The NRA seeks to create 'Wedge Issues' to define it's purpose.

Could there be another mission for the NRA? Sure, but, they wouldn't have the wealth they have now. The NRA's 'take' after each one of these tragedies where they pander to members has to be considerable.

A different NRA? Let's create an new NRA and call it The Association of Rifles Nationally. The ARN.

The mission of the ARN is to provide education to gun owners, competition for sports enthusiasts that like accuracy challenges, to support responsible gun ownership whereby government policy is minimized to what is necessary to insure safety in society, to promote hunting with discounts to members for these activities through affiliations with other product manufacturers and services.

The ARN would never receive the kind of monies the NRA does now. The ARN would be a moral organization that would seek to support families when tragedies happen, work to suppress extremism, minimize gun violence in the media to what is necessary and not shocking or promotes obsession with power. The ARN would never seek promotion of memberships when these gun tragedies strike, but, instead apologize for the failure of their primary mission to prevent extremism. 

The mission of the ARN would be embedded in values very different than what is promoted today. No high caliper ammunition, no military content in gun ownership, safe storage of weapons in the home while still being available for break ins or criminal activities. Safe storage away from the home of weapons and ammunition for owners of many guns and their ammunition to fire them.

Basically, wimpy and practical attitudes rather than tough guy attitudes promoted by fear and faux bravery to any government on Earth. Mostly sports minded activities and FUN.

So, there you have it. The fear agenda of the National Rifle Association, the NRA, has a purpose and it is wealth beyond what is reasonable for any sincere organization interested in the well being of their members. The mission and political activities of the NRA are also illegal. The NRA website states www.nra.org. DOT ORG? Really? I though political action committees were 501(c)4 not 501(c)3. 

You know, Mr. Rove has the same problem with his non-profit status.

The NRA is raising money at the expense of children's death.

These are not new members, they are 'upgraded' members. If the reports are correct and there has been activity to enroll 250,000 members or in this case re-enroll them, that is whole lot of money.

If one third of these members are paying $300 to upgrade their membership to life memberships, that is a tally of $25,000,000. Add to that the remainder of the 250,000 enrolling for only one year, equates to $5,833,333. So, the grand total is nearly $31 million and probably much, much more.

The people taking advantage of this promotion in the face of the deaths in the USA are doing so to prevent paying regular annual memberships, STATUS as a Lifer and for the discounts afforded them by participating merchants from all venues of products and services.

How can anyone provide any brevity to the stand of the NRA if all this is about is money and nothing more. The NRA uses these horrific tragedies as a method to raise money through scare tactics as if the government is actually seeking to take away their guns. Their members anticipate this pandering and jump on it when it is offered knowing full well after every such event this is a methodology for money. Like, what? Wow.

This is outrageous. This is outrageously immoral. This is an outrageous campaign, both the money campaign and the campaign for military style weapons in our society. This is outrageous in complete disrespect for human life and this time is it children and their educators.

The NRA is immoral, opportunistic, exploitative and a threat to a civilized society.

Jan. 10, 2013 @ 10:36a

A lifetime membership (click here) with the NRA is normally $1000, but the NRA has relaunched their $300 Life Membership offer at NRA - We the People.

Unlike in some previous years, where this had to be done over the phone, this is completely online.

The form at this site requires the NRA Member ID, email address, and ZIP code of an existing Life Member, as well as a Security Code (which is shown on the page to prevent bots from submitting the form).

Updated:

You (or a Life Member) must enter an existing Life Member's information (Member ID, email address, and ZIP code) and the Captcha-type Security Code - then click "Continue". Don't click "Not a member? Join here."

The second page will ask if you want to upgrade the membership of the Life Member whose ID was entered to Endowment. Unless you wish to do this, just click "Continue".

The third page will say Give a Gift Membership. On this page, select the Life Membership in the first drop down list, and enter the name and other info of the new/to-be-upgraded member - not the Life Member that provided the ID.

Select Review & Complete Your Transaction. You should be able to enter all relevant credit card info there.

Starting to get that 'Here come the planes' feeling? There is a 12 step program for you, too.

Lawyers (click here) for 9/11 Truth member Ferdinando Imposimato takes the duty seriously, and is requesting that the International Criminal Court commence a trial concerning 9/11.

