Here I am, finally checking out the blogosphere, and I found an email from fishducky, who was worried about me because I live in Jacksonville, Florida.
I found out we'd had a mass shooting on Sunday when I received a text message from my oldest sister that said "Hope you weren't at Jacksonville Landing today." I had no idea what was going on. I turned on the TV and whoopie! we'd made MSNBC because a guy at a gaming tournament shot and killed two people, shot and wounded nine others, and then killed himself.
I usually spend Sundays with the Wooters man, but on this particular afternoon, I had shopping to do. I've been to the Landing on the St. John's River a total of once, I think in 2009.
I emailed Willy Dunne Wooters and said
Oh Willy boy. I'm so glad I know you aren't the kind of person who would go to a gaming tournament at the landing.
He replied:
These kids grew up playing shooting games and listening to NRA telling them how cool it is to carry around semi-automatic guns with laser sights. What could go wrong?
Of course, the shooting didn't happen because a particular kind of person goes to gaming tournaments. It could have occurred just as easily at the Target where I browsed.
We walk in danger. We sleep in danger. We also walk and sleep in safety most of the time. We could be even safer if we ever have a president, senators, and representatives who don't kowtow to the NRA.
STOP SUPPORTING THE NRA. DON'T GIVE THEM MONEY. DON'T TAKE THEIR MONEY.
IF that ever happens, then maybe, just maybe, I'll never see my city on the news again––except when we have a hurricane, or maybe because something good happens here because miracles happen every day.
Infinities of love,
Janie Junebug
Glad you're okay, and nothing's wrong with your mind, either.
ReplyDeleteThank you. What a lovely comment.
DeleteI'd personally like to see outside money out of politics altogether. All that does is make politicians beholden to their donors. I heard about what happened and I suspect this was yet another angry white male. Very sad.
ReplyDeletePoliticians beholden to donors: that sums it up very well.
DeleteIt amazes me how much power the NRA have which is criminal. I would love it if they were brought to court for all the money they give to politicians to make sure the amendment doesn’t change plus all the crazies who can buy guns to kill innocent people when all the innocents want to do is enjoy the,selves and feel safe
ReplyDeleteHow nice to think of criminal charges brought against the NRA.
DeleteLooks like the shooter had mental problems and he could STILL buy a gun. Explain that to me please, I just don't get it.
ReplyDeleteYou are correct, a shooting could happen anywhere and at any time, sad to say but it is true.
Take care.
I wish someone would explain it to me, too.
DeleteI am very glad you are ok. And equally glad that while business money has too much influence in our Parliament, the gun lobby are among the least influential.
ReplyDeleteI wish I could say the same about the gun lobby.
DeleteSo glad all is well with you. I am very hopeful that Andrew Gillum will become Florida's next governor.
ReplyDeleteI hope for that, too, but it will be tough. The fact that he is an African-American won't play well with old, rich white people and the uneducated.
DeleteAnother incident in a never-ending tale of tragedy. Glad you're safe!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Debra.
DeleteAnd the NRA claims they are collapsing for want of money.
ReplyDeleteIf only it were true.
DeleteAnother tragedy... Glad you are okay!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Martha. All is well.
DeleteThe easy access this gunman had to his guns is beyond scary. And you are so right about those video games. It's as if shooting someone is no longer real. And the NRA makes me sick.
ReplyDeleteGreat minds think alike, Inger.
DeleteGlad you are okay. Not that I knew you were in any danger on Sunday because I am out of the loop with the news, too. Totally agree with you on the NRA and politicians!! I pray a change is coming in November. I will vote my 2 cents worth. ;)
ReplyDeleteYou know I'll vote. The Republican candidate for governor is a Trumpateer.
DeleteGlad I wrote you; apparently I wasn't the only person concerned about you!
ReplyDeleteI've been so busy with doctor's appointments that I didn't think about writing a post until I saw your email.
DeleteHi Janie - one just has to hope one's friends aren't in the firing line ... it is appalling and we should be allowed to be safe from sick people ... whatever the sickness happens to be. Glad all is well - take care - cheers Hilary
ReplyDeleteThank you, Hilary.
DeleteI did think about you, Janie, as I remembered you mentioning where you live. I was hoping everything was okay with you. Thanks for letting us know.
ReplyDeleteGlad to know you weren't anywhere near the shootout, Janie! As a Canadian, I'll never understand how the NRA rules America the way it does, nor do I understand the whole gun culture in general. And to learn the shooter had mental issues and was STILL able to purchase a gun???! That really boggles the mind!
ReplyDeleteShootings are so horrible and I know that for some people owning a gun is cool but far too many guns end up in the wrong hands, the hands of people with problems.
ReplyDeleteI'm not a fan of the NRA.
ReplyDelete