06 Thursday Aug 2020
Posted in social media
Over two years ago:
“There should be a background check before the NRA is allowed to buy a senator.”
Today:
Juan Rivera, P.E. @Boricua_En_Maui
The NRA is in so much financial trouble they might have to start laying off Republican senators and governors.
11:23 AM · Aug 6, 2020
There you go.
Previously:
March for Our Lives – Kansas City – Theis Park – March 24, 2018 – more signs (March 25, 2018)
20 Friday Sep 2019
Posted in campaign finance, Roy Blunt, US Senate
Yesterday, in Missouri, from the mother of an elementary school student:
My 3rd-grade son just said this.
“If an intruder ever comes to my school, and if I don’t have any place to hide, I will just give up. I will let him kill me.”
Roy Blunt (r) [2016 file photo].
Blunt’s budget bill omits $50 million for gun violence study favored by Democrats
By Bryan Lowry
September 18, 2019 02:29 PM, Updated September 19, 2019 11:35 AMSenate Republicans are pursuing a federal health budget that omits funding for gun violence research, a proposal that Sen. Roy Blunt warns is too “controversial.”
[….]
Do you wonder why?
Which lawmakers got the most NRA money?
By Soo Rin Kim Feb 20, 2018, 8:51 PM ET
[….]
Sen. Roy Blunt: $4.5 million
Sen. Roy Blunt, R-Mo., has long been one of the biggest beneficiaries of NRA money. Not only has the group donated $56,500 to Blunt’s campaign committee over the years, the group has also spent $1.4 million bankrolling ads supporting him. The NRA also spent $2.5 million in 2016 opposing Democrat Jason Kander’s bid against the Missouri Republican.
[….]
Too soon? Too controversial?
Just excuses.
02 Monday Sep 2019
Posted in social media
Tags
gun violence, guns, Jason Kander, missouri, NRA, social media, Twitter
Yesterday, via Twitter:
Jason Kander @JasonKander
We’ve already won the argument over guns. The vast majority of Americans want sweeping reforms.We don’t need new arguments. We need new elected officials.
10:18 AM · Sep 1, 2019
Jason Kander (D) [2016 file photo].
Some of the comments are toxic.
Welcome to America in 2019.
01 Sunday Sep 2019
Posted in social media
Tags
4th Congressional District, facebook, FEC, Federal Election Commission, gun violence, guns, missouri, NRA, social media, Texas, Vicky Hartzler
Certainly thoughts and prayers are having no effect.
Representative Vicky Hartzler (r) [2018 file photo].
From Representative Vicky Hartzler (r) on Facebook:
I’m truly heartbroken over the heinous shooting in Texas today. Events like these are a reminder that cold, cruel reality can show up at anytime. It reminds us to hold our loved ones close and to always pray for our neighbors and our community.
Now more than ever, it’s time for America to have an honest discussion on the causes of these horrific events.
As these events too frequently dominate the headlines, I urge my colleagues to address the core problems that lead to these senseless acts of violence – addressing the pervasive mental health issues in our country, having an open dialogue about motivators of hatred and violence against other fellow Americans, and stopping criminals from illegally obtaining guns. Above all, we need to re-embrace values of life, respect, and the intrinsic worth of every human being.
Like clockwork.
Some of the responses:
Thought , prayers, mental illness.
How about we have background checks on private sales ? I also think we need a Red Flag law in every state 72 hour hold on your weapons if you are talking self harm or hurting others.
I have known a lot of people with mental health issues. I’m not afraid of them. I’m afraid of people who own guns and feel empowered to use them. Don’t hide, Rep. Hartzler, behind a party line. Be an independent thinker and work to protect Americans from gun violence.
You did nothing to address this issue the whole time you were on your break. You are always heartbroken but never willing to take any action. You talk about mental health but represent a state that is one of the worst for people getting access to healthcare. When will you be willing to do something besides post about it?
