Politicians And Journalists Lambaste ‘Thoughts And Prayers’ Sentiments

By Daily Caller News Foundation | October 2, 2017, 14:57 EDT

LAS VEGAS, NV – OCTOBER 01: A man lays on top of a woman as others flee the Route 91 Harvest country music festival grounds after a active shooter was reported on October 1, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. A gunman has opened fire on a music festival in Las Vegas, leaving at least 2 people dead. Police have confirmed that one suspect has been shot. The investigation is ongoing. David Becker/Getty Images/AFP

UPDATE (3 p.m.) — Massachusetts’ Democratic Congressional delegation has chimed in on social media, ahead of a final body count tally from last night’s mass shooting in Las Vegas:

U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren:

U.S. Sen. Ed Markey: 

U.S. Rep. Mike Capuano:

U.S. Rep. Seth Moulton:

U.S. Rep. Joseph Kennedy III: 

.@RepJoeKennedy said “enough is enough” following #LasVegasShooting, calls for action on gun control pic.twitter.com/Pha0t4YuGH

— Boston Herald (@bostonherald) October 2, 2017

By Joshua Gill

Journalists and lawmakers took to Twitter in the wake of the deadliest mass shooting in American history to lambaste others’ offers of thoughts and prayers.

As many offered condolences to the victims’ families, some quickly politicized the Mandalay Bay shooting, saying “enough with the thoughts and prayers” while they called for stricter gun control. Several politicians and journalists insinuated that conservatives who offered thoughts and prayers were in league with the National Rifle Association, and would therefore offer nothing substantive to the national conversation.

One Vogue writer went so far as to say that offering thoughts and prayers was the true “pure evil,” without gun control.

While we mourn for the victims and families impacted by the tragedy in Las Vegas, Congress must send more than thoughts and prayers.

— D. Wasserman Schultz (@RepDWStweets) October 2, 2017

1. Enough with thoughts and prayers. Here are some charts and maps that make clear why this keeps happening in America. https://t.co/cNUHYN9YFM

— Ezra Klein (@ezraklein) October 2, 2017

Here’s another CO politician elected w/ NRA help that only has thoughts and prayers https://t.co/zlIbgkZdY1 https://t.co/Eguvg2P8c5

— Da7e Gonzales (@Da7e) October 2, 2017

.@NRA dumped $922K+ into McConnell’s re-elect back in 2014, so all he”ll do is think about gun violence; won’t do anything about it https://t.co/p6N2oM2u0p

— igorvolsky (@igorvolsky) October 2, 2017

These GOP congressmen have all received grades of A or A+ from the NRA.

Instead of offering thoughts and prayers––how about #GunControlNow? pic.twitter.com/lKxOY0ZUvX

— Splinter (@splinter_news) October 2, 2017

Your thoughts and prayers won’t prevent another mass murder, but #guncontrol can.

— Jordan Gavaris (@JordanGavaris) October 2, 2017

What’s the answer to this mass shooting problem?

Because I sure as hell know “thoughts and prayers” aren’t working.

— David G. McAfee (@DavidGMcAfee) October 2, 2017

I’m over “thoughts and prayers” – they aren’t working. We need #guncontrol @NRA sickens me. #lasvegasattack

— Carolyn McClanahan (@CarolynMcC) October 2, 2017

Actions speak louder than thoughts and prayers. We must end this toxic cycle of shock > condolences > inaction. #LasVegas #GunControl

— Senator Ben Cardin (@SenatorCardin) October 2, 2017

While those that decried GOP lawmakers in the wake of gun violence may switch positions on the subject of “thoughts and prayers” depending on who offers them, they remain consistent in using tragedy to advocate gun control legislation.