Joe The Plumber To Parents Of Shooting Victims: ‘Your Dead Kids Don’t Trump My Constitutional Rights’
Stating concepts in elegant ways may not be the strong point of Joe the Plumber.
I am sorry you lost your child. I myself have a son and daughter and the one thing I never want to go through, is what you are going through now. But:
As harsh as this sounds – your dead kids don’t trump my Constitutional rights…
As a father, husband and a man, it is my responsibility to protect my family. I will stand up for that right vehemently. Please believe me, as a father I share your grief and I will pray for you and your family, as I do whenever I hear about senseless tragedies such as this.
We still have the Right to Bear Arms and I intend to continue to speak out for that right, and against those who would restrict it – even in the face of this horrible incident by this sad and insane individual. I almost said “Obama Voter” but I’m waiting for it to be official.
Carolina Trucker May 27th, 2014 at 12:46 pm
Elegant or not, he is right.
Shades May 27th, 2014 at 1:01 pm
Neither of you have any concept of what the second amendment is actually about, soooo, no, he is not right.
M D Reese May 27th, 2014 at 1:05 pm
No–he is not right. His “right” to carry a gun does not trump other citizens’ rights to live, among others. The 2nd Amendment allows for limits and regulations on gun ownership.
arc99 May 27th, 2014 at 2:16 pm
he is both inelegant AND wrong.
restrictions on the 2nd amendment in the name of public safety do not infringe on the right to bear arms.
there are numerous restrictions on the first amendment related to slander, libel, incitement to riot and public nudity to name a few. protecting public safety does not infringe on individual rights.
why do gun zealots find that so impossible to comprehend?
arc99 May 27th, 2014 at 2:24 pm
and what about my right to not get shot while shopping, even if it is WalMart
http://www.therepublic.com/view/local_story/Police-Woman-injured-by-accide_1401064017
At 8:03 p.m. Saturday, Columbus Police Chief Jon Rohde was inside Walmart, 2025 Merchants Mile, when he heard a gunshot inside the store. He located the man and woman involved and called for additional patrol units to assist, said Lt. Matt Myers, spokesman for Columbus Police Department.
Tony E. Ward, 56, of Columbus, told police that a .22-caliber handgun, for which he has a permit and was in a holster, fell from his waistband while he was shopping and discharged, Myers said.
Robert Merrill Taylor May 27th, 2014 at 3:12 pm
Freedom to carry means with a round in the chamber and the safety off?
granpa.usthai May 27th, 2014 at 2:38 pm
if he would provide the reader with the WELL REGULATED Militia Unit he belongs to, I would agree with you, being that he has not, I strongly disagree and am in favor of this US Government upholding the US Constitution AS WRITTEN, not fabricated by groups such as the NRA for profits ONLY.
Teske May 27th, 2014 at 2:46 pm
you need to take your own advice… also.. maybe learn to read the entire constitution before making a fool of yourself.
William May 27th, 2014 at 3:47 pm
you need to take your own advice… also.. maybe learn to read the entire constitution before making a fool of yourself.
For a troll who doesn’t understand the difference between your and you’re, You seem to be pretty smug when it comes to calling other people names.
Teske May 27th, 2014 at 4:13 pm
First of all I did not call anyone names. I said “it reminds me of”. I have read the constitution and studied it quite extensively. Just because you do not agree with the 2nd amendment and want to manipulate it to suit your needs does not make it what ever you want it to mean. I bet you own guns yourself, being a former cop.
William May 27th, 2014 at 5:38 pm
You have no idea of how I interpret the constitution. I’ve never publically expressed my interpretation of it. Please tell me where you have gathered this insight into my view of the second amendment.
On the subject at hand, IE Joe the plumbers insensitivity, in the aftermath of this bloodbath I offer this.
It is perfectly within my constitutional rights to dress as the grim reaper and dance and laugh during the funeral procession of these kids. It’s my right, but it would also make me a complete a$$hole.
The problem with todays armed idiots is this.
