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| (Image by Paul Whiting) |
We Are The Hands Of Christ!
We All Need To Understand That
We Are All The Hands Of Christ;
We All Need To Realize That We
All Walk The Same Path In Life!
We All Need To Know That We
Are All A Part Of How God Sees;
We All Need To Know That We
Are All A Part Of God Embodied!
We All Need To Become What
We Wish To See In All Others;
We All Need To Be The Love For
Our Sisters And Our Brothers!
-Paul Whiting
(a.k.a., A Creative Writer)
"I maybe say too much about how life really is!"
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My Writing Notes:
The reason that I wrote this poem can be summed up with the following statement: This poem was originally published on my "Small All White in the Forest" blog on January 11th, 2011.
And I wrote this poem after hearing about the "Tragedy in Tucson," on January 8th, 2011, where eighteen people were shot, including U.S. Representative Gabrielle Giffords, who formed Americans for Responsible Solutions (now known as Giffords PAC) with her husband, Captain Mark Kelly (who is now Senator Mark Kelly), in the weeks following the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting of December 14th, 2012. And six people died in that mass shooting, including federal District Court Chief Judge John Roll.
And, in this poem, I was trying to convey the idea that, when we act, we are acting as if "We Are The Hands Of Christ!"
And this poem was published on my Three Dark Horses" and "Small All White in the Forest" blogs (please see the hyperlinks below for the blogs), since I feel that the message in this poem applies to the message I am trying to convey through "Three Dark Horses" and "Small All White in the Forest." Plus, I feel that the message in this poem applies to the message I am trying to convey through my new "The Oneness Of God" spiritual practice!
This poem was written in Portland, Oregon.
-Paulee
https://threedarkhorses.blogspot.com
https://smallallwhiteintheforest.blogspot.com
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"2011 Tucson shooting" from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia—which is funded primarily through donations from millions of individuals around the world, including this blogger (I make a totally affordable monthly donation):
"On January 8, 2011, U.S. Representative Gabrielle Giffords and eighteen others were shot during a constituent meeting held in a supermarket parking lot in Casas Adobes, Arizona, in the Tucson metropolitan area..."
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/2011_Tucson_shooting
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Giffords PAC (formerly known as "Americans for Responsible Solutions"):
"Gabby's Story"
Gabby Giffords embodies a boundless, yet practical, optimism that never falters.
Former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords understands what it’s like to face overwhelming barriers. She also understands what it takes to get past them. From her scrappy Arizona childhood, to her bridge-building politics, to her remarkable recovery from traumatic injuries, Gabby personifies courage. Today she leads Giffords, the gun violence prevention organization she co-founded. Giffords is a nonprofit organization that shifts culture, changes policies, and challenges injustice, inspiring Americans across the country to fight gun violence.
A LIFE DEDICATED TO PUBLIC SERVICE
It’s not every day you encounter someone who went from running a family business to running for office—winning over voters of all stripes as a member of the Arizona legislature and then as a Member of Congress. As the youngest woman ever elected to the Arizona State Senate and a trailblazer in other offices, Gabby represented her community in the Arizona legislature from 2000 to 2005, and then in Congress from 2006 to 2012. In Washington DC, during the 2008 financial crash and other crises, Gabby never shied away from tough decisions.
Throughout her life, Gabby has sought to improve her community and country by using her extraordinary ability to bring people together to focus on how we can make things better. This trait has made her a powerful public figure in this moment and inspires people every day to take actions of their own to make a difference.
TURNING TRAGEDY INTO PURPOSE
On January 8, 2011, at a “Congress On Your Corner” constituent event in Tucson, Gabby was shot in the head by a gunman who killed six people and injured 12 others. Gabby stepped down from Congress in January 2012 to focus on her recovery. As the nation’s eyes were upon her, Gabby embarked on a path to regain her ability to speak and walk, inspiring the country with her resilience and optimistic spirit.
In 2013, after the tragic mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary in Newtown, Connecticut, Gabby co-founded the organization today known as Giffords. Over the past several years, the organization has been a leader in the national gun safety movement, making gun safety a kitchen table issue for voters. Giffords has helped gun safety champions win up and down the ballot in local, state, and federal races and worked hard to pass lifesaving legislation in states across the country and in the US House of Representatives.
