Update: New Jersey Holds Public Hearing on Gun Control Bills

Today we attended the hearings on 23+/- different gun control oriented bills.  <in force>    I don’t think I can come up with enough adjectives to express my disgust at the proceedings

 BUT, before I drip distain all over ya, I’d like to suggest a huge round of applause for Assembly<person>  Alison McHose who did a fine job speaking out for our rights, and true common sense.     And to the “bald, liberal, Jew, from Cherry Hill” <his words, not mine> who gave his own party What-For in a marvelously eloquent manner.    <paraphrasing> “I voted for you, I donate to you, please, don’t do this to me.” as he can’t recruit employees to move to Jersey..  <grin> They won’t leave their guns behind.

First, the bills themselves were really just the sets for the political floor show.    It wouldn’t matter what we-the-people said.    This is all about the Dem’s throwing a bunch trash bills at Governor Christie, so he has to veto them.    That let’s them stomp around in 2013 when all 120 legislative seats are up for grabs and campaign saying “Oh, we’re trying to save lives and the big bad bully boy wants you dead.”    Or some other such stupid, ludicrous thing.

It’s all a set up, and an absolute insult to the public.   I think 6 hours is about my limit of tolerance for sitting and watching this guy be blatantly unfair to the hundreds of people who travelled from all over the state to speak at THEIR public hearing.    It’s a wonder the smoke alarms didn’t go off over my head.    They’ve made a complete joke out of what is serious business for the residents of this state…   utterly disgusting.

Let me tell you why I was mad.   It had nothing what so ever to do with the gun bills.    If you are going to attend hearings you need to know how it works.   They had 20+ bills in one day.    That’s the first point of idiocy.     THEN when the general public asked how to sign up to speak, they were told “Oh, just put *ALL” on the form.    BIG MISTAKE.    You do and you go to the end of the line.

The Committee Chair started taking testimony, <after a blatant political pitch that got him laughed at significantly>  one bill at a time, and then PASSING them out of committee, before anyone who put *ALL on their forms got to speak.   The level of discontent in the room was rising.     One lady testifying protested this process . Ms. McHose  (R-24th) www.alisonmchose.com/ <a committee  member> spoke up in support, and the Chair then agreed to hear all testimony before committee votes on the bills.

BUT.. he kept taking testimony by bill #, with those who put *ALL still not getting to speak.    Those who did speak were those trained in state house procedures who knew to specify a bill # on their “I wanna testify” form.      Because of that, the same individuals came up to speak 3-4-5-6 times, once on each of the bills, and STILL the *All folk were ignored.    After 2pm those who had to get back on busses would probably never get their TURN to speak.   By 2:30 I was steaming.

Injustice, my friends, just fires me up.   What the Chair should have done, seeing as all bill voting was pushed to the end, was to say “Those who’ve already spoken can take another turn AFTER each of the *All folk get a shot.”       When I tried to point this out, ever so respectfully <g>, after having to remind him to pay attention  <YO, I’m talking to you.> he said “This is MY meeting.”   <with a tad bit of attitude>

Well, the collective we-the-people there didn’t like that at all.   The room erupted in a noise that is hard to explain.    Kind of like 200 Grizzly Bears all growling.    I’ve never heard anything like it.  <was awsome, actually>   I don’t know who blew first, me or the room, probably simultaneously,  haven’t a clue what I might of said thereafter except <in concept> that it’s not his room, not his State House, and darn sure was NOT his meeting.    It was a PUBLIC meeting for the PUBLIC to speak.  

I AM SO PROUD of we-the-people today.    Friends, we packed the big room, and a other listening rooms, and there were people in the courtyard.     I’m proud that the CITIZENS of this state nullified this martinet’s order for no applause  <which was very short & respectful, though some folk did have laughter management challenges at times >.    I’m proud of everyone who got a chance to speak as they were all marvelous.    I’m proud of those who organized the podium and outdoor event for the overflow who couldn’t get into the building.

WELL DONE!    Well done to all the group organizers who secured busses and rallied their members.   Now send as many letters in support of vetoing the bills to Governor Christie.    Give him ammunition to fight back with.

Update, February 15, 2013:  Video of the Second Amendment hearing can be viewed here.