"CTN (Caucasian To Negro) ratio"

My, I wonder how many sane Americans' first thought was the color of the victims' skin!

Want to throw in a reference to wealth, too?

Why does anyone expect the President to hold his hand? When did this become part of his job description?

Condolences mean a lot more from friends.

I do recall Cindy Sheehan having a meeting (or 2?) with the President.

Wherever the President is will be a media circus -- not at all appropriate for a funeral service.

There was already a media frenzy at VT; his appearance probably added nothing to the confusion.

The difference between today & soldiers' funerals is that the first was a public event; the second, private.

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Out! Out! You demons of stupidity!

Speaking of Mr. Bush: I'll tell you what I have noticed lately that bothers me; Bush seems to have suddenly started spouting religion every time he is questioned. Iv'e found that when people are in serious trouble and everything they do fails, they suddenly start this coverup! On the guns issue at VT: He could have said I'm for or against gun control. He chose to preach, because he is against gun control. Speak of it one place, always speak of it!Saying it is "no place for it," is an out.

Across from Norris Hall last night, ground zero of the bloodshed, thousands of mourners held candles high and packed Drill Field, illuminating the campus with a giant sea of lights. They waited in long lines to sign a makeshift message board, erupted into chants and sang "Amazing Grace."

Earlier in the day, a sorrowful sea of maroon-and-orange-clad mourners lined up hours before the start of an emotion-packed convocation attended by President Bush and his wife, Laura. The crowd filled the 10,000-seat Cassell Coliseum and spilled into a nearby football field.

Inside the Coliseum, as the school band played, mourners wiped away tears. Cadets cried. Young men hung their heads in their hands.

"Today our nation grieves with those who have lost loved ones at Virginia Tech," President Bush said. "We hold the victims in our hearts. We lift them up in our prayers and we ask a loving God to comfort those who are suffering today."

Afterward, under a bright blue sky, mourners gathered for impromptu prayer circles.

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"Iv'e found that when people are in serious trouble and everything they do fails, they suddenly start this coverup!"

I wonder who's the one who's really in "serious trouble"?

I didn't expect him to bring up the subject in his speech at VT. My goodness!
After the speech a national reporter asked him in a private intrerview about guns. He wouldn't answer. If I were him, I would have said that I didn't think the type of gun control some want would have prevented this particular incident. Any college student can buy a gun now, and under the gun control laws, it would simply be registered to him, and why would he have cared?
There is however a difference in owning a gun and carrying a gun.
I am for owning, not carrying in public.

"After the speech a national reporter asked him in a private intrerview" -- If the remarks were made in private, how do you know what was said?

Perhaps Pres. Bush thought that any comment at that time & in that place could be misinterpreted and used to hurt those who were mourning their family members and friends. Perhaps the enormity of the sorrow in that place silenced him.

Where did you read this? I'd like to read it myself before I comment.

"I am for owning, not carrying in public."

Why?

One of the three major network anchors (NBC) asked him and Mrs. Bush. They were alone except for the mic.
I'm sure Bush DID think he would get into trouble if he said that he was against gun control. It had nothing to do with hurting families feelings. Politicians lie when they need to to keep votes. I personally hate that. I said what I would have said in Bush's place if I didn't want gun control.
Owning a gun in one's house or vehicle is one thing for protection if ever necessary. Matt Dillioning on the street or at public gatherings is another. You know what I mean!
AND, the British ain't never going to invade your house, nor will the U.N.

To allow a President to do something decent. If he hadn't gone you would attack that. You are a bitter thing, can't call you a person or even a human being.

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Fighting for truth, justice and the American way, while ignoring the ignorant!

If invited, the President did the right thing by going to VT if he could.
However, I see no sense in letting his visit there over-ride his other shortcomings, or coverups.
I vote independently for the same reason. Can't vote for someone who is dangerous no matter what his party.

edited duplicateKevin "Hack" King

In this case, Korea needs to find God, I imagine. We are such an open society that I believe coexistence is more of an obtainable goal than 1 global religion is. I'm with you though. It is hard to imagine how people are able to inflict so much pain on others seemingly without cause. So many examples: School shootings, mall shootings, office shootings. I don't blame guns, but I don't think arming everyone will lead to fewer shootings either. I hope this sparks constructive debate and real solutions. That would be an honorable memorial to the precious lives shich have been lost.

Kevin "Hack" King

"I hope this sparks constructive debate and real solutions. That would be an honorable memorial to the precious lives shich have been lost."

Well said. How can we really ever understand someone like this who inflicts such pain on others? To have someone whom you dearly love die so brutally is an experience that you never forget. You just don't "get over it." What you regret the most is not being able to say "goodbye."

