I was thinking that too, I can’t imagine how hard it will be for him, having just met with the families, to then go out and speak publicly. I admire his strength a great deal. Let’s all say a prayer for him right now, and perhaps lend him a little bit of ours.
This one is going to be hard, I know Df. Yet given the way things happen slowly with this Congress and given their allegiances, I’m not too hopeful they’ll move to put a lid on this type of violence right away.
Me too, DF. There is so much grief one human being can endure. That’s why I am so angry at the people who are yelling at him at the time when he has all the weight of this horrific event on his shoulders.
Meta, I just wrote this in response to your tweet about arming teachers as the proposed “solution”, then saw the new post, so bringing it over.
This is what one of my nephews said in response to a post of mine on FB. I’m not sure whether to bother trying to have a conversation or not. How do they picture this? Does the principal walk around with an automatic weapon slung on her shoulder? If not, she’s not going to be able to run and get it without getting killed. And where does she get it from? Her desk, the shelf, the closet? Is it just lying around handy in case someone suffering from mental illness and able to buy any gun he wants shows up? Most people, if suddenly confronted with a mad man with a semi-automatic weapon, would never be able to get a gun, aim right at the guy, and shoot it to subdue. What strange, macho dream world are they living in? Do we include combat training in the curriculum of teachers colleges? Make sure we have kindergarten teachers prepared to shoot to kill? Does she keep the gun in a handy cubby? Do these people really want to live in a world where everyone is armed? My nephew is in Afghanistan, God love him — does he want every Afghani he meets to have a concealed way to kill him? I bet not.
But yet Bloomberg is going to get on tv and attack the President. I don’t like that one bit. There is a way of saying what you want to say without having to try to act like President Obama doesn’t care about gun control, without trying to blame him.
If you’re online, watch it online. I tried watching CNN, and ran away from Wolf’s incessant silly blathering. He’s just offensive in his insensitivity.
Yes! Yes! Yes! Still have to be sharing my bathroom because the contractor/plumber ran into ‘difficulties’, but that’s no – thing in the grand scheme of things.
Congrats! Of course you had great incentive, Ms Chips – Pres O was going to speak in Connecticut and you had to be here for him to give emotional support. That kind of incentive was guaranteed to pull you through your ‘chores’ faster than normal.
Hi Everyone, there is a great movie called “Amazing Grace” tells of the legislative achievement by William Wilberforce’s campaign against slave trade in the British Empire, I believe something similar could be used to bring great changes to the abuse of the 2nd amendment and gun mentality insanity enforced by the NRA.
If its not possible to go after actual guns, or bullets, some other component of the gun manufacturing process could be legislated that would make the actual weaponry or availability difficult so you see in a short space of time, the gun trade is impacted by economics and declines to the point that it is no longer a threat to a person’s life.
I wrote to both Senators from my state and I shared this as well:
” One Hundred Years From Now”
“One hundred years from now,
It won’t matter what car I drove,
What kind of house I lived in,
How much I had in my bank account,
Nor what my clothes looked like;
But, the world may be a little better
Because I was important in the life
of
a
Child.”
Author: Unknown
I had this on my desk facing me each day during my teaching career. Now it is in my home next to my official photo in my last classroom where I taught.
Remember the children, the parents, and the teachers this day and each day going forward. Prayers for our beloved President as he speaks.HZ
Someone posted this on a previous thread. I found it very powerful. I repost for those who may not have seen it. This slaughter has touched hearts around the world. “20 Moving Pictures of the World Grieving for Sandy Hook”
Funny you say that. I thought him a bit odd. When asked if PBO coming would help he murmured that help was in God or some strange thing. Thjey even had him on twice. Cold persona.
Just saw a tweet about this on twitter. We’re not the only ones. Left MSNBC because of him. Just because someone wears the title minister does not mean he or she knows the first thing about Christ.
I thought so too. It was really weird when he told the reporter that, “it’s not quite as surprising that such acts happen, because that is the sinfulness of a man’s heart, it is not a inherent goodness but inherent wickedness, and that is why people like this would do such a tragic act.” Hmm…what is he talking about?
I really feel for Mr Carney and the entire WH Team – you can just imagine how grief stricken they all are and they have to work through every moment of all of this and they do so with supreme dignity and professionalism.
@PressSec we realize the horror in all of this Mr Carney and our respect for the entire WH Team is unbounded. Thank you for your service.
I don’t know if it’s true, but I read a report that Jay was really shaken and held the hand of Alyssa Mastromonaco (Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations in WH) during PBO’s statement in the briefing room.
watching these folks hugging & holding each other and frankly my stance is- get rid of all the guns. Start now. Having the right to own a gun cannot supercede the life of one person, let alone one child. I said the other day when this first happened- no one can be trusted with a gun. No one.
I read the other day that less than 1/2 of Americans own guns (legally).. that makes the majority of us do not – and I think that is a very good sign, that we can begin to change things. I hope.
me too. I was in the army and just now thinking that out of hundreds of us on the gun range- we had one person who nearly went off- she pointed a loaded m16 at a drill sgt. My point being is that it only takes one person with a gun who can’t control himself.. as I said no one should have a gun.
Me too. All over my facebook feed are people saying “gun people immediately jumped to the conclusion that we want to ban all guns but we don’t!” But I do. I want to ban them all. I know they think this will get the gun people to ease up, but I don’t care.
I wish the First Lady was here too with President Obama, providing her great hugging arms. In light of what has happened she likely decided to stay home and hug her girls instead.
Yes indeed, meta! They are all cowards. This is especially the case for two Senators: John McCain and Lindsey Graham who can’t get enough of being in front of the camera.
As I’m waiting to hear the President, I was thinking of this old prayer. Many of us remember reciting it as little children. Some parents began to think years and years ago that it was too frightening. If we don’t do something about gun violence, we might as well bring it up to date … sadly, I added a couple of lines:
Now I lay me down to sleep
I pray the Lord my soul to keep
If I should die before I wake
I pray the Lord my soul to take
If I go to school and am shot tomorrow
I hope you’ll remember me in your sorrow.
I was taught that prayer too, but when I got older and looked back on it, it seemed like a cruel prayer to teach a child— “if I should die before I wake”
A couple of years ago, our home was broken into and we were burglarized.
One of the things stolen was my laptop. Now, my laptop had LoJack on it, so in about six months after it had been sold to someone, the LoJack clicked on and we were able to recover it.
I went to the police station to retrieve it. And what the detective said shocked me.
She said that what she would recommend—as long as I knew I was capable of using it—was to buy a gun.
