I just saw this morning's opinion column by Dana Millbank in the Washington Post. It's as if he was reading this thread.
Republicans’ Thoughts and Prayers Have Become a Cruel Joke
By Dana Millbank August 5, 2019
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/cue-the-thoughts-and-prayers/2019/08/05/2de2b8d6-b7b8-11e9-bad6-609f75bfd97f_story.html
Back-to-back massacres in El Paso and Dayton kill 31. Cue the thoughts and prayers!
“Melania and I send our heartfelt thoughts and prayers,” tweeted President Trump, who vows to veto gun control.
“Elaine’s and my prayers go out to the victims,” tweeted Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, who blocks votes on gun control.
Do they not realize that “thoughts and prayers” has become a meme, a cynical punchline conveying inaction on guns? It’s what people say when they plan to do nothing.
Thoughts and prayers are always welcome, but Republicans’ reflexive response to the endless massacres has become a cruel joke, as effective as a Hallmark sympathy card. They seem to realize how weak it sounds: CNN reported that it invited 50 Republican lawmakers to talk about the shootings; only one accepted.
In fairness, Republicans offer more than “thoughts and prayers.” They also praise first responders, make various references to heartbreak and promise to “stand” with victims.
“Our thoughts are with the people of Dayton and El Paso. We are praying for them,” tweeted Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio). “Let’s stand united in condemning this evil.”
Thoughts and prayers stand united! And bonus points if you speak for your wife.
“Mylene and I send our prayers,” tweeted Rep. Greg Walden (Ore.).
“Wrenzie and I are praying.” — Rep. Tom Rice (S.C.)
“Jean and I are praying.” — Sen. Mike Rounds (S.D.).
“Tara and I are praying.” — Rep. Dan Crenshaw (Tex.).
Enough prayers. How about some thoughts?
“Mikey and I mourn.” — Sen. John Hoeven (N.D.).
“Kay and I are continuing to grieve.” — Sen. Jim Inhofe (Okla.)
“Renee and I are saddened.” — Rep. Richard Hudson (N.C.).
“Lucy and I are shocked.” — Rep. George Holding (N.C.).
“Maureen and I are deeply troubled.” — Sen. Mike Braun (Ind.).
And I pray that Mylene, Wrenzie, Jean, Tara, Mikey, Kay, Renee, Lucy and Maureen tell their husbands to stop blocking common-sense gun laws.
Some Republicans offer thoughts and prayers as if using GPS. Sen. Johnny Isakson (Ga.) reported that his “prayers are with the families and victims.” Sen. Richard Burr (N.C.) furnished three locations: “My prayers are with the victims, their families, and the first responders.” Sen. Richard Shelby (Ala.) provided a location update: “My prayers remain with those affected.”
A few thought and prayed in fragments: “Praying for comfort for all the families affected” (Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, W.Va.) or “Heartbroken for the people of El Paso, TX & Dayton, OH” (Rep. Chuck Fleischmann, Tenn.).
Still others were observers, calling the play-by-play: “Our nation mourns … and is praying” (Rep. Tim Walberg, Mich.), “Our hearts are with the victims” (Rep. Drew Ferguson, Ga.), “Our prayers go out” (Rep. David McKinley, W.Va.).
It’s a bit like Madlibs: My heart breaks for_____. I pray for_____. Rep. Jason Smith (Mo.): “My heart breaks for the communities” and “I pray for healing.” Sen. Lisa Murkowski (Alaska): “Our hearts break for the senseless violence” and “my prayers are with the victims.”
Democrats mentioned thoughts and prayers too — as insufficient. Sen. Ed Markey (Mass.) complained: “My Republican colleagues cut and paste the words ‘thoughts and prayers’ into a tweet and then do nothing on gun violence.”
But Republicans don’t just cut and paste. They take positions! “I stand with the grieving communities,” said Rep. Matt Gaetz (Fla.). A more flexible Rep. Mark Green (Tenn.) reported that “our entire nation stands — and kneels.”
They also join. “I join our entire country in mourning,” tweeted Rep. John Ratcliffe (Tex.). “I join Americans across the country,” reported Rep. Brad Wenstrup (Ohio).
Sen. Rob Portman (Ohio) offered a provisional prayer pending further developments: “While we are still learning more about the details … we are praying.”
And Rep. Barry Loudermilk (Ga.) preemptively chided those who “criticize our calls for earnest prayer.”
Actually, we criticize prayer in lieu of action.
Trump proposed action, tweeting Monday in support of “strong background checks.” But, as after Parkland, Fla., he quickly dropped the idea, omitting it from his on-camera remarks. Instead: More thoughts and prayers!
“The first lady and I join all Americans in praying,” disclosed Trump, so deep in thought and prayer that he said “Toledo” instead of “Dayton.”
Trump, who previously said white nationalism is not a growing threat, announced that “our nation must condemn racism, bigotry and white supremacy.”
Trump, who said nonwhite lawmakers should “go back” to other countries, asserted that “hatred warps the mind.”
Trump, who last week shared the sentiment that “DEMOCRATS ARE THE TRUE ENEMIES OF AMERICA,” said “now is the time to set destructive partisanship aside.”
Eventually, disgusted Americans will force Republicans to act. Until then, here’s a thought: We don’t have a prayer.
