I’ve deliberately put LouisianaVoice on hold since the horrendous events at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in order to try and let my emotions level off somewhat. That’s because I couldn’t really write how I feel about the NRA, the failure of law enforcement to read the signs, and the incredibly simplistic and idiotic reactions of our Coward-in-Chief, who would have us believe, in hindsight, that he would have tried to save the day had he just been there.
You see, I have seven grandchildren, five of whom are in public schools (the other two are in college). I also have two daughters who are teachers. So, whenever I hear about a Columbine or a Sandy Hook or Parkland, it becomes very personal—and emotional—to me.
So, before it even gets to that point, don’t bother trying to label me as some sort of idealistic liberal who wants to take you precious guns away—unless you happen to be the owner of an AR-15, a gun no civilian has any business possessing in the first place.
I have guns and I haven’t heard of a single person who wants to take them away from me. (If you think differently, please provide name of the person or persons and any backup data you may have to support your theory. Otherwise, I will just assume you’re drinking the NRA Kool-Aid and you’re regurgitating their nonsense.)
Two things are important to consider here:
- If the government ever does decide to take your guns, there’s not a thing you can do to prevent it. Even with your AR-15, you’ll be dead meat against the arsenal the military and police can throw at you. How well do you think you’re going to do against rocket launchers, stinger missiles, grenades, helicopters, armored urban assault vehicles, tanks, satellites and drones?
- You would be far wiser to follow the money. The Republicans, the guys you think are your friends, are busy saying things you like to hear—like white supremacy, free markets, anti-communism, anti-Islam, anti-immigration, anti-union, voter fraud, and of course, pro-guns. All the while, they’re quietly maneuvering to take away your Medicare/Medicaid, your Social Security, your minimum wage, your overtime, your vacation and retirement benefits, your workplace safety protection, environmental protection, and your union representation—all while ensuring the continued flow of benefits to your CEOs and corporate boards….and you’re not even paying attention because you hear only the siren’s song. Stage magicians call that misdirection. They get you to focus on their left hand while the right hand lifts your wallet. Don’t believe it? Hide and watch.
Other than the senseless shootings themselves, the most outrageous thing to come out of all this is the nonsensical blathering of the conspiracy theorists who insist Sandy Hook, Columbine, Las Vegas and yes, Parkland, were staged by those who want to justify seizing our guns. Or that survivors of the shootings who want something done about the easy access to assault weapons are not students at all, but “CRISIS ACTORS.” What a load of unadulterated, shameless crap! Those who would attack these kids as political operatives represent the very lowest bottom feeders on the planet.
CNN’s (that lying, liberal, left-wing CNN—as opposed to that beacon of journalistic integrity Faux News) ANDERSON COOPER (and yes, I’m keenly aware that he’s gay and such an obvious threat to family values and the American way—as opposed to that towering symbol of virtue and all things good, the female genitalia-grabbing Trump) probably said it best when he described the conspiracy theories at “sick.” And, now that he’s back from promoting the Trump brand in India, you may wish to ask why Donald Trump, Jr., “liked” the Facebook posting by one of those conspiracy theorists.
You certainly have to admire Sen. Marco Rubio whose reactions to the shooting were described by Fred Guttenberg, the father of one of the victims, as “PATHETICALLY WEAK.” Rubio was even more PITIFUL in responding to a student’s request to vow he would not accept NRA contributions. Instead of being a man, Rubio said, “…(NRA) people buy into my agenda.” He even attempted to convince a hostile audience that the influence of the NRA “comes not from money. The influence comes from the millions of people who support that agenda.”
What a crock. Here’s a news flash, Rubio: representative democracy is not about donors reflecting your agenda, it’s supposed to be you reflecting—and representing—the agenda of your constituency, 70 percent of whom demand something be done about access to assault weapons. Your response to that young man only served to confirm the fact that you are just another political whore.
If influence does not come from money, then why the hell does the NRA, Big Pharma, oil and gas interests, financial institutions, military contractors, and cable television, to name only a few, spend untold millions of dollars lobbying Congress and contributing to political campaigns? Why do the corporate interests fight so hard to defend Citizens United? Rubio looked right into the eyes of that student and lied through his pearly white teeth. And he did it with a straight face.