I appreciate your well thought out and sincere blog. I would only point out, that while your points are quite valid; this particular deranged student was apparently a foreign student from China or Korea.

If that's the case, unless you are saying God is punishing America, they are not from a Christian country were not from America.

Tragic. This is 1/9 the number of innocent life lost on 9-11-2001 at ground zero.

Also, an update- The gunman apparently had a .22 cal pistol and a 9mm pistol, both of which had the serial numbers filed off.

So, a foreign national, on a student visa, in engineering school, with two illegal weapons, brings enough ammo that is NOT interchangeable, to shoot over 46 people.

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Nothing like a tragedy to bring out ole Neal Boortz and his government-hating acolytes with their oh-so-predictable talking points:

"It's all the government's fault!"

"We need more guns!"

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Get your Klanpoints™ today!

government-hating acolytes with their oh-so-predictable talking points

Huh seems like I recall quite a few of your anti-Bush and anti-Republican and anti-Christianist posts. Bit hypocritical aren't we?

"It's all the government's fault!"

Truest statement I've heard you say in a while, Ms. Banmati. What can government do right? One thing? Education? What a "laff." FEMA? The object of late night jokes. It can't even deliver the mail on time yet you want them to be in charge of our safety? No thank you!

Just to annoy you, I'm going to look into getting a concealed weapons permit so I can legally defend myself and protect others if God forbid I'm ever in a situation like that (and I pray I'm not and would never have to use it!!!!!!!!!). Thank God we still have a few rights left. There I said it. I'm now an official member of the gun toten' right wing conspiracy. Have a nice night!

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- Get Firefox for a better, safer, and more enjoyable web browsing experience!

Yes, it is VT not WV - Indeed I know they are two different states. It appears in my emotional state and haste, I made an error. I apologize. While I do think that WV morns, I meant Virginia Tech (VT) in Blacksburg, VA.

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Gun nut.

Not that I disagree, but even with a concealed carry permit, you don't imagine a classroom full of students would have been packing heat do you?

The school safety zone is actually designed to designate a specific area where certain crimes result in stiffer penalties. As an example: Drug dealing, drug possession, weapons and the subsequent firearms associated with criminal activity all result in greater jail time than in, or on, non-designated areas.

It's the same concept of speeding in certain zones (i.e., school, hospital, construction, etc.) being more costly than in other areas.

While this zone does further limit the restrictions on carrying firearms, even the license to conceal itself has specific limitations.

A School Safety Zone also helps designate an area where convicted child molesters are not permitted to trespass.

One thing is certain, criminals will carry weapons whether it is legal or not. I can't imagine a robber saying, "gosh, if it was legal I would smoke this pot before I do this bank heist but it'd better not since it's against the law", or "you guys make sure your gun is properly registered before we go rob this bank!"

Maybe we are at the point where we need to arm the teachers and administrators? I hope not.

Regardless, in a free and open society people hell bent on destruction can achieve much damage.

The cost of freedom is high indeed.

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You don't imagine a classroom full of students would have been packing heat do you?

Only one would have saved lives, teacher or student. By restricting carry permits, the victims were helpless!

________________________________________________________________
Fighting for truth, justice and the American way, while ignoring the ignorant!

I support the second amendment. I have several weapons myself.

My point is (was) that even a concealed weapons permit in Virginia prohibits carrying a weapon on a college campus. This restriction has been in place for many years:

Where Unlawful to Carry

§18.2-287.01: Carrying weapon in air carrier airport terminal.

Furthermore, in a free and open society, those who wish to attack us have a huge advantage - our free and open access.

I really miss the Washington DC of yesteryear. I recall riding down Pennsylvania Avenue, on my motorcycle, in front of the White house, proudly waiving a single finger salute to the then resident President.

I have no quarrel with you sir. I just disagree that the solution to curbing school crime is to make guns/weapons more accessible to the students.

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What the major means is that he could pick out a few students or teachers who could carry automatic weapons, who are just like him!

I usually carry a 9mm Taurus Millenium wiyh a Stainless steel slide in a pocket holster. My .45 Para Ord P-10 would work to. Heck even my 9mm Kel Tec P-11 in my car would work.

Real men don't need automatic weapons.

Gun control means being able to hit the target!

________________________________________________________________
Fighting for truth, justice and the American way, while ignoring the ignorant!

In my opinion it wouldn't matter if we didn't have freedom, as far as people getting shot with guns is concerned! I disagre that freedom causes people to get shot.
Shut up our society, ask for papers and frisk everyone you see, etc., even more people will be shot. Not the answer!

I apologize for my confusion. I was trying to say that in a free and open society we are vulnerable to the attacks of madmen such as this Chinese National, age 24, who was here on a student visa, that has allegedly slaughtered some of the finest America has to offer.

