Wednesday, June 14, 2017

Shooting in Alexandria, VA.

Rep. Steve Scalise
I woke up to this breaking news but I thought I would hold off posting about it until we had more information to work with.

What we do know is that a single man open fired with an automatic or semi-automatic rifle of some kind, during practice for a charity baseball game between the Washington Republicans and Democrats.

This particular practice field was being used by the Republicans.

House Whip Steve Scalise appears to be the only Republican lawmaker wounded, he was hit in the hip, though there are at least five wounded. One of whom may in fact be the gunman.

There were no fatalities. (Update: Well the gunman died, so that makes one.)

Here is more courtesy of the New York Times: 

Officials described a scene of chaos and of players taking cover wherever they could on the field. 

Rep. Mike Bishop from Michigan said the gunman was standing outside the fence line behind third base aiming for the field’s only exit. 

"If not for the detail who stepped up with basic revolvers, we would’ve all been dead,” he said, referring to members of the security team. He said he “Army-crawled” his way to taller grass and tried to reach the dugout, but bullets were hitting the dugout as well. 

“Ting, ting, ting, ting,” he said, describing the noise. “He was hunting us at that point. There was so much gunfire, you couldn’t get up and run. Pop, pop, pop, pop — it’s a sound I’ll never forget.”

The detail that Rep. Bishop is referring to is apparently the security staff that follows House Whip Steve Scalise around.

The gunman has been described as a white man with dark hair. (Update: Here he is.)
So of course in Trump's America that means this will not be considered a terrorist attack. (Though Hodgkinson is being described as a Bernie Sanders supporter so that still might be an option for the Right Wing news outlets.)

There are reports that the gunman asked if it were Democrats or Republicans on the field but this does seem to be accurate.
There is always a lot of confusion in the aftermath of these shootings, and invariably false information gets passed around.

Democratic leaders are already condemning this cowardly attack, which is good because knowing the Republicans this is definitely going to be spun as a political act from the Left.

Too late.
What is not false however is that the folks targeted in this shooting want every person in America to have access to a firearm.  And I guarantee that will not change as a result of this event.

P.S. It now appears that the shooter has died of his injuries.
Update: This seems like an appropriate tweet to share today. Rand Paul was one of the Republicans at this baseball field when the shooting started.

82 comments:

  1. Anonymous8:06 AM

    The shooter did not like Trump and Republicans! Are we surprised that this took place? I'm not.

    Our country is in a huge mess and it's all because of Trump and his horrid leading style.

    I doubt seriously that this will bring both parties 'together' as they are pushing on TV right now - ABC.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous8:28 AM

      Bernie Sanders “sickened” by Scalise shooting, reportedly conducted by former campaign volunteer

      https://www.vox.com/2017/6/14/15801600/scalise-shooting-bernie-sanders-statement

      Delete
    2. Anonymous8:29 AM

      GOP Members Of Congress Experience The Domestic Gun Violence Terror That Haunts America Daily

      http://www.politicususa.com/2017/06/14/gop-members-congress-experience-domestic-gun-violence-terror-haunts-america-daily.html

      Delete
    3. Anonymous8:29 AM

      Shooting Forces House To Cancel Hearings And Votes

      One hearing was to consider easing restrictions on guns.

      A shooting in Virginia involving several Republican lawmakers brought Congress to a standstill Wednesday, with the House of Representatives canceling a number of hearings, including one scheduled to consider a package of pro-gun legislation.

      http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/house-hearings-votes-shooting_us_59413e63e4b0d31854864b96?w8v&ncid=inblnkushpmg00000009

      Delete
    4. Anonymous9:25 AM

      SFO NOW:
      http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/san-francisco-shooting_us_59416133e4b09ad4fbe4ddef

      Delete
    5. Anonymous11:13 AM

      The Dems held a prayer for those involved. Would the Repugs do the same if the shoe was on the other foot?

      Delete
  2. Anonymous8:14 AM

    I will soon be turning off the internet for the rest of the day. I cannot take all of the people blaming Kathy Griffin and the Shakespeare play. What about Mister "I could stand in the middle of Fifth Avenue and Shoot someone....."? What about the gun sights over Gabby Giffords name? Ughhh. Getting angry now.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous8:31 AM

      So I guess the rethugs don't like the odds.
      AR-15 vs baseball bats.
      Does anybody else think these guns should be on the market?
      NRA is eerily silent.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous8:35 AM

      Kellyanne Conway, Trump Jr. Spread False Info To Paint Capitol Shooter As A Liberal, Spread Fear

      http://addictinginfo.com/2017/06/14/kellyanne-conway-trump-jr-spread-false-info-to-paint-capitol-shooter-as-a-liberal-spread-fear/

      Delete
    3. Anonymous8:39 AM

      Lets not forget the thinly veiled call for Hillary's assassination during the campaign, "Maybe she should meet a lover of the second ammendment"--I don't know the exact words on that one.

