Showing posts with label Kids. Show all posts

Sunday, December 23, 2012

NRA News Conference and Remembering Newtown Shooting Victims

NRA News Conference: In wake of Newtown shooting, NRA calls on Congress to put armed officers in every school in America

By: Julia Dahl
Topics: Daily Blotter(CBS) - In its first public statement since the massacre at a Connecticut elementary school last week, the National Rifle Association called on Congress to "act immediately" to put armed police officers in every school in America.

"The only thing that can stop a bad guy with a gun is a good guy with a gun," said Wayne LaPierre, the NRA's CEO and executive vice president.

"We care about our president, so we protect him with armed Secret Service agents. Members of Congress work in offices surrounded by Capitol Police officers," said LaPierre.

"Yet, when it comes to our most beloved, innocent, and vulnerable members of the American family, our children, we as a society leave them every day utterly defenseless, and the monsters and the predators of the world know it, and exploit it."

In the week since 20 children and six teachers were gunned down at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn., the national dialogue has turned to guns and gun control. On Dec. 19, President Obama announced the formation of a task force on gun safety. The NRA press conference came after a period of relative silence from the organization, which announced in a statement on Dec. 18 that, in the wake of Newtown, it would announce "meaningful contributions" to the debate on Friday.

LaPierre, who did not take questions, discussed a decline in gun prosecutions, the impact of violent video games and movies like "American Psycho" and "Natural Born Killers," (which he said were "aired like propaganda loops on Splatterdays and every single day"). He also spoke of the nation's "refusal to create an active national database of the mentally ill."

Two protesters interrupted Friday's presentation, one carrying a sign reading "NRA Killing our Kids" and another with a sign reading "NRA Blood on Your Hands."

At the end of his speech, LaPierre introduced former Rep. Asa Hutchinson (R-Ark) who he said had been appointed the national director of the NRA's new National Model School Shield Program.

"The NRA is [going to] bring all its knowledge, all its dedication and all its resources to develop a model national schools shield emergency response program for every single school in America that wants it," said LaPierre.

"From armed security to building design and access control, to information technology, to student and teacher training, this multifaceted program will be developed by the very best experts in the field."

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-504083_162-57560490-504083/nra-news-conference-in-wake-of-newtown-shooting-nra-calls-on-congress-to-put-armed-officers-in-every-school-in-america/

National Rifle Association Executive Vice President Wayne LaPierre calls on Congress to pass a law putting armed police officers in every school in America during a news conference at the Willard Hotel December 21, 2012 in Washington, D.C.

/ Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

NRA's Wayne LaPierre continues to reject new gun laws after Newtown shooting

Originally published: December 23, 2012 11:08 AM
Updated: December 23, 2012 11:11 AM
By BLOOMBERG NEWS

Photo credit: Getty Images | National Rifle Association Executive Vice President Wayne LaPierre delivers remarks during a news conference while a demonstrator from CodePink holds up a banner at the Willard Hotel in Washington. (Dec. 21, 2012)

http://newyork.newsday.com/news/nation/nra-s-wayne-lapierre-continues-to-reject-new-gun-laws-after-newtown-shooting-1.4369315

Bill Moyers Essay: Remember the Victims, Reject the Violence

December 20, 2012

In this timely essay, Bill urges us to remember the victims of the Sandy Hook Elementary School massacre by name. He also rejects the notion of doubling down on guns and body armor as a response, and encourages all of us to work hard on realistic and moral solutions.

“Laws are hard to come by, civilization just as hard” Bill says. “But democracy aims for a moral order as just as possible — which means laws that protect the weak, and not just the strong.”

