Tennessee Democrats who exploited Nashville massacre to push for gun control voted against bipartisan bill to make schools safer

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After a transsexual radical massacred six Christians at the Covenant School on March 27, Republican Gov. Bill Lee and Tennessee lawmakers took swift action to advance legislation that would boost funding and harden security at schools in the state.

HB 322 passed both the state House with a bipartisan 95-4 vote on April 6 and the Senate on April 13 with a unanimous 33-0 vote. Lee is set to sign it into law.

The three Democrats who used the shooting as a springboard for their gun control agenda and media tour did not, however, support the legislation.

Despite having expressed concern over school shootings and invoking the memory of the slain children, Democratic state Reps. Justin Jones of Nashville, Gloria Johnson of Knoxville, and Justin Pearson of Memphis ultimately voted against the school safety bill.

The Tennessean reported that the bill would require schools to:

  • lock exterior doors while students are present;
  • conduct annual incident command bus safety drills, extra to the already required armed intruder drills; and
  • install classroom door locks and secure visitor entry vestibules.

In addition to hardening structural security, the bill would require school districts to ensure staff and experts have the wherewithal required in the event of an emergency. Accordingly, districts must have a threat assessment team and ensure that private security guards undergo annual active shooting training.

Districts will also have to annually provide up-to-date safety plans, floor plans, and security systems access to state and local law enforcement to optimize alignment and interoperability.

While not all of the requirements extend to public charter schools, private schools, and church-related schools, they too will have to ensure that exterior doors are locked, relevant drills are routinely conducted, security guards are trained up, and safety plans are in place.

"While it may not be the full solution to the danger and violence we see in the world, it is certainly a step forward," said House Majority Leader William Lamberth (R).

The three Democrats temporarily expelled from the House — for staging what Tennessee House Speaker Cameron Sexton (R) called an "insurrection" — opposed HB 322, as it did not satisfy their desire to infringe upon Americans' Second Amendment rights or stop access to "weapons of war."

"We don’t want gun battles at our schoolhouse door," Johnson said. "We want our kids to be safe, and to feel safe."

Pearson likened hardening security at schools to making them "more like prisons."

Jones, who has had multiple run-ins with the law, suggested that the addition of more police officers and security at schools was troubling, calling HB 322 a false solution and a "white flag of surrender."

\u201cThe TN House is hearing HB 0322 to add more police officer\u2019s to schools as a response to mass shootings and @brotherjones_ calls on the house to listen to the thousands of young people outside and take real action! #NoActionNoPeace\u201d
— A is for Afro (@A is for Afro) 1680794466

Jones added, "This is an optical spectacle decision to offer these false solutions. You want exposure when we are saying we want you to do something. This is a very political, calculated decision."

Republican Rep. Scott Campbell intimated that Jones and his two comrades were guilty of what they accused the bill's supporters of, saying, "If you want to talk about playing to the cameras, that’s what just occurred."

Last week, Vice President Kamala Harris praised the trio, suggesting that their expulsion was racially motivated and calling their "insurrection" courageous, reported the Guardian.

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NBA coach Gregg Popovich exploits transsexual extremist's school shooting as opportunity to condemn Republicans and the 'myth' of the Second Amendment

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Leftist NBA coach Gregg Popovich, whose San Antonio Spurs have 22 wins and 60 losses in the 2022-2023 season, has been silent on the question of whether he will soon retire. Over the weekend, he managed to leave some fans hoping his exit will come sooner rather than later.

Popovich, 74, launched into a vitriolic rant about gun control during a pregame media availability Sunday, in which he denounced Republican lawmakers and invoked the March massacre of six Christians by a transsexual extremist in a Nashville school.

Dodging inquiries about whether he might retire in the off season, Popovich asked if anyone in the room was carrying a firearm, reported ESPN.

"I just wondered because we have a governor and lieutenant governor and an attorney general that made it easier to have more guns," said Popovich, allegedly in reference to Texas politicians. "That was a response to our kids getting murdered. I just thought that was a little bit strange decision. It's just me, though."

The geriatric coach, who has gone 3-7 in his past 10 games, condemned Republicans in Texas and Tennessee and further denounced the expulsion of Democratic Reps. Justin Jones and Justin Pearson from the Tennessee House.

Popovich intimated that the lawmakers who expelled Jones and Pearson over their disruption of the Democratic process were racists who "deep in their soul want to go back to Jim Crow."

After smearing those who sought to restore order in the state House as racist, Popovich read and then ridiculed a statement from U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), suggesting her coordination efforts with federal, state, and local officials to assist in Nashville after an LGBT militant shot up a school were futile.

"[Assist] in what? They're dead," Popovich yelled. "What are you going to assist with — cleaning up their brains off the wall, wiping the blood off the schoolroom floor? What are you going to assist with?"

