I have worked as an educator in both the United States and Latin America. In every single place in which I have worked, I have interacted with students who have lost family members to gun violence, who have shed tears at the mere sight of a gun. I have lost students to gun violence. Today's atrocity in Connecticut could not make me more upset. And, I'm ready to begin the conversation, NOW.
I just called the NRA's Institute for Legislative Action Grassroots Division in an effort to express my horror at their continued facilitation of these atrocities through immoral lobbying efforts. I called this number:
You may also contact us by phone at (800) 392-VOTE (8683), Monday-Friday, between the hours of 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., EST.After pressing number four to speak to a representative, I was put on hold -- for just a few seconds -- and then spoke to a rather smug unidentified man.
I asked him if the NRA would be apologizing for yet another atrocity facilitated by their actions. His smug words -- dripping with contempt -- were: 'We don't have anything to apologize for.' After explaining how the NRA's lobbying efforts lead to more gun deaths in the United States than any other country on Earth, he repeated his talking point and then hung up on me.
The NRA has no shame, and it has no good argument for its actions for they are immoral, disgusting and inhumane actions.
And that is why the NRA's only response to folks like you and me who may call them to express our contempt is very simple...to hang up. And pretend that elementary school kids and their teachers were not just shot to death by weapons of mass destruction. Available to anyone online, at the convention center, or at the corner shop.
I encourage you to call the NRA today -- they need to hear from us. The conversation needs to start now. It is never too soon.
And, Barack Obama, we're waiting for your support, too.
