NEWS AND OPINION:
“The Libertarian Party is the only political party calling for sensible, serious policy change that would reduce the frequency of mass shootings as well as minimize the damage they do. Virtually all mass shootings happen in gun-free zones. Regardless of the ideology of the shooter or the type of weapons used, the common link is that the event occurs where responsible gun owners are prohibited from carrying arms for self-defense,” says Libertarian National Committee chairman Nicholas Sarwark, who points out that the shooting in Orlando on Sunday — and in San Bernardino, Paris, Fort Hood and other locations — took place in gun-free zones.
“In each of these mass killings, the government prohibited people from exercising their life-saving right to self defense. Government-mandated gun-free zones disarm those who want to defend themselves and their loved ones. Gun-free zones create killing fields for mass murderers who, by definition, do not care what the law says,” Mr. Sarwark continues. “Self-defense is a fundamental human right. When government takes away the right of self-defense, it is violating a fundamental human right and endangering its citizens.”
He adds, “The choice of whether and how to defend oneself is a profoundly personal one. The government should not mandate that every American carry a gun for personal self-defense, nor should it mandate that every American must rely on police for protection. The beauty of the right to self-defense is that it keeps the criminals guessing as to who has a gun and who does not. This deters mass shooters from even trying.”
9 PERCENT OF AMERICANS HAVE CONFIDENCE IN CONGRESS
A new Gallup poll reveals that the overall average of Americans expressing “a great deal” or “quite a lot” of confidence in 14 national institutions is below 33 percent for the third straight year. This is not good. When particulars are considered, it gets worse. At the bottom of the heap are lawmakers: Only 9 percent of the public has confidence in Congress.
Less than a fourth feel good about the criminal justice system, organized labor, print and broadcast news, banks and big business. Only a third have confidence in the U.S. presidency, Supreme Court and public schools. About 40 percent vouch for the medical system and organized religion.
SEE ALSO: American-born children of immigrants proving fruitful recruiting ground for jihad in U.S.
Only two institutions score majority support: 56 percent have confidence in the police, 73 percent feel the same about the military, numbers that have remained unchanged for a decade. Why such lousy ratings for the rest? The pollster does not cite reasons, but makes a recommendation.
“The task of identifying and dealing with those reasons in a way that rebuilds confidence is one of the more important challenges facing the nation’s leaders in the years ahead,” writes Gallup analyst Jim Norman.
’Force, purpose, determination’
Republican presumptive nominee Donald Trump had much to say in a speech Monday, 36 hours after the terrorist attack in Orlando.
“We need to respond to this attack on America as one united people — with force, purpose and determination. But the current politically correct response cripples our ability to talk and think and act clearly. If we don’t get tough, and we don’t get smart — and fast — we’re not going to have a country any more. There will be nothing left,” Mr. Trump said.
“America must unite the whole civilized world in the fight against Islamic terrorism, just like we did against communism in the Cold War. We’ve tried it President Obama’s way. He gave the world his apology tour, we got ISIS, and many other problems, in return,” the candidate noted.
SEE ALSO: Bernie Sanders and Hillary Clinton will likely unite against Donald Trump
CRITICAL FOCUS ON ’PUTIN’S RUSSIA’
House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Ed Royce convenes a hearing Tuesday to examine “Putin’s Russia.” On hand to lend perspective: Former U.S. ambassador to Russia Michael McFaul, former U.S. Ambassador to the Soviet Union Jack Matlock, and Leon Aron, director of Russian studies at the American Enterprise Institute.
“The Obama administration’s policy toward Putin’s Russia is clearly failing. From invading Ukraine to bombing Syrian hospitals and schools, Putin has only become more belligerent, in part due to a lack of U.S. leadership and credibility,” says Mr. Royce. “We must work with Russia from a position of strength. This hearing will look at ways to improve U.S. policy to counter Russia’s aggression and secure American interests.”
See a live video feed of the hearing at 10 a.m. ET here
HOOAH
Tuesday marks the 241st birthday of the U.S. Army.
“We live in a complex and unpredictable world today. We must continue to be ready to answer the call to fight and win in the unforgiving crucible of ground combat. As an American soldier, you are the best trained, best equipped, best manned and best led army in the world,” said Army Chief of Staff Gen. Mark A. Milley, in a message to the troops. “You have earned the trust and respect of not only America but also the world because you are disciplined, fit and prepared to meet any challenge, anywhere, at any time — and to win. You carry the lineage and traditions of all those who laid the foundation for our great army.”
Find the details at www.Army.mil/birthday.
FOXIFIED
Nimble news organization following Sunday’s terrorist attack: Fox News has sent prime-time hosts Greta Van Susteren and Megyn Kelly to anchor their respective programs live from Orlando, along with “Fox & Friends” co-anchor Brian Kilmeade, daytime anchor Bill Hemmer, and correspondents Geraldo Rivera, Steve Harrigan, Peter Doocy and Leland Vittert. “Fox & Friends Weekend” co-host Anna Kooiman and correspondent Phil Keating have special duty: “Reporting live from the shooter’s home city of Fort Pierce, Florida,” the network advised.
POLL DU JOUR
• 75 percent of U.S. employers say two or more hours are lost daily in the workplace due to “distracted” employees.
• 55 percent say cellphone use and texting is the “biggest productivity killer in the workplace.”
• 41 percent cite “the internet,” 39 percent cite gossip, 37 percent social media.
• 27 percent say smoke breaks, 26 percent email, 24 percent staff meetings.
• 20 percent cite noisy co-workers, 9 percent “sitting in a cubicle.”
Source: A CareerBuilder survey of 2,186 managers and HR professionals conducted Feb. 10 to March 17 and released Friday.
• Hoots and hollers to jharper@washingtontimes.com.
• Jennifer Harper can be reached at jharper@washingtontimes.com.
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