Thursday, April 18, 2013
The U.S. Senate voted down a measure that would require tougher background checks for those who purchase guns. We’d like to get your take on the issue!
President Barack Obama called the U.S. Senate’s April 17 vote denying stricter background checks for gun purchases “shameful.” The proposed law was shot down 54 to 46 with some Democrats joining Republicans in rejecting the measure, which was hoped to curb gun violence like that witnessed in the Newtown, Conn., massacre last year, according to the Huffington Post. The number of votes was less than the 60 needed to break a filibuster. If approved, the measure would have extended the country’s background check system to include gun shows and Internet purchases of weapons. The failure of the measure likely signals defeat for any other major legislation meant to clamp down on gun violence, the Post says. Other measures that “appear headed for …
Tuesday, February 12, 2013
President Barack Obama has the authority to set policy, but some say he’s abusing it to skirt Congress. We’d like to hear your thoughts on the issue, Tampa Bay.
One of the perks of sitting in the Oval Office is having the authority to set national policy on topics as far ranging as civil liberties and gun control. The executive order is a tool afforded to the president that has long been used to direct government agencies to do certain things. While the Constitution doesn’t specifically grant this authority, according to a 1999 report prepared for Congress, presidents from George Washington forward have used orders to conduct business. President Barack Obama’s use of the executive order, however, has drawn fire from critics. In some cases, false claims have been made about the number of orders he’s issued since taking office. One rumor, which has been squelched, claimed Obama had signed 900 …
Local city and community leaders from across Florida asked their local legislative officials Monday to stand up and support President Obama's gun violence prevention policies.
City leaders and community activists rallied around the state Monday to advocate for stronger background checks in hopes local legislative leaders would support President Barack Obama's new gun control initiatives. At the St. Petersburg City Hall on Monday, leaders called on U.S. Rep. C.W. Bill Young (R-Indian Shores) to support Obama's gun violence prevention proposals. St. Pete resident Lisa Brown began her speech Monday by reading the names of gun violence victims in St. Pete and Pinellas County. "Officer Crawford." "Paris Whitehead." "Officer Yaslowitz." "Destynee Burkes." She concluded by saying one last name, her son, "Cabretti Wheeler". "All victims of gun violence," Brown said Monday. "Victims that were murdered senselessly. …
Monday, January 28, 2013
As President Barack Obama kicks off his second term in office, the often prickly issue of immigration reform has come to the forefront. We’d like to get your thoughts on America’s immigration policy and the need for reform, Tampa Bay!
After tackling health care in his first term, it looks like President Barack Obama has set his sights on waging another big battle in his second term in office – immigration reform. The president is expected to discuss his plans for reform on Tuesday during a trip to Nevada, but a bi-partisan group of Senators intends to beat him to the punch. The group of eight Senators includes Florida’s own Republican Marco Rubio, according to the Huffington Post. Their plan, which will be more fully announced today, Jan. 28, calls for a multifaceted approach to reform with such prongs as: The Senate group, however, wants to make sure the first two points are adequately addressed by the country before the pathway opens. "Once the enforcement measures …
Monday, January 21, 2013
As inaugural festivities continue in Washington, D.C., we want to get Tampa Bay’s take on the three-day production and its value to the country as a whole.
As President Barack Obama gave his second inaugural address today, Jan. 21, thousands of Americans turned out to watch the festivities in Washington, D.C. Even more tuned in to watch the pageantry live on television or the Internet. A tradition that dates back to George Washington’s first swearing-in on April 30, 1789, the Presidential Inauguration has become bigger, better and much, much more costly through the years. The first few inaugurations were rather short affairs that didn’t include gala balls. Washington, in fact, only spoke 135 words in his second inaugural address, according to the U.S. Senate’s website. Balls weren’t added to the mix until James Madison’s 1809 swearing-in. Those festivities only cost attendees $4 each for …
Monday, January 14, 2013
Conservative groups are asking people across the nation – and right here in Tampa Bay – to show their support for the 2nd Amendment on Jan. 19. Will you support the movement?
As politicians line up to support stricter gun control measures in the wake of the Sandy Hook Elementary massacre, conservative groups have joined forces to draw a line in the sand. The result: Gun Appreciation Day. Set for Jan. 19 – not coincidentally two days before President Barack Obama’s second inauguration – the observance is meant to be a national show of force in favor of gun owners’ rights. Support for the movement has come in from such sponsors as the Second Amendment Foundation, Special Operations Speaks, the Women Warriors PAC and others. The groups are asking people around the country, and right here in the Tampa Bay area, to “go to your local gun store, gun range or gun show with your Constitution, American flags and your ‘…
Wednesday, January 2, 2013
President Barack Obama thinks it’s time to give Congress and federal employees a raise. What do you think, Tampa Bay?
Update, Jan. 3 1:24 p.m.: The U.S. House has voted to block the pay raise, according to the Washington Post. Earlier: Vice President Joe Biden will earn $231,900 a year. House Speaker John Boehner will get $224,500. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid’s pay will change to $194,400 annually. Those figures, according to the Huffington Post, represent the salaries of some of America’s top politicians after a half-percent pay increase goes into effect for all members of Congress, the vice president and federal employees in March 2013. There are 2.8 million federal workers. President Barack Obama signed an executive order removing the pay freeze on federal positions in the midst of the fiscal cliff negotiations. The act effectively raises the pay…
Wednesday, December 26, 2012
As Washington works to head off the so-called fiscal cliff, we’d like to hear from you on how the possible tax hikes would impact your family right here in Tampa Bay.
With New Year’s just around the corner, all eyes are turning to Washington, D.C., where lawmakers are working to prevent America from falling off the so-called fiscal cliff. That cliff, according to the Huffington Post, is the automatic activation of budget cuts and tax hikes that will kick in on Jan. 1, 2013, if something isn’t done to prevent them. As it stands right now, no agreement has been reached between the Democrats and Republicans to prevent the financial changes from occurring. Some economists say the budget cuts and tax hikes will catapult America back into another recession. President Barack Obama is cutting his holiday vacation short, according to the Post, and is returning to Washington to try and work out a deal. …
Thursday, November 8, 2012
The Barack Obama campaign volunteers in Pinellas County were overjoyed by the fact that their hard work for the presidential run paid off.
- THE NEIGHBORHOOD FILES
- On Patch.com
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Thursday, November 8, 2012
Wednesday, November 7, 2012
As President Barack Obama prepares for another four years, we want to hear your thoughts on the direction of the country.
The votes have been counted–in most states–and the speeches made. Gov. Mitt Romney had to concede and President Barack Obama gets to celebrate victory. Now it’s time to look ahead to the next four years and the challenges we face, not as Democrats, Republicans or Independents, but as Americans. That’s where you come in Tampa Bay! We want to hear your thoughts on the obstacles our country faces and your ideas for tackling them. What are your hopes for the next four years? What concerns do you have? What problems are America’s biggest? How would you solve them if you were president? Share your thoughts, ideas and solutions in the comments section.
Dan Pressler
12:04 pm on Monday, May 6, 2013
the question is - would any of these laws prevent the people who already get guns illegally anyway from getting them now ? If not what is the point of the law - more gov't? more ›