By David E. Petzal and Philip Bourjaily

Now it’s getting interesting. According to the February 1 edition of the New York Post, the National Rifle Association, operating behind the scenes, has succeeded in quashing Diana Taylor’s nomination as head of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. Ms. Taylor is New York City Mayor Mike Bloomberg’s girlfriend, and it was done, sayeth the Post, as retaliation for Bloomberg’s recent attacks on the NRA.

Bloomberg, in his second-term inaugural speech, took on not only the NRA, but lawmakers who roll over for the gun lobby (meaning Congress), saying: “It shows the power of one advocacy organization and, I would argue, the cowardice of people who succumb to their pressure.”

But now comes the really interesting part. Bloomberg spent $77 million just to get re-elected, and his total worth is estimated at between $5 and $9 billion. If he should become angry enough, he could buy the votes in Congress and have Article II of the Bill of Rights repealed, or he could buy the NRA.

Buying Congressional votes is no trick at all. Everyone does it. Bloomberg could probably do it with what he carries in his wallet. As for the NRA, how much is it worth?... [ Read Full Post ]

By David E. Petzal and Philip Bourjaily

OK, here’s a questions for all of you out in blogland: I’ve been arguing all morning with a friend at one of the gun companies about looks—not hers, the guns her employer makes. I claim that their best-selling model is coyote ugly, or as ugly as several recent Presidential daughters. And my question to you is, how important is a gun’s appearance? If it shoots good and the price is right, do looks matter? [ Read Full Post ]