I live in Australia. After one mass shooting at Port Arthur, Tasmania, the government banned such weapons. Guess what.... no mass shootings again. Yes there are "shoot outs" between criminal gangs with illegal guns, but not people going into a school and shooting people up. More fool Americans!
I live in Scotland and exactly the same happened after the 1996 Dunblane school shootings. What I find totally impossible to understand is that so many of those that insist on their right to bear arms, including assault weapons, also claim to be devout Christians. But they don't seem to follow the teachings. What ever happened to 'Thou salt not kill"? But again, it would appear that tiny bundles of cells that may or may not become an actual person are considered far more important than an actual child or adult. There just are no words.....
The "Christian" religion in America has been stolen, and corrupted, by those who believe "their way is the only way". I asked a once-friend his definition of "woke", and he couldn't answer, after I offered mine. It was "awakened to the needs of others. To be well-informed, thoughtful, compasionate, humble, and kind. Eager to make the world a better place for all people." Kind of a paraphrase of the words of Jesus, yet the "Christian Right" in this country won't accept THE WORDS OF THEIR SAVIOUR!! as words to live by. It is a sad time to be an American.
It would seem Christian Nationals are on the defensive stating that Christianity is under attack. Not sure by whom as I dont see it. The propaganda machine is in overdrive to convince them that somehow their faith is being threatened. I heard it last week and over the weekend. How can someone who doesnt walk the path of Jesus (Trump) be considered doing gods work? Thats a real stretch, unless of course the news they are watching doesnt mention or minimizes his discretions and maximizes his fight for White Christian Nationals. To quote the NY Times on Trumps Waco rally. "Trump gets back to grass roots campaigning" Not Trump endorses the Jan 6th insurection, endorses violence and discrimination against AG Bragg and commemorates Branch Dividian David Koresh a known child sex offender and cult leader. Christian Nationalists for Violence, Discrimination and Child abuse. That pretty much sums it up. The ends do not justify the means.
At his height Jim Jones had 3000 followers. 900 of which committed or were forced to commit suicide. The last election saw 74,000,000 people vote for him. If you take the same Jim Jones numbers that means Trump has 22 million people ready to die for him. Yippee.
Oh yes, I think you might have hit the nail on the head with that one. So many people are gullible and easily led by someone who can put on a good spiel. Trump is a greedy charlatan who craves the limelight. He got heady of the trappings of being President and wants to hang on to the feelings he gets from having such devoted followers. Like he once said he could shoot and kill someone in the middle of 5th Ave and his people would still support him. People in general are loathe to admit they might be wrong.
The Evangelical and conservative christians faiths are feeding these lies to their congregation. The followers are brainwashed or a cult. We are in a religious war.
So many of them think in absolutes, so they see the issue of their way of believing as vs other ways of believing, in a zero sum manner. So their logic is - if you don't believe as I do, you diminish my beliefs. If people who don't believe as I do are given the same rights as I have, then I lose my rights. Not logical, pretty childish, but there it is.
Ive heard before "I will do what I want". When it comes to laws they never apply to the selfish person only to everyone else around them when it benefits them. Dare to apply those same laws to them and you are infringing on their rights. In reality telling them they can't do something. Then the adult tantrum comes out. I'm on board with your thinking. One time I had an abortion discussion with a MAGA friend. His opinion was sacrosanct I couldnt budge him in anyway to see it slightly differently or sympathically. It was like he was arguing a position that was already established law and everyone followed it. Perhaps I was arguing with his echo chamber more than with him.
@Daniel. Thank you. It's a service to define this term above its origins in black communities. My take on it, building on what you already said: Woke... Awakened to the needs of others, compassionate, humble, thoughtful and kind. To be well informed and seek to make the world a better place for all people. To practice the tenets of the world's major religions.
Exactly. "Woke" is the opposite of love/compassion/kindness. It's all about control, rage, judgment. It's inherently anti-Democratic. I'm not saying Republicans are the answer. But neither is Wokeism.
There are as many definitions of 'woke' as there are people trying to define it, but mostly it's an us vs them term in actual use. You say it's anti-Democratic, with capital D. Other guy speaks as if it were Jesus compassion... Thinking in terms of woke meaning 'awake' it means to be alert and honest in seeing each new how the world operates. One side uses it to bash people for their opinions; the other side uses it seek to get people to have informed opinions. As for me I'd rather be awake than have my head stuck in the sand of whatever the latest conspiracy theory might be. If that means I am woke then woke is a good thing.
The MAGAt/GOP use of "woke" is all that, but its original use has nothing to do with that. Take some time to understand what it is and where it comes from. For myself, I'm staying woke--and liberal, and progressive, and dedicated to objectivity, facts, and democracy.
This is a perfect explanation of Hypocrisy and hubris of the self-righteous extremist whom we are constantly confronted with. Well said. Well written. Eyes Open!
Omg, Daniel thanks for sending that. Utterly terrifying but it really is where the country is right now, and may remain, under the dominance of Christian Nationalism...we're totally screwed.
As a gun owner...as if those words have more power than as a non gun owner. Those whos lives have been destroyed by gun violence have as much right as gun owners in determing gun laws. Gun companies should have zero say. Citizens united decision be damned.
One way of caring for children is to BAN ASSAULT WEAPONS. Needless to say, the ridiculously named "pro-life" army is in FULL support of keeping these weapons legal, these same weapons which are so often in mass murders of little, born children.
There's difficulty in defining an 'assault weapon' such that a clever designer cannot get around the regulation. Consider a ban on any weapon/ammunition combination that can produce more than a certain level of kinetic energy at the muzzle. It may seem too technical but should reduce fatalities and the severity of wounds.
