A FATHER & TEACHER SPEAKS OUT CALL TO ACTION To prevent more GUN killings. Prayers are good, but no longer enough to prevent the bloodshed!

Yet another school shooting took place this past Friday. I heard the grim news while I was driving to work, from Middleburgh MS, to Schalmont HS. I am an itinerant (traveling) ENL teacher. ENL stands for English as a New Language.

According to Yahoo News, "Police said that a 17-year-old student, Dimitrios Pagourtzis, burst into a classroom and opened fire at Santa Fe High School, about 30 miles (50 kilometers) southeast of Houston, as the school day was beginning around 8:00 am.

Authorities said 10 people were killed and another 10 injured, as students fled in panic, seeking shelter in nearby homes or shops for safety, or lining up on school fields as the injured were taken away in ambulances.

Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez said the "majority" of the 10 dead were students. Area residents said two of the 10 wounded were in critical condition.

The Houston Chronicle said Pagourtzis was armed with pipe bombs in addition to firearms.

Texas Governor Greg Abbott said searches of two residences had turned up "various explosive devices" including a "CO2 device" and a Molotov cocktail."

 Source: https://www.yahoo.com/news/texas-school-shooting-know-210650907.html

My family, my colleagues, and my students are worried like you about gun violence in our schools. We must do something. We can't let this bloodshed continue. We must be a united, and a strong persistent voice in an effort to prevent more violence. We must demand gun reform from Congress, and our States.

I wrote about this sad issue on Christmas day of 2012, after the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting. On December 14, 2012, a sole young deranged gun man, with an automatic rifle, took the life of 20 children and 6 teachers.

Then several months ago, on February 14, 2018. again- another similar incident took place at yet another school in Parkland, Florida, at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Broward County, Florida, part of the Miami metropolitan area. Seventeen people – fourteen students and three staff members – were fatally shot and seventeen others were wounded, making the shooting one of the deadliest school massacres. Our nation and these towns are in shock once again. So, unless we all act together forcefully and in unison, Congress will not do anything.

I'm sure that most of us knew that a similar massacre would likely happen again, since our federal government has failed to pass sensible gun control reform. 
As you may remember, the 19-year-old Nikolas Cruz, a former student at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, who had been expelled for disciplinary reasons, and murdered 17 students at Parkland HS, in Florida. He was also known for harassing his girlfriend and for showing erratic violent behavior. He also made threats online. He wrote on Face Book: "I'm going to be a professional school shooter."

It's obvious that we must do more to protect our children. We can't let this bloodshed to continue. We can't let the NRA sell us more guns because the US already has 270,000,000 guns on its soil! According to Gun Control - ProCon.org - the US has the highest per capita number in the world; 22% of Americans own one or more guns, that is 88.8 guns per 100 people! It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure this out! More guns produce more deaths! 33,000/year and 80,000 wounded. It is imperative that Congress approves common sense gun reform legislation soon! To protect our schools and all citizens from the mentally deranged, criminals, fanatics and terrorists! We must take the lead in this effort! Our lives depend on it!

I'm not suggesting to take the 2nd Amendment's rights away- I'm just against the wrong people having powerful guns, like automatic rifles and high capacity magazines. These are weapons of war- used only to kill large groups of people at once. So, let's do something to stop this bloodbath! We must... if we truly care for our school children.

I also know that the Bible tells us that: "Faith without action is useless." I'm not dismissing the power of prayer, but I also think that we have to take action if we want to prevent additional tragedies as these. Therefore, I urge everyone to take some positive action.

Here are some suggestions- steps- that I've already taken- and I hope you will too. We should at least write letters to our leaders in Congress, and sign petitions. These would be helpful in showing our politicians that they need to do more to protect our school children from gun violence. 

It is essential to let our leaders know, hence, if you're reading this letter, please do the following. Write to our politicians at the State, but more importantly at Federal level (since NY has the Safe Act, however illegal weapons can be brought across State lines), sign petitions online, and join groups, like Newtown Action Alliance who has have been pushing for a federal ban on assault weapons since the Sandy Hook tragedy. 
To join one or more of these groups that support gun reform, visit https://www.facebook.com/NewtownActionAlliance/posts/1598286016945324

Petition - Ban Assault Weapons and High Capacity Magazines Now! PETITION BACKGROUND:  Thoughts and prayers are not enough. Americans deserve a strong response from our elected leaders. Over 165 gun violence prevention groups and allies have joined the Campaign Against Assault Weapons to ban #WeaponsOfWar to keep our families and communities safe. We invite you to join our campaign by signing our petition. http://org2.salsalabs.com/o/5610/c/1681/p/dia/action4/common/public/?action_KEY=25421

Teacher and/or administrators, please watch this Face Book video, titled: EXTREME SECURITY INSIDE "AMERICA'S SAFEST SCHOOLS" https://www.facebook.com/nbcnightlynews/videos/10156386751733689/

Then share, the above video (and this post too:)!... with your colleagues and school administrators. If our elected leders in Congress fail once again- to pass gun legislation that aims at protecting our students- then our schools should be equipped with security systems as this one- to prevent further bloodshed.

