Only the repeal of the Second Amendment will stop the United States from being a perpetual war zone in which nobody is safe.
7
A common shotgun, as is used in hunting. Which proves that it isn't the type of weapon. It's the nut intent on commitment of mayhem.
2
Apparently ever more citizens don't see any reason why they should obey this nation's laws (either), because our elites have set new standards of 'do anything that feels good or makes more money' morality in recent decades, and let terrorists and juvenile delinquent school shooters off the ethical hook by calling them "broken children" and scape-goat blaming guns that are no more available now than they have been for centuries. For decades our common citizens have been shoved into poverty by crooked "open borders" policies, insulted and humiliated by being told by our corrupt media that it really is OK for 10's of millions of illegal&legal immigrants and the 1000's of businesses that employ them to violate dozens of our laws. That its OK that that the Wall Street ripped off this nation for trillions and none went to jail, and it really is OK for China to cheat on trade to the tune of 100's of billions/year because we get cheap consumer goods junk to buy. So after decades of these elite role model rigged and executed organized crime conspiracies (all declare to be good), precisely why would the sage editors of the NY Times think anyone else would feel morally obligated, or legally obligated according to precedent and the assumed natural right to equal application of the law - to now obey any of our laws ? Our elites are now getting back in kind what they have done to the masses of us common citizens for over half a century.
"“A summer intern in the newsroom shouldn’t have to tweet for help. We shouldn’t have to live in a country where our lawmakers refuse to take any action to address this uniquely American crisis that’s causing so much horror and heartbreak on what feels like a daily basis.”--Gabby Giffords, a former Arizona shot by a gunman in 2011.
Sorry, Gabby, being a victim doesn't give you any special insight into the problem exemplified by this incident and the many others like it. Your comment implies federal lawmakers have the power to do something about what you call a "uniquely American crises." They don't have such power, just as you didn't when you were in Congress.
Incidents of violence will continue and likely get much worse as the demented killers discover that bombs are deadlier than bullets, as jihadists in Europe are learning.
You can't stop it, Congress can't, the President can't, nor can SCOTUS justices. No one can--until Americans look at themselves honestly, and at their strong support or tacit acquiescence in the ubiquitous violence perpetrated at home and abroad by their own government agents who have police and military powers and the "legal" authority to use all the violence they deem necessary to fulfill their so-called duties.
Until the American people surrender their dependence on violence through their government, to think that the federal government, which is at the apex American-made violence, can eliminate violence is pure insanity.
2
The fact that a nation (or those who hold power in the nation) value the profit from guns amid the illusion of a need to protect yourself from some unseen force, fed by national paranoid tendencies stoked by the likes of the NRA, is telling of the values of the people.
The fear of losing ones gun is greater than the fear of losing ones life.
When will it be time for the legislators in the various States, Congress and the Senate to take some action to keep guns out of the hands of the people who should not have them? Is there a limit? How many mass shootings are too many? Figure that out.
6
America as she stands - a beacon to the world, a Statue of undying Liberty at a harbor’s mouth, the goings and comings of a great nation - this is our birthright and our welcoming to the world.
Freedom is apportioned in amendments.
Life is apportioned in births.
Nowhere in this great land should death be apportioned by bullets.
Freedom is measured by our ability to speak our minds openly.
The freedom of the press is there to record our words and aid us in speaking them. Anything less and our nation is in danger.
Wait a while, all areas of American society will be impacted by our destructive and tragic gun laws.
We need to vote for representatives who will CHANGE the law.
3
The electorate must demand real and significant gun law reform and must insist that any person running for political office on any level must first and foremost stand upon that platform. The media has a role to play in keeping the public focused on that goal and in moving public opinion toward that direction. The electorate must not be distracted by the machinations of the powerful influences who feel otherwise. This is the only way for us to effect change and I think if we accomplish this achievable goal many other progressive issues will follow.
2
This seems to be a (somewhat rare) case where the motive for a mass shooting is known the same day. Whenever I read about a mass shooting I always want to answer the 'why?' question. But in this case, knowing the motive has done little to help me understand the situation. That is, how a defamation dispute escalated to mass murder. Is the real answer to the 'why?' question simply an indignant, arrogant person with unrestrained rage who lacks empathy, in combination with a highly lethal weapon?
1
This individual should not have legally been able to purchase a shotgun and smoke grenades after "He pleaded guilty in July 2011 to harassment and was sentenced to 18 months of supervised probation and ordered to attend counseling." If you have ANY past history of ANY type of criminal activity you should not be allowed to purchase ANY type of firearm.
Also I find it ironic how after killing five people he is arrested without any problem. After reading numerous stories of persons being shot by the police who pose no threat, and then to read about this white male who just murdered 5 people to be taken alive, I just don't get it anymore.
2
Any type of criminal activity? So including a person convicted of smoking weed years ago?
1
This coming after the sitting President has referred to the media as the "Enemy of the People" is disgraceful. The same administration that has railed against the press will send phony "Thoughts and prayers" and then continue relentlessly destroying the fabric of Western civilization.
Godspeed, Mueller. Save America from its demons.
3
Why is a man who has stalked, harassed and threatened a woman allowed to keep guns?
2
Well, he's a man. And hasn't done anything really. It's not like he threatened a man. He just stalked, harassed and threatened a woman. So, a law abiding upstanding 2nd amendment type.
That is until he does something really wrong, and then his is disavowed.
2
Other countries have been able to curb guns...why haven't we? As more and more of our rights are weakening or disappearing completely, the "right" to own guns is as strong as ever and fortified. Sad! Shameful!
1
Nate Pesce's photograph of a Capital photographer and reporter working out of the back of a pickup truck to get the next-day's paper out is worthy of a Pulitzer. Worth more than a thousand words, it shows journalists who are brave and determined to get out our local paper when it becomes part of the news itself.
I'm from Annapolis, and I had a morning paper on my doorstep. This photograph shows how.
This morning's edition of the Capital Gazette deserves special recognition. Take a look at the editorial page.
If you have an informed opinion, thank a journalist. The Capital journalists are everyday heroes. They work hard, write well, and keep us informed. They are knit into the community, and their loss is our loss, their strength our strength.
7
Words have power and meaning.
The president of the United States declares that the press is "the enemy." Enemy.
Words generate emotions and actions. Enemy.
What emotions are generated?
What actions are generated?
5
When our headlines include crazed situations like these, I believe that it has the affect of minimizing the problem of guns in the wrong hands issue. There's not enough realization at how irresponsible people with guns can be. It's not just the unstable who are taking a toll on our citizens - though they are the most worrisome to me.
I'd like to see the cumulative statistics shown off to the side of each headline. It could be presented as our financial market reports are: 'It looks like we're going to hit a new record of 13,000 deaths by guns this year for Everywhere USA!' And 'Reports say many are being prayed for by our countries most powerful political thinkers. Standby for more prays folks.'
4
America: land of the free (though it took a few hundred years for those with black skins to achieve that status) and home of the brave (as long as you are armed facing those who are unarmed).
All anyone in America needs is some anger and he or she can deploy it quickly and lethally thanks to the accessibility of our Constitutionally guaranteed, God-given guns. For surely if God did not intend for us Americans to be able to assuage our anger with guns, He would not have given us millions of them and ensured that can be gotten and used so simply and cheaply. Nor would we Americans have been blessed with so many fine, patriotic and courageous defenders of our right to possess guns by which to shoot and kill so often and so easily had the good Lord not so intended it.
Guns and gun violence are such an inextricable part of America history and culture that keeping them out of the hands of those who would use them to kill, intentionally or accidentally, is probably a pipe-dream. We can all heed the suggestion of the NRA and other gun-nutters by arming ourselves for self-protection if we haven't yet done so. Or we can, as I do, roll the dice by living a gun-free life. If some angry or careless bullet finds its way to me one day, so be it. Meanwhile, I can only pretend I'm living in a sane and civilized nations.
3
What a hollow declaration of "thoughts and prayers" from the occupier of the White House, a man who has pretty much declared open warfare against journalists. While he may not have been the one to actually pull the trigger, his relentless verbal assaults on the media, along with calls of violence toward journalists by right-wing zealots in this country, has fostered a climate of hate and may have contributed to the shooter's justification for his murderous rage. Whether he cares or not, the words of president matter, along with the manner in which he speaks them. He is just another symptom of the rapid decline of civility and humanity in this country. Dark times are indeed upon us.
5
It's not mental illness. It's another angry, aggrieved, controlling, entitled man lashing out at those who "wronged" him.
It is no secret where the problem lies, but it is ignored. Want guns AND fewer deaths but you aren't willing to allow smart weapons, let's update the 2nd amendment:
Well regulated men, being necessary to domestic Tranquility, the general Welfare and the security of a free State, the right of women to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.
3
Yesterday in a news article there was a statistic that in 154 mass shootings in the US this year, 64% of those shooters had some form of mental illness.
What they did not say was that 100% of those shooters had guns.
6
We have two problems in the U.S. One problem is that this country, by law, allows its citizens unfettered access to guns. A second problem is that its citizens include: the angry, the shameless, the outraged, the aggrieved, the immature, the entitled, the vengeful, the misfit, the outcast, the off-kilter, the impulsive, the drug and drink-addled, the abusive, the jealous, the crackpot, the delusional, the negligent, the paranoid. the affronted, the conspiracist, and the hateful, etc., etc. The U.S. has willy-nilly put guns into the hands of just about any, otherwise normal, "psychopath next-door."
Given this, can you really expect anything other than this torturous epidemic of gun violence?
2
I struck by the modest amount of headlines for this terrible tragedy. In part because of the dominance of Supreme Court news, but doubtless also because of how routine it's become.
