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Read here
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Nick Anderson (link)
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It’s impossible to find the words for today, so I won’t even try. All our hearts go out, too, to CTGirl whose good friend lost his young daughter in the shootings, and then she learnt her father, who was just 62, had passed away.
Endless love to you CTGirl, and to everyone whose hearts were broken today.
God help us all.
Time to get busy!
My condolence cues to those poor parents and t po you all for having to deal.
My condolences to CTGirl on her loss today and my prayers to your friends who lost their child as a result of this tragic event. I like the president and everyone else feel the pain and sadness that we loss so many innocent children and couragous adults who tried to stop the monster that did this.
I plan to write the president and every congressman to please do something to stop this. We need to change gun laws on a grassroots level by getting rid of republicans who are bought and paid by the NRA, electing independent or democrat not afraid to vote to curb gun violence and ban high powered weapons.
We can do immigration reform AND gun control in the next four years….but they both must be done.
I can’t even type properly right now. Heart-felt condolences.
Absolutely nothing I can say about this! There is no place ‘safe’, no respect for life on the part of some.
{{{{CTGirl}}}} May you be strengthened through the days and weeks ahead by the presence and love of friends and family!
CTgirl, my sympathies to you and your friend.
Is it possible for us as a nation to gather together the confidence and good sense to give up guns? It made sense in the early days, but it no longer does. Why can’t we revert to one hunting rifle for hunters? Or even a hand gun if you are sane, and it is registered? Why do we let gun nuts, perhaps mainly male, who have serious identity issues, be our oppressors and murderers? I don’t buy the argument that then the criminals are the only ones with guns. We have police forces. And we have a democracy and laws. We ought to develop some genuine self-confidence. We should not accept a tyranny of men with guns who can kill at will, kill themselves, and leave us with heart break and no solution.
(I always seem to miss the new threads – so a repoet)
I live in a country with a population less than 10% than that of the US – we implemented gun control after a massacre that killed (from memory) 36 people. The Washington Post had an article about it back in August. It would be difficult to do in the US – but surely not impossible if congress worked as a unit (is that even possible at the minute) and everyone works towards that goal.
Perhaps when it seems impossible – it is the time to be active. When a country has the death of its own children to consider – there can be some hope – It was the parent who lost his children in the Port Arthur tragedy who fought with his heart & soul to get the weapons out of Australian homes.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/wonkblog/wp/2012/08/02/did-gun-control-work-in-australia/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walter_Mikac
My thoughts are all with the parents and family – and the President who cares so much as a parent and a President.
I had thought Immigration reform would be the issue I’d contribute the bulk of what little time I have to supporting President Obama’s efforts during his second term, apart from removing as many Rs as possible in 2014.
Nope. It’s gonna be getting rigid controls for semi-automatic, automatic weapons and numerous calibers of ammunition enacted.
#TrustBarack
I hear ya Lootenant and after more thought I bet this could be controlled by treating “gun nuts” like drug dealers and moonshiners. Clamp down on ammo makers. Limit access to gun powder. If you get caught outside your home with a weapon, without proper registration then straight to the cross bar hotel and your possession seized by the state or Feds. Once it’s fleshed out to accommodate hunters, I believe it could be dealt with. Drugs destroy lives and so do guns!
Just horrible, and unendingly sad. It’s time for the nightmare to end. How many more innocents have to die before the NRA is taken down, and the evil branch of the GOP that continues to enable them?? It’s time, and past time.
Jesus. When I left yesterday night, I didn’t know this tragedy would involve so many young children.
My condolences to the families and CTGirl..
So I guess all President Obama has to do is use his bully pulpit to end gun violence.
Honestly, it’s truly disgusting to see this blame game going on. I had to step off twitter because it’s full of finger pointing at POTUS. It sickens me that people have such a simplistic attitude about this issue, as if PBO is personally withholding the answer to all our nightmares.
Just think if PBO said ANYTHING about gun control there would have been MORE gun violence not less because we have a republican congress who would have only scared people to go out and buy more. The RWNJ radio pundits from DAY ONE of his presidency told their rwnj listening audience that PBO was gonna take away their guns when the man has EXTENDED rights of gun owners but they still have it in their minds he’s gonna take away their guns or bullets. HE CAN’T WIN.
You know what meta, I expected this kind of crap from these people, blame it all on POTS. Hay idiots, yes I said idiots if President Obama could pass a bill by himself, he would.
It’s simpletons having access to twitter and spreading ignorance during a time of shock and grief.
Relevant perspective ….
Of course not Bob, and that is the great fallacy that these gun nuts propagate. In the history of the NRA, not one of those idiots has ever stopped one of these maniacs.
From reality: If someone is shooting at you, your ability to locate, correctly identify the shooter, and accurately return fire is virtually non-existent. If lots of people start drawing weapons, “virtually” becomes “completely.” Every single one of these idiots thinks they’re going to be like an action hero in a movie. In real life, you’re nothing like that.
Exactly Norbrook. And, even among the very best trained, in fire fights, it is not uncommon for ‘friendly fire’ to wound and kill. Any person claiming that having everyone in a theater or the teachers in classrooms armed show just how stupid they are about the reality of armed conflict.
One of the things I learned in the military (fortunately only in training scenarios) was that it didn’t matter how good you were on the target range. It all went out the window in an ambush or a firefight.