Regardless, I for one wish to remain free and as unencumbered as possible.

Not to second guess the campus police, but shouldn't the first double murder two hours previous to this slaughter have caused the school to go in to, and remain in, a total lock down until the gunman was apprehended or accounted for?

I just really don't know.

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I don't know yet about a "lock down."
However, maybe you have been hearing too much lately about these local schools, one or two buildings,doing a lockdown for various reasons. They have 2-3 doors!
Virginia Tech has 26,000 students, in a town of more than that, has about 10,000 workers on their way there at that time in their cars and busses. Maybe 2-3,000 business people are walking the campus at the same time. The campus is located on 2,800 acres of land with hundreds of buildings. There are scores of streets within and out.
One guy with guns in his backpack which they all carry can not be stopped even with a "lockdown." He simply shoots the guy at the door and breaks in!
How people are raised and counselled is a much better deterrant.
Notification to all students takes hours. Sirens and announcement get to very few.
An ill and maybe evil person usually can do damage under any circumstances for awhile with the right weapons or bombs.
America has been lucky so far to avoid thousands of these fanatics.
We won't become vigilantes until it gets much worse!

How people are raised and counselled is a much better deterrant

The above statement is the beginning to finding an answer to a multitude of problems. I'm waiting for the analysis of 'why' this young man could have done such a horrendous deed. Did anyone here see the movie 'The Manchurian Candidate'? We don't need weapons of 'mass destruction' when we have individuals who can create such fear, distrust, and destruction to our society by eliminating our best and brightest. My sincere condolences to us all. We are all suffering.

Lockdowns are simply to buy time dollaradayandfound and isolate the perpetrator(s).

You seem very argumentative my friend.

I would propose that colleges:

1) Sound a campus wide siren - Like the cold war days, or like Tornado sirens
2) Total 'Lockdown' - lock every door and stay in place away from windows
3) Notify Law enforcement
4) Wait For Help or an 'all clear'

Pardon my over simplification young man but I am sensing that your cynicism is not sincere.

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Lockdowns and sirens are great.....but lets think wider scale...

The Peachtree City soccer club can send out mass communications when they close the soccer fields! Why can Fayette County not do the same for school emergencies? Use the same method to issue an email and text messsage to tell faculty, students and parents that a school is locked down and that there is an urgent action at hand.

I for one do not want to learn from the news that my childs school is under lockdown. If you go under lockdown, send me a communication.

For that matter, if school gets closed, send me a communication. Why must I still watch the television to be force fed a communication that can be delivered in mass?

If the lockdown is relieved, re-send the change via text message. In this manner you are notifying the critical persons first, as it should be.

When a student walks into a classroom and shoots 10-15 people within a few seconds, and proceeds to continue, just how would the school know that in time to do anything about it with texts, etc.?
2,800 acres of land, hundreds of buildings, 26,000 students, 10-15,000 employees and instructors, many in cars and busses on the way there, hundreds of contractors and business people there, and there is no way to stop this person from simply pulling out the weapon from his backpack and firing!
After the damage is done, it doesn't help a thing to get the information immediately.
I know we want to see something done, or pretend we are doing something, but after the fact it is just that, pretending.
Even after the first two were shot and found, there was no way to lock him out, he was there!

Fayette County Schools have partnered with WSB750 for more than 20 years for school closings and and school emergency information. The Superintendent or designee calls them and gives a code to authenticate that it is he they are speaking with.

Starr's Mill High School sends out an email to every parent that has entered a current email address (click here) or signed up to receive email so I don't know what school you specifically are talking about. Ask your school’s PTSO to do what Starr’s Mill does. (The down side is that people change email addresses and ISPs often by the way.)

There is no possible way to text message thousands of cell phones in a reliable, practical, or cost effective way to notify parents. Given that the phones that have the capability charge for this service, be thankful that cell phone 'spam' and broadcast text is not available or permitted (or cost effective).

I would also not assume that email, phone text, or any other ‘pay as you go’ service is available to all parents. Cost is a factor for many public school families- even in here 'the bubble'. I digress.

Actually, I get an email once a week from Starr's Mill and Rising Starr (both) telling me what's going on in the schools with the specific grades my kids are in and Starr's Mill sent an email out to all of the families when they had a fire emergency last month that required evacuation explaining everything quite well.

School closings and emergencies are announced on the radio on WSB AM750 - not everyone has email - everyone has, or can have, a radio (even in their car). That is as current and wide as it gets.

