Trump was deeply moved by the February shooting and convened a series of listening sessions in the weeks after the massacre.
I call BS.
Trump was deeply motivated by the February shooting seeing an opportunity to juice up that 2020 campaign. He held a series of listening sessions, where, he purposely ignored most of what was being said, choosing instead to read from his crib sheet. Trump cares about Trump… that is all.
In naming Betsy DeVos – who has far more money than she has brains - to head a commission to study school safety and make recommendations, the president has just given the big, fat wet kiss of death to the entire issue.
But, really, didn’t we know how this was going to go? Thoughts and prayers, some tough talk, mainly about “hardening” schools, the NRA pushback, the Trump walk-back, punting it off to a commission, which will ultimately punt it off to the states, most of which won’t do a damn thing.
And why are we only talking about schools? Yes, the latest mass shooting was in a school, but so what? Is it the venue that should be driving this discussion? Because if memory serves, we’ve also seen shootings in churches, malls, outdoor entertainment events, movie theatres and places of business.
Is it really where the shootings occur or is it that the shootings occur?
There are times when I feel like we’re the stupidest nation on earth. We can’t figure out how to deliver basic, affordable health care to our residents without layer after layer of bureaucracy and premiums in the thousands. We can’t come up with sensible, reasonable gun control that doesn’t change when you cross from one state to another. We can’t even figure out the best way to educate our children. And it’s not like there aren’t countless examples of programs and plans that actually do work, but time and again, what works is passed over for what puts money in the pockets of special interests: the gun lobby, the insurance pharmaceutical industry, the educational consultants and the testing companies.
Because the real problem is, we don’t want to solve problems, we want to make money – and if that means mass shootings, millions without health care and students who lag behind a good bit of the developed world, well, so be it.
I didn’t really expect more from Trump than what we’re getting, but Jesus, isn’t it time we expected more from ourselves?
“Instead, the issue will be one of a list of topics to be studied by the DeVos commission, which will then provide recommendations to the president.”
Betsy DeVos being in charge of the commission - or anything at all - shows the lack of any seriousness.
The commission’s “Recommendations” will be based on:
- Not pissing off the NRA.
- How much $$$ private companies can make off the recommended “solutions” and which companies those are (those owned by DeVos or Trump relatives and friends are a good bet).
Little donnie, on his knees, groveling before big wayne.
“Trump was deeply moved…”
Oh, FFS, Trump is only deeply moved when 15 minutes has passed and media somewhere hasn't showered attention on him in some fashion.Parkland shooting survivor David Hogg is going after Trump like we would, basically calling him a paid stooge for the NRA. He also said Betsy Devos bought her cabinet position. LOL!
This backtracking and kowtowing to the NRA is pissing off the Parkland students to no end. Hogg is one sharp dude who I believe is not going to back down, and he is saying things that we here know have to be getting under Trump’s thin skin. I believe it is only a matter of time before Trump is stupid enough to lash out at a Parkland survivor. John Kelly could never stop or even attempt to stop any of Donald’s previous stupidity. Why would we ever believe he would be capable of it now? Besides, I am sure Trump’s BFF, human used condom Stephen Miller, is whispering in Trump’s ear, "Go ahead! Teach that little bastard a lesson!"
You nailed it!
Usual dump from the White House .
“Instead, the issue will be one of a list of topics to be studied by the DeVos commission, which will then provide recommendations to the president.”
The most tried & true dodge of all, the “Blue Ribbon Commission” scam! No budget for the reforms, no deadlines, and no demand that Congress (NOT the President) need do anything even IF the commission ever submits their reform “plan”.
Such panels are meant to keep the NRA away from the hail of bullets, not your kids.
Trump is only ever deeply moved when dinner the night before consists of some greasy KFC plus a Taco Bell Big Box…
Just like all good Republitrons everywhere, the only solution is more guns.
But Betsy’s brother will be get huuuge contracts with trumps corrupt government. Maybe he can supply the funds to buy guns for all that training of teachers, with kickbacks of course. No doubt jr will be dealing too.
I’m looking forward to the students protest in March. Too old to join, but I’d willing to help send money to support them. Anyone know if there’s a way to contribute?
Mental illness is why able bodied adults can’t work, but don’t worry; Rumpublicans have a two-part strategy. Put a work requirement on Medicaid, to make sure everyone who needs counseling is too busy for it. Then offer up underserved psychiatric patients as subject changers after terrorist attacks, whenever people start asking why anyone but soldiers and SWAT officers should have assault rifles.
Charter schools will be where the teachers carry guns to Bible study like the Branch Davidians. That will be the “choice” on offer.
Trump is a great negotiator, if you consider impulsively caving in as a smart tactic.
I was just thinking about that this morning. While I feel we absolutely have a responsibility to children and to provide safe schools above all else, what about the rest of us? I would like to not be shot and/or killed at the movie theater or the mall. I would like to be comfortable going to a restaurant without scoping out the exits and then insisting on sitting with my back to a wall. And what about people who live in tougher parts of town? Shouldn’t those kids and families get to feel safe from flying bullets while walking down the street?
The problem is in our schools, yes, but it’s also everywhere else. What does it really matter if you, your kid, or a loved one gets shot in school or shot at church or at Kroger?
This should be additional motivation for people to march on Saturday 3/24.
Keep up the good work, teenagers across the country.
Try to catch up with humanity, NRA and Repubs.
When I read that “deeply moved” part, I waited to read the attribution (said Sarah Sanders or Vladimir Putin). Who came up with that conclusion?
Aaaand the finger-pointing continues apace. He gets carried away, tells people what he thinks they want to hear, and when it doesn’t make him more popular he starts talking his way out of it, but in the right room he’ll still say he fought like a tiger for it but other people are to blame it didn’t work out, whattaya gonna do?
....On 18 to 21 Age Limits, watching court cases and rulings before acting. States are making this decision. Things are moving rapidly on this, but not much political support (to put it mildly).
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 12, 2018