Bill Stevens, of Newtown, who has a daughter in town schools, promised that in the case of a home invasion, he would be calling 911 after first shooting the people threatening his family.
He paraphrased a famous gun-rights quotation: “I will tell you here today, you will take my ability to protect my Victoria from my cold, dead hands,” Stevens said to the applause of supporters at about 5:30 p.m.”
This fantasy is so prevalent it’s as if people were brainwashed into the same cult. Anyone who has children should not keep a loaded gun where it’s easily accessible. Even if you don’t have children, a loaded gun can cause so-called ‘accidents’ hurting the gun owner and anyone else in the house. So–in the case of the mythical invasion–you have to get to the gun, find the bullets, load it and then have such accurate aim and steady nerves that you hit the intruder, rather than a family member. How much easier to have a burglar alarm–or run out the nearest door and call 911. It’s all fantasy. And these dreams of killing people really get me. Breaking and entering does not merit a death sentence,but these people are saying they have no problem whatsoever actually murdering someone. Even members of my own extended family have this wacko idea. It makes me sick.
this is actually a good thing. It only reinforces the validity of the need for common sense laws. The majority (to include responsible gun owners) are paying attention to this issue and comments like this only serves to highlight the BS rhetoric.
What the heck does protecting your home have to do with random folks on the street or babies in schools getting shot? Absolutely nothing.
Thanks for letting me go first. I had bee watching movies and was checking my iPad when the notice. Just to competitive to read first. It was so sad to read this.
I have suddenly had such a memory of “talking to folks” in my prayers when I was young – there are so many ways we protect our children from sadness, yet sometimes it just doesn’t work.
you would think the media would focus on gun controls and safety, instead the discussion is about PO showing up with Hillary Clinton and whether or not she will run in 2016.
my take .. . . who cares? If Ride or Die Joe is running. . . that is who I will be voting for. He stood by PO and I will stand by him.
Couldn’t agree more, nospin. And, frankly, I’m sick to death of presidential election talk. We just had one. It’s time to focus on local elections and the mid-years, not to mention the evil maneuvering of the GOP to rig future elections. All of this is laziness on the part of the media and an attempt to deflect people’s attention from real issues. They thrive when the populace is dumb and easily distracted.
Yardarm, thanks for always finding some songs that fit the moment. How can any human being not shade tears after reading John’s letter to Jack, or listening to the unimaginable pain Mr. Heslin is going through after the loss of his wonderful 6 year-old, Jesse whose life was cut shot by gun terror? Who are these cold hearted. evil, people who heckled him? Do they have children? Have they ever lost a 6 year-old to gun terror? Our country is in dire need of a gifted writer, comparable to Charles Dickens, who can capture the reality of the “TWO AMERICAS.” One America is decent, loving, generous, compassionate and caring-basically good people; the other America is cold-hearted, selfish, hateful, indifferent-basically evil!
After reading this letter, my heart hurts. It hurts for the little boy who wrote the letter and the friends and families of the victims. What also weighs heavily on my heart is the unconcern and lack of humanity of some of the pro-gun activists. It reminds me of Joseph Welch’s question to Joe McCarthy:”At long last, have you NO sense of decency?” I was raised to have sympathy and empathy for others, and it’s hard for me to see the callousness of the NRA and its’ supporters who are pretending that America doesn’t have a gun violence problem, and who are blaming Hollywood and video games for gun violence. SMH.
this letter is truly the most affecting reminder of what is lost, who is lost. you work so hard, do so much, bob. please rest your eyes and your kind heart and mind. we’ll carry this child’s message forward, tomorrow.
“In the 45 days since the tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary School, 3,600 people have died because of gun violence,” said Lefkowitz, who demonstrated in Washington 12 years ago during the “Million Mom March.”
Since then, 360,000 have died.
“The grand Republican win of 2010 was the product of unusual circumstances: more than one third of all votes cast were cast by voters over 60, the oldest electorate in any election since 1982.” (article from Frum at the Daily Beast)
And that was something I didn’t know – so all the people on Social Security and Medicare want a government that doesn’t want Social Security and Medicare – or did they just want to vote against Health Care – because they have it – and why should the rest of the country be allowed to join up.
I quite like compulsory voting – interesting that the right party of Australian Politics is trying to drop the compulsory rule – easy to see why that would be.