As she leads Giffords, Gabby continues to make remarkable progress in her recovery. She helps raise awareness about aphasia, the language impairment she has suffered from since her shooting. She enjoys spending her free time playing the French horn, biking, practicing yoga, and learning Spanish. That spirit of resiliency, perseverance, and courage is one that resonates around the world. It helped her overcome tragedy, work tirelessly to recover when the odds were stacked against her, and become the nation’s most renowned leader in the movement to end gun violence.
https://giffords.org
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February 7th, 2022 Update: In order to show my support for "National Gun Violence Survivors Week," which is yearly (annually) from February 1st through 7th, I made donations today, February 7th, 2022, to organizations that are working to end gun violence in America, including Ban Assault Weapons NOW (which is also known as 'BAWN'), Everytown for Gun Safety (which was formerly known as 'Mayors Against Illegal Guns') and Giffords PAC (which was formerly known as 'Americans for Responsible Solutions'). –Paul Whiting (written February 7th, 2022, revised June 12th, 2022, revised June 15th, 2022, revised July 18th, 2022, revised August 17th, 2022, revised December 30th, 2022, revised February 7th, 2023, revised March 7th, 2023 and revised March 21st, 2023)
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June 3rd, 2022 Update: I received two communications today, June 3rd, 2022, regarding National Gun Violence Awareness Day—which is yearly (annually) on the first Friday in June—from organizations that are working to end gun violence, including a text message from Giffords PAC and an email from Everytown for Gun Safety Action Fund.
And so, I sent a letter to my Senators, via the Everytown for Gun Safety website, asking them "to vote yes on strong gun safety legislation and to confirm Steve Dettelbach as Director of ATF."
I also sent letters to my Senators asking them for "a vote on background checks," as requested by Giffords PAC. And I wrote to my Senators on their websites (rather than calling them), since I usually communicate in writing to my Senators—that way, I have a written record of what I communicated. Plus, I also included a copy of my poem titled, "We Are The Hands Of Christ," as a way to emphasize my request for 'a vote on background checks.'
And, after I sent the above-mentioned letters to my Senators, I also made donations to both Everytown for Gun Safety Action Fund and Giffords PAC, respectively.
–Paul Whiting (written June 3rd, 2022, revised June 12th, 2022, revised June 15th, 2022, revised August 17th, 2022, revised December 26th, 2022, revised February 7th, 2023, revised April 28th, 2023 and revised June 7th, 2024)
[I feel like I need to clarify why there are so many 'revised dates' on this 'update,' just like there are often times so many 'revised dates' on other 'updates' similar to this one! You see, I really try to keep my writing consistent as possible across all of my blogs. Therefore, as I am writing, I try to use the same phraseology wherever possible with regard to similar types of my writing so that, when I am editing my writing, I can change all of the similar writing at the same time and in the same way! Thus, a lot of the revisions indicated above, after my name (–Paul Whiting), and shown right after the original 'written date,' are often times due to these aforementioned consistent-writing revisions.]
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February 7th, 2023 Update: In order to show my support for "National Gun Violence Survivors Week," which is yearly (annually) from February 1st through 7th, I made donations today, February 7th, 2023, to organizations that are working to end gun violence in America, including Ban Assault Weapons NOW (which is also known as 'BAWN'), Everytown for Gun Safety (which was formerly known as 'Mayors Against Illegal Guns'), Giffords PAC (which was formerly known as 'Americans for Responsible Solutions') and Brady Campaign (which is also known as 'Brady: United Against Gun Violence' and which was formerly known as the 'National Council to Control Handguns,' 'Handgun Control, Inc.' and the 'Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence,' respectively). –Paul Whiting (written February 7th, 2023, revised March 7th, 2023, revised March 21st, 2023 and revised February 7th, 2024)
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June 2nd, 2023 Update: National Gun Violence Awareness Day is today, June 2nd, 2023, since National Gun Violence Awareness Day yearly (annually) on the first Friday in June. And I received a text message today, June 2nd, 2023, from Everytown for Gun Safety, which stated the following:
It's Wear Orange Weekend! Use #WearOrange to show how you're showing up for gun safety, and wear orange all weekend long: stv.fm/2cdovs
-Everytown
And, after I read the text message above, I clicked on the hyperlink to the referenced webpage, which can be found below:
Create a Wear Orange Image
Create your own #WearOrange image! Share it on social media to show everyone why you’re committed to ending gun violence in America.
Now, to be perfectly honest, I am out of my apartment for a while, since it is being repaired for water damage due to a flood (which ironically happened on Christmas Eve 2022 at about 5:30 AM—and that is why I watched "It's A Wonderful Life" that night).
So, I do have an orange shirt for Wear Orange Weekend; however, I don't have access to it right now, because I am not in my apartment.
Besides that, I also received an email message from the 'Everytown and Moms Demand Action Store' exactly one month ago, on May 2nd, 2023, with the subject line, "Wear Orange is exactly a month away. Shop our new special edition Rolling Stone tee and more!", which stated the following:
Paul,
We're gearing up for National Gun Violence Awareness Day this June 2, when we start Wear Orange Weekend to honor those killed and wounded by gun violence. Every year, we renew our commitment to ending gun violence in America by taking action and taking part in Wear Orange.