I just laughed it off at the time, since I would never consider buying a gun. But now, after Friday, it sickens me. That’s Wayne LaPierre’s position. It shouldn’t be the position of a police detective. More guns is not the answer.
There is also something so powerful about seeing these people of faith holding up and supporting each other as they do their work to support thier community.
Bob – Thank you. Might be time, if you’d like, to add “members” to the NRA part. It’s not just LaPierre, who holds up that organization. I understand you may not want to put down all members, because some are just normal hunters, I guess, and want better regulations, too. So maybe I’ll just leave it there.
Jacqueline, many current members of the NRA are horrified and I’ve communicated with several over the past few days who are as eager for major changes in our gun culture as we are, so adding ‘members’ would be potentially counter-productive at this time. Thank you very much.
I don’t know why this popped into my head, because I haven’t heard it for decades. But I remember words from an old soulful Hank Williams, Sr. (not Jr.), country song,
“God didn’t give you this child for no hundred thousand miles … He just think you need some sunshine and He lent it, for a while.”
I am from Canada where we’re just not that into guns and where there is not the culture of fear that there is here. After PBO was re-elected, I felt so relieved, so safe. I hate guns with a passion and I hope that Congress can at least re-instate the ban on assault weapons to begin with and go from there.
I’m from Canada also, although now a U.S. citizen. I don’t get the pro-gun activism among many citizens here either. Hopefully, President Obama and the Democrats will at least try to legislate some sensible gun control. Our children deserve better.
As usuals the cowards did not show up today maybe NRA has not given them teir matching orders to spin McCain I am talking to you Scott your love for NRA would not go un-noticed. Fox network are you going to call upon your brood the Republican party they love to be on your network to spew ignorance why are they now shy of fox news. We are not going to take this nonsense anymore
So true. So true……Anytime you can get a mere chuckle, let alone smile in the midst of all that grief and pain, you know that is a special gift that God has blessed you with so that others can be encouraged and feel the love. We are blessed.
Amen, Amen, and Amen, LDS. We are so blessed. POB has been given a most special gift from God. What I love about him is that he does not waste it. He uses it to help and comfort others. I know to some degree why First Lady , Michelle Obama fell so in love with him.
I have lived through many presidents, but President Barack Obama has been the greatest in my lifetime.HZ
Well said HZ! I’ve also lived under many presidents, 12 to be exact, but 10 as far as my conscious memory of them goes. President Barack Obama is by far the greatest in my conscious lifetime.
I’VE ALREADY GOTTEN INTO AN ARGUMENT TONITE ON FACEBACK OVER THE NRA TRASH! TO HELL WITH THOSE PEOPLE…WE NEED TO STOP THE FLOW OF ASSAULT WEAPONS OVER THE FOR SALE COUNTERS IN THIS COUNTRY WHETHER THEY LIKE IT OR NOT…20 DEAD CHILDREN SHOULD BE ENOUGH FOR ANYONE!
Yes! Our amazing president – you know he is going to get all kinds of grief from some for “going there.” Another act of integrity and courage – once again leading the way. Thank you, and protect him for all our sakes.
This is my president, and I am so grateful that by God’s grace I was able to see and hear him speak to the inner core of a heart who cares about its children. Beautiful, . Mr. President.
I have been praying all day for our president and asking God to give him wisdom with each word that he will speak. I knew he had already written the speech. I said last evening, “President Obama is going to write all or 99 percent of this speech, and it will move us who have the same heart and mind to move with him and do the ‘right thing’ for our children.
This morning, pastor preached about taking care of our children. There is no way that pastor knew what POB was writing. People, this is our time to get beside , behind, and work with POB to get this done. This was our call tonight. Let us Take Care of Our Children.
Are we going to continue to be the country to just close caskets, small and large ones, or Move Through the Halls of Congress and say, ” We want laws on gun control so we will be able to Stop the Purchasing of all of these caskets for all of these “early services of our precious young children!!!!!” No more of this painful and unnecessary services of just ‘closing caskets and moving on’…, or are we going to be a nation who takes care of our children and build longer graduating lines where our young people are receiving degrees rather than parents receiving “death certificates. I want degrees and beautiful promising and awesome young people working,living, and working with hope in our society. Good night everyone.HZ
That poured out of him from the depths of his heart, soul, and mind, didn’t it? There’s no stopping him, now! Chris Jansing on MSNBC just called it “an unexpected and forceful call to action.” Yep.
I CAN’T WAIT to see what the mealy mouthed pundits/talking heads spin is gonna be on this. I’ll bet some butt-hole is gonna say he shouldn’t have said it at this time…..Well when? After we kill some more children?
He knocked all of them off their feet with this one. They didn’t see it coming. Any of them who criticize the speech will know they are lying to themselves and the nation. Maybe now those butt-holes will also stop referring to him as the Comforter-in-Chief … we may mean that in a respectful way, but they don’t … they need to call him: Sir! (We’ve all “lived history” one more day, yes?)
Within all these prayers – I truly pray that President Obama remains safe – and I don’t think prayers are the answer to remove this love of guns – false idols indeed.
How does one keep believing in the midst of such absolute and complete horror.
Thank you LL – I so want the US to be safe – and yes I do pray they did not die in vain – perhaps that will help the parents more than anything else for the rest of their lives.
I cannot listen .. I am reading here and crying with your comments. Thank you so much for those of us who are too emotional to listen. Thank you TOD, thank you to the most wonderful President ever.
Thanks LL, I may have to pour myself a drink and replay it tomorrow. I love to hear him speak; I just can’t deal with what has happened again; I am so glad the comments above say we have had enough. This is it. No more.l
I am remembering what the B’hai person said . . . . . . . do not worry the spirits that are now free to move on . . . .
do not distract them with wailing and crying out . . . . . . they are on their way . . . . . on a new journey . . . .
It is our job, the purpose of our lives, to keep working on what we have right.here.
And we have the leader in President Obama. We have what we need.
Let us change.
See how they just become a part of him, his heart is so open and loving. I held him in the most loving thought I am capable of the entire time he was speaking. I thought I could feel the love of all of us flowing toward him, all around him, and holding him strong. I know he feels it. Every word was so right. He is so righteous. {{{{PBO}}}}
I swear, he gets his energy from the babies. He really does. Have y’all ever noticed that whenever he goes into a crowd, he never fails to find a child to see, to touch, to tease, to hug? He LOVES children. He truly does.
THE PRESIDENT’S ADDRESS WAS SO HEARTWRENCHING AND HE HAD TAKEN WORDS FROM THE VERY DEPTHS OF HIS HEARTBROKEN SOUL…BEAUTIFUL…AND YES INDEED…HE WENT WHERE HE NEEDED TO GO! GOD BLESS HIM!