You know what Norbrook, the gun “idiots” have totally lost any semblance of reality.
When I got to work and saw the news, the receptionist was going on and on about “we can’t do gun control as long as the criminals can get guns anytime”…….I asked her how many “criminals” walked onto a college, elementary school, movie theatre, etc., and started shooting up the place? All this past incidents they guns were purchased by mentally ill people. Why can’t we make THESE people have a background check? stop the sale of high powered weapons and multiple clip bullets? These people want to hide their heads in the sand and repeat the NRA talking points.
I’m very tired of hearing about gun owners’ “rights” I’d like someone to care about the rights of those school children to go to school and be safe; about the rights of young people to walk safely in Chicago and not get shot; the rights of people to go to a movie or shopping, or to worship, and not be shot, and not have to worry about being shot. These people make a mockery of our Constitution, and hide behind a misinterpretation of the 2nd amendment. Is there an anti-NRA organization that I can contribute to, and become part of?
I hate it that when I go to Europe I feel safer than when I’m in the U.S., that I can even walk alone at night in the big cities and not feel threatened, but people in schools are threatened here…..and now Michigan’s new laws……There are NO words!!!
I just helped a 7th grader look for books on astronomy. She was happy when I told her, “Oh, you’re old enough to read the adult books”. My soul needed that.
This was a small bit of light today too, LL. A letter from a fourth-grade Muslim student to Santa:
http://www.upi.com/blog/2012/12/14/Muslim-4th-grader-pens-adorable-Santa-letter-that-goes-viral/5041355493468/?spt=mps&or=1
Bless you all. Bless you. I while ago I went on a rant that with America’s history it could never claim to have its “innocence” lost. But today? If those children weren’t innocent, who was?
This is so sweet.
May their memories be a blessing. This is unbelievably sad on so many levels. I don’t have the appropriate words to really say anything of substance after this travesty.
John Cole at BJ
When we were hit on 9/11 and 3,000 people were killed, we then spent a decade and trillions of dollars fighting ill-fated wars. How many of you still take your fucking shoes off at an airport because of ONE fucking shoebomber attempt? Yet every year, we have the equivalent of three 9/11’s due to gun violence, and our response is to let the Assault Weapons Ban lapse and then underfund mental health care and can’t even spend enough money to computerize records so the background check to purchase firearms.
http://www.balloon-juice.com/2012/12/14/three-911s-a-year-every-year/
Senseless craziness, isn’t it?
Absolutely. For us non-americans, both your first and second amendments are some crazy, senseless shite. Man is an animal. Give him unlimited freedom and he will surely convert it into license.
Yes, Indeed, dotster3!
I am at a loss for words. Even more crazy is how quickly the gun lobbyist filled every website discussing this tragedy with their usual mindless hateful rhetoric. Just appalling
Ctgirl my heart goes out to you, your family and your friend. Just so incredibly heart wrenching.
What is wrong with those gun lobbyists? They have no souls.
Such a horrible tragedy! Prayers to everyone who lost a loved one. I think we are all hugging our kids a lot tighter tonight.
Yes. And truly, Bob, don’t you think we have to stop buying video games
where the object is to “kill people”? Whatthehell do we think we are doing with that?
I know a video game never killed anyone; but a mind trained to “get good” at such
games is not a good thing. How about we displace these video games with
another kind of action sport?
Thank you Sara. I have cried and wailed for decades at how we teach our children to devalue life and allow them to train themselves as killers with these video games. There is no sanctity of life anymore — unless, that life is in fetal form.
John Dickerson from Slate .com:
Why Today Is Not the Day for Obama To Argue for Gun Control
http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/politics/2012/12/newtown_school_shooting_barack_obama_s_job_today_is_to_comfort_a_nation.html?utm_source=tw&utm_medium=sm&utm_campaign=button_toolbar
Thanks!
I disagree with the statements that “the President is the only one who can start this debate and sustain it”. The wonderful Bobfr is starting the debate and millions more are with him – I am entirely sick of pundits who expect President Obama to be the miracle worker of Washington. The people can have this debate – anywhere anytime – perhaps that time is now.
Yes, it’s up to everyone else, including all the people criticizing the president to stand up and say NO.
I agree with you 100%, 99ts.
“…to comfort a nation…” Exactly. Someone gets it.
Gun obsessed argument is a false one.
CTGirl, so sorry for your loss and your friend’s child. Peace and love in this difficult time.
Yes, all this grief is just so much powerlessness unless there’s action.
Yes, Bob, this time we can’t accept the fact that regular mass killings are just business as usual in the US. If we don’t stop this endless insanity now, we will be so brutalized as a people that we can no longer function as a society. We will have ‘accepted’ that life is meaningless and no citizen young or old will ever be safe from the terror of guns. So the ultimatum to all gun lobbyists and legislators who refuse to accept strict controls on guns is that saying NO is not an option for them this time. We will simply not accept that answer. We will fight them and work against them and charge them with the guilt of every innocent life until they acquiesce to the will of the people. It will be an epic battle of will. But it has to start now and we can’t back down.
Cigarette companies are being penalized all the time for product liability. How about extending the same treatment to the gun manufacturers ? Make them pay the victims families millions. That would be a start.
