-
It's that time of year again - our ISP is asking for money. If you have some spare change, please click the Donate link... Thanks!
- About Us
- Search
- Need Help?
- Donate
- Login/Register
Latest Entries
Actions Menu
Blog Roll
- 4F Facebook Page
- Turn Up The Night with Kenny Pick
- Stephanie Miller Show
- The Tim Corrimal Show
- The Rachel Maddow Show
- Angry Americans with Paul Rieckhoff
- Thom Hartmann Program
- Turnips! Fans of Turn Up the Night Facebook Page
- Snopes.com
- Factcheck.org
- Official White House Page, if you must.
- The Brad Blog / Green News Report
- The Poorly Written Political Blog (Joe Santorsa)
Of Rhetoric and Reality
Author: BobR
Date: 12/13/2013 22:27:02
In the days, weeks, months, and several years after 9/11, the response was somewhat different inside and outside of NYC. Those on the outside, those who had never set foot in Manhattan were sometimes the loudest to proclaim what we as a nation should or shouldn't do in response. Those who live and work in the city just wanted to get back to normal, and not pick at the scab from the wound torn on that horrible day.
On year ago tomorrow is the one year anniversary of the shooting that shook the nation. On Dec 14, 2012, Adam Lanza murdered 26 people at Sandy Hook Elementary school. Most of those were children. The nation recoiled in horror and tried to take a long look at itself in the mirror. Tried, I say, because those who think guns are more important to our nation than our children fogged up that mirror with 2nd Amendment rhetoric. This time, we were promised, something would get done. One year later, only a few states have moved towards common-sense gun regulation. At the federal level - bupkis.
For the people of that town, what they want is gun laws to protect us from the nutjobs (as they've advocated in the year's interim). What they don't want is a media circus:
All the talk and all the speeches and all the special appearances, all the promises that this time, this time, something would get done, have fallen into the abyss. That is why it is sad and disturbing and frustrating that it has happened again, this time in the Denver area:
To put an exclamation point on the gun problem we have in this country:
Someone once said that the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result. That seems about right.
On year ago tomorrow is the one year anniversary of the shooting that shook the nation. On Dec 14, 2012, Adam Lanza murdered 26 people at Sandy Hook Elementary school. Most of those were children. The nation recoiled in horror and tried to take a long look at itself in the mirror. Tried, I say, because those who think guns are more important to our nation than our children fogged up that mirror with 2nd Amendment rhetoric. This time, we were promised, something would get done. One year later, only a few states have moved towards common-sense gun regulation. At the federal level - bupkis.
For the people of that town, what they want is gun laws to protect us from the nutjobs (as they've advocated in the year's interim). What they don't want is a media circus:
Local government officials are urging the news media to stay away Saturday, the first anniversary of the Dec. 14 shootings that killed 20 children and six educators at Sandy Hook Elementary School.
"The community is choosing to remember and honor those who lost their lives in the Sandy Hook tragedy in ways that are quiet, personal and respectful — centered on themes of kindness, love and service to others," Newtown First Selectman Pat Llodra said in a written statement Monday.
Llodra said the town will not be hosting any memorial events and requested that the public and the press allow Newtown residents "the time to be alone and quiet with time for personal and communal reflection."
All the talk and all the speeches and all the special appearances, all the promises that this time, this time, something would get done, have fallen into the abyss. That is why it is sad and disturbing and frustrating that it has happened again, this time in the Denver area:
Two students have been wounded during a shooting inside Arapahoe High School in suburban Denver, authorities say. The gunman, who was reportedly armed with a shotgun, then apparently killed himself, police said.
One of the injured students is in critical condition at a nearby hospital, according to a hospital spokesperson. Police said the second injured student is in fair condition and may have suffered actual gunshot wounds.
According to law enforcement, the shooter was apparently targeting a particular teacher when one of the injured students confronted the shooter.
To put an exclamation point on the gun problem we have in this country:
The high school is only a few miles the Aurora movie theater where a dozen people were shot to death in 2012. Columbine High School, where 12 students and a teacher were killed during a shooting in 1999, is about eight miles away.
Someone once said that the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result. That seems about right.