Thank you!

PS,
Feel free to read my gun reform letters already emailed to;
(Click on the link below, and/or copy/paste it on your address browser and then click enter)
1.  The Albany's bishop, get his support. Click on the link http://ottaviolopiccolo.blogspot.com/2018/02/open-letter-to-my-bishop-in-albany-ny.html

2. Our political leaders, after the Sandy Hook shooting in 2012, click on the link: http://ottaviolopiccolo.blogspot.com/2018/02/that-i-shared-with-media-family-friends.html

Online Articles:
1. The NRA can be Beat- (& Who gets their Funding)- NY Times Editorial https://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/15/opinion/the-nra-can-be-beat.html?smid=fb-share

2. Japan has almost completely eliminated gun deaths — here's how. By Chris Weller, Feb. 15, 2018. Business Insider. http://www.businessinsider.com/gun-control-how-japan-has-almost-completely-eliminated-gun-deaths-2017-10

 Open letter to my Bishop, in Albany NY- Asking about Gun Control Petition/Letter Drive. 2-22-18

Dear Bishop Scharfenberger,
I sent this email to you yesterday, but I had a computer issue. So, I'm sending it again today, in case you didn't receive it.

I'm writing you to get your support. I would like to see our Albany diocese start a letter writing campaign and/or petition drive to ask our federal government for effective gun control reform to prevent more school shootings at the hands of people who shouldn't possess high powered automatic guns/riffles.

 
I am a practicing Catholic and a public school teacher. My family, my students and my colleges are worried about gun violence in our schools. I wrote about this sad issue on Christmas day of 2012, after the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting. On December 14, 2012, a sole young deranged gun man, with an automatic rifle took the life of 20 children and 6 teachers. 
Several days ago a similar incident took place at yet another school in Parkland, Florida, that killed at least 17 people, stunning the town and much of the nation once again.

I knew that a similar massacre would likely happen again because our federal government has failed to pass sensible gun control reform. As we all know last week 19-year-old Nikolas Cruz, a former student at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, who had been expelled for disciplinary reasons, murdered 17 students at Parkland HS, in Florida. He was also known for harassing his girlfriend and for showing erratic violent behavior. He also made threats online. He wrote on Face Book: "I'm going to be a professional school shooter." 

It's obvious that we must do more to protect our children. We can't let this bloodshed to continue. We can't let the NRA sell us more guns because the US already has 270,000,000 guns on its soil! According to Gun Control - ProCon.org -  the US has the highest per capita number in the world; 22% of Americans own one or more guns, that is 88.8 guns per 100 people! It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure this out! More guns produce more deaths! 33,000/year and 80,000 wounded. Congress needs to pass common sense gun reform legislation to protect all citizens from the mentally deranged, criminals, fanatics and terrorists! I'm not against the 2nd Amendment- just against the wrong people having powerful guns, like automatic rifles and high capacity magazines. These are weapons of war- used only to kill large groups of people at once. Let's do something to stop this bloodbath! We must if we truly care for our school children.
 

I also know that the Bible tells us that: "Faith without action is useless." I'm not dismissing the power of prayer, but I think that we also need to take action if we want to prevent additional tragedies as these. Therefore, I implore you, dear bishop, and everyone who reads this letter, to take some positive action. 

Here are some suggestions, some steps -that I've already taken- and I hope you will too. I think that a letter and/or petition drive, throughout the Albany Diocese, would be helpful in showing our leaders that they need to do more to protect our school children from gun violence. It is essential to let them know, hence I invite you , and all who care about human life, to write to your politicians at the State, but more importantly at Federal level (NY has the Safe Act- although illegal weapons could be brought into our State), sign petitions, and join groups, like Newtown Action Alliance (NAA) who have been pushing for a federal ban on assault weapons since the Sandy Hook tragedy. Click on the link below, or paste into your address browser, to join one or more of these groups https://www.facebook.com/NewtownActionAlliance/posts/1598286016945324

FB video: EXTREME SECURITY INSIDE "AMERICA'S SAFEST SCHOOLS" https://www.facebook.com/nbcnightlynews/videos/10156386751733689/
If our elected leders in Congress fail, once again, to pass gun legislation that aims at protecting our students, then our schools should be equipedd with security systems as this one- to prevent further bloodshed.

