We are, at this moment, just a few days closer than three and one half years before the next presidential election.Yet, this past week or so has seemed like a pre election October.
White hot anger, unrepentant hatred, and abject fear have all mingled into one great maelstrom that is now pouring out across every media outlet in the land. The collective conservative nightmare has a name and it is Hillary Rodham Clinton. The tragedy in Benghazi is the excuse, but make no mistake. The hearings, the faux outrage, every bit of it, is nothing more than a pre-emptive strike on her 2016 run at the white house. NBC News reports that GOP groups such as America Rising, Citizens United, The Drudge Report, and master poll analyst Karl Rove's American Crossroads are all hot to trot with sharp questions, harrowing accusations, and outright bullshit. You don't get hit with this sort of political vindictive from werewolves such as these when you are simply a retired secretary of state. No, if they considered her out of the mix they'd be all over Barak Obama and Joe Biden instead. This is the sort of stuff they reserve for current threats, not past enemies.
Think of it. Conservatives had to put up with Wild Bill for eight years, then after having to steal an election from Al Gore they had their brutal way with us for the next eight. They screwed the pooch so badly during that time, so mis-managed everything from wars to the economy that after Bush was gone they got their heads handed to them not once, but twice by a first term senator from Illinois. That would be sixteen revolutions around the sun out of the last twenty-four that they've been on the outside. Now here comes Hillary and at this moment the only guy they have who appears to be able to compete with her on a national level is Chris Christie and he is utterly unacceptable to the maniac grass roots hoi polloi. So they are now doing what they do best. Attack, attack, and attack again. Screw reason and to hell with the timing. They are going to drag the Benghazi thing out and milk it for as long as they can because eight more years of the Clinton family living on Pennsylvania Avenue is absolutely unacceptable.
Yes, it doesn't take much to see a sweat soaked Bill O'Reilly wasting away on a dirty mattress whispering, "The horror, the horror."
Meanwhile, our chief diplomatic envoy to North Korea, Dennis Rodman tweeted, his pal Kim Jong-un on May 7th. The text of the tweet was, "I'm calling on the supreme leader of North Korea, or as I call him, Kim, to do me a solid and cut Kenneth Bae loose." Bae is the Korean-American who just got hit with 15 years of hard labor. He was accused and convicted of trying to single handily overthrow the government of the Democratic People's Republic. It is unclear if Kim will know what a "solid" is, or if he will understand what the real definition of "cutting Kenneth Bae loose" means. What ever the case, our man in Pyongyang is none to happy with the American president. In a recent interview he told a reporter, "Obama can't do shit. I don't know why he won't go talk to him."
Actually Rodman's naivety, on the surface anyway, is a bit refreshing. In his own weird way he is simply saying that if everyone would just talk to each other we can solve all of our problems. You bet, as the song says, "all we are saying is give peace a chance." However, as a man with three ex-wives who has faced charges of domestic abuse, brother Rodman should realize that just talking doesn't work much of the time.
Finally, MSN is reporting that those happy go lucky wits at Zombie Industries caught some serious heat from individual women, at least one organized women's group, and practically everyone else with a brain over their exploding, fake blood engorged target, known as "Ex Girl Friend." According to the report, CEO of ZI, Roger Davis was "disappointed that feelings were hurt." He was also quoted by the Huffington Post as saying he was sorry if anyone was offended. He told the media that the rubbery dummy target would stay on sale until Monday, then it would be pulled off the market. He added that it would be quickly replaced by a look alike female target which would have green skin, instead of pink, highlighting her zombiness. In his words, "What we made was not intended to be a real woman." No, old sport, just the fantasy of every misogynistic, erectile dysfunctional, fool with a gun who is trying to work himself up into doing the real thing.
Be of cheer though gun aficionados. Zombie Industries is still marketing their "Rocky" model target which bears a distinct resemblance to Barack Obama. So for all you tea party quacks out there, you can still blow the head off a likeness of the president of the United States of America for only $89.95, plus shipping and handling.
Yes, it has been a long week and I didn't even touch on the beast in Cleveland who kidnapped, tortured and raped three women for nearly a decade. Sometimes the overload is just too much, even for me.
Luckily the weekend is here and the refrigerator is full of beer and red meat.
It is time for a break and a cigar.
Be well and prosper.
Mr. Scott you have the helm..
5-10-13
Friday, May 10, 2013
Thursday, May 9, 2013
The Cruz Dilemma, That Pesky Constitution, and Paranoia in Oklahoma
There is about to be a huge dilemma for a large number of conservative wankers out there. It is one so delicious with irony that it simply smacks of the old "Twilight Zone" television series. The title of the episode will be, "Birthers Thy Crusade Has Come Home to Bite You in the Ass."
Here is the scenario. A first term senator has his eye on the white house, however he has a large problem. He was born on foreign soil and his father, at the time of his birth, was not a citizen of this fine nation. Only now there is no need for anyone to run around in circles like Chicken Little screaming about forged birth certificates. His place of birth and his old man's status are well documented public knowledge.
The senator's name? Why it would be none other than Rafael Edward Cruz. His pals call him Ted. He is the new and brightly minted hero of the far right. He spoke to the NRA the other day and said, "The constitution matters. All of the constitution. It is not pick and choose. It's not take parts you like and get rid of parts you don't like."
Cruz's father, Rafael was born in Cuba and took to a boat shortly after Fidel began running the place. He married an American named Eleanor. After they had been together for a bit they moved to Alberta, Canada to work in the oil business. That is where their son, Ted made his first appearance on the planet. He was four years old by the time the family moved back to Texas. It was only after their return that Rafael became a naturalized American citizen.
Yes, it appears we have an insidious foreigner in our midst with designs on the highest office in the land. No wonder the screeching little ferret doesn't sound like one of us. It turns out he isn't.
Here is what Article II, Section 1 of that pesky U.S. constitution says, "No person except a natural born citizen or citizen of the United States at the time of the adoption of this constitution shall be eligible for the office of the president."
I know, it is a little fuzzy, but it was clear enough back in the day that Alexander Hamilton was ruled ineligible for the office. Hamilton who could be considered a founding father, reached the rank of major general during the revolution, and served as the first secretary of the treasury. He was also born in Charlestown on the island of Nevis and didn't move to the North American British colonies until he was 17. That put the kibosh on any aspirations he might have had for the presidency after the U.S. won its independence.
