Republicans say they are for smaller government and lower taxes but that is at the Federal level, they look to accomplish this at the Federal level by pushing financial responsibility to the state and local level - as evident in Trumps budget and his recommendation on infrastructure - which is also now pushed to the state a local level - which requires an increase in state and local taxes to support.

Oh, and the FBI told the White House back in March about Porter's history of domestic violence and let them know he wouldn't get security clearance.

The White House ignored them and were in the process of promoting him.

And have lied about it consistently since last week.

No wonder our resident conservatives are MIA.

A rare case that I'll agree with you. There needs to be some improvement to background checks and other measures to keep guns out of the hands of those that wish to do us harm. Maybe even more limitations on automatic weapons and who can purchase those. Mental health is also a big factor.

One big issue that is often missed: teachers and school administrators can only recommend kids to seek help for mental health treatment. Ultimately, the decision comes down to parents - who often either: 1. Don't know there's a problem, 2. Don't care there's a problem, or 3. Choose to ignore the problem. There are many teachers in my family and this issue has only gotten worse.

Missing in this conversation is the high teen suicide rate. Many times it's the same issues that lead to both. A teen suicide is just as tragic, but almost never receives the news coverage. It's a big issue - especially so recently in our part of the state.

There's no easy answer. But hopefully something productive can get done.

And of those three, the most difficult to address is door number 3. Folks we can't go back to the days of 211 Pine Street so lets take care of what we can easily take care of - regulating guns.

not just more checks, but a a renewed and more strict assault weapons ban needs to happen. There is simply no reason for military grade weaponry to be in civilian hands. I'm more terrified of any American who thinks they need such a weapon than I am of anything crossing our border illegally. And it's not even close.

The question is,how do you define "military grade weaponry"?

Is it what the weapon looks like ?

Is it the fact that its semi automatic ?

Is it the weapon's caliber ?

Most people look at the AR-15 or similar style weapons and call them assault weapons.
N.J. has severe restrictions on assault weapons.
Yet,there is Bushmaster rifle that uses an AR-15 platform (semi automatic,removable magazine,same caliber),but is perfectly legal in N.J.

There are also semiautomatic hunting rifles and pump shot shotguns that are just as deadly as an AR style weapon.

Another interesting,though some will say not pertinent point,at the time the Constitution was written,many civilians had higher quality (rifle vs musket) weapons then the military.

Everybody can agree the FBI has had plenty of issues over the years. But the political expediency of the Right's turn against them is, frankly, telling. Hard to take the concerns seriously considering they were nowhere to be found until a few months ago.

Hell, even when Mueller was appointed the Right insisted he was an excellent choice (because they appointed him). Now the whole thing needs to be torn down?

Personally, my stance is that many of the power structures of our government are in very bad shape. But that the checks and balances they provide each other are a delicate balance, and obvious, political attempts to discredit certain institutions are not only disingenuous, but dangerous and should be shunned. And since nobody here can seem to point out any obvious instances of investigators supposed political biases impacting their work, this all just seems like blatant politicking to me. Hell, as gross as it is, I can even admit it's good politics. The Trump admin managed to convince his supporters, basically overnight, that law enforcement's bad. Look at how the polling on that issue looks on the right over the last decade. It's really stark that suddenly the FBI isn't trustworthy.

In other words, I don't think the FBI is perfect. Far from it. But I think their role's essential and should be guarded and I think the fact that the Right's opinion shifted so quickly betrays a political bias that's far more present than anything they're pointing out at the FBI.

I had no problem with the Hillary investigation, if their was sufficient reason to investigate then you investigate. I’m all for nailing the shit out of white colallar and political crimes, regardless of who they are. I also respect the findings and the decision to either prosecute or not. I know that doesn’t jive with what you want to believe of me or others who believe the FBI is a fine and professional organization.

"Do you understand NOW!!??!!?? Or is it still blurred to you??

I would love to claim the above questions. However, it is LeBron James who is demanding all of us to reconsider Colin Kaepernick's actions.

+ 1

+1.

It's interesting now, to look back on Kaepernick and others who started the kneeling in an attempt to raise awareness. They were in the right then, and when/if they do it this fall, they will remain in the right.

If Trump and others had not demonized the peaceful protest at that time and addressed the concerns of the African American community in an even handed way, we may not be where we are today.