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kpete

(71,901 posts)
Fri Apr 12, 2013, 09:11 PM Apr 2013

Mother Of 6-Year-Old Killed At Newtown To Deliver White House Weekly Address

Source: BuzzFeed

Mother Of 6-Year-Old Killed At Newtown To Deliver White House Weekly Address
Francine Wheeler will take Obama's place and push for action on gun violence


WASHINGTON — President Obama has turned over his weekly address to the mother of a 6-year-old boy killed in the Newtown, Connecticut, shooting.

Francine Wheeler, who has emerged as a prominent advocate for gun control since her son was killed at Sandy Hook Elementary on Dec. 14, will deliver the weekly address. It is usually posted to the White House website on Saturday mornings and typically consists of a brief address by Obama.

While it's rare for someone other than the president to deliver the weekly address, White House Press Secretary Jay Carney noted Friday that Vice President Biden has delivered the address in Obama's place before.

Carney said Obama selected Wheeler to help make the push for gun control. The Senate is set to take up legislation on the issue next week.

Read more: http://www.buzzfeed.com/evanmcsan/mother-of-six-year-old-killed-at-newtown-to-deliver-white-ho

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Mother Of 6-Year-Old Killed At Newtown To Deliver White House Weekly Address (Original Post) kpete Apr 2013 OP
Message auto-removed Name removed Apr 2013 #1
Of course, the gun nuts won't like this. mbperrin Apr 2013 #2
... Electric Monk Apr 2013 #12
wow dlwickham Apr 2013 #3
Shameless exploitation. Skip Intro Apr 2013 #4
Yawn. onehandle Apr 2013 #5
Now come on, he put a lot of work into that. Gidney N Cloyd Apr 2013 #8
Speaking the truth is easy. Skip Intro Apr 2013 #9
I like Cjk Dgg Electric Monk Apr 2013 #13
Guns are people too! onehandle Apr 2013 #10
Newtown just isn't disappearing fast enough Skittles Apr 2013 #15
Nope. These parents are experts in the topic of losing a child to gun violence. mbperrin Apr 2013 #16
you are right! those damn kids are trying to exploit their own deaths Botany Apr 2013 #17
Not to mention "you were never safer" and "you don't understand guns" and CTyankee Apr 2013 #23
I have often wondered how soon after the shootings in Newtown did the NRA hold meetings .... Botany Apr 2013 #24
actually, I think Rush is genuinely alarmed that this time is different. I'm glad to see CTyankee Apr 2013 #26
God, that face just breaks my heart all over again. smirkymonkey Apr 2013 #31
My son is now 18 but the faces of those little kids .... Botany Apr 2013 #33
Shameless Ignorance from you. Cha Apr 2013 #18
True. But truth and logic is viewed as overrated by some. AnotherMcIntosh Apr 2013 #19
Will you cut the crap with the whole "Only criminals use guns illegally" shit? Tommy_Carcetti Apr 2013 #30
And you wonder why gun control keeps failing. hack89 Apr 2013 #35
It speaks volumes when it take so much incredible effort..... Tommy_Carcetti Apr 2013 #39
The discussion needs to be in the middle, not at the fringes. hack89 Apr 2013 #40
Very moving. nt onehandle Apr 2013 #6
Works for me. Gidney N Cloyd Apr 2013 #7
Is it just me..? lib2DaBone Apr 2013 #11
I don't really understand your post but as I see it, the PARENTS are using this disaster riderinthestorm Apr 2013 #14
I have sympathy for the parents and believe they are being exploited by professional politicians. AnotherMcIntosh Apr 2013 #20
Look here is a woman getting a call from a "professional politician" Botany Apr 2013 #21
You are an OBVIOUS LIAR. AnotherMcIntosh Apr 2013 #27
How so? Please tell me. Botany Apr 2013 #29
To the faux "progressives" in this thread BumRushDaShow Apr 2013 #22
They're lobbying for useless legislation that's decades old. krispos42 Apr 2013 #38
One voice squashes billions in NRA gunrunner lobbyists. Sunlei Apr 2013 #25
If I'm ever killed by something that is preventable... DemocraticProse Apr 2013 #28
+ Me too. nt alsame Apr 2013 #32
Absolutely! rhiannon55 Apr 2013 #34
I live a few towns away from Newtown. The parents Jennicut Apr 2013 #36
Post removed Post removed Apr 2013 #37

Response to kpete (Original post)

Skip Intro

(19,768 posts)
4. Shameless exploitation.
Fri Apr 12, 2013, 10:07 PM
Apr 2013

That's just what it is.

