On Mother's Day, May 14, 2000, approximately 750,000 individuals, led by mothers concerned about gun violence, gathered on the National Mall in Washington, DC to demand sensible gun laws. Across the country, an additional 150,000 to 200,000 people marched in their own communities.
Marsha McCartney and her family, including two grandchildren, marched on Mother's Day in 2000 at the local event in Fort Worth, Texas. Marsha went on to become a member of the Brady Campaign Board of Trustees as well as the Chair of the National Council of Million Mom March Chapters.
Concerned about the violence in our country, Marsha left the May 2000 events ready to do what she could to help make her community safer. Now the co-president of the North Texas Brady Campaign Chapter based in Dallas, as well as state president of the Texas Million Mom March Chapters, Marsha believes that one day her state will strengthen its weak gun laws, and that Texas communities and families will be safer because of it.
Marsha sent me the following column she wrote for this Mother's Day, and I wanted to share it with you:
The Best Mother's Day Gift of AllThis Mother's Day, millions of American moms will receive flowers, gifts, and the special attention of loved ones.
But approximately eight moms will receive something else - the news that one of their children has been killed by a gun. Another 48 moms will learn that a child has been shot, but has survived. On an average day in America, 56 children and teens are the victims of gun violence - and eight of those die of their injuries.
That's every day of the year, Mother's Day included.
And those figures don't include the 76 adults who will be killed by a gun, or the 148 other adults who will be shot and wounded on Mother's Day. Each of these victims is someone's child, too.
Why does this happen? Because right now, it is far too easy to obtain a gun in America. In most states, even convicted felons and the dangerously mentally ill - like the perpetrator of the Virginia Tech massacre - can walk into any gun show and buy any weapon from an unlicensed seller without anyone checking their background. Or even asking them any questions.
It doesn't have to be that way.
Effective gun control legislation works. The Brady Bill, which was passed by Congress in 1993, has kept at least 1.5 million dangerous people from purchasing firearms. Think of how many moms have been unknowingly spared the pain of losing a child simply because the law prevented the purchase of a gun by someone who has no good reason to have one.
Unfortunately, the Brady Bill contained a loophole. The sensible and effective background checks imposed by Brady cover only sales by licensed gun dealers, but are not applied to the significant share of guns that are sold every day by unlicensed sellers at gun shows. It doesn't take an advanced degree to figure out that if you want a weapon but can't pass the background check, you go to a gun show.
What can we moms do? One common-sense step we can take is to help close the gun-show loophole. Legislation has been introduced in Congress to do just that, and all three of the leading presidential candidates have previously voiced their support of the idea. But our elected representatives need to hear from every mom, loudly and clearly, that we support this bill and that we will keep pressuring them until it is passed and signed into law.
Getting gifts on Mother's Day is wonderful. But imagine if every mother in America joined together and persuaded Congress to close the loophole that makes gun violence against our children so prevalent.
That means eight more moms may get to kiss their child good night on Mother's Day. That means another 48 moms might get to tuck their kids into their own beds instead of spending Mother's Day at a hospital bedside.
Now that gift would be priceless.
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What's happening to these reply icons?
"When the NRA talking points are shot down and the lies exposed"
I was referring to this Jade. When did this happen? And yes, I know who Mary Rosh is.
I should also point out that Jade's posts continue to be a failing attempt to change the topic away from the fact that he intentionally fudged numbers in order to claim that Chicago's homicide rate was actually lower than the state as a whole. It is also an attempt to distract that he has not shown one iota of evidence of his claims that anyone here are sockpuppets.
But this is SOP for those who are adverse to reality.
Thirdpower--for ironpyrite to call you a sockpuppet is a compliment--because those he calls "sockpuppets" seem to be doing the right thing--trying to defend the 2nd amendment (as opposed to the l owroad smears of the anti civil rights bunch)
I should also point out that in the case of Theodore Fiddleman (aka Paul Blackman, NRA employee), many of Fiddleman's articles were co-authored with NRA adherent, Dave Kopel.
When Fiddleman's/Blackman's sockpuppetry was initially disclosed, Kopel denied knowing Fiddleman was actually Paul Blackman of the NRA. He now admits he knew who Fiddleman was all along.
Kopel is a lawyer and while his actions WRT Fiddleman/Blackman weren't illegal--they certainly raise questions as to his ethics.
Drurylane--I thought you said you were looking forward to Paul's new blog, the Kelli I so love used to relish the idea of the proRKBA people demonstrating the weakness of the Brady position.
