leonardpozner

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Yet, Another Senseless Tragedy: Leonard Pozner

Could it be that the history of the United States is still now rooted in the violence and the carnage of lives needlessly lost? This recent terrorist act on innocent lives in Charleston, South Carolina is yet another senseless tragedy. It was just a few years ago that at Sandy Hook Elementary School a senseless act of violent terror perpetrated by yet another lone deranged individual has once again put the Second Amendment in the forefront of debate.

The right to bear arms as stated in the Bill of Rights is implied as another inalienable right much like Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness which are all as pivotal as any article stated in the Bill of Rights and the Constitution. These two most sacred of all documents are the bedrock upon which the United States was founded and still are the governing instruments that binds this country together.

Through-out our history amendments have been added that reflect the growing changes in the evolution in our society. With those changes comes an interpretation that adds or detract from the exact context of those amendments. The second amendment is one such article that today is interpreted with such ill regard for the general American public. Our founding fathers had sought to imply that the right to bear arms would be a safeguard against tyranny or the overbearence of government to infringe upon the rights of its citizens. Least we forget that with any right or privilege comes a responsibility.

With the advent of newer technologies and greater means for self destruction with less degree of personal responsibility the second amendment is almost rendering the United States incapable of halting the carnage of life and the devastation of societies. Still with all the ways to reduce the horrific violence caused by the callous and vicious acts by individuals in today's society are continually overlooked and often dispelled as either ineffective or not warranted. Yet, we have factions with armaments and the means to use them that far exceed those that are in use by the agencies that are sworn to protect and serve our society. Are the people of the United States using the second amendment as a means to garnish more armaments in the event of civil unrest or is the United States on the brink of social upheaval? Whatever the reason for the recent Supreme Courts decision on the second amendment the people of the United States must become more responsible in the decisions made involving the procurement and use of the right to bear arms.

Since the inception of the Automobile the enormous destruction of property and loss of life caused because of the carelessness, the lack of proper safety procedures, and the fact that newer and faster models were being available made it necessary for the United States decree that operation and use of an automobile become a privilege, not a right. Doing so made it necessary for individuals learn how to properly use and safely operate not only cars but planes, motor cycles, boats and all other sorts of motor vehicles. Everyone now must pass written and physical operational tests for those motor vehicles before a license is issued. There lies the personal responsibility.

When a right is no longer justified is contingent upon, like in the privilege of the operation motor vehicles, should not be guaranteed but rather a privilege. The lives saved and societies rescued from all the devastation caused by mans misuse of the second amendment will now be greatly reduced.

Our society today has evolved to the point that it has become necessary to save ourselves from the self destruction and start using the technologies developed in securing the safe use and handling of firearms. Amend the constitution with the second amendment becoming a privilege and not an inherent right. This may be the first step in the long road toward society’s stability and security.

Advances in Technology have afforded us as a society the capabilities to combat horrendous acts by those perpetrators of calamity. Whether we choose to implement available technology is one of the most concerning questions now before the American public. How many more senseless atrocities must we endure? How many more innocent lives will be lost before controls are put in place to safeguard the American public? There are those who swear that the right to bear arms is that sacred right but, as we have already implemented more gun control laws still the carnage continues. Are we headed back to Tombstone where everybody caries a gun? Where Wyatt Earp is no where around. The answers lie in the morals of today and answering how technology can safeguard the American public.

The availability of weapons where they can be easily obtained is still a major concern for every American. It is time for decisive action before another Sandy Hook tragedy occurs again. First, we have to realize and accept the reality of today and that is automatic weapons have no place other than with our armed forces. Next, we have to accept the technology that was incidentally available 25 year ago but the willingness to implement them in gun control laws was overlooked, not considered viable, or just another infringement on the Second Amendment. One of the more technological advances in the past 25 years is in micro chips. The technology that was developed 25 years ago can greatly reduce all gun related violence. This involves all semi automatic and automatic weapons including rifles and hand guns. All these types of weapons will have micro-chips installed with a corresponding micro-chip that must be worn by the person who purchases that weapon. This, so that only that person whose matching micro-chip will be able to use that weapon. DNA testing should be mandatory.

