The unseemly rush to blame Sarah Palin, the Tea Party and Republicans for murder in Arizona

[WestVirginiaRebel]

UK Telegraph:

Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords of Arizona, by all accounts an outstanding public servant and person, is battling for her life in hospital after being shot by a 22-year-old man at close range at a “Congress On Your Corner” event in her home district. Six people are dead, including a judge and a girl of nine, and a dozen others are being treated for their wounds.

It is, as President Barack Obama said, an “unspeakable tragedy”. It is also, as he added, “a senseless and terrible act of violence has no place in a free society”. That much we know and the President wisely did not seek to make political capital out of the carnage or jump to conclusions about the motivations of the gunman, named as Jared Loughner.

That, of course, hasn’t stopped some on the Left clamouring to blame Sarah Palin, the Tea Party or Republicans in general for what happened.

Paul Krugman of the “New York Times” suggests darkly that Giffords was shot because she was “a Democrat who survived what was otherwise a GOP sweep in Arizona” and “violent acts are what happen when you create a climate of hate” (those reponsible for such a climate being, of course, Republicans).

TBogg of FireDogLake wades straight in and blames Sarah Palin for the shooting because of a graphic of crosshairs placed on the districts of moderate Democrats who voted for healthcare reform. Was the Palin graphic clever? No. But martial imagery is standard political fare and, as Matt Lewis points out, there’s no shortage of Democrats who’ve engaged in it (VerumSerum has found a Democratic Leadership Committee target map).

Jane Fonda pins it on Sarah Palin, Glenn Beck and the Tea Party.

Even the local sheriff (a Democrat) has been getting in on the act. Sheriff Clarence Dupnik (a Democrat) said:

When you look at unbalanced people, how they respond to the vitriol that comes out of certain mouths about tearing down the government. The anger, the hatred, the bigotry that goes on in this country is getting to be outrageous. And, unfortunately, Arizona I think has become sort of the capital. We have become the Mecca for prejudice and bigotry.

Well, we’ll see. Personally, I’d be more reassured by a sheriff who concentrated on facts rather than over-heated, sweeping generalisations.

So what are the facts we know so far? From what we know about Loughner, he was a deeply disturbed young man who railed about literacy rates, spoke of flag burning and creating a new currency.

Former classmates talk of “nonsensical outbursts” and a person “on his own planet”. His favourite reading apparently included “Mein Kampf” and “The Communist Manifesto”. My colleague Jon Swaine has a summary here of the raving of a person who most people would judge to be a complete nutcase even if he hadn’t gone out and shot people.

Oh, and another former classmate said he was “left wing, quite liberal”. Naturally, this doesn’t stop Jacob Heilbrunn, pontificating that the shootings are evidence of that the “radical right is becoming even more radicalised and violent”.

Ben Smith sums up the current picture of Loughner pretty well:

The obsession with the gold standard and the hostility to the federal government resonate with the far right, the burned American flag with the left, but the discussion of mind control and grammar sound more like mental illness than politics.

This is highly inconvenient for certain people on the Left so they ignore it. They would much prefer the shooter to have been a white male in his 50s, the description the sheriff gave of a second person of interest (we’ll see if such a person materialises) but they’ll still try to make hay with a weirdo like Loughner.

Giffords herself doesn’t quite fit the likely victim of an enraged Right-winger. She is a Blue Dog Democrat, a deficit hawk and voted to lift the ban on guns in DC and voted against Nancy Pelosi for Speaker. On Thursday, she took part in the reading of the Constitution in the House, reading aloud the First Amendment, which guarantees freedom of religion, speech and peaceful assembly.

She’s certainly not the “progressive” that Hanoi Jane tweeted about and provoked as much anger on the Left as on the Right for her political stances. Just the other day, a blogger at DailyKos said that Giffords was “dead to me” for failing to back Pelosi.

Plenty more will emerge in the coming days about Loughner’s motivations and those of any accomplice. It seems certain that the attempted assassination was politically motivated but in exactly what way is, at this stage, very murky.

This is a time for sombre reflection and a calming (rather than an escalation) of rhetoric. Sadly, however, some see it as another opportunity to score political points and vilify those they hate.
________

The left will ignore inconvenient truths about Loughner's paranoid lunacy. They just want somebody else to blame.

[NCJim]

I want to remind the loons on the left that we have endured eight years of their lunatic, hate-filled, venomous screeds, and murder fantasies about Bush, Cheney, Rice, et al. More than I'd care to remember. After eight years of Bush Derangement Syndrome -- and now Palin Derangement Syndrome -- I find it laughable and unbelievably hypocritical that they point fingers at us for this with a straight face. Oh, you're saying I'm full of s^#@? That I'm just another right-wing wacko? Here are some reminders -- and this is NOT an exhaustive list:

 

"Kill Bush" shirts?

All of the Bush assassination conjectures published and broadcast?

The movies about our troops, where they are portrayed as nothing more than a modern incarnation of the Great Khan's barbarian hordes?