To get ready for this year's Wear Orange Weekend, we have added some brand new items to our collection—including a special edition t-shirt from Rolling Stone to honor survivors of gun violence.
We've got everything you'll need to #WearOrange with us: Get our new Rolling Stone collab t-shirt and shop our full Wear Orange collection to support National Gun Violence Awareness Day!
As communities across the country are grappling with gun violence, Wear Orange Weekend promises to be an inspiring moment for our movement as we all come together to honor victims and survivors and work together for a future without gun violence.
Thank you for being with us,
Everytown and Moms Demand Action Store
And I even went onto the 'Everytown and Moms Demand Action Store,'on May 2nd, 2023, and found a tee shirt that I liked, but I was concerned that I would not be able to have it delivered where I am currently staying, while my apartment is being repaired.
Plus, I added the aforementioned tee shirt to my shopping cart at the 'Everytown Store.' (Please see the link below for the shirt.) However, I didn't complete the checkout, so I received an email from the 'Everytown Store' on May 2nd, 2023, with the subject line, "Complete your Purchase", which stated, in part, the following:
You left an item in your cart
Hey Paul, It looks like you left something in your shopping cart at the Everytown Store, but didn't continue to Checkout. And we want to make sure you get your Everytown and Moms Demand Action items so you're ready to show off your support for gun safety. ... Everytown Store
Complete your purchase:
Wear Orange End Gun Violence Stacked Tee × 1 XL:
https://store.everytown.org/products/wear-orange-stacked-tee?variant=42766419394749
Therefore, the reason I wrote this 'update' is to explain that I was seriously thinking about ordering the "Wear Orange End Gun Violence Stacked Tee" in plenty of time for Wear Orange Weekend, but I wasn't sure that I could receive the shirt where I am currently staying.
So, instead, I made a one-time donation to Everytown for Gun Safety Support Fund, which is "the education, research, and litigation arm of Everytown for Gun Safety," in order to show my support for National Gun Violence Awareness Day and for Wear Orange Weekend 2023!
By the way, here is an explanation of Wear Orange Weekend from the Everytown for Gun Safety Support Fund "Wear Orange" About webpage:
About Wear Orange
On January 21, 2013, Hadiya Pendleton marched in President Obama’s second inaugural parade. One week later, Hadiya was shot and killed on a playground in Chicago. Soon after this tragedy, Hadiya’s childhood friends decided to commemorate her life by wearing orange, the color hunters wear in the woods to protect themselves and others.
Whether it’s worn by students in Montana, activists in New York, or Hadiya’s loved ones in Chicago, the color orange honors the more than 120 lives cut short and the hundreds more wounded by gun violence every day.
Wear Orange began on June 2, 2015—what would have been Hadiya’s 18th birthday. Since then, Wear Orange has expanded to a period of three days each year: National Gun Violence Awareness Day (the first Friday in June) and Wear Orange Weekend (the accompanying weekend). This year, Wear Orange will take place from June 2-4, 2023.
Orange has become the defining color of the gun violence prevention movement. New York gun violence prevention advocate Erica Ford spearheaded orange as the color of peace through her work with her organization, Life Camp, Inc. Whether it’s worn by students in Montana, activists in New York, or Hadiya’s loved ones in Chicago, the color orange honors the 120 lives cut short and the hundreds more wounded by gun violence every day.
Our movement gains momentum when people come together to fight for a future free from gun violence. In 2022, more than 1,500 partner organizations, influencers, corporate brands, elected officials, and landmarks joined hundreds of thousands of Americans to unite around a call to end gun violence. As Wear Orange pushes on into its ninth year, we hope you will join us by attending Wear Orange events, posting on social media, and much more!
Please see the hyperlink below for the webpage:
https://wearorange.org/about
–Paul Whiting (written June 2nd, 2023, revised June 3rd, 2023, revised June 5th, 2023 and revised July 22nd, 2023)
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June 2nd, 2023 Update (Follow-Up, Written On June 3rd, 2023): National Gun Violence Awareness Day this year is on Friday, June 2nd, 2023, since National Gun Violence Awareness Day yearly (annually) on the first Friday in June.
And Wear Orange Weekend is the accompanying weekend to National Gun Violence Awareness Day, so this year's Wear Orange Weekend is June 2nd, 2023 through June 4th, 2023.
Plus, this update is also follow-up to my 'June 2nd, 2023 Update,' where I explained that I do have an orange shirt for Wear Orange Weekend; however, I don't have access to it right now, because I am not in my apartment, since it is being repaired for water damage due to a flood.
Besides that, I also received an email message from the 'Everytown and Moms Demand Action Store' almost exactly one month ago, on May 2nd, 2023, with the subject line, "Wear Orange is exactly a month away. Shop our new special edition Rolling Stone tee and more!"