Comments:
Order comments Newest to Oldest Refresh Comments
Comment by 
Mondobubba on 12/13/2013 14:15:55
Mondobubba on 12/13/2013 14:15:55
Merry Kerabostmas everyone!
Comment by 
wickedpam on 12/13/2013 14:17:25
wickedpam on 12/13/2013 14:17:25
Morning 
Comment by 
Raine on 12/13/2013 14:18:37
Good morning!
This is for Megan Kelly.
Raine on 12/13/2013 14:18:37
Good morning! This is for Megan Kelly.
Comment by Mondobubba on 12/13/2013 14:19:12
:goes off on coughing jag:
Mondobubba on 12/13/2013 14:19:12
Quote by Raine:
This is for Megan Kelly.
:goes off on coughing jag:
Comment by 
TriSec on 12/13/2013 14:35:58
TriSec on 12/13/2013 14:35:58
Mmm, Sambo Santa!
Comment by 
Scoopster on 12/13/2013 14:46:59
Scoopster on 12/13/2013 14:46:59
Comment by Raine on 12/13/2013 14:52:07
you totally called it Scoop.
Raine on 12/13/2013 14:52:07
Quote by Scoopster:
Mornin' all & Happy Fridee!
Yeah.. thanks mainstream media for giving attention to this so the morons would start with the birther bullshit again.
you totally called it Scoop.
Comment by Scoopster on 12/13/2013 14:52:20
Andy Borowitz wins the day already!
Scoopster on 12/13/2013 14:52:20
Andy Borowitz wins the day already! Kim Jong-Un: "Don't act like I'm the only one who ever felt like killing relatives around the holidays."
Comment by Scoopster on 12/13/2013 14:57:19
I can't say I'm proud.. would rather have seen the media act sensibly and respectfully and not stir up brainless dipshits like Trump.
Scoopster on 12/13/2013 14:57:19
Quote by Raine:Quote by Scoopster:
Mornin' all & Happy Fridee!
Yeah.. thanks mainstream media for giving attention to this so the morons would start with the birther bullshit again.
you totally called it Scoop.
I can't say I'm proud.. would rather have seen the media act sensibly and respectfully and not stir up brainless dipshits like Trump.
Comment by Scoopster on 12/13/2013 14:59:43
Scoopster on 12/13/2013 14:59:43
Wow who is this nitwit on the SMS mosheen? Gettin' Chris all worked up..
Comment by Mondobubba on 12/13/2013 15:04:24
:coughing jag : :coughing jag:
Mondobubba on 12/13/2013 15:04:24
Quote by Scoopster:
Kim Jong-Un: "Don't act like I'm the only one who ever felt like killing relatives around the holidays."
:coughing jag :
:coughing jag:
Comment by TriSec on 12/13/2013 15:05:48
TriSec on 12/13/2013 15:05:48
OK, so a significant "winter event" is bearing down on the six-state region, with up to a foot of snow expected in spots. Therefore, Boy Scout Troop 248 (Waltham) is:
1. Mobilized and ready to help clear city sidewalks and dig out elderly residents?
2. Standing by with the supermarket to pilot a program where we deliver bread, milk, and eggs to people who somehow forgot to hoard these things?
3. Going Camping!
1. Mobilized and ready to help clear city sidewalks and dig out elderly residents?
2. Standing by with the supermarket to pilot a program where we deliver bread, milk, and eggs to people who somehow forgot to hoard these things?
3. Going Camping!
Comment by 
Will in Chicago on 12/13/2013 15:15:35
The birther nonsense shows the desperation of the far Right. They cannot win at the ballot box or in the realm of public opinion. So, they must find ways to make yet another Democratic president seem illegitimate to the public. I would say that Donald Trump has no honor or decency in his treatment of Loretta Fuddy's death, but Mister Trump has shown neither honor nor decency but such extreme egotism that I think Dr. Freud and Dr. Jung would have enjoyed examining him.
Will in Chicago on 12/13/2013 15:15:35
Quote by Scoopster:Quote by Raine:Quote by Scoopster:
Mornin' all & Happy Fridee!
Yeah.. thanks mainstream media for giving attention to this so the morons would start with the birther bullshit again.
you totally called it Scoop.
I can't say I'm proud.. would rather have seen the media act sensibly and respectfully and not stir up brainless dipshits like Trump.