2
What can one expect in such a dysfunctional society which characterizes the United States led by a president who boasted with total impunity of his ability to shoot someone dead on Fifth Avenue in Manhattan ? The executive leader sets the bar very low for the ordinary individual who will freely succumb to irrational impulses since they seemed to have become the new norm under the Trump regime. What a malevolent influence, this 'commander in chief' !
9
This is more evidence of the NRA's calculated gamble that mass shootings are good for business. While many thoughtful and compassionate people believe the most logical response to repeated mass murders is legislation to curb the number of guns flooding American society, the NRA believes -- and seems to be correct, given the lack of said legislation -- that fear of mass shootings will simply lead people to buy more guns. It is a lucrative, self-perpetuating cycle that the NRA has no interest in stifling or constricting in any way. Indeed, if the number of mass shootings ever fell off of its own accord, I shudder to think what the NRA might be capable of.
7
Lord, I love the police in Annapolis and the county that surrounds it. It looks like they did everything right under very trying circumstances. That is all you can ever ask of law enforcement. But I felt compelled to say so.
1
Speaks volumes that this tragic event has become so commonplace that there is not one opinion column or editorial today devoted to it.
4
If that is the case, I am looking forward to the day when the European Union requires thorough background checks and visas from American citizens due the high risk of homicidal behaviour on their part. THIS would not be a spurious form of profiling based on origin, yet a very empirical one springing from statistical evidence.
1
Here, the shooter used an ordinary 12 gauge shotgun. You always say you don't want to ban all guns, just semi-automatics with scary looking cosmetic features. Yet I see the same generic call for "gun control" in these comments.
So were you lying then or are you lying now? Do you want to ban all guns or not?
1
Your words of concern, for the five people murdered yesterday and the dozens of others traumatized, are immensely touching.
1
Yes.
Thanks Steve, for the honesty. So will everyone now acknowledge that the statement "No one is trying to ban all guns" is lying?
This horrific attack was by a mentally disturbed individual. It had nothing to do with Trump. From the description of his background, I doubt he was even aware of Trump's anti-press outbursts. Even if he was: They played no role in his motivation.
Have some sympathy, a glimmer of understanding. I am as anti-Trump as the next, but Trump haters using every negative situation as an opportunity to rant is, bluntly, disgusting.
6
No one in this country is immune to this evil foolishness. It doesn't matter where you live or work; an unhappy man with a gun can come and shoot you.
4
Je suis Charlie. Again.
5
Well, at least the NYT has not yet published his picture but everyone has published his name. While this guy does not seem like his motive is fame - he's just angry and narcissistic and frustrated and blew up - it's the example for others that makes publishing even his name a mistake. But, media in this country keep doing that.
Seriously, what is to be gained by publishing his name, and in other cases. a picture of the guy, plus all sorts of personal details and social media presence/antics? Saying why he attacked the gazette is one thing, that he was angry about his court conviction being published without even having to specify what the case was about.
That said, I, like others, feared this would the a first Trump inspired attack on the 'fake news' media. It may still happen.
RE: " he's just angry and narcissistic and frustrated and blew up "
Who are we talking about here?
1
Guns have value, each one worth several hundred dollars and are usable for decades with just a minimum of care. We have over 300 million of these devices in America today. They are just like land mines waiting to go off at the slightest touch. This problem will face America for decades. This is what our society has voted for.
2
And now I am certain that we will be assured that the attacks on the press by Trump, the NRA, and other right wing extremists had nothing to do with this. Oh, and the problem is mental health, not guns. Thoughts and prayers. Until next time...
3
Trump himself cannot be blamed for this heinous crime against innocent members of the media, but it's difficult to read about this awful incident and not bear in mind Trump's chronic attack on journalists, his labeling of news as "fake," and his consistent disdain for anyone reporting news he feels contradicts his own perspective or philosophy.
3
Nor his normalization of and repeated calls for violence during his campaign. The list is long.
2
The shooter apparently believes that the newspaper was deliberately trying to hurt him, despite no evidence to prove his belief. People who believe without verification are potentially dangerous. Trumpers are in that lot. Although this shooter's motive may have been born beforehand, he had no doubt heard the propaganda from the right: Fake News Media. Add to that, their leader -- our president of the United States! -- telling his base of believers that the press is "the enemy," just as tyrants throughout history have claimed. But, again, Trumpers are not a fan of facts. November cannot come soon enough.
5
The shooter apparently believes the newspaper was deliberately trying to hurt him, despite no evidence to prove his case. Belief without verification -- Trumpers are in that lot. Although this shooter's motive may have been born beforehand, he had no doubt heard the propaganda from the right: Fake News Media. Add to that, their leader -- our president of the United States! -- telling his base of believers that the press is "the enemy," just as tyrants throughout history have claimed. But, again, Trumpers are not a fan of facts. Dangerous. November cannot come soon enough.
2
My first real job was as a reporter for a three-times-a-week community newspaper. There were three reporters (counting the editor), a photographer, four people in advertising, the circulation guy, eight people in the back shop, and the publisher. We were family. Sixty-hour weeks weren’t uncommon for me, and we spent most of our waking hours together, often eating meals in the coffee room that someone would bring back. It was all good.
I’m sure it must be the same at the Gazette, and I — and probably everyone who did or is doing the job at newspapers large and small across the nation — reach out today in solidarity.
3
Article: 5 People Dead in Shooting at Maryland's Capital Gazette Newsroom.
It has come to a point where shootings in America feel like a daily thing. Many lives are lost and it is such a tragedy for the families of the people that had their lives taken away from them. This one in particular stood out to me. In 2011 the former reporter that worked in the newsroom had wrote a story years before the shooting about the suspect, Jarrod W. Ramos, that apparently "damaged his reputation." This article interested me because with all of the thoughts and prayers going out to the people and the families of the people who lost their lives, nothing has been done. @[email protected]
Trump and his cronies need to take part of the responsibility for this Horrendous act. He keeps repeating his ignorance and hate rid of the First Amendment and eventually some fool is going to take it to its conclusion
1
One network appears to be setting up a case for blaming anti-media rhetoric from some on the right, even though we know Ramos has some lawsuit grievance with the paper.
Bottom screen of the network was: "Has anti-media rhetoric gone too far?" How about a parallel on-screen question: "Has anti-Trump rhetoric gone too far"?
Heated rhetoric from anyone and any side is not helpful.
I'd say the answer to your first question is yes - the leader of the free world very frequently and publically bashes the press and that is unacceptable - too much of that is going on. The send question is a bit more sticky. Sure, we should not say hateful things about Trump. But we should definitely call him out on his verified lies and bashing of the press when those happen, which is almost daily and some times several times per day. It is not hateful do push back on those behaviors.
1
I agree with you but it also should be done at the top. Trump talks about fake news but admits it is fake if he does not like it. He viciously attack’s news people if they say the truth but he does not like it. Unfortunately some Trumpers believe him and not the truth. This upsets me, I believe in the truth and not lying because I am a Christian. Not enough Republicans correct him, this is very sad.
Clearly this guy had some kind of vendetta against the paper. However, when you have a president that calls the Press the enemy we should not be surprised if this is not an isolated occurrence.
And, thoughts and prayers don't seem top be helping the situation. I now consider that statement, especially from Trump et. al., to be an insulting cliché.
1
None of the bullets in this outright murder have Trump's name on them. But they might as well. For the hatred he spews toward the press in his tweets and at his rallies becomes contagious. It spurs those with deep-seated grievances to acts of violence, and the victims' families are "consoled" by the mechanical issuance of "thoughts and prayers" from a White House that couldn't care less.
Cry, our beloved country.
4
Feels like I was in a coma and woke-up in an America I don't recognize anymore - I used to read about these headlines from countries ruled by autocrats and dictators - attacks on journalists, curtailing freedom of the press by labeling mainstream media as fake news, children massacred in schools, children snatched from their parents arms in the name of law, people banned from entering a country based on religion with support from all three branches of the government, Supreme Court upholding a baker's right to refuse service to same sex couple, tariffs imposed on allies in the name of national security, a tax cut for the rich , undermining Environment Protection Agency, curtailing the right of African American athletes to protest by kneeling, .......all this and much more within the first 6 months of this year.......can someone tell me if this is America or have I woken-up in Libya or North Korea or Saudi Arabia?
6
This is awful. Who could have predicted that a violent armed gunman would walk into a news outlet and start killing people? Who, other than anyone who has seen the President of the United States and his GOP lackeys encouraging violence against the media?
5
Trump propagandist Sean Hannity politicized this tragedy immediately by trying to blame it on Maxine Waters and former President Obama. Online, Trump supporters (as usual) are falsely claiming the shooter was a liberal and the attack is the fault of liberals.
I think we all know who the real “enemies of the American people” are.
3
30,000+ gun deaths annually...but we're caging 9-month-old Honduran babies and banning people from countries who've never harmed us, all in the name of safety and security.
This country, and Republicans in particular, are completely crazy!
6
yes, it is going downhill and fast. Not a safe place to emigrate unless you are desperate enough, if not, choose Canada, Australia or similar, which is what my research colleagues are advising their friends in other parts of the globe. US has no solution because a large part of its population likes/prefers to continue numb to evidence and deaf to reason, a kind a childish , tribal and irrational mode of thinking
Pity, it was once a good country !
This is not fake news, Don. Your stance on guns and your rabble-rousing are right up front in terms of moral responsibility, and everybody with an ounce of intelligence knows it. Bluster away, no one takes it seriously.