Now you know why mobs of right wing hacks are so desperate to prove Obama wasn't born here. You also know why Ted Cruz won't qualify for an office he so obviously has a hard on for if his buddies like Don Trump and Sheriff Joe Arpaio are correct.
Cruz dismisses the entire train of thought by saying, "My mom was a citizen, so I'm a citizen by birth." But wait, if that is the case why does anyone give a shit about where Obama was born, because his mother was a citizen too. Well that answer is a bit painful, because it involves race and no one wants to admit they are a racist. At least not publicly
For those of you with enough sense to not to pay any attention to the likes of Trump and other fellow travelers, this whole "Obama isn't a citizen" thing is still dragging on. The New American reports there is going to be a trial down in Alabama soon. Arpaio and his crack team of investigators are going to testify before the state supreme court and according to that online publication they'll claim they have irrefutable evidence the president was not born in the United States. The article, written by Joe Wolverton, goes on to say it doesn't matter where Obama was born. In his interpretation of the constitution both parents have to be American citizens for you to be eligible for the presidency. In other words Ted Cruz could have been born in Des Moines fucking Iowa and he'd still be disqualified because his father wasn't a citizen.
Wolverton quotes some arcane sources for that translation of the constitution, but hey, everyone gets to have an opinion--even people who write for The New American, which is brought to us by none other than the John Birch Society.
Obviously this is all utter nonsense. There isn't a sane person, or genuine constitutional scholar out there who believes that either Cruz, or Obama is ineligible for the presidency. However, the truth remains that you can't have it both ways. If Barack Obama can't be the commander in chief, then neither can Ted Cruz. Just watching what will be a two step, side step, head ducking, wildly clucking dance by the extreme right in 2016 over this issue is going to be worth the price of admission, especially if Cruz wins the nomination.
Meanwhile, here in Oklahoma a twinge of paranoia set in. A few weeks ago I signed an online petition in favor of requiring back ground checks at gun shows and before the online sale of a weapon could be completed. The petition was then forwarded to the entire ultra conservative Oklahoma congressional delegation. Later I shot off a bitter email to Senator Tom Coburn complaining about his vote against the expanded checks.
Yesterday, the republican controlled Oklahoma State Election Board sent me a terse note demanding that I verify my place of residence within sixty days. I was informed if I didn't comply I would forfeit my right to vote. They also warned darkly that if I misled them in any way I could do something like five years in jail and get hit with a $10,000 fine. My wife, who didn't sign the petition, or email anyone didn't get a similar note.
There is nothing like a startling little coincidence to make you look over your shoulder.
Perhaps I should call Joe Arpaio. He understands how to get to the bottom of a conspiracy like this.
Or not.
Looking at his politics, he'd probably end up proving that I am a closet Canadian. You know, that one born right down the street from Ted Cruz.
Ah, the webs we weave.
sic vita est
5-9-13
Here is the scenario. A first term senator has his eye on the white house, however he has a large problem. He was born on foreign soil and his father, at the time of his birth, was not a citizen of this fine nation. Only now there is no need for anyone to run around in circles like Chicken Little screaming about forged birth certificates. His place of birth and his old man's status are well documented public knowledge.
The senator's name? Why it would be none other than Rafael Edward Cruz. His pals call him Ted. He is the new and brightly minted hero of the far right. He spoke to the NRA the other day and said, "The constitution matters. All of the constitution. It is not pick and choose. It's not take parts you like and get rid of parts you don't like."
Cruz's father, Rafael was born in Cuba and took to a boat shortly after Fidel began running the place. He married an American named Eleanor. After they had been together for a bit they moved to Alberta, Canada to work in the oil business. That is where their son, Ted made his first appearance on the planet. He was four years old by the time the family moved back to Texas. It was only after their return that Rafael became a naturalized American citizen.
Yes, it appears we have an insidious foreigner in our midst with designs on the highest office in the land. No wonder the screeching little ferret doesn't sound like one of us. It turns out he isn't.
Here is what Article II, Section 1 of that pesky U.S. constitution says, "No person except a natural born citizen or citizen of the United States at the time of the adoption of this constitution shall be eligible for the office of the president."
I know, it is a little fuzzy, but it was clear enough back in the day that Alexander Hamilton was ruled ineligible for the office. Hamilton who could be considered a founding father, reached the rank of major general during the revolution, and served as the first secretary of the treasury. He was also born in Charlestown on the island of Nevis and didn't move to the North American British colonies until he was 17. That put the kibosh on any aspirations he might have had for the presidency after the U.S. won its independence.
Now you know why mobs of right wing hacks are so desperate to prove Obama wasn't born here. You also know why Ted Cruz won't qualify for an office he so obviously has a hard on for if his buddies like Don Trump and Sheriff Joe Arpaio are correct.
Cruz dismisses the entire train of thought by saying, "My mom was a citizen, so I'm a citizen by birth." But wait, if that is the case why does anyone give a shit about where Obama was born, because his mother was a citizen too. Well that answer is a bit painful, because it involves race and no one wants to admit they are a racist. At least not publicly
For those of you with enough sense to not to pay any attention to the likes of Trump and other fellow travelers, this whole "Obama isn't a citizen" thing is still dragging on. The New American reports there is going to be a trial down in Alabama soon. Arpaio and his crack team of investigators are going to testify before the state supreme court and according to that online publication they'll claim they have irrefutable evidence the president was not born in the United States. The article, written by Joe Wolverton, goes on to say it doesn't matter where Obama was born. In his interpretation of the constitution both parents have to be American citizens for you to be eligible for the presidency. In other words Ted Cruz could have been born in Des Moines fucking Iowa and he'd still be disqualified because his father wasn't a citizen.
Wolverton quotes some arcane sources for that translation of the constitution, but hey, everyone gets to have an opinion--even people who write for The New American, which is brought to us by none other than the John Birch Society.
Obviously this is all utter nonsense. There isn't a sane person, or genuine constitutional scholar out there who believes that either Cruz, or Obama is ineligible for the presidency. However, the truth remains that you can't have it both ways. If Barack Obama can't be the commander in chief, then neither can Ted Cruz. Just watching what will be a two step, side step, head ducking, wildly clucking dance by the extreme right in 2016 over this issue is going to be worth the price of admission, especially if Cruz wins the nomination.
Meanwhile, here in Oklahoma a twinge of paranoia set in. A few weeks ago I signed an online petition in favor of requiring back ground checks at gun shows and before the online sale of a weapon could be completed. The petition was then forwarded to the entire ultra conservative Oklahoma congressional delegation. Later I shot off a bitter email to Senator Tom Coburn complaining about his vote against the expanded checks.
