Horrible story out of Washington D.C. that’s going to occupy most of the day’s news, as the Denver Post’s Mark Matthews reports:
No members of Colorado’s congressional delegation, or their staffs, were hurt in Wednesday morning’s shooting at a congressional baseball practice, which left House Majority Whip Steve Scalise of Louisiana and several others wounded.
The shooting happened in Alexandria, Virginia, where the GOP congressional baseball team was practicing. No Colorado Republicans play on the team, and the state’s congressional delegation has reported their staffs are OK after conducting a full roll call.
The shooter has been identified as James Hodgkinson of Belleville, Illinois, whose social media profiles contain lots of anti-Donald Trump and pro-Bernie Sanders material. Hodgkinson apparently has a lengthy criminal record. Previously reported to be in custody, it’s since been reported that Hodgkinson was killed in an exchange of gunfire with responding police.
Republican House Majority Whip Steve Scalise is in stable condition at a local hospital, and a congressional aide who was also wounded is expected to recover.
With that, we wish Rep. Scalise a speedy recovery, and implore everybody on both sides to be more thoughtful about the consequences of our mutually incendiary rhetoric. It’s no less true when a right-wing crackpot shoots up a Planned Parenthood clinic than when a left-wing crackpot takes aim at a Republican elected official. Our politics are only better than this…until they aren’t anymore.
And none of us wants to see what that looks like.
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Cornholio wants to see what it looks like. He's enjoying the opportunity to play the victim and shed his crocodile tears.
A Polster kind of guy.
CNN also reported that law enforcement authorities are searching through the suspect’s social media postings, which included “anti-Trump rhetoric.”
You happy you feel like you have your Reichstag moment cornholio?
Now you want to push your fascist vision for this country.
You still won't account for all the violent rhetoric and actions of right wingers. You want to play victim? Own up to your own shit.
You placed the gun in his hands, CarnHolio. You own it.
So ESAD — comrade.
You a Skopje boy, or ya from the countryside?
If by that you mean yourself, then yeah, I'd probably agree . . .
You're unquestionably the one sick, deranged asshole here I'd pick as most likely to illegally shoot someone someday . . .
Carnholio placed the gun in his hand, loaded it and pulled the trigger. This is the reichstag moment for the Dylan Roof right.
You're sick.
Takes one to know one Moldy. What werw you saying after Aurora and Sandy Hook?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zrWoG8IckyE
An insane man! An insane man attacked a group of Congressmen with the intent of killing as many as possible. Guns are not to blame, Trump is not to blame, Republicans are not to blame, left leaning politicians and news/networks are not to blame, stupid comedians are not to blame, plays are not to blame. An insane man is 100% deserving of the blame.
Anonymity on this site allows us to be the most base in our remarks, the lowest of low class, and all are guilty. While I must admit in some cases it is fun, humorous and deserved, it does nothing to persuade anyone. I doubt there is a single person who would use the same language, used on this site, with another human being in a face to face setting when points of view differ. It's enough to drive a person crazy. I hope the distance between crazy and insane is very very large. But for some it may not be.
Pretty much. An insane person is an insane person. They did what they did because they are insane. That's the bottom line with all of these tragedies.
Thank you, Pear.
I echo Michael. Thank you Pear.
I owe you an apology Pear. Perhaps we can build some bridges to tomorrow for our country. Your eloquence is appreciated.
Apology not necessary, the thought is appreciated.
We will both keep loving the Country.
Mental health care needs to be a priority in whatever health care system this nation adopts. Too often those in despair turn the gun on themselves rather than others or succumb to the silent death of Opioids. Lives ruin and communities left wondering why one could be in such pain that they follow such a course of action. Just because there is no blood doesn't mean that there isn't an injury. Investing in mental health facilities and professionals is the right investment for our nation.
~ Sen. Rand Paul (June 23, 2016)
Dudebro was just exercising his legitimate Second Amendment remedies, for which the GOP has been vigorously advocating for decades. Mass shootings by unhinged lunatics are a price we pay for living in a free society.
Right?
