PROGRESSIVE DISCUSSION - WEEKEND EDITION 2/16 - 2/18

Just a quick hello, and then I'll check back later. I'll be out of pocket again this weekend. DH wants to go down and check the progress on the restoration at the rental. Cabinets should go in today. Yesterday we went car shopping, and I came home with a new car. While I was happy with my old one, I think I'm going to really like this one. It has a lot of nice features. Now I just have to sit down, read, and learn how to use them.

Trying not to think of the horror of Florida, but it's an impossible task. I am so disgusted and depressed by the inaction of our political leaders. Once again I have contacted my representative and senators, but as usual I know it's just an exercise in futility. They each have their grubby hands in the NRA till.

"These things aren't happening in other countries. So why do we allow it here?"

Because a GIANT corporation that manufactures killing machines has tricked ignorant and deplorable people into believing owning and using their product is as American as Mom and apple pie. Anyone against killing machines is anti-American. Okay, then. I'm anti-American. Sue me!

The NRA donates huge amounts of money (bribes?) to evil politicians. That's why we allow it here. Money is our god. Two bible verses come to mind. You can't serve God and money. The love of money is the root of all evil.

Until we love and adore our children as well as each other much more than we love money, this will never, ever change. Until we worship all Creation, all living things, more than money this will never change. Until we're smart enough to realize how stupid we are, this will never change.

Maybe it's time we stopped sending out prayers (asking Someone else to fix our own problem) and face the reality that we've been had.

We have safety caps on laundry soap because those not mature enough to know better could swallow it. We have seat belts in cars to save our lives because we know there are people on the road driving under the influence or just bad drivers. We have traffic lights to control traffic because without them we'd crash into each other. There's warnings on cigarettes and restrictions on buying booze.

And yet, any Tom, Dick, and Harry can buy a semi automatic killing machine because, damn it, it's our Constitutional right. Nobody is going to tell us we can't. So there! We have a problem. The first step toward recovery is to admit we have a problem. But, we're too stupid and arrogant to admit that, so this will never stop.

Perhaps, if we put more Democrats in government there could be some kind of intelligent and rational change, but the GOP has the huddled masses believing Republicans are the party of God and God is in control. This is all part of a Perfect Plan. Blind fools! Putty in the hands of the gun makers. Ugh. @@

Joyce- I am honored to be considered your friend......

THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS AND NRA FUNDING



Most Americans support stronger gun laws — laws that would reduce deaths. But Republicans in Congress stand in the way. They fear alienating their primary voters and the National Rifle Association.

Below are the top 10 career recipients of N.R.A. funding – through donations or spending to benefit the candidate – among both current House and Senate members, along with their statements about the Las Vegas massacre. These representatives have a lot to say about it. All the while, they refuse to do anything to avoid the next massacre.
Senate
1.

John McCain
Ariz.

“Cindy & I are praying for the victims of the terrible #LasVegasShooting & their families.”

$7,740,521
from the N.R.A.
2.

Richard Burr
N.C.

“My heart is with the people of Las Vegas and their first responders today. This morning’s tragic violence has absolutely no place here in America.”

$6,986,620
from the N.R.A.
3.

Roy Blunt
Mo.

“Saddened by the tragic loss of life in #LasVegas. My thoughts are with all of the families affected by this horrific attack.”

$4,551,146
from the N.R.A.
4.

Thom Tillis
N.C.

“Susan and I send our deepest condolences and prayers to the families of the victims of this horrific and senseless tragedy in Las Vegas.”

$4,418,012
from the N.R.A.
5.

Cory Gardner
Co.

“My family and I are praying for the families of those injured and killed in Las Vegas last night.”

$3,879,064
from the N.R.A.
6.

Marco Rubio
Fla.

“I’m praying for all the victims, their families, and our first responders in the #LasVegas #MandalayBay shooting.”

$3,303,355
from the N.R.A.
7.

Joni Ernst
Iowa

“My prayers are with all of the victims in Las Vegas, and their loved ones affected by this senseless act of violence.”

$3,124,273
from the N.R.A.
8.

