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Yes, but I’m confused how “I’m sending you my thoughts” does anything at all

I need a tax cut. Badly. And would get a substantial one under the proposed plan. Unfortunately, I think the Democrats will block it, and there are too many spineless Republicans to stand up to them. And my newly elected governor is promising to raise my state taxes. So that's just great.

I’m not sure if you’re informed enough to know this, the house and senate as well as the executive branch are all held by the Republican Party, the Democrats can’t stop anything.

Yes, but there's not a strong enough majority to overcome McCain, who won't vote for anything that Trump wants, and a couple of other liberal Republicans. They might as well be Democrats.

What do thoughts and prayers do beyond massaging your own feelings?

Don’t even bother with thoughts or prayers if you’re not going to follow through with action. Your thoughts and prayers then become meaningless.

I’ll decide how I react to this type of situation and most likely it will be without your guidance .

And I’ll decide to judge your reaction accordingly. Words are nice and all, but they become useless in preventing this type of situation.

You will never have the adequate wisdom or intelligence to judge anyone. You’ll have plenty of opportunities to try though.

I agree 100%. It’s an expression of respect, instead of politicization of an issue when people have lost loved ones, for example.

It shows that we are HUMAN BEINGS who CARE.

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No one is “triggered” by people praying. The issue comes when people choose to pray rather than do something to prevent something like this from happening again. And if caring enough about people that I want measures out in place to further curb the potential for another event such as this from occurring means I’m a “human being who doesn’t care”, then I’m perfectly willing to accept that label.

Actually, they often are, jfish. There have been many snarky comments in polls I’ve done before about people praying for others. They just can’t resist arguing against prayer, and being derogatory toward us that do pray.

The poll didn’t even mention anything about doing something about it—just being tired of thoughts and prayers—so that’s what I was speaking to—that people seem to be bothered by the fact that we believe in prayer, and praying for people in difficult situations.

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Praying has done nothing for the situation. Praying did not prevent this attack nor any other mass shooting. Are you not tired of how often you have to give your “thoughts and prayers”? If you had to choose, would you choose your praying or action to actually address the problem? Next time you feel the urge to give nothing more than your prayers for a shooting victim, perhaps call your congressional representatives and implore them to take actual action.

How are you planning on stopping someone from walking into a church with a gun? Should we make it law that churches have to have metal detectors in front of their doors? You and many on the left are triggered by the 'thoughts and prayers' and you don't put any sound solutions fourth either, just more shameless grandstanding.

Jfish, you’re missing the point ENTIRELY! The prayers that we’re calling for are NOT about stopping it from happening. They’re prayers of compassion for those that have lost a family member, and for those that are suffering at the hospital. They’re prayers that God will comfort those that have been touched by EVIL, which we will always have with us as long as people don’t follow God’s will for them.

Only JESUS has ever been able to do anything to address the problem of evil, and He did so by dying on the Cross for all our sins, so that we can turn our lives over to Him and do a 180 AWAY from the evil that our hearts harbor.

Bert, great points!

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Jfish, you’re missing the point ENTIRELY! The prayers that we’re calling for are NOT about stopping it from happening. They’re prayers of compassion for those that have lost a family member, and for those that are suffering at the hospital. They’re prayers that God will comfort those that have been touched by EVIL, which we will always have with us as long as people don’t follow God’s will for them.

Only JESUS has ever been able to do anything to address the problem of evil, and He did so by dying on the Cross for all our sins, so that we can turn our lives over to Him and do a 180 AWAY from the evil that our hearts harbor.

Bert, great points!

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And NO, jfish, I NEVER get tired of praying for those in need. And I wonder why you assume that those that pray are not also people of action. Christians are usually the first on the scene to help those in need, also.

4JC, it’s obvious you’ve missed the point of the poll entirely. I am not saying you can’t pray about the losses experienced, but I am saying that your prayers are meaningless if you don’t care enough to get involved in helping prevent another shooting like his from happening. Until you can muster the courage to call your congressional and state representatives to address this very real issue plaguing our country, then I genuinely can’t believe that you care enough to act on it beyond a few posts on social media.

