It's probably safe to say that no one in their right mind would agree that the shootings were justifiable or explainable in the context of political beliefs. This horrible crime was most likely perpetrated by someone who truly had lost their mental bearings, their ability to understand the difference between right and wrong. Suggesting or implying violence against others to resolve political differences would never occur to someone in their right mind to begin with, would it? Sadly, no:
"Don't retreat, reload!"
- Sarah Palin, former Governor of Alaska
"If this Congress keeps going the way it is, people are really looking toward those Second Amendment remedies."
- Sharron Angle, former member of the Nevada State Assembly
"If ballots don't work, bullets will."
- Joyce Kaufman, Radio host, Tea Party activist
"The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants."
- Currently serving United States Congresswoman from Minnesota, leader of the Tea Party Caucus, paraphrasing Thomas Jefferson
"Sarah Palin has the crosshairs of a gun sight over our district and when people do that, they've gotta realize there are consequences to that action."I know, I know, it's just words and they really didn't have anything to do with the shootings. But it does make one wonder when bloviating hate-mongers like Sarah Palin start backpedaling so fast (like removing this map from her PAC website) it is amazing they haven't broken their ankles.
- Currently serving Congresswoman from Arizona Gabrielle Giffords
But I'm digressing from my point. The fact remains that people got killed (including a 9-year old girl) for no good reason, and no matter where you stand in the political spectrum, this is a horrible, horrible crime. I can only hope that, in your prayers tonight, you pray for everyone involved.
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My parayers are being offered for the victims of this shooting.
ReplyDeleteIt is a horrible tragedy! No matter what side of the political spectrum you are on, somehow no matter who says it, there will be people who will take to heart what is said and think that things must be taken care of with violence.
ReplyDeletePeople aren't thinking. They are reacting instead.
Terrible, terrible tragedy....
Second amendment remedies.
ReplyDeleteI am not medicated well enough to be able to watch the news. And today was the first time I've heard that phrase. I thought I was going to vomit when I realized that somebody actually meant that for really real.
it has been a devastating day all around and being so far from home when i got the news made it even harder....I am going to have to go live on a deserted island, I think.....trouble seems to be tailing me...and how sadly ironic that the little girl who was killed was BORN the day I decided it was time to move to a smaller target than NYC...
ReplyDeleteHi Gumbo. Such a terrible tragedy. Nothing justifies any kind of violence, especially when innocent people are being killed. Will the world ever enjoy peace, I wonder.... all we can do is to keep on hoping and praying. The victims are certainly in my thoughts and prayers.
ReplyDeleteAll it takes is one idiot with a gun and a huge group of people will be blamed.
ReplyDeleteThis is hideous no matter who you blame, lives lost, a child lost, a mother and wife near death... those are the important matters .. one side will blame the other for eternity, that is just a sickening fact of life.
Palin uses gun imagery and rhetoric frequently, "This is just the first salvo." she says on her FB page designed to "target" members congress in the cross hairs of gun scopes.
ReplyDeletefrom the dictionary: sal‧vo plural salvos or salvoes [countable usually singular] formal
1 [+ of] when several guns are fired during a battle or as part of a ceremony
I hope we, as a nation, use this time to unite and renounce violence and raise up political discourse.
I do think that the hate crap that has been spewed does contribute to the hate crap in the minds of the mentally disturbed. It gives validation that it is okay to act on hate. I hope that those who posted hate on websites, talked hate on radio and TV will maybe do a little soul searching. We all need to do that.
ReplyDeleteWell phrased, bro. Check out: http://allbleedingstops.blogspot.com/2011/01/on-right-wing-political-violence.html
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