Welcome to DU!
The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards.
Join the community:
Create a free account
Support DU (and get rid of ads!):
Become a Star Member
Latest Breaking News
General Discussion
The DU Lounge
All Forums
Issue Forums
Culture Forums
Alliance Forums
Region Forums
Support Forums
Help & Search
kpete
kpete's Journal
kpete's Journal
December 4, 2015
Birds of a feather.....
December 4, 2015
...and they say guns don't kill people...
December 4, 2015
http://lets-read-about-feminism.tumblr.com/post/134470937029/fuck-yeah-feminist-a-important-perspective-to
We must Support Planned Parenthood BECAUSE Of the Abortions They Provide, Not In Spite Of Them.
http://lets-read-about-feminism.tumblr.com/post/134470937029/fuck-yeah-feminist-a-important-perspective-to
December 4, 2015
Nawaz observed that Clinton was unlikely to put in place new gun safety measures because Congress would block her.
The thing that everyone points to is the Second Amendment, Currie said. But the Second Amendment was set up in 1789. That was a different world then and something needs to be done about this.
Heslehurst revealed his own staggering statistics: In the last 43 years, more Americans have been shot by another American shot and killed by another American than all of Americas soldiers killed in wars in the last 240 years.
And you go wheres the priority? he asked. You talk about Congress NRA, right? If Clinton really wants to get serious, thats what you have to try to break, dismantle.
http://www.rawstory.com/2015/12/bbc-reporters-sobering-advice-to-america-break-the-nra-or-your-mass-shootings-will-never-stop/
BBC reporter’s sobering advice to America: ‘Break & Dismantle' NRA or mass shootings will never stop
Obama has said this is not normal, this shouldnt be considered as normal, she explained. And Hillary Clinton has said the same thing. And on her presidential campaign, gun control is actually one of the key things shes looking at.Nawaz observed that Clinton was unlikely to put in place new gun safety measures because Congress would block her.
The thing that everyone points to is the Second Amendment, Currie said. But the Second Amendment was set up in 1789. That was a different world then and something needs to be done about this.
Heslehurst revealed his own staggering statistics: In the last 43 years, more Americans have been shot by another American shot and killed by another American than all of Americas soldiers killed in wars in the last 240 years.
And you go wheres the priority? he asked. You talk about Congress NRA, right? If Clinton really wants to get serious, thats what you have to try to break, dismantle.
http://www.rawstory.com/2015/12/bbc-reporters-sobering-advice-to-america-break-the-nra-or-your-mass-shootings-will-never-stop/
December 4, 2015
http://fox6now.com/2015/12/02/ive-had-enough-oak-creek-mayor-steve-scaffidi-pens-editorial-following-mass-shooting-in-california/
http://www.rawstory.com/2015/12/tormented-wisconsin-mayor-rips-gun-lovers-who-think-they-can-stop-mass-shootings/
“I’ve had enough:” Oak Creek Mayor Steve Scaffidi pens editorial following mass shooting in Californ
Ive had enough.
Wednesday afternoon I was greeted by the news from San Bernardino, Calif., that at least 14 people were killed in another mass shooting incident, this time at a public facility.
Im tormented by the stark realization that as a nation that prides itself as the voice of justice and compassion to the rest of the world, we cant go through a weeks news cycle without hearing about another mass shooting and innocent people losing their lives, often in the most violent and brutal manner.
As a mayor who dealt with this issue firsthand at the Sikh Temple of Wisconsin shooting on Aug. 5, 2012, Im weary of getting calls from news media asking me to comment on the most current mass shooting incident, especially when they ask me the question: What can we do about it? Controlling individual behavior is difficult, if not impossible, and trying to guess in advance what might motivate someone to commit an act of hate and violence will always be a challenge.
But in sharing this collective national shock whenever this happens, I would argue that were witnessing a fundamental and profound failure of our duty to protect our citizens from violence in any way possible, and weve turned over the debate to politicians, bloggers and lobbyists, all who hide behind tired clichés and fundamentally dishonest reasons why we cant do anything about it.
