Do our senators need new careers?

An awesome editorial in today's Courier-Journal:

Both (Rand Paul and Mitch McConnell), in their own ways, rapidly are becoming an embarrassment to Kentucky and the nation — Mr. Paul, through some of his extreme positions and statements, and Mr. McConnell, through his determination to use any means, no matter how reprehensible, to secure another term in the Senate.

But their appeals to irrational fears, particularly of extremists in the gun lobby, are beyond embarrassing. They are disturbing and do not reflect the views of most Kentuckians when it comes to rational discourse and claims based in reality.

In the wake of the mass shooting of 20 small children and six adults at the Connecticut elementary school, neither is offering thoughtful discussion on how to prevent such massacres or even consider reasonable controls on firearms. Instead, they are ratcheting up the fearmongering, Mr. McConnell for fundraising, and Mr. Paul, apparently to advance on his chosen career path as a politician.

No threat of 'gun grabbers'

A good editorial from the Herald-Leader:

After speaking at length to business people in Lexington last week without once mentioning a looming threat to their Second Amendment rights, Sen. Mitch McConnell turned into a raving conspiracist overnight, sending out emails and recorded phone messages to Kentuckians last weekend warning "they're coming for your guns."

The alarms sounded by McConnell and his Tea Party campaign manager, Jesse Benton, are way over the top and obviously aimed at stirring up fears along with some campaign donations.

... It's irresponsible and cynical of McConnell to fan groundless fears and suspicions.

Mitch McConnell misfires with gun rhetoric

From today's Courier-Journal:

(Mitch McConnell sent out an) outrageous email blast to supporters from his campaign manager, Jesse Benton, entitled "Watch out, they’re coming for your guns."

...The President’s goals include "full-scale confiscation!" it bleats. "The gun-grabbers are in full battle mode. And they are serious."

...So now, on the firearms topic, he has resorted to what was known in the McCarthy era as the "Big Lie" — say it often enough and people believe it. Let’s hope the people of Kentucky don’t.

Republican Myopia

A great editorial from the New York Times:

Congressional Republicans like nothing more than beating a dead horse if it might embarrass the Obama administration — like their unceasing attempt to accuse the administration of lying to the American people about the attack in Benghazi, Libya, that killed four Americans, including Ambassador J. Christopher Stevens.

The allegations are specious, but that didn’t stop some Republicans from repeating them on Wednesday during Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton’s Congressional testimony. Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky was particularly out of control, rather absurdly comparing the scope of the Benghazi attack to the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.

...Mr. Paul asked about Mrs. Clinton’s recent ill health in one breath and then in the next declared that, if he had been president, he would have fired her for Benghazi. Calling the killings the “worst tragedy” since Sept. 11 was insulting to the nearly 8,000 soldiers killed in Iraq and Afghanistan or the many hundreds of Americans killed in senseless gun violence each year. We know politicians are short on perspective, but some is required.

Kindergarten cops

A good editorial in today's Courier-Journal:

(Rand) Paul earned a lifetime membership (in Kentucky’s congressional Contrarian Caucus) Thursday when he said that one solution to the massacre of schoolchildren is to arm teachers and principals.

...“Would they always get the killer? No,’’ admitted the Bowling Green Republican. “Would an accident sometimes happen in a melee? Maybe.”

So there might be a little collateral damage — say, a few more kindergartners slain.

...Mr. Paul’s stunning remarks align him with Mr. Massie, from Northern Kentucky’s 4th District, as well as Rep. Steve Stockman, a Texas Republican. Both representatives are seeking to repeal federal laws that ban guns from school zones.

Korzenborn threatens action against Obama

Kenton County Sheriff Chuck Korzenborn apparently feels that President Obama's gun proposals (such as universal background checks, improved state reporting of criminals and the mentally ill, and capping magazine clip capacity at 10 bullets) violate the Second Amendment, and that treason is an acceptable response to them. From WLWT:

"(President Obama had) better be very careful about whether he exceeds his executive office in this country," said Kenton County Sheriff Chuck Korzenborn.

Korzenborn said he's prepared to step in if he feels the federal government steps beyond its constitutional authority.

"If the Second Amendment is violated, or the Fourth, search and seizure, or the 10th, I will take action, and the local feds know that and they appreciate that," Korzenborn said.

Barr, Massie off to a dubious start

From today's Herald-Leader:

Massie's proposal to allow guns on school grounds was roundly panned by Kentucky educators and police.

...In what must be one of the most insensitively worded statements ever to come out of a congression al office, Massie referred to schools as "target-rich" environments.

Newport Police Chief Tom Collins told Cincinnati.com "there's a million reasons why you don't want" to allow untrained people to carry guns in and around schools, including the possibility that the person will be overpowered and the gun taken away and used.

Another contrarian comes to Congress?

A great editorial in today's Courier-Journal:

(U.S. Rep. Thomas Massie) did a belly-flop last week when, upon being sworn into the 113th Congress, he promptly introduced a bill to repeal the federal Gun-Free School Zones Act.

Mr. Massie’s bill — which would allow people to bring firearms into the nation’s schools — is as ill-timed as it is outlandish. It follows the Dec. 14 shootings at the Connecticut elementary school where a gunman armed with an assault rifle slaughtered 20 small children and six educators.

...Mr. Massie should get serious about his job or risk becoming just another Congressional contrarian.