North and south of me – not good – we’re fine – stopped raining, so roof stopped leaking. Have power. A couple of friends who bought generators after the last flood are disappointed that we didn’t lose power – just can’t please some folks!
The elements seem to have the better of us – worldwide – even the TV news is quoting a very Australian poem
I love a sunburnt country,
A land of sweeping plains,
Of ragged mountain ranges,
Of droughts and flooding rains.
We ended an 8 year drought with a flood in 2011 – and it’s been raining ever since.
I’m not sure that “advanced” is the right word. Most places don’t have compulsory voting – I have no idea as to why it happened here – but it sure avoids the GOTV effort.
If you’re not there trying to help people because you truly care about those people, people will see right through your phony bologna community organizer.
This happened in oz some time ago – but most of the major stores don’t charge the fee. The worst offenders have been service companies – electricity/gas/land taxes – government! – some telecoms – and airlines. I still use a credit card – find it much safer and more convenient than debit (probably just a personal opinion).
Thanks for the nudge – I just made my first contribution to Gabby Giffords’ PAC. The only thing these people understand is money and power, so I think it’s terrific that Gabby and her husband are fighting back with money against the NRA. It occurs to me that I don’t know if the Brady group (can’t remember the official name) operates as a PAC, too, or if they only do other types of gun control activities.
I so admire this man. The fact that he can push through his overwhelming grief to try to improve our quality of life is amazing. I lost a son, and it took me years to get to a place where i could step out of my grief and do something out of my comfort zone.
This weekend, over 3,000 LGBT activists and allies gathered in Atlanta, Georgia for the 25th Annual National Conference on LGBT Equality, Creating Change. Every year, National Gay and Lesbian Task Force President Rea Carey delivers a “State of the Movement” address to the conference, but before she did on Friday, President Obama offered a special video message
There’s a brief scene in Stanley Kubrick’s Full Metal Jacket in which the new recruits, led by Gunnery Sgt. Hartman, chant in unison, “This is my rifle, this is my gun. This is for fighting, this is for fun.” On the words “gun” and “fun” the privates grab their, well, privates, letting the audience know that there’s a Marine-Corp-specific semantic distinction between the words “rifle” and “gun.”
Unfortunately, too many pro-gun American men don’t know the difference and this is a central problem in the process of redefining the purpose and availability of firearms in America. Men, whether intentional or not, tend to confuse their guns for their penises. The bigger the gun/penis, the more masculine they are. Guns have become penis extensions, if not penis substitutes, and the phallic similarities are obvious.
Consequently, our gun culture too often blurs the line between masculinity and firearms, even among people who ought to know better. If you own, hunt, shoot, or generally fetishize firearms, it’s considered to be synonymous with being a tough, virile guy. Likewise, if you’re opposed to guns or, dare I say, afraid of guns, you’re considered girlish or — heaven forbid — gay. From a very early age, men are taught that guns are a manly-man guy thing. Hunting and shooting are manly activities, we’re told, and any dude who’s packing heat is a total badass because guns are badass. (Killing animals for pure sport is another issue for another day.)
That is my belief also. And the more I see these gun nuts behave so outrageously at any talk of sensible gun legislation, it confirms this, as they act if someone is talking about removing their peenies. Men who are not obsessive about guns are more secure in their manhood, do not feel the need to strut around with a gun substitute in their pants or an arsenal in their homes, making up for an inferiority complex.
Always EXCLUDING someone…like certain people shouldn’t have the same rights as everyone else….I really hope that this incarnation of the Reptilian Party goes into the dustbin of history.
Obama White House.gov
The Obama Diary 
Hi everybody.
I can imagine one of my Storytime kids writing that. Heartbreaking, and so unnecessary.
tod
Bill Stevens, of Newtown, who has a daughter in town schools, promised that in the case of a home invasion, he would be calling 911 after first shooting the people threatening his family.
He paraphrased a famous gun-rights quotation: “I will tell you here today, you will take my ability to protect my Victoria from my cold, dead hands,” Stevens said to the applause of supporters at about 5:30 p.m.”
Read more: http://www.ctpost.com/local/article/Father-of-Newtown-victim-heckled-at-hearing-4228992.php#ixzz2JKnBoaGn
So how does ANY of the proposals Obama has made effect this man in protecting his family?? I simply do not understand their logic!!!