Then, I even went onto the 'Everytown and Moms Demand Action Store,' on May 2nd, 2023, and found a tee shirt that I liked, but I was concerned that I would not be able to have it delivered to where I am currently staying, while my apartment is being repaired.
Thus, the reason I wrote the above-mentioned 'June 2nd, 2023 Update' is to explain that I was seriously thinking about ordering the "Wear Orange End Gun Violence Stacked Tee" in plenty of time for Wear Orange Weekend, but I wasn't sure that I could receive the shirt where I am currently staying.
So, instead, I made a one-time donation yesterday, June 2nd, 2023, to Everytown for Gun Safety Support Fund, which is "the education, research, and litigation arm of Everytown for Gun Safety," in order to show my support for National Gun Violence Awareness Day and for Wear Orange Weekend 2023!
Then, I received an email from Everytown for Gun Safety today, June 3rd, 2023, with the subject line, "Wear Orange all weekend long!", which stated the following:
Paul–
Wear Orange Weekend is already off to an amazing start—will you join us?
We're going to make ourselves seen and heard all weekend long. Whether you're at an event or wearing orange on your own, we want to see how you're joining the call to end gun violence: Take a picture and post your photo on social media with #WearOrange!
https://wearorange.org/wear-orange
Yesterday, we kicked things off with National Gun Violence Awareness Day. Across the country, thousands of people wore orange to help spread the word—including elected officials, celebrities, and grassroots members of our movement like you. We also turned major landmarks orange to spread the message further, from the Empire State Building in New York to Aloha Tower in Hawaii.
And throughout the day, we honored the origins of Wear Orange by commemorating the birthday of Hadiya Pendleton, whose life served as the inspiration for the first Wear Orange Weekend. (When you're able, please read the impactful story from her parents included in this message.)
Together, we're showing not only our communities, but also the entire country that we can and will build a future free from gun violence.
Thank you for being a part of this movement, and we hope to see you wearing orange this weekend!
Wear Orange and Everytown Support Fund
---------- Forwarded Message ----------
From: [Name redacted] and [name redacted], Wear Orange
Date: Friday, June 2, 2023
Subject: #WearOrange for Hadiya today
Paul–
Ten years ago—and less than a week after performing at President Obama's second inauguration—our 15-year-old daughter Hadiya was shot and killed. We were devastated by her death, and we've missed her every day for the last decade.
But we have also been filled with hope. Year after year, people across the country have come together to honor her and the hundreds of people killed or wounded by gun violence in the United States every single day.
Today would have been Hadiya's 26th birthday. Now, it's the 9th annual National Gun Violence Awareness Day and the beginning of Wear Orange Weekend.
To honor Hadiya and everyone affected by the gun violence crisis, join our family by wearing orange today and all weekend long. Then post your photo on social media with #WearOrange!
WEAR ORANGE:
https://wearorange.org/wear-orange
Wear Orange got its start thanks to Hadiya's friends. In the aftermath of her death, they launched Project Orange Tree to honor her life and raise awareness about gun violence in our community. They asked all of us to wear orange because hunters wear the color to warn other hunters not to shoot—it's the color of safety that signals the need to protect each other.
June 2, 2015—what would have been Hadiya's 18th birthday—became the very first National Gun Violence Awareness Day. We now commemorate it on the first Friday of every June as the start of Wear Orange Weekend.
We do this work every year because everyone in this country deserves a future free from gun violence. And we wear orange to call for an end to this crisis in all of its forms, including domestic violence, suicide, and city gun violence. Whether it's worn by students in Montana, activists in New York, or Hadiya's loved ones in Chicago, the color orange honors the more than 120 lives cut short and the hundreds more wounded by gun violence every day.
We have a lot of work left to do before our children are safe. But if the last ten years have shown us anything, it's that we can save lives. We'll honor our loved ones with action and cultivate hope for a better future.
Paul, join us by wearing orange today for National Gun Violence Awareness Day and all of Wear Orange Weekend. Use #WearOrange to show how you're showing up for gun safety and encourage your friends to do the same. Together, we can end this crisis.
Thank you for wearing orange and for being a part of this movement.
[Name redacted] and [name redacted]
[Association redacted]
[Title redacted] of Hadiya's Foundation, a 501c3 organization
P.S. If you are a survivor of gun violence or have a loved one who has been wounded or killed by gun violence, you can share your story on Moments That Survive (https://momentsthatsurvive.org) with the stories of other survivors of gun violence. Please read our Moments That Survive story about Hadiya (https://momentsthatsurvive.org/tribute/cleopatra-pendleton).
Everytown for Gun Safety Support Fund (the "Everytown Support Fund") is the education, research, and litigation arm of Everytown for Gun Safety, the largest gun violence prevention organization in the country with over eight million supporters. The Everytown Support Fund seeks to improve our understanding of the causes of gun violence and help to reduce it by conducting groundbreaking original research, developing evidence-based policies, communicating this knowledge to the American public, and advancing gun safety and gun violence prevention in communities and the courts. Learn more at www.everytownsupportfund.org. Contributions to Everytown for Gun Safety Support Fund are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law.