When civil discourse is no longer the norm, when those in power feel no obligation to listen and respond to their constituents, (Gardner), .most people disengage,give up and become resigned to suffering.
An unstable few, though,bypass their first amendment remedies entirely. And; go straight to the second.
Wasn't it Sharon Angle, darling of the ammosexuals, who talked about tea baggers possibly needing to resort to Second Amendment remedies? You assholes laid the foundation, Andy.
It was indeed. Angle also advocated using the barter system for health care access.
I thought the teabillies were about as crazy and fucked up as the GOP would ever get. I was wrong.
The Democratic party and its Resistance movement, together with their accomplices in the main stream media have ginned up the hate to make it inevitable that some of their nuts, Bernie Sanders and SPLC fans like the shooter, feel compelled to act out as they are being cheered on.
Gardner, having a town hall or not, did not lead to this.
If you weren't so pathetically sick you'd be entertaining. Be sure to watch the entire nine minutes.
Then for the bonus round, read this:
Trump suggests Second Amendment remedy if Hillary is elected
It's all tough guy talk until someone starts shooting:
Apologies, Genghis. I lost track of the posts on this thread and didn't realize you'd already posted Rand Paul’s tweet on the subject.
No problem at all, Michael. The full tweet is considerably more effective than the quote I posted.
Carnegie, You inflamed hemorrhoid, You've worn out my well-documented civility on this site. THIS is what the SPLC had to say about the events of the day. Do a little research before you shoot from the lip: https://www.splcenter.org/news/2017/06/14/attack-gop-congressmen-assault-democracy
Hoo boy. When you've pissed off Cook, you're done.
Cookie:
The shooter "liked" the SPLC. He was a fan of the Rachel Maddow show. He was a Bernie volunteer in Iowa. He was a run of the mill politically active Polster. Are all the usual suspects who post here accounted for?
Well, I like the SPLC and the ACLU and Americans United and People for the American Way and I love Maddow. I don't care much for Scalise's politics, he's a right-wing, "I've got mine, so pull up the ladder" jerk, but I'm still furious that some guy who obviously needs medication and therapy tried to kill him and anyone else who got in his line of fire.
And one of the “adjustments” the Republicans want to make to the healthcare law would, once again, separate mental from physical healthcare. Bet they’ll think twice about that now.
I don't have any use for the Republicans who make it possible for a civilian to get his hands on a weapon of war.
And again I say, thank Goddess he's in the Republican leadership so had a Capitol Police detail there or who knows how many might have been hurt.
SkyGoddess was sending all kinds of signs yesterday: the Capitol Police officer who delivered the fatal shot to Hodgkinson was a married, lesbian minority. I'll go out on a limb here and guess you wouldn't know that from listening to FauxNews or perusing a press release from the family-values caucus.
I didn't know that, either, Michael. Thanks for the update.
I didn't imply that Gardner's choices led to this. But his refusal to listen to his constituents' legitimate concerns, just as many of his colleagues also refuse to listen as they plunge the country blindly backwards, is another manifestation of our shared disease.
Corporate profits buy off congresspeople; congresspeople make dumb-ass decisions, and refuse to listen to their constituents (or the economic experts, or the CBO) who are yelling what the fuck are you DOING to us?
And for an isolated, well-armed nut of whatever political persuasion, they decide that no one is listening and perhaps the gun will do what talking will not do – get their attention. Terrorists are all brothers and sisters under the skin.
Why should your constituent voice be louder than my constituent voice?
There is no such thing as an economic expert, nor does the CBO accurately predict anything.
The government is a chartered protection racket. Special Interest groups pay off congresspeople to preserve, protect or disadvantage competitors. It could be the NEA, NRA, Big Oil, Big Wind, Big Solar, AFLCIO or any of the other alphabet organizations.
When I read your post, your reference to Gardner was an excuse for the gunmans action.
Why should OUR constituent voices be louder than YOUR constituent voices? Because we're a majority. The AHCA that you're so fond of, promoted by the Republicans you defend, has 17% support in the country (per Quinnipiac poll) 17%. Guess what? 56% should be louder than `17%. It's called "democracy".