I think we need to do more than pray.
Y’all cut funding at CDC for mental health, so once again your concern about how mental health is playing a roll in all the mass shootings is nothing more than a party talking point! I want a BAN ON ALL ASSAULT WEAPONS! I WANT UNIVERSAL BACKGROUND CHECKS! Pretty simple steps that YOU refuse to initiate or endorse!
Crocodile tears.
Respect for life is all but gone from pur society. Kids watch violence and play violet games from the time they are toddlers. Then we expect them to grow up compassionate humans. We need to address what gets put into the minds of people, the lack of parenting, drugs, bullying, and so much more. Mental illness is a part of the equation and getting the fear out of being open is a huge obstacle.
Uh, people in other countries consume video games at a higher rate than Americans, and yet their gun violence rates are significantly lower. You think it’s the water, maybe?
That last statement is truly laughable given your record.
How would you know the underlying factors? The CDC can’t effectively study the problem because of people like you. Those with mental health challenges have been shown through research to NOT be any more likely to conduct mass murder. The NRA owns you.
You have an opportunity to enact common sense solutions to this challenge based on evidence.
You choose to do nothing.
Blah, blah, blah…. Your party FAILED to do ANYTHING after 20 BABIES were slaughtered in Connecticut. Not just shot, their bodies were blown to bits.. Live with that… THEY voted DOWN legislation that the people of this country wanted passed..
So, are you now for background checks? I can’t tell by the way you characterized the problem.
–
From the evidence available, it’s perceived racial superiority that motivates most of the mass shooters.
Vickie. These shooters do not have mental health diagnoses
Children are in cages – “re-embrace values…worth of every human being.” Umm
How about you start with an honest actual townhall, and then start to enact some GUN CONTROL? Oh wait, the NRA controls you.
How about telling McConnell to bring the house bills to the floor for a vote? Your party refusing to do anything is a BIG part of the problem.
Let the CDC and others actually study the situation and PROVE the connection to mental health … oh – right – they have – there isn’t one.
Hint: IT’S GUNS, VICKY
You’re a joke. You have no spine. How about a #townhall to talk about gun violence and real solutions, like background checks on every sale?
You don’t appear to care about life or you would stop cutting food stamps, encourage MO leaders to expand Medicaid, and impeach Trump before he starts WW3.
Did the NRA write this for you?
Well, someone asked.
From the Federal Election Commission (FEC):
NATIONAL RIFLE ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA POLITICAL VICTORY FUND VICKY HARTZLER FOR CONGRESS PRIMARY VA 06/05/2019 $1,000.00
NATIONAL RIFLE ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA POLITICAL VICTORY FUND VICKY HARTZLER FOR CONGRESS GENERAL VA 07/26/2018 $1,000.00
NATIONAL RIFLE ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA POLITICAL VICTORY FUND VICKY HARTZLER FOR CONGRESS PRIMARY VA 12/29/2017 $1,000.00
NATIONAL RIFLE ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA POLITICAL VICTORY FUND VICKY HARTZLER FOR CONGRESS GENERAL VA 10/07/2016 $1,000.00
NATIONAL RIFLE ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA POLITICAL VICTORY FUND VICKY HARTZLER FOR CONGRESS PRIMARY VA 05/04/2015 $1,000.00
NATIONAL RIFLE ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA POLITICAL VICTORY FUND VICKY HARTZLER FOR CONGRESS PRIMARY VA 04/26/2014 $1,000.00
NATIONAL RIFLE ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA POLITICAL VICTORY FUND VICKY HARTZLER FOR CONGRESS PRIMARY VA 10/17/2013 $1,000.00
NATIONAL RIFLE ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA POLITICAL VICTORY FUND VICKY HARTZLER FOR CONGRESS PRIMARY VA 06/27/2012 $1,000.00
NATIONAL RIFLE ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA POLITICAL VICTORY FUND VICKY HARTZLER FOR CONGRESS PRIMARY VA 06/27/2011 $1,000.00
Like clockwork.