Its such a sin. Caring for that which isnt yet (cells the fetus) over that which is (the deformed, the drug addicted baby, the malnutritioned child). Its a type of future faking. Look see I care about this nebulous concept of a child to be, so I dont have to care about actual children. Cause once you have them, its pull yourself up by your bootstraps timr again. You aint getting any help from them. They are too busy "saving the future".
Believe me, they don’t even know what “ fetus “ means! They know what power and control mean! That is all... no accountability. One hundred year prison sentence for anyone hurting another human or otherwise animal should send a a notice that we will not give up our freedom to be safe and to have private choice to their maniacal need to be tyrants over us. Jesus !
Neither will work in 'Murica though. 'Muricans cling DESPERATELY to their THOUGHT that The Second Amendment, which exists SOLELY for Militias, ACTUALLY gives us 'Muricans the OBLIGATION to have a gun to kill . . . those different than us??? I really cannot fathom their reasoning, as I DID go to a New York college.
I know I'll probably get flak for my stance on gun control. To those who might object. If your doctor says to you, "I have some bad news about your tests." The patient is then told he has cancer of the femur and the leg has to come off. The guy objects but the doctor reaffirms his earlier statement, you lose your leg or you lose your life. What does the guy do? Sometimes the pill that does us the most good is the hardest to swallow. Ban assault rifles.
I hate to be called foolish and you are totally right. We knew how to fix this before and our politicians play dumb and stunned as the death toll mounts and mounts. Foolish? I would go so far as to say we as Americans are Criminally Negligent.
The love of money and addiction to violence as entertainment in the US has helped fuel this. The issue around guns in the US makes me so ill that I can’t even think about it. To value guns over children. I remember what happened in Australia and the action taken was so inspired. Thanks for writing your comment.
The biggest part I see besides open murder laws is stagnant wages, good jobs being replaced with minimum wage jobs leading to broken homes. Gun laws (or the lack there of) is the symptom. Being poor is the problem. How many rich kids shoot up schools lately? Maybe shoot up Heroine or Cocaine but schools never.
Bill Reitz: Totally disagree! Take a look at the mass murderers in schools! Adam Lanza's father was a bigwig with GM. Dylan Klebold's father was an Engineer. Audrey Hale was a graphic designer and illustrator. The vast majority of school shooters are from middle class homes.
One family is not a majority and the majority of these kids went to public school. If your are really wealthy you dont go to public school. This is the bottom 222 million of us killing each other whether it be from white supremist rhetoric or crappy living conditions and no health care. The goal is to keep all of us fighting each other. Metaphorically and literally. So the rich just keep getting richer. Ie the top 1%.
I've begun to believe this is more than just a money grab by the Gun lobby. for one, It is another issue to divide the majority with. But why are Republican politicians trying to create the wild wild west where it's 'kill or be killed'... unlimited access to weapons, without any prerequisites or requirements, along with legislation that protects you for killing someone, even when you are the aggressor (Trayvon Martin). Is this an effort to give cult members with mental issues the tools and leeway they need to "stand up and stand by" until you send them dog whistles to 'storm the capital' to keep you in office, or instruct them to kill a prosecutor or judge to prevent them from charging you with a crime??? Is this some form of population control or a way for the wealthy/powerful to 'get off' while they watch the blood and carnage from 'on high'?
I've heard about this. It's amazing, for sure, but that's a very different and much less diverse culture than the States. False equivalency. It's like people who argue that because "socialism" works in Finland it should work in the United States.
As with most Americans, you obviously know very little about Australia. It is a very multi-cultural and multi-ethnic and multi-racial society, that prides itself in its diversity. The colonial period was just as bad on the native peoples as it was in the USA. It is a robust democracy with all the same problems of inflation, poverty, disadvantage etc. that the USA has. Actually it is a LOT like the USA as I realised when I immigrated here. Your sweeping generality is incorrect and does not make your point AT ALL.
The party of “pro life” only cares until the child is born, then they couldn’t care less. Hence all the “thoughts and prayers” but no action to stop the atrocities.
It seems in our Capitalistic society collateral damage is to be expected. If we don't put certain measures in place to control big business we are all subject to the pit falls found in our culture. Gun production is just a part of the problem but at present it holds the moist relevance because our people are dying on a daily basis from the bullets fired from the weapons these companies produce. Republicans, for a number of reasons, will fight controls placed upon these companies because they'll site Second Amendments rights. When will they consider the innocent lives lost and the rights they never had a chance to enjoy. Ban all military style weapons, yesterday.
Nor will they bother to actually read the 2nd Amendment. In this day and age, we have a standing army, and a national guard! The purpose of the 2nd was that, at that time, there was no army or national guard. But, like Christianity in this country, it too, has been corrupted.
Anyone that has an inclining as to who Sky King was must have a good grip on the past. In the first episodes a Cessna T-50 rules the skies and later a Cessna 310B took over. The "Sky" guy sure got around.
If you are referring to the article I attached, in order to actually have been in a militia, had to muster, be sworn. Before that we had at common law the theory of posse comitatus, the high sheriff could deputize a citizen to enforce the law.
Hamilton laid it out in the Federalist papers. " It requires no skill in the science of war to discern that uniformity in the organization and discipline of the militia would be attended with the most beneficial effects, whenever they were called into service for the public defense. It would enable them to discharge the duties of the camp and of the field with mutual intelligence and concert an advantage of peculiar moment in the operations of an army; and it would fit them much sooner to acquire the degree of proficiency in military functions which would be essential to their usefulness. This desirable uniformity can only be accomplished by confiding the regulation of the militia to the direction of the national authority."