Yesterday, the republican controlled Oklahoma State Election Board sent me a terse note demanding that I verify my place of residence within sixty days. I was informed if I didn't comply I would forfeit my right to vote. They also warned darkly that if I misled them in any way I could do something like five years in jail and get hit with a $10,000 fine. My wife, who didn't sign the petition, or email anyone didn't get a similar note.
There is nothing like a startling little coincidence to make you look over your shoulder.
Perhaps I should call Joe Arpaio. He understands how to get to the bottom of a conspiracy like this.
Or not.
Looking at his politics, he'd probably end up proving that I am a closet Canadian. You know, that one born right down the street from Ted Cruz.
Ah, the webs we weave.
sic vita est
5-9-13
Tuesday, May 7, 2013
The NRA Group Hug, The Revolution Yes, and Fun and Entertaining Targets For Young Americans
The aim of Zombie Industries is to design entertaining and fun targets that allow young Americans to get outside and learn about gun safety with their families.
Zombie Industries CEO, Roger Davis
You bet. It was just that annual group hug between patriotic good ol' boys who love to hunt. Indeed, peace and love were in the air among all those grass roots constitutional scholars who have nothing more controversial in mind than to support the second amendment.
Well, now that the NRA convention has wound down in Houston it is time, perhaps, to reflect on what we've learned the last few days.
First, Wayne LaPierre's pal, Sarah Palin and a couple of other people claimed that pro gun control forces ruthlessly exploited the Newtown, CT shooting and the parents of the children killed there for political purposes. It didn't take long for LaPierre to pick up on that idea by wondering aloud during a speech how many people in Boston wished they'd had a gun a couple of weeks ago. Then he babbled out his catchphrase, "The only thing that will stop a bad guy with a gun is a good guy with a gun."
MSNBC's Lawrence O'Donnell quickly pointed out that every position the NRA has taken only made it easier for the brothers Tsarnaev to secure firearms. Those would be the ones used during the Watertown shoot out and the one used to murder Sean Collier. Collier was a trained and armed MIT police officer and the only person in the entire tragic affair who was shot to death by the accused pair. O'Donnell also noted that LaPierre's idea of good guys with guns are people like himself and the rest of the NRA membership and they had nothing to do with the killing of one suspect and the capture of a second. It was, in fact, an effort by a number of different police agencies, the very same people the NRA ultimately believes they will have to protect themselves from.
That leads us to a recent Fairleigh-Dickinson University/PublicMind poll. It found that 44% of registered republicans believe the nation is headed toward an armed revolt in order to protect "liberties." The poll doesn't define what those liberties are. However, odds are that most of those who think there is some sort of conflagration on the way have become convinced it is the only way they can regain control of the nation. Yes, screw the legally elected government. Who needs to organize and wage a responsible political campaign that most of the American public can support? We have guns, we're white and we're going to do whatever the fuck we want.
Proving this sort of bullshit is rooted solidly in delusional paranoia the same poll shows that 32% of republicans think important facts about the mass murders in Newtown have been covered up by the government. What those facts may be aren't explained. It could be they feel the number of kids killed was exaggerated, or that Lanza was another victim of the nefarious MK Ultra program. Or, in the end, some might think it was all just a merry mix up.
The organization elected a new president. He is a former Alabama lawyer named Jim Porter. He remained relatively mum, letting LaPierre do the saber rattling. In the past however he has spoken at length about the American civil war, which he calls, "the war of northern aggression." He has also referred to Barak Obama as a "fake president" and stated that the entire Obama administration is "anti freedom."
Finally we get to the happy go lucky guys at Zombie Industries. CEO, Roger Davis' idea of fun and entertaining targets for young Americans are in effect dummies made of a biodegradable substance that bleeds and bursts apart when shot. Yes, I suppose that is one way to teach young people about gun safety. "Hey little guy, here is what it looks like when you blow the head off of a fellow human being." The targets come in several varieties. There is one of a clown. There is also a heart warming "ex-girlfriend" target. And, of course, to pander to all those would be freedom fighters there is a Nazi figure and an Osama bin Laden one. Right next to those two evil visages there was one named, "Rocky." Rocky has a grotesque, but definite resemblance to the President of the United States of America.
Davis insists that the target wasn't designed to resemble Obama, but was meant to represent an African-American. I guess when you're a NRA type all African-Americans look alike. One employee of the company snickered, "Lets just say I gave my republican father one for Christmas."
Lets sum up then. A huge number of these Rambo wannabes think an armed revolt is inevitable and the country is run by a "fake president." So now, instead of letting their kids play the insidious video games that LaPierre blames the Newtown shootings on, they're going to teach their children how to assassinate the commander in chief of the armed forces of the United States--fake blood, guts, and gore thrown in at no extra charge.
Oh yes, good clean fun and far more innocent and inspiring than games such as Resident Evil 5 and Grand Theft Auto.
The Obama look alike mysteriously disappeared from the Zombie Industries booth at the convention over the weekend. There is confusion over why. Initially it was thought that in a rare fit of public relations common sense the NRA asked ZI to take it down. Later a spokesperson for the company claimed they had simply sold out of them. Whichever the case the squishy guy remains available for purchase.
What any of this horrific nonsense has to do with hunting is beyond me. Adolphus Busch IV, of Budweiser beer fame must have similar questions because he resigned his life time membership with the organization a number of weeks ago. A disgusted, George H.W. Bush did the same thing not long after the Oklahoma City bombing in 1995.
I don't know exactly what the NRA started out as, but I have to think its founders would not recognize this crude and violent outfit now. Back then people had brains and some sort of sense of civilization and decency. That certainly isn't the case now and hasn't been for decades.
Slate and @GunDeaths report that as of yesterday at least 3,852 Americans have been shot to death since December 14, 2012.
That isn't political exploitation. It is a simple fact.
There is some liberty for you.
5-7-13
Zombie Industries CEO, Roger Davis
You bet. It was just that annual group hug between patriotic good ol' boys who love to hunt. Indeed, peace and love were in the air among all those grass roots constitutional scholars who have nothing more controversial in mind than to support the second amendment.
Well, now that the NRA convention has wound down in Houston it is time, perhaps, to reflect on what we've learned the last few days.