I love my President Obama. He is an honest man, a man of true compassion and integrity, who is trying with all his might to fix decades of dysfunction.
I just muted MSNBC when their nincompoop Kristin Welker started talking about “what M. Bloomberg has been calling for.”
Bloomberg must own a big share of MSNBC. Or he is paying her off. This is over the top propaganda.
No sane person is thinking about anyone but the people of Newtown and PBo tonight.
This speech spoke truth. The truth of our failure as a nation to protect our children and the truth of what gives us true purpose and worth in life, the power to love and to nurture, and to protect those who need us, our children. They are all our children.
Here is a list of all recipients both Dem and Republican who have received contributions from the NRA. Let’s put real pressure on all of them. We must support the President and our Nation in this fight for our children, and for us. http://www.opensecrets.org/orgs/recips.php?cycle=2012&id=D000000082
Sabreen60, so appropriate for tonight and always. I asked Dudette9t9 to post it for us yesterday, and Dudette did so, and it set the tone as well last night. Thank you also. The song has been ringing in my ear all day. ((((((((((((((((((((((( Let us Take Care of Our Children.)))))))))))))))))))))))))))
Such a meaningful speech—-making clear what is important—-what is really important—–and signalling change——that we can no longer tolerate the status quo. Our first job, our most important role, is to do our best for our children, all of our children. Big changes are needed—–and President Obama sounded determined to do everything in his power to make that happen. A huge joint effort will be required of all of us—-that same fierce determination.
What a beautiful speech! It was full of memory for those lost as well as a measure of hope for the future. I have never seen any public figure with the stature of the president, demonstrate the ability to ask ourselves in public, why have we failed our children and how can we do better?
We have just experienced a divine order by an anointed man of God. Truly hopeful, faithful and has a personal relationship with Jehovah-Rapha,
“The Lord our healer”‘ Exodus 15:26
Thank you, God for hearing our prayers.
It is a snark account like @JokeTapper and @SnarkKnoller. it is intended to lampoon the NRA. Tweets are reporting that NRA is very angry about this fake account and are trying to shut it down without success. So relax
PBO always puts feet to his faith as the old folks used to say. Furthermore, he always show us the way. For those who have felt helpless and powerless in the past few days, take heart and join in the coming fight for our very lives and for the life of this nation. Our Community Organizer in Chief has sent out the call.
Historian Michael Beschloss just said (more or less) on MSNBC that in our history, the only two other speeches that neared this in importance were President Lyndon Johnson’s when he spoke to Congress about the violence against African-American protesters during the Civil Rights era, and Johnson, again, after Dr. King and Robert Kennedy were killed in ’68.
I truthfully have never heard historians of any persuasion make such a definitive statement within minutes of a speech. That’s why it’s called history, so they can put it in context. I’m thinking – although the issues were totally different in scale and scope – that this is a small measure of how the onlookers felt after they heard President Lincoln give his Gettysburg Address.
new yougov poll finds increased support for gun control:
‘ 50 percent of Americans say gun laws should be made more strict than they are now, compared to 43 percent who said that they should remain the same (29 percent) or be made less strict (14 percent). The poll also found support for banning semi-automatic weapons (51 percent to 33 percent) as well as magazine clips holding more than 10 rounds (54 percent to 32 percent). ‘
I was one of the people answering in that poll that said gun laws should be stricter. Hopefully this number will grow.
The president’s speech was a masterpiece…..and he gave us all our marching orders, and told us where he plans to go, and he did it gracefully and beautifully. I am so glad I lived long enough to be part of this time!
I am a student of theology and spirituality. Our President just boiled down powerfully, with simplicity and beauty the purpose of life, and our calling to live it fully as individuals and as a national community beginning with our responsibilities to our nation’s children.
Bill R. I felt complete peace when he finished his speech. I know why. I hope the parents and families there in Newtown feels that same peace. As a nation, we heard the depth of a spiritual call from a leader who talks and walks his spirituality. HZ
Oh! I”ve come to the end and just realized Utal wasn’t here – probably preparing for a ‘final’ paper or exam. There’s no way she would have missed this unless it was for something important like that.
from the economist, titled ‘the gun control that works: no guns’
‘ After a couple of horrible mass shootings in Britain, handguns and automatic weapons have been effectively banned. It is possible to own shotguns, and rifles if you can demonstrate to the police that you have a good reason to own one, such as target shooting at a gun club, or deer stalking, say. The firearms-ownership rules are onerous, involving hours of paperwork. You must provide a referee who has to answer nosy questions about the applicant’s mental state, home life (including family or domestic tensions) and their attitude towards guns. In addition to criminal-record checks, the police talk to applicants’ family doctors and ask about any histories of alcohol or drug abuse or personality disorders.
Vitally, it is also very hard to get hold of ammunition. Just before leaving Britain in the summer, I had lunch with a member of parliament whose constituency is plagued with gang violence and drug gangs. She told me of a shooting, and how it had not led to a death, because the gang had had to make its own bullets, which did not work well, and how this was very common, according to her local police commander. Even hardened criminals willing to pay for a handgun in Britain are often getting only an illegally modified starter’s pistol turned into a single-shot weapon. ‘
I didn’t have the strength to watch the speech, but did record it to watch later tonight when I can.
I thank all of you for your messages. I’ve followed it with you and felt your tears through your words.
The love our president has for children is apparent to all of us, and we know his pain is unbearable.
Please stay safe Mr. President. This country needs you.
// My husband just texted from the bar (18+ / 0-)
where he’s watching football with buddies. He said the entire place fell silent with people hanging on the President’s every word. Afterwards, everyone in the place started talking about needing to do gun control–even the Republicans. Note that I live in Virginia. Wow. //
I am in tears of agony. Rest in peace to all the lost souls. I urge everyone to please keep our President in their prayers. He will need us when he takes on the issue of gun control. The NRA is a powerful organization, and they will not concede without a fight,
A classroom size of 20 students are silenced. The six teachers who are fallen soldiers as well, who dedicated themselves to expanding minds and nurturing their students to do their best and be the best. Their deaths are not in vain. This cowardice act thrust upon us has started a chain reaction to make drastic changes immediately. Gun laws are necessary but we have to learn that a peaceful solution is always the best method in order to promote a civilized society.
Obama White House.gov
The Obama Diary 
I’m ready, as ready as I’ll ever be to remember these innocents!
am I first 🙂
I don’t want to have to see him do this again.