09 Friday Aug 2019
Tags
gun violence, guns, Kansas City, MCC, missouri, NRA, Penn Valley, town hall
“…Raise your hand if you’ve lost a loved one to violence. Just raise your hand. Keep your hand up. Raise your hand if you know someone who’s lost a loved one. Keep your hand up. Look around. Just look around…” [almost everyone in the room of around 250 people had a raised hand]
Wednesday evening on the Penn Valley campus of the Metropolitan Community Colleges Representative Emanuel Cleaver (D) hosted a town hall of sorts on gun violence. The community event included elected officials, law enforcement officials, and leaders of community groups.
Damon Daniel, Ad-Hoc Group Against Crime.
Damon Daniel, Ad-Hoc Group Against Crime:
…I think it’s important for us to stop and recognize the fact that you don’t know what people are going through. And when you talk about the issue of violence people are walking around the city, next to you, they’re your neighbors, they’re the folks that wait on you at the cash register, these are the folks that teach in your classroom, these are the students in your classrooms, these are folks at your pharmacy, these are the folks that pull up at the light next to you that are hurting. And as some people say ‘hurt people sometimes hurt people.’ But healed people heal people as well…
…The vision that I have is a vision where people, especially young people can grow up with an understanding of the value of forgiveness. And that they know and understand how to resolve conflict without violence. I have a vision that one day Congress will pass common sense gun legislation that puts people before profits…
Previously:
On Gun Violence – Kansas City – August 7, 2019 (August 8, 2019)
Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker (D): On Gun Violence – Kansas City – August 7, 2019 (August 8, 2019)
Rep. Emanuel Cleaver (D): Press Availability – On Gun Violence – Kansas City – August 7, 2019 (August 8, 2019)
Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas: On Gun Violence – Kansas City – August 7, 2019 (August 9, 2019)
Judy Sherry: On Gun Violence – Kansas City – August 7, 2019 (August 9, 2019)
Rashid Junaid: On Gun Violence – Kansas City – August 7, 2019 (August 9 2019)
09 Friday Aug 2019
Posted in Town Hall
Tags
Aim 4Peace, gun violence, guns, Kansas City, MCC, missouri, NRA, Penn Valley, Rahid Junaid, town hall
“…I see so many mothers crying on crime scenes, ‘they killed my baby’. But we have to tell the truth, your baby didn’t know how to resolve conflicts. Your baby can’t jut hit somebody and expect their response to be, ‘okay, that’s okay’. We have to teach our young people conflict resolution…”
Wednesday evening on the Penn Valley campus of the Metropolitan Community Colleges Representative Emanuel Cleaver (D) hosted a town hall of sorts on gun violence. The community event included elected officials, law enforcement officials, and leaders of community groups.
Rashid Junaid, Aim 4Peace.
Rashid Junaid, Aim 4Peace:
…You can’t run from it. You gotta deal with this. Today. [applause] So they first shot at experiences of the trauma that we see happening in our community, we gotta deal with it. We gotta make sure we get the proper help to these families…
…So I’m saying conflict resolution. I’m saying trauma informed care. And I’m saying the third thing, it ain’t free…
Previously:
On Gun Violence – Kansas City – August 7, 2019 (August 8, 2019)
Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker (D): On Gun Violence – Kansas City – August 7, 2019 (August 8, 2019)
Rep. Emanuel Cleaver (D): Press Availability – On Gun Violence – Kansas City – August 7, 2019 (August 8, 2019)
Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas: On Gun Violence – Kansas City – August 7, 2019 (August 9, 2019)
Judy Sherry: On Gun Violence – Kansas City – August 7, 2019 (August 9, 2019)
09 Friday Aug 2019
Posted in Town Hall
Tags
Grandparents Against Gun Violence, gun violence, guns, Judy Sherry, Kansas City, MCC, missouri, NRA, Penn Valley, town hall
“…After Sandy Hook we were all quite sure that something would be done. Now is the time. Something would be done. And nothing was done…”
Wednesday evening on the Penn Valley campus of the Metropolitan Community Colleges Representative Emanuel Cleaver (D) hosted a town hall of sorts on gun violence. The community event included elected officials, law enforcement officials, and leaders of community groups.
