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Louie Gohmert: Aurora Shootings Result Of 'Ongoing Attacks On Judeo-Christian Beliefs'

WASHINGTON -- Rep. Louie Gohmert (R-Texas) said Friday that the shootings that took place in an Aurora, Colo. movie theater hours earlier were a result of "ongoing attacks on Judeo-Christian beliefs" and questioned why nobody else in the theater had a gun to take down the shooter.

During a radio interview on The Heritage Foundation's "Istook Live!" show, Gohmert was asked why he believes such senseless acts of violence take place. Gohmert responded by talking about the weakening of Christian values in the country.

"You know what really gets me, as a Christian, is to see the ongoing attacks on Judeo-Christian beliefs, and then some senseless crazy act of terror like this takes place," Gohmert said.

"Some of us happen to believe that when our founders talked about guarding our virtue and freedom, that that was important," he said. "Whether it's John Adams saying our Constitution was made only for moral and religious people ... Ben Franklin, only a virtuous people are capable of freedom, as nations become corrupt and vicious they have more need of masters ... We have been at war with the very pillars, the very foundation of this country."

Ernest Istook, the host of the show and a former Oklahoma congressman, jumped in to clarify that nobody knows the motivation of the alleged Aurora gunman. Gohmert said that may be true, but suggested the shootings were still "a terrorist act" that could have been avoided if the country placed a higher value on God.

"People say ... where was God in all of this?" Gohmert said. "We've threatened high school graduation participations, if they use God's name, they're going to be jailed ... I mean that kind of stuff. Where was God? What have we done with God? We don't want him around. I kind of like his protective hand being present."

Gohmert also said the tragedy could have been lessened if someone else in the movie theater had been carrying a gun and took down the lone shooter. Istook noted that Colorado laws allow people to carry concealed guns.

"It does make me wonder, with all those people in the theater, was there nobody that was carrying a gun that could have stopped this guy more quickly?" he asked.

CORRECTION: Due to a transcription error, a previous version of this article quoted Gohmert as referring to the shooting as a "crazy act of a derelict." He in fact called it "a crazy act of terror like this." The error has been corrected.

Original story here

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Permalink Reply by Sandi on July 20, 2012 at 1:44pm

Ok, so we start with the very first line of this story. Republican from Texas. And you could almost stop reading right there!.

Second: "questioned why nobody else in the theater had a gun to take down the shooter" because in Texas, the first place you think about taking your gun is to the theatre. You should have seen what I was packing when I went to see the movie Ted.

I am not even gonna start on the godlessness thing.

Permalink Reply by Tammy S on July 20, 2012 at 1:53pm

I know right, it boggles the mind that he wants to know why no one was carrying in a crowded theater doesn't it!

Permalink Reply by Lillie on July 20, 2012 at 8:58pm

I understand the gunman was wearing a gas mask and armor from the top of his head to the bottom of his feet and throwing out tear gas containers. What good would someone else with a gun do? Shoot other innocent bystanders?

Permalink Reply by Tammy S on July 20, 2012 at 1:50pm

Great a talking douchebag wants to co-opt the spotlight to pander during an election year... what a shock! Just what these families needed don't-cha think? Someone needs to poke Gohmert and ask, "If there was god.... wouldn't he have made sure he had an armed counter shooter in the audience?" I mean after all, one of his stupid children bought a 3 month old to the after midnight premiere, you'd think if there was a god, it could be bothered to protect innocence.

As an aside, what kind of inconsiderate asshole brings a 3 month old to a movie theater?

Permalink Reply by Susan Stanko on July 20, 2012 at 2:02pm

As an aside, what kind of inconsiderate asshole brings a 3 month old to a movie theater?'

I was discussing that with my mom. She is of the mindset that the baby would just sleep through the whole movie. I explained the absurdity of that idea.

Permalink Reply by Loren Miller on July 20, 2012 at 2:06pm

Okay, first of all, this is an action flick, right? Action flicks are going to use every last ounce of the 7.1 surround sound, both in terms of dynamics and frequency response, from 20 Hz to 20 kHz.

Add to that the fact that this was a premiere of a highly anticipated movie and the theater is going to be PACKED with VERY excited viewers. And the kid is going to SLEEP through all of that?

Sure he will, mom, SUUUUUUUUUUURE he will....

Permalink Reply by Susan Stanko on July 20, 2012 at 2:15pm

LOL! Yep. I told here that to. She immediately conceded.

Permalink Reply by Prog Rock Girl on July 20, 2012 at 2:34pm

I heard it was Batman. I went to see that last night and I was glad I happened to have some earplugs in my purse. I've never worn earplugs to a movie before.

Screaming baby in a theater= most annoying thing ever.

Permalink Reply by Tammy S on July 20, 2012 at 2:51pm

I'm glad I'm not the only one who thinks this way. When I pay to see a movie I want to 'hear' it, as well as 'watch' it and this bringing children to the theater and talking on your cellphone during the movie.... oy vey, my pet peeves! People just don't seem to care that they're inconveniencing others, but invade what they perceive as 'their' space and watch that attitude change!

Did I hear that a 9 year old was killed at this movie? If so... again, why are children in a theater parent in attendance or not, after midnight??? It makes no sense!

Permalink Reply by Joseph P on July 21, 2012 at 6:32pm

Did I hear that a 9 year old was killed at this movie? If so... again, why are children in a theater parent in attendance or not, after midnight??? It makes no sense!

Well, it is summer. Some kids will be up that late.

Permalink Reply by Pat on July 20, 2012 at 1:59pm

According to Gohmert, a Christian should bring a gun to a theater? Well, according to his definition, there was at least one Christian there.

Permalink Reply by dr kellie on July 20, 2012 at 2:15pm

I listened to AFA radio while I was driving earlier because I knew some bullshit like this would be going down. Sure enough, they were putting a xtian spin on what went wrong. Crazy. They also blamed violence in movies, and our culture in general.