|
Post by Phalon on Feb 28, 2018 13:36:02 GMT -6
No, I think you should be dumbfounded - we all should be dumbfounded by the some of the reactions. Whether the reactions are sickening or complacent or even complicit, they should never be shrugged off as seeming normal.
Arming teachers is wrong on so many levels, and it's not hard to imagine what disastrous consequences it could have.
All of those things need to be addressed (interesting to note that almost a year to the day prior to the Florida shooting that Trump rolled back an Obama-era regulation that made it more difficult for people with mental illnesses to purchase guns) - those things and so much more.
You see this quite clearly.
The first part of your statement though - that 'I honestly don't see it changing' - I might cautiously disagree with. It seems different this time, somehow - amidst all the tragedy, there seems to be a real outrage that something like this continues to happen, and it's the first time I can remember in which that outrage by the survivors themselves has been so loud and united. I don't see any sweeping change coming soon, but change will come - it has to for we cannot accept 'thoughts and prayers' as a solution to anything. Very small changes have already taken place - and minute as they may seem in the broad scope of the problem, any change should be cheered as a victory, so that the momentum for change continues.
I knew that the NRA basically strong-armed the government into stopping funding for CDC research on gun violence - but I only found that out last week when a friend mentioned it, and didn't realize it had been going on so long until I read the article in the link Katina posted.
Some other things I didn't know until the last couple of weeks:
Didn't know NRA members received discounts from big-name companies for services that have nothing to do with gun ownership - airlines, car companies, hotels, overnight package delivery, etc. Only found that out when some of these companies pulled the discounts after calls for them to do so after the shooting.
Didn't know that the NRA has a grading system for politicians based on their voting record on gun laws.
And I didn't know until just a few days before the shooting that an NRA-backed bill passed the House, and is up for vote in the Senate that will allow people from states that have a open-carry or concealed-carry law to travel to other states and their home state gun law is valid regardless of what the place they're traveling to state's laws are - which I find sooo stunningly hypocritical.
Republican mantra: let the states and local municipalities govern themselves.
Republican mantra when the NRA is involved: Screw the states! It's NRA backed; we must make it Federal law!
People - usually the ones without kids, or those that have no meaningful discussions with kids other than to hand them their money at the fast food counter - tend to underestimate the intelligence and resolve of kids. The politicians these teenagers are calling out would do good for themselves if they listened to what the kids have to say...and acted upon it.
|
|
|
Post by Scrappy Amazon on Mar 1, 2018 8:22:35 GMT -6
I did. It's the main reason I didn't vote for Bernie in the primary. I wanted him. He had most of the ideals I wanted but I just couldn't vote for him based on his gun stance. Washington Post - Bernie's Gun IssuesThough after having read that I may have been judging him on things that weren't exactly true.
|
|
|
Post by Phalon on Mar 2, 2018 6:22:48 GMT -6
I've always thought of Bernie as being on the lax-to middle-of-the-road side of gun control; a bit too lax. Maybe it's because Vermont has some of the most lenient gun control laws in the country. Got to please your constituents, you know.
|
|
|
Post by Phalon on Mar 2, 2018 15:06:51 GMT -6
Sigh. Spent much of the morning with knots in my stomach until I was finally able to reach LX, and trying to figure out what happened between sketchy news reports, Facebook posts, and local news channels.
Yep, another school shooting - this time a college; LX's apartment is a block away from campus.
The shooting happened at 9am, last update at 3pm the suspect is still at large, the campus, and K-12 schools in the town are are still on lockdown; businesses are closed in close proximity, and the National Guard is helping to evacuate the campus last heard. Instructions were given to keep away from all windows.
And LX is worried about work; she has to walk two blocks and is supposed to be there in an hour?! Seriously? Screw DQ!
|
|
|
Post by Scrappy Amazon on Mar 2, 2018 21:51:43 GMT -6
What! WTF! Everyone ok?
|
|
|
Post by Phalon on Mar 3, 2018 1:08:50 GMT -6
Urgh. I just erased everything I wrote, by pulling up another site without changing tabs first. Anyway, long story, short: LX was at the bank this morning about 1,000 yards from where the shooting took place on campus; she is safe, and didn't end up going to work this evening, thank goodness. She's the night-shift manager, and closes by herself. Her Boyfriend didn't want her to go either, and he, I'm sure, has more clout than I do! Here's the most comprehensive stories of what happened, quite different than the Parkland shootings, but still scary: www.yahoo.com/news/shooter-kills-2-people-central-162154408.htmlwww.mlive.com/expo/erry-2018/03/3c79362b9d/what_we_know_so_far_about_cmu.html
|
|
|
Post by Phalon on Mar 3, 2018 1:26:22 GMT -6
|
|
|
Post by Scrappy Amazon on Mar 15, 2018 19:47:05 GMT -6
Hi! My name is Scrappy and I am a self espoused Liberal Gun Control nut living in a red state. And I am super tired of the NRA and all the others right to have an assault rifle interfering with my right to reasonable safety.
