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A gunman opened fire at U.S. Congressmen and others who were gathered at a practice this morning for the Congressional Baseball Game. House Majority Whip Steve Scalise and at least four others were reportedly injured. The gunman, who has been identified by unnamed sources as James T. Hodgkinson III, was taken to a local hospital where he died from his injuries:
A gunman unleashed a barrage of gunfire Wednesday at a park in Alexandria, Va., as Republican members of Congress held a morning baseball practice, wounding at least five people, including House Majority Whip Steve Scalise (La.).
The suspected gunman is James T. Hodgkinson III, 66, from Illinois, according to multiple law enforcement sources. President Trump announced that the gunman, who was wounded in a shootout with officers, has died at an area hospital.
The wounded also included two Capitol Police officers and a congressional aide, according to one law enforcement official and witness accounts.
Congressman Scalise was shot in the hip and is in stable condition.
Hodgkinson's motive may have already been identified by the media:
A Facebook page belonging to a person with the same name includes pictures of Democratic presidential candidate, Bernie Sanders, and rhetoric against President Trump, including a post that reads: "Trump is a Traitor. Trump Has Destroyed Our Democracy. It's Time to Destroy Trump & Co."
Charles Orear, 50, a restaurant manager from St. Louis, said in an interview Wednesday that he became friendly with Hodgkinson during their work together in Iowa on Sanders's campaign. Orear said Hodgkinson was a passionate progressive and showed no signs of violence or malice toward others.
Also at LA Times, Reuters, The Atlantic, The Hill, and CNN.
(Score: 2) by bradley13 on Wednesday June 14 2017, @05:51PM (6 children)
"I still pretty much think the pseudo-fascist, ethnonationalist edge that has taken over conservative movement of the united states gradually over the last 30 years needs to be excised like a cancer."
Of course, the people you are talking about think that the self-righteous, hypocritical progressive edge that has taken over the liberal movement of the united states gradually over the last years needs to be excised like a cancer.
And those two views pretty much sum up the problem: Each side now regards the other as a group that can no longer be tolerated or lived with. It appears that most of the violence at the moment comes from the left, but that won't last. Pretty soon, both sides will be going at it. The left can ultimately call on the police forces and maybe parts of the military. The right has more guns, and knows how to use them. Civil war, anyone?
Everyone is somebody else's weirdo.
(Score: 2) by ikanreed on Wednesday June 14 2017, @05:59PM (5 children)
No, the problem is definitely with the side loading themselves with white nationalists, not the "self-righteous" people who notice and condemn that. Your attitude is exactly why I view political violence as an increasing inevitability.
You need to learn the difference between "trying to improve society by recognizing problems" and "being self-righteous". Except you seem constitutionally incapable of it which is why we need less of you.
(Score: 4, Touché) by bradley13 on Wednesday June 14 2017, @06:11PM (3 children)
The best way to improve society is my way, not your way, because I'm so much better and smarter than you. And if you get...hurt...along the way, well, that's just fine.
You think I'm speaking for the alt-right, when I'm actually just paraphrasing you. Or do you still not see the problem?
Everyone is somebody else's weirdo.
(Score: 2) by ikanreed on Wednesday June 14 2017, @06:42PM (1 child)
"Don't you see, pointing out my massive failing that I refuse to do anything about is like saying you're better than me for no reason?"
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday June 14 2017, @07:57PM
First do no harm
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday June 14 2017, @08:42PM
It isn't "my way / your way", a lot of the issues are basic human rights issues. Freedom to exist issues. Factually verifiable issues that conservatives want to ignore.
Sorry bud, but conservatives have gone full retard and promote outlandish propaganda to justify their world view. There is only so much factually incorrect "but this is my choice / opinion" bullshit the world can take.
Conservatives do have some decent views, but as a group they are triggered emotional crazies denying facts. So yes, you get some arrogant "stop your bullshit" attitudes. The problems you see with liberals are simply not in the same ballpark as the problems conservatives have. Conservatives FEAR that liberals will do fascist things, but there are actual conservative types going around committing crimes and promoting racism / bigotry / xenophobia.
You can't equate possibilities with actualities.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday June 15 2017, @08:44AM
I'm white. You leftists are trying to genocide me by importing millions of muslims. Heck yeah I'll throw my lot in with the white nationalists. I like to survive. I have children and will have grandchildren, unlike the typical leftist, and I'd like them to survive too. I'm also not liking the fact that race means my kids need extra-high test scores to get into good colleges and the fact that race will keep them from many scholarships.
You started the hate. I'm not going to ignore it. Back down, and I will do likewise.