I was thinking that too, I can’t imagine how hard it will be for him, having just met with the families, to then go out and speak publicly. I admire his strength a great deal. Let’s all say a prayer for him right now, and perhaps lend him a little bit of ours.
This one is going to be hard, I know Df. Yet given the way things happen slowly with this Congress and given their allegiances, I’m not too hopeful they’ll move to put a lid on this type of violence right away.
It needs to stop.It just needs to stop. We can never be an exceptional country if this kind of madness continues
So true. As I said somewhere, I’m hoping THIS one galvanizes a majority of Americans to KEEP PUSHING Congress with the ‘it needs to stop’ message.
Once again, it is up to all of us.
In this political climate – ALWAYS.
It’s so brutally emotional and unbearably sad every time.
Me too, DF. There is so much grief one human being can endure. That’s why I am so angry at the people who are yelling at him at the time when he has all the weight of this horrific event on his shoulders.
I send my love and admiration to our dearest President Obama in this hour of grief.
Meta, I just wrote this in response to your tweet about arming teachers as the proposed “solution”, then saw the new post, so bringing it over.
This is what one of my nephews said in response to a post of mine on FB. I’m not sure whether to bother trying to have a conversation or not. How do they picture this? Does the principal walk around with an automatic weapon slung on her shoulder? If not, she’s not going to be able to run and get it without getting killed. And where does she get it from? Her desk, the shelf, the closet? Is it just lying around handy in case someone suffering from mental illness and able to buy any gun he wants shows up? Most people, if suddenly confronted with a mad man with a semi-automatic weapon, would never be able to get a gun, aim right at the guy, and shoot it to subdue. What strange, macho dream world are they living in? Do we include combat training in the curriculum of teachers colleges? Make sure we have kindergarten teachers prepared to shoot to kill? Does she keep the gun in a handy cubby? Do these people really want to live in a world where everyone is armed? My nephew is in Afghanistan, God love him — does he want every Afghani he meets to have a concealed way to kill him? I bet not.
betseyc – the logistics of everyone being armed is puzzleing to me too. In a school setting, how does one keep it “handy”, yet out of harms way?
Thanks, betseyc. I don’t want to live in a world where everyone carries guns. That doesn’t feel like democracy in pursuit of happiness.
even thinking about watching this fills me with grief as though this is somehow happening to people that I know.
But yet Bloomberg is going to get on tv and attack the President. I don’t like that one bit. There is a way of saying what you want to say without having to try to act like President Obama doesn’t care about gun control, without trying to blame him.
Bloomberg is a typical hypocrite!
Thank you Chipsticks
If I see any of these feckless pols who are in the pocket of nra in attendance, they will hear from me!
Aw hell, even if I don’t see them in attendance they’ll hear from me.
CNN promises to show it all uninterrupted by inane anchor talking.
If you’re online, watch it online. I tried watching CNN, and ran away from Wolf’s incessant silly blathering. He’s just offensive in his insensitivity.
http://www.cnn.com/video/?/tab/live#/video/cvplive/cvpstream1
Tribute to the people in Conneticut and every one in America who has lost someone due to gun.
Hi Chips Chica! Is your working Sunday over yet? I mean the work away from here. 😉 😉
All done VC, I was marginally less slow today than usual. 😕 Hope all’s good with you.
Yes! Yes! Yes! Still have to be sharing my bathroom because the contractor/plumber ran into ‘difficulties’, but that’s no – thing in the grand scheme of things.
I was marginally less slow today
Congrats! Of course you had great incentive, Ms Chips – Pres O was going to speak in Connecticut and you had to be here for him to give emotional support. That kind of incentive was guaranteed to pull you through your ‘chores’ faster than normal.
Dear CT, I figure you won’t be in the village, but just wanted to let you know we are thinking of you too. {{{{CTGirl}}}}
Indeed we are, CTGirl! Thank you VC
Who knows, Bobfr, maybe she can feel our supportive thoughts wherever she is or whatever she’s doing right now.
Let’s hope so.
Wow, that’s a nice version.
Hi Everyone, there is a great movie called “Amazing Grace” tells of the legislative achievement by William Wilberforce’s campaign against slave trade in the British Empire, I believe something similar could be used to bring great changes to the abuse of the 2nd amendment and gun mentality insanity enforced by the NRA.
If its not possible to go after actual guns, or bullets, some other component of the gun manufacturing process could be legislated that would make the actual weaponry or availability difficult so you see in a short space of time, the gun trade is impacted by economics and declines to the point that it is no longer a threat to a person’s life.
My prayers are with this community and the families.
I’m on CBS which normally works best for me. Has any other station started formally yet?
not cnn, vc.
TY, Sheri.
your welcome vc ~
C-SPAN.
TY, Bill.
I’VE GOT IT ON CNN ON TV…THEY SAID IT WOULD BE UNINTERRUPTED! NO TALK-OVERS!
I wrote to both Senators from my state and I shared this as well:
” One Hundred Years From Now”
“One hundred years from now,
It won’t matter what car I drove,
What kind of house I lived in,
How much I had in my bank account,
Nor what my clothes looked like;
But, the world may be a little better
Because I was important in the life
of
a
Child.”
Author: Unknown
I had this on my desk facing me each day during my teaching career. Now it is in my home next to my official photo in my last classroom where I taught.
Remember the children, the parents, and the teachers this day and each day going forward. Prayers for our beloved President as he speaks.HZ
Very, very well done HZ. That is potent and beautiful.
#FORWARD Together
HZ – When my son and his wife had their first child, I framed that for them, too.
Very powerful. Thanks HZ for sharing it with us.
Hi everyone. Waiting for the president’s address via White House site.
Someone posted this on a previous thread. I found it very powerful. I repost for those who may not have seen it. This slaughter has touched hearts around the world. “20 Moving Pictures of the World Grieving for Sandy Hook”
http://bit.ly/VIh1JO
C-SPAN is live now.
This Bible Church minister on MSNBC is really odd. He strikes me as cold, clinical and anything but compassionate. Anybody else notice these things?
Funny you say that. I thought him a bit odd. When asked if PBO coming would help he murmured that help was in God or some strange thing. Thjey even had him on twice. Cold persona.
Just saw a tweet about this on twitter. We’re not the only ones. Left MSNBC because of him. Just because someone wears the title minister does not mean he or she knows the first thing about Christ.
I thought so too. It was really weird when he told the reporter that, “it’s not quite as surprising that such acts happen, because that is the sinfulness of a man’s heart, it is not a inherent goodness but inherent wickedness, and that is why people like this would do such a tragic act.” Hmm…what is he talking about?
I am so offended by his manner. He is fooling no one, except maybe Alex.
