Laws alone can't stop violence: Obama

[gravyboy77]

So, we need more gun laws, but then Obama says

"The truth is, obviously, the ban here in Chicago, the ban in D.C. is not keeping the guns out of our cities"

. What a bunch of doubletalk.

 

In the sun times:

 

Laws alone can't stop violence: Obama

 

April 25, 2008

 

BY ABDON M. PALLASCH Political Reporter/apallasch@suntimes.com

 

In a sit-down interview with the Sun-Times, White House hopeful Barack Obama said Thursday he has been following with great concern the gun violence that has plagued the city in recent weeks.

 

"The news has just been heart-breaking," Obama said after a speech to union members at McCormick Place. "I've asked my staff to contact the Chicago Police Department, and I'm going to put in a call to the mayor just to find out just what is accounting for this huge uptick."

 

Obama said elected officials can help by restoring federal funding to put more police on the street and passing more gun-control legislation, such as better background checks for gun purchasers. But laws alone can't change things -- some parents have to get more involved in their children's lives, he said.

 

"Children have to be taught right and wrong, and violence isn't a way to resolve problems," Obama said. "Kids have to be kept off the streets at night. A lot of these kids, unfortunately, they might not have parents at home who are helping to give them guidance."

 

Obama, who had trouble with gun owners in Pennsylvania and other states, said he has never supported a blanket ban on handguns but favors letting local officials enact gun regulation appropriate for their areas. Banning guns has not always proven effective, he said.

 

 

Q&A with Obama

Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama sat down with Sun-Times Political Reporter Abdon M. Pallasch on Thursday to discuss the rash of gun violence in Chicago that included the killing of five people in one house on Wednesday:

 

Sun-Times: Have you been following the news of all the gun deaths?

 

Barack Obama: The news has just been heart-breaking. I've asked my staff to contact the Chicago Police Department. and I'm going to put in a call to the mayor just to find out just what is accounting for this huge uptick.

 

S-T: Is there anything the federal, state, or local government can do?

 

B.O.: There's a bunch of things we can do. I've already said as president I want to restore [federal] COPS funding, which will put police on the streets. Additional police improves public safety. New York has seen a huge drop in crime over the last decade, more than even other cities, and part of it is they've got more cops than anybody else per capita. We've got to help local communities put more police on the streets. We want to make sure we provide state and local government with the targeting information they need, the technology they need to make sure police are going to the places most at risk for gun violence. We've got to tighten up our gun laws. I've said before we should have a much tougher background check system, one that's much more effective and make sure there aren't loopholes out there like the gun show loophole. [Or] The Tiahart Amendment [requiring destruction of gun-purchase records.] Here's an example of something common-sense: The ATF [federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms] should be able to share info with local communities about where guns are coming from, tracing guns that are used in criminal activity. It's been blocked consistently in Congress. As president, I'm gong to make sure we know if guns are being sold by unscrupulous gun dealers not abiding by existing laws. We should know about that.

 

Finally, we've got to deal with the underlying social issues that are causing this gun violence as well. You've got gangs of young men who are lost, who are involved in the drug trade. Starting early with early childhood education, improving our K-through-12 education, having after-school programs or summer-school programs so we are providing pathways for young people to move in the right direction.

 

As president, we've got to be able to help local communities put those programs in place.

 

S-T: In Gary [ind.,] and in Beaumont, Texas, you talked about parents doing a better job parenting. Is that applicable here?

 

B.O.: Absolutely. That's what I refer to when I say we've got to get to the underlying problems here. Children have to be taught right and wrong and violence isn't a way to resolve problems. Kids have to be kept off the streets at night. Transmitting those values is important. A lot of these kids unfortunately they might not have parents at home who are helping to give them guidance. Their communities themselves are wracked with violence. They're seeing it every day going down the streets. The role of the community, the churches, other institutions, instilling a different sensibility in our young people -- that's got to be part of the solution as well.

 

S-T: The Washington, D.C. [handgun ban] case before the U.S. Supreme Court you were asked about at the debate -- have you have a chance to look into that more?

 

B.O.: My view continues to be that the constitution, I believe, does provide a right to bear arms; but that local communities, and state governments, as well as the federal government, have a right to common-sense regulations and firearm ownership [rules.]The truth is, obviously, the ban here in Chicago, the ban in D.C. is not keeping the guns out of our cities, and so I'm interested in just figuring out what works and I'm confident we can come up with laws that work and that pass constitutional muster and don't infringe on the rights of lawful gun owners whether it's in Downstate Illinois or rural Montana.

 

S-T: As a state legislator, you voted against a bill which would let people with orders of protection [against others] carry guns and another that would have barred municipalities from punishing people who kept guns in their homes. Why?

