It was the deadliest mass shooting in modern US history. The entire country is grieving and trying to come to terms with the horrific event. With the death toll currently at 59, and over 500 people injured, so many people and families have been personally affected.
US Senate candidate Danny Tarkanian who has lived in Nevada most of his life was interviewed by Chris Hayes on MSNBC, just a few hours after the shooting.
Tarkanian opened by talking about the shock and sadness the people of his state and around the country are experiencing.
Most decent individuals no matter their political affiliation would agree with Tarkanian’s sentiment, and understand this is a time for our country to grieve and come together.
But apparently not Chris Hayes, who sounded a lot more like a liberal internet troll than a reporter delivering the news.
Hayes spent the entire time trying to politicize the tragedy, despite Tarkanian telling him it wasn’t appropriate.
Hayes said, “You mentioned international terrorism and obviously, there was worry, or concern, or thought earlier today that might bear out. Do you think that if it had been international terrorism, there would be very concrete calls from people in your party and all parties for policy action against say ISIS? Would that result in some channeling of the grief and the anger into some concrete call for policy?”
Tarkanian responded, “So you think that some policy passed by congress would stop an ISIS terrorist attack, is that what you’re suggesting?”
Hayes transitioned into asking Tarkanian whether we should move forward with gun control legislation, to reduce the prevalence of gun violence.
“Look I think that anytime an activity like this can happen in our country it’s wrong and something needs to be done to stop it. But the bodies aren’t even cold yet, and we’re going to sit here and politicize this thing? I mean, why don’t you wait until there’s some time for the people to grieve and get over this, and then you can figure out exactly how did this guy get the guns, how did he get 10 guns like that? Did he break the law? What, are you going to pass laws that are going to stop someone from breaking the laws? I mean we don’t even know what happened yet. I think the best thing to do is focus on the great work people here in Las Vegas did. First with the police officers and the fireman, helping to minimize what the shooter was able to do. The incredible work by all the people in the hospitals and the emergency rooms. The people that are giving blood now. It’s four hours for you to wait in line just to give blood here in Las Vegas. The churches are involved; I’m going to a vigil at 6 o’clock at my church. We’re doing some wonderful things in this community to try to minimize this horrendous act that happened here. There’s going to be plenty of time to politicize this later on, and if there are solutions to come up with those solutions.”