They are not doing anything for the image of the responsible gun owner.
Yes I am a gun owner. I have had a lifetime association with firearms to the point that it is as casual for me as tying ones shoes is for others.
Idiots that flaunt guns, fire insensitivities at grieving parents and strut around like camo-clad Rambo wanna-bes aren’t hurting anti gun folks. To the contrary, they are hurting the responsible gun owners.
Teske May 27th, 2014 at 5:49 pm
Your previous comments beg to differ. I agree there are many people who do not give it a good image, but that has nothing to do with people’s rights. There are idiots like Westboro Baptist who use the 1st amendment horribly, but does that mean we end the 1st amendment? No of course not.
A grieving parent should not be putting blame on the NRA and politicians when his son is responsible for his own actions. It is sad that his son had mental instability but the reason Joe the Plummer fired back was because of what the father had stated. Could he have used more tact… yes of course. Does that make his statements invalid .. no.
Should someone take away your guns because other people are irresponsible with them? Should they take them away from you because there are criminals who use them in their crimes?
Shades May 27th, 2014 at 6:02 pm
Jeez, nobody is taking your freakin guns away. You are so gullible. The gun lobby has convinced you of that BS so you’ll spend every last dime you have on guns and ammo, so they can retire to the Caribbean.
Teske May 27th, 2014 at 6:22 pm
Never said they were going to take them away, but far left people sure want them taken away.
Shades May 27th, 2014 at 6:42 pm
Who told you that, President Romney?
William May 27th, 2014 at 6:48 pm
Wanna” have some fun? Ask your favorite tobacco spitting “cold dead fingers” bumper sticker red neck friend the following question.
So…..just what anti-gun legislation has the President signed into law”?
Obewon May 27th, 2014 at 9:08 pm
The anti-gun legislation President Obama signed allowed guns in national parks. See “anti-gun.” Oh wait…
William May 27th, 2014 at 6:15 pm
“Should someone take away your guns because other people are irresponsible with them?”
It’s odd how your first reaction isn’t “how can we keep this from happening again”…but rather “OMG they are coming for my guns”.
That’s the paranoia that the gun manufacturers, the NRA and their paid politicians love.
Teske May 27th, 2014 at 6:24 pm
Actually my very first post was exactly dealing with that issue. Mental illness. That is what is causing this to happen, that is what we need to focus our time and energy into.
William May 27th, 2014 at 6:45 pm
That’s nice but please get to my comment that validates your comment “Just because you do not agree with the 2nd amendment and want to manipulate it to suit your needs does not make it what ever you want it to mean”.
I really REALLY want to see just what I wrote about the second amendment.
You know?
that,
“Your previous comments beg to differ”.
stuff.
waiting.
William May 27th, 2014 at 6:16 pm
“Your previous comments beg to differ”.
Link please.
jasperjava May 27th, 2014 at 8:01 pm
“A grieving parent should not be putting blame on the NRA and politicians when his son is responsible for his own actions.”
The Martinez boy was just minding his own business, buying a sandwich at a deli when a racist misogynist gun freak burst in and mowed him down in a hail of bullets.
And you’re (note the spelling) blaming the VICTIM for getting himself KILLED???
It’s never about personal responsibility with you conservatives. If someone dies because of a war, or the environment gets destroyed, or people lose their house because of shady banking practices, it’s never the fault of the billionaires and the corporations who caused it. It’s always the fault of poor people if they’re poor. It’s the fault of innocent victims if they get killed (especially if they’re Black and carrying Skittles). Troops who get killed did so because it was their own fault for enlisting, instead of getting five deferments due to “other priorities”.
Right-wingers are vile scum.
Teske May 27th, 2014 at 8:11 pm
What makes you think just because I support the 2nd amendment that I am conservative. It is exactly about personal responsibility. I was referring to the Killers Father in that statement who stated that the NRA and Politicians are to blame…If your going to comment to me please at least read all of my comments to get context.