On a more personal note: The last thing I want at my child's school (at Starr's Mill) is the 3,500 parents, and hundreds of extra cars (golf carts, mopeds, or whatever), or any part there of, showing up to 'personally' disrupt the emergency handling of a situation, or the flow of emergency personnel, or to ask questions of those trying to attend to the emergency, just to make ‘personally’ sure their 'baby' is okay. That is what the college educated and well trained professionals are for. Those ‘panicked’ parents would simply compound the problem. Wait until the emergency is over.

My feeling is that both Television and Radio are mass communication. They are both more reliable and faster than email or a cell phone text message. (In fact, I got a text message this morning sent three days ago – thanks Verizon!)

Your radio is in your car, and in your home. A radio is highly mobile and highly reliable.

If your specific presence is needed at an emergency site, I am certain you will be contacted immediately via cell, land-line, email, radio, or however you can be contacted.

I appreciate the excellent work of the professionals in our emergency response and in our schools and those in communication who have kept me so well informed for the last 15 years in Fayette County.

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This is thought out pretty good. Some just have no imagination and just want to be notified even if it is useless!

What is "argumentative" about it?
Your well thought out answer to it all sounds just like the CYA method of doing things. Man, we locked it down, so what else can we do?

Not to second guess either but if you have 30 - 40 people in a room and this evil blankity blank starts picking them off one at a time why wouldn't the rest of the rush him. Why just die like a sheep at slaughter? Where were the men? Or were they too concerned about their metrosexual John Edwards haircuts getting messed up?

Like you.... I just really don't know. This just hurts deep down every time I think about it.

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You may not be at war with Islam, but Islam is at war with you!

that they chose not to fight like a certain VP we know, but I'll keep it apolitical. I have thought this same thing. How can you kneel and wait for death? In "college" we learned, "It is better to die free than live as slaves." That includes being enslaved to fear. You know, I'm sure, how hard it is to mortally wound a moving target with a pistol. I think we should move towards two things:

1. Comprehensive self defense training. Like p.e. in school. Teach girls how to avoid date rape, and teach all students awareness of those around them and basic survival techniques against sticks, knives, and even guns. In just one semester of this, a student would be much more likely to survive such events.

2. Arm faculty volunteers. These people have been screened. Let all who want to pack pack. We as a nation have to start thinking as survivors. It could be terrorist related next time, or just another wacko, but you have to know how to react before the gun is in your face.

Kevin "Hack" King

that they chose not to fight like a certain VP we know,

Come on Hack. That was out of place, totally uncalled for and unrelated to this topic.

As for your other two suggestion I whole heartedly concur. Why aren't we teaching our young people to resist and fight evil? I'm instructing my children to bite, scratch, scream and resist anyone trying to enslave them in any manner. I'm wondering if I should step that up a notch or two. I want to see more of these kids survive.

Regarding your comments on arming faculty volunteers I agree that option needs to part of our security policy. I am armed at my business. I feel obligated to at least make an effort an resist if some crazy comes through the door. Knowing that someone might have been armed at this school probably would not have deterred this evil {{{Had to go back and self edit}}}. But an armed and trained volunteer just might have made a difference. If there is a segment of our population that is trained and carrying then the odds of reducing the murderous impact of these scoundrels is increased.

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You may not be at war with Islam, but Islam is at war with you!

Just curious what the ROE are.

Kevin "Hack" King

Where did that come from?

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You may not be at war with Islam, but Islam is at war with you!

He could shoot a dozen plus within 8-10 seconds. Are you going to chase him down the hall?

The more I think about it the sadder it is.

Your question is just ONE of many questions I have right now.

Another is: Why are we giving Student Visas to a Communist Country that wants to bury us - for Engineering no less? Are we giving visas to Iranians and Syrians too?

I agree with you though, if I am going down, I am going down fighting.

I would like to think that I would pull a "Todd Beamer" and get ready to "roll" with some guys like you.

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Or to simply put it... it's just pure evil.

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You may not be at war with Islam, but Islam is at war with you!

Are deranged brains evil? We used to think so 100 years ago and we would try to beat it out of them!

Nothing like a tragedy for an excuse to push your political agenda, is there little major?

________________________________________________________
Get your Klanpoints™ today!

Your avatar says it all!

Of course, reading your blog postings and many comments here at The Citizen, such as The Ice Cream Bandit Judge, will only confirm your hypocrisy.

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"Does allowing people to own or carry guns deter violent crime? Or does it cause more citizens to harm each other? Wherever people happen to fall along the ideological spectrum, their answers are all too often founded upon mere impressionistic and anecdotal evidence.

In this direct challenge to conventional wisdom, legal scholar John Lott presents the most rigorously comprehensive data analysis ever done on crime. In this provocative work he comes to a startling conclusion more guns mean less crime. In what may be his most controversial conclusion, Lott finds that mass public shootings, such as the infamous examples of the Long Island Railroad by Colin Ferguson or the 1996 Empire State Building shooting, are dramatically reduced once law-abiding citizens in a state are allowed to carry concealed handguns."

