Nightmare Revisited
"And don't assume that your elected representatives in Washington will
finally do the right thing by putting an end to this madness. They're
cowards. Every Republican (and far too many Democrats to count) are in the pocket of the National Rifle Association."
From "The Rant"
15 December 2012
Well, I nailed that one, ay? And in the one year since the despicable tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary School, not a thing has been done by your so-called "representatives" to ensure that it never happen again - not a goddamned thing. Are you ashamed of your country yet?
I had been up most of the previous evening and was awakening from a nap when the report of yet another school shooting started to make its way through the airwaves. So help me I didn't even bat an eye when I heard the news. "Oh", I said out loud, "so it's happened again, huh?" It seemed that I was the only person who was not shocked in the least by the carnage. You see, I long ago anesthetized myself to living in a nation in ruins. You ought to give it a try; it makes coping a helluva lot easier, let me tell ya.
It was only in the days to come, after reading the profiles of the twenty little children and the six women whose lives were lost, that the numbness gave way to rage. Merely a week after the massacre, uber-jackassass and NRA spokesman, Wayne LaPierre gave a "press conference" at which no questions were allowed. Clever. According to this demented nerd, the problem wasn't the fact that this doomed country is awash with easily obtainable, rapid-fire killing machines (parish the thought!) The problem is that there are not enough of them. There was plenty of blame to spread around according to this twit:
He blamed Hollywood.
He blamed the news media.
He blamed video games.
He blamed music videos.
He blamed gun-free school zones.
He blamed hurricanes.
He blamed celebrities.
He blamed President Obama....
As you may well imagine, the political terrorism as practiced by the National Rifle Association was blameless. In the months to follow, the House of Reprehensibles eternally disgraced themselves by refusing to pass even pathetically watered-down legislation that would make acquiring these weapons only a little more difficult. They would not do the right thing to protect our children. Hang your head and weep for your country.
And now we wake up on this grim anniversary to read about another school shooting in (again) Colorado. This time the shooter was taken down before he could do much damage. This morning, however, a fifteen-year-old girl clings to life from the injuries she sustained in the shooting. You had better get used to this sort of thing. This is the new reality.
The NRA types love to jabber away - like diseased little myna birds - about "freedom". We need to came face-to-face with some extremely unpleasant realities:
A people who live in a chronic state of mortal terror - wondering when and where the next massacre of innocent little boys and girls will take place - may indeed be many things (no argument there!) "Free" they are not.
Let's just stop kidding ourselves here and now, okay?
I'm going back to bed.
Tom Degan
Goshen. NY
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A GENTLE REQUEST:
Epilogue, 12/18/13, 3:12 PM:
Miss Meghan passed softly into eternity late last night. I would ask all of you, in addition to praying for her, that you remember her mother and father (Terri and Brian), her two brothers (Brian and Michael), and her extended family on both sides - the loveliest and nicest people I have ever known. Many hearts lie permanently and irreparably broken tonight. Mine, too.
For many years I have said that, for every person who goes before me, I fear it less and less. I don't fear it anymore.
To paraphrase Shakespeare (with ever-so-slight editing):
"When she shall pass, take her and cut her out in little stars. And she shall make the face of Heaven so fine, that all the world will fall in love with the night, and pay no worship to the garish sun."
Still we will remember Mama's little girl.
AFTERTHOUGHT:
One of the readers of this site, a poet from Oregon by the name of Lydia, wrote a beautiful and sweet poem about Meghan that she has published. It was inspired by the photo of her and the little bird. Here's a link to read it:
http://writerquake.blogspot.com/2013/12/friday-flash-55-little-bird.html
It is the little gestures such as this one that remind me of the beauty of the human race. Thank you, Lydia (Melladee). All of Meghan's friends and loved ones are deeply moved by this.
I had been up most of the previous evening and was awakening from a nap when the report of yet another school shooting started to make its way through the airwaves. So help me I didn't even bat an eye when I heard the news. "Oh", I said out loud, "so it's happened again, huh?" It seemed that I was the only person who was not shocked in the least by the carnage. You see, I long ago anesthetized myself to living in a nation in ruins. You ought to give it a try; it makes coping a helluva lot easier, let me tell ya.
He blamed Hollywood.
He blamed the news media.
He blamed video games.
