Tag: mass shooting

Republican Fuckery XXI: MTG’s Former Drag Queen Boyfriend, the Debt Ceiling, and Target Forced to Remove Pride Month Clothing

If you were to look up the definition of hypocrisy in the dictionary these days, you would likely see the Republicans and the chaos they have created.

Earlier this week, it was revealed that Marjorie Taylor Greene‘s new boyfriend is a former drag queen. It has also been said that her marriage is on the rocks. I don’t give a shit who she goes home to. What I do care about is that as usual, it is do as I say, but not as I do.

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Meanwhile, as we get closer to June 1st, the debt ceiling has yet to be resolved. The problem is that while Nero (the right) is fiddling, the country and the world are on the brink of burning. Given the current worldwide political turmoil, the last thing we need is a repeat of The Great Depression. We all know where that led to.

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Whatever the final deal is, it should not be upon the backs of the less financially fortunate. The 1% does not need another megayacht or a penthouse in a foreign city that they only visit twice a year. What they need to do is pay their fair share in taxes.

What many on the other side of the aisle like to forget is that under the former guy, our national deficit rose dramatically. Moreover, in recent history, Democratic Presidents have paid the bills while Republican Presidents added to the bills.

Speaking of June 1st, Pride Month starts next week. Seeing an opportunity to expand their customer base, many large retailers are selling clothing and other items. But due to the hateful reactions of some consumers, Target has removed some of its merchandise from the sales floor. If these people don’t like what Target (or any other store) is selling, they have the right to shop elsewhere. What they don’t have the right to do is destroy private property and threaten staff.

Just another day in America.

P.S. Today is the anniversary of the mass shooting at Uvalde. I wish that we didn’t have to commemorate this day, but we have to.

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Things That Make Me Angry: The Anniversary of the Buffalo Shooting and Nakba Day

Hate should have no place in this world. It turns us against one another and forces unnecessary destruction of property and life.

This past Sunday was the first anniversary of the shooting in Buffalo. It is a remembrance that no one wanted or needed. But because we allow racism to persist and refuse to enact reasonable gun control laws, 10 people lost their lives.

Earlier this week, the 75th anniversary Nakba Day was “commemorated” by the United Nations and pushed in the halls of Congress by Rashida Tlaib.

Instead of getting on my soapbox, I’m going to let the experts do the talking.

At the end of the day, the only way to end racism and prejudice is to face the truth and see one another as human beings. Until then, we will continue to destroy one another over superficialities.

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The Right Has Blood on Their Hands: 8 People Killed in Texas Mall Massacre Yesterday

Going to the mall on a lazy Saturday afternoon is a perfectly acceptable way to get out of the house for a few hours. Whether it is to meet with friends and get a bite to eat or to do some shopping, there is nothing out of the ordinary about it. There is also nothing out of the ordinary for innocent lives to be taken in a mass shooting.

Yesterday, at least 8 people were killed by a gunman at a mall in Texas.

The Republicans have blood on their hands. While they make excuses and kiss the asses of their NRA backers, Americans continue to die for no reason.

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How much is enough? How many more will die before something is done? When will our lives be worth more than the deep-pocketed donors?

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It’s the F*cking Guns, Stupid: Another School Shooting in America

Since school shootings have become the norm, there have been numerous questions about what leads to them and what can prevent them. The answer (as anyone with a brain would realize) is gun control laws.

Yesterday morning started as normal for the staff and students at the Covenant School in Nashville. By the time the school bell would have rung to announce the end of the day, three children and three adults were dead. The accused killer (whose name will not be used on this blog and who took their own life) is transgender.

Of course, the right took advantage of this opportunity to once more demonize the LGBTQ community based on the actions of one person. Though this person bucks the trend of not being a heterosexual Caucasian male, their actions are just as reprehensible.

Though the Republicans can point to any number of reasons: drag queens, being gay, banned books, etc, the truth is that these are smoke screens. It has everything to do with the fact they care more about their NRA overlords’ donors than the lives of the next generation. This includes their “outrage” about the ATF‘s possible creation of a national gun registry.

It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to understand what needs to be done. What it does take is those at the top valuing the lives of everyday Americans (and their children) over those who line their pockets.

P.S. Did you hear about Marjorie Taylor Greene‘s attempt to stop an ATF official from doing their job and inspecting a gun store? If we require drivers to earn a license before getting behind the wheel and send health inspectors into restaurants to ensure that the kitchen is sanitary, why can’t we do the same for establishments that sell firearms?

Republican Fuckery Part X: The Mall Shooting in TX, the Train Accident in East Palestine, The Lies That Fox News Tell & Nikki Haley is Running for President

The purpose of a democracy is to allow differing opinions to exist in one space. The point is to allow everyone to speak without fear of retribution. But once all is said and done, the hopeful end is sort of agreement.

Last week, the sound of gunfire was heard in a mall in Texas. One person was killed and three were injured. Where is Greg Abbott? I know it is foolish to ask, but it has to be said. Is so concerned about his base and his donors that the lives of ordinary Texans are secondary?

