They can’t complain about “extremism” when they don’t bother to show up in the face of it
Posted by: Donna
This past Monday the AZ Senate Judiciary Committee held a hearing on SB1474, the “guns on campus” bill, which would allow concealed weapons to be carried on Arizona college campuses. My dear friend Jennifer Longdon testified against it. She had expected to get 5 minutes to speak but it was shortened to 3 minutes due to the time constraints of so many people showing up to speak on it (mostly against). I watched her abbreviated testimony online and she did great. But she wanted people to know all of what she wanted to say so she posted her complete prepared remarks on her blog. Jen draws upon her considerable personal experience to refute the arguments put forth by the gun lobby and, well, you just have to read it for yourself.
Lots of people did show up to oppose the bill. Jen told me that about 70 people, including law enforcement officers and university and student representatives, signed up in opposition to the bill and 12 in support. I asked her if any business groups or Chambers of Commerce spoke for or against the bill. She said the only input from business was from Raytheon, which asked for a carve-out.
In contrast, business group reps showed up in full force at a Senate Economic Development and Jobs Creation Committee on Wednesday in support of SB1336, a “tort reform” measure that would limit product liability damages. On one level I can understand it: corporate lobbyists have priorities. But on another level I have to ask, once again, why we’re supposed to trust the wise, pragmatic counsel of business leaders to shape policy and select suitable candidates for elective office when said leaders can’t even be bothered to put up the slightest opposition to scary and stupid legislation like allowing guns on college campuses.
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The “TORT Reform” is a Corp or GOP sponsored bill, that provides a measure of protection to Corps…NOT the taxpayers..(heard a detailed lecture about this very issue at the East Valley Dems Dist-21 monthly meeting Tues evening)
Typical of the gun lobby to keep the opposing vioce supressed.. at all costs.. It will be interesting once this gets on Brewers desk to see if she’ll “do the right thing for Arizona” and Veto it again.. or rubber stamps this terrible bill..?
Regards,
Truth
P/S Saw the reply “Emil” posted to you on Rogue’s blog reffering to the topic “50+1%”—–interesting..
Para-2: reffering to your issue of the “Guns on Campus” bill, sposored by Gould… Just fyi..
Regards,
Truth