In the moment it may look bad
It's likely the shooter's reasoning won't ever fit into a tidy narrative of direct cause and effect. But his ramblings make clear he was concerned about a tyrannical government and the word tyranny drops easily from the lips of far too many of our politicians and high profile media figures, knowing full well it's just hyperbole designed to advance personal goals.
And while I am reluctant to point fingers, it's clear that the blood is on the media's hands for failing to call out false accusations and over the top hyperbole rather than following their usual M.O. of treating it as just another opinion. "Some say" journalism is as responsibile for this tragedy as anything is. And there may be no better illustration of this than Chuck Todd's response to an interview with Gabrielle Giffords shortly after the health care vote. (If you're in a hurry, start at the 2:10 mark.)
Chuck practically mocks her concern. It's clear in his words and demeanor he thinks she's making too much of "the usual" kind of political bickering. From his chair, this is just all part of a big game. No different than a sports contest. But as many of us had been saying since the campaign of 08 when Palin blithely painted Obama as a "pal of terrorists," this was not the usual kind of politics. It was extreme, misleading, incendiary and was going to end in blood. I can't begin to tell you how sorry I am to have been right in that prediction.
And while I am reluctant to point fingers, it's clear that the blood is on the media's hands for failing to call out false accusations and over the top hyperbole rather than following their usual M.O. of treating it as just another opinion. "Some say" journalism is as responsibile for this tragedy as anything is. And there may be no better illustration of this than Chuck Todd's response to an interview with Gabrielle Giffords shortly after the health care vote. (If you're in a hurry, start at the 2:10 mark.)
Chuck practically mocks her concern. It's clear in his words and demeanor he thinks she's making too much of "the usual" kind of political bickering. From his chair, this is just all part of a big game. No different than a sports contest. But as many of us had been saying since the campaign of 08 when Palin blithely painted Obama as a "pal of terrorists," this was not the usual kind of politics. It was extreme, misleading, incendiary and was going to end in blood. I can't begin to tell you how sorry I am to have been right in that prediction.
posted by Libby Spencer at 11:28 AM
5 Comments:
Remember how the self-righteous, self-pitying Right howled and screamed their Foxy little throats out when the DHS and FBI predicted this right wing domestic terrorist act? Who was right, who was wrong?
Was this a terrorist attack? Did people die, was it aimed at stopping the "Liberal agenda" or not? I'm waiting to hear.
Where's the goddamned apology?
Who blew up OK city, who blew up innocents in Atlanta? Who shot a federal judge and a US congresswoman and more innocent people?
But no, Obama is a tyrant and terrorist and needs to be overthrown and the country taken back by the "second amendment" option and so are all Democrats and how dare anyone play the "blame game" and accuse the people who have been calling for murder of having responsibility when all they did was call for murder - year after year after year.
No, it's LIBERALS who dream of shooting political opponents - right.
J'Accuse!
Have had all sorts of trolling over at my post going on about how the left does just the same thing. Still waiting for any example. It's nothing but a game, and they're all sure cheating/lying is the answer. If that were all I had, maybe ... no, I couldn't be that low.
The stampede to disavow any connection to this tragedy is mind blowing. I hoped it would lead to some introspection, if not a ephiphany, along the lines of, gee, maybe if we demonize "the other" innocents will get killed. Not seeing it so far, but then again, I was working today. Haven't cruised the latest reax yet.
http://www.dlc.org/ndol_ci.cfm?contentid=253055&kaid=127&subid=171
Instead of blaming Palin, let's blame the Democrats since they used the same violent symbolism in 2004.
The targets were painted on states that had the fewest Bush voters. That alone sort of negates the attempt at gross misrepresentation, doesn't it? Unless of course you're joking.
It talks about drawing on
"deep pocketed investors" and doesn't mention being "armed and dangerous" or suggest "second amendment" solutions, does it. Where's the slightest hint of "violent symbolism?"
Where are the liberals murdering doctors, blowing up civilians and shooting up museums? Where are the Democrats carrying Kalashnikovs to political rallies? There must be plenty of room for them in your head, there being little else there. Unless of course you're joking, but I doubt it. I've never met a Republican with a sense of humor. Requires a genetic background with fewer Neanderthal genes, I suspect.
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