All I can say is that I certainly hope that THIS time we don't let time pass, emotions quiet, and once again fail to do something important to change the very dangerous climate that we are facing in America today. You know, LIKE WE DO EVERY SINGLE TIME!
By the way:
You are sad, pathetic, cowardly POS, and I suggest that you find something else to give value to your life rather than running around fantasizing about being John McClane in a "Die Hard" movie.
Jesus, sometimes I feel I should spend all day walking around and apologizing for my gender.
Update: Speaking of doing something, just a few minutes ago President Obama named Joe Biden to head up a Commission :
Obama announced that Joe Biden will put together a group to study the issue and come up with some concrete proposals within a couple of months. The Biden group will look at old proposals that have been widely discussed, but also new ones outside the box. He will talk about the issue in his State of the Union Address.
The president observed that no single gun law can solve all our problems with gun violence. We must look at mental health and other issues. He stated his belief that there’s a great deal of room for negotiation, even with groups like the NRA, which is composed of parents who care about their children’s safety. Not everything related to guns is an encroachment on the Second Amendment, he said. There's a great deal of room between what the Second Amendment requires and no rules at all. “We will be serious about the safety side of this. Joe will be looking for common ground. “
I don't have a lot of confidence in commissions bu I also know that without one it is very unlikely that Congress will do a damn thing about addressing his issue.
Personally I think that if the American people refuse to let this subject drop that eventually some changes will be made. Right now I think that both the NRA and the Republican party are hoping that eventually we'll get distracted.
Mass killings occur in USA once every two weeks
ReplyDeletehttp://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2012/12/18/mass-killings-common/1778303/
The Marlboro Man said smoking makes you a man.
DeleteThe booze companies say drinking makes you a man.
Now the gun company says Bushmaster makes you a man.
If you need some "thing" to make you a man, you've already failed.
This type of advertising examples just what I've been saying - that America's gun culture is just WEIRD and not like other places. This ad would just not work here, but it would for silly things like tools or beer or whiskey just fine. But here? That's insane. The ad pretty much says 'Yes you've got a tiny tiny penis, but with this black metal phallus attachment, you too can pretend to be a real man for the time you hold it; even though you are crippled by your inability to attract and pleasure women and loathe them for daring to reject you.'
DeleteIt's beyond belief. 'REAL men need giant black phalluses!' 'Blast yourself off again and again and again and again, men, as you aim the weapon at a womanly human shape. How DARE she not sleep with YOU! Kill her!'
It's such a frightening, childish attitude to deadly weapons. Is it any wonder every week you hear about the latest child that shoots themselves or their sibling because their parents are irresponsible oafs that think guns are toys? I'm only amazed it doesn't happen more! And the first reaction to any tragic accident like that is 'No new gun laws! No laws on how gun owners must store their weapons! No no no; that's personal choice! A parent should have the right to CHOOSE whether their child is safe or not!'
Ask a cop on the beat how criminals get guns and you're likely to hear this hard boiled response: "They steal them." But this street wisdom is wrong, according to one frustrated Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) agent who is tired of battling this popular misconception. An expert on crime gun patterns, ATF agent Jay Wachtel says that most guns used in crimes are not stolen out of private gun owners' homes and cars. "Stolen guns account for only about 10% to 15% of guns used in crimes," Wachtel said. Because when they want guns they want them immediately the wait is usually too long for a weapon to be stolen and find its way to a criminal.
ReplyDeleteIn fact, there are a number of sources that allow guns to fall into the wrong hands, with gun thefts at the bottom of the list. Wachtel says one of the most common ways criminals get guns is through straw purchase sales. A straw purchase occurs when someone who may not legally acquire a firearm, or who wants to do so anonymously, has a companion buy it on their behalf. According to a 1994 ATF study on "Sources of Crime Guns in Southern California," many straw purchases are conducted in an openly "suggestive" manner where two people walk into a gun store, one selects a firearm, and then the other uses identification for the purchase and pays for the gun. Or, several underage people walk into a store and an adult with them makes the purchases. Both of these are illegal activities.
The next biggest source of illegal
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/guns/procon/guns.html
'I feel like this is something I had to do,' Staff Sgt. Jordan Pritchard said of his decision to stand guard outside Gower Elementary.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/marine-dad-guards-school-article-1.1223381
Sarah Palin honored by NRA with special Alaska-themed assault rifle
http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/sarah-palin-honored-nra-special-alaska-themed-assault-rifle-article-1.408175
The "man card" is such a funny concept. None of these guys seem to realize how this makes them look like there is nothing "manly" about them and they need this weapon to make up for what they are missing. They might as well wear a tshirt informing everyone of their "shortcomings". Every single guy I have ever known who has a firearms fetish is very insecure in their maleness.
