Texas’ governor, Greg Abbott, responded to the mass shooting in Sutherland with the typical right-wing Christian platitudes of “thoughts and prayers.” But he, like other Republicans, are complicit in the growing bloodbath that is the United States of America. In fact, he might be worse. A 2015 tweet of his has resurfaced in the wake of today’s massacre, and it’s absolutely vile given that it’s exactly this attitude that’s enabling angry white men with guns to shoot up groups of people:
I’m EMBARRASSED: Texas #2 in nation for new gun purchases, behind CALIFORNIA. Let’s pick up the pace Texans. @NRA https://t.co/Ry2GInbS1g
— Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX) October 28, 2015
He was embarrassed that Texas lagged behind California in gun purchases, even though their requests to buy guns that year topped 1 million? “Let’s pick up the pace Texans?” What the fresh hell is that? This is a competition to him? He sees gun purchases as a state-by-state competition to win? There are no words to describe how sickening that is.
Even two years ago this was amazingly insensitive and tone-deaf. There had been at least 300 mass shootings by that point in 2015, but he’s a “moar gunz” kind of guy, so of course he doesn’t care about that. “The only thing that stops a bad guy with a gun is a good guy with a gun,” right? Right.
This is also the governor who tweeted out a photo of a sign that read, “Lawful open and concealed carry is welcome here! We refuse to be a disarmed victim zone. Help keep our town safe and crime free,” and said, “You know you’re in Texas when you see signs like this.” He even tagged the NRA:
You know you’re in Texas when you see signs like this. @NRA #Guns #txlege pic.twitter.com/2ZEbY4NXhE
— Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX) April 3, 2017
So he’s headed to Sutherland to meet with officials and with families, and he’s sending his “prayers” ahead of him. Below is his idea of a sensitive, if generic, response:
Thanks to the person who made this. pic.twitter.com/RAIAXkjdnR
— Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX) November 5, 2017
Yes, Texas, pray if you’re praying people, but elect someone who actually wants to address this problem.
Featured image via Brendan Smialowski/Getty Images