|
|
|
Post by Phalon on Mar 17, 2018 8:19:52 GMT -6
The NRA is a rabid foaming-at-the-mouth beast, out of control in their insistence that any gun reform, no matter how much common sense it makes, is an infringement of the Second Amendment. Did you know that for 200 years, the focus was on was the first part of the Second Amendment - "A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed." Federal courts held that at Congress could prohibit the possession of certain types of firearms because they had no reasonable relation to the preservation or efficiency of a “well regulated Militia.” It's only been the last 30 years or so that the focus instead became "the right of the people to keep and bear arms", and that's the only focus of the NRA. This really shouldn't be the major political battle that it is, and it's all because the NRA backs one party financially. Did anyone really think that Trump, after declaring politicians should stop being "petrified" of the NRA, wouldn't cave to them? The bill he now supports is exactly what the NRA approves. The NRA is holding the country hostage at gunpoint. It's disgusting. Governor Scott of Florida signs a bill that includes some very common sense reforms, and the NRA immediately sues. I read an article a couple of weeks ago that is a real frightening eye-opener on how the NRA's gun lobbying has turned Florida from the "Sunshine State" into the "Gunshine" State. I don't know if the on-line version is as long as the print version that I read, but it's well worth the time spent reading to see the absolute control the NRA has over gun laws. Warning: It'll make you want to pull your hair from its roots. www.newyorker.com/magazine/2018/03/05/the-nra-lobbyist-behind-floridas-pro-gun-policies
|
|
|
Post by Scrappy Amazon on Mar 20, 2018 7:59:57 GMT -6
I can't. I can't even......
I kinda need my hair.
|
|
|
Post by Phalon on Mar 23, 2018 22:39:07 GMT -6
So what's your opinion, Scrappy. The March for Our Lives is tomorrow - do you think these kids can elicit change regarding gun control? This generation - Gen Z is the largest generation ever; bigger than the Baby Boomers and the Millennials - they've got the numbers...and the technological savvy behind them.
I've been following and keeping up on them with them in the news - their poise, strength, and commitment is awe-inspiring.
|
|
|
Post by Scrappy Amazon on Mar 28, 2018 20:50:59 GMT -6
I want so much for this momentum to continue. I've become numb though to the cycle that happens. Bad stuff happens, people die, people get mad, then something else happens to change the subject or the dynamic.
I hope they continue on and make more voters. I need to wait and see.
|
|
|
Post by Phalon on Mar 29, 2018 7:58:30 GMT -6
Sadly, the cycle is going to keep going 'round and 'round unless something is done to break it.
|
|
|
Post by Scrappy Amazon on Mar 29, 2018 8:08:54 GMT -6
That's the problem. There is so much money involved. The money has more power than an angry teenager. Money has more power than just about anything. We will see. I vote my conscience. It doesn't always help. Hopefully they will stir up support amongst the people we need to not be apathetic.
|
|
|
Post by Phalon on Jul 5, 2018 17:44:31 GMT -6
Would like to think the Earth is breathing a sigh of relief, but with Pruitt's (who never should have been appointed in the first place) replacement being an ex-coal lobbyist, it's doubtful policy will get better. One can hope though.
Maybe less scandals, at least. Possibly.
|
|
|
Post by Phalon on May 24, 2019 4:51:33 GMT -6
Wow. I haven't been keeping up with Brexit news much other than it has been very slow going, but was surprised to wake up and see that Theresa May had resigned. What are your thoughts, Moonglum?
|
|
|
Post by Phalon on Jan 17, 2020 7:53:51 GMT -6
Katina said
I think the Democratic nomination is still up in the air, even as the field narrows. Out of the top-runners as of now, you've got Biden, Buttigieg, and Klobuchar as the moderates. Although Klobuchar lags behind the others, she seems to be gaining support. Biden and Buttigieg both come with baggage. Buttigieg possibly has more to overcome - he's going to have to gain support from black voters who see his track record regarding race relations as mayor of South Bend as not-so-stellar. Biden has the support of black voters as well as a large chunk of the older generation voters.
