# Multiple gunshots in Alexandria Virginia at the Congressional Baseball Practice. **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [June 14, 2017, 12:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/multiple-gunshots-in-alexandria-virginia-at-the-congressional-baseball-practice/788930 "2017-06-14T12:05:57Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 11
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2017, 2:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/multiple-gunshots-in-alexandria-virginia-at-the-congressional-baseball-practice/788930/201 "2017-06-15T02:07:01Z")
> [@Try2B\_Comprehensive](#): > > By drawing fire? In the case of Scalise, by being high-ranking enough to be accompanied by a security detail? > > Look, yes, the capitol police deserve the most credit for the apprehension of the terrorist. But in a situation like this where you see a terrorist attempting mass murder against a bunch of unarmed civilians, the civilians are the good guys, even if I happen to disagree with some of their political positions. They can be victims, but they don’t become “the good guys” just because the other guy is worse than they are. And I do get tired of this euphemism. No one just just “happen[s] to disagree with some of their political positions.” Political positions aren’t random. And many times it’s not merely a matter of disagreement. Many political positions cost lives or cause living people to have torturous lives. I could be more specific, but I don’t know how far I can go in this forum. But the point is, these aren’t mere disagreements. And they definitely do not just happen. You can say that these people shouldn’t be shot without lionizing them. In fact, that’s extremely important, because many people are actually awful. Note, this is all general, and not specific. ---
**Author:** ![Shagnasty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9dc877/32.png) [@Shagnasty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shagnasty)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2017, 2:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/multiple-gunshots-in-alexandria-virginia-at-the-congressional-baseball-practice/788930/202 "2017-06-15T02:18:58Z")
> [@BigT](#): > > They can be victims, but they don’t become “the good guys” just because the other guy is worse than they are. > > And I do get tired of this euphemism. No one just just “happen[s] to disagree with some of their political positions.” Political positions aren’t random. And many times it’s not merely a matter of disagreement. Many political positions cost lives or cause living people to have torturous lives. I could be more specific, but I don’t know how far I can go in this forum. > > But the point is, these aren’t mere disagreements. And they definitely do not just happen. > > You can say that these people shouldn’t be shot without lionizing them. In fact, that’s extremely important, because many people are actually awful. > > Note, this is all general, and not specific. This is way over the pale even for you. Give it up. We just had a domestic terrorist attack with the goal of executing every man, woman and child present at a simple recreational baseball practice. It obviously didn’t work because of some very heroic people but it could have if the circumstances were just a little different. What you are saying is incredibly offensive and callous. You need to review it in your own mind because the train has gone off the tracks. We don’t need another self- righteous sermon. You are 100% wrong on this one and it pisses me off just like it does for 99% of the rest of the nation. Stop it! ---
**Author:** ![Common\_Tater](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/common_tater/32/13846_2.png) [@Common\_Tater](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Common_Tater)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2017, 2:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/multiple-gunshots-in-alexandria-virginia-at-the-congressional-baseball-practice/788930/203 "2017-06-15T02:35:33Z")
> [@skdo23](#): > > They got what they voted for. Glad it was them, and not a bunch of first graders who Steve Scalise wants to take health care away from. What a Cunt! ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2017, 3:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/multiple-gunshots-in-alexandria-virginia-at-the-congressional-baseball-practice/788930/204 "2017-06-15T03:10:14Z")
> [@cochrane](#): > > Report coming out now that Rep. Scalise’s injuries are not life-threatening. Good to hear. This was initially thought to be the case, and discovered to be otherwise when he was taken into surgery. Reading between the lines, at least one of those further surgeries they say he needs is going to be a colostomy reversal. :eek: ☹ There were reports that the shooter lived briefly in my area last year while he was working for the Sanders campaign, and it seems that nobody remembers him except for the people he stayed with. 😕 ---
