They obviously hand choose these kids.

[madaboutharry]

"Thank you for leading this country. The country is going in the right direction. You are a great leader...."

This is really sad. This is going to accomplish absolutely nothing. It is a dog and pony show.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

1. I figured as much.

OTOH, maybe some of them are savvy enough to have figured out that they only way they could get Dolt 45 to listen to them at all is to flatter him.

[MichMary]

2. They are acknowledging

the obvious: Trump is president. Acting like snotty little brats and spitting in his face isn't going to do any good. They are at least getting the opportunity to air their grief and their suggestions. What that girl--Carson??--had to say about drills, etc. were things I wasn't aware of. I think this is the first time that anything like this has happened.

[exboyfil]

9. I would also ask why

besides perhaps Israel are we the only industrialized nation that has to go through this crap? Germany, Japan, UK, France don't.

[MichMary]

12. THe answer is obvious:

The NRA and the 2nd Amendment.

[Tommy_Carcetti]

3. Here's a current look in at the Listening Session.

[hatrack]

18. *SNORT*

[livetohike]

4. Sickening. I had to mute it. How is the country going in

the right direction when there's been such tragedy since he took office?

[janterry]

26. I keep muting it, too

[Freethinker65]

5. Not watching, but if it continues like this Trump will look extremely weak

He could not even stand up to criticism from a child. Trump will be ridiculed for having a selected audience for his "listening tour".

[Laura PourMeADrink]

8. there's no criticism - they are treating him like he is an actually a real president -

with respect. sickening piece of shit doesn't deserve it

[Laura PourMeADrink]

6. YES !! Was just going to post the same thing ! We LOVE you Trump...you are

doing so great as president....like the way our country is going.

hell, on the other hand -- maybe they are smarter than we think - maybe they have figured out you have to flatter him to get anything

[procon]

7. And the parents, they all have one job; Praising Trump.

I note that Devos and some other charter school officials and their student props were in attendendance, but why were they talking instead of the actual students involved???

[Hugin]

10. Was Pickles there?

Haven't heard from that lil' rascal lately.

[poboy2]

34. haha -eom

[jpak]

11. Disgusting

[Bettie]

14. So, none of the actual vocal kids are there then?

are they actually talking to kids from that school? Or are they hand-picked kids whose parents are his supporters?

[Blue_true]

16. I am guessing handpicked kids who support Trump.

And likely have plenty of guns at home. Do you think that asshole would want to face Ms. Gonzales, Mr. Hogg and other "real" students? I don't think so.

[octoberlib]

17. Emma Gonzalez, Hogg, Cameron Kasky- none of the well known activists are there because

they're critical of Trump and the GOP stance on guns.I wouldn't be surprised if they vetted everybody and just picked people who are registered members of the Republican party (parents for the kids too young to vote).

[OilemFirchen]

31. Those kids were in Tallahassee.

These kids were not.

Does that answer your question?

[Bettie]

33. Yep, thanks

I've had a really bad cold which has led to some mental fog issues in the last week and a half!

[procon]

15. Kids as props so Trump can pretend he gives a shit. nt

[SHRED]

19. I had to turn it off

What a shit show.

[PA Democrat]

20. Well you have to assume for it to be a "listening session" it would have to be all about Trump

and how fantastic he is. Otherwise Trump doesn't listen. He can even listen to his PDB's because they don't contain lavish praise.

[lostnfound]

21. Worth watching. One young man spoke SO eloquently, and a man who lost his daughter.

One young man poured his giant heart out, imploring age restrictions and control of AR15s.
His story was honest, heartfelt, powerful.

There are indeed real stories being told.

[RussBLib]

22. that was nauseating

I think those kids were just still in shock.

[RussBLib]

23. THERE IT IS!

MORE GUNS IN SCHOOLS!!

[lostnfound]

24. But now its turning into arm the teachers. So stupid and possibly nefarious.nt

[madaboutharry]

25. Now a father who wants teachers to have guns!

A dad whose daughter goes to Stoneman Douglass wants teachers and staff to carry guns so they can be the first responders.

[lostnfound]

28. Yep. This is turning into authoritarian fantasies.

“Identify mental health problems at the schools” “arm the teachers”
Might as well send kids to prison for their classes.

And if trained cops can hear a noise and see someone “reaching for their waistband”, what about teachers..?

[spanone]

32. when that fails, they can arm all the students...with AR15's

[rainin]

27. It should NEVER have happened on his turf.

They should have INSISTED that he come to a town hall. There is no way an average citizen can say what they really think in that room.

[Gin]

29. Hes an ass.

[DeminPennswoods]

30. I justed watched with the sound muted

I did unmute a couple times, once to hear the Pollack dad going off on a rant saying he and Trump would fix things.

I just watched on mute as the kid in the black and white checked shirt broke down in tears. I don't know who the adult male behind him was, but I saw him ask if the kid was ok, then hand him a couple of tissues or handkerchief. But this is how politically tone deaf Trump is, sits there in his seat with his arms folded while passing up a great chance to get up, go over to the kid, give him a hug and let him cry on his shoulder. You know Obama, Clinton, Carter, Reagan, even GW Bush would have gone over to the kid right away.

[poboy2]

35. It is our fortune that he is so unaware.

You are right. ANY other president in my lifetime would have. He blew it.

[DeminPennswoods]

36. true enough

The young man was sitting next to a mom of one of the Newtown victims. It was discreet, but I noticed she'd snuck her one arm behind him and was rubbing his back. A very lovely and touching gesture.