Thank you

Ottavio Lo Piccolo,

Saint Anthony's Church member, Sch'dy, NY

Tel 518-370-4476

PS,

I also hope that you will publish this letter in the Evangelist.

To read the letter I wrote to our politicians, after the Sandy Hook Shooting in 2012, please click on the link below;
 http://ottaviolopiccolo.blogspot.com/2018/02/that-i-shared-with-media-family-friends.html



OTHER USEFUL SITES WE CAN USE TO TAKE ACTION

1. Petition - Ban Assault Weapons and High Capacity Magazines Now! PETITION BACKGROUND:  Thoughts and prayers are not enough. Americans deserve a strong response from our elected leaders. Over 165 gun violence prevention groups and allies have joined the Campaign Against Assault Weapons to ban #WeaponsOfWar to keep our families and communities safe. We invite you to join our campaign by signing our petition. http://org2.salsalabs.com/o/5610/c/1681/p/dia/action4/common/public/?action_KEY=25421

2. Teacher and/or administrators, please watch this Face Book video, titled: EXTREME SECURITY INSIDE "AMERICA'S SAFEST SCHOOLS" https://www.facebook.com/nbcnightlynews/videos/10156386751733689/

Then share, the above video (and this post too:)!... with your collegues and school administrators. If our elected leders in Congress fail once again- to pass gun legislation that aims at protecting our students- then our schools should be equipedd with security systems as this one- to prevent further bloodshed.

Thank you!

Feel free to read my gun reform letter to;
1. Our political leaders, after the Sandy Hook shooting in 2012, click on the link: http://ottaviolopiccolo.blogspot.com/2018/02/that-i-shared-with-media-family-friends.html

Online Articles:
1. The NRA can be Beat- (& Who gets their Funding)- NY Times Editorial https://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/15/opinion/the-nra-can-be-beat.html?smid=fb-share

2. Japan has almost completely eliminated gun deaths — here's how. By Chris Weller, Feb. 15, 2018. Business Insider. http://www.businessinsider.com/gun-control-how-japan-has-almost-completely-eliminated-gun-deaths-2017-10

MORE ACTION NEEDED TO GET GUN CONTROL REFORMS. Please take action, write to your political representatives at the State level and in Congress. Also sign the petition and join a Gun reform groups to let your voice count! United we stand against gun violence! Divided more of our school children will fall to more bullets, death, pain and sorrow.

 
  

I wrote the letter below on Christmas day 2012, after the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting. A sole young deranged gun man, with an automatic rifle took the life of 20 children and 6 teachers. Several days ago we had a similar incident, at a high school in Parkland, Florida, that killed at least 17 people, stunning the town and much of the nation once again.

"The suspect was identified as 19-year-old Nikolas Cruz, a former student at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School who'd been expelled for disciplinary reasons, Broward County Sheriff Scott Israel confirmed during an evening news conference. Sen. Bill Nelson told Fox News that Cruz was wearing a gas mask and may have had smoke bombs during the rampage." (Source: FOX News)

It's obvious that we must do more to protect our children. We can't let this bloodshed to continue. We can't let the NRA sell us more guns because the US already has 270,000,000 guns on its soil! According to Gun Control - ProCon.org, the US has the highest per capita number in the world; 22% of Americans own one or more guns, that is 88.8 guns per 100 people! It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure this out! More guns produce more deaths! 33,000/year and 80,000 wounded. Please pass gun reform laws to protect all citizens from the mentally deranged, criminals, fanatics and terrorists! I'm not against the 2nd Amendment- just against the wrong people having powerful guns, like automatic rifles and high capacity magazines. These are weapons of war- used only to kill in large groups of people at once. Let's do something to stop this bloodbath! We must if you truly care for our school children. 
Thank you!

Please help and protect our school children from gun violence, take action now; write to your politicians, sign petitions, and join groups, like Newtown Action Alliance (NAA) has have been pushing for a federal ban on assault weapons since the Sandy Hook tragedy. Click on the link below https://www.facebook.com/NewtownActionAlliance/posts/1598286016945324

Since then, we, the NAA, have built a coalition of 165+ organizations on the Campaign Against Assault Weapons. http://org2.salsalabs.com/…/1…/p/dia/action4/common/public/…
Please support these organizations who are working tirelessly to prevent our children from being massacred by #WeaponsOfWar in their schools.

