President Donald Dotard again showed why he's an asshole and deranged nitwit with unscripted comments on the Vegas shooting and Puerto Rico's continuing catastrophe. Let's take the last first given Dotard actually traveled to the island territory of the U.S. earlier today, This degenerate "piece of trash"- as one Puerto Rican called him - actually insinuated the Puerto Ricans didn't have it "that bad" since "thousands didn't die as in Katrina". WTF? What species of asshole is this fruitcake, anyway? True, "only seventeen died up to now" , but 3.5 million lives are still up in the air as they scratch for desperately needed resources including fuel, food and clean water. There is no guarantee up to now that hundreds more may not perish as the failure to deliver essential items continues.
Trump's implication, showing what a dunderhead he is, was that Puerto Ricans ought to be thankful their catastrophe wasn't as bad as Katrina in New Orleans. Says who? Though the deaths are (so far) fewer the elimination of support systems is just as bad or worse, especially given that Puerto Rico is an island that requires all essentials to enter from outside - air or ship. In addition, Puerto Rico's needy citizens are scattered over a vastly larger areas - over 1700 square miles - than Greater New Orleans. Dispatching supplies to the several hundred thousand people of N.O. therefore was vastly easier than getting them to the 3.5 MILLION of Puerto Rico. But evidently Dotard has no conception of the difference at all.
He lacks any inkling of the differences in magnitude between the areas of the respective locations or their populations. He has no conception that most of Puerto Rico - outside of San Juan and its beaches - comprises a rugged terrain that in conditions now, is relatively inaccessible (most bridges, roads washed away) That means extraordinary means must be employed to get supplies to those who need them including patients in hospitals. What means? Aircraft carriers based offshore enabling hundreds of choppers to make daily runs into the island's hinterlands. Nothing short of this will halt the loss of lives - but then it appears Dotard values white lives - like Stephen Paddock's - more than brown-skinned anyway.
Dotard was actually stupid enough to assert Puerto Ricans "didn't need flashlights any more" despite the fact 90 percent still don't have any power. His tossing of paper towels to a crowd in a hall was demeaning and reflected what a vicious piece of crap he really is, as Gen. Russell Honore also noted. The claim about denting the budget was also cruel and imbecilic, given Puerto Rico is every bit as American as Houston, Texas or Miami, Florida.
Then there was his daft, clueless remark on the Las Vegas massacre that took out 59 people and injured 527 - many saddled with neurological (head) injuries as bad as the one that affected Gabby Giffords. People who will now need to commit to years, decades of therapy and rehabilitation to become mobile - assuming they are able - or regain their speech.
Dotard said Tuesday that the quick response of law enforcement during the deadliest mass shooting in modern American history was “in many ways, a miracle.”. His full remarks, said as he departed the White House for a trip to Puerto Rico on Tuesday morning. were:
“Look, we have a tragedy. What happened is, in many ways, a miracle. The police department, they’ve done such an incredible job. And we’ll be talking about gun laws as time goes on. But I do have to say, how quickly the police department was able to get in was really very much of a miracle. They’ve done an amazing job.”
No, Dotard Dummy, it was law enforcement doing its job - which still required precious time to triangulate positions to identify where the shooter was. This entailed technology and expertise not any "miracle". Miracles are proclaimed for alleged supernatural events, and would have been the case if the suddenly mortally wounded had gotten up and walked away. They didn't.
Triangulating an active shooter position, by contrast, is no miracle, it's a process that has been developed over many decades by law enforcement. It enabled the SWAT team to eventually get to the shooter's room, but by then over fifty lay dead or dying and hundreds wounded - many seriously. That was NO miracle. But again, the depths of Dotard's ignorance knows no bounds so he can't process the difference. To him, not having ten thousand killed - out of the 22,000 - was a "miracle", like only 17 killed in Puerto Rico (so far) dead, was a "miracle" compared to Katrina's toll. The man is a blatant idiot.
In the Vegas massacre, it was late Sunday when Stephen Paddock, a 64-year-old retiree who lives in the area, opened fire on an outdoor country music festival from the windows of a 32nd-floor hotel suite at the Mandalay Bay. For perhaps as long as 11 minutes, bullets rained down on the concertgoers and the panicked crowd rushed to escape. As Paddock fired round after round, gun smoke filled the hotel suite and set off a fire alarm, allowing a SWAT team to zero in on Paddock’s position in about 20 minutes. As officers closed in, Paddock killed himself.
