Forgive me, but I'm almost sickened by this parade of Republicans on television.

[democrank]

I sincerely wish the best for Steve Scalise and all others affected by the shootings at yesterday's Republican baseball practice, and I want them to fully recover. What I want even more is an honest look at why those injured in THAT event yesterday deserved wall-to-wall, all-day coverage. Is it newsworthy that politicians were shot at yesterday? Yes. Are the lives of those politicians worth more than the life of a toddler shot in Chicago or UPS workers shot in San Francisco? No.

Republicans now holding hands and temporarily swaying to a tune about unity are the same ones who have met most reports of hideous gun crimes with calls for more guns and fewer background checks. Republicans yesterday told friendly little tales about once eating a sandwich with a Democrat but barely made a sound when Pima County Republicans in Arizona raffled off the exact same type gun that was used to shoot Gabby Giffords soon after she was shot.

Now Republicans want to lead in a new role as nasty rhetoric whisperers. Good news. Perhaps former President Obama can finally put away that copy of his birth certificate and perhaps we'll hear fewer claims that all Democrats want to grab your guns away.

Yesterday's shootings, like the zillion other shootings, should be addressed with a giant charge of honesty. Of course it was a good thing Capitol Police were present yesterday, but let's not let that overshadow all those who aren't fortunate enough to have such protection. America had more than 150 mass shootings so far in 2017. This country has a big, big gun violence problem that won't be fixed by blaming it solely on political trash talk.

[unblock]

1. reminds be a bit of how they were all about unity (or get the f out of my country) right after 9/11.

they're all about unity when it means getting us to line up behind them.

when a democrat's in the white house, well, not so much.

[Happyhippychick]

2. I'm a bad person because I really have ZERO sympathy for congressmen who are scared for their

personal safety now that the genie that they unleashed from the bottle is attacking one of their own.

WHERE THE FUCK WERE YOU WHEN GABBY GIFFORDS WAS SHOT?

WHERE THE FUCK WERE YOU WHEN TRAYVON MARTIN WAS SHOT?

WHERE THE FUCK WERE YOU WHEN 22 CHILDREN AND TEACHERS WERE SHOT IN SCHOOL? AND COUNTLESS OTHERS!

FUCK.YOU! I don't give a sweet fuck about YOUR ANXIETY and YOUR FEAR. FUCK YOU. FUCK YOU!!!!!!!!!

Sorry for the expletives. I feel better now.

[Bettie]

6. They don't care until it impacts them personally

one of them was going on about how he'll never feel safe at a ball park again. Yeah, nice story bro. Remember when a bunch of little kids were murdered in school? Wonder how the survivors feel about going to school. Oh, I get it, you don't care about them, they are "fake victims".

Then, I keep hearing about their town halls and how terrible it is that their constituents are mean to them. Mark my words, these sleazy little weasels will use this to avoid ever being seen in their districts again.

[Guilded Lilly]

9. It's getting harder and harder to care about those who

continually and arrogantly disregard and disrespect their fellow humans' health, rights and welfare.

[kairos12]

15. +1000

[smirkymonkey]

24. Thank YOU!

EXACTLY how I feel!

Where is the little middle finger smilie?

[olegramps]

33. Trump praised Alex Jones who informs his 6 million listeners that the Sandy Hook is a hoax.

Despite requests by the parents whose children were murdered to denounce Jones, Trump has refused. This is a man that Trump has great admiration for. This is a sick, sick pack of hyenas that have taken over the country. Daily they spread their lies and the MSM fails, as usual, to categorically denounce them as enemies of the Republic. The Republicans are fully accountable for the division of the nation and absolutely responsible for what has happened. I find it ironic that they were responsible for putting an assault weapon in the hands of a irresponsible disgruntled nut. They engineered this and thrive on their success of dividing the nation. Just what will It take for the Democrats to get some balls and challenge them. The young people better come to their senses and take back the country before all is lost. I want to see young energetic young people at the forefront, not a bunch of old has been cronies that are only one load away from Depends.

[greymattermom]

43. The ball park shooting was a hoax too.

Right? Time for Alex Jones to get busy.

[SammyWinstonJack]

39. I have zero fucks to give to these 2nd Amendment pukes scared for their personal safety NOW.

[Amimnoch]

42. No sympathy, but much concern.

I feel the EXACT same way!

However, I am concerned at how this will be used. The deplorables are not at all above using any tragedy to their advantage, and this has the potential to be the beginning of a modern "Reichstag fire".

[Baitball Blogger]

3. Unity: Just another political ploy. If they want to show a unifying message they

can start with gun control. But if they are saying that we should now go easy on them because one of theirs took a hit, I just have this to say about that: Did it get any easier for the Democrats when Gabby Giffords got shot?

