I think it's recognition of the tragedy and an attempt to somehow affect the best outcome when in actuality we have no control. Some stuff is simply beyond our control, but there's no harm in desiring the best.
It's literally the least one can possibly do.
The implied claim that whatever happened was beyond control, from the very people whose responsibility and role it was to control it, can be a bit off-putting. In such cases it's better if it's preceded by an apology, some kind of acknowledgment of having let people down.
Assuming other people can control every misfortune of life I suppose we could blame it on the devil, but he's not real, so we cast it on others.
Because, at the level of Congress, it is offered as a replacement for any action that would prevent such tragedies.
I assume you didn't read the included link. The idea that Chris Pratt could be responsible for Kevin Smith's heart attack is beyond ridiculous.
Oh, like the Broward county sheriff did? Oops. That didn't happen.
The question was a general one, specifically citing Chris Pratt praying for Kevin Smith. Any thoughts on that?
Do you have similar objections to all well-wishers or just prayers?
Yes. It's polite but essentially worthless.
Personally I have no problem with anyone praying for anyone. In Congress, that has become the alternative to action. With Chris Pratt and Kevin Smith - no idea why he's mad, unless that phrase "thoughts and prayers" has become so synonymous with "fuck you" that people make that assumption when they see it.
The assault weapon ban that expired in 2004 banned large magazines of the size the shooter was likely using.
I'll try to hand it to you slowly:
So unless you can do something about the tragedy, you should just act callously aloof?
The OP wasn't about Congress. It's not inaction. It's just not your preferred action.
No, it hasn't become the alternative to action. It's just an expression of sympathy and not your preferred action.
An assault weapons ban just changes the weapon used, and there are other rifles with equal or greater capability and capacity.
Did I miss the Broward county sheriff's appology?
No laws suggested so far would have stopped any of these, because none of these people had criminal records or diagnosed mental illness.
Not really. Anything with that capability and capacity would fall under a sound ban.
No, it doesn't. It needs tightening up.
All use of bump stocks, assault rifles, etc, would have been prevented by several of the laws suggested so far. So would unusual ammunition purchasing, under 21 purchase of certain weapons, purchase of arsenals of weapons by people flagged as disturbed or on certain medications (such as the sudden purchase of an arsenal by a guy being investigated for child porn), and so forth.
The contra: When you can do something about it, sending thoughts and prayers instead is acting callously aloof.
The article pretty much hit it on the head ...
Really? Most hunting rifles?
Yes it does, but the Constitution has this pesky thing called due process.
That's the thing. The Parkland guy was never flagged as disturbed, apparently due to incompetent police. At least not to the point of a due process adjudication.
I'm not familiar with that one.
Just because it's not your preferred action, like arming teachers, doesn't mean it's no action at all.
Nope.
The necessary has already cleared the Constitution.
The laws suggested help with that.
Nonsense. Ordinary rifles are not capable of such rapid fire.
No, they aren't. Slower, less penetration, much shorter range, less convenient ammunition and weapon design, etc.
But mass murderers will not often find gangs of helpers like that. And if they do, they at least won't all have guns.
Thoughts and prayers are not action.
Yep.
Parser failed.
No, they don't.
Yes, they are. Semi-automatic is semi-automatic.
Slug ammunition, semi-automatic, targets in an enclosed area, etc..
One guy:
Armed guard and teachers are action. You just don't like it.
Now you are telling me what I was talking about? Goofier by the minute - - -
Not my problem. Hire a schoolkid to read for you.
Sure they do. Ands there are more coming - it's not hard.
Your contention was that shotguns are more deadly than assault rifles for school shootings, remember?
Silly boy.
Thoughts and prayers were the topic - try to focus.