The GOP needs to get ready to carry the cross in 2014.

FRIDAY, JAN 18, 2013 02:55 PM EST

BY ALEX SEITZ-WALD

We’ve been writing (click here) a lot about the conspiracy theories surrounding the Sandy Hook school shooting — some say too much. “Why you’re giving these Sandy Hook truther media whores the time of day. Ignore them and they go away [sic],” one reader emailed.

Unfortunately, that’s probably not the case. The genie is already out of the bottle and this myth will likely only heat up as the debate over gun control does. “It’s by far the hottest topic of the moment,” David Mikkelson, the co-founder of the myth-debunking website Snopes.com told BuzzFeed. As the site’s Ben Smith and CJ Lotz wrote today, “Some of the factors that can bring theories in from the fringe appear to be driving its unexpected surge this month: A connection to America’s intensely polarized political culture in general, and a message that appeals to a longstanding fear among gun owners, in particular.”...

                                       Ah, the ratings war. 

Leadership is not about indulging the extremists, it is about protecting the majority.

The reason leaders in the GOP are ineffective is because they allow lies to exist to benefit them politically. It has been a long practice of the GOP to indulge the public rather than educate them. That venue of power has served them well. We can afford lies in our country anymore.

President Obama is a strong and determined leader. He is brilliant. When he seeks to address the political differences between the Democrats and Republicans that actually serve the nation; he meets up with the political enforcement of lies with the Republicans. The gerrymandering has to be overcome. The people within this dynamic are caught up in a void of effective policy. The gerrymandering has gotten to be more than an odd corrupt political strategy; it is adversely effecting people's lives and quality of life. I always thought the USA was founded in trust, truth and justice. It is time those values are actually returned to everyone.

Anyone besides me get the impression capitalism is a bunch of horseshit?

I think we need a twelve step program for capitalists.

War instead of peace.

One of the reasons it is so easy for the USA to have Wall Street wars is because of the impoverishment of Africa as a chronic state of being. It is difficult for any African nation to mount a serious defense of itself, even from terrorists within.

Poverty is a convenient strategy for The West when it comes to Africa.

So, what the Algerians have been able to do to end the infiltration of terrorist attempts in their country is very impressive. I sincerely didn't expect it. They did very well for themselves.

What did those actions sincerely mean?

It means The West has no right to invade their country as the USA invaded Iraq and the Algerian people will not face the nightmare of war and death. That is what that means.

As noted in Mali, there was one incident, virtually unnoticed by the world which caused a huge instability in Mali. That one incident was viewed by the people as the beginnings of a tyrannical regime taking over their lives. The Mali people believed they would be facing another Darfur. Hence, the terrorist network gained validity and grew.

Now, because al Qaeda has a valid and growing presence in Mali they have become a threat to The West. They are not a threat by name only, they are a real threat. France did not send jets into Mali because it was 'al Qaeda' with a larger membership, it is because al Qaeda IN ITS ROLE IN MALI, is blaming The West for the people's problems. The march north by al Qaeda in Mali is no accident. Al Qaeda in Mali is a rudimentary force that puts their lives on the line for their purpose. They believe they have a noble purpose. What they actually have is gross negligence of The West for a need for their own national security.

Why gross negligence? Why not? It is cheap. The West knows the economic uptick it receives from war. So, what difference does it make that seventeen holy men were killed out of some kind of 'telephone chain' authority without clear national security directives. So what if the holy men were left to solicit a well traveled truck driver for a lift through the rigors of check points? So what? That is not The West's problem. After all we have jets and bombs; who in Africa has room to do anything about it?

Ah, Russia. China. But, alas they aren't sincerely there in a way that matters because The West out guns them too.

Do yourself a favor and ask why the peace movement is viewed as a weak defense of the USA?

Have a better day. It would be nice if Africa did.

Northern Africa is a security issue for Europe.

Alliances with countries such as Algeria should exist long before a need results. The Algerian government and people will carry out the security of their own nation.

If the British are going to pump oil out of the ground in Algeria, they should have offered an alliance with military assistance long before the oil companies established their their first well.

This backward approach to protecting Europe causes wars with people that don't deserve them. There is much in the way of foreign relations that have lacked with African nations for a very long time. 