ReplyDeleteI remember, one time, going to a friends house and he had just bought these HUGE stereo speakers and I couldn't help but make a snarky comment about "trying to make up for something." Well, his body language said it all--he twitched and stepped back away from me, so I realized I hit a nerve. Later he became a PI and we went out for a drink to catch up and he just "wanted me to know" he was carrying a concealed weapon. He was in the military so the gun thing isn't that far off but he was also a huge womanizer too, so it just seems like he needed to feel more "manly." LOL
DeleteNothing is going to change. Getting guns will never be a problem for those who want to kill people. The problem is clearly that Americans want to have those guns and until that changes nothing will improve. Wars are glamorous, the military is glamourized, and every little boy wants to emulate it/them. There is no interest or will in changing this at the moment. Domestic gun violence will decline when your violence against other human beings in foreign countries declines.
ReplyDeleteCerebus which owns Bushmaster is selling it.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-guns-fallout-20121219,0,282794.story
I watched President Obama's speech regarding this matter - appointment VP Biden to head it - he put out a 'respond back' deadline, etc.
ReplyDeleteThis will be interesting to watch - in that the I suspect the Republicans and NRA will come up w/'something' to block the efforts. But, they will have a difficult time doing so because the American people want this handled ASAP.
You guys go - President Obama and VP Biden! What a team! You guys are doing a hell of a job!
I heard one of the reasons Biden was chosen: he was the Senator who shepherded the first assault rife ban through the Senate.
DeleteElizabeth 44
The firearms fetish coupled with the ubiquitous ads for increasing testosterone in men doesn't seem like a good idea to me. Why can't we all just age naturally and hopefully grow in wisdom and compassion?
ReplyDeletehttp://sunlightfoundation.com/blog/2012/12/17/gun-spending/
ReplyDeleteWow...I had no idea just how disparate that was
I agree! Great link,thanks for sharing it.
Delete“Consider your Man Card reissued.”
ReplyDeleteShe may have felt that Adam’s had yet to be issued at all. She may have even imagined that getting one could help him find himself.
She (Adam's mother) seems even to have imagined that firing guns was therapeutic for young Adam Lanza. She reportedly told a friend that it helped him become more focused and confident.
Peter Lanza (Adam's father) gave his ex-wife custody and a good financial settlement, but alimony is not the end of responsibility.
http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2012/12/19/nancy-lanza-was-deluded-to-keep-guns-at-home-with-troubled-adam.html
How many "good parents" are as deluded as Nancy Lanza?
Parents and adults solve their problems with troubled kids by encouraging and manipulating them to join the Army. They are well trained with guns and that is where they get discipline they may have missed. Is Nancy Lanza that different from someone like Sarah Palin? Who is a famous and active gun enthusist and salesperson on all things NRA? Would John McCain have hired her if she didn't have NRA cred along with her motherhood status? It is a valuable image for the RW.
Did the Army curb Track Palin's anger? Did the Army cure his drug addiction because he learned to focus on shooting? Track Palin would not have any mental health diagnosis because that would not be something his parents would consider. They have prayer warriors and if a sport like hockey is not enough, they have the Army to teach and treat their son.
The NRA and all their surrogates are pushing the "It's not the time to talk about this yet" because they KNOW that if they can get through the next few weeks, chances are nothing will be done. The citizens of the USA have a short memory. Sure, the majority of us are heartsick, but we will forget and be hardened, so the next time this happens (and it will), we'll wring our hands and cry -and go on about our lives. Those of us who are MAD and SICKENED by the senseless murder of people everyday need to stay mad. Please, Please, Please, don't let the murder of those innocents babies be in vain. Don't let the RW pundits shame us into silence like they usually do. Our voices can be louder. We CAN be stronger. STAY MAD!!!
ReplyDeleteGryphen, don't feel your alone in wanting to apologize for your gender. My husband and son feel the exact same way. Even I feel like apologizing for my gender when women like Brewer, Bachmann, Angle, Malken, Cupp, Palin etc. open their mouths.
ReplyDeleteLuckily we have people like Maddow and O'Donnell front and center to restore our faith in humanity.
Rachel was at her best on that show!
I think this time, people will remain focused on this tragedy far longer than the month President Obama's given the "commission". Joe Biden knows what's ahead with this issue, he's been through it before and got it done.
I just think both sides have to take a deep breath before attempting to negotiate. Our knee-jerk reaction is to dig in and "stand our ground", if both sides do the same, there's no room for compromise at all.