Once we realize that the Second Amendment is a privilege and not a right with the safeguards in place so that automatic weapons are not available to the general public and the use of micro chip technology is implemented in regular gun sales the probability of another Sandy Hook tragedy would be greatly reduced. The question remains of the morality of today's society. Because, even though there are stricter gun controls, no matter how many there are and enforced the likelihood of another senseless tragedy, now though remote, could happen again. The bedrock of this nation where Liberty, Justice, Education and Morality prevailed for over 200 years and now in just a span of 60 years or so there have been more senseless atrocities occurring. All because of an erosion of our four founding principles. Something to think about and act on before it is too late.

This piece of information is shared by Leonard Pozner whose six-year-old son, Noah, was killed in the Sandy Hook elementary school shooting in December 2012. In 2014, Leonard Pozner founded the Honr Network, an organization through which he brings awareness to the cruelty and criminality of Hoaxer activity that perpetuates tragedies such as Sandy Hook and, if necessary, criminally and civilly prosecutes those who wittingly and publicly defame, harass, and emotionally abuse the victims of high-profile tragedies and their family members.

Also read here: The Strange Minds Of The Conspiracy Theorists by Leonard Pozner

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Truthers: When Conspiracy Meets Reality

In this special report, we explore conspiracy movements that target friends and families of victims in mass tragedies — from the 2012 shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary to the one at Pulse nightclub in 2016. "Truthers" shows the real-life consequences of online hoaxes that gain millions of followers and disrupt the lives of people like Leonard Pozner, the father of a child shot and killed at Sandy Hook.

 Reporter Liz Wahl also speaks with the leaders of these "truther" movements, diving into the psyche of conspiracy theorists. Through hard-hitting interviews, unprecedented access and a unique lens, "Truthers" shows us the harassment that plays out in the shadows of America's biggest tragedies.

 You can watch the full video here: https://www.newsy.com/stories/truthers-when-conspiracy-meets-reality/

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Sandy Hook conspiracy theorist gets prison time for threatening victim's family

Florida woman who believed that the 2012 mass shooting at Sandy Hook elementary school was a hoax was sentenced to five months in prison this week for threatening the father of six-year-old Noah Pozner, one of the 20 young victims who died in the shooting.

 US district judge James Cohn called Lucy Richards’ actions towards Leonard Pozner “disturbing” and condemned those who spread false claims about the deaths of 20 children and six adults in the attack in Newtown, Connecticut, five years ago.

 “This is reality and there is no fiction. There are no alternative facts,” Cohn told Richards, 57, at her sentencing.

 “You have the absolute right to think and believe as you so desire,” the judge said. “You do not have the right to transmit threats to another.”

 For Pozner, who has become an activist devoted to combatting the conspiracy theorists that target family members of victims, the sentencing is a “powerful outcome” that he hopes will raise awareness of the serious harm that hoaxers cause.

 “It draws a line,” he said, “and it shows people that this is not a game that’s online, and there are actual consequences for someone who steps over the line.”

 Sandy Hook father Leonard Pozner on death threats: ‘I never imagined I’d have to fight for my child’s legacy’

Pozner has spent years using every tool at his disposal to scrub the online record of his son’s memory clean of videos suggesting that Noah and his surviving siblings and his parents are actors perpetrating a massive conspiracy against the American public. Pozner has made some progress in defending his family against these lies, but he said that countering hoaxers is still an uphill battle. Big tech companies such as Google, Twitter and Facebook are doing far too little to deter the conspiracies, harassment and hatred that flourish on their sites, Pozner said.

 While these companies have been talking publicly about confronting fake news, “They really don’t do that much. They can be doing a lot more – especially Facebook. It really turns the other way.”

