Arizona Congresswoman Shot in the Head at Public Event

[mookiemookie]

Originally Posted by Bubblehead1980

I was aware of your sarcasm.How can you write that pointing out the fact that the left is exploting this tragedy to advance their agenda constitutes hysterics? Perhaps just because you disagree with me.The left has a pattern of behavior when it comes to exploiting tragedies to advance their agenda and settle scores if possible.Clinton and the left after OKC is a great example.I was young and do not remember but from what I can tell and have read, they tried to peg it on Rush Limbaugh etc

I have mentioned several times that the Right would prob exploit this had the situation been reversed and I also pointed out that it is wrong to exploit this no matter who is on what side.

Just stop. Seriously. You have absolutely nothing to add to any of this.

[gimpy117]

Originally Posted by VipertheSniper

First up I'd like to offer my condolonces to all that have lost a loved one in this tragedy.

So this scumbag is mentally ill it appears, how did he get a gun legally? he did not have a criminal history. same Virginia tech shooter. If you have not been committed to a metal facility or went voluntarily you can still buy a gun

[Feuer Frei!]

Good news:

"Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, shot in Arizona, opens eyes for first time"

"They were in the Arizona Democrat's hospital room when they say she opened her eyes, shortly after she was visited by President Barack Obama."

Source

[Hottentot]

Obama did it . I don't know why, but that quote just made me smile, even if it's true. My first impression (as a non native speaker) was that Obama visited the congresswoman and lo and behold, she got better shortly after that!

Anyway, I'm glad she is getting better. That's at least one less funeral following this massacre, even if it won't bring the rest of the victims back.

[Gerald]

Saying he wants to live up to the dreams of a 9-year-old girl who perished in a Tucson parking lot last weekend, President Obama on Wednesday urged Americans to temper the political discourse now polarizing the public square.

In honoring the heroes and victims of a mass shooting that left six dead and 14 injured, including Arizona Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, the president directly addressed the ensuing national debate about rhetorical vitriol by pleading with Americans not to "use this tragedy as one more occasion to turn on one another."

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2011...orial-service/


Note: Update record, Published January 12, 2011

[Freiwillige]

Originally Posted by Takeda Shingen

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.

[Skybird]

Palin (and some others of the Tea Party) so often have used vicious rethorics and verbal vitriol that she has no right to complain if now, justified or not, she is beeing given a share of responsibility for the extreme polarisizing of the political climate and the often hate-filled atmosphere in political debates. For many, in my perception dominantly from the right wing, martial rethorics and ultra-aggressive verbal atacks seem to have become a purpose in itself. America seems to be uniquze, in these regards - protect by the claim for "unlimited free speech", everything is allowed and acceptable, even rightout lies and most vicious offenses. For much what is being used as rethorical ammunition mostlky by the Amerian right, in man y european countries you would be sued over charges of intentional character-assassination, libel and slander. Yes, these laws can be abused for censorship, and soemtimes it happens. But the American way, to offer unlimited freedom of speech, often leads to the abuse of free speech, and rethorics gaining dominance over argument and reason. Anf this is not worthy of America.

[tater]

Palin has not used "vicious" rhetoric (I'm not a Palin fan, and had you said she'd said plain "dumb" stuff, I'd agree—but not vicious, sorry), and has every right to complain about being made accessory to murder by the press, that idiot sheriff, and anyone else claiming the political climate is responsible for this when there is ZERO evidence that this nut was motivated by that (in fact, there is not even a suggestion of it).

"Vicious" would be that democrat from PA who said that an opposing pol should be shot (I quoted it up the thread a ways). THAT is vicious rhetoric.

tater

PS—Obama did a good job with the speech. The bit about living up to Christina Taylor Green's expectations was very moving. Well done.

[August]

Originally Posted by Skybird

Palin (and some others of the Tea Party) so often have used vicious rethorics and verbal vitriol that she has no right to complain if now, justified or not, she is beeing given a share of responsibility for the extreme polarisizing of the political climate and the often hate-filled atmosphere in political debates. For many, in my perception dominantly from the right wing, martial rethorics and ultra-aggressive verbal atacks seem to have become a purpose in itself. America seems to be uniquze, in these regards - protect by the claim for "unlimited free speech", everything is allowed and acceptable, even rightout lies and most vicious offenses. For much what is being used as rethorical ammunition mostlky by the Amerian right, in man y european countries you would be sued over charges of intentional character-assassination, libel and slander. Yes, these laws can be abused for censorship, and soemtimes it happens. But the American way, to offer unlimited freedom of speech, often leads to the abuse of free speech, and rethorics gaining dominance over argument and reason. Anf this is not worthy of America.

Well I am really sorry that we don't measure up to your expectations Skybird but, as usual, your perceptions of who is mostly this or is the lesser of that just do not portray an accurate picture of my country or it's people as a whole. As I have said before this is because you are looking at things through a telescope whose lenses are distorted, first by the cultural divide, but also by the biases and wishful thinking of your own media.

