The volume of the national conversation on gun violence has intensified recently. We’ve come to learn, with all too much clarity, what happens when mentally unstable people have legal access to assault weapons, and we’re calling for change.
From Bertrand Russell:
More Dead Kids
Because of my wife’s interest in horse racing, I’ve been to the track many times, taking a shot at “handicapping,” or trying to determine the winner of a certain upcoming race based on the entrants’ past performances. Sometimes I’ll look at the records of “maiden” horses (those who have yet to win a race) and get the feeling that they are all so slow that it’s hard to imagine any of them winning– though, of course, one of them has to. (more…)
It’s important to keep in mind that most gun owners are not NRA members, and, generally, vehemently disapprove of the organization’s indifference to safety, which make the danger of mass shootings many times higher than it would be if guns were registered, background checks were enforced, owners were trained, and assault weapons were banned. (more…)
Indicting Trump
There is speculation that “no one wants to be the first (to indict Trump), but everyone and his dog wants to be second.”
I can’t say, but it sure will be a great day when the ball starts rolling here.
When you have an ultra-right-wing cause, say, the concept that Trump is a gift, sent from God to save America–and you lose Jon Voight, you know you’re completely lost.
This is the equivalent of Fox News’ admitting that Joe Biden is actually a sane and decent person, or that Vladimir Putin doesn’t have the legal and moral right to indiscriminately torture and execute innocent Ukrainian civilians while the rest of the world looks on with admiration, so deeply envious of his strength and power.
Stuff like this doesn’t happen even day of the week.
The assertion in the meme here is simply false. Iceland, Canada, Australia, and Sweden have virtually identical rates of consumption of drugs like antidepressants to the United States (12% – 15%), though they have almost no gun violence. That’s because, in general, they have strict laws that govern the sale of guns.
I saw a similar assertion the other day to the effect that Godlessness causes gun violence. Well, just look. Monotheism is virtually nonexistent in Japan, but so are guns. Result: Japan has virtually no gun deaths.
To the people glomming onto baseless claims: Is there some rule that says you’re not allowed to access data and think for yourselves?
One might think that political corruption, insofar as it’s illegal, would be carefully hidden from view. One might hope that the political leanings of our elected officials are based on their personal philosophy and sense of duty to the people they serve.
But that doesn’t explain why a) Marco Rubio is attacking the NBA because they advocated for “common-sense gun laws,” and b) he has received $3,303,355 in campaign contributions from the NRA.
It hasn’t been a good last few years for law enforcement here in the United States, which makes me feel sorry for all those many police personnel who serve with courage and honor.
Here’s another indication that America may have reached the limit of its patience with the gun lobby and the routine massacre of our schoolchildren.
Boston Garden, home to the Boston Celtics, asks for the support of its patrons.