 He said tech companies that allow the spread of conspiracies and hatred, including Islamic State propaganda, “have blood on their hands”.

 Individuals are also failing in their responsibility to confront the conspiracy theorists in their own families, Pozner said.

 “Everyone knows someone who follows these beliefs. Everyone has a cousin or an uncle or a relative when they have family gatherings will spend time talking about this.”

 Most people “would just laugh it off: ‘He’s kind of a kook, he has weird beliefs, so glad we don’t have to see him till Thanksgiving or Easter’.” But these family kooks “may be hurting people, and harassing people, and spreading damaging messages. They have a responsibility to challenge them, not just to ignore it.”

 Read the full story here: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/jun/09/sandy-hook-conspiracy-theorist-death-threats-prison

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Stop Gun Violence: Strengthen Families

In December of 2012 a gunman Adam Lanza broke into Sandy Hook Elementary School in Connecticut and viciously murdered 20 children and 6 administrators. Adding Sandy Hook Elementary School to a growing list of other tragic school shootings confirms that any educational institution should be considered a viable target for future attacks.

 Americans hear tragic stories every day involving guns! However, we must discuss community change if we are going to stop gun violence! With limited success, government, police, schools and nonprofit groups try to reduce violence with educational programs on child abuse, bullying, drug abuse, domestic violence and gangs as politicians write new gun control laws. These approaches help, but to break the cycle of violence we must focus on the root cause for gun violence, the breakdown of the family.

 Americans gave away their power to keep cities safe when family and neighborhood support decreased. Neighbors who used to take care of each other turned the responsibility over to police as city leaders hired more police and turned to technology to increase public safety!

 Police became the new authority figure. With increasing police responsibilities, the healthy balance between police and citizens declined. In some areas, citizens feared police and stopped reporting criminal activities.

 For decades, taxpayers funded the "war on drugs" and the "war on poverty." Citizens grew increasingly dependent, as cities became crime ridden. We lost generations of youth to drugs, crime and gangs, as criminals with guns spread fear and destruction.

 As society changed, self-image became the mission of the "me" generation. "Experts" fueled the sexual revolution with new values and role models. Divorce, domestic violence and infidelity became commonplace as children grew increasingly neglected and confused. They learned to fend for themselves. Angry young people discovered a false sense of power with gangs, guns, prostitution and other self-destructive behaviors.

 Bully/victim behavior reflected home life. Many young people no longer valued themselves or others. Education was not a priority as thousands dropped out of school and created homelessness and blight.

 Drug abuse and violence are signs of unmet needs and guns are power tools to feel important. The message is... Notice me! I need to belong, have guidance and support to feel good about myself!

 Over the years, we ignored our spiritual roots. We accepted a new generation lacking emotional maturity and accepted anti-social behavior as police and government struggle to keep cities safe. Americans are paying a high price for neglected youth! Is it any wonder teens lacking emotional stability often turn to drugs and other addictions to escape?

 Based on my experience as a crime and violence prevention specialist for 36 years, I see disconnected families and neighborhood isolation contributing to gun violence. City leaders, police and citizens must work together to reduce fear and stop criminal activity. Neighbors need to connect with each other and build trust. Connected neighbors become new role models for youth!

 Today, with reduced budgets, politicians and police want citizens to work together. However, Americans do not hear a local or national mandate with recommended steps to help support families. Politicians and community leaders have the power and influence to create change!

 We can save our kids, by focusing on faith, family and community to strengthen family support. Community leaders can help break the cycle of abuse, which threatens to bankrupt and destroy our American way of life. The annual cost of crime in the U.S. is $1.7 trillion a year. (Source: Univ. of Chicago - Journal of Law and Economics)

 What city leaders can do?

 Focus on community building for health and safety. Connected neighbors can restore the human touch so children feel safe and protected. Involved neighbors reduce fear and social isolation as they increase the check and balance on juvenile behavior before kids get out of control.

