Loughner shoots Palin and Angles political careers to death

Rush Limbaugh Blasts Critics Linking Talk Radio to Shootings...
Yahoo! Buzz Rush Limbaugh defended himself against suggestions that the heated Rhetoric sometimes found on political programs influenced the shootings in Arizona. Since the violent incident last weekend, a debate has erupted in the media about whether political Talk Shows influenced Jared Lee Loughner, the man accused of killing six people in Arizona and critically wounding Rep. Gabrielle Giffords. Talking about Loughner on his radio program, Limbaugh said, “We know he listened to heavy me...

Sarah Palin Invokes Anti-Semitic Term Blood Libel in Reaction to Arizona Shootings
There has been extensive discussion about whether intensified hateful Rhetoric used in partisan debate may have incited accused Arizona shooter Jared Loughner to try to assassinate Rep. Gabrielle Giffords at her Congress on the Corner event Saturday, wounding 13 others and killing six.  Loughner himself has not yet explicitly expressed a motive, though Law Enforcement has uncovered evidence indicating an extreme political dislike for Giffords. Journalists such as Keith Olbermann and others ...

Jewish Groups Denounce Sarah Palin's Usage Of The Term "Blood Libel"
Think Progress reports that Jewish groups are denouncing Sarah Palin's usage of the term "blood Libel." As most of you doubtlessly know, "blood libel" refers to the anti-Semitic claim that Jews use the blood of Christian babies to make matzoh. Such claims have been used to Murder hundreds of Jews. From the Jewish lobbying group, J Street: J Street is saddened by Governor Palin’s use of the term “blood Libel.” The country’s attention is rightfully focused on the memorial service for

Palin Accuses Critics of 'Blood Libel' (updated)
Far from backing down, Sarah Palin defended herself today against critics who linked her Rhetoric to the Arizona shootings, accusing them of the long-condemned anti-Semitic slur "blood Libel." Palin opponents noted soon after the shooting of Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-Ariz.) that left six people dead that Palin had posted a map on her website last fall with gun sights on 20 districts, including Giffords'. She announced it with a tweet: "Don't Retreat, Instead - RELOAD!&quo...;

Heroes of Tucson
It is an instinct that is inherent in the animal kingdom and was present on January 8, 2011 when Jared Loughner opened fire with a Glocker gun spraying bullets at a crowd of people in Tucson. The heroes are mainly everyday Americans like Patricia Maisch a 61 year old that heeded the call to capture the magazine before Loughner reloaded his gun. She grabbed it and actually tackled him to the ground and Bill Badger jumped in and sat on him to stop him from shooting again. It as at this moment that...

The Political Consequences of Violence
I believe that The New Yorker’s George Packer has mistaken the meaning of a line in my column this week. He writes: Douthat wrote, in the spirit of phony equivalence, “If overheated Rhetoric and martial imagery really led inexorably to Murder, then both parties would belong in the dock,” but also this: “the Attempted Murder of a Democratic congresswoman is a potential gift to Liberalism.” In other words, everyone goes over the line now and then, no one actually want...

Palin denounces critics over shootings
In a forceful and unapologetic statement released early Wednesday, Sarah Palin dismissed critics who had suggested that the former Alaska Governor's Firearms-infused Rhetoric contributed to the shootings in Tucson that killed six and wounded 14, including U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, contending they "incite the hatred and violence they purport to condemn." "Like many, I've spent the past few days reflecting on what happened and praying for guidance," Palin said. "After this shocking tragedy, I...

Jewish Groups: We Are Deeply Disturbed By Palins Use Of Anti-Semitic Term Blood Libel,
Source: Think Progress Jewish Groups: ‘We Are Deeply Disturbed’ By Palin’s Use Of Anti-Semitic Term ‘Blood Libel,’ She Should Apologize » On a day when the president and the nation are mourning the Victims of the tragic shooting in Tucson, former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin (R) is trying to seize the spotlight to mourn her tarnished reputation. Palin apparently views herself among the real Victims of the tragic shooting this weekend that killed six and wounded 14. This morning, Pal

Why Sarah Palin's 'blood libel' was a poor choice of words
Sarah Palin feels victimized by critics who accuse her of helping to create an angry political climate that led to the Tucson shootings, and she has a point. She chose a truly unfortunate way to make it, using the phrase "blood Libel." Here's the context, from Palin's eight-minute video statement on the shooting: "Especially within hours of a tragedy unfolding, Journalists and pundits should not manufacture a blood libel that serves only to incite the very hatred and violence they purport to con...