Of course, the Florida legislature, in a proud display of courage and religious-patriotic-moral zeal, refused to act on restricting access to assault weapons but did advance a bill requiring schools to display “In God We Trust” signs and another declaring pornography as dangerous.
Apparently, this courageous bunch of morons doesn’t consider AR-15s dangerous. But CHELSEA ROMO might beg to differ. She is a survivor of last October’s Las Vegas shooting rampage that left 58 others dead. If you’re squeamish, you may wish to skip this story, but it’s a great example of what AR-15s are designed for: killing human beings.
And much has been made of the Broward County deputy sheriff who waiting outside the school while the shooting was taking place instead of entering the building and engaging the shooter. Coral Springs police, in fact, claim that there were actually three deputies who remained outside the building.
Sheriff Scott Israel expressed his disgust that his deputy/deputies did not engage the shooter but as always, there are two sides to any story.
First of all, the deputies would have been going up against a semi-automatic assault weapon while they were armed most probably with only a sidearm. Not good odds, perhaps even suicidal. So, let’s not be too quick to judge the deputies who, after all, are political appointees.
Which brings up another interesting point. Israel’s detractors—and it appears there are many—point out that he has PADDED HIS PAYROLL with hangers-on and political supporters. His self-proclaimed “great leadership” aside, he seems to have devoted far more attention to returning political favors in his hiring decisions than to actual qualifications for the positions he filled—much like sheriffs across the gret stet of Looziana.
And of course, WAYNE LaPIERRE, the high potentate of the NRA, lost no time going on the attack before a friendly, carefully-chosen audience at the annual Conservative Political Action Conference (C-PAC)—one of our very own Bobby Jindal’s favorite haunts.
Exploiting the Parkland tragedy for political gain, LaPierre, the eager opportunist, accused “opportunists” of using the Parkland tragedy “for political gain” in one of the most curious examples of circular logic found anywhere. LaPierre, of course, was given center stage for his diatribe by Faux News.
Isn’t it interesting to know that we’re living in a time where the plea to stop shooting our kids is regarded as a “liberal talking point” by the pro-life, pro-gun, God-fearing segment of society?
And then there was the NRA mouthpiece DANA LOESCH who had the gonads to say that “Many in legacy media (whatever that is) love mass shootings.”
You bitch. Name me one person, just one, in the media (I don’t even know what she means by “legacy” media) who loves mass shootings. With one incredibly stupid, ill-advised, ill-informed statement—no, not ill-informed; you knew exactly what you were saying, you lying, simple-minded idiot—you have libeled an entire group of people and I consider myself one of that group. My degree is in journalism and I made a living at the trade for four decades and picked up an award or two along the way so I can rightfully resent the hell out of your implication and your accusation.
Like nearly everyone else, we entered our chosen field not for the purpose of exploiting tragedy but as a calling (it certainly wasn’t for the money). If we happened upon a chance to expose frauds like Dana Loesch and Wayne LaPierre, then we consider our jobs a public service. You’re welcome.
(As a side note, it would be interesting to know if the NRA headquarters is a concealed carry zone and if its entrances are equipped with metal detectors.)
And just why is it, anyway, that the Second Amendment is so much dearer than say, the Fourth Amendment, which is supposed to protect us from unreasonable searches and seizures but which is routinely violated…and the NRA never makes a peep?
Or the Sixth Amendment which guarantees the right to a speedy trial but which is often ignored…and the NRA utters not a word?
Or the First Amendment which guarantees freedom of speech and the right of the people to assemble peaceably but whenever it is exercised, heads often get busted…and the NRA is silent?
Now, to the biggest fraud of them all: Donald Trump, aka The Trumpinator, aka Donnie Bone Spur.
The Trumpinator appears to have used the same speech writer as LaPierre. Either that, or he simply PLAGIARIZED LaPierre is using the same “harden our schools,” “soft,” “gun-free zone” phraseology in his White House talk as LaPierre had used hours earlier at C-PAC. (by the way, I would love to see LaPierre, Dana Loesch, or Trump take their talking points away from the friendly C-PAC audiences and to the parents and students of Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School.)
