 Current Events
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 18,825
"Lighten up, Francis."
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OP
"Lighten up, Francis."
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 18,825 |
Ignoring the crazy politics of the situation, the Congresswoman shot in Arizona recently was a motorcyclist.  Source, via Jalopnik.com he||forleathermagazine.com Quote:
Arizona representative Gabrielle Giffords — recovering in hospital after being shot in the head during an apparent assassination attempt yesterday — isn’t just a Democratic congresswoman. She’s also a motorcyclist. Pictured above with the BMW she hopes to someday ride to Argentina, Giffords says she’s been riding and racing motorcycles for over 20 years. Two years ago, as co-chair of the Congressional Motorcycle Caucus, she had one of the most powerful pro-motorcycling arguments you’ve ever read passed by the House of Representatives.
Behave. 
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Re: Current Events
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Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 10,735 Likes: 7
Should be Riding
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Should be Riding
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 10,735 Likes: 7 |
Seriously, she has done pretty much everything. Pretty incredible person, and pretty tragic turn of events for her.
Always remember to be yourself. Unless you suck. Then pretend to be someone else.
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Re: Current Events
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 6,821
Bar Shake
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Bar Shake
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 6,821 |
A tragedy all around.
The fact that we motorcyclists have lost an advocate just makes it worse.
And perhaps a sad comment on the state of affairs we have in this country with divisive fringe politics.
The loonies come out of the woodwork.
(That's as close as I'll get John, if it's too close please edit it).
Contra todo mal, mezcal; contra todo bien, también
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Re: Current Events
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 18,825
"Lighten up, Francis."
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OP
"Lighten up, Francis."
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 18,825 |
Naw, that's fine. I'm all about motorcycle advocacy, just not partisan politics. And by all accounts this was likely about mental illness, not politics anyway, despite all the crap flying around.
And we didn't lose her, did we? Last I heard she was in critical but stable condition without memory loss after surgery.
We did lose a 9 YO girl and a district court judge and four others, though I have no idea how they felt about motorcycles. And by 'we' I mean the human race.
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Re: Current Events
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 6,821
Bar Shake
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Bar Shake
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 6,821 |
True, guess I just expect the worst  But I'm praying for her complete recovery. Yeah, six others did die though and that's a horror.
Contra todo mal, mezcal; contra todo bien, también
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Re: Current Events
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 18,825
"Lighten up, Francis."
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OP
"Lighten up, Francis."
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 18,825 |
The bullet did go through her brain. That's the closest thing to a miracle I've heard in a long time. Oh no, I just invoked religion. Crap. I'm a terrible role model... 
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Re: Current Events
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Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 20,096 Likes: 2
Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 20,096 Likes: 2 |
Wow, I had no idea Rep. Giffords IS(I'm gonna use the present tense here, and hope it stays that way) a motorcyclists! And, not only that, but she seems to also have an appreciation for classic bikes too! Yep, I always did like those ol' "Toaster-Tank" Beemers.
There's just one more thing I'd like to add here....
D*MN THOSE FRIGGIN' PSYCHO LOSERS OUT THERE IN THE WORLD...OH, AND THEIR CLUELESS FRIGGIN' PARENTS WHO "RAISE" THEM!!!! If I hear just one MORE stupid-a$$ed "mother"/"father" of one of these MORONS say somethin' like, "Well, he was always such a nice boy", on the evening news after their little friggin' progeny does somethin' like this, I'm GONNA friggin' SCREAM and throw somethin' at my TV set!!!!!!!!
(...that is all I wish to say about this situation at this time)
Yep! Just like a good Single Malt Scotch, you might call me "an acquired taste" TOO.(among the many OTHER things you may care to call me, of course)
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Re: Current Events
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Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 575
Adjunct
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Adjunct
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 575 |
Bad situation but a great lookin BMW
What goes round comes round
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Re: Current Events
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 6,821
Bar Shake
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Bar Shake
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 6,821 |
In another bit of irony (or some may see a message) the nine year old girl who was killed was born 9/11/2001. web page
Contra todo mal, mezcal; contra todo bien, también
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Re: Current Events
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,244 Likes: 64
Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,244 Likes: 64 |
Sweet BMW she rides, last I heard she was recovering but critical.
I learned all I need to know about life by killing smart people and eating their brains.
Eat right ,Exercise ,Stay fit, Die Anyway!
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Re: Current Events
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Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 1,738
Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
Joined: Aug 2010
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This is the first I have heard about this. A female who rides and she is good looking and in Politics. Who in the heck shot her??? A nine year old girl???? Did they catch this guy or what??? I'd like a piece of him.
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Re: Current Events
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Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 20,096 Likes: 2
Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 20,096 Likes: 2 |
Answered in the order of your questions, Steve: Quote:
Who in the heck shot her???