Alec Baldwin saying on a talk show that someone should physically harm Henry Hyde?

The unbelievable hatred towards Governor Palin's Down's Syndrome child, Trig, which, in and of itself, should invalidate any criticism from the left until we hear their resounding and public condemnations about it?

Wishing Clarence Thomas would have a stroke?

Comedy Central putting a bullseye on President Bush?

Code Pink calling for Bush's arrest?

A kid, whose parents scripted him to make a video where he says he wants "to kill the Motherfucking Bush with a big hole in his brain"?

A student who threatened to kill Bush?

Cindy Sheehan's dream of killing Bush as a baby?

All of the online games where you can kill Bush?

Remember those, hmmm?

 

For more, go to Michelle Malkin's post about this and feast your eyes on what she's posted. (I welcome all commenters to add to the list I made with your own remembrances of the tolerant behavior on the other side of the aisle.)

[Valin]

I want to remind the loons on the left that we have endured eight years of their lunatic, hate-filled, venomous screeds, and murder fantasies about Bush, Cheney, Rice, et al. More than I'd care to remember. After eight years of Bush Derangement Syndrome -- and now Palin Derangement Syndrome -- I find it laughable and unbelievably hypocritical that they point fingers at us for this with a straight face. Oh, you're saying I'm full of s^#@? That I'm just another right-wing wacko? Here are some reminders -- and this is NOT an exhaustive list:

 

But That's different. Why? Because it is.

 

 

I would also remind you of ODS Obama Derangement Syndrome.

[Argyle58]

Sarah Palin's map (the one the left is screaming about:

 

 

 

Democratic Leadership Committee's map:

 

 

This one is from the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee's website. The targets represent "Targeted Republicans":

 

 

 

Talk about a double standard.

[Sanguine]

NCJim

lunatic, hate-filled, venomous

 

Yep. That about sums it up. It's getting really scary out there.

[Pepper]

bump, Argyle58!

 

 

Sarah Palin's map (the one the left is screaming about:

 

 

 

Democratic Leadership Committee's map:

 

 

This one is from the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee's website. The targets represent "Targeted Republicans":

 

 

 

Talk about a double standard.

[clearvision]

(Well it's clear the "far right" is on the bad with these because they are using an optical site versus the more accepted archery target and of course the 3rd image of "Target Stores".)^sarcasm

[pollyannaish]

Clearvision

 

Yes but the right is using the type of targets printers use to align color plates when using full color processing. Which means it should be a free speech thing.

[Pepper]

Better add a sarcasm tag for the visitor, Clearvision!

 

Or else you will be in someone's sight.

[Pepper]

Remember when kids all played with cap pistols and bow and arrows in the 40s and 50s and 60s?

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Each of these kids is probably a serial killer today. Thank goodness that political correctness stopped this insane kid play and madness. That's why we are reaping the benefits of civilized behavior today due to these foresighted legislators and nannies.)^sarcasm

[Al_Simmons]

The impression I originally got from the media was that the 'targeted' member's faces were pictured in the cross-hairs (which makes me a dolt for not checking into it myself.)

 

If the above map is the only 'targeting' involved, then the complaint is ridiculous.

[Al_Simmons]

On a completely unrelated subject, I see ....

Edited January 10, 2011 by clearvision
I really don't want TRR to get in the habit of filtering posts, but this is just baiting. And the topic is sensitive enough. If you strongly object to removal of post let us know.

[Al_Simmons]

*Chuckle* Nah. No objection. It certainly WAS baiting. And I have no doubt that it would have elicited the desired reaction!

 

Just call me a troublemaker if you like.

[Al_Simmons]

This just in: Unnamed military source states that the lunatic shooter tested positive for drugs when he tried to enlist in 2008.

 

Yessiree, another one of those drug-crazed, Karl Marx-worshiping right-wingers, yessiree ...

[NCTexan]

BREAKING NEWS...

 

Jareds's friend comments on mental health of the shooter.

 

Two things are obvious:

 

His "friends" don't look like a typical Tea Party supporters

 

Jared must really be 'weird' because this guy called him weird

[Pepper]

(I see those guys at Tea Parties all the time.)^sarcasm

 

NCTexan, just a misunderstood yoot.

[SrWoodchuck]

I want to remind the loons on the left that we have endured eight years of their lunatic, hate-filled, venomous screeds, and murder fantasies about Bush, Cheney, Rice, et al. More than I'd care to remember. After eight years of Bush Derangement Syndrome -- and now Palin Derangement Syndrome -- I find it laughable and unbelievably hypocritical that they point fingers at us for this with a straight face. Oh, you're saying I'm full of s^#@? That I'm just another right-wing wacko? Here are some reminders -- and this is NOT an exhaustive list:

 

But That's different. Why? Because it is.

 

 

I would also remind you of ODS Obama Derangement Syndrome.

Valin!