Sanders and Warren, further to the left, both obviously have support among the progressives - but I think what's key, is they have the support of the younger generation, which didn't turn out at the ballot box during the last presidential election in the numbers that were expected. Their turnout this time around, I believe, will be a deciding factor in the primaries, as well as the presidential election. They are fired-up, more so this time around than last.
Steyer and Bloomberg have money behind them - and in campaigning, money matters. In Michigan - which after the last election is now considered a swing state - there is not a half-hour that goes by without a television commercial for Steyer; he is pumping a ton of money into ad campaigns, not only here, but in other traditional swing-states.
I may be forgetting some of the top contenders, but that's the basic run-down of who I see having a shot at the nomination.
|
|
|
Post by Scrappy Amazon on Jan 18, 2020 8:55:15 GMT -6
Personally I am very tired of the "Straight White male" no offense to anyone. I'm tired of that line of thought. Having said that. I will vote for anyone who gets there who isn't Donald Trump or anyone who supports him.
Everything Phalon said is spot on. The two billionaires are spending more money than all the rest of the contenders combined times two. I'm guessing it's going to be Biden. Which for me is disappointing but again.....anyone but trump.
I was leaning toward Kamala Harris but she had an uphill battle and for sure couldn't raise or spend the money the billionaires raised and are spending halfway through the primary. Now i'm leaning toward Warren (who leans too left to win unfortunately) or Buttigieg. He reminds me of my perception of JFK.
|
|
|
Post by Phalon on Jan 19, 2020 8:51:21 GMT -6
I liked Harris too - alot. She was midway between the moderates and the far left candidates in policy. I think what may have hurt her, is her days as a prosecutor - no matter how good of a prosecutor one is, you're going to p!ss off some people; it's the nature of the job.
I'm still undecided. I've always liked Warren, but yeah, I agree she unfortunately might be too far left to win. Buttigieg, I go back and forth about - he's very charismatic, intelligent, and an excellent speaker, but when he first announced his candidacy, he didn't seem to have a clear policy. He's come into his own since then, but is still short on experience, I think.
I'm really starting to like Klobuchar, though she's a wild card, and not as strong on environmental issues as I'd like. I think perhaps, when you look at the money the billionaires are spending, her refusal to accept donations from corporate-PACs and lobbyists, while a good idea in theory, may hurt her campaign fund raising ability.
Why's it always come down to money.
|
|
|
Post by stepper on Jan 19, 2020 12:34:10 GMT -6
|
|
|
Post by Scrappy Amazon on Jan 21, 2020 8:54:03 GMT -6
Because people who have a lot of it have the power to spend a ton of it to get what they want.
|
|
|
Post by katina2nd on Jan 30, 2020 20:55:31 GMT -6
I've liked Buttigieg from the (very) limited amount I've seen of him; have a sinking feeling none of them are going to unseat Trump though, another four years of him is a scary thought.
Heck just saw the above post about the shooting, can't imagine how terrifying it must have been for you Phalon.
|
|
|
Post by moonglum on Jan 31, 2020 2:06:23 GMT -6
Well, today is the day. After three and a half years of political wrangling, shenanigans, and underhand political maneuvering we finally get to leave. Well, no not really. For the next year, we will still be bound by all EU laws while trade talks take place. They could take weeks, months or probably even years to sort out. Then there are the monies we will still have to pay not to be a member anymore! I've deliberately avoided this thread up till now because, like most Brits, I'm sick and tired of politics.
|
|
|
Post by Phalon on Jan 31, 2020 10:26:12 GMT -6
Scary thought indeed. And in a way, fear plays a large role in how things will play out in the upcoming election. Trump played on people's fears to win the last election - the fear of cultural change and of people's rights, religious freedoms, jobs, etc being taken away, the fear of immigrants and of the outside world taking away American values. Even as president, he still stokes these fears - it's always an Us vs. Them mentality - he rarely, if ever, addresses the "American People" as a whole.
Fear is a huge motivator. The question is in the upcoming election, which is greater - the fears he's stoked among his supporters, or the fear from the rest of us of another four more years with him at helm?
Metaphorically speaking, it'd be nice if that chunk of his newly erected 'very powerful wall' that collapsed the other day was an indication of how it's going to go.
Happy "Brexit Day". Is that a thing?
|
|