Loughner Was Stopped, Warned About Running Red Light Saturday Morning
What is this? Neighbors watch the media outside the Loughner home in Tucson. Neighbors watch the media outside the Loughner home in Tucson. "A wildlife officer pulled over the suspect in the Assassination attempt against an Arizona congresswoman less than three hours before the deadly attack," the Associated Press writes. "Jared Loughner ran a red light but was let off with a warning at 7:30 a.m. Saturday, the Arizona Game and Fish Department said. The officer took Loughner's driver's license an...

Loughner Was Stopped, Warned About Running Red Light Saturday Morning
What is this? Neighbors watch the media outside the Loughner home in Tucson. Neighbors watch the media outside the Loughner home in Tucson. "A wildlife officer pulled over the suspect in the Assassination attempt against an Arizona congresswoman less than three hours before the deadly attack," the Associated Press writes. "Jared Loughner ran a red light but was let off with a warning at 7:30 a.m. Saturday, the Arizona Game and Fish Department said. The officer took Loughner's driver's license an...

Friend: Loughner wasn't political, not left or right (two years out of date; Zeitgeist)
On Good Morning America, Zach Osler - a former friend of Gabrielle Giffords shooter Jared Lee Loughner - said the following about Loughner (video below): He did not watch TV. He disliked the news. He didn’t listen to political radio. He didn’t take sides. He wasn’t on the left. He wasn’t on the right. However, in the same interview, Osler admits not having seen Loughner for two years. Obviously, a lot can happen in two years, but don't expect partisan hacks to acknowledge that or i

Palin: Attacks on Conservatives Over Tuscon Massacre Constitute Blood Libel
I was struck by today’s response of Sarah Palin to criticism that her Rhetoric and “targeting” of Rep. Gifford’s district may have added to the recent massacre in Tuscon. In fairness to Palin, the family stated today that Jared Loughner did not watch news or listen to Talk Radio. However, I was most interested in her claim that the attacks against her and conservative commentators amounted to a “blood Libel.” But, especially within hours of a tragedy unfolding...

Officers Stopped Suspect on Day of Ariz. Shooting
TUCSON, Ariz. (AP)-- The suspect in a deadly Arizona shooting ran a red light and was stopped by a wildlife officer less than three hours before the attack that wounded Rep. Gabrielle Giffords. The Arizona Game and Fish Department says an officer stopped Jared Loughner at about 7:30 a.m. Saturday. You must login to comment. The Fox Nation is for those opposed to intolerance, excessive government control of our lives, and attempts to monopolize opinion or suppress freedom of thought, expression, ...

Shot US lawmaker less sedated: doctor
The US lawmaker shot through the head in an attack which killed six people in Tucson is becoming "more and more spontaneous" as medics reduce the sedatives she is on, a doctor said Wednesday. In an update on congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, trauma chief Peter Rhee of the University Medical Center said he was encouraged by her progress, and the fact that she had not taken a turn for the worse four days after the attack. "Things can go very slowly and the progress can occur very rapidly at some...

Does Moderation Work?
In The Conversation, David Brooks and Gail Collins talk between columns every Wednesday. Tags: Gabrielle Giffords, Tucson shooting Susan Walsh/Associated PressGabrielle Giffords, a moderate in the most immoderate state in the union. Gail Collins: David, we can’t not talk about the shootings in Tucson. I know you’ve been wanting a more moderate and sane political dialogue. But I am sorry to admit that one of my thoughts is that the aftermath of Tucson proves h...

Loughner's Father Chased Alleged Shooter Into Desert On Saturday
In the hours before Jared Lee Loughner allegedly tried to assassinate Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-AZ) and killed six others, his father chased him into the desert as he carried a mysterious black bag in his hand, the Associated Press reported. Police also said that at 7:30 a.m. that same morning, Loughner was stopped by a wildlife officer after he ran a red light but was let off with a warning, according to the AP. The officer, the Arizona Game and Fish Department said, looked at Loughner's dri...