      Delete
    4. Anonymous8:40 AM

      Gabrielle Giffords Responds To Congressional Baseball Shooting
      She called those targeted “public servants and heroes today and every day.”

      http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/gabby-giffords-congressional-shooting_us_59412878e4b09ad4fbe47452?v6&ncid=inblnkushpmg00000009

      Delete
    5. Anonymous8:54 AM

      @8:35 add this>Alex NUTJOB
      "What goes around-comes around"

      http://www.rawstory.com/2017/06/mother-of-aurora-shooting-victim-rips-alex-jones-is-baseball-shooting-a-false-flag-attack-too/

      Delete
    6. Anonymous8:56 AM

      Trump has brought the anger and hate in our country to a higher pitch than I've ever seen and I'm an older - senior citizen having resided all my life in America - albeit I've traveled widely throughout our country and world.

      I blame TRUMP for the mess we have watched on the news this morning. And, I wish HIM to be brought to trial and convicted of his illegal deeds, words and acts! HE is a liar and fraud and it's been proven time and time again since he began running for the presidency.

      Our country is no longer great! We have fallen in respect, regard or admiration throughout the world since Trump took the presidency. It will take us eons to recover from this fucking mess we find ourselves in.

      Pray, Americans - I think it is only going to get worse until Trump and his ilk are moved out of our government leadership and Republicans lose many of their seats in the United States Congress (when they come up for reelection - should they run again.)

      WE NEED A MAJOR CHANGE NOW MORE THAN EVER BEFORE! (On the national, state and local levels throughout the country.)

      The Republican party is in major trouble! So many of their members are now talking and acting just like their leader which is frightening and sickening to behold.

      TRUMP SHOULD BE IMPEACHED!

      Delete
    7. Anonymous9:00 AM

      @8:39 THIS JOKE?>

      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UnKxlxOYY34

      Delete
    8. Anonymous2:44 PM

      8:31am
      First of all I will apologize for taking so long to answer, it's been a hectic day.
      But as a gun owner I personally see no need for semiauto, auto weapons, or expanded magazines.
      It's been 30 yrs or more since I needed to help a beginner hunter( who made a poor shot, put down a deer). Personally when I deer hunt I keep one bullet in my rifle and 2 more in my pocket, I have never used a second round except to help out one juvenile with me taking the second round.
      Besides hunting I also keep a rifle on hand for "varmit" control, no one wants a rattlesnake on their front or back steps. Otherwise our weapons are kept in gun safes in locked rooms, if someone breaks in my dogs will tell me.

      Delete
  3. Anonymous8:21 AM

    Republicans are shamelessly spinning this as some kind of partisan attack:
    "He was there to kill as many Republicans as possible"
    http://theweek.com/speedreads/705653/rep-mark-walker-says-gunman-targeted-congressional-baseball-practice-kill-many-republican-members-possible

    And trying to preempt this turning into a gun control debate:
    "We were sitting ducks. Guns saved our lives"
    http://detroit.cbslocal.com/2017/06/14/michigan-representative-ok-as-shots-fired-at-members-of-congress/

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous10:31 AM

      Guns in the hands of US Capitol police officers, who are trained on how to respond to this type of attack. It wasn't a bunch of second amendment loving, gun toting amateurs. If it were, more people would b dead

      Delete
  4. Anonymous8:23 AM

    If this is a terrorist attack then the Giffords shooting is one as well.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous2:21 PM

      Absolutely! But if they wouldn't do anything after Sandy Hook they won't do anything now. I'm just glad the gunman was a white guy (and I am white, btw).

      Delete
    2. Anonymous3:09 PM

      I thought that too 2:21

      Delete
  5. Anonymous8:23 AM

    False flag. I tell ya. This didn't happen. It's just the republicans wanting you to know those evil democrats wanting to take away guns fro white people. Ain't goin to happen I tell ya.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous8:42 AM

      aka Collateral Damage CONtrol...