Thanks friend.
Well said.
Of course, amk. RT’d yours
Yes, I’ve thought of this often. All it will take is one major class action lawsuit. In this society, so many value money over lives, so the penalties (both individual and corporate) need to hit the pockets hard.
Too sad!!
Now we are hearing alot of things we don’t know if it is true or not, but I have heard that the Mother of the man who did the killing in Newton Conn. own the guns, and I heard that the guy had some mental problems. Now what I want to say is why did the woman need those type of guns, specially when she knew she had a son around who were suffering with mental health issues.
That is what I was thinking too. Who needs those type of guns in their houses? Too often parents ignore mental illness and do not seek help for their kids. Watch for signs, take them in for help and do not have guns lying around. There is more to the story and I want to know the back history. The young man was sane enough to have his brother”s ID on him, sane enough to dress in black so I really don’t think he was that insane. My heart goes out to the parents of the little ones and a big thank you to the teachers that saved lives.
nuclear bomb by themselves don’t kill people. people kill people, so nuclear bombs should be legal. duh.
…don’t give them ideas….
Truly sad, Bobfr.
This is insane, Before the whole world we show ourselves as a people so out of control and so terrorized by gun lobbyists and paid for politicians that we live in constant fear of our lives.
Sad and horrendous, Bobfr!
this is the innocence, beauty, and joy we have to protect:
Thank you….I needed this to make me smile.
Beautiful angel
I’m not going to go down the speculation or gossip road…..what’s done is too painful to stir the pot more. My heart breaks for everyone who has been touched by this tragedy.
CTgirl – you are truly in my prayers – I am so sorry for the loss of your father. I hope you and your friend who’s daughter died today can lean on each other for strength.
What a tragic day. Read about it at work and just felt all kinds of emotions.
People should be protesting outside this building. http://www.panoramio.com/photo_explorer#view=photo&position=0&with_photo_id=74437616&order=date_desc&user=7007391
Thanks for tweeting this Bobfr.
Of course …
Brilliant BobFR. Retweeted.
Really, the only answer is to raise up lobbying effort as strong as the NRA. Pressuring the President or Dem reps is a mistake. When politicians gain more at the polls from being con instead of pro, then their will be change. I really don’t like to see anything that will make the few Dems in congress even smaller in 014, and decimate them in the states . The NRA can sustain an assault on a congressperson they don’t like. If we can’t counter that effectively, we will not win this issue, and will make the chance of taking back the house impossible. If we don’t win, we can’t change anything.
Yes, they are truly 26 special moments. It tradgeties like this that makes you think that that this is the norm but it is not. Most of the people are good and caring and would not hurt a child, animal or adult. We have a lot of people hurting with no where to turn and unfortunately feel this is their way of getting back at whoever hurt them.
“So let’s state the plain facts one more time, so that they can’t be mistaken: Gun massacres have happened many times in many countries, and in every other country, gun laws have been tightened to reflect the tragedy and the tragic knowledge of its citizens afterward. In every other country, gun massacres have subsequently become rare. In America alone, gun massacres, most often of children, happen with hideous regularity, and they happen with hideous regularity because guns are hideously and regularly available.
The people who fight and lobby and legislate to make guns regularly available are complicit in the murder of those children. They have made a clear moral choice: that the comfort and emotional reassurance they take from the possession of guns, placed in the balance even against the routine murder of innocent children, is of supreme value. Whatever satisfaction gun owners take from their guns—we know for certain that there is no prudential value in them—is more important than children’s lives. Give them credit: life is making moral choices, and that’s a moral choice, clearly made.
All of that is a truth, plain and simple, and recognized throughout the world. At some point, this truth may become so bloody obvious that we will know it, too. Meanwhile, congratulate yourself on living in the child-gun-massacre capital of the known universe.”
http://www.newyorker.com/online/blogs/newsdesk/2012/12/newtown-and-the-madness-of-guns.html?mbid=social_retweet
Thank you amk!!
Couple more …
The NRA and GOP policies of the past 30yrs have retarded the advancement of this country.
I have no words for the pain I feel even though I did not birth one of the children that was killed. I cannot stop thinking of the children or their parents. I keep thinking the parents woke up this morning got their children ready and sent them off to school and went about their business expecting to pick them up just like every other day this week. And someone changed all that. I am in a daze.
idon, thank you for so accurately expressing my feelings. I have been on crying jags the entire day, thinking about the parents whose lives will never be the same. And the children (and this is the real horror) who must have been so terrified. I pray for them and us all.
Nice message.
I guess I’ve been holding my emotions at bay to a degree today, because I just watched President Obama speaking about this tragedy and my tears began to fall….
It’s on a day like this that words truly fail to express the depth and enormity of our grief. My deep condolences to the parents who lost their precious children, the families/friends/co-workers of the teachers who lost their lives, and to our own CTgirl. All of us in this country must resolve to do everything in our power to end this senseless evil of gun violence against innocent people. If that requires amending the Constitution to ban military-like assault weapons, then we must work hard to bring that about. Surely the founders who wrote the Second Amendment did not intend for the nation to be constantly terrorized by owners of automatic and semi-automatic assault weapons. Enough is Enough!
THIS!