1
No more. This is absurd that someone with a grudge can just go shoot who he doesn't like. Where is our moral center, it's not in the White House, nor in any Republican representatives in the House or the Senate.
4
According to liberals people have all these rights don't you know.
In almost all of these mass shooting the perps were a known danger and should have been locked up.
No. You don't have to wait for them to kill.
The new Supreme Court will fix that.
2
Liberals are the cause of this? Last I checked Republicans control all branches of government and continually send thoughts and prayers rather than take a stance on gun control and mental health issues. You might want to educate yourself before embarrassing yourself with your lack of knowledge.
3
That is a ridiculous comment although your second sentence is accurate. By bashing people you lose credibility. I'm guessing you are against any form of gun control as well?
The United States is going downhill fast. This shooting isn't the underlying disease, it's a symptom of an extremely sick "populist" culture lead and inspired, at the moment, by Con Man Don and his circle of enablers and promoters in right wing media. (The coming corporate/neofascist SCOTUS will soon be added to the list — it's already half way there.)
Not only does this bode ill for "cosmopolitan elites," it bodes ill for the population in general. The Republicans are completely incapable of addressing the country's problems, in fact the exacerbate them. Soon there will be a depression that will wipe out Trump's base. And the true elites, the corrupt plutocratic class, will only offer thoughts and prayers as consolation.
16
"“My thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families,” " Golly gee thanks Donald, is this the best that you can do. Trump, making America great again.
9
Where are the democrats in condemning "President" Trump directly for this event? He's encouraged violence against journalists from the start of his campaign! They fail at every turn... Well meaning, but ineffective.
5
Not that I have any hopes, but maybe this will change a few minds (of NY Times readers) on the need for capital punishment.
How does one defend this murderer continuing to live after intentionally taking the lives of innocent people?
It's a mystery to me.
4
It's pretty simple. We do not have the right to take any living humans life. One killing does not deserve another. Would you want us to cut off the hands of a theif? The entire civilized world understands - what is so difficult for you to get?
4
Ramos has invalidated his rights to circulate freely amongst civilised human beings. If you like, we could send him to a clean-up detail at a toxic waste dump in order to shorten his days without staining one's conscience with an act of capital punishment.
Why DON'T we have the right to take any living human's life? Please explain that, but don't use any religious source as the basis of your argument.
From a Darwinian perspective, there are plenty of good reasons for ending the life of a known threat to others.
"Cutting off the hands of a thief" is reprehensible, and isn't part of my belief system. Why would you bring it up? Why can't you see I would be appalled by that but also be appalled by murderers not paying the appropriate price for their crimes?
Would you have executed, say, Hitler, had he been captured alive?
This argument over capital punishment is one that needs to happen not between two readers of the Times but throughout our society.
“He didn’t have enough bullets for us,” Mr. Davis said...." The tragedy of the death of 5 people was awful. It would have been even worse if the shooter had a semiautomatic with a large clip of bullets.
7
And the Trumpsters continue to threaten the press, the enemy accord to their leader.
8
I’m sorry for the victims - they didn’t deserve to die. Having said that, the newspaper covered him in a way that was snarky. Words have consequences and we should remember that. It’s one thing to cover newsworthy facts, and another to make fun of someone publicly. It’s not necessary. And no I’m not justifying his actions. They were unjustified.
1
As long as guns are easily available any disturbed person with a gun can kill anyone he wants. No one is safe. Not even Congressmen It is not like this in other countries. Only the U.S.
The only way to seriously reduce gun violence is to make guns hard to get, and to get rid of the millions in circulation. This will only happen when there's a sea change and gun culture is replaced with gun safety.
Until that happens, thousands and thousands more will tragically and needlessly die. Make no mistake. This is due to Republicans in Congress. They are indirectly responsible for every gun casualty.
7
Given how many guns are out there in consideration of how many are used to harm people, the correlation with gun violence and how to reduce it does not follow. What is a problem is not knowing which guns might be in the hands of dangerous people. Eliminating that unknown should be the first priority. Spending decades hunting down and destroying millions of firearms kept and used by conscientious people who are unlikely to allow their guns to be used to harm others would not be a wise course of action but that’s what would be necessary to eliminate private gun ownership. Trust in the good faith of people who have been trustworthy but register all guns and license all users. Then taking guns from people like this man might be more quickly accomplished.
This isn’t a new phenomenon here, NYT. Look back at the number of people who waited for a ex-lover, lawyer, judge, neighbor—whatever—to emerge from wherever and kill them.
Obviously this guy had a real problem with the staff of this paper as far back as 2012. I very much doubt anything anyone said or did would have convinced him to not harm the people he perceived as having harmed him.
But we were still treated to some delightful bits of fiction from people claiming he was screaming about fake news and dropped a MAGA hat on the floor before starting his killing spree.
3
“But there is one thing that unites these disparate possible motivations. He did what he did because he was able to get a firearm that enabled him to do it. That’s what connects him to Salvi, to Mucko, and to all the others who, for whatever reason, decide to murder their fellow citizens en masse because this is a great country to do just that.”
Charles P. Pierce
https://www.esquire.com/news-politics/politics/a21992373/annapolis-shoot...
5
The police deserve credit for a quick response. Good thing he did not have an assault rifle.
2
Another proud day for the NRA and Trump supporters. When the “Thoughts and Prayers” period is over, these folks will want to arm even more people. America is sick, very sick.
12
The president of the United States has been called many things. Many have tried to analyze his character. In the end it's really not that complicated. Our current president is nothing more than a provocateur for the Republican Party, the white racists of this nation and the Russians. His goal is one of destruction, chaos and destabilization. His only motive is to avenge every institution that he feels has slighted him, in some way, over the years, and that includes our government. While the president isn't to blame for what happened in Maryland, I can't help but think that our current political atmosphere of attacking the media has something to do with it. I'm afraid this will go down as a very dark period in our nations history.
9
Yesterday, the so-called President refused to comment on the shootings. But I am sure if he had spoken it would have been with great empathy, the same empathy he showed when journalists were murdered in Paris in 2015. Here's what the tweeted: "If the morons who killed all of those people at Charlie Hebdo would have just waited, the magazine would have folded - no money, no success!"
9:13 AM - 14 Jan 2015
5
White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders: "A violent attack on innocent journalists doing their job is an attack on every American."
She should tell that to her boss!
"Our Country’s biggest enemy is the Fake News..."
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 13, 2018
10
It is because of comments like this one that the Preacher’s daughter was ask to leave the Red Hen. And I guess it will not be the last one...
Okay. Listen to this.
Maryland has some of the most rigid gun controls in the United States. Every gun is registered. All handguns require special investigation and months of vetting. License to carry is difficult and license for concealed carry is almost impossible.
Yet, this year has seen two mass shootings in public facilities.
Gun control is not the answer. Just as it is not the answer in the nation's capital or in New York city.
Crime is not controlled. And mind control is not possible.
The answer to violence is vigilance. Watch for the anger. Watch for the person who displays anger or discontent with the norm, with the establishment, with what sane society considers correct. Seek counseling for those people but, at least, identify them.
You cannot take away all the guns because most gun owners are good, honest people. But you can watch for and identify dangerous people. This person was one. Someone, probably many someones, knew this person had problems. Why didn't they say something?
2
I and the rest of the civilized world disagree. Even a brief, uninformed look at the facts leads one to the conclusion that Americans are not in control of their own destinies, but worse, have resigned themselves to a situation they believe cannot be fixed. Fact one: Mental disorder is, always has been and will always be existent and will always pose a threat to public safety. Fact two: Internet based media has, and will continue to enable tribal and cult-like mass behavior by providing a virtual meeting place and a place to foment rage for people of like-minded fringe beliefs. Gun control is the answer, when implemented nation-wide, not just in isolated states. Look at the rest of the world (look at it, not down on it with American exceptionalist arrogance) and wake up and please stop repeating the NRA talking points.
1
Or you could opt for more effective gun control in all states.
There is still easy access to guns. All you have to do is cross state lines or go to a gun show. What we need is to stop the manufacturing of weapons and ammunition of all kinds.
Unfortunately, this shooting lends credence to the "you can't stop crazy" argument. What law could have prevented Ramos from obtaining a shotgun in the Mid-Atlantic United States? Maryland's laws don't matter. Ramos could just drive to Virginia and buy one secondhand. He might have even owned the gun already for all we know. Shotguns are pretty ubiquitous depending on where you live. Without a national gun policy, Ramos was going to find a gun.
So what do we do? Even reasonable gun owners aren't going to support a ban on shotguns. Again: How could we have better prevented these deaths? That's what I want to know.
1
The individual right of people to carry guns, only recognized ten years ago by Scalia in Heller, has overtaken and destroyed the right to peaceably assemble, one of the cornerstones of the Bill of Rights. When two rights are in conflict, there MUST be some sort of balancing test, to keep them alive.
I despise violence, but I can accept that some of the country loves guns, not just for hunting, but to be prepared to kill people. I only wish the country also loved being able to have public and private spaces where people can be safe from fear of attack. We have to find a way to limit gun ownership, limit the numbers of guns owned per person, limit the types of guns sold to people, something! How about, "one person, one gun"?, which cannot be an assault rifle.
Why do so many people buy a gun that is by definition used to kill others? How can so many people be willing to arm themselves for killing? It boggles my mind. "Thou shalt not kill" has NO meaning anymore to a large percentage of this nation.
2
Guns are all lethal weapons. Everyone knows that. What people do not know is why any one individual would want to keep and to use them. That is what can lead to a fear that anyone with a gun might harm someone. That is what gun owners who would never allow their guns to be used to harm others understand and why they know that while their guns pose no danger nor do they, many people think that they are likely to do harm, eventually. If you want effective gun control you either trust gun owners to be normal and conscientious with the usual exceptions and work out a way to register all guns and know who has them or have martial law declared and search every household in the country to find and confiscate all guns. Otherwise, you will be arguing over this indefinitely.
