Gradually, over time, political rhetoric used by politicians and the media has become more inflamatory. The degree to which violent words and phrases are considered commonplace is striking. Candidates are "targeted". An opponent is "in the crosshairs". Liberals have to be
"eliminated". Opponents are "enemies". This kind of language eminates largely from those who claim to defend American democracy against those who would destroy it, who are evil, and who want to "take away our freedoms".
Today we have seen the results of this rhetoric. Those with a megaphone, whether provided by public office or a media outlet, have responsibilities. They cannot avoid the consequences of their blatant efforts to inflame, anger, and outrage. We all know that there are unstable and potentially dangerous people among us. To repeatedly appeal to their basest instincts is to invite and welcome their predictable violence.
So long as we all tolerate this kind of irresponsible and dangerous rhetoric or, in the case of some commentators, treat it with delight, reward it, and consider it cute, so long will we place all those in public life, whom the provocateurs dislike, in the crosshairs of danger.
That this is carried out, and often rewarded, in the name of the Constitution, democratic rights and liberties, and patriotism is a mockery of all this nation claims to believe and almost all of us continue to struggle to preserve. America is better than this.
Follow Gary Hart on Twitter: www.twitter.com/gary__hart
I'd wager that this little misfit mistrusted his government, school and community for reasons any of us can understand... but few of us would get a gun over.
IT is NOT about stifling free speech or guns... it's about the environment in America that screws the little guy... rewards BIG crooks, and sends little crooks to the slammer.
This kid grew up in a highly corrupt, and evil system.... and it's getting worse.
Most of us grumble and try to work within a corrupt system.... the losers and miscreants usually are the canary in the coal mine..... they ACT OUT because they have nothing left to lose.
NOTHING TO LOSE.... that;s the operative description of those who will continue to terrorize this country. Do something about the evil that influences everything from county commissioners favoring zoning for cronies... to school boards allowing double dipping for teachers retired after only 12years... all the scams... top to bottom..
CREATE AN ATMOSPHERE for what happened last week end.
There's irresponsible rhetoric from both sides, but there's no evidence it caused this mentally deranged person's violence. There are two actual problems: lack of mental health funding and loose gun laws in AZ. Let's talk about the real issues and not on Sarah Palin's moral failings.
Well, at least Hart is erning his keep. This item, which "eminates" from his scholarly residence, for example, could have been written by a bright high schooler.
If the US were a peaceful and cooperative society who became stronger and closer through conflict, then Loughner would not have committed his crime because it would have had the opposite effect that he intended. Its too late to change the environment that encouraged Loughner, but its not too late to prevent the next Loughner from trying to burn Rome just for the thrill of breaking things.
Terrorism is more about theater than the act of destruction. Its designed to elicit violent emotions and spread chaos and fear. If we can tone down the rhetoric and treat each other with respect, then the environment created will prevent not only nihilistic terrorists like Loughner, but it will also prevent ideological terrorists as well. If every act of terror created mutal respect and charity, you can bet the terrorists would not commit acts of terror because it would only strengthen society.
Watching neighbors has comparable problems for basic rights. It isn't clear how this person presented to his neighbors, or by what standard anybody can be judged. No honest psych will tell you there is any objective standard, which is the basis of due process.
Restricting guns has practical problems - they're already out there, & some people do defend themselves. Sure, his magazine would have been illegal a few years ago, but that wasn't half the problem.
Political violence is a fact throughout the world & US history, & events like this may happen in the future, no matter what we do. Revolutions are born of violence. But we must learn, not do more damage in overreacting.
Gun control can't be imposed from outside. We can keep the tools from people who don't have judgment to use them. The firearms industry can be incentivized to minimize the damage of their products, & pay for that damage. Establish an insurance fund like worker's comp, that makes distributors pay a premium into a fund for victims of unlawful shootings. Then, when you buy a firearm, the dealer - who is in the best position to know - will
You also have the freedom to read a book. Or freedom to bake brownies. Or freedom to run through the lillies. You have a right to have High Tea. You have the right to play basketball. You have a right to tell your neighbor you love him.
Since we pick and choose which freedoms and rights we want to exercise it it not even logical that those two arguments keep getting used as if the 1st Amendment was the only Freedon and the 2nd Amendment was the only Right. Stop excusing bad behavior.
http://open.salon.com/blog/greer_mcvay/2011/01/08/blood_on_their_hands_political_contributions_to_mass_murder
Thanks for the laugh Gary
As Mr. Hart writes, freedom of speech without responsibilty is very destructive to society. For the same reason one cannot shout "Fire!" in a crowded theater, neither should those who hold the megaphone (media) be allowed to say whatever they wish--especially since most of the populace lacks critical thinking skills, as wutzhappn so amply demonstrates.
Republicans. So now I just smile at them, move away, and leave them to rant to themselves.
or the skill necessary to communicate with a brainwashed individual. So I walk away.
It's pointless to try to convince them that they might be wrong, that there are other
points of view, and that there may be common ground for agreement.
"Iraq has weapons of mass destruction..."
And we're still there destroying innocent people.
Propaganda and advertising produce results.
However sometimes the results are not what were intended.