Such a pertinent question:
DR@pollbuster
Those in Benghazi knew they were signing on for danger, but the kids in Connecticut thought they were going to school. Where is McCain?
Thank you.
Why did Sen McCain & friends create such a drama about Benghazi where 4 people died – yet say/do nothing when 20 children are killed so close to home. Those who claim to be pro life talk about what “the President” must do or why “guns don’t kill”. Death to the GOP is a political weapon, if the politics do not resonate with reality, they like to bury it.
I have trouble thinking about anything other than the Christmas trees above the gifts that will never be opened. I cannot imagine the grief – to think about it is numbing – to experience it must be overwhelming in the extreme.
“I have trouble thinking about anything other than the Christmas trees above the gifts that will never be opened. I cannot imagine the grief – to think about it is numbing – to experience it must be overwhelming in the extreme.”
I assure you, dear 99, millions of us are thinking just that …. and it really hurts
They are probably somwhere thinking how they can blame someone and politicize this tragedy.
“I have trouble thinking about anything other than the Christmas trees above the gifts that will never be opened. I cannot imagine the grief – to think about it is numbing – to experience it must be overwhelming in the extreme.”
99ts, thank you so much for expressing what many of us feel on this horrific day.
You were tweeting it, while I was trying to work out how to say it – thanks Bobfr – for all that you do. You take on the battles that matter.
Happy to do what little I can, 99. Thank you
Thank you, Bobfr.
So sorry for all the parents and saddened for CTgirl. Where is our freedom to live in safety? I don’t care about the freedoms of gun owners. They have abused their freedom and it’s time for it to end.
what time will PBO and Flotus be interviewed..
It’s been postponed Prettyfoot, not sure when it’ll be shown.
thanks,…..
i still feel numb…
This is going to stick, PF. So, as I just said to Gail, be gentle with yourself. People will be thinking about today for decades.
i hope so….they were just babies …Bob
When I left work, after being surrounded by adults all day, I passed by the mall and saw parents with their kids. It just seemed like there were so many kids under 8 – the same ages of many of the victims today. I can’t imagine how someone can look at another person and do this, let alone a little child who doesn’t even reach four feet in height and speaks in a still-squeaky voice. It’s just unthinkable.
ok..it is being prempted….
This event has been to overwhelming for me. I am going to say good night to you all – I must do something else to take my mind off of this – it’s too painful right now – my children are grown, but I still feel the PAIN!
Be gentle to yourself, Gail. This is very hard, very hard.
Peace.
GGail, I have to sign off as well, since I’m moving from extreme grief to extreme anger and I can’t take in any more. I want to sit and cry for every family that lost a beloved child today and I want to tear some gun lobbyists eyes out. So I’m cashing it in and going to say some quiet prayers and spend tomorrow telling my children and beautiful grandbaby how much I love them.
Take good care, Jackie!
That’s it, Jackie, your beautiful grandbaby and my toddler great grandson ~ and my son, four granddaughters, and grandson.
There but for the grace of God go all of us.
I’m so sorry GGail for your loss. My thoughts and prayers go out to you and all the people that were affected by this tragedy.
Awesome. Let’s push on this.
Perspective ….
So, so, so sorry CTGirl. Love to you right now. A few days ago I was saddened to read about Sue from Minnesota but so entirely pleased and impressed with the way Chips paid respectful tribute to her. Who would have guessed how much more sadness and loss would occur within a few days? I too live in CT, but quite a distance from Newtown. I have 3 children, 2 schoolage girls ages9 and 6 and a three year old son. My husband and I are trying to figure out what to say to our daughters about this unthinkable tragedy. I would rather not say anything and wish that they never found out it happened but we must say something before they hear of it on the playground or on the bus from a peer. I wish their ears did not have to hear of how scary and frightening the world can be…
What did I miss? What about Sue? Please tell, lal !
Go back a few posts edp4bho. Chips made a post as a tribute to her. Chips and one or more TODers were recently able to piece together that Sue died last spring.
”When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, ‘Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.’ To this day, especially in times of ‘disaster,’ I remember my mother’s words, and I am always comforted by realizing that there are still so many helpers – so many caring people in this world.” — Mister Rogers
Excellent words.
Here are two articles about talking to kids about this tragedy that my friends sent out on Facebook. I hope these help!
1. http://www.today.com/moms/how-talk-kids-about-school-shooting-controlling-your-fears-calming-1C7616034
2. http://www.today.com/moms/how-talk-kids-about-school-shooting-controlling-your-fears-calming-1C7616034
Thanks Theo!
For the life of me I can not understand Republicans. Just when I want to think that they all are not extreme radical racists right wing fools, they shows me that yes they are. Why would they want anyone to carry conceal weapons in day care settings, in churches. All I can say is good Lord help us.
2014, Americans we have to prepare ourselves to get out to vote and get rid of these extreme radical Republican Governors and other politicians.
THIS.
Chips, what happened with Sue in Minnesota? I’ve been away.
The saddest of news, EDP4BHO:
http://theobamadiary.com/2012/12/12/sue/
oh no! I missed this. oh dear
With what happen in Connecticut do you think the Obamas will be going on their Christmas vacation to Hawaii?
Not important right now, Anniebella.
Agree.
How are you doing Amk?