The same way the right used 9*11 to manipulate people into supporting attacking Iraq, Obama and those who want to put as big a dent in the RKBA as possible use these poor victims to push their agenda, claiming what they're trying to do is needed to prevent such another tragedy, when in fact, nothing being talked about, publicly anyway, would have stopped Lanza.

Mass murders account for less than one percent of gun deaths in America, but these poor people are being used as stage props to push for tighter gun restrictions, while the vast majority of gun violence in America is committed by criminals and gang members who will laugh at whatever laws are passed to restrict law-abiding Americans from protecting themselves.

Emotional manipulation. It blows my mind to see it so effectively used that some people become eager to set aside logic and honesty in favor of blind support for vague goals that seek to erode the rights of everyone. I mean, the fact that they're using, unrelentingly, victims of a type of crime that is such a tiny part of gun violence in America should be clue they aren't being straight with us. The fact that they'd put so much effort into trying to win support by manipulating people on an emotional level should be a glaring neon sign that something ain't right.

I mean, it is as if to say, "If you want to stop young school children from being gunned down, you'll support us, and if you don't you must be a heartless member of the "black helicopter crowd" who proves by non-support of us and our vague goals that you support the mass-murder of children."

Well designed PR campaign to exploit a tragedy to manipulate enough of the public emotionally into support of some vague goal. That kinda thing has a recent history of working. I'm just surprised more here don't see it for what it is this time around.

mbperrin

(7,672 posts)
16. Nope. These parents are experts in the topic of losing a child to gun violence.
Fri Apr 12, 2013, 11:06 PM
Apr 2013

I'm not, thankfully, so I will defer to them, just as I do my dentist when he recommends something beyond my own training, which is education.

How's your expert rating on losing a child to gun violence? No, hasn't happened? Well, then, open your mind and learn something. Or do you fill your own teeth?

Botany

(70,291 posts)
17. you are right! those damn kids are trying to exploit their own deaths
Fri Apr 12, 2013, 11:31 PM
Apr 2013

Last edited Sat Apr 13, 2013, 11:02 AM - Edit history (1)



Come on America ..... get over it and move on because those kids and teachers were just
a small % of those killed by guns in America in 2012.

Did I tell you about "long guns, laws on the books, all those people killed by hammers,
the problems w/our mental health system, 2nd amendment freedoms, automatic vs semi
automatic rifles, Chicago's tough gun laws, and ........ "

CTyankee

(63,771 posts)
23. Not to mention "you were never safer" and "you don't understand guns" and
Sat Apr 13, 2013, 09:23 AM
Apr 2013

mocking Rep. Carolyn McCarthy's comment "the thing that goes up."

Tweety showed a brief clip of Rushbo yesterday where he said the Newtown parents were "human shields" of the gun control crowd. So, expect more, not less, along that line. Funny that we should see Rushbo paraphrased here, but there it is...

Botany

(70,291 posts)
24. I have often wondered how soon after the shootings in Newtown did the NRA hold meetings ....
Sat Apr 13, 2013, 09:37 AM
Apr 2013

... on how to manage "this situation."

I have hunted and owned guns for years and as a father the Newtown Shootings
have shook me to the core ..... The proliferation of guns in America have led to
a proliferation of gun deaths and failure to do anything will no doubt lead to more
gun tragedies.

BTW If Rush is against something then I know it is the right thing to do.

CTyankee

(63,771 posts)
26. actually, I think Rush is genuinely alarmed that this time is different. I'm glad to see
Sat Apr 13, 2013, 09:43 AM
Apr 2013

that Obama doubled down and let this Newtown mother deliver her piece as his weekly address. That speaks volumes in and of itself.