He blamed music videos.
He blamed gun-free school zones.
He blamed hurricanes.
He blamed celebrities.
He blamed President Obama....
As you may well imagine, the political terrorism as practiced by the National Rifle Association was blameless. In the months to follow, the House of Reprehensibles eternally disgraced themselves by refusing to pass even pathetically watered-down legislation that would make acquiring these weapons only a little more difficult. They would not do the right thing to protect our children. Hang your head and weep for your country.
And now we wake up on this grim anniversary to read about another school shooting in (again) Colorado. This time the shooter was taken down before he could do much damage. This morning, however, a fifteen-year-old girl clings to life from the injuries she sustained in the shooting. You had better get used to this sort of thing. This is the new reality.
The NRA types love to jabber away - like diseased little myna birds - about "freedom". We need to came face-to-face with some extremely unpleasant realities:
A people who live in a chronic state of mortal terror - wondering when and where the next massacre of innocent little boys and girls will take place - may indeed be many things (no argument there!) "Free" they are not.
Let's just stop kidding ourselves here and now, okay?
I'm going back to bed.
Tom Degan
Goshen. NY
Thank you, folks.
Miss Meghan passed softly into eternity late last night. I would ask all of you, in addition to praying for her, that you remember her mother and father (Terri and Brian), her two brothers (Brian and Michael), and her extended family on both sides - the loveliest and nicest people I have ever known. Many hearts lie permanently and irreparably broken tonight. Mine, too.
For many years I have said that, for every person who goes before me, I fear it less and less. I don't fear it anymore.
To paraphrase Shakespeare (with ever-so-slight editing):
"When she shall pass, take her and cut her out in little stars. And she shall make the face of Heaven so fine, that all the world will fall in love with the night, and pay no worship to the garish sun."
Still we will remember Mama's little girl.
AFTERTHOUGHT:
One of the readers of this site, a poet from Oregon by the name of Lydia, wrote a beautiful and sweet poem about Meghan that she has published. It was inspired by the photo of her and the little bird. Here's a link to read it:
http://writerquake.blogspot.com/2013/12/friday-flash-55-little-bird.html
It is the little gestures such as this one that remind me of the beauty of the human race. Thank you, Lydia (Melladee). All of Meghan's friends and loved ones are deeply moved by this.
****************
posted by Tom Degan @ 5:20 AM
39 comments
39 Comments:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=_HAFqBVoa7c
www.dnainfo.com/chicago/20131204/river-north/sandy-hook-benefit-concert-canceled-due-low-ticket-sales
Done, Tom.
Best wishes to your loved one.
May s/he heal rapidly and light your life for many more years.
The forecast looks like there will actually be less people with health insurance in January 2014 than January 2013.
I just don't get it. I really thought Obama knew what he was doing. What a dud he turned out to be. Take away his telemprompter, and what do you have? .... nothing!
Gun deaths are now passing car accidents in some states. Acceptance of such human sacrifice is a sign of a decaying civilization
There goes Chuckie linking to the commie site, and blaming the black guy, again.
What a rude, ignorant bigot and racist.
After a recent wave of identify thefts, the FBI estimates there are over 500 fake Obamacare websites set up for the sole purpose of stealing your personal information.
So protect yourself and remember:
The real one is the one that doesn't work.
Tragic, just awful, this is what happens when young people watch the twisted hate spewing from MSNBC.
The gunman responsible for Friday's shooting at Arapahoe High School in Colorado is being described as a "socialist" by his fellow students.
"He was friendly enough. Very proud of being a socialist. He was very outspoken on his political views," student Angie Mock said. "To him, it just meant economic -- more economic equality."
The interviews I saw on CBS didn't mention his radical liberal socialism views. Oh how long will the hate mongers like Ed Schultz be allowed to vomit their lies and hate for the American dream?
Hey Confused prgressive, I dpon't know how to break this to ya, but this blog has NOTHING to do with the ACA. It's about lunatics killing our children nad the NRA helping them do it. Do try and keep up.
Hey Mozart,
Can you give me some good talking points for my NAZI right wing friends that specifically tell me how the NRA caused this lunatic to kill people?
If guns are outlawed, won't only outlaws (and the Federal Gestapo) have guns?