You read everything out of your own lens, and see what you expect to see.
Polls are your justification! That is mob rule, not the way America was founded. We are a representative republic, not a pure democracy.
You write from your own biases. The modern Democratic Party is nothing more than sore loosers or spoiled sports. So sad. Where are the Trumans or Kennedys in the Democratic Party?
Pesr – this is hardly mob rule; not a single state in the union has a majority support for the Republican plan. Even applying the mechanism of the Electoral College-equivalent to your argument puts you on the losing side. From that liberal rag, Forbes: https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.forbes.com/sites/niallmccarthy/2017/06/16/no-states-support-the-american-health-care-act-infographic/amp/
Alas, Pear, where are the Everett Dirksens, the Dwight Eisenhowers, the John Loves, the Richard Nixons, the Barry Goldwaters of the Republican party that I was proud to be a member of for 32 years. It now grovels before Grover Norquist and illiterate Bible Thumpers who believe in a 6,000 year old earth.
No argument on Republicans of bygone years.
Closer to home, V, where are the Bev Bledsoes? The Bud Moellenbergs? The Fred Andersons? Rural titans in their day. You and I share the length of our Republican affiliation: I registered on my 18th – birthday – and 32 years later on my 50th I gave myself the gift of stepping away from the circus.
It's awful that Rep. Scalise got hurt. But it could have been much worse. Had Scalise not been there, the Capitol Police (who took down the nut case) wouldn't have been either. He gets a detail because he's in the Republican leadership. I figured that after the Giffords incident there would have been an increase in security for all MoCs. I wonder if that'll change now?
Many members of congress have concealed carry permits back home but they are not given reciprocity to carry in DC. Seems to me changing that law would be a rather easy fix.
Oh honey, don't think for a moment those members are going to let a little thing like the law get in the way of bringing their toys with them to work. Hint: this picture was taken inside the Beltway.
Andrew talks about how the Dems have "ginned up the hate." He overlooks the hatred coming from religious right groups for decades. He ignores the inane hatred coming from self-proclaimed conservative, paid, entertainers; people like Limbaugh, Hannity, Levin, InfoWars, Breitbart; and even back to the days of the original radio hater, Joe Pyne. What about the far right wing militia thug groups, Andrew, like Oathkeepers?
I invite all of you, but especially Andrew, to spend some time on the Right Wing Watch web site. You may be appalled about what you read. Also very worth a visit to http://www.au.org. There, you can see how fundamentalist Christians stay real busy trying to erode the rights of other citizens. Now we're talking real hatred here.
Once you enlighten yourself, Andrew, then maybe you’ll have some credibility when talking about Dem “hatred.”
Thank you, CHB. You said it better than I did, but I don't think clearly when I'm as angry as I was when I posted my first comment on this thread.
Paul Ryan and Nancy Pelosi in rare and eloquent agreement:
I couldn't agree more.
I admire KornJolio's restraint. It's been a whole 38 minutes since you've posted your comment Davie and our brave troll has yet to crawl out from under his rock and provide dark commentary on Grandma Nancy.
I thought she spoke appropriately.
No one cares what you think.
But you should care what Andrew thinks. See my post above. Almost every time Andrew opens his mouth these days, he reveals his lack of real knowledge about the important issues.
Thing is, I think he knows what you are talking about and he doesn't care. I don't think it's a lack of knowledge, it's just spin.
Unlike Pear, who I've grown to appreciate as a human being, and Moldy, a 'ready-fire-aim', shoot-from-the-hip, hypocritical, ideological moran incapable of cogent thought (at least as his troll personality), Andrew is the poster child for the worst of what the internet has to offer: an obviously intelligent man dosing the internet with hate-filled spin from behind a mask.
I kinda think this is in Gerbils' job description:
I care what trolls think – it's important to know your enemy.
Carnholio does not think. Ever. His lizard brain just regurgitates what his paymasters program in.
I do too, mama, but PissAnt is a special case. I have been reading his insane, racist, hate-filled bullshit since the day he first posted here…as have you, I think.
