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Linked articles in bold purple
◆ The machine-gun massacre in Las Vegas dominates our thoughts–and news coverage
It is remarkable how a few sad points encapsulate so many hours of heartbreaking TV coverage
- 58 dead, so far
- Over 500 injured, many seriously, so death toll may rise
- Single gunman, perched on 32nd floor of hotel, had 10 guns in room
- Shot into outdoor country-music festival
- No link to international terror groups
- Some groups did make false claims that they were responsible
- Gunman was retired Nevada resident, no criminal history, lived in retirement community
- Episode lasted 72 minutes
- Gunman killed himself
- Pres. Trump will travel to Las Vegas later in the week
The media coverage is intense, naturally.
The best coverage of the event itself is always a good local paper, in this case the Las Vegas Sun.
Comment: The coverage will soon move in its predictable arc:
- Who was the gunman?
- What about the families of the fallen?
- And, of course, “Gun Control” versus “Second Amendment.”
This is the type of story we’ll see about the gunman: “Led a quiet life,” neighbors never suspected, etc. (Washington Post)
The main goal is to explore what motivations–psychological or political–drove him to do this.
Politically, the episode will also follow a predictable arc. In this case, the gun control advocates raised the issue immediately, led by Pelosi and Hillary. Of course, these cleavages are heavily correlated with party affiliation, now that there are so few Democrats from the south and rural districts.
The early political calls after this massacre are worth noting because, in the past, the gun-control side often waited a day or two. Why the difference now? Probably because so many massacres have dulled the political motive to “wait a decent interval to mourn” and weakened the counter-argument that “now, when people are grieving, is not the right time to raise this issue.” (The same logic applies to terrorist events. As soon as we know whether it was actually a terrorist attack, people begin making political points. In the past, they often waited a few days.)
In this case, gun-control advocates want to raise the issue immediately because they know it is very hard for their opponents to make persuasive arguments. Usually, the most effective NRA-type argument is that “even if we did everything you gun-control advocates want, it wouldn’t have stopped this shooting.”
◆ All other news pales as the terrible aftermath unfolds
◆ Here’s a small tidbit to watch for: It’s a good time to dump bad news for government agencies or corporations
They know people are preoccupied so fewer will notice. So, “Ooops, we polluted your river” is better disclosed now than next Monday.
It’s the “Friday afternoon news dump” on steroids.
So, keep an eye out.
Biggest loser outside Alabama: Mitch McConnell, who convinced Trump to get involved on the losing side.
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flat refusal to remove the Ten Commandments from a court building, despite being to do so by a Federal Court. We’ve been through that issue before in our country. It was decided right the first two times. Moore’s refusal to obey a legitimate court order is despicable. It got him booted off the Alabama State Supreme Court but was apparently a feather in his cap politically. Uggh.
My bigger complaint is with the academic left which, for years, has attacked the American Dream–in principle as well as in practice–and fundamentally undermined the very idea of E Pluribus Unum
US Air Force B-1B Lancer bombers escorted by fighter jets flew in international airspace over waters east of North Korea on Saturday (Sept 23), in a show of force the Pentagon said demonstrated the range of military options available to President Donald Trump. –Reuters
It is beneath the dignity of the office to call the players “sons of bitches.”
It plays perfectly to his base and to the majority of Americans who respect the flag and other patriotic symbols. Trump knows that in his gut and he moved to exploit it. (His own crude language may undercut some of that support.)
Police have launched an investigation.
The 15-member Security Council voted unanimously on a U.S.-drafted resolution and a new round of sanctions on Monday in response, banning North Korea’s textile exports that are the second largest only to coal and mineral, and capping fuel supplies.
Prediction: Kabuki Theater. 
The Marijuana Effective Drug Study Act of 2017 would streamline the process for approving research and increase the national marijuana quota for medical and scientific research. Marijuana has been shown to have potential health benefits such as treating seizures and managing pain. –The Verge
Hat Tip
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Tip of the Redskins helmet to Hollis Taggart
Their faces hidden behind black bandannas and hoodies, about a 100 anarchists and antifa — “anti-fascist” — barreled into a protest Sunday afternoon in Berkeley’s Martin Luther King Jr. Civic Center Park.