Don't you think the greedy liberal lunatics making their movies, filled with violence, in Hollywood have an influence on these shooters?
just sayin.
To KanaW:
Thank you for your kind words - and prayers.
Love and Peace,
Tom
Don't you think the greedy liberal lunatics making their movies, filled with violence, in Hollywood have an influence on these shooters?
As much influence as the NRA?
Or is teenage immaturity, mental issues and rampant hormonal emotion?
We DO know Jim David Adkisson, the Tennessee Unitarian Church killer was influenced by the Right Wing hate mongers Hannity and Savage. He wanted to kill "every Democrat Senator" and all 100 people Goldberg's hate book. "Go kill liberals" he exhorted. He wanted to "Stem this tide of liberalism that's destroying America". He advocated killing liberals because they are "Evil" and "Marxist".
Sound familiar, Chuckie? Your kind of true believer.
"Socialized Medicine is the Keystone to the Arch of the Socialist State."
Thanks Dave Dubya for your support of socialized medicine. Anytime you are in DC you are welcome to stop by the White House to kiss my ass.
I am urging all Democrats running for re-election in 2014 to concentrate on the following talking points:
"If you like your health-care plan, you’ll be able to keep your health-care plan, period."
"If you like your doctor, you will be able to keep your doctor, period."
"ObamaCare will cut the cost of a typical family's premium by up to $2,500 a year."
Confused, I never mentioned the Nazis, YOU did and the NRA ALLOW this sort of thing by lobbying against ANY regualtions that might keep guns out of the wrong hands.
And Vladimir, Lenin never made that staement.
Ecclesiates 10:2
"A wise man's heart is at his right hand,
But a fool's heart at his left"
INCOME INEQUALITY AT IT'S BEST.
President Obama and his family are expected to leave Washington later this week for a 17-day vacation in Hawaii.
This will be the First Family’s sixth Christmas in Hawaii since he was elected president, and in keeping with tradition they are expected to spend it on the island of Kailua.
The Obama’s covers the cost of the accommodation that typically costs up to $3,500 a day, or $75,000 a month, but local and federal taxpayers help pay their travel and security bill which costs in the region of $1 million.
LIFE STYLES OF THE 1%.
Once again Anonymous completely forgets aboout the topic and goes on a rant about Obama. Bush still holds the record for most vacations, including the 7 nminute one he took on 9-11 while the country was under attack.
Another loonie with a GUN has comitted an act of terrorism. Let's keep our eye on the ball shall we? Gotta wonder what it is about Colorado though. How many shootings there now?
"Another loonie with a GUN has comitted an act of terrorism."
You got that right!! See below.
A TEENAGER who may have had a grudge against a teacher opened fire with a shotgun at a Colorado high school, wounding two students before killing himself.
Arapahoe County Sheriff Grayson Robinson identified the shooter on Friday night as 18-year-old Karl Halverson Pierson.
Thomas Conrad, who had an economics class with the gunman, described him as a very opinionated Socialist.
“He was exuberant I guess,” Conrad told The Denver Post
News.com.au
In one Facebook post, Pierson attacks the philosophies of economist Adam Smith, who through his invisible-hand theory pushed the notion that the free market was self-regulating. In another post, he describes himself as “Keynesian.”
“I was wondering to all the neoclassicals and neoliberals, why isn’t the market correcting itself?” he wrote. “If the invisible hand is so strong, shouldn’t it be able to overpower regulations?”
Pierson also appears to mock Republicans on another Facebook post, writing “you republicans are so cute” and posting an image that reads: “The Republican Party: Health Care: Let ‘em Die, Climate Change: Let ‘em Die, Gun Violence: Let ‘em Die, Women’s Rights: Let ‘em Die, More War: Let ‘em Die. Is this really the side you want to be on?”
Oh yes, another "loonie" lefty.
Another loony lefty indeed.
At this rate it will be about four-thousand years or so before these murderous left-wingers catch up to Timothy McVeigh.
Have another sip, pal.
Oh, good grief.
"The island of Kailua"? That's a truly pathetic statement.
Kailua is a town on the island of O'ahu.
There are things called 'facts' and 'accuracy'. Attempt to embrace them, please.
TRUTH is folks, "loonies" will twist any ideology to suit their misguided ends.