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For insightful analysis on this topic, see the forum video with John Lott, author of the book, More Guns, Less Crime: Understanding Crime and Gun Control Laws.

Or the transcript of a TIME-sponsored debate between John Lott and Douglas Weil, research director of Handgun Control, Inc.

For a more intense, personal impression, you can watch the movie The Patriot to see why the Founders of this country insisted on the Second Amendment.

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Out! Out! You demons of stupidity!

Denise Connor helps to vividly point out the difference between Christians and Christianists in her post above.

A Christian would respond to a national tragedy by offering condolences and prayers of support for the bereaved.

A Christianist, on the other hand, would welcome a national tragedy as a wonderful opportunity to present a list of anti-gun control links.

Denise, you serve your true master well.

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Why bother to BAN troublemakers if you're just going to let them RE-REGISTER?

Now that I have learned to put in a hyperlink (that's so confusing), have you seen THIS?

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Please help stop the genocide in Darfur

Basmati "discounts" Mr. Lott's views by referring to Wikipedia without disclosing that "the neutrality of this article is disputed."

This is only one of Mr. DeBunkum's many ways to "devalue" conservative, or even moderate, opinion. He perceives himself as the exposer of conservative "sham." It's no wonder that the town in Kansas exempts "those who suffer from physical or mental disabilities and paupers" from their requirement. Those who pretend to worry about "red flags" will likely call on the ACLU to come to their aid. The ACLU attorney will look for crosses to destroy, free of charge.

I guess Basmati will wipe that smirk off his face when he sees that your source is the infallible CNN. He foams at the mouth at the mere mention of Fox News. Green with envy and-or suffering from hydrophobia would be my guess.

(See also "Threat to Deployed Mission.")

For another model town, go here. Notice that there's no disclaimer with this link.

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For help with hyperlinks, see Git Real's suggestions.

Having 2 monitors is a great help. You can have notes in Word or Notepad on one screen and your comments on the other.

Don't like Wikipedia? how about these sites then?
The best compendum of John Lott's pseudo-research:
Who is Mary Rosh

Slate explains how Lott lied not once, not twice, but THREE times on where he got his "data":
Another firearms scholar whose dog ate his data

Fascinating report on who actually pays for Lott/Rosh's "research"
Funder of Lott 1996 CCW Study Has Links to the Gun Industry

As you can see from the above links, John Lott's "research" doesn't hold up well to scrutiny. But it does support Denise's pre-conceived notions, she'll stand by her man.

________________________________________________________
Get your Klanpoints™ today!

I thought someone's "sexual orientation" is not "germane" to the subject?

The implication that John Lott is a cross-dresser is, well, lurid.

"undressed John Lott for all the world to see"

"How Was Mary Rosh Undressed?" -- lurid?

"The GOP's Loyalty Fetish" -- Not suitable for all ages

John Lott's Crush on the VPC

"John and Mary and Jayson and Rick" -- Shocking!

The site Who is Mary Rosh seems so reputable, but I'll look into it more.

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"Mary Rosh" was a pseudonym Lott used for three years to defend himself against his critics in online debates. The name is an amalgam of the first two letters of his four sons' first names.

"I probably shouldn't have done it -- I know I shouldn't have done it -- but it's hard to think of any big advantage I got except to be able to comment fictitiously," said Lott, an economist who has held senior research positions at the University of Chicago and Yale.

Lott said he initially used his own name in online debates with critics. "But you just get into really emotional things with people. You also run into other problems." So he started using the name Mary Rosh. "I should not have done it, there is no doubt. But it was a way to get information into the debate."

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Beware fellow bloggers! Pseudonyms banned by Basmati!

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Of course, Slate wouldn't have any bias, would it?

About the Violence Policy Center:

In 1992 the VPC released More Gun Dealers Than Gas Stations, resulting in a dramatic reduction in the number of gun dealers—from more than 250,000 in 1992 to less than 55,000 today.

In 1994 the VPC released its groundbreaking study Cease Fire: A Comprehensive Strategy to Reduce Firearms Violence. Cease Fire has two goals: to reframe firearms violence as a public health issue and to introduce a comprehensive, effective approach to regulate firearms in a manner similar to that currently applied to other inherently dangerous consumer products. This product safety approach has been implemented in both Massachusetts and California.

In 1997 the VPC released Joe Camel with Feathers: How the NRA with Gun and Tobacco Industry Dollars Uses its Eddie Eagle Program to Market Guns to Kids

Gun rights advocates have been critical of the accuracy and scientific validity of VPC's reports, charging that the conclusions have already been decided regardless of the statistics. They charge that the VPC has a track record of making allegations for which there is no proof with regards to the case of Ronnie Barrett.

