After the Arizona Murders, Politics As Usual

Obama: Don't turn on each other
TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) — Summoning the soul of a nation, President Barack Obama on Wednesday implored Americans to honor those slain and injured in the Arizona shootings by becoming better people, telling a polarized citizenry that it is time to talk with each other "in a way that heals, not in a way that wounds." Following a Hospital bedside visit with Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, the target of the Assassination, he said: "She knows we're here, and she knows we love her." In a memorably dramatic...

This time, the people stood up
Now that we're all worked up, let me tell you about a Tea Party type up in Washington County, doing something radical. Mike Bassill is circulating a petition. He doesn't sound very angry, either, defying the narrative that's blossomed since Jared Loughner allegedly shot 20 people, including a Democratic congresswoman, in Arizona. There was swift stab at finding some right-wing link in Loughner, who seems simply to be disturbed. Since then, some progressive commentators have tried tying the gun...

This time, the people stood up
Now that we're all worked up, let me tell you about a Tea Party type up in Washington County, doing something radical. Mike Bassill is circulating a petition. He doesn't sound very angry, either, defying the narrative that's blossomed since Jared Loughner allegedly shot 20 people, including a Democratic congresswoman, in Arizona. There was swift stab at finding some right-wing link in Loughner, who seems simply to be disturbed. Since then, some progressive commentators have tried tying the gun...

Poll: Tucson Shooting Wasn't Political
PHOENIX - A Mass Shooting that left six dead and Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords gravely wounded has the nation wondering, why? Pima County Sheriff Clarence Dupnik spoke out about the rampage on Saturday, saying it grew from extreme political Rhetoric, Bigotry and hatred, especially in his home state of Arizona. That statement ignited a firestorm of statements from politicians and Law Enforcements, who said there was no evidence to suggest politics played a role and that it was too soon to make...

the Fruits of Political Extremism
The motives of the gunman who shot the US Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords and killed six bystanders in Tuscon on Saturday are unclear. We do not know whether the youth who has been arrested for the crime, Jared Loughner, was driven by political grievance or Mental Illness. But to many in America this looks like an atrocity that was waiting to happen. Since Barack Obama entered the White House two years ago, the American right has adopted partisan Rhetoric of the most reckless kind. A year ago...

'We Must Stop This Vile and Evil Rhetoric'
Papa Todd writes, "From the 'Mecca for prejudice and Bigotry' -- my hometown, Tucson Arizona": I asked him to call Sheriff Dupnik to report this divisive filth, but reportedly the county's top Law Enforcement official is booked solid on MSNBC for the next few days. Labels: Democrats, Extremism, Holder ...

Obama leads memorial for Tucson shooting
President Barack Obama led a national outpouring of grief while calling for unity at an emotional memorial after a shooting that unleashed fierce debate about inflammatory political Rhetoric. In a Speech repeatedly interrupted by applause for those who tackled the gunman -- and the announcement that a US lawmaker who was shot in the head had opened her eyes -- Obama said the attack must not lead to new divisions. "At a time when our discourse has become so sharply polarized -- at a time when w...

More On Loughner And Right Wing Hysteria
Several friends have written in about my item arguing that Jared Loughner is not related to right-wing Extremism. The objection, in a nutshell, is, don't you agree that right-wing rage is a serious problem? I think it is a serious problem. I also think, despite the attempts of numerous Republicans to draw equivalences, that it's a far more serious problem than anything that occurred under George W. Bush. critics have focused on violent language and birtherism on the right. But there's a deeper ...

Obama Calls Clarence Dupnik
From Right Wing News A Thank You Call to America’s Worst Sheriff by Van Helsing The worst sheriff in America, Pima County’s irresponsible Clarence Dupnik, has accomplished notable achievements in the past. For example, he assisted in the non-prosecution of fellow moonbats who threw pies at Ann Coulter when she tried to speak at the University of Arizona. When SB1070 passed with the overwhelming support of Arizona citizens alarmed by the inundation of the state by Illegal Aliens, this s...

Rhetoric as comfort food: The mac-and-cheese instinct
Neither the right nor the left lost any time criticizing the other after the Tucson shootings, but it's increasingly clear the suspect was not politically motivated. If only we could go back to Monday. Discussions about Saturday's shootings in Tucson, which killed six and wounded 13, including Democratic Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, were so much simpler then: inflamed, righteous and deliciously partisan in a comfort-food kind of way. The fallout from the tragedy took a neat and predictable course: t...

Thoughtful, On-Target Palin Responds To Attacks; Left Loses Last Grip On Reality
Follow Lori on Twitter and read more of her work at Snark and Boobs , iOwntheWorld , Right Wing News and Red State. I know, my use of the term on-target makes me a vitriolic, hateful Rhetoric espouser in the eyes of some. It’s not conducive to the “new tone” we are all supposed to embrace for some unfathomable and delusional reason. Of course, this new tone doesn’t apply if one is speaking about Sarah Palin, who is apparently the cause of All Bad Things Ever, in perpetuit...

In floor speech, Cicilline condemns Ariz. attack
WASHINGTON — In his maiden Speech to the House of Representatives, Rep. David N. Cicilline joined Wednesday in paying tribute to Rep. Gabrielle Giffords and the other Victims of what he called “a brutal act of Domestic Terrorism” last weekend in Tucson. The new Democratic representative of Rhode Island’s 1st Congressional District was among several dozen members who spoke of their Democratic colleague from Arizona, Giffords, and the six citizens killed in the rampage that...

Heroes, humility and healing in Tucson
This day started out on a discordant note with a tin-ear video from Sarah Palin. An eight-minute defensive message that pointed fingers while demanding that fingers not be pointed at her. Her tone was wrong. Her words were ill-chosen. Her message ill-timed for a nation in need of healing. Thankfully, hers was not the last voice to be heard today. Speaker John Boehner (D-Ohio) spoke on the floor of the House. So, too, did House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.). Both struck the statesman-li...