Westboro Baptist fringe nuts are not Christians and do not display Christian traits, for example. Though they do use Christianty as a "platform" for their hatred.
What frustrates me is that the "how" of these school shooting has taken over the debate - when the "why" should be what we are focusing on. The answers are out there, but we'd have to admit to things that most don't want to believe. The "how" is a valid thing to debate - don't get me wrong. But, certainly not in THIS particular case - not unless we want to seriously consider adding shotguns to the debate. The "why" is the real question that gets very close to home - and the answers are not what many want to hear. And, no, Wayne LaPierre did not get it right, though many of those things are consequences of the same "why" in my opinion.
Tom, I pray your friend recovers. Clearly someone you love dearly - so sorry to hear it.
Another set of healing thoughts headed Meghan's way, Tom. I will keep her in my meditation tonight.
Mauli ola; pāola, keiki - the power of healing from Hawai'i; quick healing, little one.
Get well soon, Meghan.
Thank you, friend. Your prayers and meditations are deeply and truly appreciated by her family - some of the sweetest, lovely and gentle people I've ever known.
"“We have to pass the bill so that you can find out what is in it.”"
Probably the most memorable and now lamentable quote. After taking the ribbons off we've opened the box and found it full of turds.
Oh, Tom, I am so sorry!
Virtual hugs to you and her family. May the light welcome her and console those she leaves behind.
I was hoping I wouldn't hear that message. So sorry. I pray for the family's healing and for peace in the midst of the storm. My heart goes out...
Tom,
I pray that God grants you and Meghan's family, the peace that passes all understanding, in dealing with her passing.
CHUCK! WE AGREE ON SOMETHING!!!
Thank you for that, friend. It means a lot to her family - and to me. Thank you everyone for the sweet thoughts.
Happy Christmas!
Tom
God bless her soul. May your heartache and sense of loss be shared by the sweet sense of the blessings she brought.
Hugs to you and yours, brother Tom.
I wrote and posted a simple poem at my blog tonight for you, for Meghan's family because I felt deeply your loss.
little bird
Lydia, that was beautiful. The beauty of the human race....it never fails to amaze me.
Thank you for the reminder.
Love and happy Christmas,
Tom
I've come from reading Lydia's poem to see the picture of Meghan and the little bird. I'm amazed and very touched by their beauty. I'm very sorry to hear Meghan has gone.
wonderful tribute to Meghan and so very sad Tom.
We need more caring people such as you and Meghan.
My thoughts and prayers are with her family.
and kudos to you re: guns and school shootings. Let the madness end.
http://www.politico.com/gallery/2013/11/12-democrats-criticizing-the-obamacare-rollout/001451-020508.html
These 12 people questioning ObamaCare are clearly just racist, sexist, bigoted homophobes who can't stand having a black man in the White House.
Democrats refused to delay Obamacare on October 1st and called anyone who dare propose it "terrorists", "bigots", "people with bombs strapped around their chests". Then in a stunning turn of events, Obama has delayed Obamacare 18 times.
If anyone has been looking for a terrorist, there you have him. And that is based on their own definition.
Chuckie the Troll makes a Christmas Eve visit to spew his "Christian" hate.
As he projects from his mirror a "racist, sexist, bigoted homophobe who can't stand having a black man in the White House". See, liberals can copy and paste too, but unlike trolls, are honest enough to admit it.
Time for Chuckie to celebrate by taking delight in seeing unemployment benefits about to be cut for Americans left jobless by the Great Bush Recession. I bet that sends a tingle up his leg.
That's what your imaginary Republican Jesus would do, right, Chuckie?
Medicare for all would the only truly Christian health care system.
"Let 'em die" is what Chuckie's imaginary Republican Jesus wants.
----
Merry Christmas, and good will to all those who hold good will towards others.
A lump of coal to the haters.
“God bless us, every one!”
Stopped by to see the picture of Meghan and her little bird and found your lovely comments about my poem, Tom. I am so honored.
Spring is here now and I think of Meghan so often as I enjoy the beauty of bird life all around me.
Love
Meghan was one of my really good friends in high school and every once and while when I'm really missing her I come on here and look about what you wrote and the poem. It makes me feel a little bit better and I just wanted to thank you.
Whoever you are, thank you so much for those words. You made me feel a little bit better as well.
Love and Peace,
Tom Degan
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