DONATE
So today, June 3rd, 2023, I made another one-time donation to Everytown for Gun Safety Support Fund, which is "the education, research, and litigation arm of Everytown for Gun Safety," in order to show my continued support for National Gun Violence Awareness Day and for Wear Orange Weekend 2023! –Paul Whiting (written June 3rd, 2023, revised June 5th, 2023, revised July 22nd, 2023, revised August 22nd, 2023 and revised June 7th, 2024)
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June 2nd, 2023 Update (Follow-Up, Written On June 5th, 2023): National Gun Violence Awareness Day this year is on Friday, June 5th, 2023, since National Gun Violence Awareness Day yearly (annually) on the first Friday in June.
And Wear Orange Weekend is the accompanying weekend to National Gun Violence Awareness Day, so this year's Wear Orange Weekend is June 2nd, 2023 through June 4th, 2023.
Plus, this update is also another follow-up to my 'June 2nd, 2023 Update.' You see, I received an email from Everytown for Gun Safety today, June 5th, 2023, with the subject line, "Thanks for being a part of Wear Orange 2023!", which stated the following:
Paul–
This Wear Orange Weekend was one we won't be forgetting any time soon.
Members of our movement just like you showed up in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. to wear orange and spread hope for a future free from gun violence. Elected leaders took part too, including President Biden, Vice President Harris, members of Congress, governors, state lawmakers, and mayors.
But that's not all. Professional sports teams, faith partners, other non-profit organizations, corporate brands, cultural figures, and so many others each did their part to spread the message of Wear Orange. And with several landmarks lit up in orange lights—from the Empire State Building in New York, to the Nashville sign in Tennessee, to the Aloha Tower in Hawaii—we made sure that our movement was impossible to ignore.
This incredible weekend would not have been possible without our dedicated supporters like you. We cannot thank you enough.
We value your voice in this movement—will you help us continue to demand action? Stay involved by signing up for special updates on what's happening this June:
https://act.everytown.org/sign/WO_stay_involved_2023/?rd=1&refcode=emne_WO_20230605&source=emne_WO_20230605&t=10&utm_campaign=WO_20230605&utm_medium=e&utm_source=emne_WO_20230605&referring_akid=294666.8964407.L6uUQK
Thank you for being a part of this movement and for wearing orange this Wear Orange Weekend. You make this movement as strong as it has become.
Wear Orange and Everytown for Gun Safety
And, after I read the email above, I clicked on the hyperlink to the referenced webpage, which can be found below:
Add Your Name: Be The First To Know What's Happening This June
We've got a lot ahead of us this June. We'll be celebrating Pride Month, demanding our lawmakers take action on assault weapons, and so much more.
Make sure you're ready to be a part of the action: Add your name to be among the first to know what's happening this June and receive special updates from our movement.
Complete the form to sign up now:
First name: Paul
Last name: Whiting
Email address: [redacted]
ZIP Code: [redacted]
Mobile phone: [redacted]
So, I added my name in order to "stay involved by signing up for special updates on what's happening this June."
Then today, June 5th, 2023, I also made an additional one-time donation to Everytown for Gun Safety Support Fund, which is "the education, research, and litigation arm of Everytown for Gun Safety," in order to show my concluding support for National Gun Violence Awareness Day and for Wear Orange Weekend 2023! –Paul Whiting (June 5th, 2023)
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June 2nd, 2023 Update (Follow-Up, Written On June 6th, 2023): National Gun Violence Awareness Day this year is on Friday, June 5th, 2023, since National Gun Violence Awareness Day yearly (annually) on the first Friday in June.
And Wear Orange Weekend is the accompanying weekend to National Gun Violence Awareness Day, so this year's Wear Orange Weekend is June 2nd, 2023 through June 4th, 2023.
Plus, this update is also an additional follow-up to my 'June 2nd, 2023 Update.' You see, I received a text message today, June 6th, 2023, from Everytown for Gun Safety, which stated the following:
Thank you for being a part of Wear Orange 2023!
Together, we showed up in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. to wear orange and spread hope for a future free from gun violence.
With the help of elected leaders, celebrities, professional sports teams, faith leaders, and so many others, we made it impossible to ignore our movement.
This incredible weekend would not have been possible without our dedicated supporters like you.
Watch and share our new video to hear a special Wear Orange message from Vice President Harris:
https://www.instagram.com/reel/CtJx1hmrDCe/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA%3D%3D
And, after I read the email above, I clicked on the hyperlink to the referenced webpage, the text which can be found below:
momsdemand: This weekend, thousands upon thousands of people from every part of the country came together to #WearOrange in honor of victims and survivors of gun violence and to spread awareness about this crisis, including @VP Kamala Harris.
