This is good news, especially for schools and students. Reading about so many people leaving teaching at all levels - they blamed it on demanding parents and entitled students. But I have to think some of it is due to American hypocrisy about schools being a safe place and children being valued. The reality is the US accepts many unhealthy or decrepit school buildings, inadequate school funding, underpaid teachers, and guns allowed practically everywhere.
Yeah, I would love to see Biden commit to a "New Deal" sort of thing for Public schools. We need it; it would be popular, and the return on investment would be massive.
Although the Bush administration was NRA friendly, the NRA did not have an office in the West Wing. I worked in a White House agency at the time, and this would have been a difficult thing to hide, as well as wholly inappropriate.
I just wrote the WH to clarify. I was listening carefully and taking notes but maybe the mistake was mine? I don't *think* so? But I'm double checking.
Thank you for spreading the word about the SURJ book band conversation. They have been doing some excellent work in this area and the more we can get the word out especially places where book bans are common would be very helpful. Hopefully other readers will share as well.
Wanted to share a heartening story out of Florida, land of banned books. Florida children’s book author Rob Sanders wrote “The Fighting Infantryman. The story of Albert DI Cashier, Transgender Civil War Soldier.” It is an illuminating and elegant tale of an underrepresented community. It’s a really great picture book.
S 173 and HR 660 are similar bills from each house of Congress. What happens to them as they make their way to passage and the President's desk? The same questions apply to the other complementary bills.
I watched the tutorial that explains how a bill becomes law but it didn't talk about my example above.
I believe they go through a process called "reconciliation" after being passed in both chambers if the bills aren't identical. Then there is a final vote.
I've been very involved in the gun violence prevention movement since the Sandy Hook School shooting, which happened just an hour from where I live in CT (I now serve as communications director for CT Against Gun Violence). I couldn't agree more with the observation that Jessica noted about how much has changed in the past decade-even though, tragically and inexcusably, more Americans are dying from gun violence now than in 2012.
I remember in the fall of 2012, just two months before Sandy Hook, as he was running for re-election President Obama was asked in a town hall about stronger gun regulation. You could tell he didn't want to talk about it. Back then "gun control" was the third rail of politics. (To be fair, he fully embraced the gun violence prevention movement following Sandy Hook; some of his most moving remarks during his time in office were about gun violence).
But look how far we've come: now candidates are winning on the issue - Lucy McBath (D-GA), whose son was murdered in a "stand your ground" incident, flipped the seat once held by Newt Gingrich. Following Parkland, the March for Our Lives Movement was a key factor in Democrats taking control of the House in 2018. And last year's Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, though very modest, was the first measure to strengthen federal gun regulation in 30 years. The Biden administration has done more through executive action than any administration.
1. To tailor my call script for my (NY) congressional representatives I like to follow the links that JC puts in her script and check in advance whether the Senator or Representative is already a co-sponsor. As a mini-tutorial -
(b) The main work area is a folder/tab style widget that starts open to "Summary"; find the "Co-Sponsors" tab further to the right.
(c) Filter by your state.
In my case, I see that only one NY Senator is already a co-sponsor. So I will start my chat with Senator Gillibrand's office with a thank you, and I may lead my call with Chuck Schumer's office with "Why the heck not?"
2. Resources that I have found useful for thinking and talking about gun violence:
(a) Mother Jones Mass Shooting Database - This appears in spreadsheet format and can be downloaded in csv format with one click. I find it unfortunate that the names of the perpetrators are listed (in the "summary") but the victims' names are not shown. I understand the need for respecting the privacy of the families of the victims, but I want to say their names, and I do not want to even know the names of the perpetrators.
(b) As to victims, a heartbreaking resource is the National Gun Violence Memorial. So many beautiful people, so many young people, but also beautiful older people.
Note that this site includes all victims of gun violence - murders, suicides, and accidents included, "on average, As the Indigo Girls sing, "Here is potential, gone for good."
ERR Note that this site includes all victims of gun violence - murders, suicides, and accidents included: “On an average day, 108 people are shot dead in the United States.”
While I know that mental health is often a component of gun violence, I am very concerned about the sandwich graphic used at the top of this post. Honestly addressing the catalysts of gun violence in this country without further stigmatizing people with mental illness/disorder diagnoses requires that we be very specific and measured in our approach to that discussion. Our dominant cultural understanding of neurodivergence and mental illness is highly biased to a degree that anyone perceived as not mentally "normal" or "healthy" is considered dangerous and violent by default. The truth is that, as a group, mentally ill and neurodivergent people are far more likely to be victims of violence than perpetrators of it. To talk about the role mental health plays in fun violence, without addressing this reality only serves to provide a convenient scapegoat, and to perpetuate the harmfully oppressive misconceptions that are status quo. Using memes and graphics that center mental health at the expense of a more nuanced understanding of all the complex factors involved does direct harm to an already harshly marginalized population.