 

B.O.: I felt that [the first one] was a precedent for conceal-and-carry laws. There has not been any evidence that allowing people to carry a concealed weapon is going to make anybody safer. [The second one] is relevant to the D.C. handgun issue. I wanted to preserve the right of local communities to enforce local ordinances and this would have overturned municipalities being able to enforce their own ordinances. We can argue about whether the ordinances work or not. But I wanted to make sure that local communities were recognized as having a right to regulate firearms.

 

S-T: But you don't want to take a stand on the D.C. gun-ban law?

 

B.O.: I don't like taking a stand on pending cases.

[GWBH]

He's a liar.

[GarandFan]

I hope these issues go nationwide. These are pretty poorly-considered statements to anyone that understands rights, powers, the constitution, etc. Some of them are just fundamentally incorrect on their face.

 

 

B.O.: My view continues to be that the constitution, I believe, does provide a right to bear arms;

 

The 2A does not provide a right, it protects the right from government infringment.

 

 

but that local communities, and state governments, as well as the federal government, have a right to common-sense regulations and firearm ownership

 

Communities and governments do not have rights. Individuals do. Governments have powers and in this case, their powers to infringe the right to keep and bear are restricted by the 2A.

 

 

I'm confident we can come up with laws that...pass constitutional muster and don't infringe on the rights of lawful gun owners whether it's in Downstate Illinois or rural Montana.

 

Here BO misses again, in a very fundamental way. The rights of lawful gun owners in downstate IL or rural MT are the same, exact rights as those gun owners in Chicago, IL, Oakland, CA, or Washington, DC. Unbelieveable statement from the man. Unbelievable.

 

 

There has not been any evidence that allowing people to carry a concealed weapon is going to make anybody safer.

 

Utterly ignorant statement, on it's face. It demonstrates that Barack's understanding of these issues are intellectually narrow, and incredibly biased.

 

 

S-T: But you don't want to take a stand on the D.C. gun-ban law?

B.O.: I don't like taking a stand on pending cases.

 

Weasel. He won't do it because either way, it could potentially loose him votes.

[spec4]

Two months ago I thought he would walk into the white House. Now, thankfully, I think he would lose to McCain.

[MARKHOLSTRUM]

Two months ago I thought he would walk into the white House. Now, thankfully, I think he would lose to McCain.

 

 

whoever the domocrats nominate will win in November (no I am not rooting for them either) if you look at the primary numbers many many many more people are voting democrat in these primaries...I think the GOP is outnumbered.

 

 

 

Personally I think there is some funny business going on and Hitlery is going to try and steal the votes for the nomination.

 

 

no I dont like Obama either...not to say I couldnt sit back and have a beer with the guy and get along but he does beleive in all of the Marxism stuff and I cant go for that.

[Thirdpower]

S-T: But you don't want to take a stand on the D.C. gun-ban law?

B.O.: I don't like taking a stand on pending cases.

 

Weasel. He won't do it because either way, it could potentially loose him votes.

 

But he did make a stand. He initially claimed it was constitutional. Of course he did it through his offices so he can later deny it as just one of his underlings making the statement w/o his consent. Just like he tried w/ the questionairre (even though it had his handwriting on it) and Kerry tried about the whole "chinese assault rifle" statement.

[Thirdpower]

Two months ago I thought he would walk into the white House. Now, thankfully, I think he would lose to McCain.

 

 

whoever the domocrats nominate will win in November (no I am not rooting for them either) if you look at the primary numbers many many many more people are voting democrat in these primaries...I think the GOP is outnumbered.

 

 

 

Personally I think there is some funny business going on and Hitlery is going to try and steal the votes for the nomination.

 

 

no I dont like Obama either...not to say I couldnt sit back and have a beer with the guy and get along but he does beleive in all of the Marxism stuff and I cant go for that.

 

It's still early and the longer the contest between Hillary and Obamarama keeps up, the more discontent there is between Dem. voters. The numbers are high right now because the GOP nomination is effectively locked in. What were the number comparisons before all the dropouts?

[MARKHOLSTRUM]

It's still early and the longer the contest between Hillary and Obamarama keeps up, the more discontent there is between Dem. voters. The numbers are high right now because the GOP nomination is effectively locked in. What were the number comparisons before all the dropouts?

 

I know they are not going anywhere but Huckabee got 11%(I think) in PA even though he already dropped and RP got 16% and has not dropped out (I know he not going anywhere but it shows a large part of the GOP is not happy).

[GWBH]

Conservatives, Republicans did not vote in normal numbers, simply because the choice was decided early on.

The dem tunout was big, but that's becasue they are so divided; and I believe enough so, that some moderates will migrate to McCain, rather that vote for the nominee they didn't suppport. Republicans have their share of party line voters and those who favor less government. Then, there's the independents - the real scrutinizers of every election. I doubt they will be fooled by empty "change" promises. They also look at character, experience and "can I trust this person". They have no party line to answer to.