Now, we are joining Vice President Harris in calling on Congress to enact common-sense solutions that will save lives. Join us in your state by texting READY to 644-33.
So, I texted "READY" to 644-33. (By the way, I already receive text messages from Moms Demand Action & Everytown for Gun Safety, which is how I received the text message above in the first place.)
And, after I sent the text message above, I received a confirmation text today, June 6th, 2023, from Moms Demand Action & Everytown, which stated the following:
Thanks! I forgot to introduce myself -- I'm [name redacted] from Moms Demand Action & Everytown. Would you reply with your first name?
Then, I replied that my first name is Paul.
And, after I sent that text message above, I received a confirmation text from Moms Demand Action & Everytown, which stated the following:
Nice to meet you, Paul! One last thing: Since some messages are too long for a text, please reply with your email address so we can keep you fully updated. -Moms Demand Action
Then, I replied with my email address.
And, after I sent the text message above, I received a confirmation text from Moms Demand Action & Everytown, which stated the following:
Thanks, we'll be in touch! You can get more involved by downloading Everytown's Demand Action app and start taking action today: https://momsdemandaction.org/app
And so, I wanted to share the text messages and video above from Moms Demand Action & Everytown for Gun Safety regarding National Gun Violence Awareness Day and Wear Orange Weekend 2023! –Paul Whiting (June 6th, 2023)
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October 24th, 2023 Update No. 7 [My Writing About How I Have Changed The Way That I Label My Blog Posts 'Updates' For Any Additional 'Updates' That I Write, After The First 'Update,' By Using A Simple Numbering System, Which Starts With The First 'Update' (Originally From My Blog Post Titled, "I Am No Longer Being An Activist In The Same Way That I Was," Which Is On My "Poet, Artist and Philosopher" Blog)]:
I have changed the way I label the blog post 'updates' that I write because I oftentimes write more than one 'update' per day!
And in the past, I have labeled the second, third, fourth and fifth 'update' with the following extensions—on the days that I write more than 'update'—to differentiate any additional 'updates' from the first one, as follows:
[1st] Month Day, Year Update
[2nd] Month Day, Year Update—Continued
[3rd] Month Day, Year Update—Continued Further
[4th] Month Day, Year Update—Continued Further Some More
[5th] Month Day, Year Update—Continued Further Some More Than Before
However today, October 24th, 2023, I actually had more than five 'updates' to write, so I decided to change how I differentiate any additional 'updates,' from the first 'update,' by using a simple numbering system, which actually starts with the first 'update' that I write, as follows:
Month Day, Year Update No. 1
Month Day, Year Update No. 2
Month Day, Year Update No. 3
Month Day, Year Update No. 4
Month Day, Year Update No. 5
Month Day, Year Update No. 6
Month Day, Year Update No. 7
Therefore, that is why this 'update' is the seventh one for today! –Paul Whiting (written October 24th, 2023 and revised October 28th, 2023)
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February 7th, 2024 Update No. 1: In order to show my support for "National Gun Violence Survivors Week," which is yearly (annually) from February 1st through 7th, I made donations today, February 7th, 2024, to organizations that are working to end gun violence in America, including Ban Assault Weapons NOW (which is also known as 'BAWN'), Giffords PAC (which was formerly known as 'Americans for Responsible Solutions'), Brady Campaign (which is also known as 'Brady: United Against Gun Violence' and which was formerly known as the 'National Council to Control Handguns,' 'Handgun Control, Inc.' and the 'Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence,' respectively), as well as March For Our Lives. –Paul Whiting (February 7th, 2024)
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June 7th, 2024 Update No. 1, Which Also Discusses June 5th, 2024: National Gun Violence Awareness Day is today, June 7th, 2024, since National Gun Violence Awareness Day is yearly (annually) on the first Friday in June.
And I received an email from March For Our Lives (MFOL) two days ago on June 5th, 2024, with the subject line, "We need to pass the People’s Response Act", which stated the following:
MARCH
FOR OUR
LIVES
Hey, Paul — [name redacted] here, [title redacted] at March For Our Lives! I work with teams of volunteers to imagine what a world free from gun violence looks like.
There is an epidemic of violence affecting our children, families, and particularly marginalized communities. Our current system of public safety is broken – but we have the power to fix it.
One of the key areas we need to address gun violence is police brutality and violence against Black and brown communities — that’s exactly what the People’s Response Act will do.
Paul, this month, March For Our Lives members are heading to Capitol Hill to advocate for this bill and ask Congress to sign it into law.
But we need more than just the young people on the ground to make this happen — so I’m personally asking if you can urge your representatives to support the People’s Response Act today. We’ve already written out your message, all you have to do is click to send it!
