@tgraf66 this wasn't in reference to our President... it refers to those in the Senate and the House. I agree our President IS doing very very well at his job.
And like magic ... a supporting and clarifying article is found. https://amp.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/dec/09/whats-really-wrong-mainstream-media
@journeywithme2 This is a great article that underscores and identifies the root of what I've been feeling about the Media lately. Thank you!
@baba With Stacey Abrams in the news announcing her run for governor and David Perdue jumping on the bandwagon with TFG' blessings/endorsement and the likes of Marjorie Taylor Greene whipping up the good ole boys and Gravy Seals I imagine the bruhahah about the carvings on the face of Stone Mountain will be brought to the fore as a "rallying point".
@dannyboy You have to love the synchronicity and speed with which the Universe replied. " you asked for clarity and help to understand... here you go!"
@journeywithme2 In my mind’s eye, I saw one of the horsemen (from the carving) with his fist raised in the air and galloping away. I had the feeling that race will be involved in whatever it is.
This may be the way to (finally) curb school shootings. Let the gun fanatics have their guns, but if we the people are able to charge them with crimes related to their negligence or, in the alternative, use the civil courts to find them liable, then most of these gun fanatics will start changing their behaviors.
There will be a significant droppage of parents buying their underage kids a gun. There will be less pictures on Facebook and Christmas cards of families poising with assault rifles (such evidence can be used in court to show a parent's negligence if the child uses the gun on someone). Parents will have to invest in gun safes and safety classes for their children in order to limit the possible criminal and/or civil liability they face.
Right now, these 2nd Amendment Rights people and NRA people have stonewalled the government. They proudly flaunt their guns and smile at the thought of sticking it to the government. They pay off their politicians and are safe in the knowledge that we can't take their guns.
So we need to use the courts to our advantage. Let them keep their guns. But with rights comes responsibility. Instead of trying to take assault rifles from them, lets charge them and/or sue them when those guns are used against people. After a few convictions and lawsuits, the gun owners themselves will become more responsible. And they can't blame the government either, as it will be private citizens and local police forces who will be pursuing the cases, so they can't "stick it to the Libs."
I hope these parents get convicted. And I hope more states start charging these parents of these kids who engage in school shootings. If that happens, there will be less parents who purchase guns for their kids and, if they did so, will make sure to keep such guns under lock and key.
Also...wouldn't it be great if a state drafted a law where private citizens can report irresponsible parents who give their children firearms and/or are negligent by allowing their children easy access to firearms and can be paid a reward for it (similar to how Texas did to abortion providers in Texas)? After all, Republicans can't claim that we are after their guns! All we would be doing is reporting those negligent parents who pose a risk on us all. And because the US Supreme Court is dragging its heels in reviewing the Texas case, they can't turn around and order a quick review of the gun law either. Basically, it would be giving the Republicans a taste of their own medicine. After all, the gun law would be "saving lives of children" too, so what possible argument can they use against it?
We have assault rifles? Fine! So long as you keep them in a gun safe where the children can't get them!
We are trying to teach our child how to shoot, but are afraid that someone will charge us? No problem! Go to a licensed shooting range where there are instructors and safety equipment to show you are taking responsibility!
I want me and my family to poise with our assault rifles. No problem, but if those pictures show up on social media, be prepared to have someone report you to the authorities!
Personally, I think this might be the way to make them stop. When common sense, decency, care for your children and neighbors doesn't work, sometimes one must resort to threat of incarceration and/or bankruptcy to make people do the right thing.
So bring in the lawyers!
The amount of earthquakes off the west coast of the U.S. (Oregon in particular) is note worthy. A big one off the west coast could impact Hawaii.
I hope our West Coast friends are updating their emergency plans, it is always good to be prepared for quakes.
https://seismo.berkeley.edu/seismo.real.time.map.html
School Shootings by Country 2021 (worldpopulationreview.com)
This gives information for the world, Canada's statistics go back to 1884.
Regards to all
@matildagirl we like our statistics up here … I remember the Ecole Polytechnique, it was very tragic as one of the responding officers daughter was killed. Not to favour one life over all others, or one family but that level of pain as a parent I could not imagine.
I do hope the 100 million dollar suit is successful, then perhaps the root causes of whatever pain these young people are in can be the focus.
@jackofhearts I had not heard of this massacre at Ecole Polytechnique but just looked it up and it was horrific. We don’t realise sometimes the tragedies of other countries. The violence we perpetrate on each other and so often it’s male against female. I sincerely hope this world of ours starts to grow up but it’s not showing a lot of signs of it.
For those who may be interested in that story
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C3%89cole_Polytechnique_massacre
Regards to all
https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-news/mark-meadows-overturn-election-results-jan-6-committee-1269532/?fbclid=IwAR2afsiq7DjbH2L7U5MM-Uo8NJny-ra_hJasKznt4UXVM0gkU-YPm3ueiCg
I think the answers we knew were there about their actions and the gravity of them are coming to Light ... finally. Sadly? There is that percentage that is all too ok with what occurred.