McCain is defining himself as an individual - different from Bush so the "3rd Bush Term" ain't gonna hold water. He's been critical of a number of issues of Bush Admin and is highlighting his voting record on those points. It may be close, but once the source of funding (increased taxes - and I mean INCREASED!) of all these new social programs Hillary or Barack want to implement is revealed in the general election, it may well be over except changing Bush to McCain on the mailbox.

I'd like to see someone other than McCain as the nominee, but we could sure do a lot worse. At least he takes a stand.

[MARKHOLSTRUM]

Republicans did not vote in normal numbers, simply because the choice was decided early on.

The dem tunout was big, but that's becasue they are so divided

 

I was pulling my numbers from IA and NH where dems turned out 2 to 1 to republicans.....BTW the GOP was REALLY divided with their 119 candidates and constant in-fighting early on...granted that has pretty well died off now.

 

 

Republicans have their share of party line voters and those who favor less government.

 

If you want less government its not going to happen in '08 regardless of who wins

 

They also look at character, experience and "can I trust this person". They have no party line to answer to.

 

I dont know if I am an Independent or not I lean GOP most of the time and lean Demoncrat about 0% of the time but I think liberty is more important than party loyalty or agenda/platform.

 

It may be close, but once the source of funding (increased taxes - and I mean INCREASED!) of all these new social programs Hillary or Barack want to implement is revealed in the general election,

 

You forget that most of their supporters are the recipients of that gubament money.

 

 

I'd like to see someone other than McCain as the nominee, but we could sure do a lot worse. At least he takes a stand.

 

I know we could do worse (Romney comes to mind)...as far as taking a stand goes I dont think holding your hands over your ears and stamping your feet like a 3 year old on the cereal while screaming "its not amnesty, its not amnesty" looks more like a tantrum than a stand to me.

 

Let us not forget Bush-MexCain-Kennedy "comprehensive" immigration "reform"

Keating Five

Almost switching to the Dems to run with Kerry in 04

Normalizing relations with Vietnam and removing any leverage we had to get our POW's back

100 years in Iraq

and not knowing the difference between a Shiite and a Sunni

 

yes I am critical of McCain but I want all of the hard line GOP voters to know what they are voting for even though there is no choice and not just throw their hands up...If republicans have to vote for this I want every one of us to know how bad the party has gotten

[45superman]

[Or] The Tiahart Amendment [requiring destruction of gun-purchase records.]

 

Wrong, wrong, WRONG!!! The Tiahart Amendment has nothing to do with purchase records (although, come to think of it, I guess that was the Sun-Times' mistake, rather than Obama's--they seem to have erroneously flled in the blanks).

[Ocellairs]

Two months ago I thought he would walk into the white House. Now, thankfully, I think he would lose to McCain.

 

 

whoever the domocrats nominate will win in November (no I am not rooting for them either) if you look at the primary numbers many many many more people are voting democrat in these primaries...I think the GOP is outnumbered.

 

 

 

Personally I think there is some funny business going on and Hitlery is going to try and steal the votes for the nomination.

 

 

no I dont like Obama either...not to say I couldnt sit back and have a beer with the guy and get along but he does beleive in all of the Marxism stuff and I cant go for that.

 

Historically, republicans come out in masses in the November election.

[Ocellairs]

Republicans did not vote in normal numbers, simply because the choice was decided early on.

The dem tunout was big, but that's becasue they are so divided

 

I was pulling my numbers from IA and NH where dems turned out 2 to 1 to republicans.....BTW the GOP was REALLY divided with their 119 candidates and constant in-fighting early on...granted that has pretty well died off now.

 

 

Republicans have their share of party line voters and those who favor less government.

 

If you want less government its not going to happen in '08 regardless of who wins

 

They also look at character, experience and "can I trust this person". They have no party line to answer to.

 

I dont know if I am an Independent or not I lean GOP most of the time and lean Demoncrat about 0% of the time but I think liberty is more important than party loyalty or agenda/platform.

 

It may be close, but once the source of funding (increased taxes - and I mean INCREASED!) of all these new social programs Hillary or Barack want to implement is revealed in the general election,

 

You forget that most of their supporters are the recipients of that gubament money.

 

 

I'd like to see someone other than McCain as the nominee, but we could sure do a lot worse. At least he takes a stand.

 

I know we could do worse (Romney comes to mind)...as far as taking a stand goes I dont think holding your hands over your ears and stamping your feet like a 3 year old on the cereal while screaming "its not amnesty, its not amnesty" looks more like a tantrum than a stand to me.