But as bad theater as that was, it paled in comparison to his disgraceful meeting with shooting victims from Parkland, Columbine, and Sandy Hook. He couldn’t even hold an informal meeting without going in with crib notes on how to be spontaneous and empathetic—including a written reminder to say “I hear you.” You had to write that down to remember what to say? Seriously?
(The “45” om his cuff is to remind the Great Unwashed (us) that he is the 45th POTUS)
And his suggestion that teachers be armed would have been laughable had it not been so incredibly shortsighted and ignorant.
Police officers who are Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) certified only manage to hit their targets 18 percent of the time in real-life shootouts and only 30 percent of the time when suspects do not return fire. So, help me understand: Trump is suggesting that teachers, who are not POST certified, will be the best line of defense in case of an attack by someone wielding an AR-15?
Two questions:
- When a shooter knows a teacher is armed, who do you think he would go for first?
- And how many kids do you think would perish in the crossfire?
And there’s this: If my daughters wanted to become firearms proficient, they would have opted for military careers instead of becoming educators.
Of Course, the Trumpster, as he so often does, tried to walk back his suggestion by saying he was referring to teachers who are “retired from the Marines.” Really? How many teachers do you know who are retired Marines?
As might be expected of such a playground-type solution to a real problem, it was roundly CRITICIZED by those who know better—and that’s just about everyone on the planet.
But far and away the most audacious, most self-serving, most self-delusional, most indescribably derisory thing The Trumpinator has uttered his entire presidency (even more so than his “very stable genius” blathering) came when he said he would have entered the school unarmed had he just been there. “I really believe I’d run in there even if I didn’t have a weapon,” he said in his criticism of the deputy who did not engage the Parkland shooter.
BONE SPUR TRUMPINATOR: “I’LL BE BACK BIGLY. COVFEFE.”
That remark left Sarah Huckabee Sanders somewhat dubious.
The only place Trump might ever consider running into would be into the girls’ locker room.
The Washington Post observed of that flamboyant boast of Bone Spur Donnie, who received five deferments during the Vietnam War (one for bone spurs): “Run into a shooting scene? He won’t even go into a conference room with Mueller.”
Excellent commentary. Thank you. Having you state so well what is on my mind helps me to decompress.
Bravo ! ! !
I still believe that what goes around comes around. trump is in for a doozy when this kicks him in revenge…
Great post, Tom.
Very thoughtful as well as heartfelt.
Thanks for your insight
You have written an extraordinary commentary on the gun issue. I could not possibly agree with you more. As far as I am concerned, everyone in America should include it in their “must read.” I can only hope that it will resonate with the die hard supporters of our Coward in Chief. But, your thinking is so rational, it may well escape them. Thank you for having expressed such a thoughtful, provoking commentary on the gun issue.
Thanks for the very well-spoken vent that I have felt these last couple of weeks without the words to express them. I am currently avoiding all social media as it seems every friend, family member and acquaintance I have are avidly advertising that the libs are trying to take our guns with memes that have no basis in reality. I don’t even bother responding. Can I just add one more thing about conservative posts that are cringeworthy for me? Why do they have to constantly denigrate those with intellectual disabilities by using the “libtard” and retard labels for anyone who disagrees with them?
As always, thank you Mr. Aswell, for always speaking the truth, no matter how bitter the pill and for shining a light into the horribly dark places that permeate the very fabric of our society. Adding to these horrors, is that these children whose lives are so callously tossed aside with cold indifference, are the future of our country. Not only are the ones who were directly affected disenfranchised but also the ones watching from the sidelines. I hear of local children in our area asking their teachers if it will happen in their school and who will protect them? Too heart rending! These innocent souls are being collectively sacrificed at the alter of the NRA and political aspirations. I hope our so-called ‘leaders’ realize that there’s always a price to pay for such horrid complicity. I hope and pray that the brave children and educators who have suffered through these atrocities know that the true, beating heart of America stands with them now and always.
Thank you, again, Mr. Aswell, from the bottom of my heart for your bravery and integrity in being the beacon of truth and the voice of all of us who are also forever changed by these atrocities. God bless.
Not sure why it’s the NRA’s fault. The Obama justice department made a deal with Broward County to effectively look away when problems occur. The FBI knew about this guy and did nothing. The signs were all there and the beauracy did nothing. Typical liberal response. You should stick to writing local stories that you understand.