The terrorists succeeded. They were able to secure weapons and take hostages. Europe needs to work with North Africa to push that reality a long way back on the timeline. An EU military base in Algeria could have collected intelligence and interceded with the Algerian government to prevent the spread of such power among the people. This is anarchy. Terrorist networks are a manifestation of anarchy. Preventing anarchy is a basic understanding of sovereignty. 

Algeria ended the danger to its nation very successfully. They were correct. The EU and USA have no place on Algerian soil unless they are invited. 

Now.

Is Europe invading Algeria? They have no basis for it.

When it comes to Africa, The West has been doing national security 'on the cheap.' I don't recommend it.

As allies, Algerians should have their own military and own intelligence. Until they are up to speed, the EU could provide value support to achieve it, but, not when there is a venue of war already begun. That would be nothing more than escalation.

I happen to think the Algerian government took the absolutely best action regarding terrorists.

Chaos has to be dealt with so it doesn't grow. I don't know of any better way to handle chaos when it results in the increase of terrorist infiltration then to end it. What did anyone believe Algeria was going to do wave a magic wand? They have to preserve their own sovereignty and their own military forces. No hand holding. End of discussion.

Where does any First World nation 'get off' criticizing Algerian forces when there are French jets dropping bombs and killing people? Where does that come from? There is a war being conducted. Someone is delusional as hell and it isn't the Algerians.

Gee whiz, it must not be directly out of the Pentagon's play book. Too bad it ain't their country.

One of the aspects of The West global terrorist networks count on is whining that goes on when people are taken hostage. They use it to reign terror and propagate their power. The only way to stop terrorism is to end it. Just that simple.

By Jeffrey Fleishman

January 18, 2013, 2:57 a.m.

CAIRO -- International officials Friday (click here) questioned the Algerian military's storming of a natural gas plant in the Sahara Desert that led to a firefight with Islamic militants and the deaths of an undisclosed number of hostages, including Westerners and Asians.

There was no clear indication of exactly how many hostages were killed or wounded in Thursday's assault. Conflicting reports continued to emerge. The Algerian government said the army raid had ended while the British Foreign Office said the "terrorist incident remains ongoing."

The chaos along the Algerian-Libyan border left the U.S.,Britain, France and other countries worried about their citizens while questioning what appeared to be Algeria's rushed strike against the kidnappers without consulting foreign capitals. One unconfirmed media report suggested that 35 foreign hostages were killed by gunfire from Algerian helicopters during the raid....

The IOC has a responsibility to investigate the sport.

The International Olympic Committee (click here) claims it is "premature" to even consider cycling's future in the Games following the Lance Armstrong scandal.

The IOC member Dick Pound, a former head of the World Anti-Doping Agency, claimed cycling might have to be dropped from the Olympics if Armstrong implicated the International Cycling Union (UCI) in a cover-up of his systematic doping....

Lance Armstrong is the era of the corporate take over. There was a time when Olympic athletes did not receive monies from anywhere to participate in the sports. It was considered the execution of the sport at the purest level. For decades there has been a move by corporations to seek to create icons for their products and services. That is not an amateur athlete.

Everything in the world is big business as if that is the only reason people are motivated to live a life. It is the worst set of values ever held. Commercial focus brings corruption. Lance Armstrong and his rivals are suppose to be amateur athletes. The best in the world. The question is given the extremes they were achieving in competition when were by going to start using replacement parts for joints operated by distant computer?

The USA has seen sport after sport dominated by corruption. There is far less moral content in sports today than ever before. When a star athlete is motivated by imagination of a woman struggling for her life there is something sincerely wrong with the value system 'of the expectations' of the people appreciating the sport. The fans have a problem, too.

Corruption happens and values change because everyone is 'on the take' at some point in the food chain. The IOC has to examine the impact of corruption on the sport of cycling and reset the expectations of competitors at the amateur level. Armstrong effected the records of the sport for nearly a decade. There is a lot to reset to allow those that follow to actually achieve a real statement about the capacity of the sport.