 To sign petition, Ban Assault Weapons and High Capacity Magazines Now!

PETITION BACKGROUND:  Thoughts and prayers are not enough. Americans deserve a strong response from our elected leaders. Over 165 gun violence prevention groups and allies have joined the Campaign Against Assault Weapons to ban #WeaponsOfWar to keep our families and communities safe. We invite you to join our campaign by signing our petition.

To sign click on this link:
 https://www.facebook.com/OccupyDemocrats/videos/1937483476344697/

My LETTER after THE SANDY HOOK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL SHOOTING in 2012 (That I shared with the media, politicians, family friends and collegues)

Dear friends,                                           December 25, 2012 
My wife and I are teachers in the public schools with two of our children still attending (public schools) . I am an itinerant (traveling) ESL teacher with over 12 years of experience in many schools. I am also a NY Air National Guard member with over 28 years of service in the military, including 4 on active duty with the US Air Force. 

I am writing you to ask for your support for EFFECTIVE & POWERFUL action to adequately protect our children and our schools.

We are the most armed country in the world with the highest death rate by handguns. Just several days ago NPR (National Public Radio. Sometime before Dec. 2012) reported that 100 thousand people get shot in the USA, and 30 thousand are fatal (Today, Feb 2018, this statistic has grown: 33,000 killed, and 80,000 wounded). More than the Vietnam war! Which lasted over 17 years, and it cost our country 52,000 young lives. It was the longest war in our country’s history. But this war is in our backyard! And it is even bloodier! This is intolerable, immoral and shameful! Don’t you think that we all need to do something to stop it?

Being armed to the teeth will only bring more unnecessary blood, death and sorrow in our land. That’s a fact, and that’s what the Bible tells us;  
“Whoever uses the sword shall perish by the sword."
 
Soon after the Newtown shooting I have made the following pledges, and I hope you will join me in this effort to save our country and schools from this carnage;

1. I will continue reminding my colleagues, my family, friends, the media and political representatives; until meaningful, just and effective gun control laws are in place in our State and in this country, and when our schools will be safe, and when the violence and carnage finally stops. I will also remind NY State government officials to restore the correct amount of financial assistance to the poorest school districts in our State (mine is the Schenectady City Schools, near Albany, the capital of NY State), so that we can do our job; to teach our children and protect them better!

2. I will do this on the anniversary of Sandy Hook Elementary (12-14-13). Let’s do it for our children, the future of our country, and for peace, safety and tranquility of our families. 

As a matter of fact, you can take action now!
Please, sign a petition for better gun law legislation. To do so log on to; http://www.avaaz.org/en/nra_enough/?bvVJCdb&v=20192
 
And to get more info on gun violence and to stop shootings in the USA visit; http://www.stoptheshootings.org/  

     
This is what they  say;
“This site has recorded 386 school shootings since 1992. That is 386 tragedies. Some get national attention, some don’t, but they are all devastating. Children ages 5-14 in America are 13x more likely to be murdered with guns as children in other industrialized countries (source: David Hemenway).”

And a USA Today graph (published on Fri. Dec 21, 2012, on pg. 11A), these are the worldwide statistics of the worlds highest gun homicides;
USA ………………………………..........    67%
Germany ………………………………..    26.1%
Australia………………………………...    11.8%
U.K. (England & Wales)……..................    5.9%
Japan……………………………….........   1.8
 
I am not advocating taking away the 2nd Amendment, and/or all types of handguns from good, sensible, mature and healthy citizens, who use guns for protection and/or for fun. I am just calling for effective/common sense protection of our schools that take away guns from the wrong people. Simple and effective security with several layers of protection in order to effectively meet the threat of more shooters, and to avoid other massacres.

Let me present my suggestions. If our government isn't willing to pass effective gun control reforms, then we need to protect our schools and public buildings. 
First, install metal detectors and cameras at each school main entrance. Second make all accessible windows/doors bulletproof, (at a minimum only those accessible/reachable from the outside, e.g. bottom floors). Third, install fire doors/ladders in all classrooms, (this will provide a way out for teachers/students, hence allow them to escape in a fire and/or in event there a shooter in the building. Fourth, have several (or at least one) highly trained and armed guards and/or police in each school. If police protection can’t be provided, then we should consider asking school employees to volunteer (in facing/defending against he threat of a shooter), and arming them (of course after they’ve been well trained/screened to handle a gun and how to repel/eliminate such threat).  Fifth, we should invite neighbors to volunteer and patrol the immediate outdoors of our schools to alert the authorities of any suspicious individuals and/or activity. And sixth, install security cameras at all entrances and other strategic areas, like school grounds like sport fields, etc.