I listened to him on the radio, I guess I wasn’t the only one.
I really feel for Mr Carney and the entire WH Team – you can just imagine how grief stricken they all are and they have to work through every moment of all of this and they do so with supreme dignity and professionalism.
I don’t know if it’s true, but I read a report that Jay was really shaken and held the hand of Alyssa Mastromonaco (Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations in WH) during PBO’s statement in the briefing room.
Easy to imagine it being true, meta. He’s a gentle soul.
Thank you Bob for once again expressing so well what many of us feel.
For the chldren….
That was truly amazing. We’ll be seeing more of him, I’m sure. Voices like that don’t grow on trees!
Very sad that many could not get into the vigil tonight, are being turned away, families sadly walking away.
https://twitter.com/ICarlee23/status/280410225876545536
watching these folks hugging & holding each other and frankly my stance is- get rid of all the guns. Start now. Having the right to own a gun cannot supercede the life of one person, let alone one child. I said the other day when this first happened- no one can be trusted with a gun. No one.
Totally agree with you Sheri. Totally.
it is so overdue Bob.
I totally agree. So many in this country refuse to even entertain the idea that we should just ban them.
I know, its just unfanthomable to me, this love affair with guns. No parent should have to go through this.
I feel that way too.
I read the other day that less than 1/2 of Americans own guns (legally).. that makes the majority of us do not – and I think that is a very good sign, that we can begin to change things. I hope.
I abhor guns.
me too. I was in the army and just now thinking that out of hundreds of us on the gun range- we had one person who nearly went off- she pointed a loaded m16 at a drill sgt. My point being is that it only takes one person with a gun who can’t control himself.. as I said no one should have a gun.
Me too. All over my facebook feed are people saying “gun people immediately jumped to the conclusion that we want to ban all guns but we don’t!” But I do. I want to ban them all. I know they think this will get the gun people to ease up, but I don’t care.
yep I agree with you.
The applause appears to be for the police officers who just walked in
My guess they started late because PBO spent more time with the families….as he should
It appears that way since the families and first responders have been arriving these past few moments, df.
I knew this was going to be hard but God, what an understatement
yes linda.
Indeed Linda
I wish the First Lady was here too with President Obama, providing her great hugging arms. In light of what has happened she likely decided to stay home and hug her girls instead.
That was my thought dotsster3: she is home hugging Malia and Sasha even closer than usual, knowing what her husband was having to do tonight.
We always knew they were cowards.
Yes indeed, meta! They are all cowards. This is especially the case for two Senators: John McCain and Lindsey Graham who can’t get enough of being in front of the camera.
Bobfr, my thanks to you and Shugah for expressing my sentiment exactly
Retweeted because this is truth at its absolute best. Thank you
As I’m waiting to hear the President, I was thinking of this old prayer. Many of us remember reciting it as little children. Some parents began to think years and years ago that it was too frightening. If we don’t do something about gun violence, we might as well bring it up to date … sadly, I added a couple of lines:
Now I lay me down to sleep
I pray the Lord my soul to keep
If I should die before I wake
I pray the Lord my soul to take
If I go to school and am shot tomorrow
I hope you’ll remember me in your sorrow.
Oh jacqueline – I remember this prayer – it was the first one my father taught us and your added lines are touching
I was taught that prayer too, but when I got older and looked back on it, it seemed like a cruel prayer to teach a child— “if I should die before I wake”
That was my first prayer also. I have not thought about it for decades. Thank you both.
This was the first prayer that my mother taught me. I can still see my 5 year old self memorizing it.
Heartbreaking, but sadly appropriate.
I learned it as:
Now I lay me down to sleep
I pray thee, Lord, my soul to keep.
Thy love guard me through the night,
And wake me with the morning light.
Leading straight into the Lord’s prayer, so that I always used to start the Lord’s prayer with this one.
Yes, I’ve heard that, and I think your version came from the parental enlightenment that the first one was frightening children!
Definitely. I would have had nightmares with the other one.
We were all “too dumb” back when I was growing up in the late ’40s and early ’50s, to be afraid of it. Ha!
Something that just came to me.
A couple of years ago, our home was broken into and we were burglarized.
One of the things stolen was my laptop. Now, my laptop had LoJack on it, so in about six months after it had been sold to someone, the LoJack clicked on and we were able to recover it.
I went to the police station to retrieve it. And what the detective said shocked me.
She said that what she would recommend—as long as I knew I was capable of using it—was to buy a gun.
I just laughed it off at the time, since I would never consider buying a gun. But now, after Friday, it sickens me. That’s Wayne LaPierre’s position. It shouldn’t be the position of a police detective. More guns is not the answer.
Wow.
Excellent tweet! So many ordinary Americans make so much more sense than some of our elected leaders.
aretha franklin and rev james cleveland sing ‘precious memories’.
It is so good that they are not rushing this and the whole world gets a view of just how horrible and TOTALLY avoidable this societal catastrophe is.
he’s here.
There he is
hearing on local TV that there has been a way to accomodate overflow ppl so they could listen to the live feed.
I’m sure that’s why there was a delay also…no one left behind
Moving words from the Congregational minister—–and a familiar message —-“we are all in this together”.
Please, God, give President Obama the strength to walk tall up to that stage.
Does anyone have the image of Jesus walking behind President Obama? I know it was tweeted at various points. (Thanks, if you can re-post it.)
this is too too sad.
Watching on White house site; the Jewish rabbi is praying.
He has a very expressive face, and he is deeply moved by it all.
The ancient words and melodies are such a cry. As a Jew, it both comforts and pierces my heart.
I am not a Jew, but, in my personal mourning, I felt peace from it.
YES.
The principal Dawn Hochsprung’s granddaughter.
An iconic photo, for sure!
awwww——the best baby whisperer ever! Adorable. And—–so sad.
There is also something so powerful about seeing these people of faith holding up and supporting each other as they do their work to support thier community.
Amen.
Bob – Thank you. Might be time, if you’d like, to add “members” to the NRA part. It’s not just LaPierre, who holds up that organization. I understand you may not want to put down all members, because some are just normal hunters, I guess, and want better regulations, too. So maybe I’ll just leave it there.
Jacqueline, many current members of the NRA are horrified and I’ve communicated with several over the past few days who are as eager for major changes in our gun culture as we are, so adding ‘members’ would be potentially counter-productive at this time. Thank you very much.
I kind of reached that conclusion, in the middle of writing my comment, but it made me feel better to at least express it. Thank you, Bob.
https://twitter.com/VDog/status/280476998579666947
I don’t know why this popped into my head, because I haven’t heard it for decades. But I remember words from an old soulful Hank Williams, Sr. (not Jr.), country song,
“God didn’t give you this child for no hundred thousand miles … He just think you need some sunshine and He lent it, for a while.”