I am angry and sad. Senseless loss of such young and innocent lives just because of a corrupt org and a boneless set of corrupt congress critters.
Am watching BBC where the anchor gave a CT ant-gun activist unlimited and more importantly uninterrupted time to talk about gun violence in US and then brought a nra shill and shred his
talking pointslies to shreds on live teevee. Looked at cnn for comparison and ac was on asking inane questions to one of CT moms, whose child happily escaped the mayhem. ugghh.It’s like the worst of nightmares, but a hopelessly recurring one.
Most of our “journalists” are ambulance chasers. AC is one of the worst, and can’t even get that right.
I agree also. I was just thinking it might be a good idea to postpone or cancel it.
Annie, I think it’s been postponed, but that was done before today’s tragic events. Probably the fiscal negotiations.
Well, we already know that the President was planning to be in Maine on Wed the 19th and has canceled that most likely to travel to CT. So, his going to his much deserved vacation in HI beginning on the 17th had been changed in advance of the massacre, today. Hard to know what happens now.
It was too good to be true that he could have an eventless Xmas vacation. Theres always something……
How many of those were perpetrated by white males. We have a White Male problem in this Country.
We have easy access to guns and poor access to mental health treatment. That is our problem in the U.S.
And half the populace blames President Obama for their own shortcomings. There’s that, too.
The majority of terrorist attacks within the United States, as was today’s, have been committed by white males, Tien Le, as you know.
not sure i’d go that route. in very recent history and currently, some of the most horrific mass murders and torturers of the world, who specifically target children also, have been/are non “white” people. one thing is for sure…about 99.5% percent of the american one-day shooters and mass murderers are indeed males though.
What are you suggesting to solve your so called “White Male problem in this country”? Ban all “White Males”? Dividing our country by race and gender does not seem helpful.
Right. VT killer was not a white dude. What we have is an organized terrorist group called the NRA. Target number one should be how to dismantle this group. It’s a backdoor way at the getting to congress.
((((CTGirl)))) ((((Family)))) ((((America)))) ((((Humanity))))
{{{{{PoliticalJunkessa}}}}}
The Geography of Gun Violence: http://www.theatlantic.com/national/archive/2011/01/the-geography-of-gun-deaths/69354/
pretty much sums it up, doesn’t it, Tien?
PM Cameron http://www.number10.gov.uk/news/statement-on-connecticut-shootings/
Time some world leaders told the truth about domestic gun violence and how to fight it. “We are so sorry” doesn’t have much to offer any more.
No words, just tears, and grief, and anger…and yes, a desire to say “enough” we the people must be heard and the current state of gun non-contol must end.
Apologies if these already been posted on an earlier thread but are folks aware of the call from the mother of a Virginia Tech survivor for neighborhood vigils and call to action?
http://front.moveon.org/enough-join-a-vigil-on-saturday-to-call-for-commonsensegunsafety/
Also, someone at The Onion wrote something powerful
http://www.theonion.com/articles/fuck-everything-nation-reports,30743/
Hashtag’s too long, but here’s my input:
Another gun devotees’ argument down the drain
BWD has pretty much turned on PBO.
No she hasn’t turned on him, but she has allowed her emotions to be manipulated by questionable persons in the media and in the PL blogosphere. See the tweet I posted from her above at 9:46 PM.
This is the bullshit tweet she co-signed today:
This tweet is emotionally manipulative and insincere. I can spot these kinds of tweets a mile away.
Squarepeg, here is the definition of Emo Progressive (emoprog)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The Original Definition, reprinted from Urban Dictionary
Emo Progressive (or “emoprog”) is a self-described liberal or progressive, often with strong libertarian leanings, whose primary political orientation is to be angry, dissatisfied and unhappy with the state of the nation at any given time, because in their view, liberal policies are not being implemented quickly enough or articulated forcefully enough. They have particular contempt for Democratic presidents.
Emoprogs are ideological purists who disdain compromise and incremental change, which they see as “selling out” classical liberal ideas like full employment, an end to all wars, state secrets, and liberal social policy.
Emoprogs dislike Republicans but reserve their greatest disdain for Democratic presidents, whom they relentlessly attack for not meeting a set of ideological goal posts that are constantly adjusted to ensure that the president will be deemed a disappointment, “not progressive enough” or “just like a Republican” no matter what policy achievements are made.
Emoprogs routinely dismiss or ignore congress’ role in making or impeding policy, believing presidents can simply “use the bully pulpit” and “fight” in order to overcome constitutional or legislative obstacles.
Emoprogs have a strong affinity for third party politics as a way to punish Democratic presidents. They are especially hostile to President Barack Obama and deem anyone who expresses a lack of ill will toward him to be “Obamabots” and enemies of liberalism.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Just sayin’….
So Adam McKay and his buddies have been doing what about gun control over the years.
Maybe 2016 Hillary can solve everything for these Emoprogs bastards
Maybe I should not have use that word ,bastards, but I can hear it coming, it’s all President Obama’s fault, why haven’t he done this, why haven’t he done that.
hopefruit2, I won’t be manipulated that easy.
Neither will I.
this has happened several times before on many different topics. i suggest you move on.
cars and alcohol don’t kill people. people kill people. thus, drunk driving should be legal, you silly liberals.
in many republican-controlled states now, it’s easier to buy a gun at Walmart than it is to vote. think about that.