These defenses and security measures should be implement as soon as possible for our children and our citizens. If we they aren't put in place, and no gun reforms are passed, rest assured that the probability of another carnage like the one at Newtown and Parkland (added today 2-20-18) will likely happen again. If, our leaders in Congress fail again, then it will be blood on their hands, and also on our consciences, if we chose to do nothing! Let's remember, though, that we and ultimately we’ll have to answer to God. 

God created human life to be loved/cherished/protected, and at the end of our life He will ask us if we did our part in loving and protecting it to the best of our abilities. And at that point in time we won’t be able to make excuses and/or lie our way out. God will look straight in our conscience, our eyes and hearts, and we won't be able to save ourselves.

So, what will our response be to ourselves, to our school children/teachers, and finally to God Almighty? I hope it’ll be a strong and  effective one.

We know that the problems aren’t just guns/ammunition, but rather the ease and large quantity of weapons available (270 million, 89% of the US population), and although many people blame this violence on mental health issues (crazy people)- that’s not the case according to crime experts (CNN, 10pm news, 12-23-12). In fact, they stated that 75% of violent crimes are committed by healthy criminals. Like the one in Newtown, CT. Whatever the reason; we must take these weapons of war out of the hands of the wrong people! (added 2-20-18)

I'd like to conclude with, psalm 91, because God is the only protection that we have in our schools;
“You who dwell in the shelter of the Most High, who abide in the shadow of the Almighty, Say to the Lord, “My refuge and fortress, my God in whom I trust”. 
 
May God bless Sandy Hook’s and Parkland's children and teachers who have given their lives. I hope not in vain.

My hope and prayer for this Christmas and the future is this; that we all work together and unite in this effort to stop/prevent gun violence committed by our own people against our own children and teachers. The new American uncivil war.

I hope these children and teachers have not died in vain, for our good, for our country and for the whole world. That America’s culture of violence and death may soon turn into a culture of peace and life.

Thank you
Ottavio Lo Piccolo             
(See below to contact our leaders in NYS and Congress)
 
Please help our students and taxpayers get OUR FAIR SHARE
by contacting your elected officials: (I’ve already done so, also at the Federal level, I’ve already written to Pr. Obama, (now also Pr. Trump) VP Biden, Senators Schumer, Gellibrand, & Speaker Boehner, now Paul Ryan)

To email these officials is easy;
1. Just go to Google and enter: contact (name of official)
2.Click on their site
3. Fill in required info (your name address, tel. # & email
4. Then hit send and you’re done, but do it for as many of officials as possible.
THANK YOU!

President Donald Trump
VP Mike Pence
Speaker Paul Ryan
Majority Wip Mitch McConnel


The Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo
Governor of New York State
NYS State Capitol Building
Albany, NY 12224
eMail: http://www.governor.ny.gov/contact/GovernorContactForm.php
Senator Hugh T. Farley
LOB 711
Albany, NY 12247
Phone: 518-455-2181 Fax: 518-455-2271
eMail address: farley@nysenate.gov


Senator John J. Flanagan
LOB 805
Albany, NY 12247
Phone: 518-455-2071
Fax: 518-426-6904
eMail address: flanagan@nysenate.gov


Senator John A. DeFrancisco
416 Capitol
Albany, NY 12247
518-455-3511
eMail address: jdefranc@nysenate.gov

Senator Dean Skelos
LOB 909
Albany, NY 12247
518-455-3171
eMail address: skelos@nysenate.gov

Assemblyman Sheldon Silver
LOB 932
Albany, NY 12248
Phone: 518-455-3791
eMail address: http://assembly.state.ny.us/mem/Sheldon-Silver/contact/
Assemblyman Angelo Santabarbara
Legislative Office Building
Albany, NY 12248
eMail address: angelosantabarbara2012@gmail.com

Assemblyman Phil Steck
Legislative Office Building
Albany, NY 12248
eMail address: psteck@nycap.rr.com

Assemblywoman Catherine Nolan
LOB 836
Albany, NY 12248
Phone: 518-455-4851
eMail: http://assembly.state.ny.us/mem/Catherine-Nolan/contact/

Assemblyman Herman D. Farrell, Jr.
LOB 923
Albany, NY 12248
Phone: 518-455-5491
eMail: http://assembly.state.ny.us/mem/Herman-D-Farrell-Jr/contact/