First, Wayne LaPierre's pal, Sarah Palin and a couple of other people claimed that pro gun control forces ruthlessly exploited the Newtown, CT shooting and the parents of the children killed there for political purposes. It didn't take long for LaPierre to pick up on that idea by wondering aloud during a speech how many people in Boston wished they'd had a gun a couple of weeks ago. Then he babbled out his catchphrase, "The only thing that will stop a bad guy with a gun is a good guy with a gun."
MSNBC's Lawrence O'Donnell quickly pointed out that every position the NRA has taken only made it easier for the brothers Tsarnaev to secure firearms. Those would be the ones used during the Watertown shoot out and the one used to murder Sean Collier. Collier was a trained and armed MIT police officer and the only person in the entire tragic affair who was shot to death by the accused pair. O'Donnell also noted that LaPierre's idea of good guys with guns are people like himself and the rest of the NRA membership and they had nothing to do with the killing of one suspect and the capture of a second. It was, in fact, an effort by a number of different police agencies, the very same people the NRA ultimately believes they will have to protect themselves from.
That leads us to a recent Fairleigh-Dickinson University/PublicMind poll. It found that 44% of registered republicans believe the nation is headed toward an armed revolt in order to protect "liberties." The poll doesn't define what those liberties are. However, odds are that most of those who think there is some sort of conflagration on the way have become convinced it is the only way they can regain control of the nation. Yes, screw the legally elected government. Who needs to organize and wage a responsible political campaign that most of the American public can support? We have guns, we're white and we're going to do whatever the fuck we want.
Proving this sort of bullshit is rooted solidly in delusional paranoia the same poll shows that 32% of republicans think important facts about the mass murders in Newtown have been covered up by the government. What those facts may be aren't explained. It could be they feel the number of kids killed was exaggerated, or that Lanza was another victim of the nefarious MK Ultra program. Or, in the end, some might think it was all just a merry mix up.
The organization elected a new president. He is a former Alabama lawyer named Jim Porter. He remained relatively mum, letting LaPierre do the saber rattling. In the past however he has spoken at length about the American civil war, which he calls, "the war of northern aggression." He has also referred to Barak Obama as a "fake president" and stated that the entire Obama administration is "anti freedom."
Finally we get to the happy go lucky guys at Zombie Industries. CEO, Roger Davis' idea of fun and entertaining targets for young Americans are in effect dummies made of a biodegradable substance that bleeds and bursts apart when shot. Yes, I suppose that is one way to teach young people about gun safety. "Hey little guy, here is what it looks like when you blow the head off of a fellow human being." The targets come in several varieties. There is one of a clown. There is also a heart warming "ex-girlfriend" target. And, of course, to pander to all those would be freedom fighters there is a Nazi figure and an Osama bin Laden one. Right next to those two evil visages there was one named, "Rocky." Rocky has a grotesque, but definite resemblance to the President of the United States of America.
Davis insists that the target wasn't designed to resemble Obama, but was meant to represent an African-American. I guess when you're a NRA type all African-Americans look alike. One employee of the company snickered, "Lets just say I gave my republican father one for Christmas."
Lets sum up then. A huge number of these Rambo wannabes think an armed revolt is inevitable and the country is run by a "fake president." So now, instead of letting their kids play the insidious video games that LaPierre blames the Newtown shootings on, they're going to teach their children how to assassinate the commander in chief of the armed forces of the United States--fake blood, guts, and gore thrown in at no extra charge.
Oh yes, good clean fun and far more innocent and inspiring than games such as Resident Evil 5 and Grand Theft Auto.
The Obama look alike mysteriously disappeared from the Zombie Industries booth at the convention over the weekend. There is confusion over why. Initially it was thought that in a rare fit of public relations common sense the NRA asked ZI to take it down. Later a spokesperson for the company claimed they had simply sold out of them. Whichever the case the squishy guy remains available for purchase.
What any of this horrific nonsense has to do with hunting is beyond me. Adolphus Busch IV, of Budweiser beer fame must have similar questions because he resigned his life time membership with the organization a number of weeks ago. A disgusted, George H.W. Bush did the same thing not long after the Oklahoma City bombing in 1995.
I don't know exactly what the NRA started out as, but I have to think its founders would not recognize this crude and violent outfit now. Back then people had brains and some sort of sense of civilization and decency. That certainly isn't the case now and hasn't been for decades.
Slate and @GunDeaths report that as of yesterday at least 3,852 Americans have been shot to death since December 14, 2012.
That isn't political exploitation. It is a simple fact.
There is some liberty for you.
5-7-13
Monday, May 6, 2013
Worker Friendly Republicans
Ever hear of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938? That is the law that requires employers to compensate covered employees with time and an half pay for every hour they work over 40 in a given week. You know, if Hertz pays you $8 an hour they have to give you $12 for each hour you're on the clock beyond the magic 40 mark.
Enter representative Martha Roby, R-AL. She is sponsoring a bill that would give employers and employees the choice of offering and taking the time and a half, or giving, or receiving compensation through taking days off with pay. MSN writer, Sam Hananel says that it is all part of the GOP effort to become more worker friendly. According to the congresswoman, "For some people time is more valuable than the cash accrued in overtime." Hananel also quotes her as saying, "Why should public sector employees be given a benefit and the private sector be left out?"
Hananel writes that the federal government and many state governments began offering the plan in 1985.
Well there are a couple of reasons most democrats and labor unions don't go along with this "friendly" idea. First off, Judith Lichtman, who is identified as a senior advisor to the National Partnership for Women and Families, points out that this benefit wasn't created to give public sector employees more flexibility. It was created to save the government money. You betcha, it saves the employer money, a concept that warms the cockles of every republican heart. Look at it this way, instead of having to kick you that $12 an hour, the good ol' boys at Hertz give you a few hours off, costing them only $8 per hour.
Now which of those two options do you think the bean counters are going to want you to pick? In theory you can choose, but trust me, there is going to be some serious heat put on people to sign up for the time off option. For the most part public sector employees have unions to back them up. Only 6.6% of the private sector work force have that luxury.
Why is that necessary, other than the obvious ones? Hananel's article notes that there is no guarantee in Roby's bill that employees can take this comp time whenever they want. In fact it would be completely up to the discretion of the employer to decide when they grant it. That would be opposed to them having to pay you the overtime on your next check. In other words, just because they owe you the time you can't count on them granting it because your Dad broke his collar bone and needs help around his home for a couple of weeks. Yes, everyone out there who has worked for assholes like Hertz should be able to see this line coming from some Human Resources slime, "We know you have eighty hours accrued, but we're really, really busy this year, so come back to us in January and we'll see if we're able to let you take it then. Just remember we can't guarantee it at that time either. And oh, by the way, thanks for the no interest loan you just gave us."
