Congress woman Reportedly Shot Point Blank in Head at Meeting with Constituents

[Matt McKenzie]

No need to hang this on a nut job..."We have met the enemy, and he is us!" - Pogo

This is not about the 2nd Amendment, but it may prompt us to consider the responsible use of our 1st Amendment rights.

Has the rhetoric gotten out of hand?

Snick - I survived the 60's! Not so sure anymore...

Please don't start the whole, "he did this because of hate speech", stuff. It isn't rhetoric that makes crazy people do crazy things. It isn't rock music and it isn't video games. It isn't about gun control and it isn't about immigration. It isn't about Dem or Republican or liberal or conservative. Sometimes crazy people do crazy things. They may become serial killers or they may shoot up a high school or they might go into an Amish community and kill a bunch of children. They might even blow up a Federal government building or mail letter bombs. Idiots on both sides of the political spectrum will attempt to attach him to the other side, but the truth is he's just a crazy guy who isn't a liberal or a conservative or a Democrat or a Republican. He's just a lunatic.
Let's focus on the innocent victims of this guy's lunacy and pray for them and their families and friends. What a tragedy.

[depittydawg]

You can believe that the anti gun nuts will be all over it.

?????? Anti Gun Nuts????? Your barking up the wrong tree. I don't see any "anti gun nuts" pulling triggers. I see right wing "nuts", incited by irresponsible leaders like Sarah Palin and the crazy Governor from Az! This congresswoman has been under attack by natioanl and local right wing media, pundits, and leadership for a long time.
I agree, this is NOT a second amendment issue. But it is an issue that involves the hatred and intolerance that has become such a normal occurrence within the right wing leadership. The sick bastard that pulled this trigger has had months of encouragement to pull the trigger. That, is where this debate needs to go. Not, to the 2nd amendment.

[Hoosier]

?????? Anti Gun Nuts????? Your barking up the wrong tree. I don't see any "anti gun nuts" pulling triggers. I see right wing "nuts", incited by irresponsible leaders like Sarah Palin and the crazy Governor from Az! This congresswoman has been under attack by natioanl and local right wing media, pundits, and leadership for a long time.
I agree, this is NOT a second amendment issue. But it is an issue that involves the hatred and intolerance that has become such a normal occurrence within the right wing leadership. The sick bastard that pulled this trigger has had months of encouragement to pull the trigger. That, is where this debate needs to go. Not, to the 2nd amendment.

That's about the biggest bunch of BS I've ever read on this forum. Normal people don't do shit like that, no matter what their political beliefs

[Snicklefritz]

Please don't start the whole, "he did this because of hate speech", stuff. It isn't rhetoric that makes crazy people do crazy things. It isn't rock music and it isn't video games. It isn't about gun control and it isn't about immigration. It isn't about Dem or Republican or liberal or conservative. Sometimes crazy people do crazy things. They may become serial killers or they may shoot up a high school or they might go into an Amish community and kill a bunch of children. They me tht even blow up a Federal government building or mail letter bombs. Idiots on both sides of the political spectrum will attempt to attach him to the other side, but the truth is he's just a crazy guy who isn't a liberal or a conservative or a Democrat or a Republican. He's just a lunatic.
Let's focus on the innocent victims this guy's lunacy and pray for them and their families and friends. What a I tragedy.

Well...you seem to be assured about what this is NOT about! It's about 'lunatics'! Please google the stats about about mental illness in the US. The numbers are staggering. Then we can all go to bed and just write the whole thing off as a mental aberation.

BTW - I think you're right about remembering the suffering of the survivors.

Snick

[Snicklefritz]

That's act the biggest bunch of BS I've ever read on this forum. Normal people don't do shit like that, no matter what their political beliefs

(emphasis mine)

OK, write it off as the act of an 'abnormal' individual, and sleep well in the knowledge that 'normal' people are just not affected by what other people say. Madison Avenue might disagree.

BTW - your post is a case in point about the level of rhetoric.

