Tags
Could you be an asshole?, douchebaggery, gun control, Politics, you suck so fucking bad I can't see straight
This was originally posted back in 2011 after the shooting of Rep. Gabby Giffords of Arizona. Today seems appropriate to reprint it, as perhaps we need a reminder.
By Smaktakula
Nothing brings out assholes like a tragedy, and Saturday’s horrific mass shooting in Tuscon is no exception. As in this instance, assholes often reveal themselves through their initial thoughts.
ASSHOLE:
“You Know, If Giffords Had Been Packing A Gun Of Her Own, We Wouldn’t Be Having This Conversation Right Now.”
ASSHOLE:
“Well, If This Gets America To Get Rid Of Its Guns, I Guess It’s Worth It.”
NOT AN ASSHOLE:
“My God. No Words Exist To Express My Deep Shock And Sorrow. My Heart Goes Out To The Families Of The Six People Who Were Murdered, And To The Dozen Or So More Who Are Hospitalized. I’m So, So Sorry.”
Promethean Times 
I’m just hoping that neither side turns this tragedy into yet another political opportunity.
Too late, sadly.
Sigh. It’s deja vu all over again.
Fortunately, this opportunity to possibly change the conversation to not banning guns but better controlling their availability will be wasted, so we can go through all this again at some point in the future…
Why don’t we let the bodies cool a bit before we “take that opportunity” though?
And I’m not trying to be combative. Look at it this way–let’s say you and your wife get in a HUGE argument and it’s just ended. Is RIGHT then always the time to discuss your individual issues?
I couldn’t agree with you more. Unfortunately, too many people will use this to stand on their soapboxes and scream about whatever it is they scream about (on all sides of the argument).
It would be nice to tune into whatever media, and hear nothing about this but the tending of the victims and survivors, along with the local red cross number…
Hey Smak, I’m going to focus on that last genuine and decent sentiment there and not the others.
Smak, my comment was the anonymous comment before this one. Forgot to sign in so I’m guessing that’s why it posted that way.
No, it’s me not you (that’s what the ladies used to tell me anyway). I think the problem stems on my end, because other folks have had the same problem!
Thanks for the comment!
You’re funny. :). Well, the comments are from me, Brigitte, in case you didn’t know. Have a good weekend.
I suspect we all feel like that cat looks. It’s a very gray day. My thoughts and heart go out to those people and their families and their community.
I’m horrified. I just want to hug the entire town. It’s just so sick and senseless. Good reminder, though.
I remain in a tiny box (in Canada) 24/7 with only a computer and a bag of pretzels, so I don’t know what shooting you’re talking about.
However, allow me to say: KITTY!
If the media would stop publishing the name and picture of the responsible parties in these instances, I think there would be less of these tragedies.
That’s an excellent point, and something I’d been thinking about quite a bit even before this tragedy. The thought has led me to wonder (and I suspect this may prove contentious) if we’re incentivizing suicide in the much the same way by tearfully remembering them as little heroes and publicly castigating those people bullied them (who in most cases have not been found guilty in any court other than that of public opinion) on national TV.
Hmm. I hadn’t thought about it that way. Interesting.
It is truly sad when either “side” tries to make political hay of tragedy. The bottom line is that every human being has the potential for evil (observe a group of toddlers and you’ll see what I mean) and sad to say, evil is the instinctive human default mode. The amazing thing is that there aren’t more acts of senseless cruelty and violence, given our nature.
It takes more fortitude and integrity to step up with comfort and aid for the victims and families even when our instinct is to lash back. We cannot prevent people from being evil and doing evil things- but we can control our response and reaction to such things.
It’s sad when one person decides to act in such a way – and that person should be dealt with according to the law- but it is dangerous to generalize our response and take it out of context based on one incident. Tend to the people who are suffering first.
Absolutely right, and we don’t do our best thinking when we’re in pain.
Moreover, we are so ridiculously reactive. Already I’ve heard talk of metal detectors in movie theaters. Fucking ridiculous. How about bars? I hear people get killed there from time to time.
Yeah, people get shot up in convenience stores all the time too- especially the employees- but no one’s screaming for TSA type searches at the 7-11.
I couldn’t see me wanting a Squishee bad enough to be x-rayed and then groped by a total stranger (unless he was a hot dude, but knowing my luck it would be a creepy old bull-dyke.)
Maybe we’re just used to convenience store shootings? Makes you wonder.