There is no possibility that PissAnt will ever genuinely consider a fact with the intent of rendering a reasonable, non-toxic response. "Cornholio" is not just a troll. He is a piece of human trash who deserves no consideration of any kind. The best you can do is scrape him off your shoe and try to ignore the smell.
Like you said above…when skinny gives up on you…its over.
How am I your enemy?
You might want to reflect on some of the crap you've put out directly about me. Further, while others see a "kinder, gentler Pear", based on you reacting like a human being to the recent shooting in DC, I still see the willfully blind and ignorant person who repeats debunked talking points, and will cheer the suffering and chaos that will ensue when / if your glorious leaders achieve their goals.
You've shown no indication that your mind has ever changed or will ever change on any important issue at all. Your ideas are my enemy. Your actions, as much as you support your GOP "leaders" are my enemy. I'd put you out if you were on fire, but that reflects on me, not on you.
You are the poster activist for the Democratic Party. The "in your face" attitude for anyone with an opposing view is the reason Democrats will continue to loose. You might want to reflect on the crap you started with me.
We're thrilled to have this woman as 'one of ours', Pear. She's been through a lot of rough patches in her life and still keeps ticking(and smiling). She's smart, has a great bullshit meter, cares about her kids (both in and out of the classroom) and we're all a little Better (even you) for having her voice in these debates.
Michael,
No doubt MJ is "one of yours". Perhaps MJ has not defamed you with a charge of stolen valor. Perhaps MJ has not "outed" you. Perhaps MJ has not inferred she has sources to check into my indenity. Perhaps MJ has not said she has a SME (subject matter expert) to verify my service record. She seems to have invested some amount of time in finding out who I am. Funny I have not wasted 30 seconds on who or what she is. All she would, or anyone for that matter, do as "V" and I did, have a great conversation over a beer.
She is indignant that I will not succumb to her extremist views and that she has an exclusive claim on the correct view of public policy and a corner on love of country and caring for humanity. Forgive me but I'm not impressed.
Pear – I've had several occasions over the years to sit down and have a cup of coffee with MamaJ. She is delightful. She (nor anyone else here) can 'out' me; I've already done that. My real, legal name is Michael Bowman. She's 'one of mine'; I'll gladly claim her membership in my lair. All that said, I have a hunch we can break bread over a beer and nachos and also find some common ground. But, I know that once I meet you I'll have a harder time giving you crap so let me enjoy this period between now and then? 😘
Not so fast. I need that help you promised on how to post annoying pictures and internet stuff. You set the time, make it easy on yourself.
Prune says: "She is indignant that I will not succumb to her extremist views……" I have my differences with MJ, but would not necessarily consider her as an "extremist." You, on the other hand………..
Problem with stuttering?
Another nice one from Peculiar Pulp. Stuttering is a medical issue; for a few, it is significant enough to be a disability. And you mock, just like your man in the White House. Sad.
For the record, I don’t stutter in large part thanks to doing public speaking since I was in college decades ago.
Oh crap, if only I had know you were a public speaker. The Pols should require some disclosure of the contributors, public speaker, world traveler, renowned conservitive. I trust in your public speaking you are able to finish a sentence.
CHB- trolling alert! An energy-sucking vortex has been sighted in your vicinity. Stay well away – all rational political discourse will be sucked into its needy, narcissistic vacuum, leaving only the debris of personal insults and frayed talking points littering the landscape. Extreme caution is advised.
Thanks for your warning. However, I've grown used to Peculiar Pulp and his mindless rantings. I try to limit my engagements with him as it violates my moral principles to engage in a battle of wits with an unarmed man.
Enjoy your Sunday.
Pp, i had not called you out specifically when I wrote that it's important to know what trolls think. However, it's nice of you to confirm that you are in fact a troll. Trolls mission is to distract, divide, and disrupt the sites they troll.
You outed yourself. I have not mentioned nor followed up on the "stolen valor" suspicion, that I still hold. I turned that over to people whose wheelhouse that is in. If they ever contact me to say that I'm full of shit and this is a different guy with the same exact name and similar looks, then I'll apologize to you at that point.
