One of them was a homegirl.
Akyra Murray, 18, graduated June 6 from Philadelphia's West Catholic Prep, the same school from which my mother graduated in 1950. Last month, she signed a national letter of intent to attend Mercyhurst University on a full-ride scholarship for basketball, a sport she once doubted she was good enough to play. Akyra Murray died on June 12. She didn't even have a chance.
This week, Fearsome Beard asked us to write to our congresspeople regarding this murder; this is the response I received from my federal representative.
Thank
you
for
taking
the
time
to
express
your
concern
about
gun
violence.
My
name
is
Helena
Mastrogianis,
and
I
am
Congressman
Boyle's
Legislative
Director.
Congressman
Boyle
highly
values
the
input
he
receives
from
citizens
like
you,
and he
asked
me
to
reach
out
to
you
on
his
behalf.
The
concerns
that
you
express
to
him
inform
his
voting
decisions
and
policy
positions,
and
this
type
of
open
dialogue
is
the
top
priority
of
our
office.
Congressman Boyle strongly believes the epidemic of gun violence in the United States requires urgent, robust, and comprehensive action from each of us – elected officials included. The need for action is clear. According to the Centers for Disease Control Prevention, gun violence took 33,000 lives in 2013 alone. By contrast to other similar nations, according to the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence, "the U.S. firearm homicide rate is 20 times higher than the combined rates of 22 countries that are our peers in wealth and population."
You'll be glad to know that Congressman Boyle is a member of the Gun Violence Prevention Task Force, which promotes policy action to combat these tragedies which have become far too frequent. He also cosponsors over ten common-sense bills that address the epidemic of gun violence through: enhanced criminal and mental health background checks, more stringent enforcement of gun trafficking laws and background checks, reinstating the assault weapons ban that lapsed in 2004, and further study on the causes and effects of gun violence to inform policymaking. He is also a cosponsor and strong supporter of legislation to ban gun sales to individuals on the terrorism watch list, H.R. 1076, the bipartisan “No Fly, No Buy” legislation authored by Republican Congressman Peter King. Republicans have blocked votes on this bill over ten times this congress.
Congressman Boyle strongly believes the epidemic of gun violence in the United States requires urgent, robust, and comprehensive action from each of us – elected officials included. The need for action is clear. According to the Centers for Disease Control Prevention, gun violence took 33,000 lives in 2013 alone. By contrast to other similar nations, according to the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence, "the U.S. firearm homicide rate is 20 times higher than the combined rates of 22 countries that are our peers in wealth and population."
You'll be glad to know that Congressman Boyle is a member of the Gun Violence Prevention Task Force, which promotes policy action to combat these tragedies which have become far too frequent. He also cosponsors over ten common-sense bills that address the epidemic of gun violence through: enhanced criminal and mental health background checks, more stringent enforcement of gun trafficking laws and background checks, reinstating the assault weapons ban that lapsed in 2004, and further study on the causes and effects of gun violence to inform policymaking. He is also a cosponsor and strong supporter of legislation to ban gun sales to individuals on the terrorism watch list, H.R. 1076, the bipartisan “No Fly, No Buy” legislation authored by Republican Congressman Peter King. Republicans have blocked votes on this bill over ten times this congress.
Congressman
Boyle
is
committed
to
putting
people
before
politics
and
enacting
these
common-sense,
critically
important
policies
to
better
protect
innocent
Americans
from
further
firearm-related
tragedies.
These
steps
are
long
overdue.
Thank you again for reaching out to Congressman Boyle on this important subject. Please do not hesitate to do so again should you have any concerns regarding this or any other matter.
Thank you again for reaching out to Congressman Boyle on this important subject. Please do not hesitate to do so again should you have any concerns regarding this or any other matter.
Helena Mastrogianis
My fuckwad federal senators have not responded at all. Guess they don't give a fat flying fuck about innocent citizens dying.