PRAYERS ARE NOT ENOUGH IN THE USA, THE MOST VIOLENT COUNTRY ON EARTH. IT'S TIME FOR EFFECTIVE FEDERAL POLITICAL ACTION. Sign the Gun Control Now petition, and you can send my letter to members of Congress (both at the bottom of this post).
(Post in English & Italian)

LE PREGHIERE NON BASTANO NEGLI STATI UNITI, IL PAESE PIU' VIOLENTO DEL MONDO. E ARRIVATA L'ORA DI UN'AZIONE POLITICA NAZIONALE EFFICACE. Firmate la petizione per il controllo delle armi da fuoco, e spedisci la mia lettera ai politici al Congresso (Parlamento) USA, che troverai in basso in questo post.
 FB video of a poet who speak about gun violence in the USA
    Un poeta USA parla contro la violenza armata
https://www.facebook.com/NowThisPolitics/videos/1920069844691163/

 

Another young man has brought death, fear and shock to another American school, the day after Saint Valentine. I ask myself; when will our republican leaders in Congress move a finger to sign effective/common sense gun laws that prevent horrible crimes  as these? Why should a teenager have the right to own an automatic rifle, an R-15? Why should mentally unstable, criminals, fanatics and terrorists have the right to own guns in the USA? It is a fact the USA is the most armed country, hence it is the most violent. When will the US government intervene with action and not just prayers?
 Per l'ennesima volta un giovane americano ha portato la morte, la paura e shock in una scuola superire della Florida, il giorno dopo di San Valentino. Mi chiedo quando i nostri leader repubblicani al Congresso muoveranno un dito per approvare leggi che controllano le armi da fuoco, specialmente le armi automatiche, come il fucile R-15- usato in questa sparatoria che ha fatto 17 morti. Perché un adolescente dovrebbe avere il diritto di possedere un fucile automatico? Come mai gli squilibrati, criminali, fanatici e terroristi, possono ottenere facilmente armi da fuoco negli Stati Uniti?  
È un dato di fatto che gli Stati Uniti sono il paese più armato, quindi è il più violento. Quando interverrà il governo degli Stati Uniti con l'azione e non solo le preghiere?
Mi chiedo, ma quando finira' questo fiume di sangue nelle scuole Americane? Quando verra il giorno in cui i nostri leaders republicani al Congresso (parlamento) USA passeranno leggi per vietare la vendita di fucili mitragliatori e altre armi potenti che non servono altro a uccidere persone a migliaia!   Quando interverra' il governo USA con leggi efficaci per fermare la violenza? Mi auguro presto, per frenare queste carneficine di studenti  e bambini.

A. How Pr. Obama responded to the Sandyhook Elementary School shooting in 2012

https://www.facebook.com/OccupyDemocrats/videos/1934483726644672/

Recent Face Book Video's Reactions on the Florida shooting 

Reazioni sull Sparatoria in Florida- Video Recenti su FB 

 

1. FB video of a poet who speak about gun violence in the USA
    Un poeta USA parla contro la violenza armata

https://www.facebook.com/NowThisPolitics/videos/1920069844691163/

2. A mother who lost her child in the Florida shooting, begs Pr. Trump to do something  
 Una madre, che ha perso la figlia nella sparatoria in Florida, scongiura il president di fare    qualcosa
 https://www.facebook.com/reallyamerican/videos/1578780202177668/

3. An article that shows which US politicians are getting political money from the gun lobby

Da dove arrivano le sovvenzioni finanziarei della gun/armi da fuoco lobby ai politici USA
https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2017/10/04/opinion/thoughts-prayers-nra-fundi

4. State senator in Congress, Christopher Murphy, dem senator from CT,  speaks about the latest gun violence in Florida. 

Il senatore  Christopher Murphy, (stato dove ci fu' la sparatoria di Sandyhook nel 2012) parla della sparatoria in Florida
https://www.facebook.com/NowThisPolitics/videos/1919860444712103/

5. FLORIDA SHOOTING SURVIVOR BLASTS TRUMP
    Sopravvisuta alla Sparatria nella scuola della Florida Sfida Trump a fare Qualcosa
   https://www.facebook.com/cnn/videos/10157980855316509/

6. NRA'S FAVORITE LAWMAKERS. Politici USA che prendono soldi dalla NRA (ovvero la lobby Americans: l'Associazione Portatori Armi da Fuoco).
 https://www.facebook.com/HuffPostPolitics/videos/606248079719343/

7. WHY JAPAN HAS NO MASS SHOOTINGS- See how we can learn from others...

https://www.facebook.com/sogoodnow/videos/714450605412175/ 


HOW VIOLENT IS THE USA? Here are some statistics.
According to Gun Control-ProCon.org, the USA has 88.8 guns per 100 people, or about 270,000,000 guns, which is the highest total and per capita number in the world. In other words, 22% of Americans own one or more guns (35% of men and 12% of women). America's pervasive gun culture stems in part from its colonial history, revolutionary roots, frontier expansion, and the 2A, the 2nd Amendament, which states: "A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed." (unobstructed, or unhindered).

