Happy Ugadi 2013

Vijaya nama Samvatsaram is here.  Wishing all a very happy new year.  May the new year usher in peace, gun control, and health care for all.  May the climate change be reversed, there be fewer solar flares, less dark lightning, no global warming and no pollution.  May all women be empowered, not be victims of sexual assault, domestic violence or objectification; may they all gain equal access to education, and jobs.  May they have the right to abortion in all states, always. May there be marriage equality and no person be discriminated against because of his/her sexuality.  May there be no bullying in schools, no shootings.  May there be cure for autism, cancer and AIDS. May all heretics, terrorists, dictators see the error of their ways.  As also some Republicans.  May the US deficit become a surplus and Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae episode be just a short nightmare.  ....

Connecticut "Breaks the Mold"-New Gun Laws

Gun Control March Jan 26, 2013 at the Capitol--NY Daily News

Connecticut lawmakers today announced the proposal for the strictest gun laws ever in a bipartisan measure, to prevent mass shootings like the one in December which left 20 children and 6 educators dead. Senate President Donald E. Williams Jr. declared that Connecticut has broken the mold and should be a  role model for all the other states.

The proposal includes new registration requirements for existing magazines that carry 10 or more bullets, something of a disappointment for some family members of Newtown victims who wanted an outright ban on the possession of all high-capacity magazines and traveled to the state Capitol on Monday to ask lawmakers for it.

The package also creates what lawmakers said is the nation's first statewide dangerous weapon offender registry, creates a new “ammunition eligibility certificate,” imposes immediate universal background checks for all firearms sales, and extends the state's assault weapons ban to 100 new types of firearms and requires that a weapon have only one of several features in order to be banned.

The newly banned weapons could no longer be bought or sold in Connecticut, and those legally owned already would have to be registered with the state, just like the high-capacity magazines.

“No gun owner will lose their gun,” said House Minority Leader Lawrence Cafero Jr., a Norwalk Republican. “No gun owner will lose their magazines.”  (Los Angeles Times, 4/1/2013)

A small step but a reassuring one.  Mental health issues can be dealt with next.

Ribbons for the victims of the Newtown shooting was worn by each of the New York Yankees and the Boston Red Sox at the Opening Day game today at the Yankee stadium.