Carla Akins May 27th, 2014 at 8:38 pm
Nowhere in that article – or anywhere did the killers father make that statement. Only the victim’s father, a raw, emotional, devastated, grieving father that had just lost his beloved son. So Joe the Plumber thought it would be okay to say his son’s life had no value, in comparison to his right to carry a gun. If you believe that, if that’s your priority – you need to consider your lack of empathy may be a mental issue.
Teske May 27th, 2014 at 8:40 pm
I beg to differ http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/05/24/ucsb-shooting-guns-nra_n_5386873.html
Carla Akins May 27th, 2014 at 8:45 pm
and again. The first paragrpah of the link provided reads:
In a press conference Saturday, the father of 20-year-old student who was killed in the rampage near the University of California, Santa Barbara blames “craven, irresponsible politicians and the NRA” for his son’s death.
Nowhere in the article does it mention the killer’s father. The killer, and his father is named Rodgers. The victim and his father are named Martinez.
jasperjava May 28th, 2014 at 1:55 am
” I was referring to the Killers Father in that statement who stated that
the NRA and Politicians are to blame…If your going to comment to me
please at least read all of my comments to get context.”
Ignoramus. The killer’s father NEVER made any such statement. Maybe you should check your facts.
fahvel May 27th, 2014 at 5:05 pm
careful dimwit – Gramps knows the constitution quite well but you, well that’s another story – a sad one too.
Teske May 27th, 2014 at 5:14 pm
You think so huh? How educated are most truckers these days?
Tom Ward May 27th, 2014 at 5:30 pm
The phrase well regulated meant ‘working properly’. So, a well regulated militia was a group of people who had guns and knew how to use them.
http://www.constitution.org/cons/wellregu.htm
TiredOfThemAll May 27th, 2014 at 5:56 pm
I think this is what they meant;
Thatwithin one year after the passing of this act, the militia of the respective states shall be arranged into divisions, brigades, regiments, battalions and
companies, as the legislature of each state shall direct; and each division, brigade and regiment, shall be numbered at the formation thereof; and a record made of such numbers in the adjutant-general’s office in the state; and when in
the field, or in service in the state, each division, brigade and regiment shall respectively take rank according to their numbers, reckoning the first or lowest number highest in rank.
That if the same be convenient, each brigade
shall consist of four regiments; each regiment of two battalions; each battalion of five companies; each company of sixty-four privates. by whom officered.
That the said militia shall be officered by the respective states, as follows: To each division, one major-general and two aids-de-camp, with the rank of major; to
each brigade, one brigadier-general, with one brigade inspector, to serve also
as brigade-major, with the rank of a major; to each regiment, one
lieutenant-colonel commandant; and to each battalion one major; to each company
one captain, one lieutenant, one ensign, four sergeants, four corporals, one
drummer and one fifer or bugler. That there shall be a regimental staff, to
consist of
1803, ch. 15, sec. 3.
one
adjutant and one quartermaster, to rank as lieutenants; one paymaster; one
surgeon, and one surgeon’s mate; one sergeant-major; one drum-major, and one
fife-major.
Chap. ⅩⅩⅩⅢ.—An Act more effectually to provide
for the National Defence by establishing an Uniform Militia throughout the
United States.
Approved,
May 8, 1792.
(I can’t fix anymore of these lines)
This was the militia that Washington used to put down the Whiskey and Shay’s rebellions.
Alan May 27th, 2014 at 3:43 pm
Except his Second Amendment rights are not in jeopardy and he is speaking of what is all-too-typical right-wing paranoia.
Dwendt44 May 27th, 2014 at 7:19 pm
They are coming to take you away, ha ha.
mea_mark May 27th, 2014 at 1:06 pm
If dead kids don’t trump the constitution then the constitution needs to be thrown out and we should start over with something that puts life first.
Teske May 27th, 2014 at 2:41 pm
Your free to leave America at anytime.
Shades May 27th, 2014 at 2:56 pm
And you’re free to go back to grammar school.