 QUANTE' VIOLENTA GLI STATI UNITI? Ecco alcune statistiche.
Secondo la Gun Control-ProCon.org, gli Stati Uniti hanno 88,8 pistole su ogni 100 persone, o circa 270,000,000 (milioni) di pistole- che è il numero totale pro capita più alto del mondo. In altre parole, il 22% degli americani possiede una o più armi (il 35% degli uomini e il 12% delle donne).  
La cultura pervasiva dell'America deriva in parte dalla sua storia coloniale, dalle sue radici rivoluzionarie, dall'espansione delle frontiere e dal 2A (il 2 ° Amendamento della Costituzione), che afferma: "Una milizia deve essere ben regolamentata, essendo necessaria alla sicurezza di uno stato libero, il diritto della gente per mantenere e portare le armi, non deve essere violato."

"A gunman opened fire at a South Florida high school today, killing 17 people and sending students running for their lives, according to law enforcement officers on the scene.

-- 17 victims were transported to Broward Health Coral Springs, Broward Health North, Broward Health Medical Center and Boca West Medical Center. Two of the 17 victims who were transported died at the hospital; 15 victims died at the scene. Victims include students and adults, the Broward Sheriff's Office said.

-- The suspect, 19-year-old Nikolas Cruz, was taken into custody off campus. He slipped out of the school after the shooting by blending in with other students who were trying to escape, according to two law enforcement sources and an eyewitness.

-- Cruz had "countless magazines" and was believed to have an AR-15 rifle, the sheriff said.

-- The sheriff said Cruz had attended the school but was expelled for disciplinary reasons.

-- Students were seen sprinting out of the school with their hands up as authorities with guns drawn swarmed the area. Other students were seen lined up one by one, leaving the area in an orderly fashion. Some students were hysterical, reported ABC affiliate WPLG. "

"Un uomo armato ha aperto il fuoco in una scuola del sud della Florida oggi (15 febriaio, 2018), uccidendo 17 persone e mandando gli studenti agambe levate per salvarsi la vita, secondo le forze dell'ordine sulla scena.- 17 vittime sono state trasportate a Broward Health Coral Springs, Broward Health North, Broward Health Medical Center e Boca West Medical Center. Due delle 17 vittime che sono state trasportate sono morte all'ospedale; 15 vittime sono morte sulla scena. Le vittime includono studenti e adulti, ha detto l'ufficio dello sceriffo di Broward.- Il sospetto, 19 anni, Nikolas Cruz, è stato arrestato al di fuori del campus. È scivolato fuori dalla scuola dopo le riprese mescolandosi con altri studenti che stavano cercando di fuggire, secondo due fonti delle forze dell'ordine e un testimone oculare.- Cruz aveva "innumerevoli riviste" e si credeva che avesse un fucile AR-15 (mitragliatore), disse lo sceriffo.- Lo sceriffo ha detto che Cruz aveva frequentato la scuola ma è stato espulso per motivi disciplinari.- Gli studenti sono stati visti mentre scendevano dalla scuola con le mani alzate mentre le autorità con le armi trainate sciamavano nella zona. Altri studenti sono stati visti allineati uno per uno, lasciando l'area in modo ordinato. Alcuni studenti erano isterici, hanno riferito all'affiliato della stazione radio ABC WPLG."