Some friggin' moron of a loser by the name of Jared Loughner, age 22...who still lived with his mommy!
Quote:
A nine year old girl????
Yes, among 5 other mortally wounded, and 13 other wounded who will survive.
Quote:
Did they catch this guy or what???
Yeah, they caught the moron of a loser, alright. And now, according to news reports, the F.B.I. says he's "exercising his 5th Amendment Rights" and not speaking about his unspeakable acts anymore to the authorities...and THIS after the friggin' moron had the AUDACITY to rant in his little "My Space" page about our government...the FRIGGIN' MORON!!!
Quote:
I'd like a piece of him.
Get in line!
Yep! Just like a good Single Malt Scotch, you might call me "an acquired taste" TOO.(among the many OTHER things you may care to call me, of course)
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Re: Current Events
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Joined: Aug 2010
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Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
Joined: Aug 2010
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I know you guys have the whole right to bear arms thing and I respect that but you gotta wonder when a huge percentage of the population if its anything like over here should never even be allowed to vote or drive a vehicle let alone own a firearm. I'm just sayin.
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Re: Current Events
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Joined: Feb 2005
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Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 20,096 Likes: 2 |
Quote:
I know you guys have the whole right to bear arms thing and I respect that but you gotta wonder when a huge percentage of the population if its anything like over here should never even be allowed to vote or drive a vehicle let alone own a firearm. I'm just sayin.
Better not go there, Steve. Your supposition is probably exactly the kind of thing Friar John was trying to avoid when he brought up Rep. Gifford's association with motorcycling.
Yep! Just like a good Single Malt Scotch, you might call me "an acquired taste" TOO.(among the many OTHER things you may care to call me, of course)
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Re: Current Events
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Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 1,738
Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 1,738 |
sorry John no offence meant.
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Re: Current Events
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 18,825
"Lighten up, Francis."
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OP
"Lighten up, Francis."
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 18,825 |
Nut jobs of this sort would find guns to do the deed even if we didn't have the second amendment. This is about a sick individual, not guns.
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Re: Current Events
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Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 20,096 Likes: 2
Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 20,096 Likes: 2 |
Quote:
Nut jobs of this sort would find guns to do the deed even if we didn't have the second amendment. This is about a sick individual, not guns.
Ummmmm...yeah, maybe.
(...and maybe even more about MORONS who beget MORONS...err, excuse me...who beget "sick individuals"!!!!)
Yep! Just like a good Single Malt Scotch, you might call me "an acquired taste" TOO.(among the many OTHER things you may care to call me, of course)
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Re: Current Events
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 18,825
"Lighten up, Francis."
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OP
"Lighten up, Francis."
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 18,825 |
See, now you're doing it.
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Re: Current Events
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Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 20,096 Likes: 2
Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 20,096 Likes: 2 |
Quote:
See, now you're doing it.
Who ME???!!! 
What?! Have I ONCE ever mentioned in any of this anythng at all about guns? Nope!
I was just bringing up the FACT that if THAT moron's parents had been bright enough to use birth control some 23 years ago, then MAYBE a whole lot o' people in Tucson might still be alive TODAY!!!
Yep! Just like a good Single Malt Scotch, you might call me "an acquired taste" TOO.(among the many OTHER things you may care to call me, of course)
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Re: Current Events
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Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 20,096 Likes: 2
Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 20,096 Likes: 2 |
You see John, in little Jared's case, it's kinda like the OPPOSITE of what would've happened to the world if George Bailey(Jimmy Stewart) hadn't ever been born in that movie I watch every Christmas!!!
Yep! Just like a good Single Malt Scotch, you might call me "an acquired taste" TOO.(among the many OTHER things you may care to call me, of course)
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Re: Current Events
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Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 20,096 Likes: 2
Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 20,096 Likes: 2 |
Oh, btw AGAIN John...I sure hope when the moron's trial comes up and his attorney asks for a change in venue(which he probably will), and if they move the moron's trial to Prescott...well, I sure hope his attorney will see my offerings in this thread before I get MY jury summons in the mail! 'Cause THAT could save EVERYBODY a whole lot o' time, don't cha THINK???!!! (...btw folks, for those who might find my "gallows humor" here a bit off-putting, I'm sorry, but THIS is how I usually COPE with all the MORONS in the world!!!)
Yep! Just like a good Single Malt Scotch, you might call me "an acquired taste" TOO.(among the many OTHER things you may care to call me, of course)
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Re: Current Events
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,335
Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,335 |
Quote:
Nut jobs of this sort would find guns to do the deed even if we didn't have the second amendment. This is about a sick individual, not guns.
I would agree with you. This guy is one very disturbed individual, with extreme views from both sides of the spectrum.
Tom
Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety.