The birther nonsense shows the desperation of the far Right. They cannot win at the ballot box or in the realm of public opinion. So, they must find ways to make yet another Democratic president seem illegitimate to the public. I would say that Donald Trump has no honor or decency in his treatment of Loretta Fuddy's death, but Mister Trump has shown neither honor nor decency but such extreme egotism that I think Dr. Freud and Dr. Jung would have enjoyed examining him.
Comment by Mondobubba on 12/13/2013 15:18:13
I'm going with 3. And await the reports of Scouts on a winter camping trip resorting to cannibalism to stay alive.
Mondobubba on 12/13/2013 15:18:13
Quote by TriSec:
OK, so a significant "winter event" is bearing down on the six-state region, with up to a foot of snow expected in spots. Therefore, Boy Scout Troop 248 (Waltham) is:
1. Mobilized and ready to help clear city sidewalks and dig out elderly residents?
2. Standing by with the supermarket to pilot a program where we deliver bread, milk, and eggs to people who somehow forgot to hoard these things?
3. Going Camping!
I'm going with 3. And await the reports of Scouts on a winter camping trip resorting to cannibalism to stay alive.
Comment by Raine on 12/13/2013 15:24:46
That was probably Billy From Texas.
Raine on 12/13/2013 15:24:46
Quote by Scoopster:
Wow who is this nitwit on the SMS mosheen? Gettin' Chris all worked up..
That was probably Billy From Texas.
Comment by Mondobubba on 12/13/2013 15:38:11
"Port Authoritygate?" No. "Bridgegate? Nope. "Christ, Christie is a gaping assholegate" We have a winner.
Mondobubba on 12/13/2013 15:38:11
Quote by Scoopster:
OH reeeeeeaaaally?!
"Port Authoritygate?" No. "Bridgegate? Nope. "Christ, Christie is a gaping assholegate" We have a winner.
Comment by TriSec on 12/13/2013 15:42:39
TriSec on 12/13/2013 15:42:39
And now Blogger Joe is ready to make his magical journey from the Greater Boston area to somewhere that is south and west of here.
(That ought to narrow it down.)
(That ought to narrow it down.)
Comment by TriSec on 12/13/2013 15:48:44
Heh. That may happen - there is only one year-round road to access the camp. The one we use in the summer is listed as "Generally impassible during the winter" in all the camp documentation.
TriSec on 12/13/2013 15:48:44
Quote by Mondobubba:
I'm going with 3. And await the reports of Scouts on a winter camping trip resorting to cannibalism to stay alive.
Heh. That may happen - there is only one year-round road to access the camp. The one we use in the summer is listed as "Generally impassible during the winter" in all the camp documentation.
Comment by Raine on 12/13/2013 16:04:15
This ain't good at all.
Raine on 12/13/2013 16:04:15
An American man who disappeared in Iran more than six years ago had been working for the CIA in what U.S. intelligence officials describe as a rogue operation that led to a major shake-up in the spy agency.
Robert Levinson, a retired FBI agent, traveled to the Iranian island of Kish in March 2007 to investigate corruption at a time when he was discussing the renewal of a CIA contract he had held for several years. He also inquired about getting reÂimbursed for the Iran trip by the agency before he departed, according to former and current U.S. intelligence officials.
But months after Levinson’s abduction, e-mails and other documents surfaced that suggested he had gone to Iran at the direction of certain CIA analysts who had no authority to run operations overseas. That revelation prompted a major internal investigation that had wide-ranging repercussions, the officials said, speaking on the condition of anonymity.
The CIA leadership disciplined 10 employees, including three veteran analysts who were forced out of their jobs, the officials said.
Comment by Raine on 12/13/2013 16:24:35
Raine on 12/13/2013 16:24:35
That's the second or third 
bumper today!
bumper today!
Comment by Raine on 12/13/2013 16:28:39
Raine on 12/13/2013 16:28:39
Comment by Mondobubba on 12/13/2013 16:31:02
Mondobubba on 12/13/2013 16:31:02
:sigh: I will most likely get all Angry Nerd this weekend when I go see Part 2 of the Hobbit.