The U.S. Constitution is a powerful and wise document, but with the rights it endows come responsibility, and I would argue that in the case of gun ownership, which is a right guaranteed by the Second Amendment, weve let that right define the culture and environment in which we live to a degree that it has taken over our consciousness and made our citizens feel less safe.
As an elected official, I feel the burden of the question every time a mass shooting takes place. What should I be doing? What can I do to lessen the likelihood that it will happen again? Why dont we as a country take actions to reduce violence?
The answer, of course, is we could, but we dont. We use silly arguments and fall back into entrenched, absolutist positions that may make us feel better as part of a defense of our own personal agendas or political tastes. We bury our head in nonstop television coverage that progresses from eyewitness accounts, to hastily-arranged news conferences to medical trauma centers, but stops short of moving forward on any legislation, policy or social changes that could actually make a difference.
I am a gun owner. But I have to believe that one of the popular responses to mass shootings arm everyone and encourage individual and aggressive action against a mass shooter is at best naive, and at worst, dangerous. Law enforcement professionals are highly trained and understand through direct experience that carrying a gun is a powerful responsibility and doesnt guarantee that a shooter will be stopped.
The shooting at the Sikh Temple was a clear example of that, with one of our most experienced officers coming within an inch of losing his life. Expecting citizens to prevent or slow down perpetrators of violence seems logical, and in some cases might actually be possible, but it could result in the gun owner losing his or her life when mistaken for the shooter. As a country, weve lived through the wild west mentality of frontier justice. It didnt work. It only made the weakest members of our society less safe.
And it wont work now.
What can we do?
Why not start with researching and funding programs that have been proven to reduce violence? We live in a country of tremendous resources and brilliant minds who tackle difficult and complex problems every day. Why would we not care as much about this epidemic of violence as we do about all the other ways people die every day?
Steve
Wednesday afternoon I was greeted by the news from San Bernardino, Calif., that at least 14 people were killed in another mass shooting incident, this time at a public facility.
Im tormented by the stark realization that as a nation that prides itself as the voice of justice and compassion to the rest of the world, we cant go through a weeks news cycle without hearing about another mass shooting and innocent people losing their lives, often in the most violent and brutal manner.
As a mayor who dealt with this issue firsthand at the Sikh Temple of Wisconsin shooting on Aug. 5, 2012, Im weary of getting calls from news media asking me to comment on the most current mass shooting incident, especially when they ask me the question: What can we do about it? Controlling individual behavior is difficult, if not impossible, and trying to guess in advance what might motivate someone to commit an act of hate and violence will always be a challenge.
But in sharing this collective national shock whenever this happens, I would argue that were witnessing a fundamental and profound failure of our duty to protect our citizens from violence in any way possible, and weve turned over the debate to politicians, bloggers and lobbyists, all who hide behind tired clichés and fundamentally dishonest reasons why we cant do anything about it.
The U.S. Constitution is a powerful and wise document, but with the rights it endows come responsibility, and I would argue that in the case of gun ownership, which is a right guaranteed by the Second Amendment, weve let that right define the culture and environment in which we live to a degree that it has taken over our consciousness and made our citizens feel less safe.
As an elected official, I feel the burden of the question every time a mass shooting takes place. What should I be doing? What can I do to lessen the likelihood that it will happen again? Why dont we as a country take actions to reduce violence?
The answer, of course, is we could, but we dont. We use silly arguments and fall back into entrenched, absolutist positions that may make us feel better as part of a defense of our own personal agendas or political tastes. We bury our head in nonstop television coverage that progresses from eyewitness accounts, to hastily-arranged news conferences to medical trauma centers, but stops short of moving forward on any legislation, policy or social changes that could actually make a difference.
I am a gun owner. But I have to believe that one of the popular responses to mass shootings arm everyone and encourage individual and aggressive action against a mass shooter is at best naive, and at worst, dangerous. Law enforcement professionals are highly trained and understand through direct experience that carrying a gun is a powerful responsibility and doesnt guarantee that a shooter will be stopped.
