July 2022 Newslettter
American Gun Responsibility- Uvalde
For the first time in 28 years, a meaningful piece of legislation has passed that can usher in a new era of building an American Culture of Gun Responsibility.
The Bipartisan Safer Communities Act Bill is a reasonable and holistic step towards addressing America’s gun violence epidemic.
This bill invests in mental health and protects responsible, law-abiding Americans’ Second Amendment rights, due process, and the rule of law.
For responsible gun owners, this bill does not take your guns away or restrict access to firearms.
This bill will save innocent lives by keeping guns out of the law-breaking and irresponsible hands that are trying to hijack the Second Amendment.
This bill is a responsible investment in the future of our country and in America’s greatest asset, our children.
This bill makes those whose lives have been needlessly cut short by gun violence matter.
This bill is about more responsible gun ownership in America.
The Uvalde tragedy ignited bipartisan conversations that created responsible actions by members from both parties. Members made the right and difficult choice — action — over the easy choice — inaction.
By coming together and finding a sensible balance, a bipartisan group of lawmakers passed a bill that will help solve a problem we all agree is unbearable.
While this bill isn’t perfect, it is a shining example of a great American potential and political virtue: the act of compromise and validating an opposing viewpoint.
This is a quintessential virtue of America, where two seemingly contradictory approaches to the same problem can be true at the same time, AND, when combined, actually reveal a more useful and powerful solution than either on its own.
America, the Land of And.
Where we have Freedom AND Responsibility, Rights AND Duties, Opportunity, AND Obligations.
Yes, we have a mental health issue in our country that we need to address, AND we need to create guardrails to keep guns out of irresponsible hands.
Both are true. Neither are mutually exclusive. The success of one even relies on our responsibility to the other.
This bill is an example of the bipartisan meeting of the minds and hearts that can lead us to reclaim true Democracy in America.
This bill is a representation and reminder that no single party is Democracy itself. No single party is America itself, AND no single party in American politics has the claim to independently own the values by which they define themselves.
Republicans and Democrats don’t have a license on the “values” they often posture themselves as owning. Values are free trade, there to share and bring to bear for all of us.
To heal and save our Democracy, we need to apply these same bipartisan efforts to countless other issues. Only then can we become the America we’re capable of becoming.
Now that the president has signed this bill into law, I want to remind all of us Americans that we cannot become complacent and wait on a piece of legislation to solve our problems.
We each have a call to action as well. This legislation gives us guardrails, but we cannot solely rely on it to be responsible for US. We have to be responsible for IT.
We each have a duty to protect our freedom AND our rights. We also each have an opportunity to make more responsible choices as we move forward. Ones that serve others AND ourselves. Let’s each and all have a look in the mirror and make those choices that are on us, and only us.
The choice to be the best parent or mentor possible.
The choice to get involved in the lives of others in our community.
The choice, as business leaders, to change policies in our workspaces to make them safer.
The choice, as gun owners, gun show organizers, and firearms manufacturers to bear, show, and sell arms responsibly. Now is the time to build our American Culture of Gun Responsibility – AND build a healthier nation by being more personally responsible families, neighbors, and business leaders.
We are each in a position to lead in this great country we call America: Where I have the freedom to be me, you have the freedom to be you, AND we all have a responsibility to be us.
Our government took a step in the right direction. Now it’s time for us to remind them AND ourselves what the best of our country is AND can be.
America, the Land of And.
Let’s go.
A native of Uvalde who now lives in Austin, McConaughey is founder of the just keep livin Foundation, and a father of three.
This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman
The community will need ongoing grief counseling and support on the long road ahead of them. Please just us to help the people of Uvalde, TX. 100% of your donations to the just keep livin Foundation’s Uvalde Relief Fund will support grief counseling, costs associated with burial services and other immediate and long-term needs of the community.
Los Angeles Field Day
We hosted our annual LA Field Day on June 1st where we hosted 100 students and staff! Field Day is an annual event for us to provide the opportunity for all of our jkl sites to come together to build community and participate together through physical activity and friendly competition. The day allows all of our students to be active and the event provides a roadmap for communication and team building!
Beach Day Has Returned
After a two-year Covid break, our annual Beach Day event with the Jimmy Miller Memorial Foundation was one to remember.
On Saturday, June 4, we brought over sixty Los Angeles just keep livin students to enjoy a day of fun in the sun at the world-famous El Porto surfer beach in Manhattan Beach, CA. Students had a chance to receive surf lessons to conquer the waves, boogie board with big smiles, and relax with some beach yoga.
We want to give a huge shout-out to the Jimmy Miller Memorial Foundation for being a great partner and for always getting volunteers for our event. Another shout-out to Rachel Miriam for creating and supplying custom beach towels and bags for all of the participants. Beach day is truly a magical experience, from seeing some students taking to the ocean for the first time and others with the biggest smiles and appreciation for the outdoors!
Camila’s Tips: Red, White & Blue-berry Popsicles
Nothing says summer like popsicles, right? This recipe is a little different from your average popsicles…
First, it is coconut milk based, making the popsicles creamy and delicious. Second, it is gluten free, refined sugar free, nut free and vegan, making it almost allergy foolproof for anyone! These popsicles are a better-for-you way to enjoy a summer favorite.
Ingredients
· 1/4 c chopped organic strawberries
· 1/4 c organic blueberries
· 1 can light coconut milk
· 1 tsp agave nectar
· 1/8 tsp butterfly pea tea powder
· 6 unit popsicle mold
Directions
- Place avocado pieces in a large mixing bowl and gently mash
- Combine all the remaining ingredients in the bowl and gently stir to combine.
- Serve with your favorite tortilla chips and enjoy!
– Enjoy! Beijos Camila
Full recipe by Women of Today »
Swag of The Month
Red Cap
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