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We Need A New Synonym

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We need a new synonym for hypocrisy. Hypocrisy is defined as “a pretense of having a virtuous character, moral or religious beliefs or principles, etc., that one does not really possess.”


The American people have become desensitized by the frequent use of the word hypocrisy. It doesn’t mean anything anymore. Just as “gun violence”, “mass shooting”, “assault weapons”, “thoughts and prayers”, “body armor”, “109 people killed by guns in America every day” (2018 stats), “patriot,” and “school shooting.” don’t mean anything anymore because we have heard these terms for years, again and again and again. We’re benumbed, anaesthetized.


Because we have become numb to the meaning of hypocrisy, we must have new synonyms for the word. Here are a few suggestions.


Greg Abbott, Governor of Texas. Yesterday he said this: “What happened in Uvalde is a horrific tragedy that cannot be tolerated in the state of Texas.”


Last year, Abbott bragged that the Constitutional Carry bill he signed into law meant that “no license or training is needed to carry a gun in Texas.” Abbott signed the Texas Heartbeat Act, which prohibits abortions after the detection of embryonic or fetal cardiac activity. Abbott protects embryos that may or may not live to be born, but not elementary school children.


From today on, instead of using the word hypocrisy to define “a pretense of having a virtuous character, moral or religious beliefs or principles, etc., that one does not really possess,” I will say, “That’s a Greg Abbott.”


Ted Cruz, Senator from Texas. Yesterday, he said this: “Heidi & I are fervently lifting up in prayer the children and families in the horrific shooting in Uvalde. We are in close contact with local officials, but the precise details are still unfolding. Thank you to heroic law enforcement & first responders for acting so swiftly.”


In 2018, during his re-election bid, Texas Senator Cruz received $311,151 in direct contributions from pro-gun groups. In 2016 Cruz led all congressional recipients of gun lobby contributions with $360,727, topping even Marco Rubio (FL) at $176,030. (Source: Center For Responsible Politics).


It’s not hypocrisy: it’s a Ted Cruz.



Tony Gonzales, Republican Representative in the Texas Legislature who represents Uvalde. Yesterday, Gonzales said, My heart breaks for the city of Uvalde. Pray for our families. “Children are a gift from the Lord; they are a reward from him.” “Jesus said, 'Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” Matthew 19:14


Previously, Gonzales boasted, “I voted NO on two gun control measures in the House today. I am a proud supporter of the Second Amendment and will do everything I can to oppose gun grabs from the far left.”


You see, it’s no longer hypocrisy, it’s a Tony Gonzales.


Krysten Sinema, Democratic Senator from Arizona. Yesterday, she said this about the Uvalde, TX slaughter of the innocents: “We are horrified and heartbroken by the senseless tragedy unfolding at Robb Elementary School in Texas and grateful to the first responders for acting swiftly. No families should ever have to fear violence in their children's schools.”


Today Sinema said she'll start having conversations with senators on “red flag” laws or others.


Senator Sinema, termed a moderate Democrat, makes the hypocrisy synonym list for her refusal to vote to lift the filibuster 60-vote requirement blocking passage of H. R. 8 which passed the House in March 2021 a law that would close loopholes in gun purchases and require background checks for everyone who purchases a gun.


It’s not hypocrisy. It’s a Sinema.


Joe Manchin, Democratic Senator from West Virginia. Yesterday he said, “When you have babies, little children, innocent as can be, oh God,” Manchin told reporters late Tuesday, noting he had three school-age grandchildren. “It just makes no sense at all why we can’t do common sense — common sense things — and try to prevent some of this from happening.”


Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.), however, has said H.R. 8 is too far-reaching. Manchin has instead pushed to vote on a narrower plan that exempts transfers and sales between family and friends, a proposal he negotiated with input from the National Rifle Association (NRA) in 2013.


Manchin also refuses to do away with the filibuster even temporarily, ensuring we the people are under the oppressive thumbs of 50 senators. On Tuesday, the conservative Democrat Joe Manchin also reiterated he did not support calls from within the party to reform senate filibuster rules, which could allow the passage of legislation with a simple majority. Majority rule? It is to laugh.


It’s not hypocrisy. It’s a Manchin.


Less than 24 hours after the slaughter of the innocents in Uvalde, it is becoming obvious that very few Republicans have a moral compass. According to a report by the Texas Tribune, top Texas Republicans have made it clear that any kind of gun restriction legislation in response to Uvalde, is off the table.


“Inevitably when there’s a murder of this kind, you see politicians try to politicize it, you see Democrats and a lot of folks in the media whose immediate solution is to try to restrict the constitutional rights of law-abiding citizens,” U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz told reporters Tuesday afternoon. “That doesn’t work. It’s not effective. It doesn’t prevent crime.”


Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton quickly dismissed the notion of enacting restrictions on firearms — reasoning that shooters wouldn’t follow the law anyway.


“I’d much rather have law-abiding citizens armed and trained so that they can respond when something like this happens because it’s not going to be the last time,” Paxton said.


The list of synonyms for hypocrisy goes far beyond these examples. There is but one way to expunge these synonyms from our country. Vote them out of office. Vote them out of office and replace them with women and men who don’t follow the religion of gun worship. Men and women who will ban the use and sale of assault weapons to all civilians. Who will pass federal red flag laws, and universal background checks. Elected officials who will work to end the Electoral College, and the senate filibuster. Representatives who will reject all campaign contributions from gun lobbies.


If you and I are not just another synonym for hypocrisy, we must pledge “our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor” to defeat candidates who are.



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