Jon Stewart, Reactionary
The clearest sign of the political cowardice and intellectual impotence of liberal America is its collective worship of Jon Stewart. Once upon a time, The Daily Show was probably funny - that’s presumably why it appears on Comedy Central. But Stewart long ago turned into the Oprah Winfrey for urban hipsters, his self-appointment as the arbiter-in-chief of smirking moderation masking a profoundly reactionary worldview. Stewart is reaping accolades this week for his handling on Monday night of...

'Blood libel'
'BLOOD Libel'.... If the goal of Sarah Palin's Speechwriters was to get lots of attention, it worked. Her use of the phrase "blood libel" this morning has sparked quite a bit of discussion. In context, the half-term Governor, speaking by way of a pre-recorded video because she can't handle interviews, argued that "Journalists and pundits" had manufactured "a blood libel," which in turn may "incite ... hatred and violence." Palin was a little vague as to what, exactly, constituted "blood libel,...

Charles Krauthammer: 'The origins of Jared Loughner's delusions are clear: mental illness. What are the origins of Paul Krugman'
Pulitzer Prize-winning syndicated columnist, political commentator, and physician, Charles Krauthammer, so often a voice of sanity and reason (he is, after all, a Psychiatrist) ... says today exactly what's been needing to be said, in what Peter Wehner refers to as "a 'spectacularly good column' that concludes with a devastating knockout of the New York Times columnist Paul Krugman." Here are a few excerpts to pique your interest. The money quote is "The origins of [Jared] Loughner's delusions ...

The Arizona massacre libel
Image by Getty Images via @daylife Charles Krauthammer: The charge: The Tucson massacre is a consequence of the "climate of hate" created by Sarah Palin, the Tea Party, Glenn Beck, ObamaCare opponents and sundry other liberal betes noires. The verdict: Rarely in American political discourse has there been a charge so reckless, so scurrilous and so unsupported by evidence. As killers go, Jared Loughner is not reticent. Yet among all his writings, postings, videos and other ravings - and in all...

Jewish Groups: We Are Deeply Disturbed By Palins Use Of Anti-Semitic Term Blood Libel, She Should Apologize
On a day when the president and the nation are mourning the Victims of the tragic shooting in Tucson, former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin (R) is trying to seize the spotlight to mourn her tarnished reputation. Palin apparently views herself among the real Victims of the tragic shooting this weekend that killed six and wounded 14. This morning, Palin launched an aggressive Facebook and web-video campaign to counter what she deemed a “blood Libel” against her by the media to connect her i...

Jewish Groups Respond to Palin's "Blood Libel"
We are deeply disturbed by Fox News commentator Sarah Palin's decision to characterize as a "blood Libel" the criticism directed at her following the Terrorist Attack in Tucson. The term "blood Libel" is not a synonym for "false accusation." It refers to a specific falsehood perpetuated by Christians about Jews for centuries, a falsehood that motivated a good deal of anti-Jewish violence and Discrimination. Unless someone has been accusing Ms. Palin of killing Christian babies and making matzoh ...

"He did not watch TV. He disliked the news. He didnt listen to political radio. He didnt take sides. He wasnt on the left. He wa
Said one of Jared Loughner's friends. For those of you who still want to argue, straining against the evidence, that the terrible political Rhetoric pushed Loughner over the line, let me help you. I've studied law for 30 years, and I know how to extract an argument using what little is available. Ready? Here goes... The overheated Rhetoric in America was so repugnant that Jared Loughner couldn't bear to engage with it. Alienated and left to his own thoughts, he became mentally disordered, lead...

Questions for Charles Krauthammer and others on the right
I agree with Charles Krauthammer: It's wrong to blame the Arizona shooting on any specific conservative commentators or individuals, as he argues in his column this morning. But in the spirit of civil debate that everyone is suddenly clamoring for, I have a couple of follow up questions for him -- or anyone else who feels like answering them -- that I hope he will address, which he could do anytime he likes over on the Post Partisan opinion blog. Krauthammer argues that claim that the rhetor...