"In times of insurrection, or invasion, it would be natural and proper that the militia of a neighboring State should be marched into another, to resist a common enemy, or to guard the republic against the violence of faction or sedition. This was frequently the case, in respect to the first object, in the course of the late war; and this mutual succor is, indeed, a principal end of our political association. If the power of affording it be placed under the direction of the Union, there will be no danger of a supine and listless inattention to the dangers of a neighbor, till its near approach had superadded the incitements of self preservation to the too feeble impulses of duty and sympathy."
The "militia" referred to by Thomas Jefferson were slave patrols.
What about "well regulated?" Doesn't mean individuals have a right to own any weapon. Some people say that in 1791 meant "well trained."
Despite what you say, it was discussed by Hamilton in No 29 Federalist Papers. Was not included in the Constitution per se, added by Jefferson, who had been the governor of Virginia. Hamilton envisioned a national reserve.
To me the whole 2nd ammendment argument is BS. That was meant for single shot muzzle loaded rifles. Now we have semi/full auto assault rifles machine guns rocket launchers and atomic bombs. There is no argument about most of those higher damage items. I dont see why semi/full auto assualt rifles arent banned in the same way as rocket and grenade launchers. Thats not a 2nd amendment argument. Being able to kill a ton of people is not a right.
A gun doesn't care if it operates by the gas expelled from the previous round or if a finger pulls the trigger. The out come when pointing the weapon at another human being is death. Odd, Republicans are so against abortion why is it they find no objection to taking a life with a bullet.
I know I'll probably get flak for my stance on gun control. To those who might object. If your doctor says to you, "I have some bad news about your tests." The patient is then told he has cancer of the femur and the leg has to come off. The guy objects but the doctor reaffirms his earlier statement, you lose your leg or you lose your life. What does the guy do? Sometimes the pill that does us the most good is the hardest to swallow. Ban assault rifles.
Yes all Military style weapons, ie semi auto (post full auto) assault rifles need to be FFL license only and not purchaseable by the general population. Laws were changed to stop the proliferation of Tommy Guns. The same should be done for their more powerful cousins. (Semi auto is only a few parts away from full auto, the argument that a semi auto assualt rifle is so much different from a full auto one is semantics to those kids lying dead in the hallway).
A gun doesn't care if it operates by the gas expelled from the previous round or if a finger pulls the trigger. The out come when pointing the weapon at another human being is death. Odd, Republicans are so against abortion why is it they find no objection to taking a life with a bullet.
Gun reform! How about starting with any individual that attempts to purchase more than one gun in a 6 month period? If there was a restriction in place people might buy guns that have a purpose, hunting, self-defense, or sports shooting like trap and skeet where clay pigeons are shot not people. Target shooting is a great sport, I taught all of my kids the ins and outs of safe gun handling. I have two rules that I live by when dealing with firearms. #1-there is no such thing as an unloaded gun. You treat every weapon as if it was loaded and ready to fire. #2-When presented with a firearm you personally inspect the weapon to make sure the chamber is empty and all magazines are set aside. This rule would have saved the set of "Rust" a terrible ending. Never give an unloaded gun the chance to take a life. When someone tries to purchase multiple weapons in a short period of time red flags should go up and questions should be asked. Tom Cruise would say we live in a "Danger Zone" and how we deal with the realities of that situation will determine whether or not we as a society make it through this time. We need gun control and background checks.
i thought "collateral damage" was ritual sacrifice? y'know, to keep the gods of war happy. or the gods of profit, or whatever. sacrifice is an age old expression of fear of the unknown. so they must be sacrificing children because they fear an unknown reality where equality, justice, diversity, equal rights under the law, etc. prevail, 'cause , y'know people of color and antifa.
Paul--When you see a child playing with matches, what do you do? You take away the problem. Make it illegal to take an assault rifle to a gun range. Make it illegal to have an assault rifle in public. You can own one but you can't use the thing, anywhere.
Derek, heck, Republicans don't even really care about the fetus. If they did, pregnant women would have accommodations at work, paid sick leave, their prenatal care covered, etc. Republicans only care about white power and as much money as they can accumulate. Women in public life are just one of the problems they want to get rid of or use to get themselves more money and more power. Force women to be pregnant, don't provide for health care or child care, think rape and incest are OK(as long as it's not done to someone they love), etc. works well for those supposed family loving Republican men, and their women go along so they can bathe in their men's glory. Republicans are so used to lying, dismissing, pretending they are not the problem, and the rest that they are programming themselves and those in their spheres to vote for a letter "R" rather than examine the person with that letter next to their name. Guns are a powerful issue because many Republican men are afflicted with toxic masculinity for which they see AR-15s and other assault weapons as an enhancement, an extra member.
Ruth-- Be nice, women couldn't get pregnant in the first place without that special member. But you are so right. Pregnancy isn't given the level of basic consideration it needs so badly. The death rate surrounding women under going this special event is exceptionally high in this country, maybe "men" in positions of power should reassess their positions on the subject. After all it's their children the women are giving birth to.
Off-topic usage note: Dismayingly, the android smartphone Substack ui recently removed the "collapse" option labeled under every comment that let you reduce screen clutter. What Substack didn't tell you: You still CAN collapse report cards and other banality—tap on the vertical to the comment's left. Try it. You'll like it.
They are "pro birth" not pro life. They need to replenish the supply of targets. Their thoughts are evil, and as for their prayers, Ambrose Bierce said it best in his "Devil's Dictionary." To pray: To ask that the laws of the universe be violated for the selfish purposes of a person who is in the same breath admitting that he's not worthy of it.