Yeah, because people might vote not to allow guns to be sold at Walmart.
don’t really agree with that. the atrocities going on in africa right now for instance, and places like cambodia and burma in recent history are so far beyond what even happened today. and i won’t even start on the republican created and led iraq invasion which led to frequent atrocities as bad or worse than today, and on a regular basis over years in iraq, and all paid for by our tax dollars.
The picture relates to domestic gun violence in 1st world countries and what you are discussing is a very different situation. It could be, however that internal gun violence and support of the gun culture by the GOP and the NRA impacts the policies of the US towards violence in other countries.
hmmmm…i see a title saying, “worst mass shootings in the past 50 years.” then i’m asked to “notice anything?” well, i notice that africa, cambodia and other places where “mass shootings” happen(ed) on a regular basis, far beyond what happened today, were perpetrated by individual leaders such as charles taylor, joseph kony, pol pot and others, are not included. how about right now where often 40-50 people are massacred in the mexican drug wars, often children, wives, and mothers specifically to be extra horrific for effect, and yet i see no dot in mexico. those and many other certainly seem like the “worst mass shootings in the past 50 years” to me. why is this graphic omitting all that and asking us to “notice anything?” curious….
I just sob with that teacher telling about locking all her kids in the school bathroom, barricading the door, telling them that there was a bad guy out there right now, that they were waiting for the good guy, that it was going to be okay, and telling them all that she “loved them very very much” because she feared they were all going to die and she wanted them to hear someone telling them they loved them, for them to hear that and not the gun shots as the last thing they ever heard.
Good God. If we are all impacted like this, to the core, just hearing about it, how are their parents and grandparents feeling tonight? It’s unimaginable.
This is horrible and heart-warming at the same time, if possible. That the teacher was still thinking of others, even at her possible last moments of life. If I had a child, and they were in such a horrible situation – this is the person I would want to protect them in those moments. Teachers love their students (generally) and it just makes me furious all over again to think how these same teachers have been demonized by the GOP – the same people who created the environment for a situation like this tragedy today. They need to go.
According to these idiots everyone should carry a firearm. Fact is, this guy killed 26 people in probably less than 5 or 10 mins. before anyone even knew what was going on. To have that kind of gun power for a mental person is just sick. The reason that his mother even owned these kind of weapons is just sick. Well, all I can say is her purchases killed her in the end.
Yep, she killed herself.
bob your RT of riech’s was too good to pass up. Looks like there are lots of petitions that have already started at white house but here’s one to peruse
yes, and to change any laws we’ll need the a House controlled by democrats in 2014. anyone saying “obama needs to” this and that, and anyone protesting the white house, needs to wise up fast and realize john bohner and the republicans in congress are the ones who need to be the focus of their attention and energy. i have not seen one mention anywhere today of people talking about taking back the House in 2014. none. but tons of complaining about president obama from so-called supporters and liberals. f-in ridiculous. republicans are the problem, not president obama. focus, people, focus!!!!!! WWSFMD (what would sue from minnesota do?)
indeed. call your congress person, email or fax. they need to hear our voices.
This is so very sad for these families.
During PBO election and campaign, and one of his debates I had brought up my concern about gun laws in America. And the fact that it wasn’t even mentioned. I got a few responses that he would have to take on the NRA and actually put his life at risk with all the nutcase, gun toting Americans. I’m not sure how this president will handle this once again massacre, and another instance of weapons obtained so easily by the mother of this mentally ill person. PBO has to stand up on this issue, it has been ignored for far too long. And I think we all understand that being able to buy these automatic weapons is just wrong.
so what are you going to do/are doing right now to make sure democrats win the House in 2014, since that’s the only way any meaningful gun control and mental health funding will be passed? serious question. perhaps we focus all our energy and time on this specific goal, instead of constant questioning of every word out of president obama’s mouth? how does that sound?
PBO needs to share his voice about gun control, and how it needs to change, first of all. He hasn’t done that as of yet. I’m hopeful he will now and that will encourage people to talk to their representatives.
so no answer to my question? what are you going to do to make sure democrats get control of the House in 2014, since that’s the only way we’ll get gun control legislation passed?
oh, and president obama has long talked about and sponsored legislation about gun control, so i’d suggest that spending time and energy on lobbying him is a waste since he’s already proven that he’s on our side. again, congress needs to change hands…that’s the solution, so what are you and everyone here going to do about, to honor those victims today, young and old? just a simple brief sample from the very first link that came up from my google search:
http://www.ontheissues.org/2012/Barack_Obama_Gun_Control.htm
(just a couple of months ago)
“OBAMA: We’re a nation that believes in the Second Amendment, and I believe in the Second Amendment. We’ve got a long tradition of hunting and sportsmen and people who want to make sure they can protect themselves. My belief is that we have to enforce the laws we’ve already got, make sure that we’re keeping guns out of the hands of criminals, those who are mentally ill. We’ve done a much better job in terms of background checks, but we’ve got more to do when it comes to enforcement. But weapons that were designed for soldiers in war theaters don’t belong on our streets. Part of it is seeing if we can get an assault weapons ban reintroduced. But part of it is also looking at other sources of the violence. Because frankly, in my home town of Chicago, there’s an awful lot of violence and they’re not using AK-47s. They’re using cheap hand guns.”
