What would parents do to their kids if they ridiculed a senator? Give them ice cream, apparently
Wednesday's CNN town hall on gun violence was always going to be a heated affair.
But the forum also presented numerous opportunities for the students, teachers and parents of Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, to confront decision makers about inaction on guns.
SEE ALSO: After Florida shooting, gun control becomes a global conversation
Namely Republican Senator Marco Rubio, who was asked by shooting survivor Cameron Kasky if he would reject contributions from the National Rifle Association, in a nod to the lobby group's political influence.
Cameron Kasky, who survived the school shooting: “Sen. Rubio, can you tell me right now that you will not accept a single donation from the NRA?”
Rubio: “People buy into my agenda, and I do support the Second Amendment” #StudentsStandUp https://t.co/ucmVB74g1C— CNN Politics (@CNNPolitics) February 22, 2018
While the crowd cheered the question, such a challenge didn't go down well with everyone.
Notably conservative columnist Todd Starnes, who asked on Twitter what parents would do "if a child lectured and ridiculed a U.S. Senator on national television." Tsk tsk.
Parents, what would you do if your child lectured and ridiculed a U.S. Senator on national television?
— toddstarnes (@toddstarnes) February 22, 2018
Maybe for Starnes it'd be discipline, but for others it'd be lots and lots of ice cream. Especially the fancy kind.
HERE TO DRAG YOUR RATIO, TODD.
But if my daughter lit into a spineless coward like Rubio on national TV, I'd ask afterward if she wanted to celebrate with ice cream.— Mike Branom (@mbranom) February 22, 2018
With that chocolate covered waffle cone
— Vern MF Gill (@Real_AZVern) February 22, 2018
Extra ice cream, late bedtime, pony (if interested). https://t.co/GCyGNec9XH
— Wendy Molyneux (@WendyMolyneux) February 22, 2018
As a parent I would first ask, did the Senator deserve to be lectured and ridiculed? If the answer is yes, I would buy my child an ice cream sundae. https://t.co/oOszDRWaAg
— Ted Lieu (@tedlieu) February 22, 2018
Some replies were damn funny.
Cheesecake factory at the minimum https://t.co/MZujD6mBug
— Desus Nice (@desusnice) February 22, 2018
spring break in cabo my man https://t.co/0uZRchSNc2
— Mo Ryan (@moryan) February 22, 2018
This is literally the first thing that’s ever made me consider becoming a parent https://t.co/l7rKoxs9PU
— Chase Mitchell (@ChaseMit) February 22, 2018
"Son, ridiculing Marco Rubio is how you become president." https://t.co/SnXuEXWk9B
— Steven Hyden (@Steven_Hyden) February 22, 2018
"sorry, I can't remember. did you want an Xbox or a Nintendo Switch?" https://t.co/puC1K2zOHO
— JuanPa (@jpbrammer) February 22, 2018
Other replies were more earnest.
Prolly be grateful their kid is alive to do it and speak for the slaughtered students who can’t speak for themselves. https://t.co/iNzStCyVpZ
— Cheri Jacobus (@CheriJacobus) February 22, 2018
Get a bumper sticker on my car that said, “Proud Parent.” https://t.co/8jwY2cX7d2
— Ana Navarro (@ananavarro) February 22, 2018
Be proud as hell. https://t.co/oRSxEa1tPa
— Calvin (@calvinstowell) February 22, 2018
Don't you just *love* free speech.