Judy Sherry, Grandparents Against Gun Violence.
Judy Sherry, Grandparents Against Gun Violence:
…We’re already hearing the usual responses from those unwilling to face the facts about gun violence. Of course, mental health and video games ae to blame for these horrendous events. And background checks simply don’t work. But data tells us something different. What we know is just four percent of gun crimes are committed by people with known diagnosed mental illness. Now we would certainly say that anybody who commits one of these crimes is, at that moment, mentally unfit. But these, this is not an invasion, not an issue of people all over the country afflicted with mental health issues that are causing the gun violence. We know video games, they’re played the world over. Yet we know that Americans are twenty-two times more likely to be killed with a gun than people in any other developed nation. That’s a crime. I’m beginning to wonder if we get to say ‘developed nation’ too much longer. That is a crime. And background checks? No, they don’t always work. But speed limits don’t always work either. I’m here to tell you that. But we don’t say, ‘let’s not have speed limits anymore’ because some people break the law. You just do it…
Previously:
On Gun Violence – Kansas City – August 7, 2019 (August 8, 2019)
Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker (D): On Gun Violence – Kansas City – August 7, 2019 (August 8, 2019)
Rep. Emanuel Cleaver (D): Press Availability – On Gun Violence – Kansas City – August 7, 2019 (August 8, 2019)
Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas: On Gun Violence – Kansas City – August 7, 2019 (August 9, 2019)
09 Friday Aug 2019
Posted in Town Hall
Tags
gun violence, guns, Kansas City, Mayor, MCC, missouri, NRA, Penn Valley, Quinton Lucas, town hall
“…What they’re trying to do is tell you, stop worrying about guns. What they’re trying to do is tell you, nah, nah, you’re not empowered to make a difference…”
Wednesday evening on the Penn Valley campus of the Metropolitan Community Colleges Representative Emanuel Cleaver (D) hosted a town hall of sorts on gun violence. The community event included elected officials, law enforcement officials, and leaders of community groups.
Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas.
Mayor Lucas:
…What you are seeing on the streets, and I know there are a lot of victims, there are a lot of people touched, but I know in the community I’m from you are seeing nothing less, nothing short of a mass genocide. Right? You are seeing nothing short of a devaluing of lives, particularly in black lives. And what we’re seeing in our community is consistently, year after year, is people that are trying to tell us that doesn’t matter. That it doesn’t need to change. What I’m saying right now is, no, it does. It does…
…You know what I want the next group of people to say [in the future]? To say, wow, it’s different now…
Previously:
On Gun Violence – Kansas City – August 7, 2019 (August 8, 2019)
Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker (D): On Gun Violence – Kansas City – August 7, 2019 (August 8, 2019)
Rep. Emanuel Cleaver (D): Press Availability – On Gun Violence – Kansas City – August 7, 2019 (August 8, 2019)
08 Thursday Aug 2019
Posted in Town Hall
Tags
5th Congressional District, Emanuel Cleaver, gun violence, guns, Kansas City, MCC, missouri, NRA, Penn Valley, town hall
Yesterday evening on the Penn Valley campus of the Metropolitan Community Colleges Representative Emanuel Cleaver (D) hosted a town hall of sorts on gun violence. The community event included elected officials, law enforcement officials, and leaders of community groups. Approximately 250 individuals and members of activist groups from the Kansas City metropolitan area attended. Media from the Kansas City metropolitan area covered the two hour long town hall.