Comment by wickedpam on 12/13/2013 16:33:11
bitchface Prince?
wickedpam on 12/13/2013 16:33:11
Quote by Raine:
bitchface Prince?
Comment by Scoopster on 12/13/2013 16:34:15
Or maybe not.. ?
Scoopster on 12/13/2013 16:34:15
Quote by Mondobubba:
:sigh: I will most likely get all Angry Nerd this weekend when I go see Part 2 of the Hobbit.
Or maybe not.. ?
Comment by Raine on 12/13/2013 16:39:38
Raine on 12/13/2013 16:39:38
Most enlightening comment from this gawker article.
If he's a victim of affluence, wouldn't be a good idea to remove him from the affluence?
Comment by Raine on 12/13/2013 16:40:25
was just looking at my gifs. I just love this one!
Raine on 12/13/2013 16:40:25
Quote by wickedpam:Quote by Raine:
bitchface Prince?
Comment by Mondobubba on 12/13/2013 16:46:09
No, I will.
1. Legolas does not appear in "The Hobbit."
2. There are no love triangles in "The Hobbit."
3. Radagast the Brown does not appear in "The Hobbit."
:take huge inhaler hit: :weeze:
Mondobubba on 12/13/2013 16:46:09
Quote by Scoopster:Quote by Mondobubba:
:sigh: I will most likely get all Angry Nerd this weekend when I go see Part 2 of the Hobbit.
Or maybe not.. ?
No, I will.
1. Legolas does not appear in "The Hobbit."
2. There are no love triangles in "The Hobbit."
3. Radagast the Brown does not appear in "The Hobbit."
:take huge inhaler hit: :weeze:
Comment by Mondobubba on 12/13/2013 16:47:55
Mondobubba on 12/13/2013 16:47:55
On the plus side, THDoS, does have Beezlebub Creamsicle (Benedict Cumberpatch) as the voice of Smaug. So there is that.
Comment by wickedpam on 12/13/2013 16:53:10
It is a good gif
wickedpam on 12/13/2013 16:53:10
Quote by Raine:was just looking at my gifs. I just love this one!Quote by wickedpam:Quote by Raine:
bitchface Prince?
It is a good gif
Comment by 
BobR on 12/13/2013 16:57:02
I still need to see the first one.
Go ahead and faint - I'll wait.
BobR on 12/13/2013 16:57:02
Quote by Mondobubba:Quote by Scoopster:Quote by Mondobubba:
:sigh: I will most likely get all Angry Nerd this weekend when I go see Part 2 of the Hobbit.
Or maybe not.. ?
No, I will.
1. Legolas does not appear in "The Hobbit."
2. There are no love triangles in "The Hobbit."
3. Radagast the Brown does not appear in "The Hobbit."
:take huge inhaler hit: :weeze:
I still need to see the first one.
Go ahead and faint - I'll wait.
Comment by BobR on 12/13/2013 16:58:53
BobR on 12/13/2013 16:58:53
Comment by wickedpam on 12/13/2013 17:11:52
wickedpam on 12/13/2013 17:11:52
what the hell is going on on Ed's show? He's fighting with reporters on air
Comment by Mondobubba on 12/13/2013 17:12:08
Mondobubba on 12/13/2013 17:12:08
Quote by BobR:Quote by Mondobubba:Quote by Scoopster:Quote by Mondobubba:
:sigh: I will most likely get all Angry Nerd this weekend when I go see Part 2 of the Hobbit.
Or maybe not.. ?
No, I will.
1. Legolas does not appear in "The Hobbit."
2. There are no love triangles in "The Hobbit."
3. Radagast the Brown does not appear in "The Hobbit."
:take huge inhaler hit: :weeze:
I still need to see the first one.
Go ahead and faint - I'll wait.
Comment by Raine on 12/13/2013 17:16:37
Raine on 12/13/2013 17:16:37
Who the hell is Ed arguing with and what is this all about?
Comment by Raine on 12/13/2013 17:17:07
Raine on 12/13/2013 17:17:07
Quote by wickedpam:
what the hell is going on on Ed's show? He's fighting with reporters on air
Comment by Raine on 12/13/2013 17:17:29
Raine on 12/13/2013 17:17:29
Sirota involved? What the hell am I missing?