I am tired of guns, tired of morons with guns, tired of gun culture, tired of rape culture, tired of h8, tired of organized religion, tired of the NRA, tired of guvmint people (state and federal) sucking the NRA’s dick, tired of white people thinking they are “all that”, tired of homophobia, tired of racism, tired of jingoism, tired of xenophobia, tired of bigotry, tired of h8 groups, tired of flag waving bible-thumpers, tired of child/animal abusers, tired of "thoughts and prayers", tired of paternal rule, tired of murikkka.
How many more must die due to the NRA?
How many more must die due to Congress?
How many more must die due to state legislatures?
How many more must die due to morons?
How many more must die due to h8?
And if you are offended by this post, FUCK YOU! You are part of the problem, not part of the solution.
Your omission of music this week fully understood, A.M. Would have been a trifle callous to go on as if this event hadn't happened - at least until the dust starts to settle.
ReplyDeleteCouple of nights ago we had on our TV an interview with the Trump's GAY Florida campaign manager - and himself a regular at the 'Pulse' - actually defending the notion of 'The Great Unifier' that if the people on that dancefloor that night had also been armed, Mr Mateen would never have managed to kill so many before being put down himself. I thought I'd heard everything. Well, I think I have now!
Have, if you can, a fine w/e, Luv.
"if the people on that dancefloor that night had also been armed, Mr Mateen would never have managed to kill so many.."
ReplyDeleteIs it even possible to dance while holding a loaded weapon? I wouldn't like to boogie with someone with a gun on them.
Congressman Boyle seems like s sensible man, but sadly he seems to be swimming against the tide.
Some of us, still love and respect one another. I am being careful to not let an act of hate and violence, bring me to hatred and violence. The NRA is NUTS.
ReplyDeleteCompletely understandable, AM.
ReplyDeleteI haven't heard from either one of my Senators so I'll write again, a bit nastier this time.
Until then I keep telling myself love is love is love is love is love is love ....
I love you Anne Marie!
ReplyDeleteWhat he said.
DeleteJP
Quite right, anne marie!
ReplyDeleteWe in Amsterdam have our hearts. People here can't believe its the same US it was years ago and can't understand why these morals things are still issues and that gun flow so freely. Certainly isn't the country I left. I think I made a wise choice.
ReplyDeleteYou have our hearts too.
DeleteI tear up every time I read something about Orlando. When I came out back in the late 1970’s in St. Louis, it was common for people to drive by the gay bars and yell “FAGS”. Things have come a long way but there’s still more to do. It’s Pride weekend in Denver. I was out with friends last night. There was a huge police presence. At one point, two uniformed officers walked through the bar. The crowd erupted in applause. The officers seemed a little taken aback. It was good to know we are being cared for. RJJS
ReplyDeleteBefore leaving on his trip, the Mistress told me he looked at the NRA website, and was completely applaud and horrified by what he saw and read. I never heard the mistress go on a rant like that morning. You can only imagine what he'd do to them and where his dildo collection would end up.
ReplyDeleteI read you often. Agree with you 99.99% of the time.
ReplyDeleteThank you for saying things I cannot seem
to put into words myself.
I rarely comment, just too sad mostly........
I am afraid and sad, my heart is broken.
Sorry for not showing up yesterday. Between Orlando and the near-miss in West Hollywood later that same day, it has not been a good week. Yesterday was the 24 Hours of Le Mans, and it was the perfect time for me to take a break from everything evil that has happened.
ReplyDeleteI won't bother writing to my idiot Congressman. When Trump held a rally in San Diego, he was the only local Congressman to show up to support him. He also votes in favor of anti-LGBT legislation. My only hope to get him out of office is any action taken by the Ethics committee regarding using campaign funds for personal stuff like video games on Steam.
I good week to have a vacation here in Rehoboth and away from the hate and sad. Were leaving tomorrow for Newport after a quick pit stop at the casa. It can only get better no???? Not surprised you got a letter by your reps manager. My ex who wotked for our state rep, said most politicians never even see their letters or emails. Sad. Hope all is well otherwise toots.
ReplyDeleteDid you write a handwritten letter? I am told congress types are far more likely to read and respond to such than email, of which they get plenty.
ReplyDelete