SEND YOUR MESSAGE***
Here’s more on what the People’s Response Act calls for: ⤵️
[✓] A focus on preventing violence before it starts and building systems of care that are rooted in improving the well-being of all communities
[✓] Restorative justice and harm reduction-based treatment of mental health and substance abuse
[✓] Creating a Division on Community Safety within the Department of Health and Human Services which will fund, conduct, and coordinate research, technical assistance, and grant programs related to non-carceral, health-centered investments in public safety
[✓] Launching a federal first responders unit to support states and local governments with emergency health crises
[✓] Providing $11 billion in grant funding to state and local governments, as well as community-based organizations, to fully fund public safety and improve crisis response
[✓] Establishing a $2.5 billion First Responder Hiring Grant to create thousands of jobs and provide funding to state, local, and tribal governments, as well as community organizations, to hire a variety of emergency first responders
The far-right continually tries to tell us the lie that the solution to violence is more guns in our communities. But that’s just not true.
The public safety solutions proven to work are rooted in care and empathy, not criminalization or arming more people. The People’s Response Act centers our community and safety by establishing an evidence-based, public health approach to public safety.
Please, send a message to your representatives today urging them to support the People’s Response Act — it will only take a moment. Contacting our representatives is one of the most powerful ways we can amplify our message and hold our leaders accountable for addressing public safety.
In solidarity,
[Name redacted]
DONATE NOW
***[I used to include hyperlinks contained within the email messages, or the text messages, to which I am referring in these "Activism Updates"; however, I could not figure out how to include the aforementioned hyperlinks, regarding some relevant action that I had taken—such as signing a petition, sending a letter or message to my representative(s) in Congress, signing a USO 'Thank You' card, and/or making a donation—without including my personal information.]
And, after I read the email above, I clicked on the hyperlink to the referenced webpage, the relevant text of which can be found below:
TAKE ACTION: TELL YOUR REPRESENTATIVES TO SUPPORT THE PEOPLE'S RESPONSE ACT
Email your legislators now and urge them to support an inclusive, holistic, and health-centered approach to public safety that focuses on preventing violence before it starts and builds systems of care that are rooted in improving the well-being of all communities >>>
Details
Prefix: Mr.
First Name: Paul
Last Name: Whiting
Street Address: [redacted]
Postal Code: [redacted]
City: [redacted]
State: [redacted]
Email: [redacted]
Mobile Phone: [redacted]
Message Recipients:
[Title and Name redacted]
[Title and Name redacted]
[Title and Name redacted]
Send the following message: Please, support the People's Response Act today!
Dear [elected official]
I'm bringing to your attention an important piece of legislation that I believe will reduce gun violence in our district and improve public salety. I'm urging you to support the People's Response Act today.
The People's Response Act calls for robust investment in the things that communities around the country need to live in safety, including community-based violence reduction programs, suicide prevention programs, domestic violence prevention programs, and mental end behavioral health service programs.
Thank you for taking the time to consider joining the growing number of cosponsors for these two pieces of legislation. I believe the bill is a vital tool to address the crisis of gun violence — which is now the leading cause of death for young people in America.
Sincerely,
Mr. Paul Whiting
[Street Address and Apt. No. redacted]
[City, State and ZIP Code redacted]
[Email redacted]
Send message
And, after I sent the message above to my U.S. Representative and Senators in Congress, I made a one-time donation to March For Our Lives (MFOL) in order to show my support for the People's Response Act, which "calls for robust investment in the things that communities around the country need to live in safety, including community-based violence reduction programs, suicide prevention programs, domestic violence prevention programs, and mental end behavioral health service programs." –Paul Whiting (June 7th, 2024)
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June 7th, 2024 Update No. 2, Which Also Discusses June 3rd, 2024: National Gun Violence Awareness Day is today, June 7th, 2024, since National Gun Violence Awareness Day is yearly (annually) on the first Friday in June.
And I received a text message four days ago on June 3rd, 2024, from Brady: United Against Gun Violence, which stated the following:
URGENT: We are weeks away from the Supreme Court's next gun safety decision, Paul, and we cannot afford another gun lobby victory like last summer.
𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗺𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗵, 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘁 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗱𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝗶𝗳 𝗮 𝗱𝗼𝗺𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗰 𝗮𝗯𝘂𝘀𝗲𝗿 𝗶𝘀 𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗼𝘄𝗻 𝗮 𝗳𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗺 in the case of 𝘜.𝘚. 𝘷. 𝘙𝘢𝘩𝘪𝘮𝘪. And there is a lethal connection between firearms and domestic abuse.
