Can A Good Guy With A Gun Really Stop A Mass Shooting?

Can a good guy with a gun really stop a mass shooting? According to news reports, two police officers "engaged" with the shooting suspect in Texas, but were unable to stop him.

Police officers tried and failed to stop the Texas gunman before he made his way to an elementary school yesterday, where he shot and killed 21 people. The shooter crashed his car, was spotted getting out of the car with a long rifle and a backpack, wearing body armor. That is when officers "engaged" him before he walked through the school door and opened fire.

There is also a report that the shooter posted a Facebook warning 30 minutes before the school massacre. Maybe what was needed to prevent this massacre wasn't "a good guy with a gun", but a "good guy on Facebook warning the authorities". Remember the national campaign, "if you see something, say something"?

UPDATE: New reports indicate that the police were not prepared, and stood outside the school for more than 20 minutes while the shooter massacred children inside. I hope this dispels the myth of "good guys with guns".

Sliding Doors

In 1998, I remember watching Sliding Doors. It is a movie where a woman (Gwyneth Paltrow) rushes out to catch a train, then two scenarios take place.

In one, she gets on the train and comes home to find her boyfriend in bed with another woman. In the second scenario, she misses the train and arrives home after the woman has left.

In the early 80's, I relocated to NY because I wanted to attend the best motorcycle school in the United States, (Motorcycle Mechanics Institute) located in Phoenix, AZ, (which I did in 1985). That decision changed my life tremendously. In 1994, I relocated to Pennsylvania, was unable to find a job in the motorcycle field, switched careers thanks to the love of my life, and worked in the HIV/AIDS field for 26 years until retirement last year.

The Perfect Body

Two weeks ago, Kim Kardashian admitted that she lost 16 pounds in three weeks in order to fit into Marilyn Monroe's $4.8 million original gown to attend the Met Gala.

Health experts were up in arms because they argued that it is dangerous and harmful for Kardashian followers, mostly young girls, for her to flaunt her drastic weight loss. 

Brenna O'Malley, a non-diet dietician and founder of The Wellful tells Yahoo Life said: "Kim Kardashian boasting about her extreme restriction and exercise regimen to lose 16 pounds in three weeks, only to later share on Instagram stories how excited she is to eat pizza and donuts after the red carpet, is textbook disordered eating, diet culture and such a dangerous message to promote to a massive, impressionable audience. Many young girls will read this and try to do the same exact thing. Kardashian is an idol to many and there are so many people who would do anything she says in the hopes to look more like her."

After the recent controversy over the Marilyn dress, now people are upset because Kardashian was chosen to be in the front cover of Sports Illustrated Magazine. 

Someone said,  "I've never been so disappointed seeing Kim Kardashian on the cover. The inclusion of a woman who has been blamed for perpetuating fake beauty, just shows money and plastic surgery is what is important. She's the reason so many young women have body issues, she's surgically enhanced everything."

Racist Cowards Need Assault Weapons To Feel Powerful

A couple of days ago, a Twitter user posted a picture of a birthday cake for a 10 year old, designed with an assault weapon, and a pair of insults for president Biden. As per the user who posted this on Twitter, the image caption of this ten year old's birthday cake illustrates what grooming and indoctrination looks like.

Ten people were killed during a mass shooting at a Buffalo, New York supermarket yesterday. The 180-page manifesto posted online by the perpetrator of the hate crime appeared to get his talking points from Tucker Carlson, Fox News, and the Republican Party about "Great Replacement theory".

The Great Replacement theory is a far-right anti-immigrant white supremacy conspiracy theory where they accuse non-whites of replacing them in the United States.

On his manifesto, the racist shooter goes on about his perceptions of the decreasing size of the white population and claims of ethnic and cultural replacement of whites; just as Tucker Carlson has expressed in his FoxNews program in the past. This loser attributes the internet for most of his beliefs and describes himself as a fascist, and a white supremacist.

This loser not only posted a 180-page manifesto online confessing to the attack, he also live-streamed the shooting. He pleaded, "not guilty" in court. I wonder if the police took him to Burger King for a cheeseburger after the killings?

Throwback Thursday

As you can see, the top picture was taken during a protest in the city. Next Saturday, I will be participating in another march in Center City to protest the Supreme Court draft decision.

