Beltway Insider: Florida Shooting Sparks Outrage/Pushback Against GOP Policies; Mueller/Trump/Russia; Romney; Pakistan Killer

The Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting gripped the nation this week as revelations followed of missteps by the FBI who had "tips" and information on the shooter, one month before his deadly rampage that  killed seventeen.

According to Gallup, President Trump's job approval, over the past week, decreased by four percentage points to 40% of those polled who approve of his effectiveness as President and those who disapprove of his effectiveness as President decreased by two percentage points to 57%.

Parkland, Florida, Mass Shooting

Something happened in the aftermath of the Marjory Stoneman Douglass High School shooting: Grieving parents didn't retreat to their homes, tearfully pleading with intrusive media, survivors didn't shy away from retelling their stories guarded by parents just thankful they have their children home.

This shooting seemed to be a watershed moment for Gun Reform and for the Trump administration.

Within days of the February 14th massacre a candlelight vigil was held attracting more than 8,000 people who walked away galvanized, ready to defend the honor and sanctity of those lost and of the right to live peaceably and attend school without fear of anyone, a disgruntled former student or lunatic with a gun, showing up and ripping loved ones away.

Within two days a Gun Reform rally was assembled and a student survivor, Emma Gonzales spoke, embolden by tragedy, impassioned by loss she became a symbol for the hurting. Her words in language not coated with political catch phrases became a rallying cry.

More than one student stepped up when the media put a microphone in their face and with strong words explained the direction, they the next generation will be taking this country.


Beltway Insider: Trump Defends Abuser; Nancy Pelosi/DACA; Border Wall; Russian Plane Crash; Super Bowl/Olympics


These are the leaders of tomorrow. These and others in places unknown, deeply wounded by the lies this administration has allowed. This issue, the issue of Gun Violence, Mass Shootings, The Gluttony of Gun availability, whatever the words used, as the real words, dead sons, murdered daughters pulled out of schools, parks, churches, lives, in body bags, always fall on deaf ears.

Why do we allow our sons and daughters to fight this senseless civil war at home on American soil armed with only wherewithal?

As we have learned over the weekend, it is because the National Rifle Association, the NRA, donated $30million dollars to President Trump's campaign ensuring this President, the one who won the people's vote on change will never touch the issue of gun reform.

One year ago, President Trump, without fanfare, as he understands the tightrope he and other leaders walk on the issue of Gun Reform, quietly signed a bill into law rolling back an Obama era regulation that made it more difficult for people with mental illness to purchase a gun.

Timeline of The Shooting

Students have reported February 14, 2018 began with a fire drill, a common occurrence at this affluent community in Broward County, Florida, as Marjory Stoneman Douglass High School was dedicated to the safety of its students.

Teachers have stated Stoneman Douglass was a model of preparedness. All staff members were mandated to participate and complete classes on various emergencies including active shooter situations. Code Red was designated the term for an active shooter and well known. Before February 14, 2018 Code Red was simply an obscure term, without actual reference.

The school day was nearly over. It was 2:19P.M. An uber driver had just dropped off a passenger carrying a black backpack and a large duffle bag. He entered the east door, without incident.

He was known on campus, by sight, and when he was initially seen by security before the shooting erupted, his presence had been relayed indicating he was running toward the 1200 building.

Within seconds of his arrival on campus his concealed AR-15 was locked and loaded and the troubled youth suffering "deep depression" over the loss of his mother, became the perpetrator of the deadliest school shooting in the state of Florida.

A second fire drill sounded taking everyone by surprise. Many thought it was a prank, as it was rare school officials would run two Fire Drills on the same day.

Following protocol, students were making their way to their designated "safe" zones, filing out of the classrooms, most of the 3000 or so members of the student body were outside the buildings when chaos erupted in the Freshman building. It was 2:21P.M.

An active shooter scene was unfolding as a former student, had returned to the school that expelled him for anti-social behavior, and was determined to kill as many as he could.

By this time, first responders, SWAT, Sherriff, and all available units were made aware of an unfolding situation.

The suspect's movements were seen on school cameras and relayed to officers. The suspect, who at this time was still unidentified, had calmly walked into three classroom, unloaded his weapon, walked into the hallway and began to reload, when he looked up and saw someone he knew, frozen in terror.

Telling him calmly, "You better get out of here. It's going to get messy." And with the student has reported being frozen for a minute and then running. He was not shot nor fired upon.

Within seconds after the encounter the shooter continued his killing spree. It was 2:29P.M.

The suspect dropped his weapon, which was relayed to authorities and blended in with other students running away from the scene.

He continued running arriving at a local Walmart, where he purchased a soda and then moved to McDonald's and sat. For 50 minutes after the last shot was fired; the suspect was calmly living his last moments of freedom.

As he left McDonald's police, who had a description, spotted him. He surrendered without incident.

Protests

Grieving students and parents mobilized quickly in Parkland, in the days following the senseless murders of seventeen of their friends and colleagues, students had begun mass protests that fueled the national conversation over gun reform.

Deeply injured over the inaction of the man who said he would create change, President Trump became the focus as he refused to take up the mantle of Gun Reform clinging desperately to an originalist view of the Second Amendment, and the thirty pieces of silver he took from the NRA, offering instead of policy change, thoughts and prayers.

Students taking this horrific and life altering event picked up the mantle for those who died and used every national media hoping for a salacious tidbit to bring the nation to tears. They screamed in agony, screamed for change and with resolve explained if our leaders won't change the law we will.