Violence Policy Center Statement on Virginia Tech Shooting

"Mass shootings have come to define our nation. Today's shooting at Virginia Tech--the largest mass shooting in U.S. history--is only the latest in a continuing series over the past two decades. These tragedies are the inevitable result of the ease with which the firepower necessary to slaughter dozens of innocents can be obtained. We allow virtually anyone the means to turn almost any venue into a battlefield. In the wake of these shootings, too many routinely search for any reason for the tragedy except for the most obvious--the easy access to increasingly lethal firearms that make mass killings possible."

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The National Rifle Association joins the entire country in expressing our deepest condolences to the families of Virginia Tech University and everyone else affected by this horrible tragedy.

Our thoughts and prayers are with the families.

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Denise, your argument is specious.

My reply had nothing to do with "sexual orientation" and everything to do with "intellectual dishonesty".

Using an alias to bolster your own position is intellectually dishonest, your feeble rationalization attempts to the contrary notwithstanding.

"Beware fellow bloggers! Pseudonyms banned by Basmati!"
I think bloggers need not concern themselves with how I feel about aliases (which you call "pseudonyms"). However, those with a respect for the rules of this site should be aware of what the site owner Cal Beverly clearly stated:

(Direct quote here Denise):
"Posters who post under several names are in effect defrauding the owner of this site and misleading our readers. Such multiple posters will be banned once discovered."
(End direct quote)

Spin that.
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Why bother to BAN troublemakers if you're just going to let them RE-REGISTER?

I gave no "argument" to your link "Who is Mary Rosh." I only quoted the site's mildly salacious Enquirer-esque headlines.

Man or woman? Professor or student? Gun advocate or fawning supporter?

"Enquiring minds want to know."

The "dressed-up" picture of Lott is a nice touch.

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"your feeble rationalization attempts" -- I only gave Lott's explanation and apology. I never commented one way or another on the appropriateness of his actions. He did apologize for his bad judgment.

"feeble" -- Hardly!

Your effete attempts to denigrate me will not silence me.

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Pseudonyms or "pseudo-research" -- Just friendly banter!

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"respect for the rules of this site" -- Is that a veiled threat to have me banned?

If you're implying that I'm pentapenguin or RetiredArmyMAJ or whoever; well, you're not much of a detective.

"Huh seems like I recall" should be "Huh? Seems as if I recall . . . ." "Huh" is not part of my vernacular.

"Protect others if God forbid I'm ever" should be "protect others if, God forbid, I'm . . . ." That sentence is just a little too wordy for me.

"an official member of the gun toten' right wing conspiracy" -- Just a tad too colloquial for me.

Sorry, Pentapenguin, your posts were easily accessible since I was reading Basmati's posts. Your ideas are insightful, though.

Basmati, your "to the contrary notwithstanding" is redundant: "to the contrary despite anything to the contrary" is equivalent to what you wrote. Just a little wordy.

I could go through others' postings with my editorial pen, but that's really not necessary.

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By "specious" do you mean deceptively attractive?

I'd never try to lead you into error.

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Out! Out! You demons of stupidity!

Still trying to catch up on old posts....

"Huh seems like I recall" should be "Huh? Seems as if I recall . . . ." "Huh" is not part of my vernacular.


"Protect others if God forbid I'm ever" should be "protect others if, God forbid, I'm . . . ." That sentence is just a little too wordy for me.


"an official member of the gun toten' right wing conspiracy" -- Just a tad too colloquial for me.

Okay Ms. Conner, I admit defeat. You are our resident English expert.

And I can assure you basmati (if you were implying something) that I'm not Denise. As Denise said "you're not much of a detective" because Denise said here that she didn't know how to insert links. However in my blog post I explain just how to do that. I'm a programmer, so I know how to post links.

P.S. The != in the title means "not equals" in some programming languages.

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All of the military experts wage war almost daily here.
Just must be in their blood.

Best not to get caught in the crossfire (if my military-ese is correct)!

Of course, being a military expert makes one a political expert, too.

I'm neither, but don't tell anyone.

One of these days I'll have to try to understand your blog, but it's usually easier for me to yell "HELP" & let someone else fix the problems. Mental laziness, I guess.

Firefox's "built in spell checker" is great since my memory is failing at my young age.

Well, unless I have undiagnosed schizophrenia, I'm not talking to myself here . . . am I?

Denise, I would never asked that you be banned from this site, despite your intellectual dishonesty and lack of respect for both rules and positions that are at odds with your own.