@baba I would sure love to see the carving on Stone Mountain removed. I remember going there as a child, before that area developed. It was country. There were little stands along the road selling "goobers," (boiled peanuts). The carving made Stone Mountain more of a destination over the years and I remember going there for some kind of celebration, maybe a 4th of July. There was a laser light show focused on the carvings of Confederate generals and people sang "Dixie" in the most worshipful way. Horrors. What was really gong on was a veneration of the Confederacy and white supremacy. I simply had no awareness or social consciousness at that stage of my life. None. Today, though, I say, tear it down. I feel the same way about Mt. Rushmore, which defaced a sacred site to the Lakota people. Tear that down, too.
I was 19 when I was on my first trip through Georgia, Tennessee, N. and S. Carolina one summer with my parents in the mid 1980's. Having been born and raised in Southern California, it was certainly an eye opening experience. We visited many historical landmarks and natural wonders and I gained so much knowledge about an area of the country I knew only through books and film. When we went to Stone Mountain I had never experienced an outdoor laser show let alone one displayed on a mountain. The show was incredible. But it was complete culture shock. As Bluebell stated, it was indeed a veneration of the Confederacy. I couldn't understand why everyone celebrated the Confederate flag either. I had never encountered anyone who felt the south should have won the war and yes, Dixie was like a national anthem. I was struck with the thought that this was normal in Georgia and completely unknown to me on the west coast.
It was a truly eye opening experience as I learned that the southern states were so very different form the western ones and even the New England ones I was also familiar with.
It was like being in a different country. I learned SO much on that trip.
Loved the incredible food and the stunning natural beauty. Loved being able to have some incredible historical experiences that could never be encountered in the western U.S. Also really felt the pride everyone had for their civil war ancestors and their heritage. That was where things started becoming rather confusing. It wasn't a measured pride, it was rather full blown and unapologetic.
I have a lot of colonial and revolutionary war ancestors in my background. There is a lot to be proud and appreciative regarding these relatives, but colonization of this country came at a huge cost and my ancestors played a large roll in that as well. They helped form a new government and destroyed an existing culture in the process. I do not have unapologetic pride.
@lovendures I was born in Atlanta..raised in the city limits until 5-6 years old then family moved out to the suburbs. I grew up in the midst of the civil rights movements, hippies and Vietnam protests and boys growing their hair long and girls wanting to wear pants to school. I remember and saw this racism and misogyny ...experienced it in my family, my community, my state. There is STILL a lot of it alive today. That? Is TFG's base. Still belligerently loud and proud and hiding their hatred and fear behind their "Christian god fearing " selves... Their numbers are becoming in the minority thus they fight louder and harder as we quietly go about pushing for equity and better lives. Their biggest fear? Is that those of us oppressed and continuing to step in to the breach to better life for all? Will come in to power by sheer number and overwhelm them and THEN? Treat them as they have treated us for all these centuries. Because their minds can conceive of no other way than the brutality and meanness of spirit that is all they know. If you would like to see some of the mindset of those of here now? Against this base? Read/Follow ... The Bitter Southerner. You will find it enlightening. There is so much more to the South and her people.... than these TFG Base,Gravy Seals,Good ole boys. https://bittersoutherner.com
"don't throw the baby out with the bath water" ;-)
I think it was Jeanne who predicted something about California becoming almost as independent as a country. Gavin Newsom is making the most of the Supreme Court's Texas decision and using it for the greater good. Am hoping to see other states join us.
https://twitter.com/latimes/status/1469886074621083649?s=20
@journeywithme2 Thank you so much for this post, it brings back a lot that I have thought about for the last day. I was born and raised in North Carolina and boy do I remember things that you mention. Also family vacation trips to the beach in the 1950's and 60's seeing the restrooms labeled White and Colored, and billboards announcing an upcoming town as Home of the Ku Klux Klan.And who could forget Senator Jesse Helms' regular radio broadcasts of hate messages through 1972.
In my family education made the difference. My mother was educated at a southern "liberal" college for women in the 1940's which was, for her, a comparatively radicalizing experience which influenced how she raised my brothers and me. She somehow got our father to take us to visit Washington DC for the 1963 March on Washington; we didn't get near the Mall but stayed at a downtown hotel and sort of observed from the edges of things. I attended the state school that Jesse Helms labeled The University of Negroes and Communists (UNC) and he suggested that a wall be built around it to keep the school from "infecting" the rest of the state.
Some of the worst of this seemed to go somewhat underground for a while. When the McCain campaign unleashed Sarah Palin, I had a very clear and sinking feeling that it was all going to rise up again which it has. I feel and and maybe know that this terrible imperial energy is making its last stand and it is not going to win. It is a long struggle requiring every bit of light and love we can all give and I very much hope to see things turn around in my lifetime. The work and incredible dedication of everyone here bring me to believe that it will. This Forum is such a beacon of hope and light.