Today we remember:

Charlotte Bacon, 6
Daniel Barden, 7
Rachel D’Avino, 29
Olivia Engel, 6
Josephine Gay, 7
Ana Marquez-Greene, 6
Dylan Hockley, 6
Dawn Hochsprung, 47
Madeleine Hsu, 6
Catherine Hubbard, 6
Chase Kowalski, 7
Jesse Lewis, 6
James Mattioli, 6
Grace McDonnell, 7
Anne Marie Murphy, 52
Emilie Parker, 6
Jack Pinto, 6
Noah Pozner, 6
Caroline Previdi, 6
Jessica Rekos, 6
Avielle Richman, 6
Lauren Rousseau, 30
Mary Sherlach, 56
Victoria Soto, 27
Benjamin Wheeler, 6
Allison Wyatt, 6

http://billmoyers.com/segment/bill-moyers-essay-remember-the-victims-reject-the-violence/?gclid=CJneto-YsbQCFSmCQgodmEIARA

A demonstrator from CodePink holds up a banner as National Rifle Association Executive Vice President Wayne LaPierre delivers remarks

One week exactly after a horrific shooting at Newtown’s Sandy Hook Elementary claimed the lives of 20 children and half-dozen adults, the National Rifle Association (NRA) is imploring for guns in every school across America.

“I call on Congress today to act immediately to appropriate whatever is necessary to put armed police officers in every school — and to do it now, to make sure that blanket of safety is in place when our children return to school in January,” NRA Vice President Wayne LaPierre said early Friday.

LaPierre addressed a room full of reporters in the nation’s capital seven days from the date after 20-year-old Adam Lanza opened fire in a rural Connecticut elementary school, killing 26 people while also rekindling a national debate on gun control.

The NRA refrained from making any comments regarding the shooting in the week since, but on Friday LaPierre pleaded for the public to heed his group’s call for more guns — specifically guns in classrooms from coast-to-coast.

The NRA has “remained respectfully silent” in the aftermath of the tragedy, LaPierre said, but has now decided the time has come to take action.

According to the gun rights advocate, the most logical way to curb the chances of another bloody massacre is to install armed gunmen in every school in the country.

“Think about it,” said LaPierre during the Friday morning presser. “We care about our money, so we protect our banks with armed guards. American airports, office buildings, power plants, courthouses — even sports stadiums — are all protected by armed security.

“We care about the President, so we protect him with armed Secret Service agents. Members of Congress work in offices surrounded by armed Capitol Police officers,” he said, “Yet when it comes to the most beloved, innocent and vulnerable members of the American family — our children — we as a society leave them utterly defenseless, and the monsters and predators of this world know it and exploit it.”

As LaPierre read his prepared remarks, demonstrators with the protest group Code Pink unfurled a banner in front of his podium that read “NRA KILLING OUR KIDS.” Protester was removed from the room while shouting “Shame on the NRA,” and the conference continued after LaPierre paused for the hecklers.

A protester holds up a bannaer as he protests during NRA CEO and Executive Vice President Wayne LaPierre's news conference at the Willard Hotel prior to a news conference the association has scheduled December 21, 2012 in Washington, DC (Alex Wong / Getty Images / AFP)

Not once during his address did LaPierre actually touch on the issue of gun control, instead insisting that firearms were the only answer to ending school shootings. At one point during his remarks, LaPierre urged the government to create an active national database of the mentally ill as a proposed method of prevention against other attacks. Because they’ve refused to implement such a system, he said the government is just creating more killers.

In a briefing broadcast live on several major news networks, LaPierre blamed the US entertainment industry, the corporate media and even the government for the Newtown shooting. Had the NRA’s earlier answers been considered, he suggested the massacre might not have occurred.

“Is the press and political class here in Washington so consumed by fear and hatred of the NRA and America's gun owners that you're willing to accept a world where real resistance to evil monsters is a lone, unarmed school principal left to surrender her life to shield the children in her care? No one — regardless of personal political prejudice — has the right to impose that sacrifice,” he said.

At one point, LaPierre said he asked for armed security in schools following the Virginia Tech shooting in 2007.

“The media called me crazy,” he said. “But what if when Adam Lanza started shooting his way into Sandy Hook Elementary School last Friday he had been confronted by qualified, armed security?

“How many more copycats are waiting in the wings for their moment of fame — from a national media machine that rewards them with the wall-to-wall attention and sense of identity that they crave — while provoking others to try to make their mark?” he said.