The most damnable aspect? Despite the historic number of people killed, Trump has repeatedly stressed that the shooting could have been even worse. Well, if the NRA and Dotard's Repuke cronies had their way in passing a law allowing silencers, he's correct.
The National Rifle Association thinks Congress owes them more armor-piercing rounds and gun silencers on the streets, and most Republicans have shown they’re happy to do what they’re told, Rep. Raul Grijalva (D-AZ) told Politico earlier this month. “I’ve been here since 2003, and passing these bills in the name of ‘helping sportsmen’ is one of the most cynical excuses I’ve ever heard.”
Silencers mounted on Paddock's assorted weapons, which we now know were equipped with bump firing stocks to fire faster (using the recoil capacity to shoot hundreds of rounds per minute) would have likely claimed twice as many lives. The reason is no one would have known where the shots originated from until many more had been shot. So perhaps Dotard has contemplated signing into law the NRA- pushed provision to allow silencers on automatic weapons .
THAT would confer some basic "sense" on his comment: He'd know that had he signed a bill allowing silencers into law then yes, what actually transpired Sunday night in Vegas would have been a comparative "miracle" since the silencers would have killed more than twice as many, and probably injured thousands.
Thanks for telegraphing your intent, Dotard, you malicious freak bastard. As one of the Puerto Ricans put it who was asked by a reporter what she thought of your arrival, you ARE a pierce of trash. Toxic trash.
In the words of Gen. Russell Honore (Ret.) who oversaw the rebuilding of N.O. after Katrina:
"The mayor (of San Juan) is living on a cot and I hope the president has a good day at golf."
In a CNN interview Gen. Honore was even more blunt:
"You don't give a damn about poor people. You don't give a damn about people of color. And the S.O.B. that rides around in Air Force One is denying services needed by the people of Puerto Rico".
My sentiments exactly, General, especially the S.O.B. part! And let's bear in mind who the S.O.B. is pandering to.
Showing posts with label Gabby Giffords. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Gabby Giffords. Show all posts
Tuesday, October 3, 2017
Wednesday, September 13, 2017
Seriously? NRA Tries To Get Me To Join With Guns "Sweepstakes"
Part of flyer I received in mail about prizes (multiple guns) to be won in NRA sweepstakes.
In the interest of full disclosure let me say first that although I have owned and fired firearms I've never had any interest in the NRA or joining its government-leery minions. That hasn't stopped the organization from plying me with "provisional" membership cards as well as other inducements to join. In the latest iteration I received a two page form letter from none other then Exec VP Wayne La Pierre with the end sign off "Yours in freedom".
The intro of the letter reads:
"Dear Fellow American,
This is YOUR official call for entry in our exciting NRA sweepstakes and you don't have a moment to lose. Because there will be over 700 WINNERS GUARANTEED and I want to give you a chance to win!
Don't wait. This is your shot at incredible gun, hunt and gear prizes - and best of all, you get to pick the prizes you'd like to win most.
PLUS it's WINNER TAKE ALL.
You read that right!
You'll not only have a chance to win your First, Second, Third, Fourth and Fifth Prize selections - you could also win EVERY SINGLE PRIZE you've chosen at each of thee levels if you're drawn as our LUCKY GRAND PRIZE WINNER!
----------------------------
Yep, and IF I was a rabid gun nut or collector or even NRA aficionado I'd no doubt place all the accompanying prize stickers on in a heartbeat.
But the problem is I am not a gun grabber or NRA fan. Indeed, I have written multiple posts before against this bunch, such as after James Eagen Holmes' Aurora theater massacre and the Newtown bloodshed.
After the Tucson shootings by Jared Loughner with Gabby Giffords one of the victims, I explained the basis of the 2nd amendment in one January, 2011 post:
Let me cite again the Second Amendment to the Constitution:
"A self-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."
Now, one must understand and comprehend the era and period in which this was written. At that time muskets were the primary weapon, and no major organized standing army existed such as we now have. Indeed, the Continental Army of Washington, though it prevailed over the British, now had massive war debts to pay off. There was no way to keep thousands of men under arms for sustained periods, as well as clothing and feeding them - far less recycling them with newer equipment each year!
It therefore became necessary to authorize the basis for a non-centralized force or "Militia" in order to supplement any governmentally organized army called up. This "Militia" originated in the countryside, from citizens living across the land in various villages, towns and states. In effect, the 2nd amendment drafters were asserting the necessity for a subsidiary people's army to assist the main one. Citizens then became in effect, necessary to the security of the nation. One could then describe the state militias as "adjunct armies".
