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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsGabby Gifford's just-published NYT op-ed: A Senate in the Gun Lobby’s Grip - Shame on them.
OP-ED CONTRIBUTOR
A Senate in the Gun Lobbys Grip
By GABRIELLE GIFFORDS
Published: April 17, 2013
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(snippets, more at the link below)
Some of the senators who voted against the background-check amendments have met with grieving parents whose children were murdered at Sandy Hook, in Newtown. Some of the senators who voted no have also looked into my eyes as I talked about my experience being shot in the head at point-blank range in suburban Tucson two years ago, and expressed sympathy for the 18 other people shot besides me, 6 of whom died. These senators have heard from their constituents who polls show overwhelmingly favored expanding background checks. And still these senators decided to do nothing. Shame on them.
I watch TV and read the papers like everyone else. We know what were going to hear: vague platitudes like tough vote and complicated issue. I was elected six times to represent southern Arizona, in the State Legislature and then in Congress. I know what a complicated issue is; I know what it feels like to take a tough vote. This was neither. These senators made their decision based on political fear and on cold calculations about the money of special interests like the National Rifle Association, which in the last election cycle spent around $25 million on contributions, lobbying and outside spending.
Speaking is physically difficult for me. But my feelings are clear: Im furious. I will not rest until we have righted the wrong these senators have done, and until we have changed our laws so we can look parents in the face and say: We are trying to keep your children safe. We cannot allow the status quo desperately protected by the gun lobby so that they can make more money by spreading fear and misinformation to go on.
I am asking every reasonable American to help me tell the truth about the cowardice these senators demonstrated. I am asking for mothers to stop these lawmakers at the grocery store and tell them: Youve lost my vote. I am asking activists to unsubscribe from these senators e-mail lists and to stop giving them money. Im asking citizens to go to their offices and say: Youve disappointed me, and there will be consequences.
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MORE:
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/04/18/opinion/a-senate-in-the-gun-lobbys-grip.html?_r=2&
Gabrielle Giffords, a Democratic representative from Arizona from 2007 to 2012, is a founder of Americans for Responsible Solutions, which focuses on gun violence.
mcar
(42,311 posts)Tx4obama
(36,974 posts)... on the link up above in the OP
elfin
(6,262 posts)Amazing.
Absolutely perfect.
TDale313
(7,820 posts)Cha
(297,196 posts)thanks for the link, kpete
jonthebru
(1,034 posts)Its about the survival of our Democratic way of life and self government.
movetoamend.org
anticorruptionact.org
These two efforts are a long shot, the Corporatists already have a strong steady grip on our government.
democrank
(11,094 posts)I wish the cowards who voted against this background check bill had half your courage.