Not sure what “deal” Obama made with Broward County. It’s a little difficult to address vague references such as yours. Of course, if it’s inconvenient to deal with, it must be Obama’s fault, right?
As for my “typical liberal response,” and your advice to stick to “writing local stories” that I understand, know this:
There is one overriding point to understand here, you moron. 17 people, 15 of them kids and three teachers, died needlessly because of the easy access to AR-15s. Are you okay with that? If you know some brilliant way to blame Obama or anyone else, I’m listening. Otherwise, don’t you dare assume to advise me on what subject matter to write. I have grandchildren and I have two daughters who are teachers: I think that damned-well qualifies me to write about this subject. If you think otherwise, you’re as much an idiot as Trump and LaPierre.
Oh, and why don’t you learn to spell bureaucracy?
http://sunshinestatenews.com/story/does-broward-schools-program-coddle-troubled-students-and-excuse-dangerous-misbehavior
Wow. There are just no words …
Bureaucracy was a mis-fire, genius. Typos happen. A second-rate writer like yourself should understand such occurrences.
So, Gene, I see a link to a story about Broward County that contains another link to Obama’s Initiative on Educational Excellence for African Americans, which you somehow managed to tie into the Parkland shootings. Tell us again how the two are related. The shooter was not African American nor did the shootings appear to be racially motivated, so I am at a loss as to how you managed to make that quantum leap.
I do agree with one part of the story you linked: Cruz should have been prohibited from owning a gun. The FBI and the Broward County Sheriff’s Office definitely dropped the ball but the NRA is not without a lion’s share of the blame for its refusal to acknowledge the problems of citizens—of ANY age—owning assault weapons. As long as the NRA continues to pour money into the campaigns of members of Congress, everyone–the mentally unstable, 18-year-olds, felons will continue to have easy access to AR-15s. To that end, the NRA is responsible. But how you managed to pull Obama into this is beyond me. He tried to pass a ban on assault weapons but Congress—a Democratically-controlled Congress, at that—defeated the bill. So the Democrats must also share the blame for bowing down to the god of NRA campaign funds. But trying to single out Obama is disingenuous at best.
And finally, I would like to pose one other question that has puzzled me since reading your last comment.
If you feel that Tom is a “second-rate writer,” why do you even visit his site? If I find a book to be not well written, I stop reading it. It appeared to me he was just needling you over your spelling and you got all bent out of shape. Seemed a little thin-skinned on your part to me. Just sayin’.
Tom, you said it all. I thought after 20 beautiful 1st graders, and their teachers were slaughtered, that we would do something, only to be disappointed, nothing, one after another, nothing, Parkland is the latest, and thoughts and prayers haven’t solved the problem, but the wonderful kids who are speaking out, are on a mission, and I am 100% behind them….Never Again!
Great, magnificent job, wish we could get our La. Legislators to pass a ban on the AR’s, they could blame it on Obama/Hillary because the cost of .223 ammo is sky high and that is money they could donate to any coward/republican who lists his/her only qualification for office as a member of the NRA. My grandkids go to the slaughter theater in Aurora, lived in LV earlier and went to concerts at that slaughter point, and that shooter even considered a concert in Chicago, which they attended. Never again, we must stop this slaughter. ron thompson
EXCELLENT article!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Great article! There’s so much here to make one start thinking! Just this week there were a number of retired military personnel (Generals, Admirals, etc.) speaking in BR explaining why at least 75% of the young adults (19-24 years) of age were unfit for military service. Lack of education, criminal or substance abuse problems and obesity! Well there is plenty of attention on the first two items here but rarely do I hear a word about solving the obesity problem. I think if a ban could be placed on spoons and forks this problem could be brought under control. There’s no sense in not implementing this ban when you look at how many fat kids who’re out there.
I know that was tongue-in-cheek but obesity is indeed a serious problem in Louisiana, whose citizens consistently rank as some of the most obese in the nation. But until we see someone go berserk and commit mass murder with a spoon, I don’t think you’re going to see a groundswell of support for spoon access restriction or registration.
Riddle: How is any assertion by POTUS Tripe like Louisiana weather?
Answer: If you don’t like like it now, wait a few hours and it is likely to change – but not necessarily for the better.