 

Let us not forget Bush-MexCain-Kennedy "comprehensive" immigration "reform"

Keating Five

Almost switching to the Dems to run with Kerry in 04

Normalizing relations with Vietnam and removing any leverage we had to get our POW's back

100 years in Iraq

and not knowing the difference between a Shiite and a Sunni

 

yes I am critical of McCain but I want all of the hard line GOP voters to know what they are voting for even though there is no choice and not just throw their hands up...If republicans have to vote for this I want every one of us to know how bad the party has gotten

 

McCain has said, he never even consider switching sides.

[MARKHOLSTRUM]

McCain has said, he never even consider switching sides.

 

I really dont want to split hairs over this one as its not that big of a deal to me anyway.....one thing to really split hairs over would be I heard him interviewed and he said he wanted to close guantanimo BUT he wanted to move them to levanworth.....so now people wont even have to be shipped off our shores to loose the right of notice and opportunity..

[Lou]

He's a liar.

 

 

 

How can you tell when a politician is lying?

 

Their lips are moving.

[Len S]

First and most important. Obama says band are not doing enough. Bans are not keeping guns out of our cities. He is laying the groundwork for broader bans. As far as republicans not voting in the primary Rush has that operation Chaos thing going on. I know a lot of republicans who crossed over in the primary just to try to keep Obama out of the general election. Fox news and some of the more decent writers have said how we do not know anything about Obama the person. The rest of the press is starting to look. Look at the last debate. Channel 7 got hammered for the "interrogation" of Obama. Clarence Page was outraged at the questions asked of Obama. There are some things just too juicy for the press to overlook. They are just like coyotes they will eat their own. They will scoop the dirt on Obama when they find it.

I love the deer in the headlights expression he gets whenever he gets asked a question on his questionable associations or comments. They think Pres Reagan was scripted. Obama cant work without everything prescripted.

 

Len

[junglebob]

If Obama gets the democratic nomination, I wonder what the chance is that McCain could beat him and get Illinois's electoral votes? Being a democrat and U.S. senator from Chicago it seems he is sure to get a lot of votes in Illinois.

[45superman]

If Obama gets the democratic nomination, I wonder what the chance is that McCain could beat him and get Illinois's electoral votes? Being a democrat and U.S. senator from Chicago it seems he is sure to get a lot of votes in Illinois.

 

I don't think there's a chance in heck of McCain taking Illinois against Obama. I don't see it happening against Clinton, either, but I suppose that would be at least theoretically possible. Against Obama, though--no way.

[Lou]

Looking at one state is futile. Illinois is a blue state until Chicago slides into lake Michigan.

 

Look at the big picture through realclearpolitics.com:

 

 

Head To Head Polls

[Nitro]

I'll make a prediction. Obama will win the primary, and McCain will win the general.

[MARKHOLSTRUM]

I dont care which democrat is nominated..they will win the general election, the dems were showing up 2 to 1 to the gop and that was before operation chaos....I think we are going to see alot of anti bush protest votes

[Nitro]

I dont care which democrat is nominated..they will win the general election, the dems were showing up 2 to 1 to the gop and that was before operation chaos....I think we are going to see alot of anti bush protest votes

Ok Mark, you and me in a gentleman's bet. I bet McCain wins regardless of who the democrat is. Care to take me up on it?

[MARKHOLSTRUM]

Ok Mark, you and me in a gentleman's bet. I bet McCain wins regardless of who the democrat is. Care to take me up on it?

 

sure thing....but I dont have any money to speak of...

[Nitro]

but I dont have any money to speak of...

Me neither. That's why it's a "Gentleman's" bet. It'll just be for bragging rights.

[MARKHOLSTRUM]

Im in

[Ashdump]

but I dont have any money to speak of...

Me neither. That's why it's a "Gentleman's" bet. It'll just be for bragging rights.

 

 

My goodness, you two should be democrats, both demanding your "entiltements"!

 

[Nakano]

He says the bans are not working. So what will he suggest, confiscation like in Chicago? We already know he does not want a single citizen to be able to CCW a gun.

[Thirdpower]

He says the bans are not working. So what will he suggest, confiscation like in Chicago? We already know he does not want a single citizen to be able to CCW a gun.

 

Technically he thinks it's OK for retired "Only Ones" to CCW. His cohorts need their private security details afterall.

[tech141]

Barack HUSSEIN Obama hasn't met a piece of Anti-Gun Legislation that he hasn't voted for yet. Ever hear of the Joyce Foundation?? He used to be a Leading Board Member.....

[GWBH]

Barack HUSSEIN Obama hasn't met a piece of Anti-Gun Legislation that he hasn't voted for yet. Ever hear of the Joyce Foundation?? He used to be a Leading Board Member.....

 

That is true!!

Here's the board of directors for 2001

http://www.joycefdn.org/pdf/01_AnnualReport.pdf