Teske May 27th, 2014 at 3:42 pm
Oh wait, Stop! It’s the grammar police. It reminds me of that episode of South Park where all the smug people are smelling their own farts. You don’t own a Prius by chance?
Shades May 27th, 2014 at 5:59 pm
Yeah, that post really bumped everyone’s opinion of you.
mea_mark May 27th, 2014 at 3:27 pm
So are you.
Teske May 27th, 2014 at 3:40 pm
I have no intention nor a need to leave, I agree with our constitution fully. You on the other hand don’t agree with it. You don’t like it… I hear Canada is nice.
mea_mark May 27th, 2014 at 4:34 pm
You don’t understand the constitution and are interpreting it as you see fit to fulfill your own desires.
Budda May 27th, 2014 at 1:37 pm
Joe the Plumber? This guy is relevant to anything how?
mea_mark May 27th, 2014 at 1:49 pm
He is relevant in that he is representative of how the right-wingers think, or not think, as may be the case. If right-wing media want to put him on a pedestal, then we should show how ridiculous his position is.
granpa.usthai May 27th, 2014 at 2:33 pm
Thanks to the Republican Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism (10-26-2001) the 2nd Amendment of the Constitution of the United States of America may now be UPHELD AS WRITTEN, with arms being allowed to be in the personal possession of the people who are members of a WELL REGULATED MILITIA (just in case the redcoats try a sneak attack coming in behind a hurricane?).
Now, if the Republican Senators will provide the AMERICAN PEOPLE the name of the militia Commander who authorized the killing of American children, the people will be able to see the US Government in action.
Also, to the parents of the children, seek grievance through the Judicial Branch of Government against those who illegally armed the shooters (providing they do not have proof of their belonging to a WELL REGULATED MILITIA) – and against the NRA Terrorist Organization who has opted to become the Supreme Powers of the US Constitution for PROFIT ONLY. (American children be damned).
Teske May 27th, 2014 at 2:44 pm
You may want to re-read the entire 2nd amendment and not one snipit of a sentence. A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed. It is saying that in order to maintain a FREE COUNTRY, that the right to bear arms shall not be infringed.
Shades May 27th, 2014 at 2:54 pm
You may need to have somebody with a high school education EXPLAIN the entire second amendment to you. Your right to own a firearm does not trump my right to life. The word militia has been bastardized by the far right. It does not refer to you and your buddies playing GI Joe on the weekend.
Teske May 27th, 2014 at 3:39 pm
Me owning a gun in no way threatens your life and that is the point. In your logic we should ban fast food, cars, knifes, rocks, skateboards, snowboards, archery, paint ball guns, glass of any kind, any sport ever…. I could go on forever. All of these can threaten your life. Funny how you say right to life, my guess is you are in full support of Abortion.
Shades May 27th, 2014 at 5:58 pm
If you’re as ignorant as you appear here, I’d say everyone’s life is threatened by you owning a gun.
Teske May 27th, 2014 at 6:05 pm
Ignorant? Explain exactly how I am ignorant.
Shades May 27th, 2014 at 6:40 pm
You think Obama’s coming for your guns. That’s pretty ignorant.
Teske May 27th, 2014 at 7:21 pm
Not at any time did I say anything about Obama, nor did I say that he wants to take our guns away, but try again.
AlCum May 27th, 2014 at 7:36 pm
Then what are you so afraid of?
Shades May 27th, 2014 at 8:51 pm
I think we have a winner.
John Tarter May 27th, 2014 at 4:38 pm
Right to life? So now you will be an advocate for the unborn? That’s wonderful news and I am sure the little babies who are sliced, diced, bludgeoned, and basically torn apart in the womb daily will appreciate the help.
