From the White House – Weekly Address
President Obama speaks to the American people about the act of terror at the Boston Marathon that wounded dozens and killed three innocent people on Monday, and says that through it all, Boston’s spirit remains undaunted and Americans have proven they refuse to be terrorized.
Be sure to let your peeps know where to find you.
Because now that’s it’s over in Boston, we need cute critter pix. Imho.
Dzhokhar Tsarnaev is in custody. He was taken alive with injuries of unknown severity (apparently 1 gunshot wound from last night’s exchange). It seems he was not Mirandized (some legal quirk that allows it in this sort of situation). I don’t know how I feel about that.
The President is currently speaking.
Share your thoughts below the fold.
This week has been one hell of a ride. From the terrible events on Monday to the explosion in Texas to the flood in Illinois (and a little bit in my basement). Add to it my mothers excisional biopsy and the little fact that we are moving on Monday and I will tell you I am not sleeping well. I am not eating well either. Thank goodness for my kids who can always make me laugh. I have leaned on them for some joy this week.
In the real world, the deliberate targeting of clinics where women seek to exercise a constitutional right is called terrorism. In the world of Fox News contributor Kirsten Powers, it is not (h/t Media Matters):
Just b/c the bombing suspects were Muslim, that doesn’t make it ‘terrorism’ any more than a crazy abortion clinic bomber is a terrorist.
– Kirsten Powers (@kirstenpowers10) April 19, 2013)
And, as Media Matters points out:
The intent behind this tweet isn’t immediately clear, but the message it conveys — that an anti-abortion zealot who sets off a bomb inside of an abortion clinic is not a terrorist — is absolutely false. The FBI treats attacks against abortion service providers as acts of terrorism and anti-abortion movements that resort to violence as terrorist groups.
Add your thoughts, updates, and what-have-you. Hope this all ends soon.
No more hurting people.
Peace
–Martin Richard
Today, starting at 8am, donations of $100 or more will be matched, up to $20,000 for the Ride. The Ride is in a week – next Saturday the 27th – and they are only at 39% of the goal raised. So, if you can, please pitch in $100 today (or pool your resources & donate together, to total $100 or more)
I have some t-shirts from past years, in various sizes that I got in order to give away. People who donate $100 or more will get one. I’ll figure out how to mail them later, but I’ve got shirts & I need donations, so come read the rest of the diary for some music (you didn’t think I was going to post a diary without music, did you?). Or you could donate at my Hill Country Ride page. If you want a shirt and I have one in your size, we’ll figure out the mailing thing.
Interrogatories
If accidental radiation exposure turned you into a giant monster, where would you rampage and what sort of havoc would you wreak?
If you could pick any song other than “The Star Spangled Banner” to be the national anthem, what would you pick?
If you could take any song as your own anthem, what would it be?
The Twitter Emitter
NO ONE is going after your gun rights, @gregcampnc. In related news, driver’s licenses do NOT prove the govt wants to take away your car.
— Mary W. Matthews (@MWM4444) April 17, 2013
This country won’t be happy until a gun is elected President.
— Aaron Blitzstein (@BlitznBeans) April 17, 2013
You’ll have to pry my misfired gun from my cold dead half-hand
— Sarah Silverman (@SarahKSilverman) April 17, 2013
America: where you can buy a gun no questions asked, but you need to show ID to buy allergy meds
— Kari(@gokari) April 17, 2013
Republicans are very angry at the president for showing empathy for dead kids. They don’t get it.
— LOLGOP (@LOLGOP) April 17, 2013
It all makes far more sense when you realize the NRA is a front for the Elder Gods, who demand the blood sacrifice of innocents.
— John Scalzi (@scalzi) April 17, 2013
It clearly says “well regulated,” you Constitution-worshipping, no reading comprehension-having, militia fetishizing fuckwits.
— Bearded Stoner (@beardedstoner) April 17, 2013
We blame Dems for GOP intransigence as if the party of personal responsibility must never be held personally responsible for their own party
— eclecticbrotha (@eclecticbrotha) April 17, 2013
If you watch @thedailyshow tonight and see me mention how stupid some people on Twitter are, remember I do not mean you. You’re brilliant.
— Ricky Gervais (@rickygervais) April 17, 2013
Guns do more than kill things.Elvis used his as an early form of remote control.
— Jack Kimble (@RepJackKimble) April 17, 2013
We are seriously fucked up as a society when owning a gun is a more basic right than good healthcare and good education.
— Sam L. (@BigSamSFO28Left) April 17, 2013
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Everyone in that area – stay inside and stay safe.