Now you can continue to disbelieve that and see those garbage Spiegel articles as gospel, but all that it really does is illustrate your own biases and wishful thinking.

Originally Posted by Feuer Frei!

Good news:

"Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, shot in Arizona, opens eyes for first time"

"They were in the Arizona Democrat's hospital room when they say she opened her eyes, shortly after she was visited by President Barack Obama."

Source

Unfortunately it is not true. The Sonoran Chronicle reported that Rep. Giffords could open her eyes on Sunday. (The Sonoron has since pulled the article.)


The bullet “traveled the entire length of the brain on the left side,” said Dr. Rhee, Chief Trauma Surgeon at the University Medical Center, at a press conference on Sunday. In terms of being shot in the head, this is “about as good as it’s going to get,” said Rhee.
Giffords can open her eyes, but because she is on a ventilator she can’t speak, said Rhee.

http://sonoranchronicle.com/2011/01/...can-open-eyes/

Edit: More........

Giffords is in a drug-induced coma in intensive care. Doctors frequently awaken her to check her responsiveness, and she could open her eyes and respond to simple commands Sunday - an encouraging sign, said Rhee said.

Posted Jan 9, 2011, 12:40 pm
http://www.tucsonsentinel.com/local/...ords_condition

[Bubblehead1980]

Originally Posted by mookiemookie

Just stop. Seriously. You have absolutely nothing to add to any of this.

Yes because you are the judge of it all right? Claim I am biased but you are truly biased.I have plenty to add, just not what you want to hear...

[Sailor Steve]

Originally Posted by Bubblehead1980

Yes because you are the judge of it all right? Claim I am biased but you are truly biased.I have plenty to add, just not what you want to hear...

He doesn't claim to be otherwise. You consistently post poorly-written diatribes against one side, and then pay a quick bit of lip-service admitting that "the other side 'prob' does it too". Your comments are in lock-step with the hard-core Right, and you offer nothing in the way of legitimate discussion.

Diatribe is not debate. Mookie's comment was valid and to the point. So far as the political discussions are concerned, you have yet to offer anything real.

Originally Posted by Sailor Steve

Mookie's comment was valid and to the point. So far as the political discussions are concerned, you have yet to offer anything real.

Why so judgemental?

[mookiemookie]

Originally Posted by Bubblehead1980

Yes because you are the judge of it all right? Claim I am biased but you are truly biased.I have plenty to add, just not what you want to hear...

Your behavior in this thread is especially offensive given the senseless tragedy that occurred. You're using people's deaths to engage in polemics and attempting to play the victim card for your "side". That's a slap in the face to the true victims here.

Have you opened your eyes and seen the world without looking through the lens of the far right? Can you think for yourself instead of taking the shortcut of having someone "analyze the news" and spoon feed you what you should be thinking? Honestly, have you ever objectively read something that conflicted with what you thought you knew the day before? Did it change your mind? Is your mind open to change? Can you get over your confirmation bias and achieve critical thinking?

Or do you read Hannity's blog, or Red State or a bunch of blogs written by people who believe the same things you do, and say that's it, I've got it all figured out. I'm educated, my eyes are wide open. Guess what - you don't, you're not, and they aint. Your comments are inflammatory and shallow and expose you for the political hack you are.

But there is hope. You can educate yourself. But you have to be prepared for some discomfort. You have to be prepared to accept certain ideas. The idea that YOU MAY BE WRONG. And everyone you read MIGHT BE WRONG.

You could do these things and then have something to offer when talking about politics here. But I doubt it. And the worst part is you vote. God help us all.

Originally Posted by mookiemookie

Your behavior in this thread is especially offensive given the senseless tragedy that occurred. You're using people's deaths to engage in polemics and attempting to play the victim card for your "side". That's a slap in the face to the true victims here.

Have you opened your eyes and seen the world without looking through the lens of the far right? Can you think for yourself instead of taking the shortcut of having someone "analyze the news" and spoon feed you what you should be thinking? Honestly, have you ever objectively read something that conflicted with what you thought you knew the day before? Did it change your mind? Is your mind open to change? Can you get over your confirmation bias and achieve critical thinking?

Or do you read Hannity's blog, or Red State or a bunch of blogs written by people who believe the same things you do, and say that's it, I've got it all figured out. I'm educated, my eyes are wide open. Guess what - you don't, you're not, and they aint. Your comments are inflammatory and shallow and expose you for the political hack you are.

But there is hope. You can educate yourself. But you have to be prepared for some discomfort. You have to be prepared to accept certain ideas. The idea that YOU MAY BE WRONG. And everyone you read MIGHT BE WRONG.

You could do these things and then have something to offer when talking about politics here. But I doubt it. And the worst part is you vote. God help us all.

I see even the left didn't heed Obama's message .. to talk with each other "in a way that heals, not in a way that wounds."

Good, now we can get on with the conflict of vision.