Medea Benjamin of CodePink is removed by a secretary personnel as she protests during NRA CEO and Executive Vice President Wayne LaPierre's news conference at the Willard Hotel prior to a news conference the association has scheduled December 21, 2012 in Washington, DC (Alex Wong / Getty Images / AFP)

LaPierre also attacked America’s alleged “callous, corrupt and corrupting shadow industry that sells, and sows, violence against its own people,” citing a number of outdated video games and motion pictures known for graphic imagery.

“Isn't fantasizing about killing people as a way to get your kicks really the filthiest form of pornography?” he said.

Until the media stops glorifying massacres, the NRA believes putting armed patrolmen in each and every school is necessary to stop another shooting.

“That's a plan of action that can, and will, make a real, positive and indisputable difference in the safety of our children — starting right now,” he said.

“Before Congress reconvenes, before we engage in any lengthy debate over legislation, regulation or anything else, as soon as our kids return to school after the holiday break, we need to have every single school in America immediately deploy a protection program proven to work — and by that I mean armed security,” LaPierre said.

Before concluding his address, LaPierre introduced former congressman and Homeland Security agent Asa Hutchinson, who will lead the NRA’s National School Shield Program.

“Under Asa's leadership, our team of security experts will make this the best program in the world for protecting our children at school, and we will make that program available to every school in America free of charge,” LaPierre said.

Hutchinson told the audience that the plan will indeed call for “armed, trained, qualified school security personnel,”and asked retired police, military and rescue personnel to consider offering their services to serve in the program.

“School safety is a complex issue with no simple, single solution. But I believe trained, qualified, armed security is one key component among many that can provide the rest line of deterrence as well as the last line of defense,” he said.

In the hours and minutes after both men finished addressing the crowd, the top-trending topics on Twitter involved the NRA. A large number of tweets that were widely circulated condemned the organization and its administrators for their remarks.

Saturday, December 15, 2012

Cannot Stop Thinking of the Loss In Connecticut. Love.

Dedicated to the families who lost children in Connecticut today
December 14, 2012
Original - by Natasha Call

WHERE TO BEGIN. WHERE TO END.

Where to begin. Where to end.
Your baby moving and growing safely in your womb. Love. Safe. Nurturing.
Beginning at the opening of life. Development. Fascinating. Amazing.
New life in your arms. Miracle of birth. Safely in your arms. Happiness. Euphoria.

Where to begin. Where to end.
Speaking in babbles and bubbles until the first word is spoken. Laughter. Anticipation. Appreciation.
Beginning the intellectual growth to full sentences. Prideful. Share. Happiness. Unconditional love.
Safely telling you when something isn't right or something is great. Praise. Love. Relief.

Where to begin. Where to end.
The life you brought to this earth only an arms distance away. Incredible. Safe.
Beginning to crawl and then walk away from that arms length. Pride. Fear. Love. Smile.
Distance grows, but safely an eyesight away. Adoration and love. Amazing.Where to begin. Where to end.
Giving distance as school starts. Heart hurts. Crying. Missing. Praying. Loving. Longing.
Beginning independence. Proud. Sharing. Deep worrying. Encouraging. Anticipating.
Shares experiences of learning and growth. Magnets on fridg. Crayon on wall. Adore. Amazing Love.

Where to begin. Where to end.
Distance again as I take you to school to learn and have fun. Smile. Love. Run.
Beginning to drop off. Think of your sweet smile. I love you. I adore you. I encourage you. Kiss good-bye.
Angels prepare for your entry into heaven as I leave. Love. Look at the magnets on the fridg and the crayon on the wall.

Where to begin. Where to end.
Call from school. Alarmed. Your life from conception running in my mind. Oh my love! Hurry! Worry.
Ending? Where are you? My baby. My child once safe in womb, once babbling, crayon on wall, magnets on fridg.
Gone from your tiny shell? Angels surround. Gone? No Graduation? No Wedding? No Babbling grandbabies?

Where to begin. Where to end.
Praying. Hold you one last time. Love. Birth. Crawl. Walk. Talk. Crayon on wall. Magnets on fridg. Kiss your forehead.
Beginning. A new angel now in heaven. My baby had love. My baby had me. I had my baby. Mine forever.
Gone only from sight. Never to forget. Safe again. Beginning to end to beginning. Love ever after. Just a new chapter.