Read: Obamas Remarks as Tucson Memorial
Courtesy of Politico: To the families of those we’ve lost; to all who called them friends; to the Students of this university, the public servants gathered tonight, and the people of Tucson and Arizona: I have come here tonight as an American who, like all Americans, kneels to pray with you today, and will stand by you tomorrow. There is nothing I can say that will fill the sudden hole torn in your hearts. But know this: the hopes of a nation are here tonight. We mourn with you for the f...

Jews Troubled By Palin's Use Of 'Blood Libel'
By Nicole Neroulias Religion News Service (RNS) Four days after an Assassination attempt critically wounded a Jewish congresswoman and killed six others, Sarah Palin on Wednesday (Jan. 12) accused "Journalists and pundits" of Manufacturing a "blood Libel" that seeks to link her and other Conservatives to the massacre. The "blood Libel" language unsettled many Jewish groups, who say the term has been used for centuries to justify persecution of Jews. "Blood Libel" is often traced to the Gospel...

Obama Arizona Speech: FULL TEXT
TUCSON, Ariz. — Summoning the soul of a nation, President Barack Obama on Wednesday implored Americans to honor those slain and injured in the Arizona shootings by becoming better people, telling a polarized citizenry that it is time to talk with each other “in a way that heals, not in a way wounds.” Following a Hospital bedside visit with Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, the target of the Assassination, he said: “She knows we’re here, and she knows we love her.” In a...

Ann Coulter's Justifications for Murder
It is tragic that it took the attempted Assassination of Rep. Gabrielle Giffords and the Murder and wounding of 18 others to bring home to most of us the horror of years of rightwing violence, threats of violence, and public Murder fantasies. While the actual views of alleged shooter Jared Loughner are hazy, and whether far rightwing influences on his thinking played any role in his motives for the shooting remains to be seen, we find ourselves nevertheless talking about the climate of hate a...

President Obamas Inspiring Speech Asks Americans to be Worthy of the 9 Year Old Victims Image of Democracy
A balm does not heal but soothe an open wound and that’s what President Obama applied tonight over the hurt of a nation. At times his words soared - as he had done before in campaign speeches and or in the face of a moral challenge. But tonight the president seemed more the loving husband and father - reminding us that after sudden tragedies we survivors often ask: did I say I love you today? But deeper still, as the father of two daughters  - one of whom, Natasha, w...

Joe Wilsons You Lie Slogan Offered On Commemorative Assault Rifles
The Palmetto State Armory just released a commemorative, limited edition “you lie” Assault Rifle, repeating the phrase made popular by Rep. Joe Wilson’s (R-SC) deplorable break in civility during President Obama’s Health Care Speech in 2009. Palmetto State Armory’s webpage was quickly taken down after the story broke, but the Columbia Free Times captured an image from the site of Wilson holding a rifle and showing the “you lie” inscription etched on to...

Obama urges nation to speak healing words in Ariz.
TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) — Summoning the soul of a nation, President Barack Obama on Wednesday implored Americans to honor those slain and injured in the Arizona shootings by becoming better people, telling a polarized citizenry that it is time to talk with each other “in a way that heals, not in a way wounds.” Following a Hospital bedside visit with Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, the target of the Assassination, he said: “She knows we’re here, and she knows we love her.”...

Obama: 'I believe we can be better'
President Barack Obama, seeking to gently guide the country towards healing and greater civility, called on Americans Wednesday to pay tribute to the Victims of an Assassination attempt against Arizona Rep. Gabrielle Giffords by bringing a new sense of respect to the nation’s political discourse. “If this tragedy prompts reflection and debate, as it should, let’s make sure it’s worthy of those we have lost,” Obama said, addressing a capacity audience at memorial s...

Obama: Polarized Nation Needs Healing
TUCSON, Ariz. - Summoning the soul of a nation, President Barack Obama on Wednesday implored Americans to honor those slain and injured in the Arizona shootings by becoming better people, telling a polarized citizenry that it is time to talk with each other "in a way that heals, not in a way wounds." Following a Hospital bedside visit with Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, the target of the Assassination, he said: "She knows we're here, and she knows we love her." In a memorably dramatic moment, the pres...

Sarah Palin, David Wynn Miller, and the Ministry of Truth
The conservative/Republican version of Orwell’s Ministry of “Truth” is at it again, hijacking and corrupting yet another set of words — this time it’s “blood Libel”. As DailyKos diarist HeidiEight notes, it’s not just Sarah Palin doing it, but also John Hayward of the rabidly right-wing mag Human Events (see screen shot above), right-wing blogger and now Wall Street Journal writer Glenn “Instapundit” Reynolds, and right-wing blogger And...

Obama leads mourning of Arizona shooting victims
TUCSON, Arizona (Reuters) - President Barack Obama mourned the Victims of an Arizona shooting spree on Wednesday and urged Americans not to let the debate over the tragedy be used as "one more occasion to turn on one another." In an emotional address to thousands of people who packed a Tucson arena for a memorial service, Obama said no one knew what prompted a gunman to go on a rampage that killed six people and critically wounded Representative Gabrielle Giffords. He warned against seeking "sim...

Obama: May good come of Arizona tragedy
Invoking the memory of a slain 9-year-old girl, a solemn President Obama on Wednesday night urged Americans to "live up to her expectations" and shelve bitter politics as the nation grieves for the Victims of Saturday's attack outside a Tucson, Ariz., Supermarket that left six people dead and more than a dozen others, including Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, seriously injured. Mr. Obama's address at a deeply emotional memorial service capped a day of mourning that began earlier in the House of Represe...