Alex Witt was clearly moved when she played it on her show this morning. That mother's face as she talked is unforgettable.

 

smirkymonkey

(63,221 posts)
31. God, that face just breaks my heart all over again.
Sat Apr 13, 2013, 02:59 PM
Apr 2013

He reminds me of my nephew. What a sweet little boy was Nate Pozner. I am in tears seeing his darling little face again. This tragedy can never happen again.

Botany

(70,291 posts)
33. My son is now 18 but the faces of those little kids ....
Sat Apr 13, 2013, 04:40 PM
Apr 2013

Last edited Sun Apr 14, 2013, 03:58 PM - Edit history (1)

.... especially the little boys have haunted me .... you drop you baby off
@ school and then you find out he or she was shot.

the gun nuts 2nd amendment rights are now superseding our 1st amendment
right to be able to peacefully assemble aka school, movies, Xmas shopping,
church, and ....

 

AnotherMcIntosh

(11,064 posts)
19. True. But truth and logic is viewed as overrated by some.
Sat Apr 13, 2013, 12:31 AM
Apr 2013

But note the limited number of people, the very limited number of people, who are slamming you and your response.

Tommy_Carcetti

(43,085 posts)
30. Will you cut the crap with the whole "Only criminals use guns illegally" shit?
Sat Apr 13, 2013, 01:13 PM
Apr 2013

First of all, the amount of gun violence perpetrated by individuals who own their guns legally is much, much higher than I know you want to admit. I personally witnessed one such incident first hand last week. It's not a freakish, ultra-rare occurrence. It happens every single day.

Secondly, even those who commit crimes with guns they may not legally own often obtain them directly from individuals who have obtained their guns legally.

And not that it will happen any time soon because unfortunately the gun lobby has our legislators by the balls, if you personally are restricted from buying a AR-15, I will not cry a single tear for you. Not a single fucking tear.

If you have to register your guns, I will not cry single fucking tear for you.

If you have to go through an expanded background check, I will not cry a single fucking tear for you.

If you have to go through a psychological evaluation before buying a gun, I will not cry a single fucking tear for you.

If you have to go through specialized training and certification just to own a gun, concealed or not, I will not cry a single fucking tear for you.

So go cry yourself your own fucking river.

hack89

(39,171 posts)
35. And you wonder why gun control keeps failing.
Sat Apr 13, 2013, 06:15 PM
Apr 2013

Last edited Mon Apr 15, 2013, 11:06 AM - Edit history (1)

you will not get what you want without the support of gun owners. A plain and simple fact that many fervent gun control advocates refuse to acknowledge. When you decide that results are more important than purity tests let me know.

Tommy_Carcetti

(43,085 posts)
39. It speaks volumes when it take so much incredible effort.....
Mon Apr 15, 2013, 11:05 AM
Apr 2013

...just to get a watered down background check bill past a Senate filibuster, still uncertain to pass the Senate, and almost certain to die in the House. And that only came after personal pleadings from the Sandy Hook families themselves.

I don't know about you, but I'm tired of these guys holding the country hostage. They are operating by a perverted belief that that they can construe anything in the Constitution as if it was personally handed down to Moses on Mount Sinai from the Almighty Himself and cannot be debated or discussed to any extent or form. Never mind that even the most fundamental Constitutional Right--freedom of speech--has its limits, and the 2nd Amendment is no different.

But to these people, you even attempt to broach the subject of some gun restriction, and it's an automatic response: "Shall not be infringed." That's the answer to anything. Anything.

I'm sorry, gun owners are the ones who need to acknowledge and recognize that there needs to be a discussion, not the other way around.

hack89

(39,171 posts)
40. The discussion needs to be in the middle, not at the fringes.
Mon Apr 15, 2013, 11:11 AM
Apr 2013

There are extremist on both sides of the issue. Until some middle ground is found and trust established then things will not change.


Your litany of what you will not shed a tear over puts you on the fringe. I am not going to take a psychological evaluation to exercise a civil liberty. I will not accept that my name has to be in a government database before I can exercise a civil liberty.

 

lib2DaBone

(8,124 posts)
11. Is it just me..?
Fri Apr 12, 2013, 10:36 PM
Apr 2013

or are they using this horrible disaster to further their ends?