Actually I'm just kidding. The HR chump won't thank you for the no interest loan. The company will simply take your money and run with it and laugh all the way to the bank.
In Hananel's opinion some travesty like this will never get passed in the Senate. That would be the same august body that just ignored nearly ninety percent of the American public on expanded background checks of drooling loons who want to buy a gun. Excuse me, but right now I trust them to do the right thing about as much as I trust Rick Santorum to say, "You know, in certain cases abortion should be allowed."
This is just another grotesque scam perpetrated by a party that despises working people and loathes those who represent them.
These are the same clowns who drove us into the great depression and brought us to the brink of another one a little over four years ago. Now they want us to trust them with a plan that will allow corporations to screw with a working person's overtime pay.
Yes, it sounds awfully friendly to me, but not to the poor stiff punching the clock.
Sometimes I don't think republicans can go any lower than they all ready have. They never fail to disappoint though.
I suppose in the end, I'm just a naive guy who doesn't understand that dark chicanery never takes a day off.
That is what happens when you elect it.
sic vita est
5-6-13
Enter representative Martha Roby, R-AL. She is sponsoring a bill that would give employers and employees the choice of offering and taking the time and a half, or giving, or receiving compensation through taking days off with pay. MSN writer, Sam Hananel says that it is all part of the GOP effort to become more worker friendly. According to the congresswoman, "For some people time is more valuable than the cash accrued in overtime." Hananel also quotes her as saying, "Why should public sector employees be given a benefit and the private sector be left out?"
Hananel writes that the federal government and many state governments began offering the plan in 1985.
Well there are a couple of reasons most democrats and labor unions don't go along with this "friendly" idea. First off, Judith Lichtman, who is identified as a senior advisor to the National Partnership for Women and Families, points out that this benefit wasn't created to give public sector employees more flexibility. It was created to save the government money. You betcha, it saves the employer money, a concept that warms the cockles of every republican heart. Look at it this way, instead of having to kick you that $12 an hour, the good ol' boys at Hertz give you a few hours off, costing them only $8 per hour.
Now which of those two options do you think the bean counters are going to want you to pick? In theory you can choose, but trust me, there is going to be some serious heat put on people to sign up for the time off option. For the most part public sector employees have unions to back them up. Only 6.6% of the private sector work force have that luxury.
Why is that necessary, other than the obvious ones? Hananel's article notes that there is no guarantee in Roby's bill that employees can take this comp time whenever they want. In fact it would be completely up to the discretion of the employer to decide when they grant it. That would be opposed to them having to pay you the overtime on your next check. In other words, just because they owe you the time you can't count on them granting it because your Dad broke his collar bone and needs help around his home for a couple of weeks. Yes, everyone out there who has worked for assholes like Hertz should be able to see this line coming from some Human Resources slime, "We know you have eighty hours accrued, but we're really, really busy this year, so come back to us in January and we'll see if we're able to let you take it then. Just remember we can't guarantee it at that time either. And oh, by the way, thanks for the no interest loan you just gave us."
Actually I'm just kidding. The HR chump won't thank you for the no interest loan. The company will simply take your money and run with it and laugh all the way to the bank.
In Hananel's opinion some travesty like this will never get passed in the Senate. That would be the same august body that just ignored nearly ninety percent of the American public on expanded background checks of drooling loons who want to buy a gun. Excuse me, but right now I trust them to do the right thing about as much as I trust Rick Santorum to say, "You know, in certain cases abortion should be allowed."
This is just another grotesque scam perpetrated by a party that despises working people and loathes those who represent them.
These are the same clowns who drove us into the great depression and brought us to the brink of another one a little over four years ago. Now they want us to trust them with a plan that will allow corporations to screw with a working person's overtime pay.
Yes, it sounds awfully friendly to me, but not to the poor stiff punching the clock.
Sometimes I don't think republicans can go any lower than they all ready have. They never fail to disappoint though.
I suppose in the end, I'm just a naive guy who doesn't understand that dark chicanery never takes a day off.
That is what happens when you elect it.
sic vita est
5-6-13
Friday, May 3, 2013
Adam Holland Drew a Picture
There is no source on earth more informative than the internet. Unfortunately the dark side of that is there is also no place more vile, more abusive, and more unrelentingly ugly than the very same spot.
Think of it. Everything I write here can be accessed and commented on by any human being on the planet so long as he, or she has a computer. Not only that, but every photo that someone posts on the net will last forever, or at least until the electrical grid crashes, or the great comet comes slamming into our blue ball. Yes, all you beered up spring break hotties should realize that every one of those "Girls Gone Wild" moments will be available for viewing to all the children, grandchildren and great grandchildren you'll ever have.That is right, as long as this incredibly surreal world exists, you're going to be seen taking off your clothes in exchange for some two bit tee shirt that proclaims you did it.
Hey, I'm not saying I'm without sin, that I'm some sort of modern day monastic, or a twisted up puritan. You aren't my daughters so you bet I look every now and then. I will also confess that, in my humble judgement, the girls with the greatest looking breasts seem to come from the Southeastern Conference, although they also appear to be the most hammered, not to mention linguistically incomprehensible. Well, if you're stuck in Baton Rouge for nearly a half a decade what else are you going to do?
But I digress.
Here is what really matters. NBC News is reporting that about ten years ago a young man named Adam Holland drew a picture, held it up and had his picture taken. Adam Holland has Down syndrome. He is also a huge Tennessee Titans fan and his artwork was urging his team onward. His gaping grin is a wonder of innocence and exhilaration. He was supporting his team.
About a year ago the finely tuned wits at a radio station in Tampa, WHTP-FM, found the photo on the web and began using it on their site to introduce what they called, "The Retarded News." According to the program manager, that section of their site had nothing to do with people with disabilities, but rather to highlight odd and unusual news stories. Right. Explain that fine point to a certain Titans fan and his parents. Not long after the photo went viral the article's author, Helen A.S. Popkin pointed out other people began to use Adam's photo for their own entertainment.
In short order, what Popkin describes as a "user generated" meme website offered the photo of Adam in it's subtly named, "Retarded, Handicapped Generator." Countless reprints of Adam's photo began to appear on the web with all sorts of superimposed messages on his art work.
The Hollands have finally had enough. They are suing. The defendants are Cox Media, who owns, WHTP-FM, the meme site, and some asshole Flickr user in Minnesota, whose derogatory depiction of Adam took 31,000 hits. They are asking for $18 million from all the parties.