I know we don't have many options, but I want to do my part in responding to a call to create noise and apply pressure to the court before their final decision.

If it is not their body, it is not their decision.

Two Wheel Tuesdays

The last three images I am including on this post were taken between 1976 and 1986. As you can tell, I have been riding Kawasaki motorcycles for almost 50 years. I purchased my first dirt bike motorcycle in 1974, at the tender age of 19.

The top picture is a replica of my first 1972 Kawasaki 750 Triple that I was lucky to encounter a couple of weeks ago at a motorcycle vintage gathering. It was my first street bike motorcycle, and the first love of my life. 

One of my favorite quotes is : "You don't stop riding when you get old. You get old when you stop riding." The best is yet to come!

Dirty Laundry

Former John McCain manager adviser Steve Schmidt spent the weekend trashing McCain's daughter, Meghan McCain, as well as John McCain legacy.

To top it off, Schmidt alleges that John McCain lied to him and the American people about an affair he carried out with a DC lobbyist. In other words, John McCain, the 2008 candidate for president of the United States, was sleeping with someone whose job is to influence members of congress.

Steve Schmidt waited 14 years to air the dirty laundry of the McCain family. I expect a book to be out for sale soon.

Banana Republic

One of the puzzling mysteries to me to this day, is how anyone of sound mind could listen to some of the horror stories told by ex Trump officials, and still think that Trump is qualified to do the job of Commander-In-Chief.

Just finished watching former Secretary of Defense Mark Esper, who was featured earlier today on 60 Minutes. He talks about his experience working at the White House.

According to Mark Esper, Trump wanted the U.S. military to attack and shoot missiles into Mexico, one of our closest neighbors and largest trading partners. Doing that would not only violate international law, it would set a terrible precedent.

During a Washington DC protest, Trump wanted to unleash 10,000 paratroopers into the streets of Washington DC with weapons and bayonets. "Can't you just shoot them, just shoot the protesters in the legs or something?", Trump asked. Trump suggested that we should bring in the troops and shoot the protesters in the streets of our nation's capital, Esper said."

Those are the same type of scenarios that you see at Banana Republics and authoritarian regimes in foreign countries. This is exactly how they deal with protesters.

Like I said earlier, it is a mystery to me how nearly half of the voting population wants to keep this monster as President. How did our country sink so far, and so many are willing for another try with the Orange Turd at the helm?

[ Original photoshopped picture courtesy of 60 Minutes. ]

Happy Mothers Day!

Happy Mothers Day To All The Mothers Out There. Whether You Are A Past, Present Or Soon To Be Moms. May Your Day Be Filled With Love, Joy And Laughter!

GOP Candidate Accused Of Murdering Cancer Stricken Wife Wins Primary Election From Jail

"Indiana State Police charged Wilhoite with murder after the body of his wife was found in a creek near their home, Boone County Sheriff’s Office said in March. She had reportedly filed for divorce after discovering her husband had an affair". - Associated Press.

"Despite his legal troubles, “there is no legal reason” Andrew Wilhoite can’t be a candidate, Indiana election official Brad King told the Kokomo Tribune".

Nothing says "I value human life" like voting for and electing a guy who killed his cancer battling wife, and then dumped her body in a creek.  Inspiring commitment to pro life values there. 

As long as there's a "R" next to the name you get votes, even when sitting in jail for murdering your wife. Showing the moral values of the "pro life" and "family values" party.

Diversity

Diversity = It means understanding that each individual is unique, and recognizing our individual differences. These can be along the dimensions of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, age, physical abilities, religious beliefs, political beliefs, or other ideologies. - Queensborough Community College.

I was sitting at the dentist office earlier today talking to my dentist. I realized that most of the individuals that offer the essential services that I frequent the most during my everyday life are from other nations. 

It is a coincidence. It wasn't planned in my part to be that way, it just is. For example, my dentist is from China. My primary doctor is from Cuba. My eye doctor is from the Philippines. The pizza store I frequent the most, the owner is from Lebanon. The store I frequented to get breakfast when I was still employed, they are from Cambodia. The woman that cuts my hair is from Vietnam. The computer/cell phone store that handles my computer and cell phone issues, the owners are from India and Bangladesh. The little mom and pop store where I used to get lunch at my previous job, they are from South Korea. My landlord is from Thailand.