Yeah, because in the case of a home invasion he’ll have time to get his gun, if he’s even home. It’s the “Red Dawn” fantasy.
This fantasy is so prevalent it’s as if people were brainwashed into the same cult. Anyone who has children should not keep a loaded gun where it’s easily accessible. Even if you don’t have children, a loaded gun can cause so-called ‘accidents’ hurting the gun owner and anyone else in the house. So–in the case of the mythical invasion–you have to get to the gun, find the bullets, load it and then have such accurate aim and steady nerves that you hit the intruder, rather than a family member. How much easier to have a burglar alarm–or run out the nearest door and call 911. It’s all fantasy. And these dreams of killing people really get me. Breaking and entering does not merit a death sentence,but these people are saying they have no problem whatsoever actually murdering someone. Even members of my own extended family have this wacko idea. It makes me sick.
this is actually a good thing. It only reinforces the validity of the need for common sense laws. The majority (to include responsible gun owners) are paying attention to this issue and comments like this only serves to highlight the BS rhetoric.
What the heck does protecting your home have to do with random folks on the street or babies in schools getting shot? Absolutely nothing.
He’s a nonsensical moron.
congrats carolmaewy. I was on this link for at least a few mins but stopped to re-read the letter. lololol
Thanks for letting me go first. I had bee watching movies and was checking my iPad when the notice. Just to competitive to read first. It was so sad to read this.
Children are born perfect. Heartbreaking….we must do right by these children..each and every one.
I have suddenly had such a memory of “talking to folks” in my prayers when I was young – there are so many ways we protect our children from sadness, yet sometimes it just doesn’t work.
When will I ever learn to stop chatting on the old thread – sigh
Such a sweet child. Wish I could hug him.
Ohhh, perfect selection, Sailor! 🙂
It came to me through the tears. It’s been a rough coupla days.
{{{{{ yardarm }}}}}
you would think the media would focus on gun controls and safety, instead the discussion is about PO showing up with Hillary Clinton and whether or not she will run in 2016.
my take .. . . who cares? If Ride or Die Joe is running. . . that is who I will be voting for. He stood by PO and I will stand by him.
My thoughts exactly
Couldn’t agree more, nospin. And, frankly, I’m sick to death of presidential election talk. We just had one. It’s time to focus on local elections and the mid-years, not to mention the evil maneuvering of the GOP to rig future elections. All of this is laziness on the part of the media and an attempt to deflect people’s attention from real issues. They thrive when the populace is dumb and easily distracted.
Father of Newton, CT boy who passed away and heckled today…. I cant do this anymore. GN TOD family, my heart is broken.
Because they are heartless creeps. They love their guns more than anything else.
Even though you might not support gun control, where is your compassion for that man who lost his only son. A six year old kid.
That type of behavior is the behavior the NRA has supported and endorse.
I look at the pictures of my four grandchildren (ages 4 – 11) and I just can’t imagine the horror that the child survivors must relive.
There are no words…
Yardarm, thanks for always finding some songs that fit the moment. How can any human being not shade tears after reading John’s letter to Jack, or listening to the unimaginable pain Mr. Heslin is going through after the loss of his wonderful 6 year-old, Jesse whose life was cut shot by gun terror? Who are these cold hearted. evil, people who heckled him? Do they have children? Have they ever lost a 6 year-old to gun terror? Our country is in dire need of a gifted writer, comparable to Charles Dickens, who can capture the reality of the “TWO AMERICAS.” One America is decent, loving, generous, compassionate and caring-basically good people; the other America is cold-hearted, selfish, hateful, indifferent-basically evil!
PBO called it several years ago and was derided for saying there were some who clinged to the Bible and their guns. How prophetic.
Prophetic, IN_DEED, sailor. Totally.
Indeed!
Hear, hear Nath! Thanks Yardarm! Thanks to you both!
After reading this letter, my heart hurts. It hurts for the little boy who wrote the letter and the friends and families of the victims. What also weighs heavily on my heart is the unconcern and lack of humanity of some of the pro-gun activists. It reminds me of Joseph Welch’s question to Joe McCarthy:”At long last, have you NO sense of decency?” I was raised to have sympathy and empathy for others, and it’s hard for me to see the callousness of the NRA and its’ supporters who are pretending that America doesn’t have a gun violence problem, and who are blaming Hollywood and video games for gun violence. SMH.