Mr. Te'o stated after having experienced the death of his grandmother and imaginary friend in  the same day, "...there is a reason why I am at Notre Dame..." The implication is god has his hand on  the life of Mr. Te'o and will have his hand on him no matter where he is playing football. Does it sound familiar? I don't begrudge Mr. Te'o his faith or his career, but, his 'iconic image' is drenched with Christian focus which has become a political football in the USA. The entire 'money ball' is a mess, disaster and highly manipulative  as a power play throughout the spectrum of USA society. Even religion has become corrupt with wealth. Where does it stop?

The government investigation needs to look past the imaginary friend 'thing' and examine the potential it was a goal by a competitor. In other words, if Mr. Te'o were in a draft who would replace him in potential and/or money if he was defamed and removed as a guarantee commercial bet.

Algeria had every right to act to stop terrorists within their borders.

I have no idea whom the Americans or Europeans were, but, I can guess.

Halliburton (click here) currently has the following openings in Algiers. Algiers jobs vary from time to time based on our current openings. Please check back often for new Algiers job openings to find a career that is right for you. Thank you for considering a career in Algiers at Halliburton.

People working in dangers areas of the world accept the fact they are in dangerous areas of the world. My sympathies to the familes of those that perished at the hand of those seeking power over civilization.

There is a very good chance the identities of the individuals taken hostage that would never have survived anyway will never be known.

HALLIBURTON (click here)

Halliburton Camp: Route Rhoude El Baguel Km 15, BP 421 Hassi Messaoud Algeria Tel: 213 29 73 92 05 Fax: 213 29 73 92 49 E-Mail: Web: www.halliburton.com  Liaison Office Algiers: H�tel Sheraton B.P. 62, Staoueli Algiers,Algeria Tel: 213 2137 72 40 & Fax: 21321 37 72 48

Michelle Malkin IS child abuse.

Senator Rand Paul intends to nullify the actions of the Executive Branch?

Who has the "King Complex" now?

He is a prime example of what is wrong with the Tea Party. They over reach, they don't know how to govern and they don't care about the people as they pretend to care about the USA Constitution. 

The Tea Party treats the USA Constitution as it was originally written as if the current society is suppose to live in the times of the 13 colonies.

Perhaps, he has not noticed, there are now fifty states and the USA has possessions besides. I am fairly certain things have changed since 1776.

Senator Paul needs to legislate and he needs the other Senators to vote in consent of his bill.

Mr. Te'o was ashamed of his gullibility and his family was scared for his career.

I wish him the very best in his career. Congratulations. Notre Dame never betrayed their dedication, values and standards. They need to go back to being who they are and put this experience in the past. Everyone was victimized and the law needs to prosecute. The game ball went to Mr. Te'o in the spirit of sportsmanship and dedication. He is all that. I have no problem with it. I am glad he played and this episode didn't effect his ability.

..."They enjoyed the joke," (click here) Swarbrick said, comparing the ruse to the popular film "Catfish," in which filmmakers revealed a person at the other end of an online relationship was not who they said they were....

SPEEA proposes contract extension (click title for union website - thank you)

I am very pleased to see the union is in the trenches with the CEO's problems. 

What has to occur here is for the Board to bring a meeting to the assembly floor in Seattle to find out the the heck is going on. 

The business model is a disaster for any quality assurance. There is no reason to believe Boeing can continue this business model. Aircraft have to be 'on spec' and 'safe.' Get over it.

One thing the American people don't realize and why the NLRB is necessary in these circumstances is unions are required in institutions that receive a significant part of their income from government (any level of government). By significant I mean a third or more of their income.

There is a reason for that which should seem obvious to me, but, I'll explain.

Contracts to private companies are vital to the USA economy. They should never be toys for politicians. The only way to assure contracts are NOT played with in producing quality work for government contracts is to have a union involved to check and double check any change to a citizen's employ.

Unions have two focus. The primary focus is the employee and that employee's rights. The other is to be sure the employees are doing their job and provide a quality product to the manufacturer. Other than that 'the contract' is where everything comes together. With SPEEA having a difficulty settling their contract, I am suspicious the members are screaming about a quality product. These are aircraft. There are USA contracts. The employees know who they are. They are going to take quality control very seriously. 

There obviously is quality control problems. The employees will speak their minds. I guarantee it. I am fairly sure the inability to settle the contract is about working conditions, more so than financial considerations. Working conditions include, especially for professional unions, the quality of the product they are involved with. 