You know what? This is a point well taken. I should have known better. Thanks for pointing it out and articulating your argument so well. I will not make that mistake again.
Oh, and, I don't think it's fair to criticize yourself and say you "should have known better." For better or worse, we're all products of our socialization, and it is a never-ending labor of love to unlearn it all. I am just so happy that you honor that need to constantly learn, and I have much gratitude!
Well, but I know the statistic about neurologically divergent people being more likely to be on the receiving end of gun violence than the delivery end. So if I'd stopped to think for more than a minute I might have re-considered using that graphic. Again. I need a staff. (:
It doesn't sound like you get much time to stop and think. I so much appreciate all the work you do on this newsletter, and I plan to do a paid subscription as soon as i can afford to. I am so glad you are here!
I'm guessing that this was said by someone on the call somewhat tongue in cheek, but it can't have been true in a literal sense. Now if something like this had happened during the Trump administration, that might be an entirely different story.
This is good news, especially for schools and students. Reading about so many people leaving teaching at all levels - they blamed it on demanding parents and entitled students. But I have to think some of it is due to American hypocrisy about schools being a safe place and children being valued. The reality is the US accepts many unhealthy or decrepit school buildings, inadequate school funding, underpaid teachers, and guns allowed practically everywhere.
Yeah, I would love to see Biden commit to a "New Deal" sort of thing for Public schools. We need it; it would be popular, and the return on investment would be massive.
It would be fascinating to watch Congressional Republicans oppose it.
They'd find a way.
Jessica, let’s call it a Moonshot for Education Excellence.
And woefully inadequate staffing!
Wow! FEMA after a mass shooting. EMERGENCY Management, of course.
Right!
Although the Bush administration was NRA friendly, the NRA did not have an office in the West Wing. I worked in a White House agency at the time, and this would have been a difficult thing to hide, as well as wholly inappropriate.
Huh. That's what the guy on the call this AM said--and I think he worked there? I'll have to circle back on that.
Just for reference since this was corrected in a subsequent post by Jessica:
https://open.substack.com/pub/chopwoodcarrywaterdailyactions/p/correction-ab9
I just wrote the WH to clarify. I was listening carefully and taking notes but maybe the mistake was mine? I don't *think* so? But I'm double checking.
I mean, I found it really shocking, too, but this being an official WH call I'd be quite surprised if he was making it up? We'll see.
Thank you for spreading the word about the SURJ book band conversation. They have been doing some excellent work in this area and the more we can get the word out especially places where book bans are common would be very helpful. Hopefully other readers will share as well.
I agree they are doing such important work. I hope people attend!
Wanted to share a heartening story out of Florida, land of banned books. Florida children’s book author Rob Sanders wrote “The Fighting Infantryman. The story of Albert DI Cashier, Transgender Civil War Soldier.” It is an illuminating and elegant tale of an underrepresented community. It’s a really great picture book.
Sounds amazing!
Hey, Jessica.
S 173 and HR 660 are similar bills from each house of Congress. What happens to them as they make their way to passage and the President's desk? The same questions apply to the other complementary bills.
I watched the tutorial that explains how a bill becomes law but it didn't talk about my example above.
Thanks in advance for your reply!
I believe they go through a process called "reconciliation" after being passed in both chambers if the bills aren't identical. Then there is a final vote.
Thanks, Jessica. Helps to know.
“one Democratic Senator telling me that she wanted to vote yes, but she was getting seven phone calls against the bill for every one in favor.”
That’s when that Senator should demonstrate, oh, let’s call it leadership, and convince the seven to change their views.
Don’t even have to convince the majority of them. Just three and she’d have a 50:50 split from her callers.
I've been very involved in the gun violence prevention movement since the Sandy Hook School shooting, which happened just an hour from where I live in CT (I now serve as communications director for CT Against Gun Violence). I couldn't agree more with the observation that Jessica noted about how much has changed in the past decade-even though, tragically and inexcusably, more Americans are dying from gun violence now than in 2012.
I remember in the fall of 2012, just two months before Sandy Hook, as he was running for re-election President Obama was asked in a town hall about stronger gun regulation. You could tell he didn't want to talk about it. Back then "gun control" was the third rail of politics. (To be fair, he fully embraced the gun violence prevention movement following Sandy Hook; some of his most moving remarks during his time in office were about gun violence).
