Mayor Bloomberg will not be intimidated.

Yesterday, New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, and the non-profit group he founded called Mayors Against Illegal Guns, each received a letter containing the deadly poison ricin. The FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force and the Intelligence Division of the NYPD are investigating the letters, which ABC News reported were postmarked from Louisiana.

Yesterday's letters contained threats against Mayor Bloomberg, and referred to the debate over gun control. Several reports indicate that poison-filled letters sent earlier this year to President Obama, and Mississippi Senator Roger Wicker, were also the result of the gun control debate. Senator Wicker was one of sixteen senators who voted to end the filibuster and allow a vote on background checks. Thankfully, the two earlier letters were intercepted before causing any harm, and there were no signs of serious symptoms in those who opened letters yesterday.

Mayor Bloomberg issued a statement, saying he did not feel angry or threatened by the letters. He wrote, “there's 12,000 people that are going to get killed this year with guns, and 19,000 that are going to commit suicide with guns, and we're not going to walk away from these efforts.” He will not be intimidated by so-called gun advocates who refuse to accept any reasonable limitation on the right to own weapons of war, and we shouldn't be either.

We can't give up on efforts to prevent the needless tragedies that occur every single day because of guns. Several states have enacted gun control measures in the months since the Sandy Hook shooting because lawmakers listened to the will of the people. The majority of people in our country support these efforts, and we must remind lawmakers in every state that they work for us, not for the gun lobby. This won't be an easy fight, but we can win it if we stand together.

Comments

Vegasman56 9 years 42 weeks ago
#1

A poison letter, will not succeed and is an act of a terrorist.

The right to bear arms is a big issue today, that the people they are afraid that they might lose their right to keep and bear arms. In so much they are attacking the government, will with literally poison letters laced by using the poison ricin. This is definitely not the way to petition the Government for a redress of grievances, peaceably, but act of terrorism, domestic terrorism. We do have a process in this country, that you as an individual can change the government, register to vote, get involved with your community by volunteering at your local precinct. Just because you’re in the minority does not mean that you can pick up arms and overthrow the government. This country is a Republic that practices democracy and that the majority rules by elected officials by Americans.

Writing in 1787, Jefferson stressed the inexorable connection between the right to have and use arms and the right to revolution, as follows:

God forbid we should ever be twenty years without such a rebellion. . . And what country can preserve its liberties, if its rulers are not warned from time to time, that this people preserve the spirit of resistance? Let them take arms. . .The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time, with the blood of patriots and tyrants.

Thomas Jefferson

Jefferson did write these words in reaction to Shays' Rebellion. He wrote from distant observation in Paris where he served for a few years as ambassador. He was not on the scene and had no responsibility to maintain public order. The fifty-five men we call the Framers of the Constitution were alarmed by Shays' rebellion and other less famous domestic disturbances. They were particularly alarmed by Shays' Rebellion because the militia had gone over to the side of the Rebellion. Without Jefferson, the Framers met in Philadelphia to write a new constitution that would create a strong government that could suppress these rebellions and also create a more viable political order that would prevent them from happening.

Stephen P. Halbrook

Information below is from Britannica Encyclopedia.

Shays’s Rebellion, (August 1786–February 1787), uprising in western Massachusetts in opposition to high taxes and stringent economic conditions. Armed bands forced the closing of several courts to prevent execution of foreclosures and debt processes. In September 1786 Daniel Shays and other local leaders led several hundred men in forcing the Supreme Court in Springfield to adjourn. Shays led a force of about 1,200 men in an attack (January 1787) on the federal arsenal at Springfield, which was repulsed. Pursued by the militia, on February 4 he was decisively defeated at Petersham and fled to Vermont. As a result of the rebellion, the Massachusetts legislature enacted laws easing the economic condition of debtors. Though small in scale and easily repressed, Shays’s action became, for some, a persuasive argument for a stronger and conservative national government, thereby contributing to the movement for the Constitutional Convention.

This is my Take.

This country has tried rebellions before, the most famous is the Civil War and the outcome was not in favor the ones who attacked United States of America, which is something to think about, but truth, justice and freedom will always succeed. The powers is in this country literally lies in your voice and at the ballot box, more than the right to bear arms.

Palindromedary's picture
Palindromedary 9 years 42 weeks ago
#2
Quote Mayor Bloomberg:, “there's 12,000 people that are going to get killed this year with guns, and 19,000 that are going to commit suicide with guns, and we're not going to walk away from these efforts.”

So what is wrong about committing suicide with guns? Aside from it being very messy for someone else to have to clean up...especially if done in the home...or one's car...it is just as effective as overdosing on aspirin...and a lot quicker! Maybe we should ban all prescription and non-prescription medicines that people could take to commit suicide. Ban knives, ban access to all bridges and tall building's exits to the roofs. Ban gasoline or any other flammable liquids.

Palindromedary's picture
Palindromedary 9 years 42 weeks ago
#3

So now Obama is appointing yet another right-winger Republican to a position of power...James Comey, or its that Commie? James Comey is to be the new FBI director it seems. With Presidents like Obama...who needs Republicans? Way to go, Mr. Republican Obama! We always knew you were a covert operative for the Republican party. And you continually prove it by all of the appointments you make. I wonder if Comey wears dresses, too.

Wisedad's picture
Wisedad 9 years 42 weeks ago
#4

While reporting on Ricin letters could you remind people of the danger to postal workers. In 2001 five postal workers died as a result of anthrax being mailed to congress and news organization.