[displacedtexan]

16. Have you read the Republicans' leaked talking points yet?

https://mobile.twitter.com/PhilipRucker/status/875166972614516737

Deplorabel.

[underpants]

18. Repubs talking points. Thanks.

I've heard a lot of these on RW radio.

[Baitball Blogger]

32. Twitter must be busy. I can't get in.

I also don't have an account so I can't log in.

[Ilsa]

44. They are the talking points about the memos to Mueller leaked. nt

[Doitnow]

30. Another way Senate Rethugs can start "unifying" is by openly discussing what they are trying to pass

as a health care bill. Talk about how to terrorize people on a grand scale----this is surely how to do it!!! And think about how many deaths it will create---over time, certainly, so no one will notice, but for sure, it will happen.

Of course, tRump and co. don't dare mention what's IN their healthcare bill. It must be a humdinger!

[dmr]

4. Enough is enough!

I wonder if anything else is going on in the world ...

[smirkymonkey]

27. The coverage of this is sickening.

One rich, white, right-wing, gun-humping politician gets shot and injured and it's like the world has ended. Get a grip, snowflakes! Where the hell have you been all this time?

[kentuck]

5. Yes, we will cut off your healthcare and cut programs that benefit the middle class...

...and generally make your life more difficult, but is that any reason to not get behind us and support the GOP agenda?

Also, we know Russia interfered with our election and some in the Trump transition may have assisted them? But is that any reason to be disagreeable?

It's only our country. Why should we not agree to destroy it? Or weaken it quite dramatically? We can disagree without being disagreeable, right?

[PearliePoo2]

7. I don't believe ANY of them. They're just saying what's expected and PC at the moment.

The ReThugs will bow their heads, speak softly but still be the mean, greedy bastards inside they've always been.
Nope, not buying it. Just meaningless words from their crooked mouths.

[FreepFryer]

8. SO relieved! Now candidates like Roem in VA (a transwoman) can run w/o fear of death threats. YAY

[Nevernose]

10. 30-40 Americans were murdered w/ guns yesterday

At least that's the average. And I'm supposed to care MORE about a few people getting shot in the leg? Why aren't the THOUSANDS of people who are grieving right this second get any of this attention?

(Or maybe I'm just more of an asshole than even I realized)

[hamsterjill]

11. Pardon me if I am just a suspicious old broad!

Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me.

I'll believe the sincerity of the show of unity and their desire to "stop the hate" when they, THEMSELVES, put forth some action to actually accomplish that agenda.

I don't trust them. I don't believe them.

I DO echo your sentiments hoping that all of those injured recovery, including Scalise. I am sorry that his family has been harmed by the actions of a mad man.

[MrScorpio]

12. I haven't turned my TV on since Wednesday.

I feel your pain.

[Duppers]

20. Same here.

The hypocrisy is sickening.

[niyad]

13. I heard a woman say that, yes, the alexandria shooting was MORE SIGNIFICANT than the others.

it was all I could do not to smack her upside the head.

[elmac]

14. Its going to be a fascist lovefest rest of the week

so watching news will be a waste of time.

[benpollard]

17. We are not "united" as Trump and Ryan have claimed

This "tragedy" hasn't "brought America together," as Trump and Paul Ryan claimed yesterday. They say we should "put politics aside," as if the things they do don't have an effect on people.

While the things Republicans do don't have a negative effect on them, if they pass their health care bill, millions will be deprived of health care. They've rolled back protections for the environment. Cutting taxes for the rich will drive up the debt. Republican gerrymandering is weakening our democracy. Trump is wasting millions of dollars every week for his mini-vacations to his resorts. He has been in violation of our Constitution from the time he took office.

Steve Scalise is a white-supremacist who is working to destroy our country. I hope he fuckin' dies.

[Duppers]

23. I hope he's transformed into a empathic human being.

SICK OF THEM ALL.

[katmondoo]

28. I hope he lives and can go back to Congress with a better understanding of gun laws and healthcare

[Sunlei]

19. Its alright, let them talk about the experience.Must have been terrifying especially with kids there

really a good thing the field was locked and 2 capital police were there to draw the mans fire. They were brave!

[JI7]

21. wish someone would ask if this unity includes equal rights for lgbt

Since one of the cops that saved everyone is part of that group and in a same sex marriage.

[spartan61]

22. Now maybe the GOPers

will stop accepting donations from the NRA and stop doing the NRA's bidding for the money. This should be a wake up call for them that mass shootings can happen anywhere, including DC, and the perpetrator isn't always a Muslim, a Black, or an immigrant. Perps come in all colors, ethnic groups, and religions. Open your eyes, Congress Critters, and get busy writing some common sense gun laws.