But look how far we've come: now candidates are winning on the issue - Lucy McBath (D-GA), whose son was murdered in a "stand your ground" incident, flipped the seat once held by Newt Gingrich. Following Parkland, the March for Our Lives Movement was a key factor in Democrats taking control of the House in 2018. And last year's Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, though very modest, was the first measure to strengthen federal gun regulation in 30 years. The Biden administration has done more through executive action than any administration.
The point is, don't give up. Change is happening.
Yes to all of this, Jonathan! Thank you!
Regarding Friday's gun violence recommended actions.
1. To tailor my call script for my (NY) congressional representatives I like to follow the links that JC puts in her script and check in advance whether the Senator or Representative is already a co-sponsor. As a mini-tutorial -
(a) follow the link to (e.g., https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/senate-bill/173).
(b) The main work area is a folder/tab style widget that starts open to "Summary"; find the "Co-Sponsors" tab further to the right.
(c) Filter by your state.
In my case, I see that only one NY Senator is already a co-sponsor. So I will start my chat with Senator Gillibrand's office with a thank you, and I may lead my call with Chuck Schumer's office with "Why the heck not?"
2. Resources that I have found useful for thinking and talking about gun violence:
(a) Mother Jones Mass Shooting Database - This appears in spreadsheet format and can be downloaded in csv format with one click. I find it unfortunate that the names of the perpetrators are listed (in the "summary") but the victims' names are not shown. I understand the need for respecting the privacy of the families of the victims, but I want to say their names, and I do not want to even know the names of the perpetrators.
https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2012/12/mass-shootings-mother-jones-full-data/
(b) As to victims, a heartbreaking resource is the National Gun Violence Memorial. So many beautiful people, so many young people, but also beautiful older people.
Note that this site includes all victims of gun violence - murders, suicides, and accidents included, "on average, As the Indigo Girls sing, "Here is potential, gone for good."
https://gunmemorial.org/
Peace, all.
ERR Note that this site includes all victims of gun violence - murders, suicides, and accidents included: “On an average day, 108 people are shot dead in the United States.”
While I know that mental health is often a component of gun violence, I am very concerned about the sandwich graphic used at the top of this post. Honestly addressing the catalysts of gun violence in this country without further stigmatizing people with mental illness/disorder diagnoses requires that we be very specific and measured in our approach to that discussion. Our dominant cultural understanding of neurodivergence and mental illness is highly biased to a degree that anyone perceived as not mentally "normal" or "healthy" is considered dangerous and violent by default. The truth is that, as a group, mentally ill and neurodivergent people are far more likely to be victims of violence than perpetrators of it. To talk about the role mental health plays in fun violence, without addressing this reality only serves to provide a convenient scapegoat, and to perpetuate the harmfully oppressive misconceptions that are status quo. Using memes and graphics that center mental health at the expense of a more nuanced understanding of all the complex factors involved does direct harm to an already harshly marginalized population.
You know what? This is a point well taken. I should have known better. Thanks for pointing it out and articulating your argument so well. I will not make that mistake again.
Thank you so much for your gracious response, and your intention to do better! I appreciate it so, so much!
Oh, and, I don't think it's fair to criticize yourself and say you "should have known better." For better or worse, we're all products of our socialization, and it is a never-ending labor of love to unlearn it all. I am just so happy that you honor that need to constantly learn, and I have much gratitude!
Well, but I know the statistic about neurologically divergent people being more likely to be on the receiving end of gun violence than the delivery end. So if I'd stopped to think for more than a minute I might have re-considered using that graphic. Again. I need a staff. (:
It doesn't sound like you get much time to stop and think. I so much appreciate all the work you do on this newsletter, and I plan to do a paid subscription as soon as i can afford to. I am so glad you are here!
I'm guessing that this was said by someone on the call somewhat tongue in cheek, but it can't have been true in a literal sense. Now if something like this had happened during the Trump administration, that might be an entirely different story.
Dear Jess,
Thanks for this wonderful report! Do you know if this gun prevention zoom meeting will be available to watch? … maybe on the White House site?
No, alas. It was a closed meeting for social media influencers only. (: That's why I tried to give as thorough a breakdown as possibe. But if you want to know more about the new office check here: https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2023/09/21/president-joe-biden-to-establish-first-ever-white-house-office-of-gun-violence-prevention-to-be-overseen-by-vice-president-kamala-harris/#:~:text=The%20new%20Office%20of%20Gun%20Violence%20Prevention%20will%20play%20a,to%20build%20upon%20the%20meaningful
Wow! I didn’t realize you are such a well known celebrity…enough to be invited to a White House briefing! I love that!!! I’m so proud of you!!!!
I love this, thanks Jessica!