Agree wholeheartedly with you Mr. Green. The bulk of the Republican party, or what is left of it, are 'pro birth' because if I may be somewhat frank, are only pro birth because they want more white babies to be born regardless of the circumstances of the mother. After birth, they could care less what happens to that child because they don't support SNAP or food assistance program or support their education by paying the educators who teach them. So why on earth would they care about them being shot and killed almost monthly. Not with the crazies in Congress like Lauren Boehart , who actually took and posted a picture of her and her children holding guns and seemed proud to do so. Those folk don't really give a hoot about other folks and their children being killed and traumatized as they are paid very handsomely by the NRA. It's very sad to say that I don't see the restrictions on the AR-15's ever coming back. Not unless enough residents in those states really decide to stop sending those people back to Congress and vote to send representatives to Congress who really care about them. Or perhaps I'm living in a la la land and hoping for too much.
They are calling for more white folks to have babies so the whites are not outnumbered. The flip side of the bonkers "Great Replacement" theory. Personally I can think of a few white people that deserve to be replaced.
DLM--The idea of control doesn't include cruelty or death. It's a passive means directed toward just understanding one another. My comment was meant in gest. Sorry if it hit a nerve. I have the deepest respect for the sanctity of women.
After the shooting in Uvalde Texas, some of the victims were unrecognizable because of the gunshot wounds to their faces.
So what did the Texas state legislature do? They did nothing to ban assault weapons, instead they offered free DNA tests so the next time (and they certainly seemed to think there would be a next time) the parents wouldn’t be traumatized by having to identify their unrecognizable children’s bodies.
At the Michigan State shooting, there were at least two students that had survived school shootings in another school. One was from Sandy Hook, and the other from a local high school. Imagine surviving one school shooting only to go through that trauma again. What are the odds of that? Apparently it’s becoming more likely for our younger generations.
I would like to see a nationwide strike where students from grade school through college refuse to go to school until at the very least assault weapons are banned. It might take some time but I think it’s the only way to send the message to lawmakers that our schools are unsafe. Students have every right to go to school without the possibility of being shot and killed. It’s time to make lawmakers see the obvious.
David, I did have vision at one time and never thought guns looked cool, only evil, even when used in war. It is clear the reason for guns is killing, whether animals for hunting or people just because hate is allowed to become so powerful, and an excuse. How do we change the perception of guns as cool, a male enhancement (that women sometimes crave too)? How do we protect our precious children when our representatives are so in love with the idea of guns and the money they will receive from gun manufacturers for loving guns or being willing to claim our Constitution permits anyone at any time to carry around loaded weapons while it supposedly denies women bodily autonomy? They make it up as they go along so the money will continue to roll in and they will have a job for life.
Gerrymandering will make sure the people in their district are set to only see a letter "R" while they are supplied with the right people to hate and blame and have guns to protect themselves from. That is not the way democracy should work
high velocity, low mass and inertia projectile, which equals high mutilation due to tumble of projectile. Such a weapon is also known as a "varmint" rifle since the edibility of the flesh is of no interest.
Hence the frequent need for parents to bring DNA records to identify what is left of their children.
My family has owned firearms in this country since the 17th century, and never needed a rapid-fire weapon to defend its homes or livestock from assailants, although some of them have fought in nearly every war fought here since the mid-1600s. Obsession with assault-style rifles is a symptom of genital insecurity.
I live in Australia. After one mass shooting at Port Arthur, Tasmania, the government banned such weapons. Guess what.... no mass shootings again. Yes there are "shoot outs" between criminal gangs with illegal guns, but not people going into a school and shooting people up. More fool Americans!
I live in Scotland and exactly the same happened after the 1996 Dunblane school shootings. What I find totally impossible to understand is that so many of those that insist on their right to bear arms, including assault weapons, also claim to be devout Christians. But they don't seem to follow the teachings. What ever happened to 'Thou salt not kill"? But again, it would appear that tiny bundles of cells that may or may not become an actual person are considered far more important than an actual child or adult. There just are no words.....
The "Christian" religion in America has been stolen, and corrupted, by those who believe "their way is the only way". I asked a once-friend his definition of "woke", and he couldn't answer, after I offered mine. It was "awakened to the needs of others. To be well-informed, thoughtful, compasionate, humble, and kind. Eager to make the world a better place for all people." Kind of a paraphrase of the words of Jesus, yet the "Christian Right" in this country won't accept THE WORDS OF THEIR SAVIOUR!! as words to live by. It is a sad time to be an American.
It would seem Christian Nationals are on the defensive stating that Christianity is under attack. Not sure by whom as I dont see it. The propaganda machine is in overdrive to convince them that somehow their faith is being threatened. I heard it last week and over the weekend. How can someone who doesnt walk the path of Jesus (Trump) be considered doing gods work? Thats a real stretch, unless of course the news they are watching doesnt mention or minimizes his discretions and maximizes his fight for White Christian Nationals. To quote the NY Times on Trumps Waco rally. "Trump gets back to grass roots campaigning" Not Trump endorses the Jan 6th insurection, endorses violence and discrimination against AG Bragg and commemorates Branch Dividian David Koresh a known child sex offender and cult leader. Christian Nationalists for Violence, Discrimination and Child abuse. That pretty much sums it up. The ends do not justify the means.
Can't help thinking,'rump is another Jim Jones of Guyana fame.
At his height Jim Jones had 3000 followers. 900 of which committed or were forced to commit suicide. The last election saw 74,000,000 people vote for him. If you take the same Jim Jones numbers that means Trump has 22 million people ready to die for him. Yippee.