(2008 debate)
“We essentially have two realities, when it comes to guns, in this country. You’ve got the tradition of lawful gun ownership. It is very important for many Americans to be able to hunt, fish, take their kids out, teach them how to shoot. Then you’ve got the reality of 34 Chicago public school students who get shot down on the streets of Chicago. We can reconcile those two realities by making sure the Second Amendment is respected and that people are able to lawfully own guns, but that we also start cracking down on the kinds of abuses of firearms that we see on the streets.”
and it goes on and on. do you seriously think this man, who has tackled so many lingering and festering issues in america and the world’s discourse, head-on, will not handle this with the most amazing compassion and turn it into a teaching moment for us all!?!? of course he will, and the only real question is whether enough of us will do the necessary WORK to get him a congress that will pass gun control legislation in 2014. so again, are you in?
Sens. Boxer and Feinstein, Rep. Waters, and the two California Democratic representatives who take money from the NRA will be getting letters from me, as soon as I can compose my thoughts in something other than rage.
wow. didn’t know that. thank you. amazing.
opensecrets.org
I knew of that website, but had never utilized it until today. Very illuminating.
Thanks 4more !!
So, it’s all President Obama’s fault and if Obama speaks up everything will change. Did you not pay attention to NRA’s campaign that has been inflaming people that President Obama intends to confiscate their guns because he wants to impose a socialist muslim dictatorship? I am sorry but I am fed up with so called progressives people like you who blame the President for everything. Exactly what have you personally done, or intend to do, to mobilize people for gun control? You’ve told us what President Obama “needs to” do. Some how you cleverly evaded the question that 4morefor44 asked: “…what are you going to do/are doing right now to make sure democrats win the House in 2014, since that’s the only way any meaningful gun control and mental health funding will be passed?” In order to be taken seriously, you must answer this question. Democracy cannot survive if it becomes a spectator activity.
exactly. right on.
Thank you nathkatun7. Yes let us try to do something, but I don’t want to hear the talk from some people like it’s all President Obama fault nothing has been done.
Bravo !!
Joy, why wait for PBO to talk before you talk to your Senators, Congress people, your mayor, Gov., local representatives.
Damn! Kelly Ayotte and Lindsey Graham do not allow replies. COWARDS!
You don’t need their ‘permission’ to post after their tweet names. Just copy & paste their handles with a . in front and it will be tweeted to all of their followers.
THANK YOU AMK! I did that for Lindsey Graham, but then couldn’t see anything, so I thought it didn’t post. Still learning Twitter. Don’t spend enough time on it. Off to tweet stupid Kelly.
f- that insincere monster, john “bomb, bomb, bomb…bomb, bomb iran (snicker, snicker)” mccain!! talk about someone with “blood on his hands.” a loud proponent of falsely invading iraq and afghanistan and even “surging” there too, and just 3 years ago him and susan collins and lindsay graham were having dinner in libya with qadaffi and arguing that the united states should supply with him weapons now…for real!…and he’s going to act like he cares about the killing of innocent children!?!?!
damn, im pissed off tonight. these republicans who are given free reign in our media, on purpose by the owners of the media, are absolute monsters in the range of idi amin and pol pot. i’m not exaggerating…
I sent bitter McCain an email and told him that it is to bad his thoughts and prayers weren’t with Susan Rice for the way he attack her and her character. I fold him it is clear he needs the prayers so he can get over losing to President Obama in 08 and stop being a bitter old man.
A petition at We the People urging the WH to address gun control
https://petitions.whitehouse.gov/petition/immediately-address-issue-gun-control-through-introduction-legislation-congress/2tgcXzQC
here’s the statement from mazie hirono, now congresswoman, newly elected to u.s. senate:
‘“I join President Obama in heartfelt grief for the victims of today’s horrific event at Sandy Hook Elementary School and in asking the country to come together to take meaningful action to ensure this type of tragedy does not happen again. As the President stated, ‘We’ve endured too many of these tragedies in the past few years.’
“Our thoughts and prayers go to the people of Newtown, Connecticut. Let us now unite as a nation to support the families, students, teachers and staff affected by this senseless act.
thank you, mazie. i’m so glad you used the term, ‘meaningful action’.
i have written to tulsi gabbard, our newly elected congresswoman, who will be replacing mazie, to urge immediate legislative action, which results in comprehensive, substantive gun control legislation on pbo’s desk in january.
that is all for today dear friends. keep peace in your hearts.
I think we are going to find out a little more about this mother and her son. I have many questions about the weapons she purchased and her mental stability, as well as her son’s mental stability. Makes me wonder why she wasn’t teaching her class today. Was it a planned mass murder/suicide?
She didn’t teach at the school. That was early false information.
I agree Bobfr, thanks alot to Ms. Duncombe for her comment.
Yes We Can – Make 14 Dec 2012 be the Beginning of the END to #GunTERROR in the United States of America
Yes We Must
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AscPOozwYA8&w=420&h=315%5D
I’ll try again… can never do this cleanly…
EUREKA!!!
