NRA-backed politicians turn their backs on Florida children
One hundred students from Marjory Stoneham Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, traveled in buses to Tallahassee yesterday (Tuesday Feb. 20). Their intention was to start a conversation with legislators about gun laws in a state where 17 persons were slaughtered by a deranged 19-year-old carrying an AR-17, described by police authorities as a “civilian version of a military rifle.”
They were all young people, mostly 15- through 18-year-olds, who less than a week before had survived the attack on their Florida high school. Some of their friends and teachers had not survived, others are still in hospitals recovering. The students were representing them — and those who may have to live through something similar in the future. To call them brave is an understatement. Determined, they are. As for our legislators…
Inside the Florida Capitol they were met with reality. First, they were applauded, and then offered thoughts and prayers. But at the time for debate — on gun laws — they were voted down. The Florida legislature was too busy debating what they consider a bigger menace to our society — pornography — then to have to deal with these kids.
It is sad to have to put it this way, especially to these brave kids, but in Tallahassee, and for that matter Washington, D.C., a majority of these elected officials are simply whores who care little about their constituencies. If they had any semblance of integrity, these politicians, who had just voted down these kids, would recognize their action as much filthier than any porn they may object to.
And I use the word whore reluctantly because an honest prostitute provides an actual service and probably does a much better job than most of these politicians. So, please, to those in what some term the world’s oldest profession, no harm meant to you, it’s these political hustlers who deserve none of our respect.
A governor, cabinet, and legislature in the pockets of the National Rifle Association (NRA) were not about to turn on the thousand of dollars received from them, as well as the fear of political reprisal against them if they (the politicians) dared say one word against what to these people are more sacred than their own children — guns.
The Miami Herald published an excellent editorial decrying the actions of these cowards, “the politicians who have shucked and jived, dodged and taken a dive on the issue of gun control.”
One by one, the Herald exposes them:
DONALD TRUMP
- What he said: “The guns don’t pull the trigger. It’s the people that pull the trigger …You get the Congress. You get the Senate. You get together. You do legislation.”
- When he said it: As a presidential candidate in 2016, saying mental illness, not guns cause mass shootings
- How to reach him: 202-456-1111
SEN. MARCO RUBIO
- What he said: “There’s a rationale beyond just the NRA why some of these [gun-control proposals] meet resistance.”
- Why it matters: Rubio is among the top 20 Senate recipients in funding from gun-rights groups — $3.3 million.
- How to reach him: 202-224-3041
REP. MARIO DIAZ-BALART
- What he said: “Would gun control stop this? No. I want to make sure we look at things that could make a difference.”
- Why it matters: Since 1998, Diaz-Balart has been the single largest recipient of direct NRA campaign donations among Floridians in the U.S. House
- How to reach him: 202-225-4211
GOV. RICK SCOTT
- What he said: “Let’s remember, the Second Amendment has been around for over 200 years. That’s not what killed innocent people; evil killed innocent people.”
- When he said it: After the Pulse massacre
- How to reach him: 850-717-9337
FLORIDA SENATE PRESIDENT JOE NEGRON
- What he said: “My focus is on making sure that lawful citizens who are obeying the law and entitled to their constitutional rights have appropriate access to firearms.”
- When he said it: After the Parkland massacre
- How to reach him: 850-487-5229
MIAMI STATE REP. JOSE OLIVA
- What he said: “It is the shortest amount of time. The greatest amount of damage. That’s known.”
- Why he said it: Oliva thinks vehicles driving into a crowd of people are more likely to be a weapon of mass murder than a gun
- How to reach him: 850-717-5110
STATE HOUSE SPEAKER RICHARD CORCORAN
- What he said: “If law-abiding citizens could carry a gun to a baggage claim, I think you’re going to see gun violence rapidly decline. So why don’t we do that for a change?”
- What he’s running for: Corcoran is currently a Florida House and gubernatorial candidate
- How to reach him: 850-717-5110 ; @richardcorcoran
AGRICULTURAL COMMISSIONER ADAM PUTNAM
- What he said: “The liberal media recently called me a sellout to the NRA. I’m a proud #NRASellout!”
- What he’s running for: Putnam is currently a gubernatorial candidate
- How to reach him: @adamputnam
U.S. REP. RON DESANTIS
- What he said: “We’ll have time to debate this stuff.”
- What he’s running for: DeSantis is currently a gubernatorial candidate endorsed by President Trump
- How to reach him: 202-225-2706
And thanks also to the Miami New Times for providing names and phone numbers of the Miami-Dade legislators (sadly all except one is of Cuban descent and all Republicans) who voted against allowing the gun law debate requested by the 100 Parkland high school students. They are:
Michael Bileca: 850-717-5115
Jose Oliva: 850-717-5110
Carlos Trujillo: 850-717-5105
Bryan Avila: 850-717-5111
Daniel Anthony Perez: 850-717-5116
Jeanette Nunez: 850-717-5119
Manny Diaz Jr.: 850-717-5103
Holly Raschein: 850-717-5120
Well, let’s get going. Do something. Call your legislator or member of Congress and complain. Tweet. Facebook. And use any other form of social media to get the message out. Finally, plan on attending one of the upcoming rallies.
The word of the day is ENOUGH. Gun violence in this country is an epidemic. It is time we put a stop to it.