      Delete
    2. Anonymous9:48 AM

      I think you are correct, totally fake story made up to shift attention away from the Russian investigation.....the pics I have seen on TV about this "supposed" shooting don';t show a "real" crime scene to me.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous3:28 PM

      That dudes recording shows folks standing around while shots fired? Really? Fakes!

      Delete
  6. Anonymous8:30 AM

    He kinda looks like a trump supporter we saw during the phony election, he may be fox no news confused and thought that he was shooting at democrats or maybe mad at republicans for not doing a more damaging job for trumps birthday present.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That's because, like some of the Trump supporters, this guy had a history of domestic violence.

      It's like all of the whackos share some of the same characteristics. Like either being to the FAR right or the FAR left but in general just being nutjobs.

      The the Republicans want it to be much easier for them to get guns.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous12:01 PM

      He was mentally suicidal and not a democrat. He was a confused fox news person and lost all hope in his party.

      Delete
  7. Anonymous8:35 AM

    Trumps little stumps blaming Shakespeare and Kathy for the world hating their daddy. I have news for them. Daddy was hated long before this. Daddy is the biggest liar on earth today. Stumps will learn how to take the trash out and clean a toilet before it is all over.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Anonymous8:35 AM

    Wonder if some first hand experience with automatic weapons might get some of these guys to change their minds about letting just anyone have one?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous10:14 AM

      of course NOT - they fight even harder for everyone to have a gun so that everyone at the event would have armed

      Delete
    2. Anonymous12:03 PM

      How come those gun living republicans did not have their own gun strapped on as their party demands?

      Delete
  9. Anonymous8:52 AM

    So average Americans pay for security detail for those making the laws that allow guns to be everywhere! What a bunch of shit!

    Second point. Is it terrorism when a white guy shoots someone or is it it only terrorism when a moose lamb shoots someone?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous9:34 AM

      I think it's an attack of terrorism if a Republican is shot. No one else matters.
      Beaglemom

      Delete
  10. Anonymous8:54 AM

    House Speaker Paul Ryan: 'An Attack On One Of Us Is An Attack On All Of Us' 


    REALLY PAUL RYAN?

    How about the Russian hackers? The Russian spies visiting Trump in the Oval Office?

    THE RUSSIAN GOVERNMENT WHO HELPED TRUMP WIN THE PRESIDENTIAL RACE?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous9:33 AM

      Did he say the same thing when Gabby Giffords was shot and several persons present were killed? What about when the little children were massacred at Sandy Hook Elementary? I think Ryan is saying that, when a Republican is attacked, then all of them are under attack. Beaglemom

      Delete
    2. Anonymous11:59 AM

      That is all he cares about repubics. Please wakeup he doesn't even think of anyone else. Wakeup.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous12:08 PM

      Republicans have insulted everyone and now afraid.

      Delete
    4. Anonymous3:30 PM

      Poor Paul. Your not going to be President even after Dumpy resigns. Get over yourself!

      Delete
  11. Anonymous8:54 AM

    Wondering if Bernie is rethinking his pro gun stance?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous9:45 AM

      I'm pro second amendment...but that does NOT mean I do not want tighter( much tighter) gun control laws including mandatory trigger locks, extended background checks, mental health checks, the need to carry liability insurance, the ending ANY pathways for felons recoup their 2nd amendment rights.

      Delete
    2. Let's not call them restrictions or controls.

      Call them "gun protection" laws. See if that flies with the rabid right.

      Delete
  12. AG Lynch's EXACT words that wingnuts took out of context to claim she called for violence when she said nothing of the sort. But what did anyone expect of scum wingnuts?

    On 28 February 2017, Senate Democrats posted a short video statement from former U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch (who held that position during the last two years of President Obama’s second term) which has been cited to accuse her of encouraging violent protests against President Donald Trump’s administration.

    I know that this is a time of great fear and uncertainty for so many people. I know it’s a time of concern for people who see our rights being assailed, being trampled on, and even being rolled back. I know that this is difficult, but I remind you that this has never been easy. We have always had to work to move this country forward to achieve the great ideals of our Founding Fathers.

    It has been people, individuals who have banded together, ordinary people who simply saw what needed to be done and came together and supported those ideals who have made the difference. They’ve marched, they’ve bled and yes, some

    ReplyDelete
  13. Check his facebook. He is a disgruntled Republican.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. But he is rabidly anti-Trump and volunteered for Bernie. They'll take that and run with it.