Do you prefer Drurylane or Kelli? Do you always let Jadegold do your thinking for you? Are the two of you always so offensive?
As far as the name goes, it has nothing to do with Woodrow Wilson. I think you may have an overblown sense of your own importance.
I have a black and white French Bulldog. He looks like a soccer ball with ears. I named him Wilson after Tom Hank's ball is 'Castaway'. It's the dog's name, not mine.
WIlson--I have an undersized chocolate Labrador (he only weighs 90 pounds) that would love to be friends with your French Bulldog (Coco has been known to chase other Labs into our backyard to play and very happily accepts Maltese lapmops and cats)
Wilson is pretty goofy looking. Coco might die laughing. Have you ever seen one of these guys? He looks like a little alien. The ears look like they belong on a shepherd, and this guy is a little smaller than an English Bull.
*Wilson*
Coco has happily allowed a pug to stand underneath him for shade and his response to a cowering Chihaua is "why do I smell dog but see scared rat (ears cocked forward, wrinkled forehead, all but scratching his head)", so "goofy" should be no problem
Goodness. Is there no shame?
Wilson333 is now blaming his dog!
Is there something wrong with you? I took the advice of one of the others today, and did a Google search on you. I saw your website. I saw what everyone else is saying about your trollery. I'm not sure if that's a word. You have quite a reputation, and it is not good.
I also visited Bryan Miller's site. It looks like you were chased out of there by everyone, because you simply do not tell the truth. Some of the claims you make are just bizarre. You also have a talent for being obtuse, when presented with evidence from the other side.
And I wonder exactly what is causing the obvious anger management issues of yours?
Wilson, I don't know about you, but in terms of the fencesitters--it helps when one side argues with facts and humor and the other argues with something else
Goodness, is there no evidence?
Of course not, it's Jadegold.
Has foolsgold ever supplied more than ad hominem and snerty distraction?
I posted a few quotes by Woodrow Wilson on rights ... and soon thereafter, a sockpuppet by the name of "Wilson333" joins here.
Can they be anymore obvious, I wonder?
Kelli--it would be nice to see you come up with something original--reach down REAL DEEP, try to come up with some facts (as opposed to your usual fictions and spoiled cud), remember the goal is HIGHROAD (and keep out of the muck), counter the opposition with truth and not ignorant whining. and being derivative is bad
Again, this is SOP.
When the NRA talking points are shot down and the lies exposed, you will see the NRA-sanctioned sockpuppetry arise. John Lott is such an example.
Anybody ever hear of Theodore Fiddleman?
{{More recently, JAMA received a letter from Theodore H Fiddleman, which was critical of a study it had published correlating tobacco firms' campaign contributions and legislation in favour of the industry. Fiddleman has now been exposed as an invention of Paul H Blackman, research coordinator for the National Rifle Association's lobbying and research arm.8 Blackman admitted to a string of essays and letters published since the 1970s under Fiddleman's name. JAMA fortunately uncovered the fraud before publication; Blackman's writing style had been recognised. }}
Wilson333 has appeared on other forums under different names.
Keep your head down Wilson! You're being "cyberbuillied"(tm)!!!
Stones said:
"When the NRA talking points are shot down and the lies exposed, you will see the NRA-sanctioned sockpuppetry arise. John Lott is such an example."
When did this happen? You have some case of denial going there, pal. Wilson, and everyone else who has never been to Bryan Miller's blog, this guy gets caught in a lie every day when he posts there. Then he denies it, even when you use his own posts against him, and show it to him in black and white. He is a troll.
Do a Google search on Jadegold. He's famous for harassing people on conservative forums, and here. He has been known to publish people's personal information on the web. He even admits it.
"Wilson333 has appeared on other forums under different names."
Another lie that can't prove, so he just keeps repeating it.
Jade has never heard of red herrings. No wonder his posts always smell so fishy. Especially since repeating himself over and over still presents no evidence to his little accusation.
Muffy has never heard of "Mary Rosh?"
{{Earlier this year, Lott found himself facing serious criticism of his professional ethics. Pressed by critics, he failed to produce evidence of the existence of a survey -- which supposedly found that "98 percent of the time that people use guns defensively, they merely have to brandish a weapon to break off an attack" -- that he claimed to have conducted in the second edition of "More Guns, Less Crime". Lott then made matters even worse by posing as a former student, "Mary Rosh," and using the alias to attack his critics and defend his work online. When an Internet blogger exposed the ruse, the scientific community was outraged. Lott had created a "false identity for a scholar," charged Science editor-in-chief Donald Kennedy. "In most circles, this goes down as fraud." }}
Lather, Rinse, Repeat.