Until then, I'll confine myself to reacting to what you do and write on this blog.
Your people and either lazy or not very bright, most likely both. And you are full of shit. What a coward.
Eliminating duplicatne
Honestly, MJ, you sound like Trump who still had operatives working in Hawaii to prove O bama was born on Mars. Your stolen valor guy was, if I recall, a physician and a lifer in the Navy who yearned to be called a marine. Pp was an Army man who, I think, did just one enlistment. In some quarters,, like mine, you can get sued for calling an Army man a Navy man — let alone a lifer!
Give it a rest.
Still, we need to pick a time where Pp Bowman, yourself, moi, Davy, plus Cookie and her wife can get together along with anybody who wants to join us. I'd love to have Duke in that group though it's a hard ride from Grand Junction.
I gave it a rest, and am fully prepared to apologize if I m proven wrong. Pp brought the matter up today. My issues w pp are all due to his current trolling and conduct on this forum, not to some hypothetical past posing.
I had proposed a get together Sunday at a bar near the Pride. Parade. Nobody took me up on it, and I've made other plans.
Still open to a polz Meetup this summer.Sorry about typos, I'm on my phone.
I’m an inquisitive b*tch , and also stubborn AF. These are my
better qualities. 😃
Nothing hypothetical about it. Funny, V remembers it and others who remain silent. You have no credibility, no matter how many links you post to positions you hold.
Um, Pear, I am trying to be on my best behavior, but I will point out that your opinion that MJ has no credibility is not shared by anyone on this site.
Moderatus doesn't follow her links so he wouldn't know, and AC does battle with her research to try and minimize its impact on his slanted propaganda.
Let's end this tiresome feud. Fine. You're right, I’m wrong. You are an army 1 tour vet who pretended to nothing. My nosiness took me overboard and I should let go of my suspicion, since the investigator confirmed nothing.
My abject apologies for embarrassment I caused you. I will confine my remarks to responses to stuff you post. Or just put you on "ignore" again. That worked for a while.
Apology accepted, it will be remembered no more.
I try to never be on my best behavior .
You are an unmitigated idiot, Pear. There is no more broadly respected and revered poster on this site than mama j. You could go away and not come back…that would work.
Thanks, Duke. I appreciate it.
I doubt we'll be so lucky, though. Trolls thrive on negative attention. It's all attention.
Occasionally, even a troll will post something unexpected. They still have the capacity to break out of their mental ruts, transcend the approved talking points, and surprise the reader. Keeps it interesting.
Thanks, V., but I don't do those anymore. Have fun.
Thanks for the kind words Michael.Back atcha. If you're in DC, I bet they have a heckuva pride week parade.
I've just left D.C. and in rural North Carolina now. I don't think there'll be any parades here this weekend! lol
Maybe in Asheville, Michael. Or a suburb thereof….otherwise, you are tragically right.
No, Duke, he’s not. He got me curious so I went and looked it up. There are Pride festivals in Asheville, Charlotte, Durham, Greensboro, and Winston-Salem. How ’bout that?
Nice!
This is an poorly located reply to skinny…
Great…happy to be wrong on that score.
I remember being refused a rental in NC once because my housemate and I were not married. There is a difference in rural NC, though. It wasn't that long ago I built a store in Fayetteville. Driving through rural NC is a great place to see some pretty creative and hateful signage put up by the righteous country folk of the larger Carolina.
Duke – I'm in Fayetteville tonight – Pembrook tomorrow.
Well done, Duke. Your reply showed up right after mine. Very clever.
Green,..green…and then a bit more green…and trees. The only place I ever spent any time where every store in the mall had tons of clothing with my name on it.
I stayed at the Holiday Inn last night. It needs a little work. Can't imagine it's not on the short list for the Drumpf family to create their bigly beautiful American Idea so they can fleece the locals $89 at a time.
You have to hand it to Trump and his people. They are are teaching the Republicans even more and better ways to "monetize this bitch". I am waiting for a candy bar with his name on it. Probably the #Best Candy Bar…ever!
Hmm…candy bars and The Yam. All I can think of is Caddyshack.