Justin's Political Corner

On Tuesday night, National Rifle Association Executive Vice President and CEO Wayne LaPierre offered the organization’s response to President Obama’s inaugural address and the gun safety proposals he offered earlier this month.

Speaking at the Weatherby Foundation International Hunting and Conservation Award dinner in Reno, Nevada, LaPierre claimed that President Obama seeks to place “every private personal firearms transaction right under the thumb of the federal government” and charged that he will “ruin Christmas for young boys across the country by creating a system to track the country’s firearms.”

Obama’s proposal for tracking firearms is actually meant to cut down on the number of stolen guns used in crimes, and to be able to trace back weapons to their owners. The reforms will help law enforcement better understand where guns used in violent crime come from.

H/T: Annie-Roses Strasser at Think Progress

A Texas state representative pre-filed legislation that would allow public school officials to use “traditional winter greetings” such as “Merry Christmas” and “Happy Hanukkah” on school grounds.

The “Merry Christmas Bill” would grant “the right to celebrate on school property with displays associated with those holidays, including Menorahs, Christmas trees and Nativity scenes.” State Rep. Dwayne Bohac (R-Houston), the bill’s author, explained his inspiration:

“This bill originated when I picked up my first-grade son from school last year and asked him how his day went. He told me that his class had decorated their holiday tree with holiday ornaments. When I asked what a holiday tree was, he told me it was the same as a Christmas tree,” Bohac said. “After inquiring with school officials as to why the term “Holiday Tree” was being used, it became apparent that the school was fearful of litigation.”

Though Bohac wants to protect school officials from litigation, it is likely his bill would face many legal challenges were it to become law.

H/T: ThinkProgress

WEBSTER GROVES, MO (KTVI) – A happy ending to the story of a cafeteria worker who lost her job after sneaking lunches to a needy child at Hudson Elementary in Webster Groves.

Response to this cafeteria worker’s story has been enormous, receiving national attention and spreading like wildfire on the Internet.   This lunch lady’s employer apparently took notice.

In the hours since Dianne Brame went public about losing her job, higher-ups at her company, Chartwells School Dining Services, called her up wanting to talk.

Brame explains, “They came by to pick me up and took me to the conference room, and they let me tell my side of the story and they presented themselves.”

By 2:30 in the afternoon, the former cafeteria manager had her job back.  

As for the upcoming holiday, FOX2 previously reported that Brame was baking cookies in lieu of Christmas presents. But with her paycheck back, she’s ready to go shopping for all those grandkids.

Brame explains, “I was holding on to my little money, making sure I could pay my rent in January, but yes, with the reinstatement of my job, I will go on with a normal life.  Now they’re gonna get their undershirts, socks and pajamas, those things—and cookies.”

Previously: Webster Groves Cafeteria Worker unfairly fired

H/T: Rebecca Roberts at Fox2now.com