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Saturday, January 8, 2011

Shooting of AZ Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, Judge John Roll, and others

Presently there are around 130 comments on this item in the Olympian (http://www.theolympian.com/2011/01/08/1499138/congressional-officials-say-congresswoman.html), and IMO, the following comment is the best written and most reasoned of the lot:
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vagabond220  Just now

This is a political assassination on our own soil, not in some banana republic or Taliban stronghold. This happened in America to a duly elected representative of the people. Congresswoman Giffords had just blogged a couple hours before this assassination attempt for the people of her district to meet her, discuss their concerns as American citizens outside a simple establishment like a grocery store. She’d held other such gatherings to be more in touch. Now, just how many elected officials will continue with this type of outreach? When the slightly more deranged individual takes matters into their own hands with the ultimate violent intention to harm or even assassinate a public official, we become a less free nation. We’ve certainly become a less caring nation; hardly restoring honor, by any measure.

Hate, disregard for a human life, and pettiness in general has driven many over the edge - "toocoldinwa" and his ilk are but a version of this hatred in America, albeit timid - hopefully. For him to be so glib, so light with this event is a great example of limited compassion. I am sure President Obama and John McCain are both abhorred by this, that Speaker Boehner and former Speaker Pelosi also share their prayers and thoughts – and then at this moment, people like “toocold” are making light of an American being shot down. Shameful!

From Timothy McVeigh to the person who shot this duly elected official, domestic terrorism is truly perpetrated by lazy hatred, those easily swayed and fed limited talking points. Imagine how the Congresswoman’s husband, a man whose served his country uniform, feels that in a free country, his spouse has been shot by a fringe lunatic. Mr. Giffords and others who serve are the true believers in restoring honor and dignity in our country and around the world, not those who just talk the talk or spew the hate.

The sources of hatred, violence and those who in one way or another want to kill freedom in our nation, those who believe their way is the only way, and that other views must be wiped off the face of this great nation, must be exposed. Congresswoman Giffords decided to serve her country by serving the people, and she was elected by the people. By the People! Her political views should have nothing to do with this horrific act. Disagree with hers or anyone’s views, but don’t sanction, make light of or even fuel domestic terrorism against an American.

Hate speech inspires and motivates easily swayed people. There are endless examples in the history of the world. Take that another step forward and “villainize” the opposition (even citizens of this nation), then you have soldiers (be they bloggers, domestic terrorists or disgruntled citizens who think we are not a nation of laws) who willingly do the bidding of those leaders. It’s when people are so cold, like “toocoldinwa” that they play the limited sound bite talking points even when there has been an assassination in America! Our nation just became a bit less civil because of it.

To think her opponent for this public election fueled the fire of hate with his ads before the election only shows just how far the hatred in this country has become the new normal.

I for one will not allow America to be taken down to such low levels of disrespect, dishonor and disgust! This is not the America my parents, both WWII Vets fought for. They strived for a more dignified and stronger America; where a sense of community meant more than everyone for themselves, and that respectful and thoughtful discourse were as much part of the American dream as the right to tactfully disagree They walked the walk and I learned by their example.

My thoughts go out to the Congresswoman and her family. I am truly saddened by this senseless act against of violence her family, the citizens of her district, the freedom loving Americans and ultimately against Congresswoman Giffords .

Read more: http://www.theolympian.com/2011/01/08/1499138/congressional-officials-say-congresswoman.html#disqus_thread#ixzz1AUC37oxj

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9 comments:

Anonymous98507 said...

Ridiculous comment posted by "Caestus":

Caestus Just now
Interesting.
I've reported two incidents to the police where I was personally called out to be "shot in the head repeatedly" by two regular commenters on this forum....


Sheesh. Is Caestus equating herself and her "importance" to someone like Rep. Giffords, a duly elected representative of the State of Arizona?

Anonymous98507 said...

More proof that the righties just can't resist reading here:

radec Just now in reply to Caestus
Your comment was just posted on the local left wing hate blog. They think you are equating yourself with Giffords. The dunderheads will never get it, will they?


Gee, "radec", you're the "dunderhead" here.... haven't you heard about the stalking laws? Apparently not, or you wouldn't keep giving us proof, should we decide to take action, that you are a full-blown stalker.

Spinnaker said...

The Righties are falling all over themselves to express their horror, sympathy, and condolences. Actually, it's been refreshing to see, and I'll take their word for their sincerity.

And yet ... I can't help but wonder what the comments would have been like if the victim had been someone like Senator Kyl ...

Spinnaker said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Anonymous98507 said...

Sensible words posted to the O article:

rand Just now
Palin, Beck and Hannity need to "man up" to the fact that they have blood on their hands, plain and simple. Since they claim to be true Americans, I'm sure they will.

The Sheriff of Pima County (74 yrs old so I think he has seen and hears a lot) said tonight (I paraphrase) - "The level of vitriol, hate and discord in this country is at an all time high. Folks in television and radio have promoted this" and his next comment is a direct quote - "It might be freedom of speech, but it has consequences"

The rhetoric of Palin, Beck and Hannity has fanned the flames and the chickens are starting to come home to roost. Palins website (with cute little gunsights) is down, fancy that.

Mama Bear realized, "gee I might have said the wrong stuff" You betcha!!

I spent 3 years in the Army including a year in Viet Nam so Americans could have the right of Free Speech, even if some of my fellow citizens have I.Q's equal to their shoe size.

Words can, and do kill. Think about that Mama Bear, Beck and Hannity. You should be ashamed.

Anon_the_Great said...

Spin, you are a better person than I. I will not grant them any quarter.

The faux sympathy shown by people who daily use eliminationist rhetoric is the product of their fear of being held accountable for their hate speech. Nothing more, nothing less.

Spinnaker said...

Over 600 comments now on the Olympian. The left blaming the right; the right blaming the left ... and the tally stands at 6 dead and 13 wounded.

Spinnaker said...

And now, interestingly, the comments there have ground to a halt.

Right after Caestus/Sondra was outed. I wonder how many names she was really using?

Kardnos said...

All of this should make for interesting conversation at my clandestine meeting on Tuesday afternoon.

Just a random question - how can you threaten to shoot an anonymous person? I'm wondering how many laughs they got at the police station over such a report?

"Officer, no one knows who I am on this blog thingy, but I was threatened and I'm afraid"

The sad part of this is that such a person would take an opportunity such as this incident and turn it into an "all about me" crock of crap.