What does Sarah Palin mean when she uses the religious phrase, blood libel, in her commentary on the shooting of Rep. Giffords? After this shocking tragedy, I listened at first puzzled, then with concern, and now with sadness, to the irresponsible statements from people attempting to apportion blame for this terrible event. [...] Vigorous and spirited public debates … [Read more...] about Sarah Palin and “Blood Libel”
Quote of the Day: On Sarah Palin’s Technique of Answering Critics
Our political Quote of the Day comes from Steve Benen who touches on what many mainstream and other pundits have noted: Sarah Palin in answering her critics does not face them head on by answering media questions (which could produce a political "home run" if handled correctly) but gets the last word (via Facebook, You Tube, Tweets and new and old media coverage) by issuing … [Read more...] about Quote of the Day: On Sarah Palin’s Technique of Answering Critics
Disturbed Gunman
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Consequences
This copyrighted cartoon is licensed to run on TMV. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. All rights reserved. … [Read more...] about Consequences
America’s ‘Intellectual Instigators’ of Hatred: Rheinische Post, Germany
Continuing with our look at the German press reaction to the attack in Arizona, columnist Frank Herrmann of the Rheinische Post expresses relief that finally, Americans are looking inward and asking what it means when holding public office is synonymous with risking one's life. America is in a state of shock. The bloodbath in Arizona has shaken a nation which must … [Read more...] about America’s ‘Intellectual Instigators’ of Hatred: Rheinische Post, Germany
Will the Giffords Arizona Shootings Change Anything?
Isn’t it time to be blunt? When the news hit that Arizona Rep. Gabrielle Giffords had been critically wounded and 6 people were dead, it was news that many Americans had expected. The wounded were collateral damage. It isn’t only supposedly wishy-washy moderates and independent voters who have long been alarmed that America’s poisonous political polemics had replaced … [Read more...] about Will the Giffords Arizona Shootings Change Anything?
Sarah Palin in the Crosshairs
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Sarah Palin, blood libel, and the Inigo Montoya problem
I have been planning on writing on this subject for a while, and the statement issued by Sarah Palin regarding the tempest swirling around the terrorist act in Tucson, Arizona, provides the last bit of incentive. Former Governor Palin used the phrase “blood libel” in her statement, making me wonder why, in something that was supposedly responding to the condemnation of the … [Read more...] about Sarah Palin, blood libel, and the Inigo Montoya problem
Let’s Have A Rational Conversation About Guns
In the wake of the Tucson carnage, there has been considerable discussion here and elsewhere about gun possession and carry laws. Some have speculated that private gun possession would have reduced the death and injury toll in Tucson. Others have speculated that the toll would have increased with the presence of additional guns. What both sides have in common is that they … [Read more...] about Let’s Have A Rational Conversation About Guns
My Life as a Gunman
During my teens and early twenties, I fired weapons at people, who were often shooting back. It was not a pleasant experience but, after V-E Day in Germany, when most of our food was being sold in British and French black markets, I was persuaded to go deer-hunting not so much for sport as out of hunger. In early morning, sighting a brown hide and preparing to fire, I … [Read more...] about My Life as a Gunman
Sarah Palin Video: “America’s Enduring Strength” (UPDATE 4)
Four hours ago Sarah Palin posted this video response to the tragedy in Tucson. In it she addresses the debate that followed about whether the harsh political rhetoric played a role. Slickly but simply produced, beautifully written and clearly delivered uncut directly into the camera, she has struck the exact right tone to ensure her continuing political influence: The … [Read more...] about Sarah Palin Video: “America’s Enduring Strength” (UPDATE 4)
“The Nature of Someone’s Delusions Is Affected By Culture”
Yes, it's true, it's really really true, and it's not all that difficult to understand. Really. … [Read more...] about “The Nature of Someone’s Delusions Is Affected By Culture”
The Posterboy for Political Vitriol and Partisan Hatred Strikes Again
Just when you think Rush Limbaugh can't get even more divisive and politically obscene, he strikes again with THIS NEW LOW. In the past, GOPers picked up Limbaugh's shock lines which in some cases seemingly became strategy for the party. This has been one they have not used when it comes to the Arizona shootings. Will we now see that this is parroted by some wannabe Rush … [Read more...] about The Posterboy for Political Vitriol and Partisan Hatred Strikes Again
Arizona Aftermath: Real Second Amendment Remedies (Guest Voice)
Arizona Aftermath: Real Second Amendment Remedies by Karl Frisch Growing up, my father -- now retired from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department after 35 years of service -- frequently took me shooting and to just about every gun show within a 100-mile radius of our Southern California home. In fact, as I write this, several of the guns from his collection are on … [Read more...] about Arizona Aftermath: Real Second Amendment Remedies (Guest Voice)
Arizona Shooting Tragedy: Christina-Taylor Green
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Many Shades of Crazy
My partner Steve at Newshoggers says Crazy Is As Crazy Does. He's right of course, everything points to Jared Loughner being a paranoid schizophrenic. That doesn't mean that others don't have blood on their hands. The NRA and the politicians who are too cowardly to stand up to them. Fact - if the Brady Law was still in place Mr Loughner would not have been able to … [Read more...] about Many Shades of Crazy
Anger is illogical
This seems apropos of the moment: … [Read more...] about Anger is illogical
Creating Enmity With Words
No, this is not about the shootings in Tucson -- at least, not in any direct sense. This is about Rep. Peter King (R-NY) accusing Muslim-Americans (all Muslim-Americans) of being uncooperative with anti-terrorism efforts, of being disloyal Americans and, in fact, of not being real Americans at all when it comes to defending the United States: … [Read more...] about Creating Enmity With Words
It’s Not About Him, It’s About Us!
Yes, another post about the climate of "political rhetoric" that at this point is surely unneeded. I'll make it quick, because it's something that I have yet to see pointed out. Personally, for quite some time I've been expecting there to be something like Tuscon, and I believe that there will be more incidents like it in the next few years. This is because we're going … [Read more...] about It’s Not About Him, It’s About Us!
Plutocracy: US Media Concerned about the Political Influence of the Super Rich
Conventional wisdom used to be that Europeans envy the rich, while Americans hope to emulate them. Now, Americans are increasingly concerned about rising inequality and the influence of the tiny elite of the super rich. Plutocracy is a very popular topic of discussion in the US media at the moment. I am quite surprised. It can't be a coincidence that even mainstream and … [Read more...] about Plutocracy: US Media Concerned about the Political Influence of the Super Rich