[Duppers]

26. Ha! Look at this: their answer is MORE GUNS!!

HERE WE GO: MORE GUNS ARE THE ANSWER:

GOP rep. pushes guns for lawmakers after shooting

http://thehill.com/homenews/house/337815-gop-rep-pushes-gun-reciprocity-after-alexandria-shooting

[blueinredohio]

25. I have no sympathy for any republican

You don't see any democrats afraid to have town halls or be afraid of their constituents. Democrats don't pose for pictures with white supremacists. Dems should ask why they don't want to call out HATE crimes on anyone else. I'm also hoping dems don't fall for the unity crap and start giving in to them. I'm not falling for it. Wait until the AHCA vote comes up see how unified they are then see if they have even one discussion on it. NOPE

[Vinca]

29. I'm pissed that suddenly lefties - who are by and large opposed to guns - are suddenly

being depicted as blood thirsty and threatening. The guy from yesterday hated the DNC and Hillary as well as Republicans. He was an atypical nut. On the other hand, there's a long list of violent crimes that have been perpetrated by righties on Democrats. Just think of the Trump campaign rally where the old guy whacked a black protester for no reason and that's just one example. Trump was promoting violence and offering to pay legal fees. Righties have killed abortion doctors and hung our first black POTUS in effigy. There is no left wing hate radio or TV. There is no Alex Jones, Rush Limbaugh, etc. on the left making gazillions of dollars promoting hate and violence. Democrats need to loudly dispute the current attempt at "both sides do it." They don't.

[vlyons]

31. It just shows the deep delusion of republicans.

It never ever occurred to them that all those guns they so gleefully allowed gun manufacturers to sell might one day be pointed at them. They lack the penetrating wisdom to see that karma is a law. Actions have consequences. It is dreadful that gun mayhem is what deeply frustrated and angry people enact. It never occurs to republicans to help people in their daily lives. They care only about serving the super-rich's love of money.

[cubbies01]

34. The worst part

Had been listening to RW pundits like Newt infer this was because the protestors and anger at the president has been too nasty. As if somehow the alt right orange guy in whitehouse following 8 years of hating on Obama never happened.

[True Blue American]

35. Congressman Mark Sanford

Said on TV this morning that the rhetoric and hate started at the top.

He made it clear where this came from. No excuses.

[VaBchTgerLily]

36. I am so with you!!!

Its all these politicians trying to push through changes that will hurt many people and families, and continuing to act that there is nothing wrong with POTUS- that is making people angry-if they keep on there will be more who totally loose it

[3catwoman3]

37. It does ring quite hollow, given that most...

...of them bow and scrape before the NRA.

Should Mr. Scalise survive, it will be interesting to see if he has any change of heart. I will not hold my breath.

[Grammy23]

38. Wel, it is encouraging to hear the "unity" talk rather than their usual hateful rhetoric.

But we need more than prayer circles and singing Kumbaya. Let's see how they're talking after their unified ball game, after we see how the wounded recover. I believe nothing until I see them have a real come to Jesus moment in the House and then the Senate. Standing out in the hallway is a gesture, but produces nothing. Show us the money. Show some spine that you will listen to what the people want and then get busy doing something to make that happen. Stop giving your attention and vote to the NRA. Believe us, we do care and are watching you. Put up or shut up.

[alarimer]

40. Calling for unity weeks after they celebrated killing people by taking away their health care.

Fuck Paul Ryan, that sanctimonious prick. Did they say those things when Giffords was shot? I don't think so.

[Hekate]

41. I just keep turning the tv off. California had a mass shooting yesterday too.

It is sickening, any way you look at it -- that we have such murders every single day in this country, and that (selectively) they get wall to wall coverage, and that they knock all the other news off the airways.

OTHER things are happening. Our country is being politically mangled, and not just in DC. Steve Bannon's goal of "deconstructing the civil federal government" is proceeding apace. SOME people are fighting back, hard. It really matters to our futures -- such as will we have a democracy at all in more than name in a decade, or even 2 years.

About the only person reporting on the above in any depth is Rachel Maddow, and she, too, fell into the same trap of devoting half her show to this latest murderous assault. Did she, or anyone else, even mention that 2 Democratic candidates have dropped out of their respective races due to death threats? If anyone mentioned this important development, I failed to catch it. I read about it here, and nowhere else.

So all day yesterday and into the evening I periodically turned the tv on and then off. FINALLY managed to catch a couple of segments on what Mueller is up to.

[Mendocino]

45. They are bringing back the term,

"waving the bloody shirt".