Indeed, some interpreters of the amendment believe the original content is really even more diluted than what I portrayed. They see the "well regulated militia" provision as actually devised as protections from any marauding, "loose cannon" generals. These interpreters insist the framers would never in a million years have envisaged people possessing permanent private weapons in their own homes - claiming it would have really detracted from a militia's effectiveness (E.g. who controls when they fire weapons at whom, and when? Or whether or not the owners are even trained in their use? DO we just let thousands of gun owners go off half-cocked to do their own thing?)
But there is NO way, not one bit, the framers would behold what we have now ....the most formidable organized military in the world - with more weapons than all the empires of all previous centuries put together, and insist that separate citizens' militias were still needed. And they certainly wouldn't confer any benediction on owning powerful automatic rifles or even semi-automatic Glocks that can spew off 31 rounds in seconds!
"A self-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."
Now, one must understand and comprehend the era and period in which this was written. At that time muskets were the primary weapon, and no major organized standing army existed such as we now have. Indeed, the Continental Army of Washington, though it prevailed over the British, now had massive war debts to pay off. There was no way to keep thousands of men under arms for sustained periods, as well as clothing and feeding them - far less recycling them with newer equipment each year!
It therefore became necessary to authorize the basis for a non-centralized force or "Militia" in order to supplement any governmentally organized army called up. This "Militia" originated in the countryside, from citizens living across the land in various villages, towns and states. In effect, the 2nd amendment drafters were asserting the necessity for a subsidiary people's army to assist the main one. Citizens then became in effect, necessary to the security of the nation. One could then describe the state militias as "adjunct armies".
Indeed, some interpreters of the amendment believe the original content is really even more diluted than what I portrayed. They see the "well regulated militia" provision as actually devised as protections from any marauding, "loose cannon" generals. These interpreters insist the framers would never in a million years have envisaged people possessing permanent private weapons in their own homes - claiming it would have really detracted from a militia's effectiveness (E.g. who controls when they fire weapons at whom, and when? Or whether or not the owners are even trained in their use? DO we just let thousands of gun owners go off half-cocked to do their own thing?)
But there is NO way, not one bit, the framers would behold what we have now ....the most formidable organized military in the world - with more weapons than all the empires of all previous centuries put together, and insist that separate citizens' militias were still needed. And they certainly wouldn't confer any benediction on owning powerful automatic rifles or even semi-automatic Glocks that can spew off 31 rounds in seconds!
Adding:
So what has happened? The NRA, with enormous political clout, has succeeded in vaporizing what few common sense controls were left and given us a very close version of the "wild West". It began when a federal law enacted in 1994 that restricted the sale of certain semi-automatics was allowed to expire in 2004. This expiry was sought by the NRA which put pressure on congress critters to allow it. (The NRA doubtless subscribed to the "slippery slope" fallacy: that if semi-automatics weren't permitted, then ordinary weapons would follow.)
The next major piece of follow -up idiocy was in allowing 'make my day' laws in many states from around 2006. Thus in Colorado now, a home owner who even thinks he's under a serious threat can open fire and use deadly force with barely a question asked.
The next major piece of follow -up idiocy was in allowing 'make my day' laws in many states from around 2006. Thus in Colorado now, a home owner who even thinks he's under a serious threat can open fire and use deadly force with barely a question asked.
Later, after the San Bernardino massacre on December 9, 2015 I wrote:
Who the hell needs a semi-automatic anyway? The Founders, for sure - including Madison, Jefferson and even Hamilton (himself killed in a duel) would have been aghast to behold what's on display as in the photo and allowed under a perversion of the 2nd amendment. In fact, they'd likely all re-croak if they came back to life and saw how that amendment has been disgraced by nuts and the NRA gun lobby.
The fact is NO one is taking away a person's precious right to own a proper, functioning gun by banning these high -powered weapons, which really were originally designed for MILITARY use in Vietnam, NOT for target shooting or protection. Jeezus Peace, you use a shotgun or 30.06 for target shooting or hunting a deer - you don't need a god damned AR-15! As for home protection, get a shotgun or .38 special, you do not need a damned assault rifle. WTF are people expecting an alien invasion?
The Aussies surrendered nearly all their assault weapons back in 1996 after a massacre in which 35 were slaughtered in Port Arthur, Tasmania. Since then, the violent murders by assault weapon have been cut in half. Of course, there will still be those who get such guns and use them in malicious ways, that's not the damned point - which the gunnies always distort. NO, it's to keep such weapons out of mass hands where even in a home dispute the disputants will not be tempted to just reach for their guns.
