Candles for Change

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Action is STILL Needed

Can you contribute to help MoveOn.org ramp up their efforts to keep the Gun Control Bill intact? Click here to contribute.

“After months of promises that, in the wake of Newtown, this time would be different, congressional Democrats, led by Majority Leader Harry Reid, are on the verge of caving on the three most critical gun violence prevention proposals: universal background checks, a ban on assault weapons, and a ban on high-capacity magazines.What’s looking most likely to end up in the final bill? A provision encouraging guns in schools. No, no, no. MoveOn members and our allies have done so much to make real reform possible—with tens of thousands of phone calls, events, lobby visits, letters, and pleas from victims’ families.We’ve come too far to let meaningful gun violence prevention measures be killed by the NRA’s backroom lobbying, Republicans’ perpetual threats of filibustering, and Democrats who won’t stand up and fight.”

One teacher says, “Arm me…”

This is from my cousin David Heller. A middle school teacher and father of three. 

This week some politicians said that they thought it would be a good idea to arm school employees so they could keep our kids safe.

I would love to be armed.

Arm me with class sizes that allow me to really get to know my students and make connections with them to help them grow socially and emotionally as well.

Arm me with other professionals, either school based employees or from other Health and Human Services parts of the government so when I have a concern about a student, I can refer them to a professional with the skills to assist them and know they will get support.

Arm me with time during my work day to complete the non teaching tasks I must complete so I can be at my best every time a group of kids are in front of me.

Arm me with alternative schools and programs so students who are not making it in the traditional classroom can have options where they can be successful and develop into productive citizens.

Arm me with the freedom to teach the best way I know how, rather than by a one size fits all method.

Kids are way different now than they were when I started teaching 21 years ago. Thanks for trying to help me but rather than arming me with a gun, arm me with these things. I know it will cost some money but I kinda think our kids are worth it.
— with David Heller.

powertothepeoplerighton1:

Set aside your grief and find your voice - it’s time we have an honest conversation about gun violence in America. Get contact information for your Senator and Representative here: http://www.govtrack.us/congress/members

Or mail them a letter along with extinguished candles to really drive the point home. 

powertothepeoplerighton1:

Set aside your grief and find your voice - it’s time we have an honest conversation about gun violence in America. Get contact information for your Senator and Representative here: http://www.govtrack.us/congress/members

Or mail them a letter along with extinguished candles to really drive the point home. 

The gun owner in my life

My step father is a patriotic guy. He attended West Point; he fought in the vietnam war and saw brutal combat; every flag day, veterans day, memorial day, and 4th of July he proudly hangs the American Flag on his front porch; he votes in even election; and he is a mentor and friend to men currently serving our country in Iraq and Afganistan. 

He also owns 3 guns. He does not own any semi-automatic or automatic weapons. He keeps guns and ammunition under separate lock and key. 

Like most Americans, he is heartbroken by the loss of innocent life in Newtown. He agrees that something has to change. He believes that we need more gun control. This week he emailed this blog and his opinion that change is needed to his online community, which is most comprised of military veterans. He said that doing so really “stirred up the hornet’s nest.” I imagine that he will lose some friends over this. 

Taking all of the guns away is not the answer. Arming teachers is also not the answer. Rational people focused on meeting in the middle is. 

In light of the completely insensitive and ludicrous remarks of the NRA today, I hope that my step father is not the only gun owner in this world is willing to take a stand by pushing for the reinstatement of the ban on automatic weapons, closing gun show loopholes, and banning the sale of high capacity ammunition clips. 

The gun owner in my life

My step father is a patriotic guy. He attended West Point; he fought in the vietnam war and saw brutal combat; every flag day, veterans day, memorial day, and 4th of July he proudly hangs the American Flag on his front porch; he votes in even election; and he is a mentor and friend to men currently serving our country in Iraq and Afganistan. 

He also owns 3 guns. He does not own any semi-automatic or automatic weapons. He keeps guns and ammunition under separate lock and key. 

Like most Americans, he is heartbroken by the loss of innocent life in Newtown. He agrees that something has to change. He believes that we need more gun control. This week he emailed this blog and his opinion that change is needed to his online community, which is most comprised of military veterans. He said that doing so really “stirred up the hornet’s nest.” I imagine that he will lose some friends over this. 

Taking all of the guns away is not the answer. Arming teachers is also not the answer. Rational people focused on meeting in the middle is. 

In light of the completely insensitive and ludicrous remarks of the NRA today, I hope that my step father is not the only gun owner in this world is willing to take a stand by pushing for the reinstatement of the ban on automatic weapons, closing gun show loopholes, and banning the sale of high capacity ammunition clips. 

15 letters to senators and congressmen demanding more gun control. Each envelope also contains a candle representing lives cut short by gun violence. Many more to mail next week.

15 letters to senators and congressmen demanding more gun control. Each envelope also contains a candle representing lives cut short by gun violence. Many more to mail next week.

futurejournalismproject:

Ranking Congress

The National Rifle Association rates members of congress on their gun-related voting record.

The New York Times gathers it all together in a handy interactive which shows not just how senators and representatives scored, but what campaign contributions they may have received from the NRA as well.

Images: How the National Rifle Association Rates Lawmakers, House (top), Senate (bottom), by the New York Times. Click to embiggen.

An easy to use tool to see which politicians have high NRA ratings. Send them letters and candles demanding change.

Does your elected official have an “A” rating?

The NRA rates elected officials based on their voting history and platform. An A rating indicates a pro-gun position. Do you know your representatives’ ratings? The following is an incomplete list of representatives with A ratings.  I will add others as I identify them. Even though none of them represent me, I plan to send letters and candles to them anyway.

A+ Rating

Senator Elect Ted Cruz (R-Texas)
815 A Brazos PMB 550
Austin, TX 78701

Senator Orrin Hatch (R-Utah)
104 Hart Office Building
Washington, DC 20510

Senator Roger Wicker (A+) – NRA Endorsed R-Mississippi
555 Dirksen Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510

A Rating

Senator John Barasso (R-Wyoming)
307 Dirksen Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510 
Main: 202-224-6441

Senator Bob Corker (R-Tennessee)
U.S. Senator Bob Corker
185 Dirksen Senate Office Building
Washington, D.C., 20510

Representative Joe Donnelly (D- Indiana)
1530 Longworth HOB
Washington, D.C. 20515

Senator Elect Deb Fischer (R- Nebraska)
P.O. Box 83287
Lincoln, NE 68501

Senator Elect Jeff Flake (R-Arizona)
PO Box 12512 Tempe, AZ 85284
Office: (602) 845-0333

Senator Elect Heidi Heitkamp (D-North Dakota)
2401 46th Ave SE, Suite #202
Mandan, ND 58554

Senator Dean Heller (R-Nevada)
PO Box 371907
Las Vegas, NV 89137

A- Rating

Senator Joe Manchin (D-West Virginia)
303 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington DC, 20510

Senator Jon Tester (D-Montana)
724 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510-2604

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