There are other cases such as these. A meme of a Down syndrome girl in the U.K. went viral. The text said, "I can't count to Potato." In 2006 the photos of a girl in California who died in a car crash was leaked one way or another to the web by the California Highway Patrol. A fake tribute page was set up on MySpace which included graphic crash scene photos. The family immediately began receiving emails of the worst sort regarding her death. The photos are still floating around. These cases were documented by Popkin.
I personally believe in evolution. I have this fantasy that it is all part of God's Great Plan. However, every now and then I begin to doubt that belief. In fact sometimes I seriously wonder if we're the most civilized, or even the most intelligent species on the planet. Oh sure we came up with the internet, but all that did was enable us become the crass, hateful, and anonymous animals we really are deep inside--that werewolf that doesn't maim and kill to eat, but does so just for the joy of maiming and killing. The truth is de Sade would drool with excitement and have a constant erection if he had access to this medium.
Well what should I expect in a world where a guy like Rush Limbaugh is a radio star because he says things about African Americans like, "They're 12% of the population. Who the hell cares?"
We don't have a civilization. Civilized people don't treat each other this way.
We have, as Hunter Thompson once said, sunk to the level of dumb beasts. Privacy and decency have, sadly, gone the way of the Dodo.
Sleep well. Just pray someone hasn't posted a photo of you out there, because there is no telling what someone else will turn it into. Obviously, cruelty knows no bounds.
The truth is everyone is watching, but very few have a soul. Just ask the family of Adam Holland.
sic vita est
5-3-13
Think of it. Everything I write here can be accessed and commented on by any human being on the planet so long as he, or she has a computer. Not only that, but every photo that someone posts on the net will last forever, or at least until the electrical grid crashes, or the great comet comes slamming into our blue ball. Yes, all you beered up spring break hotties should realize that every one of those "Girls Gone Wild" moments will be available for viewing to all the children, grandchildren and great grandchildren you'll ever have.That is right, as long as this incredibly surreal world exists, you're going to be seen taking off your clothes in exchange for some two bit tee shirt that proclaims you did it.
Hey, I'm not saying I'm without sin, that I'm some sort of modern day monastic, or a twisted up puritan. You aren't my daughters so you bet I look every now and then. I will also confess that, in my humble judgement, the girls with the greatest looking breasts seem to come from the Southeastern Conference, although they also appear to be the most hammered, not to mention linguistically incomprehensible. Well, if you're stuck in Baton Rouge for nearly a half a decade what else are you going to do?
But I digress.
Here is what really matters. NBC News is reporting that about ten years ago a young man named Adam Holland drew a picture, held it up and had his picture taken. Adam Holland has Down syndrome. He is also a huge Tennessee Titans fan and his artwork was urging his team onward. His gaping grin is a wonder of innocence and exhilaration. He was supporting his team.
About a year ago the finely tuned wits at a radio station in Tampa, WHTP-FM, found the photo on the web and began using it on their site to introduce what they called, "The Retarded News." According to the program manager, that section of their site had nothing to do with people with disabilities, but rather to highlight odd and unusual news stories. Right. Explain that fine point to a certain Titans fan and his parents. Not long after the photo went viral the article's author, Helen A.S. Popkin pointed out other people began to use Adam's photo for their own entertainment.
In short order, what Popkin describes as a "user generated" meme website offered the photo of Adam in it's subtly named, "Retarded, Handicapped Generator." Countless reprints of Adam's photo began to appear on the web with all sorts of superimposed messages on his art work.
The Hollands have finally had enough. They are suing. The defendants are Cox Media, who owns, WHTP-FM, the meme site, and some asshole Flickr user in Minnesota, whose derogatory depiction of Adam took 31,000 hits. They are asking for $18 million from all the parties.
There are other cases such as these. A meme of a Down syndrome girl in the U.K. went viral. The text said, "I can't count to Potato." In 2006 the photos of a girl in California who died in a car crash was leaked one way or another to the web by the California Highway Patrol. A fake tribute page was set up on MySpace which included graphic crash scene photos. The family immediately began receiving emails of the worst sort regarding her death. The photos are still floating around. These cases were documented by Popkin.
I personally believe in evolution. I have this fantasy that it is all part of God's Great Plan. However, every now and then I begin to doubt that belief. In fact sometimes I seriously wonder if we're the most civilized, or even the most intelligent species on the planet. Oh sure we came up with the internet, but all that did was enable us become the crass, hateful, and anonymous animals we really are deep inside--that werewolf that doesn't maim and kill to eat, but does so just for the joy of maiming and killing. The truth is de Sade would drool with excitement and have a constant erection if he had access to this medium.
Well what should I expect in a world where a guy like Rush Limbaugh is a radio star because he says things about African Americans like, "They're 12% of the population. Who the hell cares?"
We don't have a civilization. Civilized people don't treat each other this way.
We have, as Hunter Thompson once said, sunk to the level of dumb beasts. Privacy and decency have, sadly, gone the way of the Dodo.
Sleep well. Just pray someone hasn't posted a photo of you out there, because there is no telling what someone else will turn it into. Obviously, cruelty knows no bounds.
The truth is everyone is watching, but very few have a soul. Just ask the family of Adam Holland.
sic vita est
5-3-13
Thursday, May 2, 2013
A Rare Thing From a Republican and Racism is Alive
In the end it didn't pass because we're so politicized. There were some on my side who did not want to be seen helping the president do something he wanted to get done, just because the president wanted to do it.
Senator Pat Toomey, R-PA, co sponsor of a failed bill to require expanded background checks on those purchasing firearms that nearly 90% of Americans supported.
Ahh, the truth. A rare thing from a republican. It ranks right up there with Mitch McConnell's, "The single most important thing we want to achieve is for President Obama to be a one term president." He said that a little over four years ago, before Obama had proposed even one piece of legislation.
Yes, the vicious wanks on the right don't care about the condition of the country, the will of the majority, or even the state of our security. All they want is for that Black sonofabitch to fail.
It has become horribly obvious that the republican party has caved into every racist asshole in the nation. Their base can't stand the idea that a black man is running the show and they are going to make damn sure he can't accomplish anything, up to and including trying to prevent the increasing number of massacres of innocent citizens.
You don't think so?