Why am I telling you this? I remember watching the 2020 RNC Convention where one of the themes was the GOP warning that the upcoming election was "a decision between preserving America" and having diversity as a threat to American values. In every election, the GOP seems to bring back their tried and true boogeyman migrant caravan invasion talking point. 

Personally, I don't think we could survive as a nation without those people I listed above. They are people from what lots of MAGA followers call sh*thole countries. In my opinion, those foreign-born individuals are the ones who make the United States the great nation that we are today. 

Lollipops

Went to see my primary doctor earlier yesterday, face to face. This is the second time since the pandemic began two years ago that my doctor visit is in person.

Since the pandemic began I had telemedicine appts, (a phone call or video conference.) I am happy to announce that I am back to my regular weight. Its been a struggle to keep my weight in check, especially if I forget to take my water retention pill every day.

I had scheduled to see my dentist for the annual cleaning this morning, it was fun. I was expecting a lollipop after the visit, I left disappointed that I didn't get one. 

The Good Samaritan

A San Diego bus passenger was arrested on murder charges after breaking up a fight between a man and a woman.

The good samaritan allegedly intervened in a fight on the bus between a man and a woman, and held the man back for several minutes. By the time the police arrived the man lost consciousness while being restrained, and was pronounced dead at a local hospital. Now the good samaritan is charged with first degree murder.

Many years ago, I was on my way to a meeting in the city when I noticed a commotion across the street. It was a man inflicting a vicious assault on a woman. In a matter of minutes a policeman arrived and tried to arrest the man. The victim and the attacker then jumped on the police officer. The couple attacked the officer until other officers arrived to assist, and remove the couple from beating on the police officer.

The moral of the story is, mind your own business.

It Must Be True Love

I don't remember anytime in history that a correction officer helped an inmate escape, and they ended up happily ever after.

There is an active search now in Alabama, where a correction officer allegedly facilitated the escape of a missing inmate. The inmate was accused of murder charges and faces the death penalty. 

The correction officer is also missing. She sold her home last month, and was scheduled to retire on Friday. 

It is a mystery to me why anyone would get romantically involved with a killer. It must be true love. 

First Rainfall of May

A tradition, a belief, or more so, a superstition. It's commonly called “Agua de Mayo,” a Spanish term that means “water of May.” It is believed that the first rainfall of May has healing powers. Bathing under it can cure whatever disease one is afflicted with. - Wikipedia.

When I was growing up, there was a folk-belief that if a person got soaked wet on May’s first downpour we will be blessed with good luck the rest of the year. As a little kid I used to go outside when it rained, it was a lot of fun to splash around through puddles left by the rain.

Several years ago on my way to work, I noticed it looked like if it was going to rain all day. The sky got cloudy and dark very quick, it seemed that the rain was heading my way. I could smell the rain coming. While searching for my umbrella, it dawned on me that it was the first rainfall of May. It rained and I got soaked, but it felt great. I was splashing around like a kid jumping for joy.

We are expecting rain this evening, maybe I should get ready to play outside in the rain.

All Non-U.S. Citizens, Stay Out Of American Politics

This blog post is in response to a long repeated conservative talking point that I continue to read from followers of the Orange Turd. They usually say something along the lines: "that all non-U.S. citizens, need to stay out of American politics because they will not be affected."

United States politics doesn't exist in a bubble where it only affect Americans. It would be naive to think that people living in other countries don't have the right to follow our politics and have opinions about them.

The United States is still the dominant political, economic, and military power. When the United States sneezes, the world catches a cold. So of course American policy affects other countries in the world. And the rest of the world is generally more globally aware than Americans are. So it only makes sense than non-Americans would follow American politics.

"The world economy is largely based around the US dollar, so any impact upon the US economy will have a consequential effect everywhere else in the world. Since the US Government plays a large part in regulating that economy, it’s fair to say what happens there is very much everyone's business."

Is just that simple.

Isolationism has become a talking point for followers of the Orange Turd and his isolationist ideology. Politics, in my opinion, is everybody's business.