Thursday, April 18, 2013

Gabby Giffords responds to yesterday's cowardice in the Senate.

Courtesy of The New York Times:  

Senators say they fear the N.R.A. and the gun lobby. But I think that fear must be nothing compared to the fear the first graders in Sandy Hook Elementary School felt as their lives ended in a hail of bullets. The fear that those children who survived the massacre must feel every time they remember their teachers stacking them into closets and bathrooms, whispering that they loved them, so that love would be the last thing the students heard if the gunman found them. 

On Wednesday, a minority of senators gave into fear and blocked common-sense legislation that would have made it harder for criminals and people with dangerous mental illnesses to get hold of deadly firearms — a bill that could prevent future tragedies like those in Newtown, Conn., Aurora, Colo., Blacksburg, Va., and too many communities to count. Some of the senators who voted against the background-check amendments have met with grieving parents whose children were murdered at Sandy Hook, in Newtown. 

Some of the senators who voted no have also looked into my eyes as I talked about my experience being shot in the head at point-blank range in suburban Tucson two years ago, and expressed sympathy for the 18 other people shot besides me, 6 of whom died. These senators have heard from their constituents — who polls show overwhelmingly favored expanding background checks. And still these senators decided to do nothing. Shame on them. 

I watch TV and read the papers like everyone else. We know what we’re going to hear: vague platitudes like “tough vote” and “complicated issue.” I was elected six times to represent southern Arizona, in the State Legislature and then in Congress. I know what a complicated issue is; I know what it feels like to take a tough vote. This was neither. These senators made their decision based on political fear and on cold calculations about the money of special interests like the National Rifle Association, which in the last election cycle spent around $25 million on contributions, lobbying and outside spending. 

Speaking is physically difficult for me. But my feelings are clear: I’m furious. I will not rest until we have righted the wrong these senators have done, and until we have changed our laws so we can look parents in the face and say: We are trying to keep your children safe. We cannot allow the status quo — desperately protected by the gun lobby so that they can make more money by spreading fear and misinformation — to go on. 

I am asking every reasonable American to help me tell the truth about the cowardice these senators demonstrated. I am asking for mothers to stop these lawmakers at the grocery store and tell them: You’ve lost my vote. I am asking activists to unsubscribe from these senators’ e-mail lists and to stop giving them money. I’m asking citizens to go to their offices and say: You’ve disappointed me, and there will be consequences.

I am still stunned that when confronted by the bravery of Gabby Giffords and those Newtown families that these Senators could STILL  cave to pressure from the NRA.

Personally I would be consumed with shame right now, and be unable to show my face in public.

But I guess that is why I am only a blogger and not a politician.

I agree with everything that Gabby says here, and will join her in going after these cowards in the Senate.

P.S. Here is a list of the Senators and how they voted on the issue.

37 comments:

  1. Anonymous6:33 AM

    Gryph, just make sure you remember that Harry Reid voted against the bill for procedural reasons ONLY. He knew it would fail, so he voted no in order to be able to bring the bill up again later on. Voting yes would have denied him the opportunity to do that. (But all the other Senators who voted no deserve a swift kick in the pants.)

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    Replies
    1. Anonymous8:46 AM

      I was puzzled about Harry Reid's No vote; thank you for the explanation.

      Delete
  2. Bless Gabby Giffords and those who support her and those who died because they wanted to be with her - and may every member of congress and the half term governor have to see Gabby Giffords and remember what happened - every day of their lives.

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  3. Anonymous7:05 AM

    What a slap in the face to this brave woman who has shown so much courage. Just unreal!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Anonymous7:06 AM

    Loved the fact that Piers Morgan called Palin yesterday for her pathetic post...

    Imagine crying ‘VICTORY!’ as those poor Sandy Hook families weep inside the Senate. Just revolting. @sarahpalinusa #NewtownBetrayed

    — Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) April 17, 2013

    NAUSEATING > @sarahpalinusa now jubilantly boasting of anti gun control ‘victory’ on her Twitter feed. No heart, no shame. #NewtownBetrayed

    — Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) April 17, 2013

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous7:09 AM

      I'm glad he did that. Let's hope for another Blood Libel post from Palin. Come on, Sarah, you know you want to...

      Delete
    2. Anonymous7:19 AM

      FUCK YOU, Sarah Palin. Just FUCK! YOU!

      Delete
    3. Anonymous7:21 AM

      Good for him! She's doing a little happy dance on the graves of gun victims. She is one of the most loathsome excuses for a human being that exists today (but sadly she is not alone).

