Quote Of The Day - Fear

"Senators say they fear the N.R.A. and the gun lobby. But I think that fear must be nothing compared to the fear the first graders in Sandy Hook Elementary School felt as their lives ended in a hail of bullets. The fear that those children who survived the massacre must feel every time they remember their teachers stacking them into closets and bathrooms, whispering that they loved them, so that love would be the last thing the students heard if the gunman found them." -- former Democratic Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, in a New York Times op/ed, April 17, 2013.  So true then, so true now. (h/t commenter donnah)

Evil Ted Cruz Pops Up At Mass Shooting Site

Because it's always too early to "politicize" the mass shooting in Sutherland Springs, TX, lying weasel Sen. Ted "Tailgunner Ted" Cruz is politicizing the shooting there. Appearing today before a crowd of mainly media, Tailgunner Ted, in his most unctuous nasal voice reverted to the "too soon to talk" about nutcases being allowed to purchase firearms when pressed by reporters:

"You know, it is an unfortunate thing that the first place the media goes after any murder is politicizing it. We don't need politics right now."

Tailgunner, who has opposed every gun safety measure, then wove in the National Rampage Association's nutty theme of "the only way to stop a bad guy with a gun is a good guy with a gun" (which begs the question of why bad guys should have guns in the first place) by saying:

"That the reason this depraved gunman finally gave up and got in the car and fled and didn't murder more is precisely because one individual demonstrated bravery and courage." (emphasis added)

"Depraved gunman." That sums up the incoherence of Tailgunner Ted's and his party's position on gun safety, i.e., prostrate before the NRA. In one breath he's referring to someone whom the vast majority of Americans don't think should have a gun, and in the other saying that we can't talk about that outrage. Too soon....thoughts and prayers.....then another mass shooting.

Then, in a moment of rare self-awareness describing himself, Tailgunner Ted said, "Evil, tragically, will always be with us."

BONUS: You can add sociopathic demagogue Donald "Rump" Trump to the ranks of people with blood on their hands: earlier this year, he repealed a rule that prevented people with certain mental health issues from buying guns. But her e-mails!

(photo: "Evil....will always be with us.")

Tweets Of The Day - More Thoughts And Prayers (UPDATED)

Another week, another mass murder in America -- this time as many as 27 killed in a church in Sutherland Springs, TX. Another week, another opportunity for Republicans to offer... their thoughts and prayers:

Reports out of Texas are devastating. The people of Sutherland Springs need our prayers right now.

— Paul Ryan (@SpeakerRyan) November 5, 2017

We believe this speaks for all of us:

There were plenty of prayers in the church where 27 people were gunned down today. What we need is gun control, you spineless sack of shit. https://t.co/b07LXwjk0h

— Lauren Duca (@laurenduca) November 5, 2017

UPDATE:  The killer has been identified as Devin Patrick Kelley, 26, a "firearms enthusiast." He's listed as one of the deceased.