Excellent commentary Sir
Reblogged this on LAB Louisiana Boy.
I do not understand all of the complaints about “assault guns”. What exactly is an “assault gun” ? Machine guns have been illegal since 1934. Most guns available today simply discharge a bullet every time the trigger is pulled. They are automatic in no way, shape or form. Evidently, any rifle with a handle attached to the stock makes the gun more dangerous. .An “AR-15” is not as lethal as most deer hunting rifles.
And why the anger towards the NRA, which is simply a lobby organization, just like any other lobby firm. You simply disagree with their mission. NO ONE defends the murder of students, teachers, concert attendees etc., including the NRA (that I am aware of)
The Constitution states the right to own a firearm shall not be abridged. How can we let an 18 year old vote, but not buy a beer or a gun etc. They are either mature, or they are not.18 year olds have access and are trained to use firearms in the service..To me, perhaps we should raise the age to 21 to serve in the military or 18 years should be the line for adult recognition.
And where was all of the outrage when Rep. Scalise and other republicans were shot while practicing baseball. Or venom towards “coward in chief” Obama when the other shootings took place ? Clearly, someone is trying to make this a political issue when in fact, we have “crazies” to deal with that the FBI did, or do nothing about.. Why must any law abiding gun owner be the issue? These shooters are hardly card carrying NRA members.
We know, from FBI figures, that more people are killed by hammers than “assault rifles”. We also know that all mass shootings are in “gun free zones”. I do not know of a single person ever harmed by the NRA. Now, Planned Parenthood. Hmmmmm
Well, Zoe, for openers, you, like all the other right-wing zealots love invoking the Obama name but you forget a couple of things. Obama tried to limit access to assault rifles (and you opinion notwithstanding, AR-15s are assault weapons designed to kill human beings) but the Republican congress blocked him at every turn. Second, there damned well was outrage over the Scalise shooting. I believe if you check back you will see a story by LouisianaVoice.
(You remind me of the woman I saw a couple of years back. While I was in the post office on Columbus Day mailing a letter, a woman came to conduct a transaction at the counter only to find that part of the post office closed. She looked at the Columbus Day notice and mumbled, “Thanks a lot, Obama.” I told her Columbus Day had been a national holiday more than 75 years. She just glared at me. That seems to be the mentality of the Obama-haters, including you: blame Obama for everything. A poll taken a few years ago revealed that many people blamed Obama for the poor federal response to Katrina. That was 2005; he didn’t become president until 2008.)
Yes, the NRA is a lobbying organization like the other lobbying organizations—and that’s exactly what’s wrong with the country: the lobbyist run everything and the people’s voice is muffled by all those dollars pouring in from the lobbyists.
The Second Amendment is not sacrosanct, no matter what you may think. No one is saying to take away your guns. Please let us know if you know otherwise. The argument is to limit access. Australia banned assault weapons and there has not been a single mass killing since it did.
Oh, and regarding your question about where was the outrage at Obama when Scalese was shot, why would we be outraged at Obama? The shooting happened last June. Obama was long gone and Trump had been president for six months. I don’t remember anyone blaming Trump for the Scalese shooting. Get your facts straight, lady.
And for all the Trump haters; No, he is not a politician. Does he contradict himself; Does he talk when perhaps he should not ?
Yes. But no more than Obama did and still does. Or Hillary. Or Nancy Pelosi. Or Chuck Schumer. Or Harry Reid.. I could go on, but fact is, this country is in far better shape than it was only one year ago.
I respectfully disagree with your take. As I have said before, we now find ourselves in the same country, but with completely different perceptions of reality and that is unfortunate because we need to be united.
Oh dear God, how can you even compare Trump’s diarrhea of the mouth to ANYONE else? For you to say something so blatantly uninformed and untrue as that only reveals you as completely oblivious to anything but what you want to hear and see.
Please: open your eyes and ears and close your mouth! And watch something besides Faux news!
Many people are pushing for the United States to model it’s gun policy after Australia with extremely strict gun control as well as gun confiscation. They point to Australia having “no mass shootings” since 1996 when these laws were enacted.