𝘓𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘴 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘢𝘵 𝘳𝘪𝘴𝘬. 𝘎𝘶𝘯 𝘭𝘢𝘸𝘴 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘢𝘵 𝘳𝘪𝘴𝘬. Brady is counting on you to speak out before it's too late: 𝗦𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗱𝗼𝗺𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗰 𝗮𝗯𝘂𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗮𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗴𝘂𝗻𝘀?
⚪YES
🔴𝗡𝗢***
–Team Brady
***[I used to include hyperlinks contained within the email messages, or the text messages, to which I am referring in these "Activism Updates"; however, I could not figure out how to include the aforementioned hyperlinks, regarding some relevant action that I had taken—such as signing a petition, sending a letter or message to my representative(s) in Congress, signing a USO 'Thank You' card, and/or making a donation—without including my personal information.]
And, after I read the text message above, I clicked on the hyperlink to the referenced webpage, the relevant text of which can be found below:
BRADY UNITED AGAINST GUN VIOLENCE
SURVEY: Ban Assault Weapons Now [11:59 p.m. Deadline]
Thank you for taking action. Will you take just 60 seconds to answer a few questions that will help us shape our strategy to prevent gun violence and keep our communities safe? -Team Brady
Research shows that gun safety reforms like an Assault Weapons Ban make communities safer and lower gun violence. But the NRA and the gun lobby are doing everything they can to block this critical legislation.
Do you believe that the gun lobby has too much influence in Washington?
[✓] Yes
[ ] No
Which of the following gun safety policies do you think Congress should prioritize in the current session? (Select as many as you'd like.)
[✓] Regulating ghost guns
[✓] Banning assault weapons
[✓] Expanding background checks
[✓] Raising the minimum purchase age
[✓] Banning high-capacity magazines
[ ] Other:
Last year, after the tragedy in Uvalde, Congress passed the most significant gun safety legislation in decades. But with Republicans now in control of the House, the NRA has been able to block any further life-saving legislation.
As we head into a critical election year, how worried are you that the gun lobby could gain even more power in Washington?
[✓] Extremely worried
[ ] Very worried
[ ] Somewhat worried
[ ] Not at all worried
At Brady, we're doing everything we can to prevent gun violence and win leaders who will fight for life-saving reforms. We know we can save lives and save families from the unending pain of loss by taking action, but we can't do it alone. Are you committed to helping prevent gun violence by joining us to demand change?
[✓] Yes, I'm all in — how can I help?
[ ] No — I'm not concerned about gun violence.
Brady is a grassroots organization dedicated to preventing gun violence and saving lives with common-sense bipartisan gun safety legislation — and our work has never been more important. Our teams are working directly with the Biden-Harris administration to take action on common-sense gun safety measures that will save lives.
We set a goal to raise $25,000 to honor shooting victims by fighting to ban assault weapons - but we're still falling short with just hours left until our midnight deadline.
Will you rush $5 to help Brady prevent gun violence and save lives?
[✓] Yes, I'll give $5!
[ ] Yes, I can give $36 (this is the average online Brady donation).
[ ] Yes, and I can give more!
And so, I made a one-time donation to Brady: United Against Gun Violence, because "we are weeks away from the Supreme Court's next gun safety decision" and "Brady is counting on [me] to speak out before it's too late." That is why I answered the question "𝗦𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗱𝗼𝗺𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗰 𝗮𝗯𝘂𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗮𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗴𝘂𝗻𝘀?" with a resounding '𝗡𝗢!' –Paul Whiting (written June 7th, 2024 and revised August 14th, 2024)
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November 6th, 2024 Update No. 1 [My Writing About No Longer Being An 'Online Activist' In Any Way, Shape Or Form]: Due to Donald Trump winning the 2024 Presidential Election—and until further notice—I am no longer being an 'Online Activist' in any way, shape or form, which includes no longer signing petitions from political, social, environmental and charitable organizations, and no longer sending letters to my Representative and Senators in Congress, as well as no longer making donations to political, social, environmental and charitable causes. Full stop! I am also unsubscribing from any of the emails that I used to receive from political, social, environmental and charitable organizations. In fact, I am even cancelling all of my monthly political donations to the main Democratic fundraising and coordinating organizations, as well as to the USO (United Service Organizations), in addition to cancelling all of my monthly news organization subscriptions, or news organization donations, because I am absolutely terrified of this second Trump administration. And I fully expect that democracy in America as we know will be over! So, I am choosing to not engage in any 'activism' whatsoever—plus, I am not even sure that I will be exercising my 'civic duty' by voting in any upcoming elections because, as a (formerly) donating and a (potentially former) voting Democrat, I totally fear the retribution of President Donald J. Trump. Full stop! –Paul Whiting (written November 6th, 2024 and revised November 7th, 2024)
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This "Paul Whiting — A Creative Writer" Post No. 243 was edited on November 7th, 2024.
"Poetry is using the fewest words possible in order to describe all that is possible to describe." –Paul Whiting [June 1st, 2022]
