRA saying that violent crime in Australia went up, but this is manipulated data being used). However, before that Australia already had fairly low rates of homicides and violent crimes, so it may not be possible to draw parallels with the USA.

stuff going undisagnosed has nothing to do with this...at the time of the check if it hasnt been found it wont matter the gun will be okayed for purchase. Mental health check specialist check if there is head trauma maybe...but don't go snooping into my full records that is bs.

You admit there is a ton of research out there but its being ignored...You would think that could be changed to wake up and listen to the research instead of hey lets drop 500 million bucks to fund a research study that will probably take 10 years before any results are published...just wasting time and money again

As for australia...
http://www.captainsjournal.com/2012/...ies-and-brits/

violent crime went up...gun violence stayed the same even with restrictions...

[Skroe]

Unfortunately, it doesn't matter what the Republicans do. Either they do nothing and get heavily blamed by our media for doing nothing or they give in and are no longer Republicans. We're living in a time where 40% of the country gets to decide what 100% of the country does.

Actually strictly speaking, the House Republican Majority represents 2.5 million fewer Americans than the Democratic Minority due to redistricting.

The Right is a distinct and declining minority in this country because "Colin Powell" Republicans like myself have abandoned the Republican Party for greener pastures.

[Decimation2g]

Another step towards Socialism. One liberty at a time.

[Twotonsteak]

Conservatives:



Meanwhile, back in the real world...

God, why are people so quick to jump down Obama's throat? It's like the Republican party is driven by fear, hatred, and paranoia to push political agendas. Oh wait...

Meanwhile Obama pimps out children and plays on emotions to push his agenda. Sorry but the concept of mass-manipulation applies to BOTH parties.

I've read all 23. I even posted them in this thread. Virtually every "idea" Obama put forth was already suggested by gun-rights advocates.

[Grizzly Willy]

Another step towards Socialism. One liberty at a time.

Please, show me the liberties that these orders are trampling on.

[Requiem4aDr3am]

Obama can't ban guns. That's congress.

Seriously, take a civics class. PLEASE.

Now the states rights -- you may have a point there, but as conservatives always like to say -- if you don't like it, move to a different state.

Seems he is already on the path to more restrictions and control...bans come next. While he may not personally ban guns etc he certainly is directing the issue in that direction and is pushing gun control/restrictions at congress now.

Pro tip: Don't be condescending towards others. That's two comments now that you have made that were highly unnecessary.

[Endus]

Another step towards Socialism. One liberty at a time.

If you think "socialism", by any definition, involves the reduction of liberties, then you don't understand what the word means.

If you're thinking "Stalin" or "Hitler", for instance, no. That's pretty much the opposite of correct.

But go on, keep using it like a bad word, out of fear of becoming a socialist dystopia like modern Canada or Sweden.

[Imnick]

Virtually every "idea" Obama put forth was already suggested by gun-rights advocates.

So wait, you're all in agreement then?
Excellent! I guess all this debate was completely unnecessary.

[Cthulhu 2020]

To accuse Obama and the left of capitalizing on tragedy and irrational fear is about the epitome of irony and hypocrisy.