I would like to tell you how the media, gun control advocates and liberals are again wrong with this agenda, as well as explain to you a bit more about the Australia phenomenon. First, regardless of what the media and liberals tell you, mass shootings have occurred in Australia. Let’s look at just the last 3 years.
In 2011, there was a mass shooting in Hectorville. In 2014, one in Hunt, and again in 2014 one in Wedderburn (which was a 4 hour siege of a neighborhood).
“But wait, that’s only 3 since 2011! We’ve had 29 in America alone in that same time period!”
This is also a bit of trickery with numbers and comparing statistics. Yes, there have been 29 in America since 2011, and I do not dispute that. But let’s dig deep into numbers- Australia only has 23 million people living in it (with a large amount of those very spread out). But let’s just stick to quantity and not density. The United States has nearly 14 times as many people, at nearly 320 million. So if you compare apples to apples, if Australia had as many people as the United States and the ratio of mass killings to total populace remained the same, Australia would have 42 mass killings compared to 29 in the United States. That is 13 more!
Finally, if someone really wants to kill someone, they will find a way. Let’s look at the recent Cairns child killings in Australia where someone killed 8 children with a knife. Or the Quaker Hill Nursing home arson in Australia that killed 11 by fire. Or the Lin killings, also in Australia, that killed 5 with a hammer.
The facts are this: gun control doesn’t work, and pointing towards programs on other countries that are statistically manipulative does not solve the problem. Bad people will still find a way to get guns or kill by other methods. I would much rather people have the right to own a gun and give them the capacity to defend themselves than take away that right and leave them defenseless from those that will kill or harm regardless.
Hard to argue with the facts and the whole story.
I read the article several days ago and wanted to reply right away, but then I’d be replying based on emotions. In your piece you state two things to consider, one is that government can do anything it wants and there is nothing we can do about it(this is scary, probably true, and a good reason for the 2nd amendment, ie why the Japanese did not attack the US homeland in WWII). The second thing is that the government is made up of Republican white supremacists? There are quite a few democrats in Congress who have been busy eroding our personal freedoms and trying to take more of our money for more government programs for years. And they are the party of the white supremacists or they used to be and maybe still are.
I was surprised that Anderson Cooper is beacon of journalistic integrity. He like most of the national news media don’t report the news any more, they spew forth “news” without fact checking in order to be the first out with the breaking news. Plus they all, CNN, Fox, etc. apparently have an agenda to push forward. And Dana Loesch is correct. All of the majors seem more interested in sensational news that raises ratings that equal more money. Has anyone heard about the high school ISIS follower who tried to blow up his school in Utah a week or so ago?
You state that 70% of America has access to assault weapons. Do you mean scary looking semi-automatic guns or actual “assault” weapons the military uses? Let’s ban those scary looking semi-automatic guns, what’s next? Semi automatic hunting rifles, shotguns, pistols, hammers, knives, slingshots? Raise the age limit to 21? Do we raise the voting age to 21 also? Do we raise the limit to 21 to serve our country?
Many people rail against the NRA because they lobby Congress. But you don’t say a word about Planned Parenthood who also lobbies Congress using our recycled dollars. The NRA doesn’t kill anyone, Planned Parenthood does. I agree that corporate lobbyists are sending gazillions to our elected public servants(both parties) to get them to vote their way. Let’s change those laws and get lobbyists money cut down substantially(do you think the dims and repugs in Washington would ever allow that to happen)? If you don’t like the NRA don’t support them, but if you don’t like Planned Parenthood, too bad your tax dollars are going their way regardless of how you feel about them.
I know quite a few Sheriff deputies and it’s quite an insult to label them as political appointees. But the Broward county Sheriff sure does seem like a political hack because he is not responsible for his deputies actions or something like that. The government(law enforcement) had 30 incidents to do something about this situation in Florida before it became another senseless killing and they did nothing. Then when it happened the sheriff’s department failed miserably. God bless the teachers and coaches who protected the kids.
My family is made up of teachers and coaches. They would do whatever they could to protect their students from a deranged killer. When are we going to protect our kids like we protect our banks, etc.? Gun control(banning scary looking semi-automatic weapons) is not the answer, look at Chicago, etc. it doesn’t work. The answer is to use common sense and logic to debate the issue and come up with a solution. Not to continue to call names and throw accusations when someone believes in the Constitution.