I would bet real money on the fact the employees could tell the board they knew this was going to be a problem and they could tell them exactly why.

If Boeing had PROPERLY built their Dreamliner in the USA nothing would be an issue now.

The Boeing Dreamliner is assembled in the USA, but, it is outsourced in the manufacturing of its COMPONENTS.

Boeing needs a new CEO, preferably one that USED TO DO IT RIGHT. If nothing else the Board at Boeing needs to bring in their retired CEOs as consultants. At the very least.

The USA needs to examine its contracts with Boeing to find out how many of the orders with Boeing are actually oversees contracts. 

The COMPONENTS don't fit together. I'll speculate there is more than lithium batteries that are a problem. It is my guess the assembly of components are actually causing structural issues and is SHOWING UP in electrical problems.

At one time, Boeing actually 'did it right.' They have highly qualified personnel in their northwest USA plant that can build these planes from the ground up. What does that mean? It means the entire plane is built in one facility and trouble shooting is done as the assembly is completed. Everything fits, engineers on site and quality assurance throughout.

The lousy CEO is seeking to cut costs by piecing an advanced aircraft together. So, ahhhh, tell us, how is the bonus coming along this year?

I betcha Airbus is lovin' this stuff.


Meet James McNerney (click here). The CEO with the better mouse trap or so he thinks. 

Subcontracted assemblies include:

Wing manufacture - Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Japan, Central wing box 

Horizontal stabilizers - Alenia Aeronautica, Italy and Korea Aerospace Industries, South Korea

Fuselage sections - Global Aeronautica, Italy and Boeing, North Charleston, USA and Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Japan and Spirit AeroSystems, Wichita, USA anb Korean Air, South Korea

Passenger doors - Latécoère, France

Cargo doors, access doors, and crew escape door - Saab AB, Sweden

Software development - HCL Enterprise India

Floor beams - TAL Manufacturing Solutions Limited, India

Wiring - Labinal, France

Wing-tips, flap support fairings, wheel well bulkhead, and longerons - Korean Air, South Korea

Landing gear - Messier-Dowty, UK/France

Power distribution and management systems, air conditioning packs - Hamilton Sundstrand,Connecticut, USA

Boeing is considering bringing construction of the 787-9 tail in house; the tail of the 787-8 is currently made by Alenia

Speaking of vulture capitalists. When is Congress going to act to stop the oppression of the US Postal Service creating an unfair advantage for Wall Street firms?

Coca-Cola Day on HSN (click title to entry for a cultural understanding)

"Coca-Cola" is one of THOSE companies. It is entrenched in the American culture. It is like the big three car companies, it is like Crayola Crayons, it has always been there and it isn't going anywhere. At least so long as Vulture Capitalists don't have it under their radar like "Hostess."

In realizing it is one of THOSE companies the leadership at Coca-Cola has made a huge leap to participate in the wellness directive in the USA. Now, the message is good to the extent it is valid and brings about a new cultural focus, but, there are issues. I have issues with some of the message. These are children and the message children receive in 'their greater world' is important.

I'm going to depart from the subject at hand for a reference point. If I may?

My youngest son has educational issues and while that might seem like a specialized issue and one food manufacturers should not have to deal with that is not the case. Today, at the age of 31, he is an independent businessman dealing with the public. We had the best learning plans for him. He is fine and he is entitle to be fine. My son's education was based in 'being like everyone else.' His dietary needs were examined as well for allergies and the like. Chemicals in the environment was even looked at. 

So. 

There are also issues with elements within the adult and child society that  may cause cancer. In the past saccharin was a horror causing brain cancers.

Low calorie substitutes carry chemicals that may not be natural and/or processed by the body well and that is a problem when exposing children to them. If we are asking children to watch their calories we have to ask whether that is a burden they are capable of understanding and whether they should be carrying that burden at all. Sometimes preparing for the Spelling Bee is all they can cope with. Okay? Children are under stress these days and that stress level has to be understood and dealt with, so, to ask them to deal with chemical content of a food manufacturer in their daily activities is unfair and in my opinion completely unrealistic.

