Okay.
I'm going to keep this column here, and write my other serious pieces (my SERIOUS pieces) on the Nor'Easter blog. Check it out.
Nader is back at 7%.
So he's back in the mix.
And now, gun rights. Gun control. Where do they stand?
Kerry: Americans have a second amendment right to own guns. However, all gun laws currently on the books should not be allowed to expire, and should be enforced fully. That includes assault weapons bans. ATF should focus more energies on gun runners, corrupt dealers, straw buyers, and those who are found to be selling guns to felons. He will also close the gun show loophole, which is allowing criminals to get access to guns at gun shows without background checks, fix the background check system, which is in a serious state of disrepair, and require that all handguns be sold with a child safety lock.
Nader: No gun policy. I searched for guns, loophole, arms, amendment, and weapons. He has a policy to reduce the arms at the Pentagon, and accelerate nuclear disarmament (as does Kerry), but no gun policy. Folks ... don't fill in the blanks. This doesn't mean that Ralph agrees with you. It means he could do anything on the issue. Not the right policy, IMHO.
Bush: Will continue to have ATF run after foreigners with guns. Will continue to ignore militias, gun shows, etc. Has a cozy relationship with the most radical elements of the NRA. The AG will continue to diddle his energies on the issue. Will continue to push for immunity for arms dealers. This is not the Progressive's gun policy. It's not even Dean's "hunter-conservationist" policy. This is a policy for people in Crawford, just a little to the right of Waco in so many ways.