James Clyburn: Jared Lee Loughner Sought 'Second Amendment Remedy'

Rep. James Clyburn (D-S.C.), the third-ranking House Democrat, suggested Monday that the actions of alleged Arizona shooter Jared Lee Loughner were an example of the sort of "Second Amendment remedies" that former Nevada Senate candidate Sharron Angle referred to during last year's campaign.

"He saw a Second Amendment remedy and that's what occurred here and there is no way not to make that connection," Clyburn told The Charleston Post & Courier in a recent interview.

Angle, the Tea Party upstart who unsuccessfully challenged Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid this fall, said in a radio interview that while she hoped "Second Amendment remedies" wouldn't be necessary, that a vote would offer a "potential cure for the Harry Reid problems," the Second Amendment exists "to defend ourselves."

Angle later denied making those statements, but in doing so claimed that some form of revolution was indeed "possible."

Clyburn also earlier made reference to such inflammatory rhetoric in the wake of the shooting over the weekend, saying that it was a symptom of the increased "vitriol" infused into political discourse:

And I think that what has happened here is the vitriol has gotten so elevated, until people feel emboldened by this. And people, who are a little less than stable, and people aren't thinking for themselves or are so easily influenced, they got out and do things that all of us pay a great price for. I applaud the Republican leadership for doing what they've done in this instance, for giving everybody a chance to step back and take a hard look at this, and decide how we can go forward.

Comments

[sinco]

09:02 AM on 01/12/2011

I know that everyone wants to believe that humanity is going to evolve into some form of "star trek" world where humans are all united and there is no hate, bigotry or violence in our race. Unfortunately, that will never be. Some people are bad. Some people are mentally ill. These forms of chaos within humanity ha e existed since our evolution and will continue to exist. Not everything is explainable. It is human nature to wonder why something happens. Part of what separates us from other animals is that we try to understand the past so that we can control the future. Unfortunately, things like this can't be put into a box. It might make you feel better to blame this person or that organization, but truth be told, sometimes bad people do bad things. There is no way to understand why a delusional person does something.

[IM4REAL]

07:05 AM on 01/12/2011

Why hasn't Sarah and Sharon, come out with a statement pleading to Americans that this type of behavior must cease and don't take their words literally? Their silence on this speaks volumes, their silence appears as though they are condoning it. They are always criticizing the President for hurting and destroying the country. When are they going to do anything positive to try and heal this country? Why do they feel they have to play the victim role? I bet the victims of this incident would feel a whole lot better if they address this rather than I'm sorry for your loss and my family is praying for you.

[rustysc]

01:39 AM on 01/12/2011

The GOP better take a step back and re-tone their message and rhetoric.

[Alfredo Zapata]

12:56 AM on 01/12/2011

As a former bartender I always held fast to the rule that you don't talk politics, sex or religion at a bar. Well guess where it is legal to carry firearms in many states? Town halls, your bedroom and at church!

[Alfredo Zapata]

12:52 AM on 01/12/2011

Rep. James Clyburn (D-S.C.) is exactly right.

[thepheonix]

10:11 PM on 01/11/2011

I am always amazed by Clyburn. His comments are ridiculous.

[kaptaintripps]

09:09 PM on 01/11/2011

From Nevada:

We here in the state who "have to live with her" wish she would float down the Truckee River and out to sea...or somewhere. We despise this woman. We have always despised this woman--long before "the big campaign" last year.

[tomonthebay]

08:29 PM on 01/11/2011

Clyburn couldn't be further off base. As the information continues to come out, it is becoming more and more obvious that this was the act of a seriously deranged person for whom politics was a rather nebulous concept.

[ThomasMc]

07:43 PM on 01/11/2011

The Rabid Right NEVER takes responsibility for any of its crimes against society.

[Lahonda]

07:07 PM on 01/11/2011

It looks like America is still settling the past. It just continues in a different way.

[Lahonda]

07:00 PM on 01/11/2011

Thank you Senator Clyburn.

I have faith in America, when a leader stands up.

America simply has to stand and stop this political insanity.

It has become the latest reality show.

[ZiggyBlues]

05:47 PM on 01/11/2011

46 comments with 165 pending. why do I even bother comming to this site?

[satanlite]

09:34 PM on 01/11/2011

It is ridiculous lately.

[derspado]

03:57 PM on 01/11/2011

Please keep talking sir. Your speeches will be widely used and very helpful in 2012!

[Taliese]

05:29 PM on 01/11/2011

Definitely. It can only HELP Obama.

[lizr]

12:00 AM on 01/12/2011

because the right always uses the truth as a weapon against us.

they are most comfortable with lies and pinning their sins on us.

[GrumpyinAZ]

03:22 PM on 01/11/2011

1. They began brandishing weapons at political meetings

2. They began disrupting political meetings to prevent discussion of the issues

3. They vandalized the offices of political opponents

4. They dehumanized their opponents by shooting at their images

5. Now they are shooting into crowds

6. What's next, burning the Reichstag?

[Nel Pineda]

06:48 PM on 01/11/2011

I got a feeling that an Oklahoma may be repeated again. And this anti-federal gov people will have a lot to answer for it. Many of them laughing right now.

[lizr]

12:01 AM on 01/12/2011

F/F

[Vern58]

03:18 PM on 01/11/2011

As long as anybody anywhere can get and conceal a gun, we will have these occourances. Period.

[Scent]

05:25 PM on 01/11/2011

Sure. Then again in a nation like Britain they have one death per millions citizens per year thorough firearme while here it is almost THIRTY.

That it happens in other nations does not mean it is ok here.

And a chance of one in 35000 to be killed with a gun each year as we have it is so far beyond what is normal in developed nations that comparing us to those nations where they need 30 years to come up with the number of shootings we have in one is not really a good point ;o).

[Alfredo Zapata]

12:56 AM on 01/12/2011

True that. As a former bartender I always held fast to the rule that you don't talk politics, sex or religion at a bar. Well guess where it is legal to carry firearms in many states? Town halls, your bedroom and at church!