Empathy is the greatest gift a parent can give to his/her child. Without it, we are less human.
THIS!
Rest well friends …
Yes We Can
Could not close my eyes … this child’s letter is just so overwhelming ….
#NowIsTheTime
this letter is truly the most affecting reminder of what is lost, who is lost. you work so hard, do so much, bob. please rest your eyes and your kind heart and mind. we’ll carry this child’s message forward, tomorrow.
I found this shocking.
“In the 45 days since the tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary School, 3,600 people have died because of gun violence,” said Lefkowitz, who demonstrated in Washington 12 years ago during the “Million Mom March.”
Since then, 360,000 have died.
Read more: http://www.ctpost.com/local/article/Father-of-Newtown-victim-heckled-at-hearing-4228992.php#ixzz2JLSemMxZ
“The grand Republican win of 2010 was the product of unusual circumstances: more than one third of all votes cast were cast by voters over 60, the oldest electorate in any election since 1982.” (article from Frum at the Daily Beast)
And that was something I didn’t know – so all the people on Social Security and Medicare want a government that doesn’t want Social Security and Medicare – or did they just want to vote against Health Care – because they have it – and why should the rest of the country be allowed to join up.
I quite like compulsory voting – interesting that the right party of Australian Politics is trying to drop the compulsory rule – easy to see why that would be.
How is the flood situation now, 99ts ? You ok?
North and south of me – not good – we’re fine – stopped raining, so roof stopped leaking. Have power. A couple of friends who bought generators after the last flood are disappointed that we didn’t lose power – just can’t please some folks!
The elements seem to have the better of us – worldwide – even the TV news is quoting a very Australian poem
I love a sunburnt country,
A land of sweeping plains,
Of ragged mountain ranges,
Of droughts and flooding rains.
We ended an 8 year drought with a flood in 2011 – and it’s been raining ever since.
Too bad some Americans are not as advanced as our Australian friends, 99ts.
I’m not sure that “advanced” is the right word. Most places don’t have compulsory voting – I have no idea as to why it happened here – but it sure avoids the GOTV effort.
If you’re not there trying to help people because you truly care about those people, people will see right through your phony bologna community organizer.
Now the Republicans want to be like the guy they hate.
THX AMK duly retweeted. This stinks!
PS wondering if your state can charge these fees? Here’s a list of those who don’t
http://usa.visa.com/personal/using_visa/checkout_fees/index.html
This happened in oz some time ago – but most of the major stores don’t charge the fee. The worst offenders have been service companies – electricity/gas/land taxes – government! – some telecoms – and airlines. I still use a credit card – find it much safer and more convenient than debit (probably just a personal opinion).
Thanks for the nudge – I just made my first contribution to Gabby Giffords’ PAC. The only thing these people understand is money and power, so I think it’s terrific that Gabby and her husband are fighting back with money against the NRA. It occurs to me that I don’t know if the Brady group (can’t remember the official name) operates as a PAC, too, or if they only do other types of gun control activities.
What about the new Hillary PAC? LOL!
I so admire this man. The fact that he can push through his overwhelming grief to try to improve our quality of life is amazing. I lost a son, and it took me years to get to a place where i could step out of my grief and do something out of my comfort zone.
http://crooksandliars.com/bluegal-aka-fran/open-thread-496 What the poster says:
We reduced drunk driving accidents without a total ban on alcohol. Then again, we didn’t think more alcohol was the solution to drunk driving.
Senate to vote on Kerry nomination today! Wow. That did not take long.
Calling Governor Deval?
They so want an election in Massachusetts – the President could get any sitting Senator confirmed very quickly.
Good Morning Everyone!