Benjamin Franklin, US author, diplomat, inventor, physicist, politician, & printer (1706 - 1790)
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Re: Current Events
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 11,126 Likes: 13
Should be Riding
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Should be Riding
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 11,126 Likes: 13 |
Quote:
...
D*MN THOSE FRIGGIN' PSYCHO LOSERS OUT THERE IN THE WORLD...OH, AND THEIR CLUELESS FRIGGIN' PARENTS WHO "RAISE" THEM!!!! If I hear just one MORE stupid-a$$ed "mother"/"father" of one of these MORONS say somethin' like, "Well, he was always such a nice boy", on the evening news after their little friggin' progeny does somethin' like this, I'm GONNA friggin' SCREAM and throw somethin' at my TV set!!!!!!!!...
Amen
Blowing gravel off rural roads
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Re: Current Events
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 7,028 Likes: 8
New Tires
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New Tires
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 7,028 Likes: 8 |
Shootimg a member of Congress is a federal crime. The authorities can try him anywhere in the USA they want. Very sad all around, This kid should have gotten help long ago.
Every normal man must be tempted, at times, to spit on his hands, hoist the black flag, and begin slitting throats.
H. L. Mencken
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Re: Current Events
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Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 973
3/4 Throttle
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3/4 Throttle
Joined: Feb 2008
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Hopefully she'll be riding her BMW in no time at all.
He'll probably be riding the lightning (if they still do that in AZ) or more likely be getting ridden in the showerblock by his cellmate.
One thing that did suprise me was that no one shot the guy, be it police or people with permission to carry concealed weapons.
Mind you I heard on the follow up news here that he was actually wrestled to the ground by members of the public, which is a pretty gutsy thing to do, so much respect to them.
Before the war on terror, if I saw an unattended package I used to think "I'll be having that!"
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Re: Current Events
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 11,126 Likes: 13
Should be Riding
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Should be Riding
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 11,126 Likes: 13 |
true grit. Patricia Maisch said she grabbed the 9mm handgun and the fully loaded magazine he took out of his pocket, disarming him before he could inflict more damage. 
Blowing gravel off rural roads
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Re: Current Events
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Joined: Aug 2010
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Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 1,738 |
Quote:
true grit.
Patricia Maisch said she grabbed the 9mm handgun and the fully loaded magazine he took out of his pocket, disarming him before he could inflict more damage.
She is a true hero in every sense of the word. She deserves a medal. 
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Re: Current Events
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Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 3,471 Likes: 3
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 3,471 Likes: 3 |
Quote:
Oh, btw AGAIN John...I sure hope when the moron's trial comes up and his attorney asks for a change in venue(which he probably will), and if they move the moron's trial to Prescott...well, I sure hope his attorney will see my offerings in this thread before I get MY jury summons in the mail!
Sorry, but unless AZ has some draconian laws he'll be found innocent by reason of insanity and spending his days in a well appointed Psych ward.
I'll bet the usual defense lawyers are already fueling up their private jets - Dammit!
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Re: Current Events
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Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 8,393 Likes: 1
Second Wind
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Second Wind
Joined: Sep 2010
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She does deserve a medal. That jerk deserves the death penalty. Those A-- holes trying to get political gain from this should be removed from office, and politics now and forever. This is a very sad tragedy regardless of your politics. When you shoot an elected official you shoot democracy. (Thats high treason.) I think it is very cool she was into bikes. Let us not forget the other victims either. 
I have no faith in human perfectability. I think that human exertion will have no appreciable effect upon humanity. Man is now only more active - not more happy - nor more wise, than he was 6000 years ago.
Edgar Allan Poe
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Re: Current Events
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,244 Likes: 64
Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,244 Likes: 64 |
Too bad this didn't happen in Texas, I hear you have an express lane to the death chamber.
I learned all I need to know about life by killing smart people and eating their brains.
Eat right ,Exercise ,Stay fit, Die Anyway!
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Re: Current Events
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 18,825
"Lighten up, Francis."
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OP
"Lighten up, Francis."
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 18,825 |
Quote:
Too bad this didn't happen in Texas, I hear you have an express lane to the death chamber.
For far less an offense!
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Re: Current Events
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Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 713
Adjunct
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Adjunct
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 713 |
I agree with so many of these posts. What a tragic day for the families and our nation. I hope that ***tard rots in a deep dark hole somewhere. I frequently have to change the channel so I don't shoot out TV. I do yell at it a lot though.
Have a heart that never hardens, a temper that never tires, a touch that never hurts. - Charles Dickens
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Re: Current Events
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 5,537
Check Pants
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Check Pants
Joined: Jan 2005
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This is an awful turn of events, no other way to describe it. Despite my right-wing politics, she seemed likable and with this info John posted, even more so. God be with her.