      Delete
  14. Anonymous9:28 AM

    Vulgar? gingRICH?
    http://www.rawstory.com/2017/06/watch-fox-host-shames-newt-gingrich-for-blaming-gop-baseball-shooting-on-vulgar-democrats/

    ReplyDelete
  15. Anonymous9:33 AM

    Is Trump making America mentally ill?

    https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/is-trump-making-america-mentally-ill/2017/06/13/28204b08-507b-11e7-be25-3a519335381c_story.html

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous3:31 PM

      Social brainwashing at it's finest.

      Delete
  16. Anonymous9:34 AM

    Democrats turned a dugout into a sanctuary to pray for Republicans

    http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/democrats-turned-a-dugout-into-a-sanctuary-to-pray-for-republicans/article/2625922

    ReplyDelete
  17. Anonymous9:42 AM

    Rep. Mo Brooks, an Alabama Republican who witnessed the shooting and attended to Scalise by using his own belt as a tourniquet while waiting for medics to arrive, answered a question on gun control later that morning.

    Lachlan Markay of the Daily Beast asked Brooks, “Congressman, does this change your views on the gun situation in America?” His answer was more than a simple “no”:

    https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2017/6/14/15801012/shooting-republican-scalise-gun-control

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I read Scalise was shot in the hip. (Which I interpreted as possibly a polite way of saying he was shot in the butt.)

      How do you tourniquet a hip?

      Delete
    2. Anonymous11:57 AM

      Yeah, snd they all have entry with no guns at their promaries and such fidn't they?

      Delete
  18. Anonymous9:42 AM

    Yearly in the USA there are well over 100,000 victims of gun violence
    .......over 32,000 deaths and over 73,000 wounded.
    It seems only logical, using basic math statistics that eventually a few of those victims would be ones that could have tightened up gun laws in our nation.
    While I disagree completely with anyone that believes violence is a solution to ANYTHING I am too busy sympathizing with what the Sandy Hook victims parents have had to endure ( including death threats) still to this day because they lost their children to gun violence, I'll save my grief for the child victims nationwide not for those adults that have made their careers fighting any sort of changes that could lessen that over 100,000 number of victims yearly.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Anonymous10:07 AM

    . I am a D or I wouldn't be coming around here. I am active in the gun control movement. Scalise is an idiot and I disagree with everything he says. He, the staffer, and the cops are all human beings.
    Could we just for one day nor engage in meaningless partisan bullshit about who said what on the internet? That's how we got Trump.
    How about following Gabby Giffords on this one? She has some cred don't you think?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous2:46 PM

      Nope, when an incident happens that is the perfect time for us to have any conversations needed.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous5:43 PM

      10:07 am here. The conversation that is not needed is what's been going on here: dehumanizing those with whom we disagree, trivializing what happened today, and refusing to show some basic human kindness. Where exactly is that getting us?


      Delete
    3. Anonymous5:46 PM

      10:07 am here. The conversation that is not needed is what's been going on here: dehumanizing those with whom we disagree, trivializing what happened today, and refusing to show some basic human kindness. Where exactly is that getting us?


      Delete
  20. Anonymous10:12 AM

    And instead of fighting for more sensible gun laws I would bet the republicans will scream for more guns *sighs* after all if every one there had several guns then every one could have started firing

    ReplyDelete
  21. Anonymous10:15 AM

    The GOP Congress has taken a break from renaming every post office in America "Ronny Reagan" to submit a new bill.

    The bill will allow all baseball players starting with T-ball players to carry concealed without a permit.

    The NRA gives this new bill 100% approval.

    ReplyDelete
  22. Anonymous10:51 AM

    The guy sounds like a xrepublican that turned independent. He then snapped. Republicans love to blame and spin. Take a look at the guys voter registration and record for the last 40yrs. Ask his wife or maybe the Russian hackers that Fu#ked with him online.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. This is consistent with my prediction.

      I said if there were ever an assassination attempt on Trump, it would come from a disgruntled and disillusioned nutso Deplorable rather than a far left crazy.

      I don't think this is going to be the last attack. I think there will be more. I'm sure Trump is already melting down, calling for more protection for himself. Yeah, just himself. We probably won't see him in public for a while. (thankfully) Like he wasn't paranoid enough.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous3:16 PM

      He was one of the "burn it all down" crowd.

      Delete
  23. Anonymous10:56 AM

    The GOP reps were scared and ran away when shots were fired at them.

    These are the same folks that will send troops into unnecessary combat without even thinking twice.

    ReplyDelete
  24. Anonymous11:01 AM

    There was also a shooting in California today.