I think you are a living, breathing icon of situational intolerance and good ole fashioned Christianist hatred. As such, your presence here is an inspiration to all of us, though not in a positive way: Your hypocrisy inspires people to run away from the false idolatry of your Republican Jesus.

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Why bother to BAN troublemakers if you're just going to let them RE-REGISTER?

In case you are wondering why this is late, it's because I'm trying to catch up since I've been busy, and haven't had time to post.

Anyway, here's is my question to basmati: what rules has Denise broken? I don't have to go far to find a possible breach of rules by you. In your blog here you wrote:
Now, I don’t care if you have won the f****** Medal of Honor
(Note actual word has been replaced with asterisks. I don't talk like that.) Everybody knows that that word is merely an euphemism for the F bomb. Well, that sounds pretty close to a breach of the rules does it not? I thought that cursing was disallowed?

In your blog you also wrote this:
The worst offender on this board is that semi-sentient pile of human sewage known as RetiredArmyMajor.
It's one thing to call names (like you are so talented at), but it's another to publicly slander another user with disgusting speech.

Again, you have proven you are a hypocrite. You got so mad at another user for calling you names yet you call a user vile names too. You are incredibly mean spirited person (a provable fact).

Once again, you make a baseless accusation about rules being broken. Look in the mirror basmati: you will see if not a rule breaker, one who comes very close!

You are becoming more unhinged everyday.

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Now, the minute I see the highlighted blue, I move on. No sense made anyway.

Sorry that you "move on." You wouldn't want to read too much, would you?

Must be a subliminal message from MoveOn.org, the ones that had 2 ads comparing Pres. Bush to Hitler.

One ad used a tape recording of the Nazi Hitler speaking while it showed images of Hitler and German military prowess during World War II. At the end of the ad, a photo of Bush raising his hand to take the oath of office is seen.

"A nation warped by lies. Lies fuel fear. Fear fuels aggression. Invasion. Occupation. What were war crimes in 1945 is foreign policy in 2003," the ad said.

One ad used computer effects to morph a picture of Hitler into one of Mr. Bush.

Another ad compared Mr. Bush's push for war to oust Saddam Hussein in Iraq to Hitler's push for Nazi domination in Europe and said Hitler's war crimes are "2003's foreign policy."

Jack Rosen, president of the AJC (American Jewish Congress), writing in the Wall Street Journal, said the comparison is "not only historically specious, it is morally outrageous."

Abraham H. Foxman, national director of the ADL, said posting the ads "cheapens the level of political discourse in America."

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Out! Out! You demons of stupidity!

Links are good. I even look at Basmati's links. Thanks for the hard work effort you put into your blogs.

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You may not be at war with Islam, but Islam is at war with you!

Right Amount Of Blue -- Well, the color should be RED for red-blooded conservative Republicans!

We are strong and highly spirited, full of vigor, endowed with or exhibiting great bodily or mental health.

Blue-blooded liberal Democrats think that they're the elite, enjoying superior intellectual, social, or economic status. Snobs!

"Edwards scared of 'rabid Republican' neighbor"

Elizabeth Edwards says she is scared of the "rabid, rabid Republican" who owns property across the street from her Orange County home — and she doesn't want her kids going near the gun-toting neighbor.

The Edwards family has yet to meet Johnson in person.

"I wouldn't be nice to him anyway," Edwards said in an interview.

Edwards views Johnson as a "rabid, rabid Republican" who refuses to clean up his "slummy" property just to spite her family, whose lavish 28,000-square-foot estate is nearby on 102 wooded acres.

Johnson, 55, acknowledges his Republican roots. But he takes offense to the suggestion he has purposefully left his property, including an old garage that he leases for use as a car shop, in dilapidated condition.

Johnson said he has lived his entire life on the property, which he said his family purchased before the Great Depression. He said he's spent a lot of money to try and fix up the 42-acre tract.

"I have to budget. I have to leave within my means," Johnson said. "I don't have millions of dollars to fix the place."

Johnson, who has posted a "Go Rudy Giuliani 2008" sign on a fence just 100 feet from the entrance to the Edwards' driveway, has criticized Edwards for the scale of their nearby home. The property and home, which includes an indoor basketball court, an indoor handball court and an indoor pool, is valued at $5.3 million.

"I thought he was supposed to be for the poor people," Johnson said. "But does he ever socialize with any poor people? He doesn't speak to me."

Johnson said he has put his property on the market, in part blaming the high property taxes for his decision to leave. He also wants to move for another reason.

"I don't want to live somewhere where someone's always complaining about me," he said.

Maybe you can invite this Johnson fellow to move in next door to your home, just as it is in NC?

$, would you speak to the man?

Would you call him "rabid" & try to generate negative press for the old man?