Highland Park (Illinois) ban is also spot on given how easily an AR-15, originally semi-automatic - can be altered to an automatic. As yesterday's WSJ piece observes:
"The AR-15 re-cocks itself immediately after firing. The only thing keeping the gun from firing again on its own is a sear, a piece inserted in the gun that stops the cycle from continuing. By replacing the sear and a few other key components, an AR-15 can be made fully automatic."
The fact is NO one is taking away a person's precious right to own a proper, functioning gun by banning these high -powered weapons, which really were originally designed for MILITARY use in Vietnam, NOT for target shooting or protection. Jeezus Peace, you use a shotgun or 30.06 for target shooting or hunting a deer - you don't need a god damned AR-15! As for home protection, get a shotgun or .38 special, you do not need a damned assault rifle. WTF are people expecting an alien invasion?
The Aussies surrendered nearly all their assault weapons back in 1996 after a massacre in which 35 were slaughtered in Port Arthur, Tasmania. Since then, the violent murders by assault weapon have been cut in half. Of course, there will still be those who get such guns and use them in malicious ways, that's not the damned point - which the gunnies always distort. NO, it's to keep such weapons out of mass hands where even in a home dispute the disputants will not be tempted to just reach for their guns.
Highland Park (Illinois) ban is also spot on given how easily an AR-15, originally semi-automatic - can be altered to an automatic. As yesterday's WSJ piece observes:
"The AR-15 re-cocks itself immediately after firing. The only thing keeping the gun from firing again on its own is a sear, a piece inserted in the gun that stops the cycle from continuing. By replacing the sear and a few other key components, an AR-15 can be made fully automatic."
Ending with:
As for the professed love (by gun aficionados) for these weapons, I attribute most of it to the "regressed kid" syndrome. You know, when kids could set off firecrackers om the 4th or New Year's Eve and get a bang out of the noise and distraction? Today, these powerful weapons are de facto substitutes and include "uses" such as reducing small trees to splinters, blowing up melons in the woods and blasting tin cans. They provide that 'bang' (and demolition) attraction for baseline "entertainment' of modern day adults. Until they are used against a family member or on oneself in a suicide.
I say, enough is enough and it's time to put away the things of a child. Back in the 1960s we didn't have such weapons and we got along just fine. Sure there were murders and homicides but not like the regular mass slaughters one sees today - over 355 now and counting.
Can sanity prevail in this country or will the people continue to allow a powerful gun lobby to hold them in thrall - and in fear? The question will be raised often by serious people in the coming months and years and it may well come down to imposing local or state assault weapons bans since at the federal level there is no will to act. At that level, the NRA has most lawmakers - or at least their balls- in its maw.
I say, enough is enough and it's time to put away the things of a child. Back in the 1960s we didn't have such weapons and we got along just fine. Sure there were murders and homicides but not like the regular mass slaughters one sees today - over 355 now and counting.
Can sanity prevail in this country or will the people continue to allow a powerful gun lobby to hold them in thrall - and in fear? The question will be raised often by serious people in the coming months and years and it may well come down to imposing local or state assault weapons bans since at the federal level there is no will to act. At that level, the NRA has most lawmakers - or at least their balls- in its maw.
My positions haven't changed since those posts. I still am convinced the NRA has twisted the 2nd amendment toward an interpretation never intended by the Founders. Despite the debasement of too many brains with time, I still stand foursquare with the unanimous (1939) Supreme Court decision that affirmed:
"The Second Amendment grants people a right that is not one which may be utilized for private purposes but only exists where the arms are borne in a militia or some other military organization provided by law and intended for protection of the State."
While this sane and sober take prevailed for several more decades, it started to unravel by the 1970s as various Right wing (wouldn't you know?) groups coalesced to challenge gun control based on spurious "private gun ownership" interpretations, and successively overturned laws in state legislatures - much like the abortion opponents are now doing .
At the time Chief Justice Warren Burger responded that these lax state gun law interpretations comprised "one of the greatest pieces of fraud on the American public by special interest groups that I have ever seen in my lifetime."
What do we infer from these historical perspectives? That the REAL un-Americans are those who have twisted the meaning of the 2nd Amendment to their own ends, with the result that the fallout has created a never-ending sea of maimed, crippled and murdered gun victims
So how did the NRA get hold of my name and address to peddle their baloney? Most likely from a customer subscriber list -likely provided by one magazine ('World War II History') to which I subscribe. Therefore, they made the erroneous assumption that because I am interested in World War II history I must also be a gun aficionado.
Bad mistake!
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