The iron-bound, closed mind of a former GOP congressman from Georgia vs the kids of Parkland, Fl motivated to activism

I am sickened and disgusted by the closed mind and biased thinking of a former  Republican congressman from my home state, Rep. Jack Kingston  (R-GA)   He was on a CNN news program hosted by anchor Alisyn Camerato, who asked him if he really believed, as he had tweeted, that the teen activists from Florida are incapable of organizing these national rallies on their own.

Although defensively expressing his great sorrow and compassion for the loss-of- life tragedy and for the suffering the survivors sustained, Kingston was scoffingly skeptical:   because he can't conceive of teens having the ability to do this on their own, then of course some left-wing group like George Soros must be coming in with their "ready-made" rally apparatus and using the kids for his own purposes.

Kingston said on air:  "Their sorrow can very easily be hijacked by left-wing groups who have an agenda, . . . Do  we really think 17 year olds on their own are going to plan a nationwide rally?

[In a zinger twitter response, someone pointed out that Joan of Arc, who led her nation in war, and was burned at the stake for it, was 17 years old.]

Host Alisyn Camerato finally interrupted Kingston, who by now had made an odious fool of himself:  "I'm sorry, Jack.  I have to correct you.   I was down there.   I talked to these kids before they even knew how many had died.  These kids were wildly motivated.  No one had even talked to them yet. They had not been  indoctrinated by some left wing group.  They were motivated by what they saw and by what they can do."   Further, she expressed her belief their ability and determination to do the organizing on their own.

Of course, let's hope some adults are advising and assisting them.   But it's important that this is their movement;  and so far it looks like it is. 

Back to the CNN panel:  Finally, the host was able to get Kingston to shut up, stop interrupting long enough for her other guest, former Rep. David Jolly (R-FL) to get in a word.  He began by trying to talk over Kingston's continual interrupting.   "Come on, Jack, Jack, Jack . . .  who cares who pays for the gas for the bus to get their voice to the legislators?  [Kingston interrupts, again]  Jolly:  "Listen, Jack, their message is not a left wing confiscation. [The moderator had to step in again to shut Kingston up and let Jolly talk.]

[Jolly]  "Here's the point.   Here's what the American people are crying out for leadership on.   They want universal and comprehensive background checks;  they want it to be as difficult to get an assault rifle as it is to get a security clearance in this White House;  and they want to see dramatic enforcement of the laws on the books."

Jack Kingston has always been a despicable presence on TV, defending the indefensible, spouting Republican talking points whether they make any logical sense or not;  and always embodying this cynicism toward the good.  And always rude -- he's one of the worst guests on tv for interrupting and talking over other guests.

And later the kids themselves spoke back in response to Kingston:   A very mature 17 year old Delaney Tarr spoke eloquently:  "With any movement there comes this amount of hating and trolling and people telling you that you're just a little kid;  you don't know what you're talking about;  or you're a puppet.   But ultimately we have to move past all that, because the amount of support we're getting is so over-whelming compared to everything else."

And Delaney added on another occasion:

"We're not making this a partisan issue.

It's a life and death issue."

Another said:  "I've cried a lot, and it's turned into anger -- as a motivation to actually do something, not only for my own community but for everyone who lives in the United States."   Another, addressing a group:   "Parkland is strong, and Parkland is the type of community that can make change from tragedy."  

Another:  "This fight is not the easiest fight.  It's not going to be short.  We're going to have to continue for days, months, years, decades because the people in these special interests who want to pass laws to make it easier for people to get guns are not going to stop.  We can't either.  We need to get out the vote."

This movement has already begun.  It's led by the kids of the high school in Parkland, Florida;   but, with the rapid communication of social media, kids all over the U.S. are organizing their on their own as well.   They're not just having rallies -- although those are important -- they are sending groups to try to meet with lawmakers;  they're doing protest rallies at the White House, for one.  I'm sure that will spread.   And then there is the grand day of March For Our Lives planned for March 24th.   And then the big focus will be on getting out the vote in November.

One of these speakers, David Hogg, is one of the core group of organizers;  he is a senior at the high school and a student journalist.   While the shooting was still going on and he and friends were hiding in a darkened classroom, David began recording his and others' reactions on his cell phone.  He said at first they thought it was a drill, but then they began hearing shots. Not knowing whether they would make it out alive, he wanted to leave a record for others to know what they went through.    On his recording, David speaks with the calm demeanor of an experienced journalist, maybe one of those we see on TV, coming to us from a war zone via satellite.

How dare Jack Kingston doubt the competence and the sincerity of these kids?   They'll make a better world than my generation did -- and certainly better than Jack Kingston's Republican party is doing.   Now, just keep him off TV, please.   He makes Southerners look bad.

Ralph

PS:  George and Amal Clooney donated $500,000 to help with the expense of the March for Our Lives in Washington on March 24th, releasing this statement:
"Amal and I are so inspired by the courage and eloquence of these young men and women from Stoneman Douglas High School.   Our family will be there . . . to stand side by side with this incredible generation of young people from all over the country. 

"In the name of our children Ella and Alexander, we're donating $500,000 to help pay for this groundbreaking event.  Our children's lives depend on it."

And, responding to the Clooneys' announcement, Oprah Winfrey later said she "couldn't agree with you more" and pledged to match their $500,000 donation.

So . . . .  take that, Jack!    Yes, these liberal icons with lots of money are supporting these kids' effort and "standing side by side" with them, not hijacking them with a left-wing agenda," as you so boorishly accused George Soros, who by the way has done far more to make the world a better place than you and your selfish, narrow-minded cohorts.