C-SPAN v. cable news summaries of Senate hearings

[J.R.@A&M]

I'm traveling on business today, which means I've spend the last five hours in a hotel room watching cable news (PBS News Hour, Fox News), after listening to talk radio for several hours while in the car. To believe the cable news summaries, today's U.S. Senate hearings on "Preventing Gun Violence" were stacked against 2nd Amendment supporters. LaPierre's testimony got a snibbet of coverage, balanced against former Rep. Giffords and her husband Mark Kelly.

Well, watching the C-SPAN coverage was a lot more illuminating. Wayne LaPierre said a lot of other thoughtful things and provided good rebuttal. Sen. Lindsay Graham, among others, did a great job pointing out the reasonableness of having gun magazines of more than ten rounds. Gayle Trotter, the witness representing female victims and their need for flexibility, was very effective describing women's need for high capacity, and the usefulness to women of assault rifles. David Kopel, the law professor witness, did a great job arguing for 2nd Amendment precedents. Sen. Cruz was thoughtful and balanced in his remarks. Altogether, these witnesses provided a lot of great content which, in my opinion, outscored the opposition on the merits.

[67SS]

tho C-Span be boring.... its coverage is impeccable....

[LabRat]

tho C-Span be boring.... its coverage is impeccable....

That's the problem with truth....it is boring to know exactly what happens. I happen to prefer it that way.
Just the complete facts, please; I don't want the "authorized journalist's" opinion....its worth nada to me.
And if I do decide I want it; I'll tell 'em what to say.

Nothing sells papers (and TV advertising) like blood and a (drama-queen type) mystery.

LabRat

[Commander]

I wish that Lindsay Graham had asked that police chief who was so adamant about limiting magazines to 10 rounds a couple of questions:
1- Chief, what capacity magazine do you carry?
2- Chief, can you elaborate on why you need a magazine capacity of more than 10 rounds while you say that the average citizen does not need one for self defense?

At one point, Al Franken asked the chief to explain why barrel shrouds, pistol grips and folding stocks made weapons more dangerous. The chief (not being able to give a logical answer) instead seized on optics. (?). He said that technological advances in the "optics that can be attached to these weapons" are "amazing". I wish someone had asked him what he meant and could he address the question asked.

[RPB]

another (non-official, but handy) resource for US Senate:
http://gov.mtopgroup.com/ref/art1/senate-live.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Show Full Floor Log
Last Updated: Monday, February 4, 2013, 06:23 PM (CST)
by the twitter https://twitter.com/SenateFloor" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; @SenateFloor
===================

Similarly:
US House

https://twitter.com/HouseFloor" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; @HouseFloor
http://gov.mtopgroup.com/ref/art1/house-live.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Show Latest Floor Action

Last Updated: Wednesday, February 6, 2013, 08:21 AM (CST)