Where to begin. Where to end.
Fly free my little angel. No more fear my dear. Love. All encompassing love, light. Heaven your new playground.
Beginning. Play with your angel friends. Run. Fly. Explore Heaven. Please don't forget my love. Memories forever.
Visit. Kiss my cheek. My baby angel. Unconditional love. One day we will be together forever. Another new chapter.

by Natasha Call

source: http://www.oneutahmom.com/

Monday, May 2, 2011

Bin Laden Dead. Reactions. Conspiracy. How To Talk With Your Kids About It.

Reactions to Bin Laden's Death...

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

"This momentous achievement marks a victory for America, for people who seek peace around the world, and for all those who lost loved ones on September 11, 2001. The fight against terror goes on, but tonight America has sent an unmistakable message: No matter how long it takes, justice will be done. " — former President George W. Bush

___

"This is a day of great honor to the survivors and victims of terrorism in the world. A day to remember those whose lives were changed forever. A day of great relief to us victims and survivors to see that bin Laden has been killed." — Douglas Sidialo, who lost his eyesight in the 1998 U.S. Embassy bombing in Nairobi, Kenya.

___

"I congratulate the president, the national security team and the members of our armed forces on bringing Osama bin Laden to justice after more than a decade of murderous al-Qaida attacks." — former President Bill Clinton.

___

"The battle between us and international tyranny is long and will not be stopped by the martyrdom of our beloved one, the lion of Islam. How many martyrdom seekers have been born today?" — a top al-Qaida ideologue who goes by the online name "Assad al-Jihad2".

"This is great news for the security of the American people and a victory in our continued fight against al-Qaida and radical extremism around the world. We continue to face a complex and evolving terrorist threat, and it is important that we remain vigilant in our efforts to confront and defeat the terrorist enemy and protect the American people." — House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio.

___

"This is the most significant victory in our fight against al-Qaida and terrorism, but that fight is not over. We will continue to support our troops and the American civilians who are fighting every day to protect our homeland." — Senate Majority Leader Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev.

___

"The Americans have previously killed other Islamists leaders... Their students will continue the jihad and we shall retaliate against the Americans, Israel, Europe and Christians in Somalia with destructive explosions and other acts that will harm them." — Mohamed Asman Arus, spokesman for al-Shabab, Somalia's most dangerous militant group.

___

"The news that Osama Bin Laden is dead will bring great relief to people across the world. It is a great success that he has been found and will no longer be able to pursue his campaign of global terror." — British Prime Minister David Cameron.

___

"To be quite frank, I am very happy that this man is dead. I was always raised, obviously, never to hope for someone's death, but I'm willing to make an exception in this case... He was evil personified, and our world is a better place without him." — Gordon Felt, head of a family group for United Flight 93, which crashed into a Pennsylvania field on Sept. 11.

http://www.statesman.com/news/nation/reaction-to-osama-bin-ladens-death-1447688.html

Order Was To Kill Not Capture

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. special forces team that hunted down Osama bin Laden was under orders to kill the al Qaeda mastermind, not capture him, a U.S. national security official told Reuters.

"This was a kill operation," the official said, making clear there was no desire to try to capture bin Laden alive in Pakistan. (Reporting by Mark Hosenball, writing by Matt Spetalnick)

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/05/02/osama-bin-laden-dead-kill_n_856211.html

Interesting Stuff

Yes, we were hacked. Starting just moments before President Obama announced the death of Osama bin Laden, our website was hit with what the hosting company described as a massive distributed denial of service attack, no doubt to prevent the public from accessing the documentation showing Bin Laden actually died in December of 2001 of natural causes.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY!

"Those who own the country ought to govern it." -- John Jay, American statesman and first Chief Justice of US Supreme Court, 1745--1829

http://whatreallyhappened.com/WRHARTICLES/osama_dead.php

No MR.

The New York TImes broke with a long-standing precedent on Monday in its coverage of Osama bin Laden's death: it did not refer to him as "Mr."