Rob Portman
Ohio

“Jane & I mourn the loss of innocent lives in this horrific attack in Las Vegas last night. We are praying for those taken from us, their families & all those injured in this attack.”

$3,061,941
from the N.R.A.
9.

Todd Young
Ind.

“We must offer our full support to the victims and their families as our nation mourns.”

$2,896,732
from the N.R.A.
10.

Bill Cassidy
La.

“Following closely the horrendous act of violence in Las Vegas. Our prayers are with those who were injured, killed and their families.”

$2,861,047
from the N.R.A.
House
1.

French Hill
Ark.

“Martha and I are praying for the families and victims of this senseless act of evil. […] We must continue to work together to stop this kind of terror.”

$1,089,477
from the N.R.A.
2.

Ken Buck
Co.

“I'm praying for all of those impacted by the evil events in Las Vegas last night. Our country must stand together in support of the families of the victims and the community.”

$800,544
from the N.R.A.
3.

David Young
Iowa

“My thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families and friends of the horrific and evil tragedy in Las Vegas.”

$707,662
from the N.R.A.
4.

Mike Simpson
Idaho

“Though no words can heal our hurt, and no explanation will ever feel sufficient, I pray that all involved may find comfort as we process this devastating tragedy.”

$385,731
from the N.R.A.
5.

Greg Gianforte
Mont.

No statement released.

$344,630
from the N.R.A.
6.

Don Young
Alaska

“Anne and I are praying for all those involved or impacted by this heinous act of violence.”

$245,720
from the N.R.A.
7.

Lloyd Smucker
Pa.

“Horrific act of violence in Las Vegas. Cindy and I pray for the victims, their families, and the first responders.”

$221,736
from the N.R.A.
8.

Bruce Poliquin
Maine

“My thoughts are with all those effected in the horrifying attacks in Las Vegas. The nation is with you.”

$201,398
from the N.R.A.
9.

Pete Sessions
Tex.

“My deepest sympathies are with all who were harmed by this horrific tragedy.”

$158,111
from the N.R.A.
10.

Barbara Comstock
Va.

“I am heartbroken by the mass murder that took place last night in Las Vegas and I am praying for the victims, families, and first responders.”

$137,232
from the N.R.A.

All of these representatives are Republican. The highest ranked Democrat in the House is Sanford Bishop, who ranks 41st in career donations from the N.R.A. Among the top 100 House recipients, 95 are Republican. In the Senate, the top two Democrats are Joe Manchin of West Virginia and Patrick Leahy of Vermont, who rank 52nd and 53rd — behind every Republican but Dan Sullivan of Alaska.

Finally, why are our numbers different from those in Bret Stephens's column on the Second Amendment? Because ours include money the N.R.A. spends on behalf of candidates, in addition to money it gives directly to candidates.

Note: John McCain received the bulk of his donations as the 2008 Republican presidential nominee. For all Congress members, total includes both direct campaign contributions as well as outside money spent on behalf of candidates from the N.R.A.'s Political Action Committees and directly from the N.R.A.'s 501(c)(4) social welfare arm, which does not have to disclose its donors to the public. Figures also subtract independent expenditures for and against opponents if the candidate did not compete in a general election. Dollar figures are career totals back to 1989.

Source: Center for Responsive Politics"

"Ya know, just in case anyone wants to be so informed, just putting this out there."

Baby Eric is just as clueless as his daddy! Putting a pic on Twiiter of Helicopter arriving at Mar a Lago during his visit to victims is beyond clueless! I only wish a few of these students that were affected by this latest shooting would get right in JA face & tell him exactly what they think. From what I've seen & heard it would be brutal. Somehow I doubt that would even bother him! As for Melania, she looks like one unhappy First Lady. No sympathy here tho! What a big ugly mess the whole Trump family is. UGH!

Because he's the center of attention. Lest we forget, he's not a president. He's a tv personality. He's a star. All stars want the camera on them, thank you very much. Everything and anything that happens, floods, fires, murders, are all opportunities for a tv personality to be seen in public and adored.

The thumbs us is for himself and the lack of empathy is, well, because he has none. It's always about donny.