      Delete
    4. Anonymous8:18 AM

      Ah, she's living vibrantly. Jubilant over the fact that a now the insane will be able to purchase guns just as easily as she.

      For someone who has said that she and her family are always getting death threats and being stalked, you'd think she might use some critical thinking skills and shut up.

      I know, that's beyond her. I doubt she knows what critical thinking even is.

      Delete
    5. Anonymous8:33 AM

      We really do need to tell it like it is. Those senators didn't vote against gun control -- they voted to PROTECT the right of every nutjob in this country to own weapons that kill lots of people very quickly.

      Delete
    6. Anonymous9:15 AM

      Palinbots at sea o pee are celebrating their sick leader. Ugh. Not only that, but they mistakenly think that Ricin-Letter-Guy is some sort of Democrat...his wacky facebook page CLEARLY states that he's "not aligned" with any political party. He's just a nutjob.
      https://www.facebook.com/1stelvisguy?fref=ts

      Delete
    7. Anonymous9:18 AM

      ...to add to my last comment, Wonkette covered it pretty well today (ricin guy)

      Delete
    8. Anonymous9:27 PM

      Yes I agree! Good on Piers! He is fighting the good fight against guns in America. Wish there were more like him.

      Delete
  5. Anonymous7:08 AM


    Gabby Giffords responds to yesterday's cowardice in the Senate.


    What about the cowardice in the Anchorage Police Dept? Why don't they arrest pimps in Wasilla who prey after single struggling mothers?





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  6. Randall7:15 AM

    You know what, gang?

    Don't whine, don't bitch:
    VOTE!

    Get your friends and your relatives to get out and

    VOTE!

    Post your outrage on your facebook page and encourage every friend to

    ----- VOTE! -----

    ReplyDelete
  7. Anonymous7:17 AM

    Vote every Republican out of office that you have access to in upcoming elections.

    In Alaska, get rid of Begich and Murkowski! Do they really represent you?

    ReplyDelete
  8. Anonymous7:29 AM

    Here Are The Twitter Handles Of The Senators Who Voted No On Background Checks Bill

    http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/04/17/senate-background-check-bill_n_3104250.html

    If you Tweet, feel free to blast the fuck out of them. They now have blood on their hands for past and future massacres and they will rue the day that they caved to the NRA, the NEW MAFIA.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Anonymous7:33 AM

    I've already written the soon to be EX-Senator Mark Begich. He only took office because of a fluke and just barely. The Republicans I know have never liked him and the Democrats I know are sick of him. I'm sure if Mark's father was still around he would dis-own him. It was really hard writing to him and not sound like threatening him. I bet North Dakota and Montana Democrats feel the same about their representation.

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  10. Anonymous7:36 AM

    Good article from HP...

    15 Things The Gun Industry Doesn't Want You To Know

    http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/04/18/gun-industry-secrets-admit_n_3055742.html#slide=more291219

    ReplyDelete
  11. Anonymous7:44 AM

    Why are all the crazy people that prefer to protect their guns (it's about background checks, not taking away your guns) over the protection of our children so worried about keeping guns out of the hands of the crazy? Hmmm

    ReplyDelete
  12. Anonymous7:45 AM

    Begich Explains Background Check ‘No’ Vote: We Shouldn’t Legislate With Our Emotions

    http://livewire.talkingpointsmemo.com/entry/begich-explains-background-check-no-vote-we-shouldnt

    ASSHOLE! Tell that tripe to gun victims!!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. So much better to legislate with your wallet in mind, Begich.

      Delete
    2. Also, Begich, nice play with the belittling, condescending, there, there, the big brave serious (manly) types will handle this grownup legislating stuff.

      You little old emotional (girly) types should maybe go bake some cookies with the gals and not worry your silly little moody heads about this.

      Delete
  13. Anonymous7:49 AM

    Why do so many who claim to be god-fearing, jesus-loving religious people prefer protection of their weapons of destruction over protection of the innocent victims of those same weapons?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. **claim to be** is the explanatory phrase here.

      Delete
  14. Anonymous7:58 AM

    I'm glad my Repub senator voted yes.

    O/T Where is Palin's FB Happy Presentation Day post to "her" precious gift from god - Tri-G?

    ReplyDelete
  15. Anonymous8:15 AM

    http://theobamadiary.com/

    LOTS of good stuff here, not to be missed!