Snick

[depittydawg]

That's about the biggest bunch of BS I've ever read on this forum. Normal people don't do shit like that, no matter what their political beliefs

Well all I will say is that to ignor the power of media is to ignor reality. Media moves people. Especially radically charged people. Period. I suggest you study the history of Germany, Iran, or for a very recent example the impact of hate radio in Rwanda in the nineties. You seem very strong in your beliefs, or denials. If you have an open mind at all, I suggest you do some research into the power media has over people.

[Marvin S]

I agree with all that this was a tragedy that should not have happened & feel some compassion for all directly involved.

Some random thoughts:

While it is no excuse for what happened- the Congress critter doesn't sound as moderate as dback described her according to news reports. I was taught as a young man that you are responsible for your own actions. Did the congresscritter do a little inciting on her own?

For those on the MaryJane thread - apparently this guy was a user, kind of belittles your argument about it not affecting the mental stability of users!!!!!!!!!!!

If it would have been an R, would BHO have dispatched the FBI Director, I think not & don't want to find out.

Were I in charge I would make sure everyone involved with this nut case was thoroughly vetted. & if it was found that they in any way encouraged this to happen or thought it might I would sign them up as accomplices. In the bureaucracies desire to deinstitutionalize these people too many dangerous people are on the streets. I believe that to be an ACLU & government issue as they are responsible for that.

just my worth!!!!!!!!!

[Nor_Cal_Angler]

Well all I will say is that to ignor the power of media is to ignor reality. Media moves people. Especially radically charged people. Period. I suggest you study the history of Germany, Iran, or for a very recent example the impact of hate radio in Rwanda in the nineties. You seem very strong in your beliefs, or denials. If you have an open mind at all, I suggest you do some research into the power media has over people.

My research, has lead me to the sound reasoning that the Left Wing Media that controls the overwhelming majority of the "news" today has done much to radically charge people. If you have an open mind, I challenge you to openly accept that radical progressive, liberal media vehemently attacked the two policical person's you charged in your first post more than any right wing media source's attack's on political person's of the left.

This act of violence is not or should not be a means for this nation to futher the finger pointing...these are trying times for this nation, it isnt a suprise to me at least that something like this would happen...it is sad, and a terrible thing to have happen but tough times brings out the worst or the best in some people....

Lets all take a moment, pause and reflect, is this something that we want to control our mindset with regard towards one another...or is this something that we can gather strength from and come together.

NCA

[BrianW]

I see right wing "nuts", incited by irresponsible leaders like Sarah Palin and the crazy Governor from Az! .
I agree, this is NOT a second amendment issue. But it is an issue that involves the hatred and intolerance that has become such a normal occurrence within the right wing leadership. The sick bastard that pulled this trigger has had months of encouragement to pull the trigger. That, is where this debate needs to go.

Question for you newlab; In the "irresponsible leaders" and "months of encouragement", do you find ANY culpability in the President's rhetoric as well? What do you think THAT does to someone who may be on the edge?

Now I am NOT condoning the actions of Loughner by any means. But to point the finger at the "right wing" only is to ignore the level escalated by both sides. When the leader of your nation calls you "the enemy" because you oppose his policies for "fundamentally transforming the country", how long does it take for a mentally unstable person to say "Ok, I am."
You post to "study the history of Germany", when the Speaker of the House describes those on the other side of the aisle as "Nazis" when they are actually opposing the national socialism of health care, industry, finance, et al, what does that do to the amount of vitriol?

There are no "clean hands" on either side of this tragedy.

Let us all hope that there are no more actions along these lines and ALL of our national leaders take a step back and think VERY carefully about their statements/responses/future actions in the wake of this shooting in Tucson, and don't light any more fuses that are out there just waiting for the smallest of sparks.

My deepest sympathies and prayers go out to all those touched by today's events.

[david gibson]

i was wondering how long it would take until someone would blame an entire political segment for the actions of a lone lunatic.

a sad, sad day indeed, in more ways than one.