—————
Apologies if this is a repeat…
President Obama Offers Encouragement As LGBT Movement Reflects On Progress
By Zack Ford on Jan 28, 2013 at 9:04 am
http://thinkprogress.org/lgbt/2013/01/28/1502381/president-obama-offers-encouragement-as-lgbt-movement-reflects-on-progress/
This weekend, over 3,000 LGBT activists and allies gathered in Atlanta, Georgia for the 25th Annual National Conference on LGBT Equality, Creating Change. Every year, National Gay and Lesbian Task Force President Rea Carey delivers a “State of the Movement” address to the conference, but before she did on Friday, President Obama offered a special video message
http://thedailybanter.com/2013/01/a-gun-wont-make-your-penis-larger/
There’s a brief scene in Stanley Kubrick’s Full Metal Jacket in which the new recruits, led by Gunnery Sgt. Hartman, chant in unison, “This is my rifle, this is my gun. This is for fighting, this is for fun.” On the words “gun” and “fun” the privates grab their, well, privates, letting the audience know that there’s a Marine-Corp-specific semantic distinction between the words “rifle” and “gun.”
Unfortunately, too many pro-gun American men don’t know the difference and this is a central problem in the process of redefining the purpose and availability of firearms in America. Men, whether intentional or not, tend to confuse their guns for their penises. The bigger the gun/penis, the more masculine they are. Guns have become penis extensions, if not penis substitutes, and the phallic similarities are obvious.
Consequently, our gun culture too often blurs the line between masculinity and firearms, even among people who ought to know better. If you own, hunt, shoot, or generally fetishize firearms, it’s considered to be synonymous with being a tough, virile guy. Likewise, if you’re opposed to guns or, dare I say, afraid of guns, you’re considered girlish or — heaven forbid — gay. From a very early age, men are taught that guns are a manly-man guy thing. Hunting and shooting are manly activities, we’re told, and any dude who’s packing heat is a total badass because guns are badass. (Killing animals for pure sport is another issue for another day.)
That is my belief also. And the more I see these gun nuts behave so outrageously at any talk of sensible gun legislation, it confirms this, as they act if someone is talking about removing their peenies. Men who are not obsessive about guns are more secure in their manhood, do not feel the need to strut around with a gun substitute in their pants or an arsenal in their homes, making up for an inferiority complex.
Might be just me, but this is funny!
Bay Buchanan quits TV punditry, takes online real estate class after Romney’s ‘brutal’ loss
http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2013/01/28/bay-buchanan-quits-tv-punditry-takes-online-real-estate-class-after-romneys-brutal-loss/
Finally, do some work for a change. I wish all the pundtwits would lose their easy gigs and line up at the employment exchanges.
I liked the part where she called herself a “charming person”.
This had me ROFL:
“Being somebody that they kind of know will be a real positive and, as you know, I’m just a charming person,” Buchanan insisted…
It was so tough because they expected to win it – WHY on this planet did they expect to win it – did they really all believe their own propaganda?
Sure won’t miss Pat’s sister, just like I didn’t miss him. Pat and Bay are racists conservatives right wing people.
World Trade Organization holds elections for top spot
http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2013/01/29/world-trade-organization-holds-elections-for-top-spot/
Better late than never, I guess:
U.S. watchdog agency blasts executive pay at bailed-out firms
http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2013/01/29/u-s-watchdog-agency-blasts-executive-pay-at-bailed-out-firms/
Oh boy, looks like Chuckie is at it again…
Egypt’s army chief warns of ‘state collapse’ amid crisis.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-21241753
A very scary situation – democracy is messy! Unlike Richard Engel, I still think we did the right thing… we stand on the right side of history.
Kids have a simple way of making profound connections real.
I was just thinking how children have a way of putting things in simple terms. Their insightfulness truly touches our emotions.
https://twitter.com/NJedwina/status/296252503538954240
Does anyone have an idea of what time Pres. Obama is speaking in Las Vegas today?
Found this –
He is expected to speak shortly before noon at Del Sol High School Tuesday. It is the first trip of his second term.
And this, UT
2:55 Eastern according to CSPAN – they’ll carry it
http://www.c-span.org/Events/Pres-Obama-Delivers-Remarks-on-Immigration-Reform/10737437643/
This guy is the biggest ass**** ever. I detest this man (I use the term “man” loosely)
http://thinkprogress.org/lgbt/2013/01/29/1508131/mccain-binational-same-sex-couples-are-not-of-paramount-importance-for-immigration-reform/
Always EXCLUDING someone…like certain people shouldn’t have the same rights as everyone else….I really hope that this incarnation of the Reptilian Party goes into the dustbin of history.
I don’t trust anything John McCain is involved in.
Morning!
http://theobamadiary.com/2013/01/29/rise-and-shine-414/