Not really separate from that understanding is the fact parents should not have to worry about chemicals in their children's environment either, so WARNINGS is a hideous idea.

This is a dialogue the country has to have. It has to be complete and not exclusive to a Wall Street Steering Committee.

Do I think Coke is protecting itself from lawsuits? Yeah, sure. They have a right to do that because this is a burgeoning culture and they don't know where they are headed. Do I think Coke is negligent in their 'protectionism?' No. I don't. I think Coke, with these commercials, is cutting edge, brave and honors the people of this nation.

Now. Do I think they are late to the game? You betcha, but, at least they're here now.

The Southeast USA will be in need of these helpful hints tomorrow.

Those folks rarely have these demands on their talents. On those occasions when there is snow on the roads in the southeast, the greatest danger is the other driver on the road. Schools close and it gets ugly. They don't how to drive in snow.

What’s the best way to wear a wool scarf? (click here)

AMY VERNER

The Globe and Mail

Published Saturday, Jan. 12 2013, 12:00 AM EST

Last updated Saturday, Jan. 12 2013, 12:00 AM EST

...I feel, therefore, that I’m missing some crucial details, such as length, the thickness of the scarf and the weight of the wool. In any case, a wool scarf generally requires less fussing than cotton, silk or cashmere, which can require all sorts of complicated wrapping techniques. Folding a wool scarf in half, looping it around your neck and pulling the two ends through is typically the neatest approach and will nest nicely in your coat collar.

But the basic wraparound is warmer because the scarf can be positioned higher up the neck. In the latter case, you can either tuck the ends in to your coat, creating an ascot effect, or (if the pattern is a fun one: Harry Potter stripes, Fair Isle) be more laissez-faire about it and leave those ends hanging long.

You also have one other option: Just go out and buy a scarf tube, commonly known as a snood. 

Americans for Responsible Solutions

Gabby is hot. I mean for real. Hubby knew what he was doing here. Astronaut. Hm.

Thank you (click here) for joining the conversation about gun violence in America that our leaders have too long neglected to have. We are excited to work with YOU to bring about needed solutions to reduce gun violence and protect the rights of responsible gun owners. 

We can reach a commonsense consensus to reduce gun violence in this country. What is it? We want to hear from you! 

Fill out the form below to make your voice heard.

Dear fellow American, (click here)

Two years ago, a mentally ill young man shot me in the head, killed six of my constituents, and wounded 12 others. Since that terrible day, America has seen 11 more mass shootings – but no response from Congress to prevent gun violence. After the massacre of 20 children and six of their teachers at Sandy Hook Elementary though, it’s clear: This time must be different.

Americans for Responsible Solutions will encourage elected officials to stand up for solutions to prevent gun violence and protect responsible gun ownership by communicating directly with the constituents that elect them.

Join us today, and tell your elected leaders that Americans are demanding responsible solutions to reduce gun violence.

Please take a moment to read our op-ed.

Our new campaign will launch a national dialogue and raise funds to counter influence of the gun lobby. (click the link above - thank you)

The Pro-Gun Zealots want to federalize all gun crime with at least ten year sentences.

Okay.

They want to federalize all gun crimes with mandatory sentences such as Florida's "10-20-Life Law." BUT. There can be no federalization of an assault weapons ban. BUT. The States can have an assault weapons ban if that is what the people demand.

Updated 12/17/2012 11:59 PM

Cuomo Says Responsibility Of Gun Control Falls On Washington, Not State (click here)

By: Zack Fink

...On Monday, he explained why.

"I think that is fundamentally a federal matter because the guns transfer easily over borders," Cuomo said.

Illegal guns often travel up the I-95 corridor to be sold illegally in New York City.

But advocates for gun control say more can be done here, like strengthening the state ban on assault weapons.

"In all my time in Albany we have put a ban on assault weapons year after year after year. We pass it in the Assembly. It's common sense legislation," Manhattan Assemblyman Keith Wright said. "The Republicans in the Senate have historically not had the will nor the ability to pass legislation that would ban assault weapons."...

The 10-20-Life Law does nothing to prevent guns deaths. This is a very harsh law instituted AFTER the fact. So, if an extremist wants to obtain guns and kill people that is fine. He'll be incarcerated afterward.





