"The Assault Weapons Ban must be reinstated — the greed of gun manufacturers be damned." I totally agree with the last sentence in Dr. Reich's posting. I taught in a high poverty Middle School for the last 23 years of my working life - retiring in 2014. My wife is still teaching and I volunteer two days a week in her first grade classroo…
"The Assault Weapons Ban must be reinstated — the greed of gun manufacturers be damned." I totally agree with the last sentence in Dr. Reich's posting. I taught in a high poverty Middle School for the last 23 years of my working life - retiring in 2014. My wife is still teaching and I volunteer two days a week in her first grade classroom. I remember during the final years before I retired always thinking "well, it could happen here, and what would I do if a gun toting person showed up in our school?" Every day as you're driving to work you realize you don't think it will happen here, but it COULD. My wife's classroom is in another high poverty school and the school district has made if more difficult for someone with a gun to get in, but, in reality, it wouldn't be that hard for someone like the person in today's MASSACRE of three little children (and 3 adults) who had mapped out the school - which, every time it happens, it just seems so incredibly senseless. I continue to go to the school, but at 75 I'm physically compromised to the point I wonder if I would be much help in the case of the unthinkable - that little first graders have to practice against - in lockdown drills they have no idea why we're doing them. The failure to continue the assault weapons ban back in 2004 (along with the illegal invasion of Iraq and the "stupid war" in Afghanistan) is what caused me, originally, as an independent voter, to vote AGAINST republicans. It's only gotten worse since then. The republican party IS controlled by the gun lobby and its a pall on "we the people" that we keep voting these people into office. It seems like now the republican House conference is largely controlled by MTG - I can't bring myself to write the name. I'm thankful Joe Biden is president and is calling for the re-authorization of the assault weapons ban. Sadly, it appears to me the forces of the darkest "side" of American History continues to thrive, making this a "pipe dream," and, in fact, it's only getting worse. If the legal authorities in this nation continue to seem AFRAID of, for example, holding Trump accountable for his CRIMINAL conduct "we the people" are facing "more of the same." People protesting while carrying AR-15's. It's time to put a stop to all this. The threats being bantied about regarding more violence shoould Trump face indictment are shameful. However, I say "bring it on." It really is time for "we the people" to take a stand. (Look at what is happening in places like Israel and Georgia - the country brodering Russia) where the people have clearly said "enough already!" Too many in America take our "democracy" for granted and the power of the gun lobby is one of the main reasons this nation seems to be on a precipice.
Hey fellow teacher, David! I understand the fear when working in school. I too volunteer in one of my former schools after retirement. I love doing it, in fact am about to leave for the school. I also work in a disadvantaged district with a lot of poverty and all the challenges that entails. The students don't think much of shootings in school because they have so many challenges in the rest of their lives. A school shooting does not impact them as it might other students. However, they are always on edge, ready to punch back if someone touches them, even bumps them. It is a badge of honor to get suspended. Cutting class is just a matter of routine. I tutor 8th grade math and have students who function mathematically at about a 4th grade level, if that much. I have lost 2 students to gun violence, another to murder by beating, 2 to health problems that were caused by the life lived near toxic industry, and another to a house fire because the family couldn't afford more than little space heaters in bedrooms. I admit I worry more about my students beyond the school than in school. It is clear our society cares as little for children as possible while mouthing the words about our precious children. Our Republican friends care nothing for children but, maybe their own. The rest are just future low-paid workers for their rich corporations.
"The Assault Weapons Ban must be reinstated — the greed of gun manufacturers be damned." I totally agree with the last sentence in Dr. Reich's posting. I taught in a high poverty Middle School for the last 23 years of my working life - retiring in 2014. My wife is still teaching and I volunteer two days a week in her first grade classroom. I remember during the final years before I retired always thinking "well, it could happen here, and what would I do if a gun toting person showed up in our school?" Every day as you're driving to work you realize you don't think it will happen here, but it COULD. My wife's classroom is in another high poverty school and the school district has made if more difficult for someone with a gun to get in, but, in reality, it wouldn't be that hard for someone like the person in today's MASSACRE of three little children (and 3 adults) who had mapped out the school - which, every time it happens, it just seems so incredibly senseless. I continue to go to the school, but at 75 I'm physically compromised to the point I wonder if I would be much help in the case of the unthinkable - that little first graders have to practice against - in lockdown drills they have no idea why we're doing them. The failure to continue the assault weapons ban back in 2004 (along with the illegal invasion of Iraq and the "stupid war" in Afghanistan) is what caused me, originally, as an independent voter, to vote AGAINST republicans. It's only gotten worse since then. The republican party IS controlled by the gun lobby and its a pall on "we the people" that we keep voting these people into office. It seems like now the republican House conference is largely controlled by MTG - I can't bring myself to write the name. I'm thankful Joe Biden is president and is calling for the re-authorization of the assault weapons ban. Sadly, it appears to me the forces of the darkest "side" of American History continues to thrive, making this a "pipe dream," and, in fact, it's only getting worse. If the legal authorities in this nation continue to seem AFRAID of, for example, holding Trump accountable for his CRIMINAL conduct "we the people" are facing "more of the same." People protesting while carrying AR-15's. It's time to put a stop to all this. The threats being bantied about regarding more violence shoould Trump face indictment are shameful. However, I say "bring it on." It really is time for "we the people" to take a stand. (Look at what is happening in places like Israel and Georgia - the country brodering Russia) where the people have clearly said "enough already!" Too many in America take our "democracy" for granted and the power of the gun lobby is one of the main reasons this nation seems to be on a precipice.
Hey fellow teacher, David! I understand the fear when working in school. I too volunteer in one of my former schools after retirement. I love doing it, in fact am about to leave for the school. I also work in a disadvantaged district with a lot of poverty and all the challenges that entails. The students don't think much of shootings in school because they have so many challenges in the rest of their lives. A school shooting does not impact them as it might other students. However, they are always on edge, ready to punch back if someone touches them, even bumps them. It is a badge of honor to get suspended. Cutting class is just a matter of routine. I tutor 8th grade math and have students who function mathematically at about a 4th grade level, if that much. I have lost 2 students to gun violence, another to murder by beating, 2 to health problems that were caused by the life lived near toxic industry, and another to a house fire because the family couldn't afford more than little space heaters in bedrooms. I admit I worry more about my students beyond the school than in school. It is clear our society cares as little for children as possible while mouthing the words about our precious children. Our Republican friends care nothing for children but, maybe their own. The rest are just future low-paid workers for their rich corporations.