Romenesko reported on a memo sent to staffers by associate managing editor Tom Jolly. "At Jill and Bill's request, we dropped the honorific for Bin Laden," the memo said in part, referring to Jill Abramson, the paper's managing editor, and Bill Keller, its executive editor. And, indeed, Bin Laden is referred to as simply "Bin Laden" in the Times'coverage.

It is a nearly sacrosanct tradition of the Times that everyone--from the worst criminals to the most revered heroes--is referred to with some kind of honorific (whether "Mr." or "Ms." or "Dr." or many others) in its hard news pages...

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/05/02/osama-bin-laden-dead-new-york-times_n_856242.html

Osama Bin Laden dead: Reaction around the world ranges from joy to fear Al Qaeda will retaliate

BY LUKAS I. ALPERT
DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITER

Shakil Adil/AP

A Pakistani newspaper hawker tells passerby in Karachi about the killing of Al Qaeda leader Osama Bin Laden by U.S. troops.

Osama Bin Laden's death was met with the hope that the world had turned a page on the War on Terror, but also warnings that the fight was far from over.

In much of the Arab world, news of Bin Laden's killing in a U.S. raid was greeted with relief and anticipation that life there would improve.

"Bin Laden's acts robbed us freedom to talk and move around," said Mohammad al-Mansouri in the United Arab Emirates. "He turned us into targets at home and suspects in every foreign country we traveled to."

In other corners of the world, people celebrated but worried that Bin Laden's death would change little.

"This is justice," said Filipino Cookie Micaller, whose sister was killed when the World Trade Center collapsed. "I don't think this is going to stop."

To that end, U.S. facilities went on high alert around the globe, bracing for possible retaliatory attacks.

In Pakistan, where Bin Laden was killed, the main Taliban faction vowed to strike back.

"If he has been martyred, we will avenge his death and launch attacks against American and Pakistani governments and their security forces," said the militant group's spokesman Ehsanullah Ehsan.

In Afghanistan, government leaders erupted in applause when President Hamid Karzai told them the news.

"I hope the death of Osama Bin Laden will mean the end of terrorism," Karzai said.

Afghan Taliban fighters mourned Bin Laden's passing.

"My heart is broken," said one-named militant Mohebullah. "In the past, we heard a lot of rumors about his death, but if he did die, it is a disaster and a black day."

Can US Offer Final Proof Of Osama's Death?

The circumstances surrounding Osama bin Laden's reported death raise urgent questions over how the US is so sure it got its man.

Osama bin Laden gesturing an undated videotape broadcast in 2002

Reports suggest Saudi Arabia refused to take Bin Laden's body

US personnel have so far said they identified him by facial recognition, but have declined to say whether they used DNA analysis.

Reports have also suggested that Saudi Arabia was asked to take Bin Laden's body - but refused to do so.

The fact his body was buried at sea has so far only added to the speculation, although as a Muslim, he had to be laid to rest as quickly as possible.

Under Islamic law, people can only be buried at sea if they died there, or if there is a risk their body will be exhumed or dug up if buried in the ground.

The release of a photograph purporting to show Bin Laden's corpse - which was later confirmed to be a fake - added to the confusion.

Journalists have not yet had the opportunity to ask more than a few questions of the Obama administration about details of Bin Laden's death.

A former British ambassador to the US, Sir Christopher Meyer, told Sky News: "I imagine we will see proof.

A photo purporting to be Osama was later confirmed to be a fake

"I can't concede the US president would go out to make a statement to the world that Bin Laden is dead without being able to produce evidence that he is dead.

"I think we will see some evidence - DNA or photographic - to prove there is not still some phantom Osama bin Laden riding the Tora Bora mountains."

The announcement is not the first time the world has heard of Bin Laden's death. Claims that the US and Britain kept up a pretence he was alive in order to continue their war on terror have been dismissed as conspiracy theories.

It has been suggested that Bin Laden died nearly 10 years ago during the battle for Tora Bora in Afghanistan, either from a US bomb or from kidney disease.

And as for his audio and video statements, their authenticity has continually been questioned.

One of his video statements, released just days before the October 2004 US presidential election, was said to have been crucial in helping George Bush secure a second term in office.