Which is worse..?

Banksters who use the military to control us.....or Banksters who like to wait until the end and all money has been transfered into the bank accounts of the 1%.

Either way we lose. Dump the Fed. Simple.

 

riderinthestorm

(23,272 posts)
14. I don't really understand your post but as I see it, the PARENTS are using this disaster
Fri Apr 12, 2013, 10:55 PM
Apr 2013

to further their ends.

Obama seems to be hitching his cart to their horse.

I'm okay with that.

Botany

(70,291 posts)
29. How so? Please tell me.
Sat Apr 13, 2013, 01:08 PM
Apr 2013

Explain it to me ..... give details ..... I love NRA talking points. They remind me of:



You know what they say, "A picture is worth a thousand words."



I wonder what professional politician got to these Newtown children so as to exploit 20 babies and 6
teachers cut down with a weapon made for war so liberals can take away everybody's gun.

BumRushDaShow

(127,312 posts)
22. To the faux "progressives" in this thread
Sat Apr 13, 2013, 08:53 AM
Apr 2013
Amendment I

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.


These families are "petition<ing> the government (Congress) for a redress of grievances".

It's interesting that the very ones who correctly rail against corporate lobbying for legislation choose to also rail against non-corporate (average citizens) lobbying for legislation. Operation Chaos again?

krispos42

(49,445 posts)
38. They're lobbying for useless legislation that's decades old.
Sun Apr 14, 2013, 12:04 AM
Apr 2013

It's all about "feelings", apparently.


Nothing in the post-Newtown proposals is different from what the gun-control movement was pushing back in the late '80s.


But "we" have to "do something", so we'll pass useless but politically charged laws so that we can feel that we "did something".


Because banning protruding pistol grips is really solving the problem of random spree shootings by suicidal hate-filled people.


It's bunk. Maybe, maybe the universal background checks will lower the homicide rate. That's worth doing, at least. But the rest of it is just feel-good pablum.

Winning a political victory again the NRA is indeed impressive. But if the victory is against protruding pistol grips, it is ONLY a political victory... something that the politicians and the pundits will leverage for money and TV time and political influence, but will have no impact outside of realigning the political landscape.

Banning protruding pistol grips will not save a single life. However, the attempt to do so, regardless of victory or defeat, will have politicians on both sides promoting this as a reason to join their campaigns and donate money. And this is what its really about.

The Republican politicians that have spend 30 years digging us into an economic and social morass, and the spineless Democrats that stood by, are using this to make you forget that they ever voted for bank deregulation or unpaid-for tax cuts or global trade agreements or union-busting bills or illegal domestic spying or institutionalized torture or unjustified war or corporate monopolies or mandatory trans-vaginal ultrasounds or voter suppression.

 

DemocraticProse

(28 posts)
28. If I'm ever killed by something that is preventable...
Sat Apr 13, 2013, 12:37 PM
Apr 2013

Please exploit the crap out of my death to change the law.

At least then my death will not be in vain.

Jennicut

(25,415 posts)
36. I live a few towns away from Newtown. The parents
Sat Apr 13, 2013, 10:02 PM
Apr 2013

are NOT being manipulated. They are the ones putting the pressure on President Obama and Congress. These are not naive people. Its's a town where the medium household income is 90,000. These are lawyers, doctors, ect. The Sandy Hook section is one of the nicest parts of that town. I grew up in a similar fairly wealthy CT suburb of Cheshire, to say these people are naive is frankly insulting. If this happened to my kids (who are 7 and 8) I would be doing the same damn thing. Two parents of one boy, James Mattioli, don't believe in changing gun laws and the father said so on Fox News. So not manipulated. But free to speak their minds and pressure their goverment in how they see fit. And CT is small. We are used to more and closer access to our govt officials. Only DE and RI are smaller. I have met our Sen. Chris Murphy and our Rep. Elizabeth Esty, who is the Rep for Newtown as well as my town of Plymouth. They are working on stronger gun control because the majority of the parents want them to. It's pretty natural way of CT life to petition and pressure your govt.

Response to kpete (Original post)

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