10-20-Life Law was instituted by the Former Governor Jeb Bush. So, the former governor looked at the crime problem in Florida and decided to build bigger jails and prisons. Right? If a governor can't prevent the crime, then build bigger and better prisons. Put everyone qualified for imprisonment behind bars and throw away the key. Easy. That is what this is all about. This is simply stating there is no way of stopping violent crime.

Building more prisons is an interesting way of moving responsibility from society to a human rights issue enforceable by international standards, but, it doesn't stop the crime. As a matter of fact it escalates the severity of the crime. Basically, if someone is going to use a gun to hold up a bank, other than Wall Street CEOs without guns, and will receive stiff penalties, why not kill witnesses along the way?

Florida is not the state to look for effective crime laws. There has been a move in Florida to privatize the prisons. Some time ago, Florida was found guilty of substandard living conditions for their prisoners, so they have been building new prisons for a long time now. About four decades of new buildings actually. But, the privatization movement is fairly recent and the courts have struck down all the plans. Florida has become a Republican wasteland of policy that does not work and shunned by the courts.

The Florida Prison system is the third largest in the nation and if they haven't imprisoned enough people to stop gun crime in Florida, then dear God, when will they?

The problem here is not the proposed changes to gun laws in the USA. They are correct and needed. The problem is they are not politically viable for the Republican Party and THAT is the only problem. Every strategy the Pro-Gun Zealots are advocating have all been tried and they don't work. We have children to protect which means the police have to survive the day outside the educational classroom to be effective. Does anyone believe this is a good idea or policy?

I don't think so.

Gee, if I were a militant in Algeria where would I find Americans?

The Amenas natural gas field, where Islamist militants raided and took hostages on Wednesday Jan. 16, 2013, is seen in this undated image released by BP.

Do you think the petroleum industry could pay attention to travel warnings from the USA State Department when they staff their facilities? 

Maybe?

When is the petroleum industry going to realize they need to ONLY move into a country for investment when the country has expertise to actually benefit the people of the nation? When will that happen? You know, hire Algerian engineers, construction companies and employees? Sound like a plan? Maybe?

What a flyin' pain the the butt this is!

VOA News

January 16, 2013

...A spokesman (click here) for the al-Qaida in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) told VOA seven Americans were among the hostages.  Others are thought to include Britons, French, Japanese, and Norwegians....

Algeria (click here)

September 13, 2012

The Department of State warns U.S. citizens of the risks of travel to Algeria. This Travel Warning replaces the Travel Warning for Algeria dated May 4, 2012, to update information on the current security situation in Algeria and the continuing threat posed by terrorism, and to reiterate information on security incidents and recommendations on security awareness.

The Department of State urges U.S. citizens who travel to Algeria to evaluate carefully the risks posed to their personal safety. There is a high threat of terrorism and kidnappings in Algeria. This kidnapping threat was noted in the Department of State's Worldwide Caution dated July 18, 2012. Although the major cities are heavily policed, attacks could still potentially take place. The majority of terrorist attacks, including bombings, false roadblocks, kidnappings, and ambushes occur in areas of the country east and south of Algiers.

Al-Qaida in the Lands of the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) is active and operates throughout Algeria. They claimed credit for the December 2007 United Nations bombings in Algeria, the last major attack in the capital, and have pledged to carry out more attacks....

This is the rule. When an American is traveling they need to check the USA State Department's Travel Warnings. I would think any company with Americans working for them and French jets are buzzing the area, would find quick passage to the nearest USA embassy at the very least. It would be better if Americans simply were sent home when there is violence in the region.

Travel Warnings are issued when long-term, (click here) protracted conditions that make a country dangerous or unstable lead the State Department to recommend that Americans avoid or consider the risk of travel to that country. A Travel Warning is also issued when the U.S. Government's ability to assist American citizens is constrained due to the closure of an embassy or consulate or because of a drawdown of its staff. The countries listed below meet those criteria.

No, I feel no obligation to do anything about this. The Americans took their lives in their own hands when they went there.

But.

Obama and Clinton will feel an obligation. No doubt. 

At any point in time do the Algerians actually have a government that can prevent this and/or stop this? I would think any Algerian Terror List would include any and all al Qaeda members and have secure borders. No chance, huh?