SMH*

Friends and readers have asked why haven't I written about the tragedy in Charleston, South Carolina.  Well, what more can I say?  I've said that the NRA is distinctly and specifically silent or says clearly crazy things when gun tragedies occur.  They are this time, too.  The Republicans can't really say too much of value either.  They can't piss off the NRA or the people of the South.  They stand up and declare it was a crime against Christianity not racism.  Are you kidding me?  That supports their theory that there is a war on Christians.  Yeah, well, you ain't seen nothing yet if you think this is against Christians.  I've said that the covert racism around this country went apeshit crazy when Obama was elected President.  It's everywhere, it's constant, and getting worse.  Even after hearing or reading this racist's manifesto, they still can't change their tune. It blows my mind.  

Thousands of members of the NRA still silent and standing by their leaders, they are no better.  Don't tell me this was the fault of mental illness.  There are many people that have mental or emotional problems in this country, but they don't all have guns.  Those people shouldn't be allowed to own guns, borrow guns, get their hands on any weapon whatsoever.  The perverse twisting of the 2nd Amendment has been turned every which way to protect what has clearly been distorted by gun loving people.  They have the money to control many elections.  Where the hell are the Democrats?  They are spineless crickets that only are concerned about their re-elections.  It's unconscionable that we are having this discussion again.  Fourteen times since President Obama took office!! Fourteen!!!  He didn't even know what to say anymore.  He has said it all, and yet, nothing changes.  

People, again I will say, stand up.  If you are a law-abiding gun owner, why are you so fearful of being heard and being counted?  Your silence is deafening.  You allow the Ted Nugent's and the Wayne LaPierre's be your megaphones for crazy.  I have to believe that there are more "normal" members of the NRA than crazy, but you wouldn't know it.  

I'm tired of this same discussion over and over and over again.  We can't say we are the greatest country in the world anymore. We are supposed to be the leaders and models for democracy.  If the mouthpieces for the gun lobby and the Republican party's answer is more guns, we are going to destroy ourselves.  Churches, movie theatres, schools, parks, museums, army bases, and so forth should be safe and gun-free. The more guns, the more death.  Don't tell me "guns don't kill people, people kill people" anymore.  That tagline is over.  

Moving on...seriously?  Jack Lew decided on replacing Alexander Hamilton on the $10 bill?  One of our Forefathers, the man that helped create our entire currency system, the first Secretary of the Treasury?  Missed the basis of that decision.  Certainly, there is a ground swell and pushback on this decision.  Yes, it's time to honor a woman on our currency, but why replace Hamilton? Andrew Jackson, former President of the United States, has a very checkered history.  Not that he couldn't be honored too, but if making a choice, let the women have the $20 bill.  It is the one that's spewed out of ATM's all over.  Let's see if anyone's mind's can be changed.  It's not too late because no decision of whom will get the honor has been made and the new bills won't be in circulation until 2020. Keep Hamilton, dump Jackson!

Sidebars:  I truly admire Taylor Swift.  I have been a fan for a long time, but her recent stances have made me stand up and cheer.  She stands by women and girls and feminism publicly.  Her recent diss of Spotify was classic and most importantly, her public letter to Apple about their new Apple Music streaming app was stunning.  Taylor Swift stood up against the behemoth company in the most polite, strong, and clear open letter that Apple executives re-assessed saw the errors of their ways (in a weekend!). Heard no other artist back her up or stand on their own two feet.  Only she had the cajones to call them out.  I stand up and cheer for her!  Tonight, is The Bachelorette.  Hard to imagine that it can live up to its own hype and promos, but I can't wait.  American Ninja Warrior is a fantastic alternative for family viewing.  The athleticism and back stories are great.  Also, note that the women and men do the exact same course.  It's the only place I know that it is truly even in events.  Worth a look see.  It's a new week.  Hopefully, quiet and peaceful.  Enjoy everyone.  

*SMH=Shaking My Head

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@DianaPodolsky