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DonViejo

(60,536 posts)
Thu Apr 18, 2013, 12:03 PM Apr 2013

Begich Explains Background Check ‘No’ Vote: We Shouldn’t Legislate With Our Emotions

Source: TPM

Sen. Mark Begich (D-AK), who voted against a proposal to expand background checks for gun buyers that failed in the Senate on Wednesday, said the emotions surrounding the debate over gun violence are unconducive to policymaking.

“It’s dangerous to do any type of policy in an emotional moment,” Begich said, as quoted by the New York Times. “Because human emotions then drive the decision. Everyone’s all worked up. That’s not enough.”

Begich was one of four red state Democratic senators to vote against the proposal. He will be up for re-election next year.

Read more: http://livewire.talkingpointsmemo.com/entry/begich-explains-background-check-no-vote-we-shouldnt

49 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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Begich Explains Background Check ‘No’ Vote: We Shouldn’t Legislate With Our Emotions (Original Post) DonViejo Apr 2013 OP
Asshole gaspee Apr 2013 #1
ALL gun buyers should have a criminal background check. Simple as that to me. Sunlei Apr 2013 #2
He won't vote on emotion because he doesn't have a heart. Laurian Apr 2013 #3
+1 villager Apr 2013 #22
Can't allow compassion to get in the way of his fundraising. After all, there's power to be had. Dollface Apr 2013 #38
Fucking asshole. I liked Ted Stevens better. nt geek tragedy Apr 2013 #4
Uh, I don't you would have gotten a different result with Stevens Kelvin Mace Apr 2013 #21
then lets go on facts bowens43 Apr 2013 #5
Ban Unnecessary Wars?? Macoy51 Apr 2013 #47
No, *you* legislate with your big open pocketbook and your miniscule tackle MotherPetrie Apr 2013 #6
Ass. nt onehandle Apr 2013 #7
Mark are you now feeling some heat for your shameful vote? Botany Apr 2013 #8
Was he around under GWB? Did he vote for the 'gut-reaction' Patriot Act? sinkingfeeling Apr 2013 #9
No, he is new. Nt awoke_in_2003 Apr 2013 #25
His facebook page Sedona Apr 2013 #10
what about drug and alchohol testing...or something? CarrieLynne Apr 2013 #11
Fine, asshole . . . Brigid Apr 2013 #12
He only cares about his re-election kimbutgar Apr 2013 #13
Said the NRA bought and paid for harlot! benld74 Apr 2013 #14
Yes, Turbineguy Apr 2013 #15
Really??? Well WTF happened with 911 then??? So its bad now but good then?? L0oniX Apr 2013 #16
NRA Shill neverforget Apr 2013 #17
"We should legislate only with the NRA's emotions." n/t Orsino Apr 2013 #18
yep dangerous times to do things with emotion. which is what he did PatrynXX Apr 2013 #19
Senator Begich, drm604 Apr 2013 #20
BEEP BOOP I AM SENATOR TK-421 Arkana Apr 2013 #32
I agree we shouldn't legislate with our emotions adieu Apr 2013 #23
I also agree that we should not legislate from an emotional place Mojorabbit Apr 2013 #34
Lame excuse... uh clem Apr 2013 #24
sent an email to his office d_b Apr 2013 #26
But your "no" vote was indeed based on emotions, Begich: FEAR and GREED. nt SunSeeker Apr 2013 #27
F*ck him and his little dog too! lark Apr 2013 #28
What would Begich have done on December 8, 1941? earthside Apr 2013 #29
I think he means: "We should legislate based on money, not emotions." n/t pampango Apr 2013 #30
Yeah, fuck Mark Begich. Like forever. Arkana Apr 2013 #31
logic fail. blackspade Apr 2013 #33
what a dickweed.... dhill926 Apr 2013 #35
A Closed Mind Is Unconducive To Policymaking DallasNE Apr 2013 #36
It's "EMOTIONAL" VA_Jill Apr 2013 #37
That is not an explanation. /nt Ash_F Apr 2013 #39
Let me guess, he is Sarah Palin's best hunting buddy. smirkymonkey Apr 2013 #40
Well, Mr. Begich, you certainly aren't legislating with any spine or nuts. ncteechur Apr 2013 #41
How about we legislate with our integrity... YvonneCa Apr 2013 #42
Greed is an emotion. Unfortunately, you legislated in accordance with it. Nihil Apr 2013 #43
Yeah, we are all nervous women, aren't we? bemildred Apr 2013 #44
I never want to hear that this doof voted for any military deployment demwing Apr 2013 #45
Wait until they find that the Marathon bombers bought weapons legally....with no background check. Evasporque Apr 2013 #46
He can go to hell Politicub Apr 2013 #48
Begich now has his rationale for voting against immigration reform.... DonViejo Apr 2013 #49