And I disagree with you 100%, jfish. NO prayer is EVER meaningless, imho.

What are you suggesting? That we should all say that guns are unconstitutional and that we should take all guns away from law abiding citizens, so that only criminals would have them then? Has that helped CHICAGO?

What EXACTLY do you think we can do as individuals to prevent an evil person from sinning?

I am NOT responsible for their actions, when they choose to go against God’s laws and our nation’s laws and kill people. And NOTHING that legislators do will prevent this from happening.

The best that we, as Christians can do, is pray that people accept Christ and turn from their wicked ways so that things like this don’t happen.

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Neither am I tired of thoughts and prayers, because I'm also not tired of concern or empathy or desiring something better for a fellow human being. As long as there is evil in the world, there will be thoughts and prayers. As far as calling representatives is concerned, honestly, what can they do? Turn every public place into a security checkpoint? Do you really want to live in a country like that? I don't! Furthermore, my representative is a MORON. I've personally had a loud, angry "discussion" with him on my own front porch. I'd trust my dog to solve the problem before I'd trust him. Some social ills aren't ever going to be solved by the geniuses in Washington. This may be one of them. Maybe thoughts and prayers are the best we can do, given the present circumstances.🙏

VERY well said, Orgblu!

And I REALLY don’t want to hear anything else about what you think about this, jfish.

I just found out that the pastor and his wife were out of state, in two separate states, but their 14 year old daughter is DEAD! This REALLY hits close to home for me, as I’m a pastor’s wife and can’t imagine losing my child when I wasn’t there to protect them!

PLEASE stop politicizing this tragedy and let these people grieve in peace! THAT is what we’re ALL trying to tell you.


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If you don’t want to hear it, 4JC, then you know where the ignore button is.

And I’m trying to tell you that your words carry little weight if you don’t want to take any action towards potentially preventing this sort of attack.

Again, I’m asking you what action I should take against killers? You seem to not be wiling to answer that question. What, EXACTLY have you asked your representatives to do?

I am also waiting to hear the answer to that.

Noticed you conveniently ignore my question. I'll ask again, what is the solution? Do you want metal detectors in front of places of worship or do you want to ban and confiscate all guns? Those seem the only possible solutions in such a case, and it wouldn't happen quickly either.

That’s 3 of us asking you, jfish, what EXACTLY is your solution? If it’s metal detectors, who is going to pay for all these small country churches to put them in? I’m sure you believe in separation of church and state and wouldn’t want to be part of THAT solution, right?! Are you willing to put your money where your mouth is and pay to put in security cameras in churches that can’t afford them?

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Make that 4. Jfish, we're waiting.

If you count @Kay41 who is asking him the same thing, below, that makes 5!

I’m busy at the moment. I’ll get back to you as soon as possible.

Might as well make it 6, because I've already had it up to here with having to empty my pockets and go through those things even just to go to an Angels game. I'm not at all willing to submit to that just to attend church. No way is that an acceptable solution.

Btw, jfish, I’ve been reading more about this story, and if what I’m reading is correct, this guy is former military, was court-martialed, and dishonorably discharged, so he had weapons ILLEGALLY. Tell me what we were supposed to do about THAT!

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For anyone intersted, here is more about the story. Here’s an update that jlong posted for us in my poll. I can’t BELIEVE that The NY Times actually posted the full one hour video of this church’s service on 10/29! I’ve NEVER seen that happen before!

www.nytimes.com/2017/11/05/us/church-shooting-texas.html

Those dead include a pregnant woman, children as young as 5, the 14 year old daughter of the pastor, and people as old as 75.

The shooter was court martialed for abusing his wife and child.

And if it wasn’t for others in the community that came after him with THEIR weapons, it could’ve been a lot worse!


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Oh well, price of freedom, I guess. Thoughts and prayers, etc, etc. Now, back to cutting taxes for the people who don't need a tax cut!

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I’m sure president bone-spur will be back within the week.

It's been nearly 24 hours jfish.. I'm beginning to think you don't have an answer for us.

I’m glad you can tell time. Some of us have jobs and family. Believe it or not, you asking me a question on an anonymous app is not high up on my list of priorities. I’ll get to you when I have the time to spare.