Oh yes, I think you might have hit the nail on the head with that one. So many people are gullible and easily led by someone who can put on a good spiel. Trump is a greedy charlatan who craves the limelight. He got heady of the trappings of being President and wants to hang on to the feelings he gets from having such devoted followers. Like he once said he could shoot and kill someone in the middle of 5th Ave and his people would still support him. People in general are loathe to admit they might be wrong.
Hahaha
The Evangelical and conservative christians faiths are feeding these lies to their congregation. The followers are brainwashed or a cult. We are in a religious war.
A relative of mine is an Elder in an born again faith and what I overheard him talking about. Yeap that is exactly how it is going down.
So many of them think in absolutes, so they see the issue of their way of believing as vs other ways of believing, in a zero sum manner. So their logic is - if you don't believe as I do, you diminish my beliefs. If people who don't believe as I do are given the same rights as I have, then I lose my rights. Not logical, pretty childish, but there it is.
Ive heard before "I will do what I want". When it comes to laws they never apply to the selfish person only to everyone else around them when it benefits them. Dare to apply those same laws to them and you are infringing on their rights. In reality telling them they can't do something. Then the adult tantrum comes out. I'm on board with your thinking. One time I had an abortion discussion with a MAGA friend. His opinion was sacrosanct I couldnt budge him in anyway to see it slightly differently or sympathically. It was like he was arguing a position that was already established law and everyone followed it. Perhaps I was arguing with his echo chamber more than with him.
@Daniel. Thank you. It's a service to define this term above its origins in black communities. My take on it, building on what you already said: Woke... Awakened to the needs of others, compassionate, humble, thoughtful and kind. To be well informed and seek to make the world a better place for all people. To practice the tenets of the world's major religions.
Awakened, not Woke. Educated not Indoctrinated.!!
Better Woke than Wack!
Exactly. "Woke" is the opposite of love/compassion/kindness. It's all about control, rage, judgment. It's inherently anti-Democratic. I'm not saying Republicans are the answer. But neither is Wokeism.
Michael Mohr
"Sincere American Writing"
https://michaelmohr.substack.com/
There are as many definitions of 'woke' as there are people trying to define it, but mostly it's an us vs them term in actual use. You say it's anti-Democratic, with capital D. Other guy speaks as if it were Jesus compassion... Thinking in terms of woke meaning 'awake' it means to be alert and honest in seeing each new how the world operates. One side uses it to bash people for their opinions; the other side uses it seek to get people to have informed opinions. As for me I'd rather be awake than have my head stuck in the sand of whatever the latest conspiracy theory might be. If that means I am woke then woke is a good thing.
The MAGAt/GOP use of "woke" is all that, but its original use has nothing to do with that. Take some time to understand what it is and where it comes from. For myself, I'm staying woke--and liberal, and progressive, and dedicated to objectivity, facts, and democracy.
The idea of Wokeness, originated in the African American communities, where it meant recognition of an injustice.
This is a perfect explanation of Hypocrisy and hubris of the self-righteous extremist whom we are constantly confronted with. Well said. Well written. Eyes Open!
Trump as Jesus
https://twitter.com/i/status/1639362806712524818
Omg, Daniel thanks for sending that. Utterly terrifying but it really is where the country is right now, and may remain, under the dominance of Christian Nationalism...we're totally screwed.
NO WE ARE NOT<WE ARE NOT RESIGNED AND DON"T ACCEPT THAT!
A look into a bizarre and terrifying dark world.
Heard that one on the Medias touch yesterday. That is REALLY scary.
I'd be delighted to see Trump crucified. He could be cremated and his ashes flushed down a public toilet.
Very well said! My thoughts exactly.
As the old quip goes, "The Christian right is neither."
As a gun owner...as if those words have more power than as a non gun owner. Those whos lives have been destroyed by gun violence have as much right as gun owners in determing gun laws. Gun companies should have zero say. Citizens united decision be damned.
TheNRA obviously has NO CONSCIENCE,I'm going to the GOOD LORD about this!
The so-called "pro life" coalition only cares for the fetus, not the child, or the adults who bear those children.
One way of caring for children is to BAN ASSAULT WEAPONS. Needless to say, the ridiculously named "pro-life" army is in FULL support of keeping these weapons legal, these same weapons which are so often in mass murders of little, born children.
There's difficulty in defining an 'assault weapon' such that a clever designer cannot get around the regulation. Consider a ban on any weapon/ammunition combination that can produce more than a certain level of kinetic energy at the muzzle. It may seem too technical but should reduce fatalities and the severity of wounds.
Perfect. You might want to take a lookat this article from today's Washington Post:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/interactive/2023/ar-15-damage-to-human-body/?itid=hp-top-table-main_p001_f001
Saw the article. As an infantry corpsman in the 70s also saw the real thing.
Its such a sin. Caring for that which isnt yet (cells the fetus) over that which is (the deformed, the drug addicted baby, the malnutritioned child). Its a type of future faking. Look see I care about this nebulous concept of a child to be, so I dont have to care about actual children. Cause once you have them, its pull yourself up by your bootstraps timr again. You aint getting any help from them. They are too busy "saving the future".
The difficulty with "pull yourself up by your bootstraps" is that it's hard to do if you can't afford boots!
If you think about it, it's impossible even if you have boots.
Believe me, they don’t even know what “ fetus “ means! They know what power and control mean! That is all... no accountability. One hundred year prison sentence for anyone hurting another human or otherwise animal should send a a notice that we will not give up our freedom to be safe and to have private choice to their maniacal need to be tyrants over us. Jesus !
