A Chance for Criminal Justice Reform

Pixabay.com

 

From ACLU.org:

Right now, the Senate is deciding whether to vote on a bill called the Sentencing Reform and Corrections Act – the most significant criminal justice reform legislation to be considered by Congress in the last five years. It will essentially ban juvenile solitary confinement in the federal system and retroactively reduce overly harsh drug sentences.

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Inside the mind of Charleston Massacre shooter Dylann Roof and the culture of White Supremacy

League of Bloggers For a Better World

By Robert A. Vella

I stumbled upon this fine exposé by David Nir of the Daily Kos which delves deep into the white supremacist psyche of Charleston Massacre shooter Dylann Roof.  It reveals not only Roof’s hatred of blacks and other ethnic minorities, but also his disturbingly confused attitude towards Jews.

Although I won’t cite the text and quotations here (they’re very offensive), I strongly urge everyone to read the article for yourself.  Keep in mind that the racist views of Roof are not limited to the lunatic fringe of right-wing extremism, and that they are indicative of a far more extensive problem in America regarding racial attitudes.

See:  Dylann Roof: ‘If we could turn every jew blue for 24 hours, I think there would be a mass awakening’

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Important Victory in Push to Demilitarize Police

Courtesy of FreeFoto.com

“President Obama just banned the federal government’s transfer of certain military vehicles and weaponry to local and state police departments across America.”

Abusive Acid Attacks Against Women & Children, and an Organization Trying To Help

A beautiful blog called KindnessBlog.com recently posted an article and pictures of a mother and daughter from Iran who were attacked with acid by the mother’s abusive husband.

Stray Bullet Kills 3-Year-Old in Philadelphia

Image courtesy of washwithcare.deviantart.com

When I read a news story like this, I can’t help but to wonder what a gun rights advocate must think when he or she reads the same story (theDailyBeast.com):

Victims of Domestic Violence Shouldn’t Be Made Victims to Guns

Courtesy of americansforresponsiblesolutions.org

 

I recently received this message in an email from a group called Americans for Responsible Solutions, of which I am a member. It was started by Congresswoman Gabby Giffords and her husband to fight for gun control laws:

Good Source of Info On Gun Deaths, Statistics, etc.

Photo courtesy of insidetheegg.files.wordpress.com

 

Propublica.org, an independent online news organization, has compiled a thorough collection of gun-related articles on their website. It’s a great resource for anyone wanting a deeper understanding of gun violence in America.

The website lists a variety of gun-related articles and research, grouped by subject/issue. Issues covered: Are mass shootings increasing?; gun deaths among women and children; the NRA; how politics protect gun dealers who sell guns used in crimes; “Stand Your Ground” laws; and others.

Gun Violence Takes a Child’s Life, And Many More, in Chicago

Courtesy of progressillinois.com/sites/progressillinois.com

 

There have been many mass shootings in America just within the past few years. But among these high-profile murders are countless low-profile ones like this, reported by ChicagoTribune.com:

Petition Forces Target To Ban Customers From Carrying Guns in Stores

Courtesy of Everytown.org

 

I received this news in an email yesterday (July 2) from Everytown.org, a movement of Americans fighting for common-sense gun policies, and of which I am a member. This is great news for anyone who cares about reducing gun violence in America:

3-Year-Old Girl Shoots and Kills Herself in Yellowstone Park

Photo courtesy of valdostatoday.com

I read an article recently that was published on Slate.com in September that was heart breaking:

A 3-year-old girl named Ella Marie Tucker shot and killed herself in Yellowstone National Park with a handgun that reportedly belonged to her father.

The girl and her family had been camping at Grant Village Campground, a massive RV and tent campground on Yellowstone Lake.

Though authorities have not yet announced whether the shooting was unintentional or deliberate, I am going to…predict that this 3-year-old girl did not mean to kill herself. But it doesn’t really matter whether the shooting was intentional or not. The very fact that a 3-year-old girl was able to access and shoot a handgun means that it was irresponsibly stored.

What’s shocking about this case is that such a young child had access to a gun. Why did the father even have a gun on him? And why was it loaded? Why was he not watching his child?

Those are all important questions, but the biggest question of all is this: Would this have happened if there were no guns?

I challenge any gun advocate to offer an answer.