You've obviously had time to post 2 semi-lengthy comments about how you don't have "time" to answer us. Quite ironic, really.

This user is currently being ignored

Since he hasn’t come back to answer this, I can provide an answer! How about we ENFORCE the gun laws that are ALREADY on the books?!

It’s coming out that the Air Force failed to follow procedures, allowing the Texas shooter to obtain firearms when he shouldn’t have.

We don’t even enforce the gun laws that are on the books already! Let’s start with THAT, why don’t we? SMH We don’t need to add any other laws until they can figure out that they have to follow the ones we already have and do so. So if it was more laws you were going for, jfish, that’s my answer to you!

MORE

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2) NOW, jfish, tell us ALL how each of us were individually supposed to make the Air Force follow their own rules?

Or are you just spouting what you’ve seen on MSM, where they’re disparaging Christians for praying, saying that it’s their fault that a church full of Christians got shot?!

www.washingtonpost.com/news/checkpoint/wp/2017/11/06/the-air-force-says-it-failed-to-follow-procedures-allowing-texas-church-shooter-to-obtain-firearms/?utm_term=.b24f2a06fcc1


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Are you intentionally misunderstanding everything I’ve said, or are you just plain dense? Excuse the bluntness of the question.

Which of the 7 of us are you talking to jfish? Or is that for all of us?

It's less hypocritical just to do nothing, imo.

i.imgur.com/pAmRJ6r.jpg

Meeting with and calling your representatives is always an option.

I agree 100% Kay! It’s a sign of respect, and shows we’re human beings who care!

Can I ask what you two do? And, have your actions resulted in a murder being stopped?

The point is, it's never bad to be empathic. Perhaps more empathy in this world is exactly what we need to eventually slow down or stop these types of things. It sure can't hurt.

And, I don't think I've ever seen a person say that thoughts and prayers alone will solve this problem.

I regularly speak with my representatives. My personal and professional lives allow me that luxury, which I’m aware is not the case for most, but I make it a point to speak with them or their offices when something like this occurs.

And? What changes have been made as a result of that? Have lives been saved? Kudos to you for that, and I'm not putting down your actions. The point I'm making it that thoughts and prayers are a way of relating to other human beings and showing love and concern. They have a place in tragedy. I don't think I'll ever be tired of people who care enough to try to show others empathy. And, as I said, perhaps enough love and empathy in this world and things might just change for the better. Those participating in thoughts and prayers aren't doing nothing.

I agree 100%, Kay. Well said!

I’m not sure if you’re aware, but legislation isn’t passed by a singular representative and representatives are not moved to write legislation by a singular liberal voter in a red state. The point I’m making is that your words are meaningless if you refuse to even think about ways to keep losses like this from occurring.

Of course I understand that.

You are missing my point entirely, or just don't want to listen.

Kay, since you understand where I’m coming from, I wanted to post again what I posted above:

And I REALLY don’t want to hear anything else about what you think about this, jfish.

I just found out that the pastor and his wife were out of state, in two separate states, but their 14 year old daughter is DEAD! This REALLY hits close to home for me, as I’m a pastor’s wife and can’t imagine losing my child when I wasn’t there to protect them!

PLEASE stop politicizing this tragedy and let these people grieve in peace! THAT is what we’re ALL trying to tell you.

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Let me clarify lest I be attacked. I’m not against thoughts and prayers or people who partake. I just think it’s getting to be common place and I’m more tired of shootings.

My mom always used to say “God helps those who help themselves.” Take away what you will but I understand your sentiment. I don’t know what would stop a nut like Devin Kelley, however.

Holding politicians accountable for securing better health care which includes treatment for various mental health problems would be a huge step in the right direction. White men with mental health issues have proven dangerous. Making sure those with a history of violence, such as domestic abuse, don't get their hands on weapons, etc. Im tired of hearing about these so called "good guys with guns" being the reason for no gun control considering how many in America own guns and people are still getting slaughtered.

I am 100% on board with mental health care. Get a profile and identify at risk people when applying for guns. Do a mental health evaluation every few years to be recertified.