1
This man cooked up his perception of being victimized just by having his acts and words reflected by the news reports. That is seriously deluded behavior. There should have been a way to separate this man from having weapons in his possession given his emotional state. But he might have resorted to making IEDs if he did not have access to firearms or any other weapons, too. He was technically informed enough to be capable of doing that. He was overwhelmed by rage that made him just plain dangerous.
I think that Trump is a jerk the way he attacks and demeans the media but he’s not deluded and he knows that he’s playing games to confuse those who support him into disregarding reported facts that are not flattering. Yet, it cannot help but reenforce the deluded perceptions of people like this who cannot separate what exists in their imagination from what is real and blame reporters for showing them what they don’t want to believe about themselves. I wish that he would be more considerate and stop the insincere media bashing.
15
I suspect in an hour or so, the Trump fringe will claim no one was killed and it is just a ruse.
9
Republicans passed a law last year that ensures people with mental health issues still have unfettered access to guns
How can you vote for republicans after that?
21
I am heartbroken for the families, friends, and colleagues of the shooting victims. And I am heartbroken for our country, which keeps seeing this play out, over and over and over, as our "leaders" do nothing to stem the blood flow caused by guns, guns, and more guns. Everywhere.
Meanwhile, I am enraged that feckless clumps of poison attack the press and call for their jailing and murder.
In the case of Milo Yiannopoulis, he is a guest in our country! Why, after his very publicly stated desire to see journalists killed--an incitement to murder, plain and simple--actually took place, has his visa not been revoked? Our government is snatching babies from the arms of foreign mothers and jailing them for doing nothing wrong, merely seeking asylum and a safer life for their kids.
But incitement to murderous violence spouted by a visiting immigrant, who is here on a visa and making a fortune on our soil, is somehow okay?
What have we become?
15
Start a petition to have Yiannopoulis deported now ! He is an instigator of hatred and violence whose presence serves no purpose on American soil. To tolerate Yiannopoulis is to validate the acts of Ramos and other deranged misanthropes teeming in America today.
1
Sarah Sanders: "A violent attack on innocent journalists doing their job is an attack on every American."
This statement by Sanders is simply nauseating.
The entire world listens to Sarah, daily, defend Trump's relentless attacks on the press.
Trump intentionally whips up his frenzied supporters at rallies, so that they turn on the press corps, yell threats and demand that they "get out". Trump smiles.
19
The most recent incident of guns not killing people.
12
Amendment 2 should be encased in "gold" and interpreted as the most important document of our Constitution.
NRA should lobby for US citizens to own not only AK-150s, but machineguns as well.
After all how would the citizens defend themselves from military take-over of our country, or possible civil war in the not so distant future...
There are several things to note here that are very important:
1) A shotgun was used NOT an assault rifle. There is no place on earth where shotguns are restricted. Even England (which forbids handgun & rifle ownership (without special permits) allows shotguns,as they are necessary for vermin control in many areas.
2) The mental health of many in this country is being destroyed (especially since Trump was elected) due to feelings of inadequacy, rejection, economic failure, & a disintegration of male (mostly white) supremacy over different cultures & the fear of women rising in society. This is why stalking & harassment of females is so prevalent. (Childish, immature, white male ego problems.)
3) The reduction of tax money to treat such mental disorders resulting in more & more unstable white guys looking to "get even" with society.
We are long past the fail safe of preventing gun violence. Private citizens in America own more guns than some Armies. I know this appears as a violation of my liberal attitudes BUT we just may be at the point where a good offense is the best defense. Either everyone has guns or nobody has guns. If a house to house search & total confiscation is repugnant to us as a free people, and the police remain a "reactionary" force arriving after the shooting-somebody has to stop the illicit shooter at the scene! Who? Another armed citizen obviously! To quote Carol King-"It's too late baby, now it's too late."
"1) A shotgun was used NOT an assault rifle.".....And how many would have been dead if he had an assault rifle?
1
Make no mistake about it Mr. President, the evil ones, the mentally deranged, and the haters have heard you loud and clear that the news media are the enemy of the people. Who is next on your list of "enemy of the people"? You sir, own this environment and landscape of hate and violence. Your own words indicts you.
18
To Donald Trump, his despicable cabinet, and every member of of this do-nothing congress who scores above a C-minus on the NRA Scale of Death:
Keep your shallow thoughts, empty prayers, and tiresome platitudes to yourself. They are insulting.
24
Enough with the weezely euphemisms! This attack. like the many on schools across the country, is domestic terrorism
15
Just by the nature of publishing news of attacks constantly in the media, we only feed into the cycle of gun violence. In some senses, the violence is just a side effect of the general culture of the news showing guns tied to violence versus responsible use. On the other hand, when we look at a first world country like Japan and gun violence is non-existent.
Outside of gun violence, the US as a cultural norm lacks respect for differing opinions and lacks respect just for people in general.
5
One wonders how much comfort the victims’ families will take from President Trump’s words of condolence, in light of his energetic and largely successful campaign to convince his followers that members of the press are “enemies of the American people.”
29
This NOT an observation that is 'victim blaming', I am just sayin':
“The Capital, like all newspapers, angered people every day in its pursuit of the news,” Mr. Marquardt wrote on Facebook. “In my day, people protested by writing letters to the editor; today it’s through the barrel of a gun. Sure, I had death threats and the paper had bomb threats. But we shrugged them off as part of the business we were in.”
So armed with that knowledge, NO security measures were taken.
I'm just sayin'. ALSO, The Times states:
'For a country that has grown numb to mass shootings, this was a new front. Schools have become a frequent target, with college students on down to kindergartners falling victim. A movie theater was shot up.'
This is NOT a new front. ALL of those described are 'soft targets' and this was also a soft target, nothing new here.
I'm just sayin'.
So, you're not blaming the victims but you're just sayin' they offered themselves up as soft targets?
You're not blaming the victims but you're just suggestin' they shouldn't work as journalists?
You're not blaming the victims but you're just sayin' they should have fortified their workplaces? And presumably every other place they go? And the same for the rest of us?
You're just sayin' nothing new here, no reason to be surprised, upset, or outraged?
I'm just askin'. And I'm just askin' whether you think it's all okay. Just another day at work, odds pretty good I'll make it home.
8
Our President encourages attacks on the media. That is a new front.
7
Why pray when you can do something yourself Mr Trump?
Do you pray for food or money instead of getting a job?
Do you pray for someone to drive you somewhere instead of getting in your car (or asking someone for a ride if you have no car) and going?
You pray for what you can't do, or when you need the strength or courage to do something. You don't pray for what's within your control.
Do something!
12
"Do something" is a common refrain of the ignorant. Unless you have a concrete proposal, a call to "do something" is not helpful.
1
Do you believe he actually prays?
4
The pen might be mightier than the sword, but it can't stop a shotgun. A sad day for journalists.
12
I don't know what sickens me most: the report of another mass shooting or Donald Trump's flaccid, impotent, meaningless tweets. As former congresswoman Giffords points out, this attack might not have happened had Trump and his political cronies done anything at all to diminish the power of the NRA or put into action his thin promises to develop real gun control back in February.
Of course with the Donald's hatred of anyone -- particularly journalists -- who contradict him on anything, I can only imagine Trump dancing a Hilteresque jig on learning that five newspaper people died, before squatting on the toilet to tweet his specious and wholly insincere bromides.
16
The shooter used a shotgun (the same ordinary shotgun Biden recommends and that you all say you don't want to ban) and he acquired it in one of the most liberal states with the strictest gun control laws. Tell me what law you propose.
4
I have some ideas in mind Jon, can we hear yours? Or do you just want to make snarky comments?
6
Ok tell us.......if you are anywhere and a shooter appears, would you rather the guy have a pump shotgun or an AK-47 assault weapon with a large capacity clip?
Thought so!
1
Your "point" is moot. If he had used an AR-15 with an extended magazine, history shows that the death toll would have been far higher.
Gun nuts using reported killings by weapons other than AR-15s to defend AR-15s only demonstrates that they have no real arguments.
2
Fine coverage of a preventable tragedy. Yet, I DID NOT WANT TO SEE HIS FACE AND BIOGRAPHY, which is featured below the article. This evil menace does not deserve a biography. He murdered good people easily and does not deserve infamy.
7
This attack was the evil malign fault of Donald John Trump's definitive designation of the American mass media press as "the enemy of the people". Trump envies Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin's powerful control over the Russian "press", Fox News and the Wall Street Journal are Trump's Ministry of Propaganda.
11
Trump wanted the muslim ban because all those persons are supposed to be a great threat to the national security. But the real threat comes from within. A whole country, armed to the teeth, downright provokes such terrible crimes, putting their country men in harms way. So, now, can somebody explain to me why the muslims are so much more dangerous to this country?
18
"We extend our shallow thoughts, prayers, and tiresome platitudes to the victims and their families... Okay, enough said... Let's get back to the Mueller Witch Hunt and Hillary's Emails..."
- Republican Congress
18
Ms. Sanders condemns “violent attacks on innocent journalists.” She seems purposely to have said “violent,” as the President repeatedly engages in non-violent attacks on journalists and news organizations with quite limited — and often zero — condemnation by Republican opinion leaders and decision makers.