Hank Williams Jr. is a disgrace.
And was very nasty towards the President.
tears flowing…the voice of a child in prayer
Yes, when that young man got up there – I just lost it.
Are there any non-religious speakers, I ask hopefully?
Looks like there are…
The baby is singing his prayer and I’m crying because he reminds me off the beautiful voices of the children who with us no longer.
I’m not religious, but this all very touching- to have all the religions for this.. for the families, for the community.
It’s about ALL faiths, ALL people.
yes, it was good of them to put it together this way, so thoughtful.
A great man holding my precious niece, @DHochsprung woulda love to see it. I love you mommy @BarackObama pic.twitter.com/jbjHzL6y
This service is breathtakingly beautiful and inconsolably sad.
These 2 muslim men are so moving.
young man’s Islamic prayer is so hauntingly beautiful! Tears right through you knowing that some of the deceased could have been his age
yes, yes, yes
OMG, nearly unbearable.
Meta I feel the same way.
Yes it was. You could hear his heartbreak in his voice, but he carried on to offer what comfort he could.
While I am touched by all of this, my God, why can we not work together despite our really few differences for the betterment of us all at all times?
I am from Canada where we’re just not that into guns and where there is not the culture of fear that there is here. After PBO was re-elected, I felt so relieved, so safe. I hate guns with a passion and I hope that Congress can at least re-instate the ban on assault weapons to begin with and go from there.
I’m from Canada also, although now a U.S. citizen. I don’t get the pro-gun activism among many citizens here either. Hopefully, President Obama and the Democrats will at least try to legislate some sensible gun control. Our children deserve better.
As a former paramedic, the prayer for the First Responders really, really hit home for me. God be with those people, who saw such horrific things. =(
Amen. They need to be cared for as well. They have to find a way to live with the unadorned horror that they experienced with all of their senses.
Local dogs taken to Newtown to comfort school massacre survivors
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/chi-local-comfort-dogs-taken-to-connecticut-after-school-massacre-20121216,0,7533873.story
Gov Malloy is speaking now. PBO is next.
I’m here with you, am just very much at a loss for words. Grateful I do not need any. {{{{PBO}}}}
As usuals the cowards did not show up today maybe NRA has not given them teir matching orders to spin McCain I am talking to you Scott your love for NRA would not go un-noticed. Fox network are you going to call upon your brood the Republican party they love to be on your network to spew ignorance why are they now shy of fox news. We are not going to take this nonsense anymore
I am hear with you all
http://twitter.com/Our4thEstate/statuses/280486356776534017
Corrected …
That’s powerful Bob.
Make it plain Lootenant!
WOW Bobfr !!!
Long loving applause for our president
Indeed.
PBO is speaking now.
His words are so healing. They are spoken with great love and strength.
So true. So true……Anytime you can get a mere chuckle, let alone smile in the midst of all that grief and pain, you know that is a special gift that God has blessed you with so that others can be encouraged and feel the love. We are blessed.
Amen, Amen, and Amen, LDS. We are so blessed. POB has been given a most special gift from God. What I love about him is that he does not waste it. He uses it to help and comfort others. I know to some degree why First Lady , Michelle Obama fell so in love with him.
I have lived through many presidents, but President Barack Obama has been the greatest in my lifetime.HZ
Well said HZ! I’ve also lived under many presidents, 12 to be exact, but 10 as far as my conscious memory of them goes. President Barack Obama is by far the greatest in my conscious lifetime.
Challenging the nation: are we doing our job in taking care of all of our country.
PBO says the answer is no and we will have to change.
President Obama is “going there” …
THIS is what a leader looks like.
Yes he is!
He is bringing it ….
This is my President. This is my President. This is my President.
POTUS once again putting it all out on the table. NO we are not keeping our children safe.
“we can’t tolerate this any more.”
amen mr president! we must change
President Obama makes me SO PROUD. He speaks to our common decency.
yes he does always.. he always knows what needs to be said, his courage is bottomless.
Good.
Thank you so much, Bobfr. Beautifully on the point to Luke. HZ
Luke, now if we can ONLY get the Media to be responsible and do THEIR jobs…….People in glass houses shouldn’t talk about what OTHERS should do….
PBO is taking his stand. He is going there.
PBO is going there. He will lead change, we will need to be at his side.
I just got my coat and gloves.
That is a great reply, JOB.
I think we all feel that way!
And I am joining you JO! That’s the only way change come to this country. It comes from We the People.
Good. You drive!
Yes!
Ohhh PBO is going deep now – he just peeped the NRA. And I have got PBO’s back.
I’VE ALREADY GOTTEN INTO AN ARGUMENT TONITE ON FACEBACK OVER THE NRA TRASH! TO HELL WITH THOSE PEOPLE…WE NEED TO STOP THE FLOW OF ASSAULT WEAPONS OVER THE FOR SALE COUNTERS IN THIS COUNTRY WHETHER THEY LIKE IT OR NOT…20 DEAD CHILDREN SHOULD BE ENOUGH FOR ANYONE!
This is OUR President!!!!!
Yes! Our amazing president – you know he is going to get all kinds of grief from some for “going there.” Another act of integrity and courage – once again leading the way. Thank you, and protect him for all our sakes.
“Where is the love, Republicans, Congress, Michael Bloomberg?” You have the money, power….think you are entitled, but WHERE IS THE LOVE?
My entire room of family is in tears!!!
This is such an inspriational man. We are Blessed to have him!!!
OMG he is reading their names! My tears are flowing
O, God, Henis calling out the children’s names. So sad.
Oh My goodness. Thank you Mr. President. This country needs you.
This is my president, and I am so grateful that by God’s grace I was able to see and hear him speak to the inner core of a heart who cares about its children. Beautiful, . Mr. President.
I have been praying all day for our president and asking God to give him wisdom with each word that he will speak. I knew he had already written the speech. I said last evening, “President Obama is going to write all or 99 percent of this speech, and it will move us who have the same heart and mind to move with him and do the ‘right thing’ for our children.
This morning, pastor preached about taking care of our children. There is no way that pastor knew what POB was writing. People, this is our time to get beside , behind, and work with POB to get this done. This was our call tonight. Let us Take Care of Our Children.