 Appoint a planning committee of 8 to 10 volunteers, to focus on... strengthening families! The committee decides on an action plan and promotes a SAFE CITY campaign to get neighbors connected. Volunteers reach out into the community and promote community responsibility for neighborhood safety. (Based on city size, several groups can be formed.)

 Ideas might include:

 Encourage city employees such as police and firemen to be role models and host social gatherings to help build neighborhood trust.

 Encourage leading city pastors to motivate other pastors to set the example of "Love thy Neighbor" to strengthen community bonds.

 Invite civic and church groups to start projects to help neighbors' work together on community gardens, safety fairs, clean up, etc. In cities, 1 in 5 children have Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Offer neighbors a safe place to share concerns to reduce frustration and stress.

 Involve and train youth, with adult support, to go door to door to conduct surveys and assist Seniors with home maintenance.

 Invite existing neighborhood leaders and police to discuss ideas, strategies and how to overcome stumbling blocks.

 Train Community Coaches in areas with language barriers.

 Reward and publicize neighborhood successes.

 Create a list of resources and volunteer opportunities.

 Publicize, Publicize, Publicize for success!

 We can make cities safe and reduce gun violence if we get organized for community change. Children need safe neighborhoods to play and grow so they can become contributing members of society.

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SANDY HOOK FATHER (LEONARD POZNER) OF SLAIN CHILD RECEIVES DEATH THREATS, SAYS ‘HOAXERS’ PART OF A ‘THOUGHT VIRUS’

Leonard Pozner has taken a stand against Sandy Hook deniers — “hoaxers” as he’s wont to call them — who claim that the Sandy Hook Elementary School mass shooting in Newtown, Connecticut, on December 14, 2012, never occurred. The father of 6-year-old Noah Pozner, one of 20 children killed during the shooting, he has become dedicated to fighting the spread of misinformation concerning the incident that has proliferated, mostly via the internet, since just after the tragedy occurred. Pozner says that the Sandy Hook hoaxers are disseminators of a “thought virus” that is part of the “online hate” prevalent on the internet today.

 CNN’s Anderson Cooper spoke with Leonard Pozner via phone on Anderson Cooper 360 this week. Pozner did not want his face shown (for identification purposes), nor did he want his location revealed (to avoid additional harassment), because, just days before the broadcast, one of the individuals intent on exposing the Sandy Hook shooting as a hoax was arrested in Florida for making death threats against him.

  Lucy Richards, 57, of Tampa was arrested and charged with four counts of transmitting threats on Monday, December 5, according to a statement from the United States Attorney Southern District of Florida. USA Today reported Thursday that federal court documents reveal Richards, a so-called “Sandy Hook truther,” made threatening statements via voicemail and online. She reportedly told Len Pozner in a voice message that “you gonna die, death is coming to you real soon,” and wrote, “Look behind you, it’s death,” according to the documents (which can be viewed along with a video of the voice mails at SandyHooksFacts.com).

 Leonard Pozner told Anderson Cooper that the voice mails left by “this individual” (as noted, alleged to be Lucy Richards) were “pretty intense… I still remember the chills that were running down my body, hearing the voice mails. It’s over the top.”

 Pozner said that the voice mails were on automatic play at the time, and he had to quickly stop the recording because of his other children being in the room at the time. In the voice mails, the caller, besides telling him he was going to die, referred derogatorily to Pozner as a “Jew b*****d” numerous times, accused him of hiding his son in his attic, and accused him of conspiring with the White House.

 Sandy Hook deniers claim that the entire series of shootings in Newtown, Connecticut, in 2012 was an orchestrated plot by the government and the media to convince the public to strengthen gun control laws in the United States. In short, to the truthers (or hoaxers), believe 20-year-old Adam Lanza never entered Sandy Hook Elementary School and, armed with an assault rifle, shot and killed 26 people (20 children and 6 adults) before killing himself. Although there are various versions of how the hoax was supposedly perpetrated, much of the incident was believed to be staged or acted out. It has been claimed by some that some of the victims did not exist at all.

