The Impersonal Letters Sent From Arizona’s Senators To Aurora Victim’s Dad

[DonViejo]

A few weeks ago, Tom Teves, of Phoenix, sent his senators a letter. His 24-year-old son, Alex, was killed last year in the Aurora, Colo. movie theater massacre, and he wanted to tell them Alex’s story and encourage them to take action on guns.

What he got in response, he said, were cold, impersonal form letters from Sens. John McCain and Jeff Flake, both Republicans. Neither of the letters even addressed the Colorado massacre. In fact, they brought up an entirely different shooting, the schoolhouse killings in Newtown, Conn., and mentioned each senator’s ongoing support of the Second Amendment. It was like Alex Teves’ death hadn’t gotten through to the senators or their staffs.

-snip-

But as passionate as Teves’ draft emails were, the responses he received were equally dispassionate. Both senators got back to him, but their messages didn’t express condolences or even mention the Aurora shooting.

“Thank you for contacting my office regarding the tragic shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School, and its impact on federal gun legislation. I appreciate your taking the time to share your views with me,” McCain’s letter said in its opening.

Flake’s letter also opened with an impersonal reference to the Newtown massacre.

“As you may know, I am a strong supporter of the Second Amendment, and I do not believe that our society needs more laws restricting gun ownership,” Flake’s letter said. “What we really need is to do a better job of keeping guns out of the hands of those who should not have them, while ensuring that those who break existing laws are fully prosecuted.”

-snip-

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2013/02/arizona-senators-aurora-shooting-letters.php?ref=fpa

[Rex]

1. They don't give a shit. Both men are self absorbed assholes.

They only care about getting re-elected and loath the fact that it is People they have to rely on for such office. It is just a game and a career path for them. Tragedy is only good for them, if they can exploit it for political gain.

[alstephenson]

2. I have written Senator McCain several times.

Unfortunately, he is one of my Senators. If you request a response, you receive one of his cheesy form letter responses, no matter what issue you are addressing. You have to pick a subject from a drop down list, then you get the form letter response to that subject. Lazy and disrespectful of constituents.

[cali]

3. what sort of idiots staff those offices?

[lastlib]

5. Republicans. Knuckle-dragging, shit-flinging, booger-eating, pants-shitting, animal-fucking....

Republicans--but I repeat myself.....

[frylock]

4. these assholes can't even DEFINE "who who should not have them.."

considering that loughner, holmes, and lanza's mother were all law abiding gun owners. these dicks just want those sweet checks from the arms manufacturers to keep rolling in.