August 6th, 2019 by WCBC Radio
WTOP reports the dual mass shootings in El Paso, Texas, and Dayton, Ohio, over the weekend prompted predictable outrage and hand-wringing from Maryland politicians.
But none of the expressions of outrage were more noteworthy than those that have come over the past two days from the Twitter account of state Sen. Stephen S. Hershey Jr.
The lawmaker represents a rural district on the Eastern Shore. And he also happens to be Senate minority whip — the No. 2 Republican in the chamber.
Hershey’s statements since the shootings have been as pointed as any elected Republican’s — and they seem surprising, because he has been a strong defender of the Second Amendment and hunters’ rights during his nine years in the General Assembly. He also appears to be cautioning fellow Republicans about their reluctance to criticize white supremacists.
Here are some samples:
“I’m done with the thoughts and prayers,” Hershey said in his first tweet on Sunday afternoon. “I’m done with the phony outrage from scores of politicians. I’m angry. I’m horrified. I’m devastated. Our American culture is suffering. Let’s call this what it is: A white nationalist committed an act of terrorism.”
August 06, 2019 at 3:50 pm, Teresa said:
We need to stop the blame game and start working together as a united country. I will continue to pray for those who need our thoughts and prayers!
God bless and protect America!
August 09, 2019 at 9:34 am, Ken said:
Teresa, I couldn’t agree with you more. We have a problem and I do not believe the actions being discussed will address this problem head on.
Let me be clear, the issue isn’t firearms, it’s the incredibly small group of criminally insane people who have access to them. I used the term criminally insane so that people with mental illness are not included as these are two very different groups.
I believe in our Second Amendment rights but stop short of handing weapons to terrorists – domestic or otherwise. Make no mistake, these people are the new face of terrorism and seem bent on outdoing each other based on the numbers killed.