**Author:** ![Bruiser1036](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/eb9ed0/32.png) [@Bruiser1036](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bruiser1036)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2017, 3:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/multiple-gunshots-in-alexandria-virginia-at-the-congressional-baseball-practice/788930/205 "2017-06-15T03:13:56Z")
> [@BigT](#): > > They can be victims, but they don’t become “the good guys” just because the other guy is worse than they are. > > And I do get tired of this euphemism. No one just just “happen[s] to disagree with some of their political positions.” Political positions aren’t random. And many times it’s not merely a matter of disagreement. Many political positions cost lives or cause living people to have torturous lives. I could be more specific, but I don’t know how far I can go in this forum. > > But the point is, these aren’t mere disagreements. And they definitely do not just happen. > > You can say that these people shouldn’t be shot without lionizing them. In fact, that’s extremely important, because many people are actually awful. > > Note, this is all general, and not specific. Shame on you. Are you aware that Congrssman Mo Brooks (R-Alabama) essentially saved Scalise’s life _while the shooting was still going on_ by using his belt as a tourniquet and applying it against the entry wound on his hip? He very likely would have bled out if he didn’t do that. All while a crazed gunman was still firing. Senator Jeff Flake (R-Arizona) actually went up to Scalise and got his phone and called his wife so she wouldn’t have to fucking hear about it on the news. These guys showed true heroism and statesmanship, as did the Capitol Police agents. ---
**Author:** ![Bruiser1036](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/eb9ed0/32.png) [@Bruiser1036](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bruiser1036)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2017, 3:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/multiple-gunshots-in-alexandria-virginia-at-the-congressional-baseball-practice/788930/206 "2017-06-15T03:15:31Z")
> [@nearwildheaven](#): > > This was initially thought to be the case, and discovered to be otherwise when he was taken into surgery. > > Reading between the lines, at least one of those further surgeries they say he needs is going to be a colostomy reversal. :eek: ☹ > > There were reports that the shooter lived briefly in my area last year while he was working for the Sanders campaign, and it seems that nobody remembers him except for the people he stayed with. 😕 He was shot in the hip, and they are saying that he is in critical condition and will need more surgeries. Given how old he is, he will never walk the same way again, and could have other mobility issues. Shame, man. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2017, 3:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/multiple-gunshots-in-alexandria-virginia-at-the-congressional-baseball-practice/788930/207 "2017-06-15T03:15:59Z")
Apparently Rep. Scalise is facing a difficult recovery. I wish him well and hope he gets back to work soon. [https://www.google.com/amp/s/mobile.nytimes.com/2017/06/14/us/steve-scalise-congress-shot-alexandria-virginia.amp.html](https://www.google.com/amp/s/mobile.nytimes.com/2017/06/14/us/steve-scalise-congress-shot-alexandria-virginia.amp.html) > [@](#): > > His injuries are extensive, and he was in critical condition Wednesday night, MedStar Washington Hospital Center said in a statement. As the bullet traveled across his body, it broke bones, tore up internal organs and caused major internal bleeding. > > Doctors operated immediately, but additional surgery is required, the hospital said. ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2017, 3:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/multiple-gunshots-in-alexandria-virginia-at-the-congressional-baseball-practice/788930/208 "2017-06-15T03:24:56Z")
This was to be expected. **[Their Own Targeted, Republicans Want Looser Gun Laws, Not Stricter Ones](https://www.nytimes.com/2017/06/14/us/politics/targeted-republicans-gun-laws-alexandria-virginia-baseball-shooting.html?partner=rss&emc=rss)** > [@](#): > > WASHINGTON — Shaken and angry, Republican members of Congress seized on the brazen daytime shooting of their colleagues on Wednesday to demand that existing restrictions on gun access be loosened so that people facing similar attacks are able to defend themselves. > > Past shootings have brought calls for more gun control, especially for restrictions on the kind of rifle used in Wednesday’s attack. But the ardent supporters of gun rights who came under fire this time were not about to change their views. > > As Representative Steve Scalise, the third-ranking House Republican, had surgery for a gunshot wound to the hip, his colleagues complained that Washington’s restrictive gun laws had barred him and other lawmakers who live in the capital from bringing weapons to the baseball practice in Alexandria, Va… ---