But his statement from December 2001, when he was seen to confess to the 9/11 attacks, has attracted the most attention.

Bin Laden had insisted numerous times, through the Arab press and in video statements, that he had no involvement with the atrocities. His sudden confession was picked up on by doubters.

Additionally, his appearance in the December 2001 video was markedly different. He sported a black beard, not his usual grey one, his pale skin had become darker and he had a different shaped nose.

He also looked in good health - a contrast to his earlier gaunt appearance - and critics have pointed to the fact he is seen writing a note with his right hand, although he was left-handed...

http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/World-News/Osama-Bin-Laden-Is-Dead-Says-Barack-Obama-But-The-Conspiracy-Theories-Live-On/Article/201105115983824?lpos=World_News_First_World_News_Article_Teaser_Region_4&lid=ARTICLE_15983824_Osama_Bin_Laden_Is_Dead%2C_Says_Barack_Obama%2C_But_The_Conspiracy_Theories_Live_On

How are you talking to your kids about bin Laden's death?

By Rebecca Dube

So, how are you telling your kids about it?

"It," of course, being the death of Osama bin Laden. How do you explain the news? The question leads to another -- how have you told them about the 9-11 attacks? What do they know about terrorism, and the war on terror? Basically, how do you explain the existence of evil in the world? Wow. Hope everyone's had their coffee this morning.

Your answers, of course, depend on the age of your kids and their personalities. Some will have a million questions, some will be more interested in what's for lunch. And some will have questions that we can't quite answer. Here's a sampling of how parents have been reacting.

Jenny Lind Schmitt, mother of four, writes:

"It's good news," I told them this morning, "somber good news." Then we turned on the television to see if it was really true. We saw Obama's statement repeated about five times and saw the flag waving crowds jumping around victoriously at the White House in the middle of their night. "They don't seem very somber," remarked Apollo. Hmmm, no they didn't!

Blogger Jack B., like many parents, was caught off-guard by the news and the issues it raised:

Tonight my children learned about Osama Bin Laden. Tonight my children learned about 9/11 and the murder of thousands. Tonight they watched the news of Bin Laden’s death alongside me and I cursed him for it. I cursed Bin Laden for the murder of innocents and innocence. I cursed him for forcing my hand and having to take a piece of their childhood away from them.
Because tonight I confirmed that while there are no monsters under their beds or in the closets there are monsters who walk amongst us. My soon to be 10.5 year-old asked me if we murdered a murderer and whether we have to go kill his kids. My almost seven year-old asked why he was so mean and then told me that she wasn’t afraid because daddy will kill bad people. Her older brother nodded his head and smiled at me as he confirmed that she was correct.

Michelle Wolfson, who was pregnant with her first child on Sept. 11, 2011 and now has three children, is still trying to figure out what she'll say:

There are epic moments in parenthood that have nothing to do with our kids. They don't have anything to do with watching our kids take their first steps, or seeing our children off on their first day of school. They are moments where we as parents realize that our job is to hold and protect our children, to shield them from the bad, while simultaneously helping them grow and learn and become strong, mature, independent people. It's a fine line.
I wonder if they will find out. I wonder if I should tell them. I wonder if their friends will mention it to them. I wonder if it will be talked about at school. I wonder if they even care, or if they should.

Back to Jenny Lind Schmitt, who reminds us that kids have their own unique perspective on world news, justice and moral ambiguity:

My youngest son arrived downstairs in the kitchen. His sleepy eyes grew large and questioning. "Why is there a big flag?" At five, he is not yet so up on geo-political events. How to explain this, I thought.
"Well....a really bad guy who killed a whole lot of people finally got captured and killed."
"Oh," he said slowly. "So the really bad guy is dead?"
"Yes," I said with finality.
"Good. Can I have some oatmeal?"

Check back with TODAY Moms later today, when we hope to have some expert perspective on how to have this conversation with kids. In the meantime, share your thoughts in the comments: How are you talking about Osama bin Laden's death with your children? http://moms.today.com/_news/2011/05/02/6569529-how-are-you-talking-to-your-kids-about-bin-ladens-death