    ReplyDelete
  25. Anonymous11:47 AM

    And congress sat in unity. All united for a brief second. And then? play ball!! Impeachment on horizon.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/democrats-sue-donald-trump-emoluments-clause_us_5940b8fee4b0d3185485cd2e?02s&ncid=inblnkushpmg00000009&ncid=inblnkushpmg00000009

      "More than 190 Democratic lawmakers sued President Donald Trump in federal court on Wednesday, saying he had accepted funds from foreign governments through his businesses without congressional consent in violation of the U.S. Constitution.

      The complaint said Trump had not sought congressional approval for any of the payments his hundreds of businesses had received from foreign governments since he took office in January, even though the Constitution requires him to do so."

      Delete
  26. Anonymous11:47 AM

    I thought all republicans were armed and ready.

    ReplyDelete
  27. Anonymous11:50 AM

    The guy found out trump is a fraud and liar.

    ReplyDelete
  28. Anonymous12:47 PM

    My first thought was for Gabby Giffords.

    So was my last thought.

    I won't lose any sleep if those chickenshit Right-wingers convince themselves that they'll be on the receiving end in the future instead of the usual killing end. Fuck all those cowards anyway.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous6:11 PM

      Me neither.
      I really could care less that Scalise needs a colostomy now. In fact, it makes me laugh a bit.
      I hope tourism continues to go waaay down. we are a third world banana republic. Who would ever want to visit us?

      Delete
  29. Gingrich made me furious today. They showed him talking about all the hateful rhetoric on the Left. The Right started this fight. And if this guy was a disgruntled Republican, then this still belongs to them. You can bet that they are hoping that the Left will go all guilt-ridden about this so they can continue steam rolling right over the top of us - just as planned. As for Paul Ryan, he's still an Ayn Randian sociopath.
    M from MD

    ReplyDelete
  30. Anonymous1:26 PM

    No one deserves to be shot! That being said, Steve Scalise has been very, very active in introducing "gun rights" legislation. He's truly the NRA's darling. https://www.facebook.com/ginandtacos/photos/a.395858276676.182293.359134596676/10155298520231677/?type=3&theater
    Looks like life came at him fast.

    ReplyDelete
  31. Anonymous1:27 PM

    So ... Still not sure....do you denounce these shootings or not, Gryph? You really need a little nudging about how to appear as the truly empathetic liberal, How about START with denouncing it ( especially since the shooter was a disgruntled Bernie supporter) and then do your usual selective cut and paste afterwards? But of course still ignore Kathy Griffin, Shakespeare in the Park and all the other lovely 'artistes" who are visually beheading or assassinating our President in the media on a regular basis.... Because it appears you support them?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Everybody who visits here knows my opinion on guns, violence, and mass shootings very well.

      I don't really think I need to spell it out.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous2:49 PM

      As a gun owning liberal I have known for yrs that Gryphen is against any type of personal gun ownership....seems to me you only "just happened upon this blog" to try and make trouble. Gryphen was too nice.....but I will tell you...fuck off loser.

      Delete
    3. Shakespeare in the park?

      I think you mean the New York Public Theater's current production of JULIUS CAESAR. A rather sympathetic to Trump version if you really know the play.

      In my opinion it's a shame Shakespeare never wrote a play about Caligula. That would have been more appropriate.

      Delete
    4. Okay first thanks for defending me, I guess.

      But for the record I am not against any type of gun ownership.

      I AM against people owning military style weaponry without a very good reason, and very much FOR comprehensive background checks before purchase of a firearm.

      Delete
    5. Anonymous3:15 PM

      @ Gryphen 2:57pm
      Sorry, I always got the feel you were against any type of gun ownership , maybe that view was for yourself. But my misunderstanding has never stopped me from being a loyal reader. I guess we are more alike than I assumed :) please accept my apologies for speaking out of turn and with incorrect info.

      Delete
  32. Anonymous2:09 PM

    Evidently God and his mini me Jesus didn't give a crap about the people shot today. But gun nuts were quick to thank the NRA.

    ReplyDelete
  33. Anonymous5:10 PM

    Too funny Anonymous 11:47

    $$$$$$

    Anonymous11:47 AM

    And congress sat in unity. All united for a brief second. And then? play ball!! Impeachment on horizon.

    ReplyDelete
  34. Anonymous5:13 PM

    Anonymous11:01 AM

    There was also a shooting in California today.



    But that doesn't count. The California victims were not Republicans/Politicians/Trumpsters

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous3:32 PM

      It's all a Russia plot!

      Delete

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