After the tragedy at UCSB this weekend, those seeking high-minded debate about the root causes of the deaths might have stumbled upon the #YesAllWomen hashtag on Twitter, or perhaps articles that pointed out a renewed focus on mental health care is needed in America, or some discussion about the NRA and what a new surgeon general would do in his position and the possible reasons his appointment has stalled, or some failed thinkpiece on how Seth Rogen is partially responsible for what happened.
Many unfortunate souls may have also been subjected to the emotionless and inflammatory reaction of one Joe the Plumber, who penned an open letter on Barbwire arguing vehemently and directly to the parents of those who were shot and killed that their dead kids don’t trump Joe’s rights to own a bunch of guns. ‘Murica. Let’s take a look.
I am sorry you lost your child. I myself have a son and daughter and the one thing I never want to go through, is what you are going through now. But:
As harsh as this sounds — your dead kids don’t trump my Constitutional rights.
[snip]
As a father, husband and a man, it is my responsibility to protect my family. I will stand up for that right vehemently. Please believe me, as a father I share your grief and I will pray for you and your family, as I do whenever I hear about senseless tragedies such as this.
We still have the Right to Bear Arms and I intend to continue to speak out for that right, and against those who would restrict it — even in the face of this horrible incident by this sad and insane individual. I almost said “Obama Voter” but I’m waiting for it to be official.
As always, times like these call for civilized debate and reflection. Thanks for taking the lead, Joe. Meanwhile, if you haven’t seen the reaction of Richard Martinez, whose 20-year-old son was one of the victims and who Joe is specifically talking to in his letter, his impassioned plea is stirring. Among his thoughts during an emotional interview were these:
“I don’t care about your sympathy. I don’t give a s—- that you feel sorry for me,” Richard Martinez said during an extensive interview, his face flushed as tears rolled down his face. “Get to work and do something. I’ll tell the president the same thing if he calls me. Getting a call from a politician doesn’t impress me.”
This article appears in May 21-27, 2014.
More Tea Party LOLs.
Good for you Joe, not that I have anything against your kid, but someday In your darkest hour I hope some jack ass politician akin to you, gives you a half-assed act of empathy then starts barking the second amendment at you while tears flow down your face and your mind cant even process the horror that your kids brains have been sprayed all over the front lawn of a school for no other reason than you have right to a small dick and a big gun. Its no wonder you went in politics, that profession attracts assholes like shit attracts flies, get AIDS, then exercise your second amendment by practicing on your own temple.
Well said, unscrewed11! I agree 100% with everything you said. This man (well, not a man. . .not really) is a disgusting excuse for what passes as a human being. Yes, let’s hope he practices on himself.
So wait…did he just say that insane gunslingers voted for the president who supports the “silly” idea that ALL people should have background checks no matter where they buy guns??? Oh my! Aren’t you a silly plumber!
Remember, this was the Republican candidate for the House of Representatives in Congress last time in Ohio’s District 11. In another state he could have won, and even here Samuel Wurzelbacher received 68,668 votes (23%).
I love how you people make fun of a man who speaks his mind and has values he believes in….God forbid someone challenges YOUR ideals or desires…dont shove your morality down my throat….mind your own business and dont you dare try to create legislature to govern my life when you cant do anything to run your own….I wish to own guns…the law says I can….so stay out of my life and STFU!!!
Mr. Martinez just lost his child, Friday. If he had howled or blamed the phases of the moon, we’d all have the respect to look away and let him speak without comment. “Joe the Plumber” has every right to his opinion, but it is unnecessarily cruel to try and engage Mr. Martinez in a debate about gun control at this time.
Oh geez, Joe the Plumber is still around? Who knew?
soak do you even realize how ironically sad your comment is? This is the same thing Joe did to the man grieving the loss of a child…think before you try to be smart.
This guy spent too much time unclogging toilet bowls… His brain is full of shit!!!
Dude’s 15 minutes were up 5 years ago…