Are we going to continue to be the country to just close caskets, small and large ones, or Move Through the Halls of Congress and say, ” We want laws on gun control so we will be able to Stop the Purchasing of all of these caskets for all of these “early services of our precious young children!!!!!” No more of this painful and unnecessary services of just ‘closing caskets and moving on’…, or are we going to be a nation who takes care of our children and build longer graduating lines where our young people are receiving degrees rather than parents receiving “death certificates. I want degrees and beautiful promising and awesome young people working,living, and working with hope in our society. Good night everyone.HZ
HZ! You are a precious soul! Thanks for sharing this. I came here late but I hope you had a very goodnight and restful sleep.
Thank you dotster & hf.
The first RWNJ who speaks against this should be the most shamed man or woman on Earth.
I guess we now know where PBO stands on the gun issue. #no way NRA!
That poured out of him from the depths of his heart, soul, and mind, didn’t it? There’s no stopping him, now! Chris Jansing on MSNBC just called it “an unexpected and forceful call to action.” Yep.
I CAN’T WAIT to see what the mealy mouthed pundits/talking heads spin is gonna be on this. I’ll bet some butt-hole is gonna say he shouldn’t have said it at this time…..Well when? After we kill some more children?
He knocked all of them off their feet with this one. They didn’t see it coming. Any of them who criticize the speech will know they are lying to themselves and the nation. Maybe now those butt-holes will also stop referring to him as the Comforter-in-Chief … we may mean that in a respectful way, but they don’t … they need to call him: Sir! (We’ve all “lived history” one more day, yes?)
Preach sister, preach!
Dare I say I even feel like a little veil lifted, or at least one cloud moved on, after his speech!
This is what freakin’ HOPE looks like, eh, Yardarm?
I say there’s a fair wind coming to fill the sails. Weigh anchor and get this vessel underway.
Ahhh.
Within all these prayers – I truly pray that President Obama remains safe – and I don’t think prayers are the answer to remove this love of guns – false idols indeed.
How does one keep believing in the midst of such absolute and complete horror.
99, we’re human. Once we lose hope, we stop being human. Stay strong. They will not die in vain.
Thank you LL – I so want the US to be safe – and yes I do pray they did not die in vain – perhaps that will help the parents more than anything else for the rest of their lives.
I am I awe that I am alive in this time of such a great person, PBO
So am I. It’s almost surreal.
I cannot listen .. I am reading here and crying with your comments. Thank you so much for those of us who are too emotional to listen. Thank you TOD, thank you to the most wonderful President ever.
Daisy, it was a speech of tribute and remembrance, and a call to action.
Thanks LL, I may have to pour myself a drink and replay it tomorrow. I love to hear him speak; I just can’t deal with what has happened again; I am so glad the comments above say we have had enough. This is it. No more.l
I am remembering what the B’hai person said . . . . . . . do not worry the spirits that are now free to move on . . . .
do not distract them with wailing and crying out . . . . . . they are on their way . . . . . on a new journey . . . .
It is our job, the purpose of our lives, to keep working on what we have right.here.
And we have the leader in President Obama. We have what we need.
Let us change.
I SO love this most astonishing president:
https://twitter.com/krupali/status/280491706779054081
Oh my goodness…waterworks!
Thanks for sharing meta.
So do I. This man is exceptional in every way.
yes he is. Exceptional.
See how they just become a part of him, his heart is so open and loving. I held him in the most loving thought I am capable of the entire time he was speaking. I thought I could feel the love of all of us flowing toward him, all around him, and holding him strong. I know he feels it. Every word was so right. He is so righteous. {{{{PBO}}}}
Thank you for your highest energy. It is our calling to support him and our work, TOGETHER. {{{{Pamela}}}}
{{{{meta}}}}
‘See how they just become a part of him’
Isn’t that just beautiful. Pamela? They just relax in to him each in their own way. 😆 😆
God, we are blessed and we thank you! Please take the president safely back to his ‘girls’.
Beautifully said, Pamela.
I swear, he gets his energy from the babies. He really does. Have y’all ever noticed that whenever he goes into a crowd, he never fails to find a child to see, to touch, to tease, to hug? He LOVES children. He truly does.
🙂 Children and babies do not have ulterior motives, so when they embrace you, as our President said, “it’s TRUE.”
His best kids pic ever.
Our President will lead us out of the darkness of the gun madness. He will lead and we will follow. No one will stop us now.
beautiful. the reading of the names was so quietly powerful.
Yes, it was.
THE PRESIDENT’S ADDRESS WAS SO HEARTWRENCHING AND HE HAD TAKEN WORDS FROM THE VERY DEPTHS OF HIS HEARTBROKEN SOUL…BEAUTIFUL…AND YES INDEED…HE WENT WHERE HE NEEDED TO GO! GOD BLESS HIM!
I love my President Obama. He is an honest man, a man of true compassion and integrity, who is trying with all his might to fix decades of dysfunction.
SO well said Meta, I could not agree more.
decades of dysfunction. Bingo.
that’s a good one, bob! get them on the record, and don’t let up.
Such a gun culture – that the President has to be safe before anyone can move – this is what guns do to a country – even in a time of mourning
Some things we require silence and Thanksgiving. President OBAMA’S speech is one of those things.
ty Bob – you lift my spirits
Am touched that that is the case, 99. Thank you
Thank you, Bobfr. That tweet right there……you truly are walking in your purpose. Please don’t ever stop.
Thank you so much, LDS. I won’t stop until I’m no longer alive.
BBC reporter & anchor are full of praise for PBO’s speech.
Hey amk, good morning.
GM LL. Just missed the speech. Will have to catch it later here.
Similarly on MSNBC & CNN.
I just muted MSNBC when their nincompoop Kristin Welker started talking about “what M. Bloomberg has been calling for.”
Bloomberg must own a big share of MSNBC. Or he is paying her off. This is over the top propaganda.
No sane person is thinking about anyone but the people of Newtown and PBo tonight.
I agree Vicki. No one wants to hear about that opportunistic clown, Bloomberg.
And I always thought the worst thing Sen McCain did was introduce the world to Sarah Palin – sure got that wrong
http://www.opensecrets.org/industries/summary.php?ind=Q13&cycle=All&recipdetail=M&sortorder=U
Good morning friend!
GM Bob. Great job on twitter.
Thank you amk!!
This speech spoke truth. The truth of our failure as a nation to protect our children and the truth of what gives us true purpose and worth in life, the power to love and to nurture, and to protect those who need us, our children. They are all our children.
Here is a list of all recipients both Dem and Republican who have received contributions from the NRA. Let’s put real pressure on all of them. We must support the President and our Nation in this fight for our children, and for us. http://www.opensecrets.org/orgs/recips.php?cycle=2012&id=D000000082
The first lines of this song are beautiful.