A National Walk Out Day has been planned. Students, teachers and colleagues no longer satisfied with Trump's vision of Making America Great Again as it holds within it no gun reform laws they are creating a new vision one they expect to be an agenda.

Emma Gonzales, a survivor of the shooting, spoke during a Gun Reform rally. Her emotional speech, which began with a moment of silence and a special notice to all those who should be home grieving and yet showed up to ensure the life snuffed out still has a voice.

Her speech deeply passionate and birthed from a fresh, horrible and senseless tragedy has gone viral with celebrities, politicians, gun reform advocates, survivors and a world of citizens who hope that her final words will be the last chapter in this ugly, disturbing, violent season in America.

"We are going to be the last mass shooting," she told the crowd. "We are going to change the law. That's going to be Marjory Stoneman Douglas in that textbook, and it's all going to be due to the tireless efforts of the school board, the faculty members, the family members and most importantly the students."             

GOP Offers Prayers

The grief, which is very real, citizens even those thousands of miles away are as deeply affected and concerned over these mass shootings as those who are mourning the loss of their loved ones.

The nation's leaders sent condolences, stoic messages, posted via twitter, void of the real issue and always used to redirect the thought process of the victims and survivors to the ideal the Republican leadership adopts.

In this shooting, the message of course, is not Gun Reform it is mental health. The AR-15 used in Parkland was legally obtained by someone who had mental health issues. The Trump rollback of the Obama era control made the purchase as easy as buying candy.

The Republican Party will never be about Gun Control or really even Gun Reform. We can offer prayers that maybe someday they will understand guns kill. Possibly on the day prayer is met with action and the voters who elect government officials from the local level to the national level take to the polls and voted out in mass every politician who does not vote "Yes" on Gun Reform.

Trump Sends His Condolences

"Our entire nation, with one heavy heart, is praying for the victims and their families. To every parent, teacher, and child who is hurting so badly, we are here for you — whatever you need, whatever we can do, to ease your pain. We are all joined together as one American family, and your suffering is our burden also.


Breaking News: Florida School Shooting Leaves 17 Dead


No child, no teacher, should ever be in danger in an American school. No parent should ever have to fear for their sons and daughters when they kiss them goodbye in the morning.

Our administration is working closely with local authorities to investigate the shooting and learn everything we can. We are committed to working with state and local leaders to help secure our schools, and tackle the difficult issue of mental health," the President said in an address to the nation.

Mueller Announces Largest Indictment of Investigation

President Trump largely ignored the indictments announced this week by Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein against 13 Russian nationals and 3 Russian entities for meddling in the 2016 Presidential election,

The indictments which used terms like "Information Warfare" and "Conspiracy to defraud United States" was based on the ongoing investigation into collusion between the Trump campaign and/or any member of the Trump Family or inner circle and the Russian government on any level.

Throughout the investigation Mueller has indicated several key members of President Trump's inner circle including former General Michael Flynn who has pled guilty and is working fully with Mueller.

Rosenstein also indicated during a press conference where the indictments were announced that there was no conclusive evidence that these indictments had any effect on the outcome of the 2016 election.

"President Donald J. Trump has been fully briefed on this matter and is glad to see the Special Counsel's investigation further indicates—that there was NO COLLUSION between the Trump campaign and Russia and that the outcome of the election was not changed or affected," said White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders.

President Trump says, "it is more important than ever before to come together as Americans. We cannot allow those seeking to sow confusion, discord, and rancor to be successful. It's time we stop the outlandish partisan attacks, wild and false allegations, and far-fetched theories, which only serve to further the agendas of bad actors, like Russia, and do nothing to protect the principles of our institutions. We must unite as Americans to protect the integrity of our democracy and our elections."

Russia Reports Church Shooting

The Soviet News Agency Tass has reported a lone gunman entered a church opened fire killing four. It is one of the first mass shooting in recent history in Russia that was not politically motivated.

Romney Announces Candidacy

Mitt Romney, the 2012 Republican Presidential candidate, announced his intent to run for Utah State Senator, this week, filling the vacating seat of Senator Orrin Hatch who announced his retirement

Romney, who also served as Governor of Massachusetts, engaged in a bitter and contentious election campaign with former President Obama. His loss, with 47% of the vote, again showed a deeply divided nation.

Pakistani Serial Killer

Mohammad Imran, 24, has pled guilty to the January rape and murder of Zainab Ansari, 7, and has been sentenced to death.

The case drew national attention as it was the 12th female under the age of ten that has been raped and murdered over the past two years. The belief that a serial killer was on the loose, targeting girls was remains very real fear. Unfortunately with the conviction of Imran of only one killing, the sad fact is that pedophile sexual violence is a common occurrence in Pakistan culture.

Zainab Ansari, was walking to school unoccupied in January 2017, when she was approached by Imran. He walked with her, holding her hand. The two were photographed by security cameras.

According to an autopsy report, Zainab was sodomized and strangled to death. Dr. Quratulain Atique, who did the autopsy, told CNN that there were torture marks on her face and her tongue was "crushed between her teeth." 

Zainab's body was found in a garbage dump. Her death sparked a week of national protests bringing the spotlight of international media on the lack of concern, investigation, and arrests by local authorities.

Over the past two years, to 11 girls under ten years old have been raped and murdered, beaten and brutalized, with Zainab Victim number 12.

The past victims include Eman Fatma, 4; Fauzia, 11; Noor Fatma, 7; Ayesha Asif, 5; Laiba, 9; Sana Omar, 7; and Kainat Batool, 8.

For more information on President Donald Trump: www.whitehouse.gov

Sources: Whitehouse.gov, Wikipedia.com,

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