News and Current Events - 2017 - 2022

[BlueAmber63]

Can someone tell me why Trump put on a Military jacket when addressing REAL soldiers in Japan ??

[morrobay]

I guess they had to, it's not as if they're celebrating his years of military service...

While addressing a crowd of US military personnel, the US president, alongside his wife Melania, was presented with a green commander-in-chief leather flight jacket by Colonel Kenneth Moss, commander of the 374th airlift wing at Yokota. The airfield was taken over by the US military following Japan’s surrender in WWII.

https://www.rt.com/usa/408833-trump-japan-jacket-video/

[Sara B]

I was in the choir in my church yesterday morning, All Souls' Day, with a congregation probably about the same size as the one in Sutherland Springs. The thought of half of them, mostly known to me, being killed, and more injured - unimaginable.

[Jeff Wrangler]

This may sound selfish under the circumstances, but I have to admit, when something like this happens, I think of my own church--and myself--because the congregation is known largely to be made up of gay people.

I also think of the place where I hang out almost every Saturday evening. I usually sit at a table just inside a window, and with my back to it. If any deranged person decided to do a drive-by shooting because the place is known to be a gay bar, I'd be done for sure.

But all those poor people in Texas. I have heard repeatedly on TV news that the pastor's daughter was among the killed, but I've never heard what, if anything, happened to the pastor himself. But I can't begin to imagine what it must be like to lose your child that way.

[fritzkep]

From what I've heard (NPR Morning Edition), he was out of town that day.

[Jeff Wrangler]

From what I've heard (NPR Morning Edition), he was out of town that day.

Thanks. That would explain why the ordinary network news, at least as I've heard so far, has said nothing about the pastor himself.

[Sara B]

This may sound selfish under the circumstances, but I have to admit, when something like this happens, I think of my own church--and myself--because the congregation is known largely to be made up of gay people.

I also think of the place where I hang out almost every Saturday evening. I usually sit at a table just inside a window, and with my back to it. If any deranged person decided to do a drive-by shooting because the place is known to be a gay bar, I'd be done for sure.

But all those poor people in Texas. I have heard repeatedly on TV news that the pastor's daughter was among the killed, but I've never heard what, if anything, happened to the pastor himself. But I can't begin to imagine what it must be like to lose your child that way.

I don’t think it’s selfishness, Jeff. I feel it’s part of our shared humanity, and that we feel empathy for other people partly because we can put ourselves in their position.

[Jeff Wrangler]

I don’t think it’s selfishness, Jeff. I feel it’s part of our shared humanity, and that we feel empathy for other people partly because we can put ourselves in their position.

Thank you. What you wrote about empathy makes sense to me. Thanks to you I feel a little less guilty over my personal reaction.

[BlueAmber63]

From what I've heard (NPR Morning Edition), he was out of town that day.

Hope his faith will see him through this terrible time.
It will be hard.

[Jeff Wrangler]

OK, I will confess I hate it when monsters like this Devin Kelley are able to end their horror by killing themselves.

Why? Because I feel this isn't justice for their victims.

In my world view, justice involves making creatures like Kelley stand before some court or other and have his deeds recounted to his face.

After that, I don't care how his miserable life is ended--as long as he doesn't get to end it himself. Hangin's too good for him.

[Lyle (Mooska)]

Fritz!  I assume you are pleased with things in Virginia tonight!

The Governor and state offices.
The House of Delegates gains.

Do you know where District 13 (like the movie!) is? (What District are you?)

And, I heard, the first transgender person elected to office, but I'm not
sure if that's anywhere, which seems unlikely, or in Virginia.

But, she defeated a 25 year house member who described himself as the homophobe in chief and wouldn't even debate her.

Member House of Delegates (District 013)

Candidate
Danica A. Roem (D)    54.59%
Robert G. "Bob" Marshall (R) 45.36%
Write-In    0.05%

[Lyle (Mooska)]

^^^

I was just listening to Laurence O'Donnell on MSNBC interviewing Danica Roem, by phone,
and anyone listening to the 5 minute plus interview will know how and why she won.

One of many amazing things she said...after being pressed about her opponent and his reprehensible
notions, she said, "After tonight, he will be one of my constituents and tonight will be rough for him and
his supporters and I'm not going to denigrate any of my constituents. That's not who we are and we all
need to focus on the problems of our district in unity."

[fritzkep]

Fritz!  I assume you are pleased with things in Virginia tonight!

The Governor and state offices.
The House of Delegates gains.

Do you know where District 13 (like the movie!) is? (What District are you?)

And, I heard, the first transgender person elected to office, but I'm not
sure if that's anywhere, which seems unlikely, or in Virginia.

But, she defeated a 25 year house member who described himself as the homophobe in chief and wouldn't even debate her.

Member House of Delegates (District 013)

Candidate
Danica A. Roem (D)    54.59%
Robert G. "Bob" Marshall (R) 45.36%
Write-In    0.05%

Oh YEAH!

And thoughts and prayers for all Republicans who lost tonight. We won't do anything to prevent it from happening again.

[morrobay]

Today at a speech for veterans, Roy Moore spoke about the allegations that he had sexual contact with a 14 year old girl when he was 32:  "I am not guilty of sexual misconduct with anyone."

And 10 seconds that rationalizes everything...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vn_PSJsl0LQ

[killersmom]

^^^^^Sad but true with most Republicans.