Sabreen60, so appropriate for tonight and always. I asked Dudette9t9 to post it for us yesterday, and Dudette did so, and it set the tone as well last night. Thank you also. The song has been ringing in my ear all day. ((((((((((((((((((((((( Let us Take Care of Our Children.)))))))))))))))))))))))))))
You guys, your President is…amazing!
Yes, our president is amazing, a giant among giants.
Such a meaningful speech—-making clear what is important—-what is really important—–and signalling change——that we can no longer tolerate the status quo. Our first job, our most important role, is to do our best for our children, all of our children. Big changes are needed—–and President Obama sounded determined to do everything in his power to make that happen. A huge joint effort will be required of all of us—-that same fierce determination.
What a beautiful speech! It was full of memory for those lost as well as a measure of hope for the future. I have never seen any public figure with the stature of the president, demonstrate the ability to ask ourselves in public, why have we failed our children and how can we do better?
We have just experienced a divine order by an anointed man of God. Truly hopeful, faithful and has a personal relationship with Jehovah-Rapha,
“The Lord our healer”‘ Exodus 15:26
Thank you, God for hearing our prayers.
https://twitter.com/marylynne1/status/280505965063860224 Jehovah Shalom- Prince of Peace.
Thank you so much – I was hoping to see that image tonight.
We are living and the best and worst of times. We are blessed to have this man to lead us thru.
MOTHERFUCKER.
That’s got to be a parody site.
It is a snark account like @JokeTapper and @SnarkKnoller. it is intended to lampoon the NRA. Tweets are reporting that NRA is very angry about this fake account and are trying to shut it down without success. So relax
NRA won’t know what hit them…..keep it up!
PBO always puts feet to his faith as the old folks used to say. Furthermore, he always show us the way. For those who have felt helpless and powerless in the past few days, take heart and join in the coming fight for our very lives and for the life of this nation. Our Community Organizer in Chief has sent out the call.
Historian Michael Beschloss just said (more or less) on MSNBC that in our history, the only two other speeches that neared this in importance were President Lyndon Johnson’s when he spoke to Congress about the violence against African-American protesters during the Civil Rights era, and Johnson, again, after Dr. King and Robert Kennedy were killed in ’68.
I truthfully have never heard historians of any persuasion make such a definitive statement within minutes of a speech. That’s why it’s called history, so they can put it in context. I’m thinking – although the issues were totally different in scale and scope – that this is a small measure of how the onlookers felt after they heard President Lincoln give his Gettysburg Address.
Of course, I think Michael meant recent history and speeches about violence, but otherwise he was raving about it.
I love him too – as does the world
The President’s speech left me speechless. Wow!
new yougov poll finds increased support for gun control:
‘ 50 percent of Americans say gun laws should be made more strict than they are now, compared to 43 percent who said that they should remain the same (29 percent) or be made less strict (14 percent). The poll also found support for banning semi-automatic weapons (51 percent to 33 percent) as well as magazine clips holding more than 10 rounds (54 percent to 32 percent). ‘
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/12/16/gun-control-laws-sandy-hook-poll_n_2309324.html
I was one of the people answering in that poll that said gun laws should be stricter. Hopefully this number will grow.
The president’s speech was a masterpiece…..and he gave us all our marching orders, and told us where he plans to go, and he did it gracefully and beautifully. I am so glad I lived long enough to be part of this time!
I am a student of theology and spirituality. Our President just boiled down powerfully, with simplicity and beauty the purpose of life, and our calling to live it fully as individuals and as a national community beginning with our responsibilities to our nation’s children.
Bill R. I felt complete peace when he finished his speech. I know why. I hope the parents and families there in Newtown feels that same peace. As a nation, we heard the depth of a spiritual call from a leader who talks and walks his spirituality. HZ
New post:
http://theobamadiary.com/2012/12/16/lets-keep-them-safe-from-harm/
Oh! I”ve come to the end and just realized Utal wasn’t here – probably preparing for a ‘final’ paper or exam. There’s no way she would have missed this unless it was for something important like that.
When he read all the names…………………… I can’t…………….. It was pure, calming, gentle, loving and yet intense and absolutely unforgettable. He’s amazing.
What an accurate description, magapie.
He’s amazing indeed. In speeches like these, we see that this man has a big heart and a beautiful soul.
from the economist, titled ‘the gun control that works: no guns’
‘ After a couple of horrible mass shootings in Britain, handguns and automatic weapons have been effectively banned. It is possible to own shotguns, and rifles if you can demonstrate to the police that you have a good reason to own one, such as target shooting at a gun club, or deer stalking, say. The firearms-ownership rules are onerous, involving hours of paperwork. You must provide a referee who has to answer nosy questions about the applicant’s mental state, home life (including family or domestic tensions) and their attitude towards guns. In addition to criminal-record checks, the police talk to applicants’ family doctors and ask about any histories of alcohol or drug abuse or personality disorders.
Vitally, it is also very hard to get hold of ammunition. Just before leaving Britain in the summer, I had lunch with a member of parliament whose constituency is plagued with gang violence and drug gangs. She told me of a shooting, and how it had not led to a death, because the gang had had to make its own bullets, which did not work well, and how this was very common, according to her local police commander. Even hardened criminals willing to pay for a handgun in Britain are often getting only an illegally modified starter’s pistol turned into a single-shot weapon. ‘
http://www.economist.com/blogs/lexington/2012/12/gun-control
I didn’t have the strength to watch the speech, but did record it to watch later tonight when I can.
I thank all of you for your messages. I’ve followed it with you and felt your tears through your words.
The love our president has for children is apparent to all of us, and we know his pain is unbearable.
Please stay safe Mr. President. This country needs you.
Someone on Old Orange posted this comment:
// My husband just texted from the bar (18+ / 0-)
where he’s watching football with buddies. He said the entire place fell silent with people hanging on the President’s every word. Afterwards, everyone in the place started talking about needing to do gun control–even the Republicans. Note that I live in Virginia. Wow. //
Mainstream, network news media reporting on what social media is doing …
Works for me.
I am in tears of agony. Rest in peace to all the lost souls. I urge everyone to please keep our President in their prayers. He will need us when he takes on the issue of gun control. The NRA is a powerful organization, and they will not concede without a fight,
A classroom size of 20 students are silenced. The six teachers who are fallen soldiers as well, who dedicated themselves to expanding minds and nurturing their students to do their best and be the best. Their deaths are not in vain. This cowardice act thrust upon us has started a chain reaction to make drastic changes immediately. Gun laws are necessary but we have to learn that a peaceful solution is always the best method in order to promote a civilized society.