Today someone, on FB, asked me why Obama did nothing about gun control, when he was at the White house. I informed this individual that Obama tried many times in passing common sense gun control legislation, however, the republican party obstructed him on this issue, and many others. In fact, Pr. Obama wanted to enact many initiatives and proposals to prevent violence and death due to firearms; especially from the hands of maniacs, criminals, fanatics, supremacists and US-made terrorists. It was the Republicans, that did not support his ideas/initiatives. Why did they oppose Pr. Obama? Simple, because the Republicans receive funds, money, from the gun lobby, those who manufacture and sell firearms. So for the US Republican party, weapons, as well as war- are good business, opportunities to make money. That's why every year, in the US (the most armed country in the world) 33,000 people are killed by firearms - many are submachine guns! Which are easily acquired by anyone- so they get in the hands of young people, the unstable and the fanatics- like the one in Florida and Newtown!
Una persona, su FB, pochi giorni orsono, mi ha chiesto come mai Obama non fece niente per ridurre queste sparatorie sanguinose, quando era all casa Bianca. Io ho speagato a questa persona, che Obama cerco' di fare molto, ma il partito republicano, non fece altro che ostacolare le sue iniziative e proposte di legge per ridurre le stragi di questo tipo a con armi da fuoco nelle mani di pazzi. Obama cerco' in tutti i modi possibili; parlando all nazione, spesso emozionato e una volta con le lacrime al viso (vedi il video A, sopra, sotto la foto del Pr. Obama),  di passare leggi per prevenire maniaci, criminali, fanatici, supremazisti e terroristi made USA, nel procurarsi queste armi micidiali. Ma i republicani, il partito opposto, che ha appogiato  le iniziative e le proposte di legge di Obama. Perche' hanno opposto il Pr. Obama? Semplice, perche' i republicani ricevono fondi, soldi, dalla gun lobby, quelli che manufatturano le armi e quelli che lvendono le armi da fuoco. Quindi per il partito republicano USA, le armi- cosi come la guerra- sono un bel  business, opportunita' per far soldi! Ecco perche' ogni anno negli USA (il paese piu' armato del mondo), 33,000 persone vengono uccise con le armi da fuoco- e non solo pistole ma anche molti fucili mitragliatori! Che finiscono facilmente nelle mani di gente giovane, squilibrata e fanatica- appunto come i due che hanno trucidato i bambini e maestri (26 morti) nelle scuole di Sandyhook Elementary, a Newtown (CT), e pochi giorni fa' nella Florida (17 morti, 14 ragazzi e 3 maestri).

TAKE ACTION NOW! METTIAMOCI IN AZIONE ORA!
PETITION: Gun Control Now
https://petitions.moveon.org/sign/gun-control-now?source=s.fb&r_by=14091631


LETTER TO THE PRESIDENT AND THE SCHENECTADY (NY) DAILY GAZETTE On the latest Gun Violence in Florida.
Seventeen school children were gunned down yesterday in Florida. How many more children need to die before this president and the Republican Party take action to save citizens from gun violence? 

The time has come to stop the nonsense and PASS EFFECTIVE GUN CONTROL LAWS? Most school shootings are committed by US Terrorists, extremists and mentally unstable. However, this President and the Republican Party still continue saying that violence is only carried out by Muslim terrorists, or that the only solution is mental health.

 
President Trump promised that he would make America great again. However, I don't see any greatness so far. Instead of giving 1.5 trillion dollars in tax breaks to the rich and corporations. Instead of increasing the military budget war machine to 756 billion (the biggest in the world). Instead of keep on insisting of building an  ineffective wall on the US-Mexican border. Instead of cutting social services, education, the environment- why don't you do the right and just thing, and spend US tax dollars where everyone will benefit, not just the rich and the corporations, but all citizens. 

And please stop your hypocrisy by continuing to offer only any prayers for the victims- because your words are hallow/ meaningless- unless you take strong effective action to protect our kids from gun toting criminals, US home grown terrorists, fanatics and the mentally deranged! 
Instead of siding with the gun industry/lobby and the NRA, take side with American citizens who have been begging you for common sense gun legislation time and time again- for years now- since Colombine HS and since Sandyhook Elementary. Instead of using the Second Amendment (the right to own a gun) as an excuse, a pretext to protect the gun lobby- have the moral courage and the compassion to pass effective gun control laws that protect our people instead of the gun industry interests! Take action for justice and protect us, the public and our school children from these criminals! Finally one last items; don't blame other nationalities and/or other religions, like Muslims, because of these horrible crimes- instead look at statistics! They're mostly white people, and many of them many are supremacists!

 It’s easy to email this this letter to all the NY State & federal Government/Education officials. Simply do the following;
1. Go to Google
2. Enter the following words:
    “Contact President Trump”
            Vice President Mike Pence
3. Also to your State senators/congressmen/women in Congress
      Charles Schumer, D (NY, Dem, US Senate)
      Kristen Gellibrand,  (NY, Dem, US Senate)
      Congressman Paul Tonko,  House of Representatives (NY, Dem)

4. Your State Governor, (NY State Gov. Andrew Cuomo)                        and the your representatives at the State Assembly. 
       Jim Tedisco, Assemblyman, NY State (112 District, Niskayuna  and part of Schenectday
      Angelo Santabarbara (111 district; Duanesburgh, Princetown, Rotterdam and part of Sch'dy)
Phil Steck (District 110)