A somber thank you to Senators Manchin and Toomey.

[geek tragedy]

Lord knows there are plenty of bad things to say about each of these Senators. They have records full of awful votes and even worse statements.

However, on the gun issue, they made a bona fide attempt to show leadership and to buck the NRA-led gun fanatics. It was risky, especially for Manchin, being a Democrat from a gun-loving, Obama-hating state like West Virginia.

They stuck their necks out, and got betrayed by their colleagues. It's especially galling to see Manchin get stabbed in the back by the Foul Foursome of Pryor, Heitkamp, Begich, and Baucus after he put himself on the line in order to try to break the entrenched pro-gun death dynamic in Washington.

Thank you Senators. I don't agree with you on much on guns or most other issues, but you tried to find a way forward and legislate in a responsible manner. Too bad 46 of your colleagues care more about kissing the NRA's ass than they do saving children's lives.

[still_one]

1. and a somber screw you to those Democratic senators who voted against it

[geek tragedy]

3. and a hateful one to the Republicans who celebrate the opportunity for more gun deaths, nt

[still_one]

4. Of course

[BlueStreak]

2. Thanks for what?

For producing a watered down bill that would have given the NRA exactly what they wanted:

1) Wide open exceptions for any "private sales" (wink, wink, nudge nudge)

2) A strict prohibition against any national registry of ownership

Thanks for nuthin'. We were very fortunate that POS bill didn't pass into law. It would have done nothing to help and it would have set the NRA up so that when the next Sandy Hook happens, they could say "See, we told you gun laws don't work. Now let's get on with the only thing that we know will work: arming every man, woman, and toddler in the whole damned country."

[BeyondGeography]

5. NRA Celebrates Failure Of Background Check Bill In Senate

http://livewire.talkingpointsmemo.com/entry/nra-celebrates-failure-of-background-check-bill-in

[BlueStreak]

7. They celebrate their complete control over the process.

They had it set up where they won either way it went.

If it passed, it was a POS bill that did nothing and would never have gotten through the House without further weakening. And they would have had a big rallying cry for 2014, regardless of the fact that it was POS that did nothing. That was the best outcome for them.

But they are happy with it dying in the Senate too. That reinforces the image that you don't mess with the NRA.

They win either way.

[geek tragedy]

6. It was a foot in the door, something to show that the gun nuts don't have an iron grip on Capital

Hill.

But, it still goes to show that a determined lobbying group can absolutely control Congress on a discrete issue.