US gun advocates seek deportation of CNN host Morgan
‘Leverage’ Christmas episode will be last for TNT drama
WASHINGTON, Dec 24, (Agencies): US gun rights advocates have signed a White House petition calling for British CNN host Piers Morgan to be deported for allegedly attacking the Second Amendment rights of ordinary Americans.
Just two days after the petition calling for Morgan’s deportation was posted, it had already garnered more than 31,813 signatures late Monday, far and beyond the 25,000 required to get a response from the White House.
The outspoken former British tabloid editor has launched something of a personal crusade for greater gun control measures in the wake of the December 14 massacre at Sandy Hook elementary in Newtown, Connecticut.
On Tuesday, Morgan held an especially contentious interview with Gun Owners of America executive director Larry Pratt, appearing to become incensed and incredulous when Pratt suggested more, not fewer, weapons as the solution.
“You’re an unbelievably stupid man, aren’t you?” Morgan asked during the heated debate. “You have absolutely no coherent argument. You don’t actually give a damn about the gun murder rate in America.”
Following the interview, a Texas journalist posted a petition on the White House website alleging Morgan “is engaged in a hostile attack against the US Constitution by targeting the Second Amendment.”
“We demand that Mr Morgan be deported immediately for his effort to undermine the Bill of Rights and for exploiting his position as a national network television host to stage attacks against the rights of American citizens,” it says.
Many Americans follow a literal interpretation of the Second Amendment, which enshrines the “right to bear arms” in the US Constitution.
Morgan insists America can outlaw military-style assault weapons and highcapacity magazines without infringing on people’s constitutional rights and says he has no quarrel with the Second Amendment.
A defiant Morgan refused to back down from his position.
“Ironic US gun rights campaign to deport me for ‘attacking 2nd Amendment rights’ - is my opinion not protected under 1st Amendment rights?” he posted on his Twitter feed Saturday, referring to freedom of speech provisions.
Morgan continued to post incendiary comments on the gun control debate, including a response on Sunday morning to an NBC interview with a top official in the powerful pro-gun lobby group, the National Rifle Association.
“Watching ADavidgregory expose Wayne Lapierre for what he is - a dangerous, dim-witted, deluded menace to American safety. ANRA,” Morgan tweeted.
And to the petition’s sponsor, he wrote: “Bring it on, you goon.”
At least some Americans have come out in support of British citizen.
In one message, reposted by Morgan, Lee Cox in Arizona wrote: “I’m a native-born US citizen, and I agree 100% with Mr. Morgan. If he goes back to the UK, should I go with him?”
America has suffered an epidemic of gun violence over the last three decades including 62 mass shooting incidents since 1982. The vast majority of weapons used have been semi-automatic
weapons obtained legally by the killers.
Bethenny Frankel and husband Jason Hoppy are separating.
The 42-year-old TV personality, chef, author and entrepreneur told The Associated Press Sunday that the split brings her “great sadness.”
“This was an extremely difficult decision that as a woman and a mother, I have to accept as the best choice for our family,” Frankel said. “We have love and respect for one another and will continue to amicably co-parent our daughter who is and will always remain our first priority. This is an immensely painful and heartbreaking time for us.”
Frankel and Hoppy were married in 2010 and have a daughter, Bryn, who was born that same year. The couple’s courtship and marriage were documented in two reality TV series, “Bethenny Getting Married?” and “Bethenny Ever After...” Frankel first gained fame as a star of “The Real Housewives of New York City.” Since her stint on the Bravo show, she has written four books, released a fitness video and founded her Skinnygirl line of cocktails, shapewear and nutritional supplements.
She launched a talk show, “Bethenny,” over the summer that is set to air nationally on Fox stations in 2013.
Cable network TNT has confirmed what “Leverage” fans feared: the Season 5 finale episode — which will air on Christmas Day — will be its last.
Dean Devlin, executive producer of the TNT drama, earlier this month penned an open letter to the show’s viewers, telling them that he and fellow “Leverage” executive producer John Rogers crafted the show’s Season 5 finale as a series finale, because it just might be.
In the series, Timothy Hutton stars as the leader of a squad of shady characters who use their skills to right corporate and government injustices.
Tuesday’s episode, according to Devlin, is “the most powerful episode we’ve ever done.”
“Leverage” has averaged 3.5 million total viewers, down 11 percent from last season’s average, with 1.3 million in the 18-49 demographic most important to advertisers, an 18 percent decline from last season.