 But Lanza actually started the day of the deadliest mass shooting at a high school or grade school in U.S. history by shooting and killing his 52-year-old mother. He then took her car and drove to nearby Sandy Hook Elementary School, shot his way through the electronically controlled door, and within five minutes killed 27 more people, including himself.

 Cooper spoke about the small community of hoaxers that had sprung up after the massacre and continue to deny that the Sandy Hook mass shooting never happened. But Leonard Pozner replied that he did not believe that the number of Sandy Hook truthers was small.

 “Experience tells me it’s not a small number of people. It’s a small number of people that are as vocal about it. A lot of people just keep it to themselves. It’s an expression of hate; it’s online hate.”

 Pozner went on to say that the Sandy Hook mass shooting was part of a “thought virus” that included other tragic incidents.

 “I describe it as a thought virus, because this concept just continues to spread. So with every mass casualty event or with every public incident, it’s immediately labeled a hoax by this certain circle of people that are on the web.”

 Along with the Sandy Hook incident, there are those who believe that the terrorist attacks on New York and Washington on September 11, 2001, were an “inside job” orchestrated by President George W. Bush’s administration. More recently, the terrorist attacks in Paris and the mass shooting at an Orlando dance club have been labeled hoaxes, or “false flag” incidents (where the event was perpetrated by a party other than that being reported, orchestrated to make the reported party look guilty), by those who are distrustful of government entities.

 Len Pozner has been the victim of truther harassment for some time but fed up with online truthers attempting to smear the Sandy Hook mass shooting as a conspiracy, he formed an organization called the HONR Networks. He works now to take down every video and piece of content depicting false evidence about the Sandy Hook incident.

 When Cooper asked if he thought the hoaxers will ever go away, Pozner was quick to answer, “I don’t think so; I don’t think it will ever go away.”

 December 14 marked the fourth anniversary of the tragic Sandy Hook Elementary mass shooting.

For more details, please visit: https://leonardpozner.wordpress.com/

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Leonard Pozner, A Father of Sandy Hook victim speaks out against ‘hoaxers’

Mr. Leonard Pozner one Sandy Hook victim father talked to CNN’s Anderson Cooper on “AC360” about the hate he has received from various individuals who believe the incident was fake.

 “They don’t think anything bad ever happens, they don’t think anyone ever gets hurt,” said Len Pozner, a father of one of the 20 children killed in the mass shooting. “They think whenever they see anything on the web or on television that is a crime or mass casualty event that has to be a hoax.”

 The father received voice mails from what he called a “hoaxer,” and has experienced other online hate as well. Leonard Pozner said, “They’re pretty intense. … I still remember the chills that were running down my body, hearing the voice mails. It’s over the top.”

 When he began to see the hoax content appearing online, he worked to take down every video depicting false evidence, and created an organization called the HONR Networks to help him do so.

 “There were news reports that had some conflicting information, and so we worked to clarify that information,” Pozner said. “I call it a thought virus, because really what they want to do is they just want to replicate their way of thinking to other people. What we do is we reduce the content that’s on the web. We’ve taken down probably thousands of pieces of content on the Internet.”

 Leonard Pozner said this has become a part of his journey and the successes of taking down wrongful content and sharing the truth with others is what he focuses on. When Cooper asked if he thought the hoaxers will ever go away, he immediately said, “I don’t think so, I don’t think it will ever go away.”

 Pozner asked to appear on the show via phone without identifying where he was or showing his face because of the online hate and death threats he’s received. He said, “It’s basically just hate, they’re projecting hate onto people and if someone is visible and if someone is a victim of crime, it’s easy to find people these days on the web, so it’s easy to gain access to someone.”