Wayne LaPierre, you know, the guy from the NRA who says a free America can't cave into expanded background checks? Years ago he testified before congress that the NRA thought expanded background checks were reasonable and that his organization supported them. That was before Barak Obama was president. That is also before the NRA ran an ad that showed the president's two daughters, saying that they were more privileged than yours or mine because they had secret service protection.
The right wing media, all pervasive on radio and television, has portrayed Obama in ways it would have never even dreamed of when the despised Bill Clinton was in office.
Glenn Beck: "Obama has a deep seated hatred for white people, for white culture. I believe this guy is a racist."
Rush Limbaugh: "Obama and Oprah are only successful because they are black."
Then Limbaugh adds this bon mot, "The NAACP should have riot rehearsals. They should buy a liquor store and practice robberies."
Oh I can go on. Limbaugh also gives us this moment of Zen: (To a black caller) "Take that bone out of your nose and call me back."
The fact is that republicans did find a way to work with Billy Jeff Clinton, who Maya Angelou once said was our "first black president." Little did she know what was coming when the real first black president arrived on the scene.
The brutal truth is that the Obama presidency has ripped the lid off of the right wing lie that they aren't racists.
All the birther bullshit, all the "he's not one of us" is based on race. One old high school pal said to me, "He's just not for us." Another told me in all seriousness that, "he hates America." They have no evidence of any of that, other than he is a black guy who happened to be not only eloquent, but ended up being the leader of the country. They simply cannot accept an African American as a leader.
In truth Barak Obama has tried to move to the center time and time again and time and time again conservatives have refused to budge while claiming he is, "the most radical president we've ever had." They can't compromise with Obama because they can't be perceived to be making a deal with a black man. Even if they wanted to they are terrified their suburban white base would revolt and unfortunately, in many instances, they are right.
I used to love this country because I felt it was a decent place that believed in what was called The American Dream. Unfortunately, too many white people in this nation believe that dream is reserved for them and them alone. Too many white people think that a hand up is a hand out. Too many want to spend billions on bombs and not a penny on their fellow Americans who are in need.
Well guys you can yell and howl and scream all you want, but look at the numbers last November. You're doomed. You don't run this joint anymore and you can't win a national election with your vote alone. Sure, you can couch your racism in other terms by calling people socialists, foreigners, Muslims, and leeches--you can go all martyr by complaining that others are racist toward you, but the fact is, beyond your own little congressional district, you're fucked.
Just keep sliding to the right and see where it gets you in four years. Then when you get your heads handed to you again, you'll have no one to blame but yourselves and your own vile prejudices. The truth is, brothers and sisters, you must be born again, or go the way of the stegosaurus.
The shade of Crazy Horse is laughing his ass off right now.
And, honestly, I need a Tylenol.
Over and out.
5-2-13
Senator Pat Toomey, R-PA, co sponsor of a failed bill to require expanded background checks on those purchasing firearms that nearly 90% of Americans supported.
Ahh, the truth. A rare thing from a republican. It ranks right up there with Mitch McConnell's, "The single most important thing we want to achieve is for President Obama to be a one term president." He said that a little over four years ago, before Obama had proposed even one piece of legislation.
Yes, the vicious wanks on the right don't care about the condition of the country, the will of the majority, or even the state of our security. All they want is for that Black sonofabitch to fail.
It has become horribly obvious that the republican party has caved into every racist asshole in the nation. Their base can't stand the idea that a black man is running the show and they are going to make damn sure he can't accomplish anything, up to and including trying to prevent the increasing number of massacres of innocent citizens.
You don't think so?
Wayne LaPierre, you know, the guy from the NRA who says a free America can't cave into expanded background checks? Years ago he testified before congress that the NRA thought expanded background checks were reasonable and that his organization supported them. That was before Barak Obama was president. That is also before the NRA ran an ad that showed the president's two daughters, saying that they were more privileged than yours or mine because they had secret service protection.
The right wing media, all pervasive on radio and television, has portrayed Obama in ways it would have never even dreamed of when the despised Bill Clinton was in office.
Glenn Beck: "Obama has a deep seated hatred for white people, for white culture. I believe this guy is a racist."
Rush Limbaugh: "Obama and Oprah are only successful because they are black."
Then Limbaugh adds this bon mot, "The NAACP should have riot rehearsals. They should buy a liquor store and practice robberies."
Oh I can go on. Limbaugh also gives us this moment of Zen: (To a black caller) "Take that bone out of your nose and call me back."
The fact is that republicans did find a way to work with Billy Jeff Clinton, who Maya Angelou once said was our "first black president." Little did she know what was coming when the real first black president arrived on the scene.
The brutal truth is that the Obama presidency has ripped the lid off of the right wing lie that they aren't racists.
All the birther bullshit, all the "he's not one of us" is based on race. One old high school pal said to me, "He's just not for us." Another told me in all seriousness that, "he hates America." They have no evidence of any of that, other than he is a black guy who happened to be not only eloquent, but ended up being the leader of the country. They simply cannot accept an African American as a leader.
In truth Barak Obama has tried to move to the center time and time again and time and time again conservatives have refused to budge while claiming he is, "the most radical president we've ever had." They can't compromise with Obama because they can't be perceived to be making a deal with a black man. Even if they wanted to they are terrified their suburban white base would revolt and unfortunately, in many instances, they are right.
I used to love this country because I felt it was a decent place that believed in what was called The American Dream. Unfortunately, too many white people in this nation believe that dream is reserved for them and them alone. Too many white people think that a hand up is a hand out. Too many want to spend billions on bombs and not a penny on their fellow Americans who are in need.
Well guys you can yell and howl and scream all you want, but look at the numbers last November. You're doomed. You don't run this joint anymore and you can't win a national election with your vote alone. Sure, you can couch your racism in other terms by calling people socialists, foreigners, Muslims, and leeches--you can go all martyr by complaining that others are racist toward you, but the fact is, beyond your own little congressional district, you're fucked.
Just keep sliding to the right and see where it gets you in four years. Then when you get your heads handed to you again, you'll have no one to blame but yourselves and your own vile prejudices. The truth is, brothers and sisters, you must be born again, or go the way of the stegosaurus.
The shade of Crazy Horse is laughing his ass off right now.
And, honestly, I need a Tylenol.
Over and out.
5-2-13
Wednesday, May 1, 2013
Gunzapalooza
Yahoo News reported that the annual Williston, FL crabfest was held this past Saturday. According to a story by Eric Pfeiffer the event has no corporate, or municipal sponsors and more closely resembles a string of block parties spread out over a wide area. Pfeiffer also reported that incidents of violence had been growing the past few years so police and medical assistance teams were put on alert prior to this years big to-do that drew an estimated 10,000 people.