Blackburn is presently working to introduce the Securing Aid for Every School Act to the U.S. Senate, which would fund the training and hiring of veterans and former police officers to harden school security and ultimately keep children safe.

Popovich continued, lambasting Governor Bill Lee, who, along with his wife Maria, lost two close friends, Cynthia Peak, 61, and Dr. Katherine Koonce, in the Covenant School shooting.

"And then there's Governor Lee. I'm sorry to go on and on, but Bill Lee: 'I'm closely monitoring the tragic situation. Please join us in prayer.' What are you monitoring? They're dead! Children — they're dead. When I pick up my 6- and 11-year-old grandkids at school, when I'm here at home, on the way it goes through my mind that I hope they're going to be OK."

The 74-year-old coach from Indiana suggested that Republican efforts to defend Americans' constitutional rights depended on the "myth" of the Second Amendment.

"You know, it's just a myth. It’s a joke. It’s just a game they play. I mean, that's freedom. Is it freedom for kids to go to school and try to socialize and try to learn and be scared to death that they might die that day?" said Popovich.

"But Ted Cruz will fix it because he is going to double the number of cops in the schools. That’s what he wants to do. Well, that’ll create a great environment. Is that freedom? Or is it freedom to have a congressman who can make a postcard with all his family holding rifles, including an AR-15 or whatever. Is that cool? Is that like street cred for a Republican? That’s freedom? That’s more important than protecting kids? I don’t get it."

\u201cAt the end of what might be his last pregame media availability, Gregg Popovich asked if any of the reporters had brought guns into the arena, then had so e things to say about lack of gun control regulation in Tennessee and, well, everywhere in the U.S.\u201d
— Brad Townsend (@Brad Townsend) 1681065602

This is not the first time that Popovich — who originally figured he would apply his academic background in Soviet studies to a career working for the CIA — has opined on political matters.

TheBlaze previously reported that Popovich endorsed failed Democratic gubernatorial candidate Beto O'Rourke in 2018 because of the way Sen. Ted Cruz's opponent had made him feel.

In 2019, Popovich called former President Donald Trump "feckless, impotent, and cowardly."

In 2020, Popovich suggested George Floyd's death was a "lynching" and claimed the incident made him "embarrassed as a white person."

In 2021, he likened Italian hero and renowned explorer Christopher Columbus to Nazi dictator Adolf Hitler, accusing him of committing "a new world genocide," and further suggested that Texan schools that observed Columbus Day were "backward."

Gregg Popovich asks a serious question… again. youtu.be

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Two days after a transsexual slaughtered 6 Christians, Democratic Rep. Katherine Clark says trans community 'is being forced to fight for its very existence'

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Just days after six Christians were murdered in a brutal school shooting by a female transsexual, Democratic Rep. Katherine Clark of Massachusetts gave a speech honoring the trans "community," which she claimed "is being forced to fight for its very existence."

Beyond honoring transsexuals, Clark, who serves as Democratic whip in the House, also denounced those who stand in the way of the full execution of the transsexual agenda, including the very groups ostensibly targeted in the Nashville shooting.

'Not one tragedy but two'

In the aftermath of the Covenant School shooting, a number of LGBT activists and trans advocacy groups vilified Republicans, religious institutions, and others. In a number of instances, they appeared keen to displace blame from the transsexual woman who murdered three children and three adults.

The LGBT lobby group Human Rights Campaign noted in its response to the atrocity, "We still don't know all of the facts about what happened in Nashville. We do know that every study available shows that transgender and non-binary people are much more likely to be the victims of violence, rather than the perpetrator of it."

TheBlaze previously reported that Madonna had decided in the aftermath of the shooting that it was an opportune time to state, "The oppression of the LGBTQ+ is not only unacceptable and inhumane; it's creating an unsafe environment," suggesting that it's becoming particularly unsafe for transsexuals.

The geriatric musician also announced she would perform in Nashville, with proceeds going to "trans rights" groups.

The Trans Resistance Network said in a statement that the incident in Nashville "is not one tragedy, but two," intimating that the child-killer should similarly be mourned.

The group also suggested that recent policies (i.e., Republican legislation protecting children from genital mutilations and hormone therapies) and criticisms of the trans agenda together amounted to a "genocidal eradication of trans people from society" and were at least partly to blame for the massacre.

The Trans Resistance Network went so far as to threaten, "Hate has consequences."

More polarizing rhetoric

Clark, whose "trans" son was charged in January for assaulting a police officer, echoed much of the activist groups' rhetoric in her speech Thursday in Congress.

The Massachusetts Democrat said that to stand in the way of transsexuals' happiness "is to stand against our most basic American values. But that's exactly what MAGA extremists are doing across this country — on school boards, in state Capitols, here in the halls of Congress."

Evincing no sense of irony, Clark claimed that Republicans are "waging an especially vicious crusade on our kids," adding members of the trans community have been subjected to "cruelty" by "right-wing extremists."