Thank you for that lmrj.
here’s the most effective way in my opinion on how to actually DO SOMETHING about fixing the wrong of today. as a starting point, we need democrats and nancy pelosi to control the House in 2014, and we can do that at these places:
http://www.democrats.org/
http://www.theaction.org/#action
wasting energy on lobbying someone who’s already on our side (president obama) is a waste of valuable energy and resources. time to get our hands dirty again. now!!!
I was going to curtail my donations after the election. Now they’re more important than ever.
Thank you!
4morefor44, I agree with you 100%! It’s pointless to sit on the sidelines and yell at the President. We need to be actively involved in the game. “We the people” need to mobilize to elect members of Congress not beholden to the NRA. Yes, I am totally outraged at the horrific terrorism that took so many lives of children and their teachers. But I am also very realistic that my outrage won’t change a damn thing until we have members of Congress, in both houses, committed to confronting the gun lobby. By the way, the gun control issue is even much more complex because it involves the highly charged emotions of gun owners, many of whom are armed to the teeth. Some have been so inflamed by the right wing propagandists to such a state that they are ready to go to war at any time; especially if it’s President Obama who aggressively champions gun control that right wing propagandists will quickly label gun confiscation.
Proponents of sensible gun control laws need to embark on massive public voter education and massive political mobilizing. Having said that, I still think that as long as some of the recent Supreme Court rulings on guns and the Second Amendment are the law of the land, Congress itself does not have very much leeway to change that. Unless, of course, Congress decides to pass a Constitutional Amendment banning civilian possession of military style automatic, and semi-outamatic, assault weapons. But even if Congress passed such an Amendment, It would still require 3/4th of the states to ratify it. This is where people who claim to be proponents of gun control could expend their energy to “actually DO SOMETHING about fixing the wrong of today.” One thing is for sure: fixing what happened today will not be instantaneous! The second thing that is for sure is: President Obama cannot arbitrarily, and instantaneously, impose gun control laws on the country, simply by using the “bully pulpit.”
Evening everyone.
Just got back from my wife’s work Xmas party. It was a welcome distraction. But now I’m engulfed in a sadness I can honestly say I’ve never felt, not even after 9/11.
Is it me, or does it feel as if the world has unalterably changed today?
I think part of that feeling is because we’ve just been here too many times, and we’d become immune to the horror of it after so many tragedies and no action from Congress. Last week’s mall shooting was a news story, and the world moved on. Yes, we were horrified, but there was no mass event, no flags at half-mast, no calls for gun control legislation. When I heard the first hint of a story this morning, I shook my head and said – not again – and then carried on with my day, until I heard the horrors in the details and finally got stopped in my tracks. My first words were – how are we letting this happen over and over again?
I do think something has changed today. You could see the President’s frustration at having to make yet another speech on this gun violence, and knowing that Congress doesn’t seem to have the will to act, even just from the anger in his gesture of wiping his tears. He’s as frustrated as the rest of us. But, I do think something’s going to happen this time. I hope it does. It’s just terrifying.
LL, America changed on 14 Dec 2012, unalterably. It is for US, to be sure no one ever forgets.
Let’s organize, folks. Seriously. I saw so many, many calls for a grassroots gun control movement. Let’s start one. It all begins with us, after all, right? PBO can’t do it by himself. He needs our support, and as he and so many others have said, we must BE the change. I’ve never been directly involved in political movements other than to vote, and pursuade friends and family to do it with me. But I just can’t stand to sit by and watch this kind of senseless loss of innocent life and not do anything. If there is already such an organized movement, someone please point me that way. If not, I will gladly do whatever I can to help start one.
I am praying for these families, for our President and our Nation tonight.
YESSSS!!! there are places like this…
http://www.bradycenter.org/
but i’d suggest they’ve been losing to the n.r.a. for a long time on the legislative front at least (they do great things overall). to make real change, we need legislation passed, and that will only happen if democrats get control of the House again in the 2014 midterm elections. so to make sure that happens, here are probably the best places to start:
http://www.democrats.org/
http://www.theaction.org/#action
this place makes the most sense, but they seem a little on the slow side so not sure if it’s the best right now….maybe later though:
http://dccc.org/
let’s do this!!!
A bit OT
with two kids in elementary school right now, today hit me hard. i’m “fired up” and not necessarily in a good way, so need to retire for the evening. i want the answer to the insanity to fill my subconscious as i sleep, and hopefully this simple yet powerful message, from a man also felled by a bullet, will help others tonight as well.
Thanks 4more – try and rest tonight.
It is time for the makers and sellers of the weapons to be responsible for what they do. People are so quick to sue the government, the schools the police or anyone who they think is responsible for the death of a loved one – well now is the time that those who make and sell the weapons of death to reflect on what they do.
Great Idea! I would include the NRA , for its active involvement in pushing gun ownership, when suing the makers and sellers of these assault weapons.
Perspective …
Time to try to sleep ….
it’s a new day, obamadons. time for me to sleep. aloha oe~
It’s Saturday Morning, TODobots! Our hearts are still heavy, I know, but we have to carry on. May we find moments of peace and joy to help us through today, and may the families weighed down with their loss find enough moments of respite in the arms of loved ones and in the memories of their children and loved ones as they move through what is bound to be another difficult day.
Morning everyone:
http://theobamadiary.com/2012/12/15/rise-and-shine-374/
CTGirl, I’m so sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers go out to you and all the families and their friends in Newton.