**Author:** ![madsircool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madsircool/32/3432_2.png) [@madsircool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madsircool)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2017, 3:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/multiple-gunshots-in-alexandria-virginia-at-the-congressional-baseball-practice/788930/209 "2017-06-15T03:28:59Z")
> [@ThelmaLou](#): > > This was to be expected. > > **[Their Own Targeted, Republicans Want Looser Gun Laws, Not Stricter Ones](https://www.nytimes.com/2017/06/14/us/politics/targeted-republicans-gun-laws-alexandria-virginia-baseball-shooting.html?partner=rss&emc=rss)** Given that had the two brave Capital police not been there, the casualty rate would have been far worse. They probably have a point. And, no, I am not a gun owner. ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2017, 3:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/multiple-gunshots-in-alexandria-virginia-at-the-congressional-baseball-practice/788930/210 "2017-06-15T03:50:10Z")
If there’s anyone who knows how NOT to use a gun, it should be a police officer. Some of the ammosexuals don’t seem to understand that knowing when not to use a gun can be more critical than having a firearm handy. ---
**Author:** ![Euphonious\_Polemic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/euphonious_polemic/32/3002_2.png) [@Euphonious\_Polemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euphonious_Polemic)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2017, 4:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/multiple-gunshots-in-alexandria-virginia-at-the-congressional-baseball-practice/788930/211 "2017-06-15T04:01:52Z")
> [@madsircool](#): > > Given that had the two brave Capital police not been there, the casualty rate would have been far worse. They probably have a point. And, no, I am not a gun owner. I"m happy there were trained police officers there, who were armed, and knew what to do to assess and take action in the situation. I’m also happy that more untrained people were not armed, so that they did not make the situation worse by using their untrained instincts to shoot up the rest of the place. ---
**Author:** ![Spice\_Weasel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spice_weasel/32/5435_2.png) [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2017, 4:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/multiple-gunshots-in-alexandria-virginia-at-the-congressional-baseball-practice/788930/212 "2017-06-15T04:14:13Z")
> [@BigT](#): > > They can be victims, but they don’t become “the good guys” just because the other guy is worse than they are. > > And I do get tired of this euphemism. No one just just “happen[s] to disagree with some of their political positions.” Political positions aren’t random. And many times it’s not merely a matter of disagreement. Many political positions cost lives or cause living people to have torturous lives. I could be more specific, but I don’t know how far I can go in this forum. > > But the point is, these aren’t mere disagreements. And they definitely do not just happen. > > You can say that these people shouldn’t be shot without lionizing them. In fact, that’s extremely important, because many people are actually awful. > > Note, this is all general, and not specific. I thought this was a really shitty thing to say, and I see I’m not alone. What is happening to you? ---
**Author:** ![madsircool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madsircool/32/3432_2.png) [@madsircool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madsircool)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2017, 4:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/multiple-gunshots-in-alexandria-virginia-at-the-congressional-baseball-practice/788930/213 "2017-06-15T04:16:02Z")
> [@Euphonious\_Polemic](#): > > I"m happy there were trained police officers there, who were armed, and knew what to do to assess and take action in the situation. > > I’m also happy that more untrained people were not armed, so that they did not make the situation worse by using their untrained instincts to shoot up the rest of the place. So, in your opinion, its better to allow a madman to gun down a bunch of people then to allow themselves a chance to fight back? Would you rather be a sitting duck, waiting to be shot? Or a trained gun owner that might save many lives? ---
**Author:** ![Spice\_Weasel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spice_weasel/32/5435_2.png) [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2017, 4:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/multiple-gunshots-in-alexandria-virginia-at-the-congressional-baseball-practice/788930/214 "2017-06-15T04:34:08Z")
Let’s maybe not do this here? ---
**Author:** ![kopek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kopek/32/337_2.png) [@kopek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kopek)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2017, 5:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/multiple-gunshots-in-alexandria-virginia-at-the-congressional-baseball-practice/788930/215 "2017-06-15T05:52:36Z")
I’ll just settle for being sad right now. ---
**Author:** ![madsircool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madsircool/32/3432_2.png) [@madsircool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madsircool)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2017, 5:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/multiple-gunshots-in-alexandria-virginia-at-the-congressional-baseball-practice/788930/216 "2017-06-15T05:57:04Z")
> [@Spice\_Weasel](#): > > Let’s maybe not do this here? You are right. I apologize. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2017, 6:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/multiple-gunshots-in-alexandria-virginia-at-the-congressional-baseball-practice/788930/217 "2017-06-15T06:20:18Z")