Again this is Jade SOP. When he has no evidence to back himself up, he'll continue to repeat himself and throw in more ad hominems to change the subject.
He must be getting advice from the 7 million people he invented for Chicago.
Notice that there's a citation there but Jade doesn't have the "stones" to present the source of it?
third--ain't that always the way--the less the gun banning progressives have in the way of facts---the more low road and vindictive they get
Does Kelli have an original thought in her head or does she have to take all her prompting from others.
Of course you notice that she has to ignore the fact that the IL rep from Lake County is under attack by the Brady Campaign for recognizing the facts. I wonder who she thinks are the "meanies".
Like I said before quite appropriately, RK -- you would have to ask HER ("her" meaning the legislator you're referring to). She's an elected official, and can probably speak for herself ... don't you think?
So you refuse to use your "special insight" but are willing to make unsubstantiated claims w/ no evidence.
You'd have to ask her, wouldn't you RK?
But I can tell you, this particular rep. you keep referring to is into Conservation, keeping tabs on Urban Sprawl, Adoption Reform, etc. She has never been considered (nor is she now...) a progun type like yourself. My kids met her while learning about the Illinois General Assembly; and they liked her!
HA!
Kelli--remember--the truth your friend--by telling being honest and highroad--you do your side benefit--when you revert to your normal dishonest and lowroad behavior, the proRKBA people benefit (which is why third, MM2, Melody, Ladyshooter and I all want you to post--you make our job easier).
Kelli, Kelli, Kelli, don't be disingenuous.
I never said she was "pro-gun". What I asked is who do you think she considers the "meanies" as the Brady Campaign continues it's misrepresentative attacks on her while she receives dozens of calls supporting her vote?
Gonna have to go with more *crickets*! For a group that so passionately believes what they claim, where are you come time to argue the claims made by your opponents? Why do you flee so quickly? If there is a basis to stand your ground - do it!
And just out of curiosity, realizing of course Bryan Miller is no shining beacon, at least he is willing to address those who present arguments against his position. I have never, EVER, seen a post (or further comment) from Mr. Helmke, either to address or refute a comment made here. Why is that? (Truly curious...)
Expecting nothing, but thought I'd ask.
It's never happened in the year and a half thaat I've been paying attention. He has hirlings deal with us. First it was Macca and Kelli. Now it's just Kelli. BTW, Macca fervently denied being an employee of the BC. We found out later that this was not true.
An anti caught in a lie. Imagine that.
Hey guys, Paul is breaking into Showbiz! Check out the email I got from Sarah Brady today!:
"Watch Brady President Paul Helmke on The Colbert Report with Stephen Colbert. Paul will be on a segment called "Better Know a Lobbyist."
Date: Tuesday, May 13
Time:
11:30 pm Eastern and 10:30 pm Central
11:30 pm Pacific and 12:30 am (Wed) Mountain
Channel: Comedy Central
Check your local listings to confirm times and channel. It will be rebroadcast on Wednesday. Visit The Colbert Report for more information.
Sincerely,
Sarah Brady, Chair"
Break a leg, Paul!
With the whopper that Paul kept repeating (that the Brady Campaign was not trying to ban civilian ownership of guns)--good thing his nose did not grow like Pinocchio's
Semi -Precious Stones said:
"You're a sockpuppet, Wilson333.
Either that or you're plagiarizing the comments of other sockpuppets.
Neither alternative is particularly admirable."
Stones, you are the last person on the planet who should be telling other people what qualities are admirable. Personally, I think you are trying to "cyberbully"(tm) the new guy out of here.
I don't blame you for being desperate to get away from the Chicago crime issue, but to accuse a brand new contributor of plagiarism, just to change the subject, only speaks of your own desperation.
Black shame on you.
Maybe Kelli will call the National Guard on him.
the national guard can always need another laugh,
*crickets* *crickets**crickets* *crickets**crickets* *crickets**crickets* *crickets**crickets* *crickets**crickets* *crickets**crickets* *crickets**crickets* *crickets**crickets* *crickets**crickets* *crickets*
Parents take note: If you want to quiet an unruly child, just read them some factual-based studies which debunk the gun control myths....
Seems to be working wonders over here.
Drurylane-when are you hooking up with Jadegold and Lady Solitude at Roscoe's Chicken and Waffles?
I don't much care for waffles.
Posted May 9, 2008 | 05:31 PM (EST)