Maher Throws Cold Water On Gun Control: ‘You Can Do All This S**t, It’s Not Going To Change Anything

[Tx4obama]

VIDEO here: http://www.mediaite.com/tv/bill-maher-throws-cold-water-on-gun-control-you-can-do-all-this-st-its-not-going-to-change-anything/

On his first show back of the year, Bill Maher got into an intense discussion of gun control and President Obama‘s executive orders with the panel. Maher thought it was promising that Obama is seriously taking on this issue, but doubted it would actually amount to anything, saying that while he personally wants every one of Obama’s policy proposals implemented, at the end of the day, “it’s not going to change anything.” -snip-

[TwilightGardener]

1. I feel the same way. I support the measures, I think they'll make a small difference, but

that's about it.

[ashling]

4. You said you feel the same way, but

then you say that you think they'll a a difference. Even a small difference is farther than Maher would go.

[BlueStreak]

2. You can pass a law requiring seat belts

you can specify safer designs for highways
you can require new cars to have air bags
you can more aggressively enforce drunk driving

but still some people will die in car accidents every year.

HOWEVER, by doing all those things, we have cut the rate of auto deaths per million miles driven by almost 2/3 in the past 30 years.

Maher is making a BS argument. We should do everything we can now, and do more each year. 90% of the public is in favor of requiring background checks on ALL purchases. That is a potentially high impact item. And we ought to be able to limit magazines to 10 rounds. Do it now. Every little bit helps.

[ashling]

5. Exactly

It has to start somewhere

[BlueStreak]

6. And this is just like breaking the back of the "Hastert rule"

That was a key part of Obama's strategy with the "Fiscal Cliff" -- forcing Boehner to go around the teabaggers. Boehner did it, and the world didn't end. And then he came back 2 weeks later and did it again with the Sandy relief.

We need to get the first victory through Congress. Even if it is a small one, we have to demonstrate that Wayne LaPierre and Grover Norquist are not running this country. Pass the background check business that has 90% public support. Let the NRA fight that to the death and lose spectacularly. What we will see is that, along the way, the NRA will flip positions and try to get on board that train, just as Norquist did. The last thing either of them wants is a spectacular display that they are not in charge anymore.

Break the bills up and start pushing them one at a time. We may only get the background checks and a magazine limit this time, but those are two really big deals, particular when you combine that with the executive orders that will give the background checks mure teeth.

Sadly there will be more Sandy Hooks, and that will provide the impetus to get the rest of these measures.

[WhoIsNumberNone]

3. Off-topic, but-

Anybody else notice how much Martin Short is starting to look like John Hurt in his old age?