Frank N. Wilner
13
One after another schools, offices, stores are attacked by alienated white male terrorists. All the while our leadership demonizes brown people and lies about their behavior. The President claims that some 60,000 Americans have been killed by brown people since 9/11. That is not true. But it seems like any day we can expect multiple killings by angry, white men determined to destroy their own kind. What is it about?
14
I don't know.
I do know it isn't about Trump or about race.
I do know that you only want to attack Trump and don't care how you do it.
The facts could have been very different and you would still find a way to blame Trump.
This was a action taken by one sick individual who has a history of conflict with the Capital Gazette.
What are you about.
The "thoughts and prayers" meme from Dear Leader Donald and his echo, Sarah's sudden supportive phrase, "innocent journalists," have, after the history these two have established of disparaging professional journalists as purveyors of "fake news," the distinct ring of hypocrisy.
Gabby Giffords is correct in every detail in her criticism of this country's legislative "leaders" in Washington.
11
Be ready for two things:
1)thought and prayer;
2)no action.
And once again the mythical-NRA-good-guy-with-a-gun never show up.
12
We can draw a direct line from gun manufacturers funding of the NRA to the proliferation of mass shootings. And Americans zombie like and predictable regurgitate the false Secomd Amendment narrative of the gun makers and sellers vis-à-vis the NRA. Vote, vote, vote if you are sick of this.
16
Sorry, but the 2nd Amendment narrative is not false. You just don't like what it says. There is a constitutional right in this country to keep and bear arms, unconnected with a militia and not subject to government discretion. Period.
1
Jon, your's is a subjective interpretation of the 2nd Amendment. Not fact. Period. Your black and white understanding of the Constitution is alarming and dangerous.
So what is the militia phrase doing in 2A, then? The reality-based community awaits a sane, straightforward answer.
According to Trump and his mindless supporters I thought all the rapists and murderers were pouring in over the Mexican border. This is just another fantasy from a crowd who believe in magical thinking instead of seeking out data on their own. Also it seems our greatest fears should be focused mostly on young white people who seem to be the perpetrators of these vicious crimes.
13
Trump sends his condolences?
Trump is himself someone who continuously threatens journalists for telling the truth.
Wait to hear Trump condemn provocateur for profit Milo Yiannopoulos for advocating for people to "gun down journalists." Keep waiting.
A psycho/sociopath's fake sadness.
15
...But it’s my first amendment right to carry military grade killing tools!!!
-said no Founding Father ever...
8
It’s a pity we can’t deport white men since we can’t keep them from killing people with guns because they can’t cope with life. It’s clear that white men are quite mentally unstable and vengeful, which of course makes it absurd to keep electing them to hold public office.
17
The Republican/NRA solution to this tragedy would be to have had everyone in the newsroom packing guns. Collectively, we've gone utterly mad. My heart goes out to the Gazette and all its fine journalists.
11
Very sad and feel for the families of the victims. Another mass shooting in America and all we hear is "thoughts and prayers" which do nothing to prevent it again. This issue isn't even being addressed. This is a serious problem for America. Our president and his belligerent attitude, put downs of other entities and individuals do not help quell anger in our country that is slowly getting out of control. Yet Trump cites all Mexicans as the criminals. What about America's criminals with guns? When will this be confronted and resolved. The NRA and financial support for our politicians do not help. Will not vote for anyone that accepts NRA contributions. What an ignorant government we have today.
8
So the President offers his thoughts and prayers to these journalists killed for what they wrote. I bet that brings comfort.
8
I've been shot at, but only while covering civil riots (if that isn't an oxymoron). But the thought,as a former journalist, of having to react viscerally while someone comes into your newsroom and begins firing a weapon terrifies me. I cannot imagine what they endured. This is so wrong, and my feeling is that it's a result of Trump's attacks on the media. He's so ignorant of real life that he doesn't even understand what he's done.
11
Nothing you can do about it, says the only country in the world where this happens.
22
On Monday, June 25th, while campaigning in South Carolina, Donald Trump referred to the media as "the enemy of the people". Therefore, it is heinous to report President Turmp's tweeted response to the mass shooting of journalists, three days later, and NOT recall, for the sake of transparency and relevancy and, well, news, that he endangers the lives of innocent journalists with his hate speech.
21
It is no accident that a news medium has been attacked. Trump has been deriding it for the past two plus years beginning with "fake news." He has never spoken with anything but disrespect and hatred about the media in all its forms. He has used the power of the "bully pulpit" to spew his negativity against newspapers and TV cable news. The only surprise is how long it took for someone with an issue against a newspaper to be the first to kill and maim. The NYT and Washington Post should shore up their security because they are going to be targets at some point.
9
When we no longer have any reaction to these government enabled killings, someone will elevate them to the next level. It is a dark evolution --padding Republican pockets.
3
I love the pictures of a hundred law enforcement personnel standing around looking serious. As usual, a day late and a dollar short. They're all supporters of the Second Amendment, which gives people the right to shoot other people.
The Anne Arundel contingent also rides around with "Oath Keeper's" hats on the back ledges of their patrol cars. All Traitor Trump, all guns, all the time.
8
No mention of how he obtained the gun.
2
Irrelevant. It was a shotgun and he had no criminal record. Easy purchase and ALWAYS will be.
2
There probably won’t even be “thoughts and prayers” from the Republicans after this shooting. The victims were just members of the media, after all, “the enemy of the people”.
10
There is little doubt that Donald J. Trump's disrespect and abhorrence of the media (Fake News!), aside from the real fake news of Fox, contributes to a sort of license to attack...even kill...the press, as this horrendous person did yesterday.
And then to hear Trump and others expressing regret and "praying" for the families...the routine fallback position for NRAers and all other politicians who support guns because they're being supported by the NRA, is repugnant. If they truly cared, instead of "praying" for the victims and their families, they would legislate limits on guns. But of course they don't really care at all.
10
Memo to John Roberts: this cold-blooded killer, just like all the other recent killers in this type of attack, was born in the United States of America.
He wasn't from one of the banned nations in that racist ban against immigration from Muslim majority countries that you upheld.
He wasn't a Muslim.
He wasn't an immigrant.
He was an American with a gun and yet your Supreme Court will take action against non-existent threats to our nation but then take no action against the real threat every American faces: guns.
17
Thoughts and prayers...Thoughts and prayers...Thoughts and prayers...
Make shift memorials
Endless analysis of shooter, who is likely reveling in the attention and sudden fame
Poignant stories about victims who are dead
Outrageous medical bills for victims who survive
Talk about gun laws met with hysteria from the right
Talk, talk, talk, and type, type, type about how Someone (else) should do Something about mental health but without raising anyone's taxes.
Did I miss anything?
8
He was a coward who stalked a woman on social media, a coward who cowered under a desk when police arrived, a coward who refused to give his name. Only one thing gave him power: his guns. Take away his guns and he’s nothing but an annoying fly to be swatted away. My heart breaks for the family and friends of the journalists who lost their lives doing their job. I worked at a newspaper just like this one – an aggressive daily staffed by everyday people united in pursuit of largely local news. I’m betting the police who came to the rescue and the doctors and nurses who fought to save the wounded cried just as hard as everyone else because that’s who these journalists were – members of a community in a small city where people routinely came together at crime scenes, courthouses and hospital corridors, united by news events. Journalists aren’t the enemy of the state, they’re people just like you and me, doing a job for lousy pay, under unforgiveable deadlines, in the service of their community. By god, the ones who escaped the bullets had the fortitude to put out a paper hours after their newsroom was riddled by gunfire, hours after seeing their friends shot to death. Picture it happening in your own office – now imagine going right back to work and doing your job. That’s the definition of courage.
20
This is pretty much what Trump demanded, right? He's been calling the press enemies of the people, he's been calling for violence. Others like Milo Yiannopolous directly advocated attacking the press.
This is not just any everyday mass shooting, as happen all the time nowadays, this is a direct consequence of Trump's war on the press. This is an early step in the transformation of America from a democracy to a fascist state. Be warned, and fight these tyrants before it's too late.
15
Dan,
Are you trying to provoke a Civil War?
This Criminal started his threats under Obama and his grievances were personal not political! He made clear to all who would listen that he intended to commit this act years in advance!
No one listened or if they did they didn’t believe him!
It’s well past time to take those who threaten violance at their word! It’s well past time to stop them when they promise violance!
This would also include threats of violance issued in public places or forums because of one’s political or social views!
3
I usually agree with you.
I don't on this one.
Do you ignore the facts.
From the little we know we can definitely say Trump's war on the press was not the reason this happened.
Why would you say it did.
I thought you were able to see the truth and was not one of the people who comment who can not see beyond their political ideology.
I guess I was wrong.
Yet another mass murder that was presaged by violent behavior against a woman (yes, I’m referring to the stalking and harassment). A lot of these could be prevented if only we took domestic violence and sexual predation crimes in this country more seriously, especially as far as future gun access is concerned.
11
How can someone convicted of a long term harassment campaign legally get a gun?
12
So Donald Trump tweeted out thoughts and prayers. That's comforting.
Our politicians never seem to run out of thoughts and prayers.
So how long until Trump is back to complaining about fake news and calling reporters enemies of the people?
And when it happens again, Sarah Sanders can be shocked and condemn violent attacks an innocent journalists.
I am just sick of this.
12
As a country, we have chosen guns, violence and fear as our norm for social interaction. The senseless and violent death of thousands gets synthesized daily in these mass shootings. We mourn their deaths. It is a choice. Thoughts and prayers are hollow, a waste of breath.