Seonaid ; Control, control control! Not love, or freedom or anything like that. Power!, and , of course, Greed.
So tragically true Laurie.
What too many don't accept,power is for God!
Neither will work in 'Murica though. 'Muricans cling DESPERATELY to their THOUGHT that The Second Amendment, which exists SOLELY for Militias, ACTUALLY gives us 'Muricans the OBLIGATION to have a gun to kill . . . those different than us??? I really cannot fathom their reasoning, as I DID go to a New York college.
It makes them feel valid,'cos they know they're not!
Seonaid , you couldn’t be more right! They use the title “Christian” as an excuse not a lifestyle.
They talk the talk and don't walk the walk!
Donald Hodgins
Writes Donald’s Substack
2 min ago
I know I'll probably get flak for my stance on gun control. To those who might object. If your doctor says to you, "I have some bad news about your tests." The patient is then told he has cancer of the femur and the leg has to come off. The guy objects but the doctor reaffirms his earlier statement, you lose your leg or you lose your life. What does the guy do? Sometimes the pill that does us the most good is the hardest to swallow. Ban assault rifles.
I hate to be called foolish and you are totally right. We knew how to fix this before and our politicians play dumb and stunned as the death toll mounts and mounts. Foolish? I would go so far as to say we as Americans are Criminally Negligent.
As The Onion headline said a few years ago:
“No Way To Prevent This, says only country where this routinely happens”
Bill Reitz ; Or living under siege ; Fear is a part of it, no doubt, for those in office. Of course, the present 'Congress' wants to open carry!
Some reps even want to carry inside the Nation’s Capitol!
Miss Marjorie and Bimbubbles need a major brain dusting!
If they had brains
Andy Harris was caught doing it.
... and yet no one ever says "Hang Andy Harris!"
= (
Only the thugs in Congress,they're the worst 'perps'.
It's not foolish it's completely Asinine.
Murderous
The love of money and addiction to violence as entertainment in the US has helped fuel this. The issue around guns in the US makes me so ill that I can’t even think about it. To value guns over children. I remember what happened in Australia and the action taken was so inspired. Thanks for writing your comment.
The biggest part I see besides open murder laws is stagnant wages, good jobs being replaced with minimum wage jobs leading to broken homes. Gun laws (or the lack there of) is the symptom. Being poor is the problem. How many rich kids shoot up schools lately? Maybe shoot up Heroine or Cocaine but schools never.
Bill Reitz: Totally disagree! Take a look at the mass murderers in schools! Adam Lanza's father was a bigwig with GM. Dylan Klebold's father was an Engineer. Audrey Hale was a graphic designer and illustrator. The vast majority of school shooters are from middle class homes.
I dont consider middle class. Rich.
These kids were NOT "poor", though! (And apparently Lanza's family was wealthy.)
One family is not a majority and the majority of these kids went to public school. If your are really wealthy you dont go to public school. This is the bottom 222 million of us killing each other whether it be from white supremist rhetoric or crappy living conditions and no health care. The goal is to keep all of us fighting each other. Metaphorically and literally. So the rich just keep getting richer. Ie the top 1%.
I've begun to believe this is more than just a money grab by the Gun lobby. for one, It is another issue to divide the majority with. But why are Republican politicians trying to create the wild wild west where it's 'kill or be killed'... unlimited access to weapons, without any prerequisites or requirements, along with legislation that protects you for killing someone, even when you are the aggressor (Trayvon Martin). Is this an effort to give cult members with mental issues the tools and leeway they need to "stand up and stand by" until you send them dog whistles to 'storm the capital' to keep you in office, or instruct them to kill a prosecutor or judge to prevent them from charging you with a crime??? Is this some form of population control or a way for the wealthy/powerful to 'get off' while they watch the blood and carnage from 'on high'?
Kasich speaks on this topic: https://youtu.be/cdjScH9BLVw
I've heard about this. It's amazing, for sure, but that's a very different and much less diverse culture than the States. False equivalency. It's like people who argue that because "socialism" works in Finland it should work in the United States.
As with most Americans, you obviously know very little about Australia. It is a very multi-cultural and multi-ethnic and multi-racial society, that prides itself in its diversity. The colonial period was just as bad on the native peoples as it was in the USA. It is a robust democracy with all the same problems of inflation, poverty, disadvantage etc. that the USA has. Actually it is a LOT like the USA as I realised when I immigrated here. Your sweeping generality is incorrect and does not make your point AT ALL.
The party of “pro life” only cares until the child is born, then they couldn’t care less. Hence all the “thoughts and prayers” but no action to stop the atrocities.
It seems in our Capitalistic society collateral damage is to be expected. If we don't put certain measures in place to control big business we are all subject to the pit falls found in our culture. Gun production is just a part of the problem but at present it holds the moist relevance because our people are dying on a daily basis from the bullets fired from the weapons these companies produce. Republicans, for a number of reasons, will fight controls placed upon these companies because they'll site Second Amendments rights. When will they consider the innocent lives lost and the rights they never had a chance to enjoy. Ban all military style weapons, yesterday.
Nor will they bother to actually read the 2nd Amendment. In this day and age, we have a standing army, and a national guard! The purpose of the 2nd was that, at that time, there was no army or national guard. But, like Christianity in this country, it too, has been corrupted.
Daniel-- Now, it is our intent to educate our people to your level of understanding. How do we do that?
Indeed!
Anyone that has an inclining as to who Sky King was must have a good grip on the past. In the first episodes a Cessna T-50 rules the skies and later a Cessna 310B took over. The "Sky" guy sure got around.
