Students who were thrust into the middle of the second largest semi-automatic rifle massacre in U.S. history rejected the empty words that flowed from Washington, D.C. The House could not even muster a symbolic gesture in support of the victims of Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Valentine’s Day massacre.
https://youtu.be/DTfQRFjxkFw
Senators, representatives, and Florida Governor Rick Scott offered up saccharine hypocritical sympathy and prayers. All the while, the kids stood in stony silence. They want action. Kids are smart. There is no reason this 19-year-old former student should have been able to purchase a semi-automatic rifle.
House Speaker Paul Ryan said there was going to a moment of silence. Yet, The House delayed their silence for the students and others touched by the mass shooting. The Republicans blamed members of the disability community’s protests against an unrelated legislation in the chamber.
Ryan called the slaughter “pure evil,” but perhaps, he should look within his own House. According to Reuters, he said:
‘There are a lot of worries that come with being a parent of teenagers. We’ve got three of them. But this is, this is the nightmare. This is pure evil.’
Trump waited a day to respond unemotionally to the school shooting. He may go to the site of the shooting, because it is not far from Mar-a-Lago, where he will be golfing this weekend. Later, 45 tweeted out words, neither had any action beneath them or included the word “gun:”
‘In times of tragedy, the bonds that sustain us are those of family, faith, community, and country. These bonds are stronger than the forces of hatred and evil – and these bonds grow even stronger in the hours of our greatest need.’
In times of tragedy, the bonds that sustain us are those of family, faith, community, and country. These bonds are stronger than the forces of hatred and evil – and these bonds grow even stronger in the hours of our greatest need. https://t.co/bu140nscez pic.twitter.com/OoTXMCSexB
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 15, 2018
Politicians spout off speeches as they accept donations from the National Rifle Association (NRA). This organization has bought their own members of Congress, and this is apparent as the politicians slide off of the issue of gun control and creep back into their offices.
This is not about hunting. The AR-15 that the shooter used or the AK-47 would have blown any game to smithereens.
Senate leader, Mitch McConnell (R-KY) always says “now is not the time” to talk about gun control, but the students disagree. The politicians blame the shooter’s possible mental illness.
Yet, Republican President Ronald Reagan threw the doors to all the mental health institutions open and shoved the residents out into the cold. Current Republicans continually pull funds from healthcare and Medicaid, which are the very dollars that would help those in need.
Representative Ted Deutch (D-FL) tweeted:
‘While I am home in Parkland the House will pause for a moment of silence. I appreciate the thoughts & prayers of my colleagues. I would also appreciate an open-minded willingness to work with me on gun violence legislation when I return to Washington.’
Rep. Mike Thompson (D-CA) tried to insert a “point of parliamentary inquiry,” according to C-SPAN while the House was in session. Democrats applauded his words when he asked the presiding officer:
‘Can you tell us when the House may muster the courage to take up the issue of gun violence?’
Rep. Randy Hultgren (R-LA) was not presiding over the House, but continued with the votes after he answered:
‘The gentleman is not stating a proper parliamentary inquiry.’
Reuters noted that during Ryan’s press conference, reporters asked if he thought police or other law enforcement should have the right to confiscate guns and other weapons from people who were displaying signs that indicated severe mental illness. The House speaker replied:
‘This is not the time to jump to some conclusion not knowing the full facts. If there are gaps there, then we need to look at those gaps.’
In December, the House passed legislation that linked improvements in the background check system with a negative measure. That let people who have permits to carry their concealed handguns across state lines.
A bipartisan bill to make certain that legal authorities report criminal history records to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System hit a roadblock in the Senate. It would have penalized any agencies that refused to report records to the FBI. The Democrats were opposed to the Republicans’ concealed-carry language.
The children are asking, “If not now, when?”
Featured Image via Getty Images/Win McNamee.