5
I think Trump's incessant berating of the Media contributes to the feelings of hatred growing in this country. A leader is suppose to create positive vibrations in any institution they lead. Trump is not a leader by any definition of the word. He fits the description of tyrant or dictator with his constant negativity. This negativity permeates the fabric of society and the unstable people validate their heinous actions with all the negative emotions promoted by leaders. A country should be evaluated by how the least of it's citizens are treated, not by making the rich richer. At what point will all the riches of the rich due anyone any good if the Nation has no civility. Instead of unifying the Nation Trump and his acolytes are stripping it for their own wealth enhancement. The number of hate crimes and homicides are symptomatic of a Nation that has lost it's soul to evil. All the wars, the murdering of innocent civilians by our drones is desensitizing our souls to a level of passive acceptance, as if it is normal behavior. The fact that people believe we just have to accept this is ludicrous. The polarizing of our Nation may lead us down the wrong path to our own self destruction due to apathy.
7
And what is the Presidential response? Thoughts and Prayers. How touching! And how original! Let's all take a moment to give thanks once again to the NRA, its enablers and profiteers. With their help we are being sent backwards in time to the Wild West when grudges and slights can get settled by gunfire but using today's weaponry. Now that's a win-win.
11
Elsewhere I saw at least one social media post this shooter had put up that seemed to indicate he'd been incited by Trump's rhetoric about fake news. Not mentioned here? Yes, he had a long history with this paper, but something got him riled up all over again.
6
This is heartbreaking.
Any moment now I am sure we will have a copy-pasted "thoughts and prayers" tweet from the same man who repeatedly calls the media "the enemy of the American people." The man who relentlessly - and often in cruel, personal, vulgar, sexist terms - attacks journalists. The man whose rallies include tshirts reading "1 Journalist, 1 Rope, 1 Tree, Some Assembly Required." The man who dismisses any story that isn't a right-wing propaganda piece of flattery straight out of Korea Norea's press department as "fake news."
During this administration, more than ever, I remain eternally grateful for the Fourth Estate who repeatedly shines light into darkness, gives a voice to the voiceless, and holds the powerful accountable. Godpseed to the Capital Gazette as you rebuild from the tragedy, and godspeed to the news media who endures a different type of attack day after day.
13
And in the mean time it was reported that the NYPD has posted extra security around newspaper offices in NYC. I don't understand what has happened to this country but it is not good by any stretch of the imagination.
10
"Guns don't kill people" is the biggest lie perpetrated by self-interested, self-important organizations and people who don't understand the U.S. Constitution. The 2nd Amendment makes plain that "the people" is understood as that community of the people protected by the newly established laws of the nation, in the context of a recent war for independence against an oppressor. The right to bear arms relates manifestly in this context to the ability to keep a "well regulated militia," and not to grant to people who have persuaded themselves it's their God-given right the ability to buy AK-47s and store multiple guns in their basement or bedroom. Former Chief Justice Warren Burger rightly described this delusion: "A fraud on the American public." Now we can count on editorials from apologists who will cite the 2nd Amendment incorrectly, statements from the NRA blaming journalists for not packing a piece, and a few irrational wanderings from those stubble-bearded folks who waffle on about how important hunting was to them when they grew up and is part of their culture. Whatever. Nowhere else in the civilized world is this problem of gun violence so profound and so tragic. What does that make the deluded defenders of untrammeled gun rights? Uncivilized.
12
Andrew,
As the U.K. is currently considering removing the points from knives because of the increase in stabbings, they having already removed most of the guns. Perhaps we should add “steak knives don’t kill people either” to that?
Taking this Criminal at his word years ago might have prevented this tragedy!
3
What should they have done.
This morning I feel an unbearable sadness. Not only for the loss of these people but for the loss of what this country used to be. Common sense, truth, and fact are now anomalies. Money, greed, and selfishness are now the norms. We need a revolution and it starts at the ballot box. Vote those who continue to support laws that allow this senseless violence to continue out of office!
9
Donald Trump has inflamed public opinion in the most derisive and derogatory words and phrases he can muster. Trump's relentless and brutal attacks on the press and media encouraged this violence and set the stage. The inflammatory and false claims of fake news have made a once revered and critical part of American Democracy a target of the extreme right and right wing ideologues.
“This was a targeted attack on the Capital Gazette,” and Mr. Trump helped determine the target through his calculated formula of discrediting the press and manipulation of public opinion through his false claims and attacks.
Donald Trump is at war with the press. He refuses to acknowledge the credibility and great importance of a free press in a democracy and he believes, truly believes that the members of the press are in engaged in a conspiracy of delegitimization of his presidency.
For those reasons we must hold not only the shooter responsible but we must also hold Mr. Trump and his supporters accountable for their part in creating a charged atmosphere of distrust and violence.
It has been said that a free press and free speech are the shields of democracy. Donald Trump is wielding his sword against our freedoms. He would see us at war without selves and afraid to criticize our government. Trump would have us believe that the press is our enemy.
We know who the enemy is and what he stands for. Donald Trump must cease his attacks on our free press and media. Hold Trump accountable.
10
Jay,
“Facts” are wonderful! This Criminal started his threats against this newspaper under Obama! Tragically no one took him at his word! Again!
1
Fact is, he ACTED under Trump.
Why was this man permitted to won a gun?
4
Trump, Inciter in Chief + NRA + Spineless Legislators = Deadly Attacks on the Media.
It was only a matter of time, from the hateful, rabid verbal attacks at Trump rallies to yesterday's murders at the Gazette.
7
Seriously? You obviously didn't read anything about this incident. This man was angry because of a lawsuit he lost a couple of times against the paper for defamation back in 2011. What on earth does that have to do with Trump?
So you think the POTUS attacks against the press have no influence.
3
I am so tired of hearing Liar Sanders and the Liar in Chief send condolences to families whose members have been shot by people who should never have possessed a gun.
Thank you to each and every hard working journalist and their support staff--without you we would already be a totalitarian state under Trump and his money sucking cronies. Please keep up the good work.
20
A killer nerd, literally. An enraged male, that feels entitled, then wronged. Gee, what could happen ??? My sincere condolences to the families of the victims. Collateral damage in the NRA/GOP Gun Worship. Seriously.
11
Phyliss,
Since you want to make this tragedy Political. Perhaps if the Obama DOJ had have investigated this Criminal’s death threats years ago this tragedy would have been prevented!
But Again they did not! Again!
1
Richard : " want " ??? NO. It IS political. Guns for all, murder made EASY. Seriously.
2
"Thoughts and prayers" indeed, from the president who tells his rally crowds to rough up reporters, praises authoritarian thugs like Viktor Orban, who says journalists should be eliminated, and kneels before Good Buddy Putin, who just has them routinely murdered.
11
Enough with the thoughts and prayers. VOTE in November. Get law makers into Congress who will pass laws that protect we the people, not just the super rich.
This country has to change and grow up, or people will continue to move elsewhere.
9
Forget the issues. Forget the politics. This is just very sad. We’ve become a country of very sad and very angry people with lower taxes and a humming economy. I don’t know about you, but that just makes me feel sad.
6
A little over a century ago, a Supreme Court Justice made the case for the limits of free speech, citing someone falsely yelling fire in a crowded theater. Is it merely a coincidence that this tragedy occurs in a time when the leader of the nation has created a toxic atmosphere, demeaning and insulting anyone who does not curry his favor, particularly those in the media? And he encourages, directly and by example, others to do likewise, even going so far as to incite violence upon individuals at his rallies who don't agree with him?
11
The Think System worked so well for Professor Harold Hill in The Music Man. Why aren’t thoughts and prayers proving effective for gun control?
6
For me, the worst part of this story is how utterly unremarkable it is in light of the countless mass shootings which have flashed across headlines and "devastated" the nation for all of three days before the next one happens or before the press moves onto another sensationalized story. Details and nuance and compassion become lost in the fray of bullets, drowned by overwhelmingly hollow thoughts and prayers. I don't want to be numb any longer to tragedies like this one - and in fact, I'd love for them not to happen at all. There is a very simple solution to pervasive gun violence and it is utterly shameful that the people and elected officials of the United States do not listen to the heartache of a nation ravaged by guns.
10
I served in Iraq and Afghanistan in our military. My dad served in combat in WW II. It's patriotism, to defend our Constitution and Bill of Rights.
These newspaper victims, and all in the Press who accurately report and write about the news, are just as patriotic. They are heroes. This is a terrible tragedy. It also highlights the the fact that the Press is under increasing siege in our country. Well, it is not "fake news" that 5 upstanding and accomplished patriots are dead for doing the work of a Free Press that is essential to our democracy.
Americans appreciate veterans. We should just as much appreciate all who accurately and with intelligence report the news.
25
This attack was not part of our "gun problem" because the shooter used a weapon that almost no one proposes banning or restricting. In fact, it could have actually an "isolated" incident.
But it also could be another symptom of our sick, sick country where terrorism is so prevalent and extreme violence is talked about and even encouraged from the top down as appropriate action against one's enemies.
Our widespread hatred, encouraged and exemplified by our leadership, some media and so rampant on social media is a glaring sign of our rotting society.
We are witnessing the early stages of the fall of the once great American empire.
I believe humans are just not mentally, morally or emotionally equipped to progress much farther than we have.
But we can look at the up side: Think what a beautiful place Earth would be without humans.
3
The "thoughts and prayers" response was so predictable and hollow. The endless stream of innocent lives lost to gun violence is a tragic cliche. Enough with the wishes! It's time for sensible gun control now.
12
My mother-in-law, widowed after more than 60 years of marriage to her Presbyterian husband is still a master of appropriate platitudes. “My thoughts and prayers are with you” remains the standard, even when “thoughts and prayers” now seem like a throwaway sentiment. Our thoughts are becoming more desperate and our prayers seem to go unanswered. From meaningful gun control in the US to the menacing words directed at the press, nothing feels sacred, nothing feels solid or safe.