    ReplyDelete
  16. fromthediagonal8:27 AM

    Make sure you do not only blast those representatives who voted Nay, but thank your senator(s) who voted Yea. They need all the reinforcements they can gather.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Anonymous8:41 AM

    I see that Wasilla is reading here.
    OT To Gryphen: Today is the anniversary of the day that Palin introduced Trig as her son. Neither Sarah nor Bristol have mentioned this anniversary in their blogs or Facebook posts. Maybe it would be fitting if you put up a couple of photos of the various kids that we have known as Trig, and wish them all happy returns of the day. I guess that Sarah can't remember which Trig goes with which day, 7 12 months in Anchorage or 8 moths at MatSu.

    MatSu became problematic when we learned that they are not equipped to deliver a premature infant with special needs. That kind of birth would have been rushed to Anchorage by ambulance, the hospital that Palin claims to have passed up on her way to MatSu. Ah, but these are old stories. And, what better day for old stories than an anniversary party? Happy Day and best wishes to all of the kids who were or are Trig. What ever happened to Ruffles, anyway?

    ReplyDelete
  18. Anonymous9:13 AM

    One of Sarah's good buddies has shown his disgusting, despicable self!

    Conservative radio host: Families of Newtown shooting victims can ‘go to hell’

    Minnesota radio host Bob Davis last week said last Friday he would like to personally tell the families in Newtown, Connecticut whose children were murdered to “go to hell.”

    On his show Davis & Emmer, which is broadcast by Twin Cities News Talk AM 1130, he attacked the families of those killed in the mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School for speaking in support of stricter gun laws.

    “I have something I want to say to the victims of Newtown, or any other shooting,” Davis said. “I don’t care if it’s here in Minneapolis or anyplace else. Just because a bad thing happened to you doesn’t mean that you get to put a king in charge of my life. I’m sorry that you suffered a tragedy, but you know what? Deal with it, and don’t force me to lose my liberty, which is a greater tragedy than your loss. I’m sick and tired of seeing these victims trotted out, given rides on Air Force One, hauled into the Senate well, and everyone is just afraid — they’re terrified of these victims.”

    “I would stand in front of them and tell them, ‘go to hell,’” he added.

    http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2013/04/17/conservative-radio-host-families-of-newtown-shooting-victims-can-go-to-hell/

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous9:20 AM

      Remember Bob....what goes around comes around 3 fold. Karma is a bitch.

      Delete
  19. SHARON9:16 AM

    Gabby is such a remarkable woman, along with her hubby Mark...they are the best of the best this country has to offer. When you think that her fellow congressman voted no on this watered down version simply closing loopholes...omg, how could this happen?
    It was bad enough when the Senate disgraced itself voting "no" on the international disability law, with Bob Dole actually sitting in a wheelchair on the floor. The entire world wanting laws to protect the disabled with the integrity of ours, and we voted no. Again...the measure in the UN to stop international gun purchases, and how did we vote? We are now with 3 countries..Syria, Iran and No. Korea promoting gun sales for terrorists. Gabby said it all....vote them all out, no republicans in any office. If this doesn't do it...nothing will. The word shame simply isn't enough...we need a new one.

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  20. Anonymous9:18 AM

    2 of my senators voted yea. I have written them and thanked them for their vote. I really wish there was something more I could do.

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  21. Anonymous9:31 AM

    You tell them, Gabby.

    The majority of Americans agree with you.

    The majority of Republicans agree with you.

    Shit fire, even the majority of NRA members agree with you.

    These shitbirds ain't foolin anyone!

    ReplyDelete
  22. Anonymous9:38 AM

    Schumer laughs out loud on Senate floor at Cruz’ gun registry conspiracy theory

    http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2013/04/18/schumer-laughs-out-loud-on-senate-floor-at-cruz-gun-registry-conspiracy-theory/

    ReplyDelete
  23. Anita Winecooler5:58 PM

    Gabby never fails to inspire me. I thanked Pat Toomey and asked him to not give up when the vote comes around again, and it will. The LEAST we can do is pass comprehensive background checks. We owe it to Gabby, the kids in Newtown, and the law abiding victims of gun violence everywhere.

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  24. Nothing will change until this senator fear the consequences of voting with the NRA more than voting against them.

    So we must hurry that realization along by running strong candidates against them in every election, supporting those candidates by every means possible including money and getting them elected. Then we need to publicize exactly why these candidates were supported and elected so the others believe what the consequences will be for their continued obedience to the NRA.

    Make it clear, then make it hurt.

    ReplyDelete

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