Don't you feel any sympathy for a man who's lived his entire life on the property adjacent to the Edwards' new home but is now having to sell his property because of HIGH TAXES?

Maybe the Edwards will buy the man's "slummy" property. Maybe that's what they planned all along?

Notice that there are no reports of any criminal behavior, past or present, by Mr. Johnson.

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Out! Out! You demons of stupidity!

Oh Denise, thanks for a badly needed laugh.

John Lott has been proven to fudge data so often to meet his preconceived conclusions that there is something of a cottage industry set up to debunk his outlandish claims. There's quite a list of his miscues in his wikipedia entry.

Plus, let's not forget John Lott is also "Mary Rosh", the persona he uses in newspapers and blogs to sing "John Lott"'s praises and to smear his critics.

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Get your Klanpoints™ today!

What do you disagree with other than the fact that I wrote it? The press already is blasting the White House press secretary about gun control. Have any swamy words for them Mr. double standard?

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Fighting for truth, justice and the American way, while ignoring the ignorant!

"already is blasting"? Read the transcript from today's press briefing.
Fifty one questions asked, exactly TWO concerning gun control. Both were essentially the same question: "Do the shootings today change the President's views on gun control?" You call that BLASTING?

Contrast that to you and your opportunistic yammering here. Those poor kids haven't been dead 7 hours and you are on your soapbox pushing your "more guns" agenda.

Your the spiritual twin brother of that swine that goes around picketing dead soldiers funerals with his "God Hates Fags" vitriol. Anywhere there's a soapbox, right?
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Get your Klanpoints™ today!

Cal, Cal, Cal,

Banmaster is being mean to me, He says that I have a spritual twin that uses homophobic slurs while taking the Lord's name in vain!

WAAAA! SLANDER! SLANDER! SLANDER!

Big meanie head.

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Fighting for truth, justice and the American way, while ignoring the ignorant!

I just don't understand what fuels some of these people. I just don't understand. God Bless their souls and their families.

Kevin "Hack" King

I apologize for ruining a beautiful day. I have no idea why the gunman did this. It appears to have been planned out ahead of time- premeditated - he may have had on a kevlar vest, he had plenty of ammunition, and may have brought the chains he used to chain the doors with him. We will learn more in the days to come I suppose.

Very disturbing indeeed.

Once again America has another terrible mass gun killing.

It is time America had a serious conversation about guns and hopefully enact effective gun control legislation to reduce the chances of such a terrible event.

And the NRA should not be invited to take part in this conversation.

The NRA of my youth is not the NRA of today. The current NRA vision of America is one with virtually everyone armed with an automatic weapon and this is simply unacceptable. Those who like the scenes from Africa where every male over 12 years of age has an automatic weapon will love the NRA's vision of the future for America.

First off, I'm glad to see it didn't take long for the knee-jerk reaction from the anti-gun zealots to think this is a "gun issue."

The bit about "Africa" is asinine and I have no idea what you are trying to accomplish with that. Most kids and adults don't have guns on that continent. A lot of people are slaughtered in SOME parts of that continent by government military or para-militias, but it's hardly the entire continent.

So, you watch a little bit of the "news" on TV and decide that "every male over 12 has an automatic weapon" in Africa? And you are worried about the NRA's vision????? Get lasik or glasses because you're missing a whole lot out there.

Also-while this is probably over your head-9mm handguns are not "automatic weapons."

NUK

It is time America had a serious conversation about guns and hopefully enact effective gun control legislation to reduce the chances of such a terrible event.

You're right. We need to train and teach more citizens how to properly control their weapons so that in a murderous situation like this licensed personnel can return fire in an attempt to minimize a tragedy like this.

And the NRA should not be invited to take part in this conversation.

HUH? I Am The NRA. You're saying that I should be silenced and not allowed to have a voice in this discussion?

The NRA of my youth is not the NRA of today.

What are you talking about? The NRA message is the same today as it was 40 years ago. You know about as much about the NRA as Rahim knows about the Golden Rule.

Those who like the scenes from Africa where every male over 12 years of age has an automatic weapon will love the NRA's vision of the future for America.

Are you really that cuckoo? You jest huh? Tell us your spandex isn't choking the oxygen off to your brain.
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You may not be at war with Islam, but Islam is at war with you!

The idea of more training of the use of personal weapons does have merit as I see it. The issue is not regulating and controlling guns by the government, but insuring those with guns have the training to use them correctly, the fortitude and judgement to use them appropriately, and the possession of respect for others who may be in possession as well. The Second Amendment is clear as to our right to own, but also having the responsibility that accompanies this right. We defend our right to speech, religion, and the pursuit of happiness--this amendment simply allows us to enforce it.