Arizona Congresswoman Shot in the Head at Public Event

[VipertheSniper]

Originally Posted by Takeda Shingen

Yeah, it is pretty ridiculous, isn't it? Personally, I am tired of this wild speculation, so I am calling people on it. I apologize if I offended you in any way; it was not my intent.

No need to apologize. I was just worried this could take a turn for the worse.

[tater]

Originally Posted by DarkFish

Was it more violent because politics were more polarized, or because life itself was more violent?

I've read what was written in the papers during various old elections. I'd say it was at least as polarized as right now. Times were also more violent. Basically, no matter how you slice it things are better now than the past.

BTW, an ex congressman, Paul Kanjorski, D-Pa., just said this in the NYT:

We all lose an element of freedom when security considerations distance public officials from the people. Therefore, it is incumbent on all Americans to create an atmosphere of civility and respect in which political discourse can flow freely, without fear of violent confrontation.

Pretty reasonable.

Course this is what the same guy said last October:

That Scott down there that's running for governor of Florida," Mr. Kanjorski said. "Instead of running for governor of Florida, they ought to have him and shoot him. Put him against the wall and shoot him. He stole billions of dollars from the United States government and he's running for governor of Florida. He's a millionaire and a billionaire. He's no hero. He's a damn crook. It's just we don't prosecute big crooks.

[CaptainHaplo]

Actually - I'm ordained if that helps.......

On the topic of the westboro idiots - there are mass plans to blockade them off - and a group of hells angels has be "invited" by a local riding club to assist..

I wonder if this is gonna be one of those:
Gee - look - the cops can't see whats going on - oh they fell down and got all bloody - look at them running back to their vehicle..... what happened to protesting????

Not that I condone that kind of thing......

[tater]

Hmmm, if I start talking about what to do to those Hillsboro idiots, it won't be very civil at all...

[Takeda Shingen]

Originally Posted by CaptainHaplo

Actually - I'm ordained if that helps.......

On the topic of the westboro idiots - there are mass plans to blockade them off - and a group of hells angels has be "invited" by a local riding club to assist..

I wonder if this is gonna be one of those:
Gee - look - the cops can't see whats going on - oh they fell down and got all bloody - look at them running back to their vehicle..... what happened to protesting????

Not that I condone that kind of thing......

And there have been a lot of groups that have been pretty effective at minimizing the impact that Westboro has on the funerals. It is a shame that it comes down to that, and that people would try to use someone's grief in such a horrible manner.

[mookiemookie]

They've made a living shocking people. They're just publicity whores.

The video of them being attacked was pretty good:

[Takeda Shingen]

Some good news: Congresswoman Giffords is breathing on her own now:

http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE70A56E20110111

EDIT: Or that she is able to breathe on her own. They are still taking precautions against pneumonia.

[Armistead]

They vowed to picket Elisabeth Edwards Funeral here in NC, don't recall if they ever showed up, but I think not.....

[Skybird]

Superb and very differentiated comment, unfortunately only in German.

Link

[Bubblehead1980]

Originally Posted by Takeda Shingen

Really? They said that speech against Democrats and Obama should be banned? That's outrageous. We need to do something.

[Takeda Shingen]

Originally Posted by Bubblehead1980

I was simply repeating your hysterics. And yes, I continue to find them distasteful.

Blood libel?????
OK you could let Palins camp get away with nonsense about them really depicting surveyors instruments as that was so laughable, but to now claim they are the victims and to use such phrases really sinks Palin to new lows.

[Radtgaeb]

Originally Posted by breadcatcher101

No surprise there, Skybird.

Almost all of us, although many are armed, have no intent to inflict such carnage.

I for one am armed for defensive purposes only, not against the goverment but against the criminal elements we have here. My wife and family all know how to handle firearms myself ever since I was age 10.

We all target shoot for enjoyment, some of us hunt, and all are armed just in case you have a home invasion.

Being from the South, this act we speak of, trying to kill an unarmed woman who meant you no harm is unspeakable to us.

In the old days in these parts he would have been hanged and remembered as a coward for his deeds.

Today he will probably never be executed but kept locked up why others ponder his actions and wonder why.

[Takeda Shingen]

Originally Posted by Tribesman

Blood libel?????
OK you could let Palins camp get away with nonsense about them really depicting surveyors instruments as that was so laughable, but to now claim they are the victims and to use such phrases really sinks Palin to new lows.

I will give you that 'blood libel' was yet another poor selection of words by Sarah Palin, but aside from that, she does have a very good point. People jumped all over her for the picture on her website. People can call it 'unicode 2316' if that makes them feel more justified in their views, but the bottom line is that it was designed to look like a target reticule. However, the so-called Tea Party's message was also clear; they were unhappy with the voting records of certain politicians and were targeting their districts in attempts to get out the vote. There was no advocacy of assasination, and attemps to imply that there was are both diststasteful and insensitive.

Yes, it is true that Giffords herself was on television calling that image as advocacy of assasination. She was playing the political game, just like that all do; over react and make noise to demonize the opposition. There is no justification for what happened to her, but to imply that Palin is responsible is just as disgusting as other attempts to skew this tragedy for political gain.

[Tchocky]

Anyone catch Monday's Daily Show? I thought Jon hit the nail on the head in a fairly serious way.