After hearing this horrific news, my first thought was that an extremist had targeted journalists who held an opposing political point of view; my prayer was “oh please god, don't let that be true.” Lost in my initial thoughts and prayers were the innocent victims, but then, this is where we are now, isn't it?
1
At the risk of being accused of politicizing another mass shooting tragedy in two ways, I offer the following. One is that other then the usual “thoughts & prayers” nonsense this will be spun by the second amendment absolutists as another example of why everyone should carry guns, live in constant fear of each other and further enrich the arms industry. The second is the usual expressions of sympathy from Trump and his spokesperson ring even more hollow then usual. Aren’t these people representative of the journalists that Trump calls “the enemy of the people” and has urged his supporters to “do your part to fight back against” while referring to journalists in deeply disparaging terms. I’m sorry but really after the last two years didn’t anyone else think that this was someone acting on Trumps thinly veiled prompts to attack the press? That this would be one of the first thoughts any of us would have is reflective of the world that Trump encourages us to live in and compounds this tragedy even more.
10
this will pass in just a matter of days. we are inoculated and numb. when this country did nothing after sandy hook, i knew we were in trouble, but i had no idea the frequency of tragedy that has befallen this country. i tend to blame our system of privately funded elections, allowing extreme influence by extreme outliers to dominate. our government does not govern, especially now, it only self-perpetuates. i am sad over this mass shooting.
7
America continues to be the violent society it has always been, ruled by the gun. If I were back in the States, then I would arm myself, no doubt about it.
Just as every household in Afghanistan has an AK-45 leaning against the wall behind the front door, on 2018 every American needs to be be armed because that's the messed up society you've created.
It's crazy I know. But you can't put the toothpaste back in the tube. Even if the USA implemented strict gun control, which of course is extremely unlikely, I'm not sure it would work because the country now is simply awash with guns and millions of boxes of stores away ammo.
4
Donald Trump" "my thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families"......and not an ounce of gun control.
In other words, "drop dead, America....we'll pray for you when your dead and your life is shattered by our right-wing manmade national shooting gallery.....free-DUMB !"
The United States and Yemen have similar gun violence and murder rates.
The Guns Over People party deserves to die on November 6 2018.
VOTE.
25
This was a shotgun and would never be subject to measures to keep them from someone who....
'had no prior criminal history'
2
S,
Once again you politicize tragedy! This Criminal was known for his death threats by the authorities and even the victims for years prior to yesterday! No one did anything about the threats!
Had anyone taken this Criminal seriously this tragedy might have been avoided!
1
I found Huckabee Sanders' comments to be beyond hypocritical. She verbally attacks, belittles, and abuses journalists every day for doing their jobs. It is not a great leap to see how relentless attacks against the free press by Trump, Sanders and their ilk might have played a role in the decision by the shooter to take his ill-founded grievance to a fatal level.
17
She gets hungry, so she's pretending to be nice now.
"A violent attack on innocent journalists doing their job is an attack on every American."
That might have been a strong statement from the White House on how essential freedom of the press is to America had it not been qualified by the peculiar word "innocent". Was blamelessness supposed to distinguish these journalists from those called repeatedly and again quite recently "enemies of the people" by SHS's boss?
But yes: it is an attack on everyone who wants to live in a civilized country. It is especially an attack on everyone who wants to go to work in the morning without worrying about a deranged gunman having unchecked access to weaponry for carrying out his warped fantasies of vengeance.
I'm not sure it's a "new front." It certainly is another senseless bloodbath during which people just trying to lead their lives were sacrificed to our uncontrolled gun lust.
I don't know what it feels like to lose loved ones under these circumstances. I am sorry we've done nothing to prevent a fresh round of mourning. I am sorry for the families' grief. But mainly I'm sickened and angry at the violent pointlessness of it all.
103
Another person using a gun to solve a problem that can’t be solved with a gun. One of a hundred or so a day that do so. Cause in our country’s culture, guns solve everything. Fear. Anger. Loss of trust. Jealousy. Despair. Inadequacy. Just buy a gun, use a gun, and you can do anything.
33
The people who have spread fear and loathing about the free press, and asked them to be 'taken out' are culpable for this horrendous tragedy. It starts in the White House, and percolates down to the diners in which I overhear people - far away from our legislative bodies. These good Americans have a clear solution to their problems with immigrants, minorities, free press, thinking people; i.e., take them out.
The countries where media rank and file are targeted are China and Russia. We have now joined this group, not because our law enforcement is doing this, but because our politicians are provoking lunatic versions of vigilantes.
The brilliance of republicans has always been getting one group of people to hate another group of people. Reagan accomplished the near impossible; he got the middle class to hate the poor and working class (who have since pretty much gone poof), and religious people to hate secularists. Trump has succeeded wildly in getting Americans not only to hate immigrants, minorities, but also what he terms "deep state" and the "fake news."
We have taken an irreversible step toward dangerous anarchy in the country. Because this incident will be defended by the Republic of Fox, Church, Limbaugh and Alex Jones, giddily supported by most republicans. A nation given to moral and intellectual equivocation and vacuousness under the guise of "arguing both sides" has clearly lost our marbles.
74
It is, to me, even more sinister for this reason. Had this been the way of would be Americans, the founders the Republicans are so fond of lauding and aligning with, there would never have been a United States of America. To assume the republic can withstand the constant attacks is a hubris beyond folly. It is a threat to continued existence.
1
One useful investigative news article would be to detail how many mass murderers in the last few decades are / have been NRA members.
The NRA is to the firearms industry what Fox News is to the Republican party; both are extremely effective promotional and propaganda tools.
For the sake of our nation's safety and sanity, both organizations should be subject to more effective reporting of their methods and their consequences.
37
Five of their 30 staff taken away so tragically yesterday, yet they publish for today.
If that is not true grit, I don’t know what is.
Bravo Capital Gazette.
You, and not that person too shamed to even gave his name, personify America.
104
Another unspeakable tragedy perpetrated by disgruntled or deranged people with guns. The "my thoughts and prayers are with you crowd" need to seriously consider gun control legislation.They want armed guards in schools, malls, churches and now newsrooms.- we cannot be protected by armed people.We need some sensible gun control legislation.It is way past time to do it but as long as the NRA funds campaigns for congress and the senate nothing will pass.I don't see a tipping point when guns rights folks will have seen enough carnage to act on even modest proposals.
49
When you demonize journalists and call them unpatriotic, you encourage attacks. Mr. Trump's thoughts and prayers are the height of hypocracy.
181
Hmmm, what in the world could have prompted such an attack? Could it be that the relentless drumbeat of verbal attacks on journalists across all media, from the highest office in the land, were just enough to tip over an unbalanced person? Maybe?
130
Using your rationale, Maxine Waters should be held responsible if there are any violent acts committed against people working for the Trump administration.
Yes, she should, if that were to happen.
the current president is stumped, he had to comment and used his fallback line of offering thanks to the first responders. After declaring the press to be the enemy of the people, I'm sure he is conflicted. Although there is no evidence at this time as to the shooters motive. The pretender to the throne has to realize that his histrionic chants are dangerous. #45 has declared war on the press. We should no longer use his name in print. His name is everything, let's deny him that honorific.
93
You are right Tom, but one thing I'm sure of is that he IS NOT conflicted, simply because he has no consciencwe, no sense of guilt, the definition of a psychopathic personality.
Thanks deplorablesm it will take generations to get this country back!
1
Hmmm... I see no evidence of he that shall not be named is conflicted at all.
All countries have disturbed people. We are unique among major nations in allowing them to arm themselves.
168
The shooter does seem like a disturbed individual. So once again we are going to blame this on mental illness and side step the main problem: GUNS.
Rinse and repeat...
118
The gun lobby, embodied in the National Rifle Association is a small, well funded, internet-enabled self interest group that is literally holding all Americans hostage, preventing any and all strategies or tactics to reduce mass killings. The NRA immediately casts doubt on any proposed solution, blames existing enforcement of shirking their duties, financially threatens politicians with score cards, encourages their members to actively protest firearm ownership rules and proclaims their wrong interpretation of the second amendment as the reason we must all put up with this infringement on Americans' rights. Solution one: amend the second amendment. The fact that the amendment exists should be enough evidence to the doubtful that amendments to the constitution are in themselves constitutionally allowable. "Given the need for a well regulated militia to protect against a foreign tyrant, the right of all regulated militia members to bare arms will not be infringed and the right of all Americans to the provision of public safety will not be infringed."
Solution two: Remove all firearms from public, unregulated ownership and destroy them. Yes, in spite of the NRA's position that such would not solve the latest attacks, that it would be physically impossible, unconstitutional, Americans need to look at whatever other countries have done and follow suit. Solution three, Americans should stop being stupid sheep, become wolfe-like voters and start solving their insane problem.
67
Isn't it interesting how much money the Russians gave to the NRA who then gave it to Republican politicians? It's almost as if Russia expects us to just kill ourselves off...
1
We MUST have sensible campaign finance laws. I fear that nothing will change if we cannot get private money out of politics.
I am so sorry. Although I didn’t know any of the people that were killed. I am familiar with one victim’s brother who is a writer of a very popular children’s book series. I am sorry for all of those killed, injured, and traumatized. As of school teacher I believe that it is only a matter of time before the same exact thing happens in my building. I’ve had nightmares. Every day I talk to children and try to get them to understand that violence is not the way to solve any problem or perceived grievance.