Vegasman56 9 years 42 weeks ago
#5

You are so right on that Mr Wisedad

This act of terrorism would affect more than just the intent receiver of that letter. The letter carriers will be the ones affected for no cause whatsoever, they are just an innocent bystander, collateral damage. And these terrorists do not even care who dies as long they can create fear in American people, to bow down to their small insignificant, jealous political agenda. These people are losers!!!

chuckle8's picture
chuckle8 9 years 42 weeks ago
#6

Palindromedary -- Are you aware that J Comey is one of the few people in the Bush admistration to object to what they were doing. That fact alone makes me think this appointment is not all that bad.

DAnneMarc's picture
DAnneMarc 9 years 42 weeks ago
#7

MMmmNACHOS ~ Sorry it took so long to respond to your question from Tuesday in response to my sharing of the Anonymous is a phantom enemy used by the Ntrepid corp to COINTELPRO protesters and activists. Actually you are right, I'm in no way suggesting we back down from this threat. What I am trying to do is educate everyone as to what is up. It is our duty to do something about the direction this country is going but it behoves us to do it in a intelligent and successful manner. That requires a thorough knowledge of the opposition.

Governments have used phantom enemies and double agents to penetrate opposition groups all throughout history. Nothing new. Tactics and methods are the only thing that has changed. We should be familiar with them. We should also acknowledge that the Government has been very successful advancing its agenda by hiding the truth with so called "disinformation" campaigns. This is very important.

What I would suggest to anyone with the time to be very active in such efforts is to combine these two techniques the government has been so successful at using against the American People and launch a group effort at using the same techniques to advance the cause of the people. What might that be?

I imagine that one might begin by launching a blitzkrieg of "phantom anonymous enemies" from various locations, IP's, masks, costumes, agendas, and secret markings. Thousands of anonymous characters posted on YouTube with all sorts of ridiculous ideas, perspectives, and plans. All having different masks and "anonymous identities". Why? Why to divide and spread the COINTELPRO spies as thin as possible. That way, when sincere and planned protests and marches occur, the powers that be will be caught by surprise and unable to prepare to interfere.

Its a ridiculous but effective technique to use based on the same nonsense We the People are fed through Ntrepid surveillance techniques and the UFO cover ups. This time we turn the tables on the BS artists themselves. This time only We the People will know the truth and the real agenda. Power to the People my friend.

DAnneMarc's picture
DAnneMarc 9 years 42 weeks ago
#8

Wisedad ~ Good point. But anthrax and Ricin are two different things. First off, has anyone yet died in these recent Ricin attacks? Secondly, whom, or what group, is going to resort to such a ridiculously unreliable technique to kill someone? And, whom amongst this subgroup has access to Ricin? This whole story stinks in my opinion. After all, everyone should be aware by now that no politician opens his own mail. Hell, they don't even read their own emails. This story is ridiculous. Shame on Thom and Louise for not realizing the folly of these details.

Johnnie Dorman's picture
Johnnie Dorman 9 years 42 weeks ago
#9

These gun owners that are against sensible gun control laws, such as police record background checks, are nothing but paranoid emotional amateurs. Record checks are such a small sacrifice in order to save lives, yet these gun nuts would rather see more death than having their drivers license checked. Incredible stupidity. Any fool that says he's worried about government tyranny needs to be told, "let me know when you no longer have the right to vote in America, then, and only then, can you talk to me about government tryanny."

2950-10K's picture
2950-10K 9 years 42 weeks ago
#10

Vegasman56: Indeed, Shays' rebellion played a pivotal role in the call for a constitutional convention which lead to a stronger central government. The rebellion was also known as the paper money rebellion. It was basically class warfare, with merchants and banksters, "creditors," verse the farmers, "debtors." The Rev War had left the country in an economic depression with very little gold and silver money in circulation. The farmers demanded that paper money be issued so they could pay the banksters. Of course the merchants and banksters refused to accept this so called inflated currency. The banksters went nuts with foreclosures on the working class and thus violence erupted. You know the rest of the story. Anyway the country finally got it's own mint in 1792 thanks to a stronger central government. It's interesting to note that George Washington donated personal silverware to be melted down for coinage to be produced by the new mint.

Koolnightes's picture
Koolnightes 9 years 42 weeks ago
#11

Gun lobby..... or any lobby... isn't that a legal term for bribery?

What maybe started out to be a good thing has now turned into a legal (?) bribery?

like anything else that has run its useful course, it is time to end it.

As of November 2009, there are approximately 40,000 registered lobbyists at the state and federal levels, nearly 15,000 of which are federal lobbyists.

How many senators and congressmen are there?

Our elected officials are being bought, they no longer are your representatives, they bow to the highest bidder.

DAnneMarc's picture
DAnneMarc 9 years 42 weeks ago
#12
Quote Koolnightes:Gun lobby..... or any lobby... isn't that a legal term for bribery?

What maybe started out to be a good thing has now turned into a legal (?) bribery?

like anything else that has run its useful course, it is time to end it.

That's for sure! I don't care what you call the techniques, financial contributions, campaign contributions, donations, gifts, etc; whatever monetary exchange that a Government Representative accepts from anyone or anything other than his legal paycheck signed by We The People is bribery and treason. Such actions should be illegal and carry the full weight of the law--IE. the death penalty. This should apply to both the Representative involved, as well as the person or entity initiating the exchange.

Lobbyist should be made extinct. You want to influence an elected Representative, send him/her an email or call their office just like any other voter has to do.

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