gaspee

(3,231 posts)
1. Asshole
Thu Apr 18, 2013, 12:06 PM
Apr 2013

So, it's only emotional people who see a problem and want it fixed? Who ever thought common sense was an emotion? And you know who doesn't have emotions? Psychopaths.

 

bowens43

(16,064 posts)
5. then lets go on facts
Thu Apr 18, 2013, 12:10 PM
Apr 2013

the number of Americans that die from gun violence in the US every year FAR exceeds the number that died in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars combined.


Now BAN THE FUCKING THINGS YOU IDIOT!!!!!

CarrieLynne

(497 posts)
11. what about drug and alchohol testing...or something?
Thu Apr 18, 2013, 12:22 PM
Apr 2013

I support the right to own a gun, by RESPONSIBLE PEOPLE....but of course, we need to be careful....its a killing machine FFS

my husband and I bought a glock 45 for home protection. However, when he got drunk, (often) he felt the need to wander around the house with it in his pocket (Billy BadAss)....one day I went down to the garage to do laundry and found it pointed in my face because he was drunk and thought I was an intruder...after I left him (2 weeks later)....and old roommate broke into the house and stole a bunch of stuff....he wasnt there to protect the home.....a few weeks lafter that he had picked up the gun and pulled the trigger to make sure it was empty, and it wasnt...he shot a hole thru the bedroom.....

so....two damn close calls and when someone did break in.....it didnt help a thing....

Although my normally responsible ex-husband had every legal right to own a gun and did so legally.....I personally dont think he should be allowed to own one.....hes a tragedy waiting to happen....

perhaps we should drug and alchohol test people before they buy, or something....to keep guns out of the hands of irresponsible people.....

Another Example...Someone who gives an 11-year old an AR-15 to take to a rally at a government building - should have their rights to bear arms revoked...or at least suspended...or stripped of all their weapons...something...I dunno....

Brigid

(17,621 posts)
12. Fine, asshole . . .
Thu Apr 18, 2013, 12:24 PM
Apr 2013

YOU go visit the grieving family of the next kid who gets killed with a gun by some psycho who should never have had one, and tell them not to be "emotional."

kimbutgar

(20,877 posts)
13. He only cares about his re-election
Thu Apr 18, 2013, 12:25 PM
Apr 2013

If it wasn't Alaska I'd say vote him out but we need that 60 vote threshold in 2014 to move this country forward. Too bad there's not any other good Democratic candidates to run against him.

benld74

(9,888 posts)
14. Said the NRA bought and paid for harlot!
Thu Apr 18, 2013, 12:29 PM
Apr 2013

“It’s dangerous to do any type of policy in an emotional moment,” Begich said, as quoted by the New York Times. “Because human emotions then drive the decision. Everyone’s all worked up. That’s not enough.”

I need my job in Arkansas so I did a no vote.

 

L0oniX

(31,493 posts)
16. Really??? Well WTF happened with 911 then??? So its bad now but good then??
Thu Apr 18, 2013, 12:35 PM
Apr 2013

I agree that making decisions while under emotional duress is not a good idea but I don't think that sociopath was having any emotions.