40
Not to make a pleading for special treatment, but at some level, actions like this leveled at news organizations are more serious in a societal sense than similar actions against others. Because we as a society rely on the media to report on the news without fear or favor. And any action such as this that might possibly result in reporters backing off a story that has to be told hurts us all.
42
Devastating. Heartbreaking and devastating. I knew one of the victims, Rob Hiaasen. A gentle, compassionate, charming, witty, talented man.
And this kind of horror will just go on and on and on in this country. It will never change in my lifetime.
Three more years until my husband's retirement. Then we're getting out of here for good. My god, it can't come fast enough.
142
I felt the same way, but I think we should stay and fight. This country needs every single decent folk to stand up and scream to their Congressional Representatives, "Enough! Stop this Mad Man, Trump!"
We've got a chance in November to make some changes. Vote and make sure a like-minded friend votes too.
2
"He had a long history of conflict with the Capital Gazette....." What is wrong with people? Nothing, absolutely nothing surprises me anymore. We crossed that bridge a long time ago and truly, the America that I grew up in is now a figment of my imagination. It was a good run.
60
'I've seen the future/And it is murder'
-- Leonard Cohen
My thoughts and prayers go out to those who believe that expressions of thoughts and prayers in the aftermath of mass shootings is an adequate response to the continuing problem of too many guns in this country.
169
The continuing problem we face is the continuing decision of the United States Congress to facilitate mass murder. That is the only explanation for their inaction on Capitol Hill.
2
Apologies to the families and friends of those killed, maimed or injured, but it has been a busy year and I have quite simply run out of thoughts and prayers.
52
The President's attorney, Michael Cohen, was aired threatening a reporter for doing his job in a story several months ago. It was related to statements Trump's ex wife made about Trump raping her during their marriage. I can't believe he was not criminally charged for terroristic threats or harassment. The President has gone on to post a tweet of him beating a person with the CNN logo on his face and regularly encourages his followers to attack the press. There needs to be a serious approach to the consequences for these actions or this tragedy will keep happening to journalists.
208
Unfortunately (due to many circumstances) there are many "angry" people out there. We see their "misplaced anger" daily with killings and other crime. It seems to happen more today especially with the atmosphere of "hate" the media, Hollywood, athletes, put forth daily. People do not like their lifestyle, race, where they live, who they were born to, where they were born, politics, this president and anything/anyone else one can blame. Everyone wants what the other guy has (has worked for) and it does not seem "fair" to them. This anger/resentment is a poison; eventually it erupts and the people suffer.
9
Wow Jan, perhaps you are the one with misplaced hate in your heart. Just read back your comment, it’s totally illogical. It’s the “media, professional athletes, and Hollywood” that are fomenting jealousy of what they have? It makes no sense. In fact, believe it or not a large number of people see themselves represented in all parts of life EXCEPT the halls of government, that is where the frustration lies.
It makes no sense because you know exactly what the reason is. People didn’t vote for the media, Hollywood, or athletes, they voted for a sick demented individual that foments hostility everywhere he goes, his surrogates take ADVANTAGE OF THE MEDIA, and spew more divisive invectives ad nauseam.
The fish rots from the head down. You would do well to remember that.
4
Add to that anger millions of guns with millions more made and sold every year, and it's no surprise disputes are settled with guns. When will we wake up and end this madness. Every nation has angry people, only the USA pays in lives lost to guns.
With your comments on athletes and race, are you dismissing people who don't want to be murdered by the police as merely, "wanting what the other guy has"?
2
It is inappropriate to describe yesterday's mass shooting at a newspaper office as a "new front" - as if these mass shootings are part of some organized terror campaign, or as if we now know where we need to focus increased security efforts These shootings are random acts of violence by random, obviously disturbed individuals who, because of the proliferation of guns in this country have easy access to guns, even in states like Maryland, which has strict gun rules. If the status quo is permitted to continue, expect "new fronts" to open up in any location which presents an opportunity for the shooter to kill lots of people in a short period of time.
184
Jay,
The U.K. has few guns but is now considering removing the points from knives because of a dramatic increasing in stabbings. The issue there and here in this case is the criminals with things that could be weapons not the guns, cars, trucks and steak knives that the criminals misuse.
This criminal was known to the authorities since at least 2011 and had issued threats as recently.as the last few days. Many of his past threats involved serious harm and even death directed at this newspaper’s staff.
This sort of tragedy will continue to occur until the authorities and the rest of us take those on social media who threaten harm and death seriously.
If shouting fire in a crowded place is not protected speech neither is making any physical threats and those doing so need to be taken at their word rather than being ignored.
If that had happened in this case, these poor victims might not be dead or injured today.
4
I've never been comfortable around armored trucks and famous people, as they have long been targets for attacks, but there is no place that is not a target now.
The 'new front' idea has to do with copycat killings. Remember going postal? More recently, it has been 'going school'; 'going newsroom' may be the new thing.
That said, it's not just the number of guns but the mindset that sees guns as the answer - that makes the 'good guys' and 'bad guys' with guns flip sides of the same coin, both seeing guns as the answer.
3
This is what happens when society protects guns more than people.
Our outdated response to this continuing disease should bring fear to the civilized. Yet for now, we will bury our dead again and await the next onslaught.
83
There's nothing `fake' about the grief and sorrow that now hangs over the Capitol Gazette newsroom. There's nothing `fake' about the pain now gripping the victim's families and friends. This country is sick. It is awash in bloodshed. The national dialogue is a disgrace, starting with the National Embarrassment. The default `thoughts and prayers' should be for all of us, not just the latest victims of America's grotesque gun violence. And guess what? Nothing will ever change. This is the red, white and blue.
48
The model set by the occupant of the highest office is to lash at and attack anyone who even remotely disagrees with you. No, of course Trump isn't directly to blame for this man's decision to murder five people, but you'll notice he originally resorted to the courts to punish his perceived persecutors. The standard of acceptable behavior is being changed in this country for the worse.
80
As much as I'd like to, I don't think we can blame Trump, any more than we can blame the mental health system or drugs or whatever. These things happened under Obama, if you'll remember, a most civil man.
Nope. It's guns. It's guns and only guns. Nothing but guns. Other countries have their share of angry people, but they don't have shootings because they don't have guns.
It's the guns. Wish I could make a clever acronym out of that, but I can't. It's just, plain...it's the guns.
And Sarah Huckster Sanders, again showing her tenuous grasp on irony, "A violent attack on innocent journalists doing their job is an attack on every American.” Isn't that what her boss does every day?
2
More "thoughts and prayers" from the WH. They don't appear to be getting the job done, as the nation continues to be assaulted by armed and murderous individuals in schools, churches, shopping malls, nightclubs, theaters and newsrooms. We need assertive leadership to solve this national crisis, not more pandering to the gun lobby.
48
Alan,
It would have helped in this case to take seriously the years of threats against this newspaper by this Criminal.
That did not happen and this is the result. Again!
4
True enough. As with the Florida school shooting in February and so many others, the red flags were ignored. The combination of angry and unstable people, firearms and denial is deadly. Angry and unstable people are going to continue to be angry and unstable, so we need to address firearms and denial.
1
The shooter had a long-running dispute with the Capital Gazette dating back to 2011. Former executive editor Tom Marquardt said he "long feared" Ramos would shoot them. Those of you who are blaming this on Trump's relationship with the press are effectively removing the accountability from where it belongs: the man who harassed a woman, told her to go hang herself, and then killed five people because he thought he was being defamed. Why would you aid in his defense?
33
Thank you for the only truly relevant comment. Stalking domestic violence hatred of women with shotgun as weapon of choice.
3
The man was not unaware of what he was doing but he was not in control of his own mind either, he was deluded. He blamed others for reflecting what he was and he was dangerously outraged at them. He was going to harm people by any means he could use.
I don't see it quite that way....To not include that this continual barrage of violent, vicious insults, calls to harm and confront total strangers if they do not agree with you can set someone like this off the edge. Especially if he finds comfort in those actions by the words of our POTUS.
2
Families who have lost a loved one to "illegal aliens" are called Angel Families and get special seats at Trump rallies. Shouldn't families who have lost loved ones to unrestricted gun sales and ownership get a special name and status too? Sadly, the latter group is much, much larger than the former. Maybe there just arent enough special seats at rallies to hold them all.
106
This difference, Carr kleeb, is that these mass shooters are white, American males.
4
Maybe, if they approach with a jacket that says I don't care,do you" might get them special privileges.
We have become a land of grievance and guns.
76
I am now convinced that the majority of Americans have zero respect for human life. There is nothing but a slow motion civil war underway which leaves both politicians and the masses largely indifferent.
Well that will make the NRA, their political allies & the weapon manufactures happy. For the rest of us not so much :(
1
We were horrified as this shooting and its consequences unfolded, especially following a right-winger's clarion call to attack and kill journalists. The Capitol Gazette's offices are directly across the street from a major shopping mall, on one of the busier thoroughfares in Annapolis. I often shop there, see doctors there, and meet up for lunch with friends there. The carnage could have been much worse. At its heart, Annapolis is still a small town that has suffered a major tragedy. My prayers go out to the families and friends of the victims.
38
It's wrong to blame Trump directly for another person's actions. But this man's issue with the paper happened years ago, and he's been hating and resenting this newspaper ever since. The right's increasing calls for violence against the media, and our president constantly saying journalists are "the enemy of the people" are absolutely relevant. This man very well could have used both to justify his actions to himself. It isn't "insensitive" or "too soon". The words of powerful people have weight. They have consequences.This is why so many of us have such a problem with the way Trump speaks. My office had an active shooter drill just a couple weeks ago. This could be any of us. I don't want to be afraid to go to work just because the President doesn't like people like me.
57