They were needed. Before it was over five people had been shot. One of the five died later at a hospital. Police took 19 year old Devonte Tremaine Ocasi into custody. He was charged with 1st degree murder, discharge of a firearm with injury, aggravated assault with a firearm, possession of a firearm and presumably with being a genuine asshole. He is being held on $1.5 million bond. There is no word as to whether he will try to invoke Florida's now famous "stand your ground" law which pretty much makes it legal to shoot anyone who sneers at you and or calls you a bad name.
That is what our old pal, George Zimmerman could have done this week in Sanford, FL, but he waived his right to that hearing in a move that was mildly surprising. Zimmerman is the neighborhood watch captain who was on his way to a Wal-Mart when he spotted Trayvon Martin walking through his gated community acting suspiciously. Zimmerman has never been entirely clear on why Martin seemed suspicious, other than he was black and wearing a hoodie. Martin was, in fact, walking to a condo in the complex where he and his father were staying with a friend. What happened next will be played out at Zimmerman's 2nd degree murder trial, but the end result was that Martin, who was armed with a bag of skittles and ice tea, was shot to death. Defense attorney, Mark O'Mara said that nothing in Florida law prevents Zimmerman from waiting to ask for the "stand your ground" hearing at a later date and that includes after the prosecution has finished presenting its case. If he had won a stand your ground decision George Zimmerman would have walked without a jury trial.
In Washington Oscar Ramiro Ortega-Hernandez is charged with attempting to assassinate the president of these United States. He has pleaded innocent. Court documents released by the prosecution the other day say that Mr. Ortega-Hernandez practiced with his assault style weapon for nearly six months at his Idaho home. The contention is that he was really, really pissed off at the government because of the continued criminalization of marijuana and believed Barak Obama was the Antichrist. The shooting occurred in November of 2011 and while it is alleged Ortega-Hernandez was able to hit the white house at least five times, he picked a bad day. Both the president and first lady were out of town at the time he is accused of opening fire. Well hey, you know, sometimes when you're stoned details tend to escape you.
Here in Oklahoma the trial of Rebecca Bryan is set to begin next week. Mrs. Bryan is accused of shooting her husband, Keith Bryan to death in 2011. Keith Bryan was the Nichols Hills, OK fire chief and the couple had been married over 30 years. Prosecutors believe Mrs. Bryan had previously been involved in an affair and wanted to reunite with a former lover. The defendant claims an intruder shot her husband. The gun used in the murder was found in the family clothes dryer by police.
And finally in Kentucky, NBC News reports that a five year old Cumberland County boy received a .22 caliber rifle as a gift last year. On Tuesday he accidentally shot his two year old sister to death with it. According to county coroner, Gary White the rifle was, "...a crickett. Its a little rifle for a kid." He went on to say, "The little boy is used to shooting the gun. The family didn't realize there was a shell in the gun."
Right. So it was a perfectly understandable tragedy.
Now, someone tell me again how people like these should have the right to bear arms because I do truly love fairy tales.
Slate and @GunDeaths report that as of today, at least 3,798 Americans have been shot to death since the Newtown, CT killings. Of that number 69 never reached the age of thirteen and another 190 never made it to twenty.
Who says we've gone soft?
5-1-13
They were needed. Before it was over five people had been shot. One of the five died later at a hospital. Police took 19 year old Devonte Tremaine Ocasi into custody. He was charged with 1st degree murder, discharge of a firearm with injury, aggravated assault with a firearm, possession of a firearm and presumably with being a genuine asshole. He is being held on $1.5 million bond. There is no word as to whether he will try to invoke Florida's now famous "stand your ground" law which pretty much makes it legal to shoot anyone who sneers at you and or calls you a bad name.
That is what our old pal, George Zimmerman could have done this week in Sanford, FL, but he waived his right to that hearing in a move that was mildly surprising. Zimmerman is the neighborhood watch captain who was on his way to a Wal-Mart when he spotted Trayvon Martin walking through his gated community acting suspiciously. Zimmerman has never been entirely clear on why Martin seemed suspicious, other than he was black and wearing a hoodie. Martin was, in fact, walking to a condo in the complex where he and his father were staying with a friend. What happened next will be played out at Zimmerman's 2nd degree murder trial, but the end result was that Martin, who was armed with a bag of skittles and ice tea, was shot to death. Defense attorney, Mark O'Mara said that nothing in Florida law prevents Zimmerman from waiting to ask for the "stand your ground" hearing at a later date and that includes after the prosecution has finished presenting its case. If he had won a stand your ground decision George Zimmerman would have walked without a jury trial.
In Washington Oscar Ramiro Ortega-Hernandez is charged with attempting to assassinate the president of these United States. He has pleaded innocent. Court documents released by the prosecution the other day say that Mr. Ortega-Hernandez practiced with his assault style weapon for nearly six months at his Idaho home. The contention is that he was really, really pissed off at the government because of the continued criminalization of marijuana and believed Barak Obama was the Antichrist. The shooting occurred in November of 2011 and while it is alleged Ortega-Hernandez was able to hit the white house at least five times, he picked a bad day. Both the president and first lady were out of town at the time he is accused of opening fire. Well hey, you know, sometimes when you're stoned details tend to escape you.
Here in Oklahoma the trial of Rebecca Bryan is set to begin next week. Mrs. Bryan is accused of shooting her husband, Keith Bryan to death in 2011. Keith Bryan was the Nichols Hills, OK fire chief and the couple had been married over 30 years. Prosecutors believe Mrs. Bryan had previously been involved in an affair and wanted to reunite with a former lover. The defendant claims an intruder shot her husband. The gun used in the murder was found in the family clothes dryer by police.
And finally in Kentucky, NBC News reports that a five year old Cumberland County boy received a .22 caliber rifle as a gift last year. On Tuesday he accidentally shot his two year old sister to death with it. According to county coroner, Gary White the rifle was, "...a crickett. Its a little rifle for a kid." He went on to say, "The little boy is used to shooting the gun. The family didn't realize there was a shell in the gun."
Right. So it was a perfectly understandable tragedy.
Now, someone tell me again how people like these should have the right to bear arms because I do truly love fairy tales.
Slate and @GunDeaths report that as of today, at least 3,798 Americans have been shot to death since the Newtown, CT killings. Of that number 69 never reached the age of thirteen and another 190 never made it to twenty.
Who says we've gone soft?
5-1-13
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