This is basically a repeat of an earlier article, but its importance cannot be ignored. While the GOP presidential candidates condemn President Obama’s plan to allow thousands of Syrian refugees into our country, they are diverting attention from the fact that they support giving guns to terrorists already living in America.

The cowardly attacks in Paris on November 13^th were conducted with the use of assault rifles. The gun laws in France likely prohibited them from being purchased legally. In America a terrorist could easily purchase any weapon of mass destruction from his neighborhood gun store or gun show.

The FBI has a ‘watch list’ of suspected terrorists. Most are unable to board a commercial aircraft, but they can all purchase firearms. There is no restriction although they are considered possible terrorists. With the influence of the NRA gun lobby, GOP legislators have prevented legislation forbidding the sale of assault rifles and high-output magazines to these potential terrorists.

The Government Accountability Office, GAO, reports that between 2004 and 2014 suspected terrorists attempted to purchase weapons from a gun shop at least 2,233 times; 2,043 succeeded. This is a small number of those on the ‘watch list,’ which contains the names of approximately 700,000 people.

Meanwhile the GOP presidential wannabees continue to worry about a single Syrian refugee who may be an ISIS supporter. As usual they are in denial of reality, and continue to use ‘smoke and mirrors’ in an attempt to sway the American people.

I continue to wait for one GOP candidate to stand up and address the issues in an intelligent manner. They all criticize Democrats for their plans, but offer no reasonable alternative. With the exception of attacking opponents, none of the GOP hopefuls has a strategy to convince anyone other than hardcore conservatives that they have a plan for America’s future and safety.

With the division within the GOP, I fear that the last qualified GOP candidate was in 2008. John McCain was ready to lead our nation. Questions remain regarding his poor choice for a running mate. Had he selected a man or woman who had the credentials to hold our nation’s second highest office, would he have won the election? The 14 remaining GOP candidates won’t have to worry about a vice-presidential candidate’s qualifications; they must be concerned about their own.

Not a single one of these presidential wannabees offers a positive platform. They continue to be opportunistic using emotional issues to seek support. The Syrian refugee situation has been blown out of proportion. It takes approximately two years for a refugee to be granted asylum. An assault rifle can be purchased at a gun show instantly.

GOP candidates must get serious; they must prove that they will not follow the rash judgements of past president George W. Bush. Before they open their mouths, they must get their facts straight. The American people have heard far too many falsehoods and half-truths.

Op-Ed

By James Turnage

Source

Photo Courtesy of Jon Olav Eikenes

Author’s Page http://www.amazon.com/By-James-turnage/e/B00LOCJ2Z2