> [@BigT](#): > > They can be victims, but they don’t become “the good guys” just because the other guy is worse than they are. > > And I do get tired of this euphemism. No one just just “happen[s] to disagree with some of their political positions.” Political positions aren’t random. And many times it’s not merely a matter of disagreement. Many political positions cost lives or cause living people to have torturous lives. I could be more specific, but I don’t know how far I can go in this forum. > > But the point is, these aren’t mere disagreements. And they definitely do not just happen. > > You can say that these people shouldn’t be shot without lionizing them. In fact, that’s extremely important, because many people are actually awful. > > Note, this is all general, and not specific. The hell is wrong with you? ---
**Author:** ![madmonk28](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madmonk28/32/20811_2.png) [@madmonk28](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madmonk28)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2017, 10:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/multiple-gunshots-in-alexandria-virginia-at-the-congressional-baseball-practice/788930/218 "2017-06-15T10:56:24Z")
> [@Guinastasia](#): > > The hell is wrong with you? I’m honestly curious which of his points you find offensive? ---
**Author:** ![Try2B\_Comprehensive](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/try2b_comprehensive/32/65_2.png) [@Try2B\_Comprehensive](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Try2B_Comprehensive)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2017, 11:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/multiple-gunshots-in-alexandria-virginia-at-the-congressional-baseball-practice/788930/219 "2017-06-15T11:22:20Z")
> [@BigT](#): > > They can be victims, but they don’t become “the good guys” just because the other guy is worse than they are. > > And I do get tired of this euphemism. No one just just “happen[s] to disagree with some of their political positions.” Political positions aren’t random. And many times it’s not merely a matter of disagreement. Many political positions cost lives or cause living people to have torturous lives. I could be more specific, but I don’t know how far I can go in this forum. > > But the point is, these aren’t mere disagreements. And they definitely do not just happen. > > You can say that these people shouldn’t be shot without lionizing them. In fact, that’s extremely important, because many people are actually awful. > > Note, this is all general, and not specific. Yah well I stand with the victims and their families, their friends, their colleagues, their associates… do you have any idea how big of a deal this is? There is not one sliver, not one iota of OK about this because the victims are Republicans. Same if it were Democrats. Or Independents. Or you name it, it Doesn’t Matter. I _can_ say they “shouldn’t be shot without lionizing them”, but that isn’t what I chose to do, is it? I don’t care if this happens in Virginia, Wales, Portugal, Spain, France, Germany, Poland, Russia, China, Korea or Japan. The guy with the gun attempting to murder innocent civilians is the terrorist, and the civilians are who “we”, “civilization”, are honor-bound to defend. I don’t care if the victims are the college conservatives or the hippie commune. The evangelicals or the nudists. The chess club or the Ronald Reagan fan club. I don’t care if they are botanists, alcoholics, physicists, hobos, politicians, fry cooks or (peaceful) radicals of any stripe- unarmed civilians never deserve to be gunned down like a bunch of rabid coyotes. That just isn’t what people are for. I am in favor of posting shitty things on Facebook, Twitter, or elsewhere on the internet and social media if one has a socio-political axe to grind. Send nasty letters, otherwise speak your mind, but do please try to make as much sense as possible. Write your Congressperson, or run for office yourself. I generally favor the left/progressive perspective on political issues. Wrt to guns, I think the conservatives/GOP are “more correct”- that is just my opinion, I am really just some guy on the internet with a job, a gf, a garden, and that is just about it. Don’t shoot me over it. #Scaliseistheman ---
**Author:** ![madmonk28](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madmonk28/32/20811_2.png) [@madmonk28](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madmonk28)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2017, 11:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/multiple-gunshots-in-alexandria-virginia-at-the-congressional-baseball-practice/788930/220 "2017-06-15T11:31:07Z")
Where is **BigT** suggesting that any of this is ok? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/multiple-gunshots-in-alexandria-virginia-at-the-congressional-baseball-practice/788930.md?page=10) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/multiple-gunshots-in-alexandria-virginia-at-the-congressional-baseball-practice/788930.md?page=12)