TiredOfThemAll May 27th, 2014 at 4:50 pm
Especially those suffering from lethal osteogenesis imperfecta, placental abruption, previa, preeclampsia, amniontic fluid embolism, accretaprolasped umbilical cord, epidermolysis
bullose, lethal acantholytic, uterine cancers, , inversion of rupture uterus, placenta accretaprolasped umbilical cord, shoulder dystocia ruptured endometrium. … lethal osteogenesis imperfecta, holoprosencephaly, a condition
where there is no brain and a single eye, uterine cancers, ruptured endometrium….
fahvel May 27th, 2014 at 5:02 pm
reading your mind gives people the chills. It’s hard to believe, with your mind and mouth, that you aren’t really a cartoon drawn on a public toilet wall.
Shades May 27th, 2014 at 5:57 pm
Tarter’s sauced.
Teske May 27th, 2014 at 2:49 pm
I am disappointed in Alan, usually he is pretty smart… posting something like this is unbecoming of him. My guess is that he actually did not post this and is was a lackey working for him.
Shades May 27th, 2014 at 2:50 pm
You’re joking, right?
KAC May 27th, 2014 at 5:07 pm
He HAS to be. “Alan is usually pretty smart”???
HAHAHA!!!!!
Shades May 27th, 2014 at 5:56 pm
I should have been more specific. Let me spell it out. Alan posted it. He didn’t use a lackey. Teske’s assumption was a joke, right?
Epiphany Dh May 27th, 2014 at 5:25 pm
Oh, aren’t we passive-aggressive here! Well, I guess you’ll have to live with your disappointment and try to live out your life as best you can. Poor thing…. maybe have a warm cup of tea or a beer even, to calm your sorrow.
Yes, Alan is the author/publisher of any article that bears his name.
Good article too. I like when he exposes the off the wall harshness and lack of compassion by right-wingers. It’s good to be aware of such things.
William May 27th, 2014 at 3:51 pm
For anti gun folks, this guy is pure gold. He will do more damage to the right than Limbaugh did when he called a graduate student a slut right before the election. Sadly this guy will also damage the best efforts of responsible gun owners.
fahvel May 27th, 2014 at 5:00 pm
as he prays may his glock discharge in his groin.
Shades May 27th, 2014 at 6:39 pm
I doubt it would do any damage.
Obewon May 27th, 2014 at 6:53 pm
These constitutional illiterate family-valueless office seekers offer only delusional hypocrisy pretending the 2nd amendment “Well regulated” federal laws don’t exist, baring guns & ammo from adjudicated crazy gun worshipers, Felons in Non-NRA controlled blue states, domestic abusers, dishonorably discharged Vets, DHS Terrorists & non-citizens.Ohio’s 9th Congressional District election, 2012 [23]PartyCandidateVotes%DemocraticMarcy Kaptur (Incumbent)217,77173.04%RepublicanSamuel Wurzelbacher (Joe the plumber)68,66823.03%
AlCum May 27th, 2014 at 7:33 pm
“Obama voter?” Is Sam the non-plumber daft? Gun nuts are Repubs.
jasperjava May 27th, 2014 at 7:45 pm
Not to mention racists and misogynists.
Jaz May 27th, 2014 at 7:42 pm
The Conservatives appear to own all “Constitutional Rights’ the rest, not so much. Fair and Balanced they are not.
Jaz May 27th, 2014 at 7:51 pm
They like gun ownership, but not the responsible type. Is responsible gun education, too hard for them to comprehend?
Lack of education is the downfall of a Just society.
arc99 May 28th, 2014 at 1:31 am
Of course if the debate turned to abortion and someone who is pro choice made a similar statement, the hypocrites defending Werzelbacher would be wetting their pants with fake indignation.
GreenEyedLilo May 28th, 2014 at 8:18 am
“I’ll pray for you, but don’t ask me to do anything more concrete that might actually help anybody, or even be polite to parents who just lost their kids a couple days ago.” Current conservatism in a nutshell. We need to stop referring to this creep as “Joe the Plumber,” too. Plumbers are skilled, intelligent, and perform necessary services. Samuel Wurzelbacher couldn’t hack it, works in another profession now, and just says hateful things when he wants attention.