"Let's reject the forces of opposition and bigotry," said Clark. "Let's celebrate the bravery and beauty of our trans community."

Clark quoted a letter from a mother to her transitioning daughter, saying, "I know your strength, but I also know how determined the forces are that have pitted themselves against you, the politicians and preachers who would rather see you languish in a dark closet."

At no point in the speech did Clark mention the Nashville shooting or the lives — including that of a preacher's daughter — claimed therein.

\u201cRep. Katherine Clark, whose transgender kid was charged with assaulting a police officer, rails against "politicians and preachers" and "right wing extremists" for their "cruelty" against transgender people, just days after a crazed transgender person murdered six Christians.\u201d
— Townhall.com (@Townhall.com) 1680099865

Clark was recently in the news after her son Jared Dowell, 23, was charged with assault and battery on a Boston police officer inflicting serious bodily injury, vandalizing a historic monument, damaging property by tagging, and resisting arrest.

TheBlaze reported that Dowell, whom his mother refers to as a daughter named "Riley," allegedly left an officer "bleeding from his nose and mouth."

Police had attempted to arrest the Democrat's son after they caught him allegedly vandalizing a monument with anti-police slogans.

Jared Dowell is not the only person in the family fond of provocative rhetoric.

While silent on the topic of transsexual child-killers, Clark has been a loud critic of her Republican colleagues in the House, calling them "extremists."

The Democratic whip reiterated this claim on St. Patrick's Day, stating, "The extremists are running it," in reference to the House Republicans and their majority in Congress.

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9-year-old Evelyn Dieckhaus hailed as a hero — died trying to pull fire alarm to warn others of transsexual shooter stalking halls of Christian school

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The 28-year-old transsexual shooter who shot up a Christian elementary school on Monday was ultimately put down by Nashville's finest; however, that was not her first encounter with heroes that day.

A 9-year-old girl attempted to alert teachers and other children to the threat before being cut down in the Covenant School. She is now being hailed as a hero.

Evelyn Dieckhaus, described by her family as a "shining light," desperately tried to pull the fire alarm as the shooter stalked the halls of the Christian school, reported the Daily Mail.

Clay Stauffer, senior minister of Woodmont Christian Church, which is next door to the school, told WTVF, "These are the types of situations in life where it does cause us to question and doubt our faith. But I also tell them in these situations, as horrible as they are, I believe God shows up in the community."

Stauffer intimated that Dieckhaus made God's presence known in her apparent love for her peers and corresponding effort to alert them to danger.

"Evelyn made an impact on this world, and she will continue to," he said.

The minister noted that while the 9-year-old's parents, Mike and Katie Dickhaus, are devastated, "They're being surrounded by their family and friends."

Dieckhaus' grieving sister, a fifth-grader set to be baptized in a few weeks, said, "I don't want to be an only child."

"Their daughter Evelyn was a shining light and an amazing person. She was loved not only by her family, not just by her church. We’re surrounding them and picking them up — helping them move forward," added Stauffer.

Dieckhaus and the two other 9-year-old victims were in the school's chapel prior to the attack, learning about "life in Kenya and what it means to be a missionary."

Missionary Britney Grayson provided this instruction, having been invited to speak at chapel and visit with the students.

Grayson noted on Twitter that the victims had just learned the Swahili word "jambo" (i.e., "hello") and "all the verses of Amazing Grace to sing for grandparents day next week."

\u201cUPDATE-\n3 children are confirmed dead. 3 children who learned the word "Jambo" this morning from us in chapel. 3 children who were learning all the verses of Amazing Grace to sing for grandparents day next week. 3 children who didn't have to die. Lord be with us. Lord, be with us\u201d
— Britney Grayson, MD, PhD (@Britney Grayson, MD, PhD) 1679935917

Grayson evidently paid no mind to leftist news-reader David Pakman's denigration of prayer, imploring everyone to: "Please join me in praying for healing for these children. ... Pray for all the little hearts that weren't physically wounded but who will never be the same. Pray. Pray. PRAY."

William Kinney and Hallie Scruggs were the two other children who sang "Amazing Grace" with the departed hero before being murdered.

Hallie Scruggs was the daughter of the pastor of Covenant Presbyterian, which shares a location with the school.

Pastor Chad Scruggs told ABC News in a statement, "Through tears we trust that she is in the arms of Jesus, who will raise her to life once again."

William Kinney was described by a family friend, Rachael Freitas, as an "unfailingly kind" boy with an "unflappable spirit," reported the Tennessean.

"He loved his sisters, adored his parents, grandparents, aunts, and uncles and was always excited to host friends of every age. Sweet Will knew no strangers, and our hearts are broken for his family as they try to find their way forward," said Freitas.

The transsexual shooter also claimed the lives of Cynthia Peak, 61, Katherine Koonce, 60, and Mike Hill, 61.

Parents Mourn Nashville School Shooting Victims youtu.be

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