Ted Cruz blames doors.
Governor Abbott blames his lack of mental health services.
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Readers know that my attitude about guns is that I am for disarmament.
Hunters that get pleasure from shooting animals in the wild? Find another hobby.
Take up fishing.
At this point I’m for some gun reform.
Any gun reform.
One gun reform.
If one classroom of kids is saved by background checks, I say go for it.
If we can reduce the death toll by guns among kids under 19 years old (which is the leading cause of adolescent death in the U.S.) by 10% next year because of background checks?
Go for it. We can work on something more for the following year.
But spineless and gun zealot electeds won’t even do that even though the most recent Gallup poll says 90% of Americans would support background checks.
Texas Senator Ted Cruz, who will be speaking this week to the National Rifle Association along with Donald Trump, blames doors for school shootings.
“One of the things that everyone agreed is don’t have all of these unlocked back doors,” Cruz told Fox News.
Everyone?
What the hell is a school back door? Has Cruz even been to a school lately?
If you haven’t visited a school lately, let me tell you that there are fewer and fewer now that aren’t fortresses against the world around them. Cameras at the main entrance. Buzzers to get in. Air locks to get in after you get in.
At least for schools that can afford it.
Millions of dollars that are spent on security that could go to teaching and learning.
At a Wednesday press conference, Texas Governor Greg Abbott argued that tougher gun laws aren't a "real solution."
"People who think maybe we can implement tough gun laws and we can solve it -- Chicago, New York and LA disprove that thesis. Chicago teaches you that what you are talking about isn't a real solution," Abbott said.
Abbott also said there are continuing discussions about how to address people with mental health challenges in the state.
Pointing the finger at Chicago I was kind of reminded of when President Trump called Haiti and countries in Africa, “shit holes.”
In fact, a Republican candidate for Illinois governor called Chicago a “hell hole” the other day.
Let me tell you about Chicago.
Chicago’s gun deaths and shootings are awful no matter how many there are and they are at a record level.
As they are across the nation.
Guns here are too easy to get.
Many guns come across the border from Indiana and no matter how tough the City’s gun laws are, nobody can stop the flow.
It’s a federal problem that demands a federal response.
And I certainly agree that local, state and federal failure to adequately fund mental health programs is a problem.
But it was a problem a week ago.
Where was Governor Abbott’s funding for mental health programs then?
It pisses me off that the Republicans are using a real issue like funding for mental health programs to divert the implementation of effective gun laws.
What do you call someone with serious mental health issues that might make them a danger to others in a country with fully funded mental health programs that are widely available and who can’t get their hands on an AR15?
A patient.
Nothing will change, except different thoughts and prayers, until Congresspeople themselves, directly feel the pain of the parents of Uvalde. Tropism, I believe it is called.
A HUGE reason for the gun violence in Chicago--which is enormously different than school shootings/the school shooting in Uvalde, abbott (not deserving of capitalization or the title of governor)--began an # of years ago, when rahm (happily & undeservedly ensconced in Japan) closed 50+ community schools & closed mental health clinics in Chicago. A double whammy for Chicago Public School students & their families. The Chgo. Teachers Union warned this would cause violence, increase in gang memberships because, if children have broken families at home (esp. w/adults desperately seeking mental health assistance, & not getting it), they have been getting it at the schools in their communities: love from teachers, staff (custodians, cafeteria workers,para-pros), social workers, librarians (in schools that had libraries), nurses, coaches & principals/administrators. Schools that hosted after hours activities, sports, music programs, art, tutoring. Schools now long gone. So--where did the children go, who became their "family?" Gangs. Like a brotherhood. & then--double whammy--COVID--NO schools open. Parents & family members getting sick, dying. So, abbott, quite a different situation than a school massacre.
No pointing fingers at Chicago, Illinois or ANYWHERE else. Your sickening attitude--guns for all & all for guns--caused this tragedy. abbott, ted cruz, john cornyn & your ick & ilk are to blame & are totally responsible. But you are holding your slavish adoration of the NRA event, where guns AREN'T ALLOWED.
One last word: if this getting-to-be-commonplace-event tells us nothing else, it is for all of us to do our homework. VOTE like our lives depend upon it. Vote for candidates who have a track record on gun violence prevention & legislation: we have MANY great legislators in IL (look at Gov. Pritzker--a REAL Governor--who just signed the bill banning ghost guns in IL). IL State Sen. Ram Villivalam, author of recent GVP legislation which passed. Knock on doors & help campaign & help ALL of our incumbents (& vote those out who voted against GVP bills) who care for & protected IL citizens by sponsoring & passing GVP legislation. AND--if you have no understanding of the F.R.O. (Firearms Restraining Order)--contact your local police, pro-GVP legislator, Moms Demand Action local or (easier) go to speakforsafetyil.org & learn this law, & learn it well. It's been in effect since 2018, I believe.