PatrynXX

(5,668 posts)
19. yep dangerous times to do things with emotion. which is what he did
Thu Apr 18, 2013, 12:39 PM
Apr 2013

became a coward to the angry minority

drm604

(16,230 posts)
20. Senator Begich,
Thu Apr 18, 2013, 12:40 PM
Apr 2013

So we shouldn't consider any legislation that anybody feels any emotion about? Are you proposing that if there are grieving parents involved, a bill should be shelved?

Should we consider the actual merits of a bill or should we just look at how much emotion surrounds it and dismiss it if we believe there's too much?

 

adieu

(1,009 posts)
23. I agree we shouldn't legislate with our emotions
Thu Apr 18, 2013, 12:43 PM
Apr 2013

but the piece of legislation up for a vote was crafted with rational heads, providing clear solutions to a nuisance problem (guns). The bill was not emotion. The bill was crafted with clear ideas of what will help mitigate the unnecessary slaughter of american lives.

It's no different than laws written to protect automobile passengers from death when driving an unsafe car. The emotion was used to raise the point. The legislation was crafted by clear heads to deal with the problem raised and amplified by the emotion.

By voting NO, Begich was, ironically, voting with his primal emotions. And by voting on the filibuster portion of the process, he's being a chicken. Go ahead and vote no on the bill if you have the balls, but let it go past filibuster.

Mojorabbit

(16,020 posts)
34. I also agree that we should not legislate from an emotional place
Thu Apr 18, 2013, 02:05 PM
Apr 2013

But the background checks are common sense. Perhaps it will pass down the road but I doubt it.

lark

(23,003 posts)
28. F*ck him and his little dog too!
Thu Apr 18, 2013, 01:16 PM
Apr 2013

OK, I didn't mean it about the dog, he's innocent. Begich however is a turd and I pledge to you I will donate to any Dem brave enough to go against this jerk in a primary.

Haven't found out who the 3 other traitors are, but same thing goes with them. This is just vile and disgusting.

earthside

(6,960 posts)
29. What would Begich have done on December 8, 1941?
Thu Apr 18, 2013, 01:27 PM
Apr 2013

Would he have voted 'no' to declare war on Japan since Americans were "all worked up" over the bombing of Pearl Harbor?

Sorry, I like Begich, but he is lying about his reasons for voting 'no' on the background checks amendment.

DallasNE

(7,392 posts)
36. A Closed Mind Is Unconducive To Policymaking
Thu Apr 18, 2013, 03:11 PM
Apr 2013

And isn't a closed mind just a different example of an emotional decision making process. His own words then describe what he attributes to others when they actually reflect his own emotion. Frankly, I find it indefensible to support background checks at places like Wal-Mart but refuse to allow a vote to have the identical background check on internet sales. That is not emotional, that is common sense and the same cannot be said concerning Begich's worked up, emotional outburst here.

ncteechur

(3,071 posts)
41. Well, Mr. Begich, you certainly aren't legislating with any spine or nuts.
Thu Apr 18, 2013, 09:10 PM
Apr 2013

So how, Mr. Begich, you worthless cowardly fucking piece of shit, how in fact do you legislate?

YvonneCa

(10,117 posts)
42. How about we legislate with our integrity...
Thu Apr 18, 2013, 10:12 PM
Apr 2013

...and empathy toward others? These Senators were selfish COWARDS...period.

 

Nihil

(13,508 posts)
43. Greed is an emotion. Unfortunately, you legislated in accordance with it.
Fri Apr 19, 2013, 06:23 AM
Apr 2013

Doesn't matter what letter is after the name when the incentive is identical.

 

demwing

(16,916 posts)
45. I never want to hear that this doof voted for any military deployment
Fri Apr 19, 2013, 09:10 AM
Apr 2013

in response to any act of aggression.

After all, that would be an emotional time, and we can't legislate war while we're upset over being attacked!

!!

!

Evasporque

(2,133 posts)
46. Wait until they find that the Marathon bombers bought weapons legally....with no background check.
Fri Apr 19, 2013, 09:13 AM
Apr 2013

If that happens these fools will all be voted out of office if they don't flip flop real fast.

The NRA is probably right now trying suppress any info on how the boston bombers got all the weapons they used last night against police.

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