If you are referring to the article I attached, in order to actually have been in a militia, had to muster, be sworn. Before that we had at common law the theory of posse comitatus, the high sheriff could deputize a citizen to enforce the law.
Hamilton laid it out in the Federalist papers. " It requires no skill in the science of war to discern that uniformity in the organization and discipline of the militia would be attended with the most beneficial effects, whenever they were called into service for the public defense. It would enable them to discharge the duties of the camp and of the field with mutual intelligence and concert an advantage of peculiar moment in the operations of an army; and it would fit them much sooner to acquire the degree of proficiency in military functions which would be essential to their usefulness. This desirable uniformity can only be accomplished by confiding the regulation of the militia to the direction of the national authority."
"In times of insurrection, or invasion, it would be natural and proper that the militia of a neighboring State should be marched into another, to resist a common enemy, or to guard the republic against the violence of faction or sedition. This was frequently the case, in respect to the first object, in the course of the late war; and this mutual succor is, indeed, a principal end of our political association. If the power of affording it be placed under the direction of the Union, there will be no danger of a supine and listless inattention to the dangers of a neighbor, till its near approach had superadded the incitements of self preservation to the too feeble impulses of duty and sympathy."
https://avalon.law.yale.edu/18th_century/fed29.asp
The "militia" referred to by Thomas Jefferson were slave patrols.
What about "well regulated?" Doesn't mean individuals have a right to own any weapon. Some people say that in 1791 meant "well trained."
Despite what you say, it was discussed by Hamilton in No 29 Federalist Papers. Was not included in the Constitution per se, added by Jefferson, who had been the governor of Virginia. Hamilton envisioned a national reserve.
https://www.ojp.gov/ncjrs/virtual-library/abstracts/southern-slave-patrols-transitional-police-type#:~:text=The%20slave%20patrols%20consisted%20of,of%20colonial%20and%20State%20laws.
To me the whole 2nd ammendment argument is BS. That was meant for single shot muzzle loaded rifles. Now we have semi/full auto assault rifles machine guns rocket launchers and atomic bombs. There is no argument about most of those higher damage items. I dont see why semi/full auto assualt rifles arent banned in the same way as rocket and grenade launchers. Thats not a 2nd amendment argument. Being able to kill a ton of people is not a right.
Donald Hodgins
Writes Donald’s Substack
just now
A gun doesn't care if it operates by the gas expelled from the previous round or if a finger pulls the trigger. The out come when pointing the weapon at another human being is death. Odd, Republicans are so against abortion why is it they find no objection to taking a life with a bullet.
I know I'll probably get flak for my stance on gun control. To those who might object. If your doctor says to you, "I have some bad news about your tests." The patient is then told he has cancer of the femur and the leg has to come off. The guy objects but the doctor reaffirms his earlier statement, you lose your leg or you lose your life. What does the guy do? Sometimes the pill that does us the most good is the hardest to swallow. Ban assault rifles.
Yes all Military style weapons, ie semi auto (post full auto) assault rifles need to be FFL license only and not purchaseable by the general population. Laws were changed to stop the proliferation of Tommy Guns. The same should be done for their more powerful cousins. (Semi auto is only a few parts away from full auto, the argument that a semi auto assualt rifle is so much different from a full auto one is semantics to those kids lying dead in the hallway).
A gun doesn't care if it operates by the gas expelled from the previous round or if a finger pulls the trigger. The out come when pointing the weapon at another human being is death. Odd, Republicans are so against abortion why is it they find no objection to taking a life with a bullet.
Nashville.
Donald Hodgins <silencenotbad@gmail.com>
3:58 PM (2 minutes ago)
Gun reform! How about starting with any individual that attempts to purchase more than one gun in a 6 month period? If there was a restriction in place people might buy guns that have a purpose, hunting, self-defense, or sports shooting like trap and skeet where clay pigeons are shot not people. Target shooting is a great sport, I taught all of my kids the ins and outs of safe gun handling. I have two rules that I live by when dealing with firearms. #1-there is no such thing as an unloaded gun. You treat every weapon as if it was loaded and ready to fire. #2-When presented with a firearm you personally inspect the weapon to make sure the chamber is empty and all magazines are set aside. This rule would have saved the set of "Rust" a terrible ending. Never give an unloaded gun the chance to take a life. When someone tries to purchase multiple weapons in a short period of time red flags should go up and questions should be asked. Tom Cruise would say we live in a "Danger Zone" and how we deal with the realities of that situation will determine whether or not we as a society make it through this time. We need gun control and background checks.
i thought "collateral damage" was ritual sacrifice? y'know, to keep the gods of war happy. or the gods of profit, or whatever. sacrifice is an age old expression of fear of the unknown. so they must be sacrificing children because they fear an unknown reality where equality, justice, diversity, equal rights under the law, etc. prevail, 'cause , y'know people of color and antifa.
Paul--When you see a child playing with matches, what do you do? You take away the problem. Make it illegal to take an assault rifle to a gun range. Make it illegal to have an assault rifle in public. You can own one but you can't use the thing, anywhere.
or make the sale of ammunition illegal or tax it at least to the inverse degree that corporations don't pay their fair share.
Donald: Including the ones in the hands of the police.
