Sunday, September 22, 2024

Thoughts And Prayers, Thoughts And Prayers: Mass Shooting In Birmingham!

Another mass shooting in Birmingham, Alabama.

I normally do a long posting about the failures of Congress, President Joe Biden, former president Donald J. Trump, former president Barack Obama and former president George W. Bush. 

I am just going to flat out say it:

These idiots can't stop gun violence or Israel.

Another mass shooting in the United States and the usual remarks from lawmakers is "thoughts and prayers" or "my heart goes out to."

In the case of how Trump puts it, "we've got to get over it."

I am paraphrasing Trump but that is the shallow theme of his horrible campaign.

Mass shootings so far:
  • Chicago
  • Brooklyn, NY
  • Phoenix
  • Minneapolis 
  • Philadelphia 
  • St. Louis
  • Florissant, MO
  • Selma, AL
  • Louisville
  • Houston
  • Alexandria, LA
  • Nashville
  • Suffolk, VA
  • Amarillo, TX
  • Miami Gardens, FL
  • London, KY
  • Ellwood City, PA
  • Washington, DC
  • Milwaukee
  • Winder, GA
Those in BOLD had multiple mass shootings.

President Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey, Sen. Katie Britt (R-AL), Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) and the U.S. Representatives were notified of the latest mass shooting in the city of Birmingham.

Birmingham is the state's third largest city and the state's most populated metropolitan area.

Before we get into this, Black on whatever violence narrative, I want to make this clear:

Most gun violence occurs when legal owners commit violent acts. It isn't about criminality. It's about access to firearms. Most Americans are legal carry and most of the shooters were legal owners.

This latest mass shooting killed four people and wounded 17 others in a popular nightlife area in Birmingham, Alabama, with many of the victims caught in the crossfire, police said Sunday.

Most guns are owned by lawful individuals and the police.

Police Chief Scott Thurmond said at a news conference that authorities believe the intended target was among the dead and that the shooting may have been “a hit” conducted in exchange for payment.

Investigators believe the other victims were caught in the crossfire and that there were multiple shooters. More than 100 shell casings were found at the scene.

The shooting happened shortly after 11 p.m. Saturday in Five Points South, a district filled with entertainment venues, restaurants and bars that is often crowded on weekend nights.

Thurmond said multiple suspects pulled up in a vehicle, got out, fired shots, got back in the vehicle and fled.

Police said officers found two men and a woman on a sidewalk with gunshot wounds and they were pronounced dead there.

An additional male gunshot victim was pronounced dead at a hospital, according to police.

By early Sunday, after victims began showing up at hospitals, police had identified 17 people with injuries, some of them life-threatening, Officer Truman Fitzgerald said in an email.

Authorities were asking for the public’s help for tips as they searched for the shooters.

Birmingham has 65% Black population and it often a target of far right attacks on racial violence.

So I just want to say that the Second Amendment is White, period.

A bullet does not care about color. We all bleed red and so many lives are lost to gun violence and Republicans offer no solutions other than "thoughts and prayers" with a touch of "lock em up."

Gun violence is the number one threat in the United States.

I dismiss this ridiculous notion that criminals are the problem, not the guns. Firearms are often obtained through legal purchases. 

Again, having more security, teachers being armed and offering safe rooms are not solving the problem. The problem is lawmakers not willing to stop gun violence.

According to the far rightWhite shooters are mentally ill. Black shooters are unrepentant thugs and criminals. Gay shooters are active groomers. Muslim shooters are terrorists. Hispanic and Asian shooters are illegal immigrants. According to the far right, almost all white [or non-white] mass shooters are registered Democrats [or some progressive activist] because they have liked or done one thing common to the left. Of course, they often share or post disinformation by using the "Sam Hyde" meme or make bogus social media platforms with the shooter's image as a way to denounce most mass shooters being white or associated with conservative causes. The far right says a white person should "protect" themselves from thugs, terrorists or protesters. They believe the use of firearms are "justified" if they are protesting or even instigating a conflict. The far right believes if a shooter is a police officer, an active military member, a veteran or a citizen who supports conservative causes, they are considered a "heroes" and use of firearms are justified. If the shooters are teens in urban communities, the far right automatically assume the gunmen are Black.

The Republicans usually amplify white victims. Anytime a person of color kills a white victim, it is often wall-to-wall coverage on Fox, Twitter and they force it into national news. They make the case to blame Black Lives Matter, Barack Obama, Kamala Harris, Democrats, Rev. Al Sharpton and rap music for Black on whatever violence. Republican lawmakers who do not live in urban neighborhoods often troll social media to talk about gun violence or crime in Chicago, Baltimore, Milwaukee and New York City while not doing a damn thing to stop it. If a white person shoots a Black person, the shooter is given the benefit of doubt. White shooters are given glowing profiles about their perfect lives and how friends noticed something but refused to do something. When it comes to Black shooters, automatic vilification. They don't see mental illness. They see it as gang violence, allegedly fatherless homes, Democratic policies or the need for more firearms. 

A popular nightclub is temporarily shut down because of this.

The far right and Republicans exploit gun violence in the Black community for culture wars and racism.

So in closing, expect more.

The website Officer Down is a memorial to those police officers who were killed in the line of duty. Those victims who don't get their names or accomplishments mentioned in the junk food media. Also the website the National Gun Violence Memorial also keeps record of the many individuals killed by gun violence. We are tracking police violence as well. 

Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (Lifeline) at 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or 988, or text the Crisis Text Line (text HELLO to 741741). Both services are free and available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The deaf and hard of hearing can contact the Lifeline via TTY at 1-800-799-4889. All calls are confidential. Contact social media outlets directly if you are concerned about a friend’s social media updates or dial 911 in an emergency. Learn more on the Lifeline’s website or the Crisis Text Line’s website.

The call number to the White House and U.S. Capitol is now going to be used. This is the official White House numbers 202-456-1111 and 202-456-1414. This is the Congress official phone number, 202-224-3121. Please be respectful to operators, staff members and elected leaders. Your calls are monitored by the U.S. Secret Service and U.S. Capitol Police. 

Let them know that "thoughts and prayers," "hearts going to" and "good guys with guns" are no longer acceptable and you want legislation to curb gun violence. Let them know that we are tired of police officers using immunity when committing death of suspects in custody. Let them know that you are tired of private equity firms getting away with destroying small businesses and long established companies. Let them know that you are tired of your taxpayer money going to foreign nations like Israel. You are tired of hearing about "Israel having a right to..." and the bogus claims of being anti-semitic or in support of terrorism. 

We have bigger issues at home and our tax dollars should solve the housing crisis, lowering food prices, fixing roads, bridges, helping reinvest in struggling urban and rural communities. We have hospitals closing, big box retailers leaving communities and television programs dying. There are bigger issues in the country than Israel. You want an immediate ceasefire and accountability for war crimes done by Israel. You want no more foreign influence in American elections. You also want to make sure future presidents and lawmakers avoid influence from lobbyists. 

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