 

ODS has morphed into OTP. [One Term President]

[Sanguine]

NCTexan - that's not Photoshopped?

[SrWoodchuck]

Except for sighting-in a hunting rifle or shooting small caliber; I only use silhouette targets......which would certainly be a major infraction of progressive PC-ness. Quite a few gun ranges now refuse to sell silhouette targets, due to protests by non-shooters; which is another form of political surrealism: it ignores the reality of improving your proficiency at placing rounds safely & properly on a human threat target [a perfectly logical defense scenario] and it wrongly assumes that by using round circle targets you'll preserve the "dignity of human life" [by not shooting at anything representative of a human being.]

 

If Dupnik's Pima County deputies had been assigned protection duty for Rep. Giffords, they might have limited the casualties or become a casualty themselves; while returning fire. If a citizen possessing a CCW license had been in the "kill" area & returned fire; casualties might have been reduced as well.

 

A Sheriff that arbitrarily refuses to file charges against a young man that had made threats of death, was banned from a junior college campus for somewhat similiar circumstancees and had a relative working for Pima County; that was part of the reason for turning a "blind eye" to those threats, certainly seems to be effect brought about by politics. I'm willing to let the facts come out, before passing judgement, but Dupnik gets some blame if the facts above are true.

 

Saw a T-shirt the other day that said,"Guns don't kill people.....crazy MoFo's kill people."

[SrWoodchuck]

NCTexan - that's not Photoshopped?

Sanguine! Not Photoshopped. I watched the interview.

[Pepper]

Sanguine! SrWoodchuck!

 

 

People are afraid to say anything when they see a lunatic in a class.

 

When safety measures should have been taken months.

 

This is an example of our national mania for political correctness.

 

 

***********

 

Lynda Sorensen, 52, was in community college studying algebra in a bid to get back into the job market. One of her emails sent to friends earlier (June 14, 2010) when she was in the math class with Loughner

 

'We have a mentally unstable person in the class that scares the living cr** out of me. He is one of those whose picture you see on the news, after he has come into class with an automatic weapon. Everyone interviewed would say, Yeah, he was in my math class and he was really weird. I sit by the door with my purse handy. If you see it on the news one night, know that I got out fast...'

 

 

Read more: 'We have a mentally unstable person in the class that scares the living c**p out of me': Emails reveal student's fears of Jared Loughner months before shootings

[SrWoodchuck]

Sanguine! SrWoodchuck!

 

 

People are afraid to say anything when they see a lunatic in a class.

 

When safety measures should have been taken months.

 

This is an example of our national mania for political correctness.

 

 

***********

 

Lynda Sorensen, 52, was in community college studying algebra in a bid to get back into the job market. One of her emails sent to friends earlier (June 14, 2010) when she was in the math class with Loughner

 

'We have a mentally unstable person in the class that scares the living cr** out of me. He is one of those whose picture you see on the news, after he has come into class with an automatic weapon. Everyone interviewed would say, Yeah, he was in my math class and he was really weird. I sit by the door with my purse handy. If you see it on the news one night, know that I got out fast...'

 

 

Read more: 'We have a mentally unstable person in the class that scares the living c**p out of me': Emails reveal student's fears of Jared Loughner months before shootings

Pepper! Thanks for the update!

 

He's 22 and living at home? Under Obamacare, he's got to be eligible for mental health benefits under his parents policies [probably Pima County benefits through his mom.]

 

My oldest son had terrible anger issues as a teen & we used every benefit we could through our health insurance, as well as bushels of our own money [phsychiatrist, psychologist & social worker] to try to get his head screwed on straight. I've got to say, his psychiatrist particularly, had more issues than our son. One night, three days before his 17th bithday, our son was shot in the head by one of his friends [whose parents allowed them to drink & smoke dope in their house- as long as they 'didn't do it outside of their house [WTF?] Even after his recovery, and a stint in an adolescent drug rehabilitation program [we, as parents, went as well: twice a week, for 4 months] we still caught him selling pot & turned him into the Jefferson County Sheriff's. We showed up at his high scholl and escorted him to class. If he ran away, we filed with the Sheriff and made them document it. [You can't be held liable for damages while reported as a runaway, but also we were documenting so that we would have a history if we had to commit him]

 

Ignorance, apathy & nepotism are not valid excuses for Loughner's parents or Pima County.

[righteousmomma]

NCTexan - that's not Photoshopped?

Sanguine! Not Photoshopped. I watched the interview.

 

Nope, no photo shop

[Evad]

FACT:

Since Obama made his "They bring a knife, we'll bring a gun" remark, THOUSANDS of people have been murdered.

[Al_Simmons]

*FLASH*

 

Bugs Bunny To Be Blamed for Violent Speech and Acts?

 

from Reuters:

 

"The Bunny, often heard to mutter "Whyyyy...I'll MOYDELIZE YOU!" has come under increased scrutiny since the revelation that the shooter was an avid watcher of Warner Bros. Cartoons."