Derek, heck, Republicans don't even really care about the fetus. If they did, pregnant women would have accommodations at work, paid sick leave, their prenatal care covered, etc. Republicans only care about white power and as much money as they can accumulate. Women in public life are just one of the problems they want to get rid of or use to get themselves more money and more power. Force women to be pregnant, don't provide for health care or child care, think rape and incest are OK(as long as it's not done to someone they love), etc. works well for those supposed family loving Republican men, and their women go along so they can bathe in their men's glory. Republicans are so used to lying, dismissing, pretending they are not the problem, and the rest that they are programming themselves and those in their spheres to vote for a letter "R" rather than examine the person with that letter next to their name. Guns are a powerful issue because many Republican men are afflicted with toxic masculinity for which they see AR-15s and other assault weapons as an enhancement, an extra member.
Ruth-- Be nice, women couldn't get pregnant in the first place without that special member. But you are so right. Pregnancy isn't given the level of basic consideration it needs so badly. The death rate surrounding women under going this special event is exceptionally high in this country, maybe "men" in positions of power should reassess their positions on the subject. After all it's their children the women are giving birth to.
Some excellent points!!!
Off-topic usage note: Dismayingly, the android smartphone Substack ui recently removed the "collapse" option labeled under every comment that let you reduce screen clutter. What Substack didn't tell you: You still CAN collapse report cards and other banality—tap on the vertical to the comment's left. Try it. You'll like it.
They are "pro birth" not pro life. They need to replenish the supply of targets. Their thoughts are evil, and as for their prayers, Ambrose Bierce said it best in his "Devil's Dictionary." To pray: To ask that the laws of the universe be violated for the selfish purposes of a person who is in the same breath admitting that he's not worthy of it.
Agree wholeheartedly with you Mr. Green. The bulk of the Republican party, or what is left of it, are 'pro birth' because if I may be somewhat frank, are only pro birth because they want more white babies to be born regardless of the circumstances of the mother. After birth, they could care less what happens to that child because they don't support SNAP or food assistance program or support their education by paying the educators who teach them. So why on earth would they care about them being shot and killed almost monthly. Not with the crazies in Congress like Lauren Boehart , who actually took and posted a picture of her and her children holding guns and seemed proud to do so. Those folk don't really give a hoot about other folks and their children being killed and traumatized as they are paid very handsomely by the NRA. It's very sad to say that I don't see the restrictions on the AR-15's ever coming back. Not unless enough residents in those states really decide to stop sending those people back to Congress and vote to send representatives to Congress who really care about them. Or perhaps I'm living in a la la land and hoping for too much.
They are calling for more white folks to have babies so the whites are not outnumbered. The flip side of the bonkers "Great Replacement" theory. Personally I can think of a few white people that deserve to be replaced.
Greg, I remember Paul Ryan talking about this exact thing when he was Speaker.
Dennis, they are not pro birth. They are forced birthers.
They don't really care about that either. It's just a way to control women.
William--Every man knows controlling women is a dream not a reality.
Donald, do they? Is this why so many women end up beaten or dead?
DLM--The idea of control doesn't include cruelty or death. It's a passive means directed toward just understanding one another. My comment was meant in gest. Sorry if it hit a nerve. I have the deepest respect for the sanctity of women.
I think this really saids it all about the now Republic party!
After the shooting in Uvalde Texas, some of the victims were unrecognizable because of the gunshot wounds to their faces.
So what did the Texas state legislature do? They did nothing to ban assault weapons, instead they offered free DNA tests so the next time (and they certainly seemed to think there would be a next time) the parents wouldn’t be traumatized by having to identify their unrecognizable children’s bodies.
At the Michigan State shooting, there were at least two students that had survived school shootings in another school. One was from Sandy Hook, and the other from a local high school. Imagine surviving one school shooting only to go through that trauma again. What are the odds of that? Apparently it’s becoming more likely for our younger generations.
I would like to see a nationwide strike where students from grade school through college refuse to go to school until at the very least assault weapons are banned. It might take some time but I think it’s the only way to send the message to lawmakers that our schools are unsafe. Students have every right to go to school without the possibility of being shot and killed. It’s time to make lawmakers see the obvious.
These "assault" weapons were manufactured to maim, NOT for self-defense...
Oh, pardon me, but marketed to "look cool!"
David, I did have vision at one time and never thought guns looked cool, only evil, even when used in war. It is clear the reason for guns is killing, whether animals for hunting or people just because hate is allowed to become so powerful, and an excuse. How do we change the perception of guns as cool, a male enhancement (that women sometimes crave too)? How do we protect our precious children when our representatives are so in love with the idea of guns and the money they will receive from gun manufacturers for loving guns or being willing to claim our Constitution permits anyone at any time to carry around loaded weapons while it supposedly denies women bodily autonomy? They make it up as they go along so the money will continue to roll in and they will have a job for life.
Gerrymandering will make sure the people in their district are set to only see a letter "R" while they are supplied with the right people to hate and blame and have guns to protect themselves from. That is not the way democracy should work
Yeah, that Rittenhouse punk really looks cool.
high velocity, low mass and inertia projectile, which equals high mutilation due to tumble of projectile. Such a weapon is also known as a "varmint" rifle since the edibility of the flesh is of no interest.
Hence the frequent need for parents to bring DNA records to identify what is left of their children.
The AR-15 and its clones ARE varmint rifles. The .223 cal. round MUST be banned.
My family has owned firearms in this country since the 17th century, and never needed a rapid-fire weapon to defend its homes or livestock from assailants, although some of them have fought in nearly every war fought here since the mid-1600s. Obsession with assault-style rifles is a symptom of genital insecurity.
Anything with a trigger. End of discussion.
high velocity, high capacity
And semi- or full automatic, or capable of being converted to full automatic, including by "bump stocks" and other gadgets.
Project. We had a ban and it was effective. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Federal_Assault_Weapons_Ban