One of the major headlines of the past week was the train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio. The long-term environmental impact of the hazardous chemicals that have seeped into the ground and the town’s water supply is unknown at this moment.

While other politicians immediately stepped forward, the state’s newest Senator, J.D. Vance took his sweet time to speak up. This makes me wonder where his priorities are. Is his focus on the voters and making sure that the regulations are in place to keep them safe and healthy? Or is he prioritizing the lies and half-truths of the Republican party?

The big revelation coming from the right over the last few days is that the good people at Fox News knew that the claim that the 2020 Presidential election was rigged is a lie. Instead of admitting to the public what they knew, they went ahead with it. Their ratings are more important than anything else.

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And finally, the opening bell of the 2024 Presidential election has been rung. Former South Carolina Governor and UN Ambassador Nikki Haley have announced that she is running for President. While on paper, she comes off as reasonable and closer to the political center than others in her party.

The problem is that the paper is far from opaque. Specifically, when she called out the 1619 Project while confusing Danielle Moodie with the project’s creator, Nikole Hannah Jones. Anyone with a brain can see that they look nothing alike.

G-d help this country if the right gets their way.

Republican Fuckery Part VIII: Ilhan Omar Removed From Committees, the AR 15 Pins, and the Texas Ice Storm

The American government is supposed to be of the people, by the people, and for the people. It is not supposed to be for the 1%, the lobbyists, and those who think that they can buy their way into power.

Last week, Ilhan Omar was removed from her committee assignments by the Republican leadership. Their reasoning was her previous antisemitic comments. One could argue that the argument is legitimate. However, given the fact that Marjorie Taylor Greene made the comment about Jewish space lasers a few years ago, their rationale is toothless.

In light of the many (and I mean far too many) mass shootings that have occurred in this country, the right has once again shown its true colors. A number of Congresspeople have been seen wearing small pins in the shapes of AR-15 rifles. It is clear to me that they value power over the lives of ordinary Americans.

According to news reports coming out of Texas, another ice storm blanketed the state. Thousands of residents were without power as the temperature dropped to less than 30 degrees. This is not the first time that the power has gone out during a storm such as this.

Just another reason to vote for the Democrats.

P.S. It is possible to get along and get stuff done in Congress, even when those you are working with have opposing political views. On Monday, the final segment of The Brian Lehrer Show, two members of the New York delegation were interviewed about congestion pricing. One is red and one is blue. It is proof that it is possible for our government to be fuctional. But in order for that to happen, divisions need to be set aside.

The Confluence of Hate & the Lack of Gun Control: the Shooting in Colorado Springs

The purpose of going to a nightclub is to get out for a night and get away from the daily grind. Have a drink, hang out with friends, dance, and maybe meet that special someone.

Last night, a gunman opened fire in an LGBTQ nightclub in Colorado Springs. 5 people were killed and another 25 were injured. Thankfully, the accused was stopped before any more lives could be taken.

Just like the shooting at the Orlando nightclub in 2016, this location was chosen because of its patrons. The reason these people are dead is simply that they were being themselves.

I can’t help but wonder if our gun control laws were tighter if the five people who are now dead would have returned home in one piece.

But we will never know, will we?

May their memory be a blessing. Z”L.

Thoughts and Prayers – A Randy Rainbow Song Parody

Mass shootings have unfortunately become part and parcel of the daily news cycle. There are two responses that we have become accustomed are the following: thoughts and prayers, and demands for gun control.

Randy Rainbow‘s new video addresses this dichotomy as only he can.

Using the song Dance: Ten, Looks: Three from the musical A Chorus Line, he calls out the usual bullshit response from the right when lives are unnecessarily lost to gun violence.

We all know what needs to be done. The question is, are those in power willing to step up, or will they once more bow down to their NRA donors?

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It Wouldnt be the 4th of July Without a Mass Shooting

These days, it would appear that not a day would go by without at least one mass shooting.

Not even on our nation’s birthday are we safe.

In Highland Park, Illinois, a man opened fire during a 4th of July parade. By the time he was apprehended, six people were dead, and many more were rushed to area hospitals.

The equation is simple: common-sense gun control laws=saving lives. The purpose of this legislation is not to limit firearm access to those who are only active-duty military or law enforcement. The intention is to protect the rights of the average gun owner while making sure that those who should have access don’t get it.

But until some in this country get their heads out of the proverbial sand, we will continue to ask the same questions and mourn the unnecessary loss of life.

May the memories of those killed be a blessing. Z”L.

The Only Way to Prevent Mass Shootings is to Vote

There was another mass shooting in America yesterday.

In Chattanooga Tennessee, three people were killed and fourteen were injured when someone walked into a nightclub and started shooting on Sunday. Two of the victims died by bullets and a third died after being hit by a car while trying to escape.

The only way to end this madness is to vote in the upcoming midterms. We need politicians who support common-sense gun laws while respecting the rights of lawful firearms owners.

I am going to end this post with an op-ed by the actor Matthew McConaughey. A native of Uvalde, he speaks the cold, hard truth.

May the memories of those killed be a blessing. Z”L.

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