“Do something”
“We must stop killing each other”
Patty Lewis (left), a Democratic Party candidate in the 25th Legislative District.
Representative Ashley Bland Manlove (D).
Patty Lewis (left), a Democratic Party candidate in the 25th legislative District, and Elad Gross (right), a Democratic Party candidate for Missouri Attorney General.
Representative Richard Brown (D).
Kansas City, Missouri Police Department Chief Richard Smith (left), Representative Emanuel Cleaver (D) (center), and Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker (D) (right).
Speakers included Representative Cleaver (D), MCC Chancellor Dr. Kimberly Beatty, Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas, Kansas City Police Chief Richard Smith, Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker, and the leadership (and members) of Moms Demand Action – Missouri, Grandparents against Gun Violence, Mothers in Charge, March for Our Lives – KC, Aim 4Peace, and the Ad-Hoc Group Against Crime.
05 Monday Aug 2019
Posted in Uncategorized
Tags
4th Congressional District, California, Dayton, El Paso, Gilroy, gun violence, missouri, NRA, Ohio, Texas, Vicky Hartzler
In 2017 Japan had one of the lowest rates of death by gun violence in the world, 0.04 per 100,000 people. In the same year the rate of death by gun violence in the United States was 4.43 per 100,000 people. The data excluded deaths in armed conflict and by self harm.
Japan, among several other countries, has a higher per capita spending rate on video games than the United States.
In 2012:
Ten-country comparison suggests there’s little or no link between video games and gun murders
By Max Fisher
December 17, 2012
…video game consumption, based on international data, does not seem to correlate at all with an increase in gun violence. That countries where video games are popular also tend to be some of the world’s safest (probably because these countries are stable and developed, not because they have video games). And we also have learned, once again, that America’s rate of firearm-related homicides is extremely high for the developed world…
Rep. Vicky Hartzler (r) [2016 file photo].
A statement from Representative Vicky Hartzler (r):
Hartzler Statement on Weekend Shootings
August 5, 2019 Press Release“The murders in Texas and Ohio this weekend are symptoms of a culture of violence and anger that is gripping America. From entertainment and video games that consume the attention of our young people to murder in our cities, violence is pervasive in America and must be addressed. We cannot continue to turn a blind eye to the glorification of violence and murder in our society today, and our efforts to address mental health issues have just begun. My husband and I are deeply saddened at the loss of life and grieve for the families of the victims.”
“…From entertainment and video games that consume the attention of our young people to murder in our cities, violence is pervasive in America and must be addressed…”
Nope, it’s not video games. What could it be?
In a study published in 2000 (using data from 1993 and 1994):
Firearm Availability and Homicide Rates across 26 High Income Countries [pdf]
David Hemenway, PhD, and Matthew Miller, MD, MPH, ScDOf all developed nations, the United States has the most privately owned guns, and the highest rates of homicide. Approximately two thirds of murder victims in the United States are killed with a gun.
[….]
Table 1 Homicide Rates for 26 High-Income Countries
Country Year Population (in thousands) Total Homicide Rate per 100,000 Suicides with a Firearm (%)
United States 1993 257,783 9.93 60.9
[….]
Japan 1994 124,069 0.62 0.2[….]
…Results from our simple regressions of 26 developed nations show a highly significant positive correlation between total homicide rates and both proxies for gun availability…
…In our analysis, we find, for industrialized countries, a very strong and highly significant association between gun availability levels and total homicide rates. The relationship holds even though the number of observations is fairly small (n = 26) and the measures of gun availability are only proxies. The relationship does not seem to be attributable entirely to the United States—which has more guns and more homicides than other developed nations—because the results often hold when the United States is excluded from the analysis. More guns are associated with more homicides across industrialized countries.
“…We cannot continue to turn a blind eye to the glorification of violence and murder in our society today…”
There’s glorification going on all right. Take a look at the NRA.
Try again.