This strikes close to home for me. My wife is a legislative aid for a MD State Senator. In fact he is sworn in today and she's there for the hoopla (was a State Delegate). She'll need to travel and stay in Annapolis (Capital) even more so now with this new position. Last week, at the Capital mail building someone sent two incendiary devices, both went off but just gave one person mild burns. I worry about her every day now.
Al
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Re: Current Events
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Joined: Jun 2010
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Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,193 Likes: 22 |
Condolences from the U.K on this very,very sad event.
Al
I took the Road Less Travelled.
Now where the ****** am I?
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Re: Current Events
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 18,825
"Lighten up, Francis."
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OP
"Lighten up, Francis."
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 18,825 |
Thanks for staying on topic, everybody. I know some of you are chomping at the bit to get political.
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Re: Current Events
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Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 3,606 Likes: 2
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 3,606 Likes: 2 |
It doesn't have to be political or religious...Insane nut jobs looking for attention and fame have no political or religious preference any of them will do...
Sad event indeed!
even the main stream media has backed off the "provoked" and moved toward the "NUT JOB" angle...
condolences to ALL those people directly or indirectly effected by this pointless tragedy
THE VOICE OF REASON
per: Stewart
AF&AM/Shriner/Scoutmaster
130/45 TBS 2shim SS Uni 18/42
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Re: Current Events
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Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 476
Adjunct
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Adjunct
Joined: Aug 2010
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the insanity defence is crap. he still snapped and killed. we have napa state mental hospital here in nor cal and one of the patients killed a nurse and another sent his doctor to the hospital. there are enough people in the world that a few like this nut job wouldn't be missed.
sad about all the victims, the nine year old and a speedy recovery to the congress woman/motorcyclist
If it isn't broke, I haven't messed with it.
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Re: Current Events
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Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 20,096 Likes: 2
Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 20,096 Likes: 2 |
Sorry folks, I thought I was done with this thread, but after reading way too many people's opinion around here that this was "just another case of a nut job going off" and "that his actions weren't political at all"...well...I guess I'm NOT done with this. AND, I'll try mightily here to keep MY opinions from being "political" as much as I can here.
Soooo, let's see what we actually KNOW about this guy's actions:
Even though 6 other innocent victims in the vicinity were AFTER THE FACT gunned down to their deaths during his spraying of bullets, his MAIN PURPOSE and his apparent MAIN INTENT was the targeting of a political figure which whom he disagreed with politically, and thus seemingly sought to silence her once and for all...RIGHT???!!!
Sooooo, tell me then folks...WHAT exactly is the difference between THIS moron's actions and say all those OTHER morons out there in world who strap bombs on to themselves and seek to permanently silence others out there with whom THEY disagree either politically OR religiously? huh?!
I mean, I think it's kind of funny in a way that because THIS moron is an American, that it seems we're much too ready to "give him a pass", so to speak, and just call HIM a "nut job", whereas it seems those OTHER morons out there with bombs strapped to themselves are viewed at "Terrorists".
Come on here folks, THINK about this for a second, and please stop trying to be "politically correct" here. That moron who shot all those poor people down there in Tucson IS a "Terrorist" in every sense of the word, AND his motivation was PURELY POLITICAL in nature!!!
(...and now that I've said what I've been thinking ever since this tragedy took place down there, and NOW that I've tried my best to KEEP this FROM turning into a PARTISAN political...PARTISAN being the OPERATIVE WORD here folks...I certainly HOPE that the powers that be around here with allow my thoughts to REMAIN a part of this thread, because I feel they DO NOT violate the intent of the A.U.P.s of this website, EVEN THOUGH the word "political" was mentioned within my text...WHICH I might remind you dear folks that I was NOT the first person to mention that word in this thread!!!!!!!!)
Yep! Just like a good Single Malt Scotch, you might call me "an acquired taste" TOO.(among the many OTHER things you may care to call me, of course)
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Re: Current Events
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 18,825
"Lighten up, Francis."
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OP
"Lighten up, Francis."
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 18,825 |
You can't take the discussion in this direction without it getting political. One particular faction likes to use gun and war metaphors in their rhetoric. That doesn't make them responsible for this dude. He is unbalanced. He is mentally deranged. He decided to act. He couldn't see through the rhetorical metaphor and decided to use it as a call to action.
We're not going through all that here because that makes us no better than the politicial pundits and talking heads ON BOTH SIDES who are trying to use this to their benefit. End of discussion.
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Re: Current Events
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Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 20,096 Likes: 2 |
Then, let's just both agree that ANYBODY who kills another must then be "deranged"...unless it's in self-defense.
And so, then I suppose that means anybody who kills for profit or revenge too, eh?!
And thus, a whole lot of "deranged" people in our prison system instead of some mental hospital, eh?!
(...sorry, I don't think so, John)
Yep! Just like a good Single Malt Scotch, you might call me "an acquired taste" TOO.(among the many OTHER things you may care to call me, of course)
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