The deal includes enhanced background checks for buyers under the age of 21, funding for the expansion of mental health services and school security, and state grants to implement so-called “red flag” laws championed by Republicans that permit law enforcement to seek temporary removal of firearms from those who pose threats to themselves or others.
Still leaves a lot to be desired of course, but after the killings in the Uvalde elementary school in Texas (and unfortunaely, a very badly bungled police response), plus a few other killings in the same time period, the Senate felt serious pressure to get something done! The real problem was that the whole idea of "hardening" schools and other targets against a shooter proved to be an utter and disastrous failure. The Robb Elementary School in Uvalde was hardened, there was a prompt police response and the shooter killed 19 students and two teachers anyway. And yes, of course, there are plenty of reasons to be dissatisfied and cautious with the proposed bill.
Russian State Duma Deputy Defense Committee Chairman Vladimir Shamanov talks about long-range plans for Ukraine.
The first is that while the Russian military is supposed to be capable of conducting combined arms maneuver warfare at scale and in the open, what we’ve learned over the past 108 days is that they can’t actually do it. Their material and equipment is either poorly maintained or really old. Their personnel just aren’t capable of doing what they’re supposed to have been able to do. Unfortunately the Russians have more artillery and air assets, as well as longer range ones, which they’re using to just bombard everything they can reach in Ukraine into dust. They also have more personnel, even if a lot of those personnel aren’t properly trained and don’t really want to fight.
The second is that the Ukrainians are very smart. They’re also determined. And they’re defending their homes. If they lose they don’t just lose and then pack their stuff up and go home. If they lose they lose their home. Which is why President Zelenskyy and everyone else involved in leading Ukraine’s military and diplomatic efforts, as well as a very large amount of Ukrainians in general, are constantly delineating what they need and that they needed it back in November!