Comment by Scoopster on 12/13/2013 17:19:08
Scoopster on 12/13/2013 17:19:08
For the record Mondo, there is a love triangle in The Hobbit - The One Ring, Bilbo and Gollum. 
Comment by Raine on 12/13/2013 17:19:28
Raine on 12/13/2013 17:19:28
What ever it is, I think this might be what it's all about. My critics have “income envyâ€: Ed Schultz unloads after backlash to his union quote
Now that article is from 3 hours ago. He just used that same phrase on the show.
Now that article is from 3 hours ago. He just used that same phrase on the show.
Comment by Raine on 12/13/2013 17:19:58
Raine on 12/13/2013 17:19:58
Quote by Scoopster:
For the record Mondo, there is a love triangle in The Hobbit - The One Ring, Bilbo and Gollum.
Comment by Mondobubba on 12/13/2013 17:20:27
This might provide some illumination.
Mondobubba on 12/13/2013 17:20:27
Quote by Raine:
Who the hell is Ed arguing with and what is this all about?
This might provide some illumination.
Comment by wickedpam on 12/13/2013 17:20:46
The guy on the phone was a reporter from I think Mississippi(?) for Unions. I have not idea, Ed just kind of launched into it. Something about Sirota and Denver and Ed taking money from Unions - I have no idea what that was.
wickedpam on 12/13/2013 17:20:46
Quote by Raine:
Sirota involved? What the hell am I missing?
The guy on the phone was a reporter from I think Mississippi(?) for Unions. I have not idea, Ed just kind of launched into it. Something about Sirota and Denver and Ed taking money from Unions - I have no idea what that was.
Comment by Raine on 12/13/2013 17:24:06
I just Posted that link as well.
This is interesting.
Raine on 12/13/2013 17:24:06
Quote by Mondobubba:Quote by Raine:
Who the hell is Ed arguing with and what is this all about?
This might provide some illumination.
This is interesting.
Comment by Raine on 12/13/2013 17:27:04
Raine on 12/13/2013 17:27:04
Ed Shultz is being an ass.
And I'm not a huge fan -- but this ain't about Sirota. Why he's making it about him is beyond me.
And I'm not a huge fan -- but this ain't about Sirota. Why he's making it about him is beyond me.
Comment by Mondobubba on 12/13/2013 17:31:42
:hair flip: Whatever!
Not between and elf and dwarf! That is like dogs and cats living together!
Mondobubba on 12/13/2013 17:31:42
Quote by Scoopster:
For the record Mondo, there is a love triangle in The Hobbit - The One Ring, Bilbo and Gollum.
:hair flip: Whatever!
Not between and elf and dwarf! That is like dogs and cats living together!
Comment by Mondobubba on 12/13/2013 17:34:19
Mondobubba on 12/13/2013 17:34:19
So has anybody else heard that South Carolina trying to nullify the ACA in the Palmetto State? That worked so well for them in 1830s
I've done a search in the Google and have found it mentioned in such reliable sites like Newsmax as well as a bunch of sites with "liberty" and "patriot" in their names. This should be a hint about how important this is.
I've done a search in the Google and have found it mentioned in such reliable sites like Newsmax as well as a bunch of sites with "liberty" and "patriot" in their names. This should be a hint about how important this is.
Comment by wickedpam on 12/13/2013 17:34:58
cause he has to make it a show so people will watch and advertisers will get their money's worth
wickedpam on 12/13/2013 17:34:58
Quote by Raine:
Ed Shultz is being an ass.
And I'm not a huge fan -- but this ain't about Sirota. Why he's making it about him is beyond me.
cause he has to make it a show so people will watch and advertisers will get their money's worth
Comment by Raine on 12/13/2013 17:35:59
Raine on 12/13/2013 17:35:59
So about that fake sign language guy... Now I'm officially wondering how he was allowed to get to close to so many heads of state.
According to eNCA, Jantjie was charged with rape in 1994, theft in 1995, housebreaking in 1997, malicious damage to property in 1998, and murder, attempted murder, and kidnapping in 2003. Most of the charges were dropped after authorities ruled Jantjie mentally unfit to stand trial, and he was only convicted on the 1995 charge of theft, though it's not clear how much, if any, jail time he served.