The shooting at the Sikh Temple was a clear example of that, with one of our most experienced officers coming within an inch of losing his life. Expecting citizens to prevent or slow down perpetrators of violence seems logical, and in some cases might actually be possible, but it could result in the gun owner losing his or her life when mistaken for the shooter. As a country, weve lived through the wild west mentality of frontier justice. It didnt work. It only made the weakest members of our society less safe.
And it wont work now.
What can we do?
Why not start with researching and funding programs that have been proven to reduce violence? We live in a country of tremendous resources and brilliant minds who tackle difficult and complex problems every day. Why would we not care as much about this epidemic of violence as we do about all the other ways people die every day?
Steve
http://fox6now.com/2015/12/02/ive-had-enough-oak-creek-mayor-steve-scaffidi-pens-editorial-following-mass-shooting-in-california/
http://www.rawstory.com/2015/12/tormented-wisconsin-mayor-rips-gun-lovers-who-think-they-can-stop-mass-shootings/
December 4, 2015
As the New York Daily News reported, supporters of the bill accused McConnell of leaving it out of a highway funding proposal.
Stewart pointed out that McConnell made a campaign ad spotlighting his support for a bill guaranteeing permanent healthcare for nuclear energy industry workers, which has cost $11 billion since going into effect. By comparison, the Zadroga Act, as the first responder bill is known, would would cost $4.6 billion.
How in good conscience can you deny them the very thing that you have proudly brought to the people of your state? Stewart asked, before telling reporters, Please, personally ask him that.
http://www.rawstory.com/2015/12/watch-jon-stewart-shames-mitch-mcconnell-for-blocking-911-first-responders-healthcare-bill/
Jon Stewart shames Mitch McConnell for blocking 9/11 first responders healthcare bill
As the New York Daily News reported, supporters of the bill accused McConnell of leaving it out of a highway funding proposal.
Stewart pointed out that McConnell made a campaign ad spotlighting his support for a bill guaranteeing permanent healthcare for nuclear energy industry workers, which has cost $11 billion since going into effect. By comparison, the Zadroga Act, as the first responder bill is known, would would cost $4.6 billion.
How in good conscience can you deny them the very thing that you have proudly brought to the people of your state? Stewart asked, before telling reporters, Please, personally ask him that.
http://www.rawstory.com/2015/12/watch-jon-stewart-shames-mitch-mcconnell-for-blocking-911-first-responders-healthcare-bill/
December 3, 2015
George W. Bush waves to attendees as he exits with Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), left, after the unveiling of a marble bust of Cheney in the Capitol. (James Lawler Duggan/Reuters)
https://img.washingtonpost.com/wp-apps/imrs.php?src=&w=1484
From left: Speaker of the House Paul Ryan, former president George W. Bush, former vice president Dick Cheney and Sen. Roy Blunt (R-Mo.) take the stage before the unveiling of a marble bust of Cheney in the Capitol. (James Lawler Duggan/Reuters
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-fix/wp/2015/12/03/the-9-best-photos-of-dick-cheney-looking-maybe-happy-at-his-bust-ceremony/?postshare=9791449180667820&tid=ss_tw
https://img.washingtonpost.com/wp-apps/imrs.php?src=&w=1484
Cheney's Bust
https://img.washingtonpost.com/wp-apps/imrs.php?src=&w=1484George W. Bush waves to attendees as he exits with Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), left, after the unveiling of a marble bust of Cheney in the Capitol. (James Lawler Duggan/Reuters)
https://img.washingtonpost.com/wp-apps/imrs.php?src=&w=1484
From left: Speaker of the House Paul Ryan, former president George W. Bush, former vice president Dick Cheney and Sen. Roy Blunt (R-Mo.) take the stage before the unveiling of a marble bust of Cheney in the Capitol. (James Lawler Duggan/Reuters
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-fix/wp/2015/12/03/the-9-best-photos-of-dick-cheney-looking-maybe-happy-at-his-bust-ceremony/?postshare=9791449180667820&tid=ss_tw
https://img.washingtonpost.com/wp-apps/imrs.php?src=&w=1484
Profile Information
Member since: Fri Sep 17, 2004, 03:59 PMNumber of posts: 71,986