RINGSIDE POLITICS – MARCH 24, 2021
Written by WGSO Producer on March 24, 2021
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Welcome to another edition of Ringside Politics with Jeff Crouere
Today’s Hot Topics:
1) U.S. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, reignited the fight between Democrats and Republicans Tuesday over gun control by criticizing Democrats for “ridiculous theater” for calling for universal background checks and other measures in the wake of shootings in Boulder, Colo., and the Atlanta area.
At a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on gun violence, one day after a gunman killed 10 people in a Colorado supermarket and after last week’s shootings of eight people in Georgia, a combative Cruz said gun control does not lessen crime, “it makes it worse.”
The issue has new urgency with the outpouring of anger and anxiety from the public and law enforcement over how to respond to a surge in gun violence.
2) Vice President Kamala Harris said Wednesday in an interview with CBS News that Biden would not exclude taking executive action on gun control measures, but “if we really want something that is going to be lasting, we need to pass legislation.”
Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., who has aggressively pushed for expanded gun control since the 2012 shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School that killed 20 children and six educators, expressed optimism about the chances for new laws with Biden in the White House and Democrats controlling the House and the Senate. He called it “the dawn of a new era.”
Some Republicans hinted that they would be open to negotiations, though it was unclear if there were any real bipartisan discussions. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell said he was opposed to the House legislation, but “I’m certainly open to the discussion.”
3) Pointing to over 1,000 arrests in one of the nation’s top party spots, Miami Beach officials warned Sunday that the unruly spring break crowd gathering by the thousands, fighting in the streets, destroying restaurant property and refusing to wear masks has become a serious threat to public safety.
Commissioners gathered virtually Sunday and extended for another week the emergency declaration issued Saturday in response to the unruly South Beach crowds, CBS Miami reported.
City officials held open the possibility of extending it well into April if needed, and stressed this isn’t the typical spring break crowd. They said it’s not college students, but adults looking to let loose in one of the few states fully open during the pandemic.
4) President Biden on Tuesday called for tightening of the nation’s gun laws, plunging him into an impassioned debate that he largely tiptoed around until it erupted anew after two mass shootings.
In hastily arranged remarks less than 24 hours after a shooting rampage in Boulder, Colo., that left 10 people dead, Biden proposed a ban on assault weapons and high-capacity ammunition magazines, as well as an expansion of background checks during gun sales. Gun-control advocates have tried to push through all these initiatives over the past decade, but strong cultural and political divisions have stymied their efforts.
Today’s Guests:
1) John Couvillon, Pollster – is welcomed to the show in the first hour to discuss the state of politics and voiting rights.
2) Frosty Wooldridge; “Immigration Expert” – joins the show to discuss the perceived threats that immigration presents.
3) Martin Avila, CEO of Right Forge – calls in to discuss the state of free speech in online forums.
4) Mimi Crouere, Ringside All-Star – rendezvous with Jeff to opine and take callers.
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