I'm not saying that putting a bullseye on Arizona Democrat Rep. Gabrielle Giffords' congressional race - as Sarah Palin did - was an explicit or intentional invitation to violence. Nor am I saying that the "Get on Target for Victory" events held by the guy Giffords beat - "Help remove Gabrielle Giffords from office Shoot a fully automatic M16 with Jesse Kelly" - was the reason her assassin went after her. This tragedy is still unfolding, and the questions of motive and incitement will be argued about for a long time to come.
But I am saying that the "lock and load"/"take up your arms" rhetoric of American politics isn't just an overheated metaphor. For years, the language of sports has dominated political journalism, and discourse about hardball and the horserace and the rest of the macho athletic lexicon has been a factor in the trivialization of our public sphere. This has helped dumb down democracy, making a serious national discussion about anything important too wonky for words.
The "second amendment solution," though, does something worse than make politics a branch of entertainment. It makes it a blood sport. I know politics ain't beanbag. But words have consequences, rhetoric shapes reality, and much as we like to believe that we are creatures of reason, there is something about our species' limbic system and lizard brainstems that makes us susceptible to irrational fantasies.
If you're worried that violent video games may make kids prone to bad behavior; if you think that misogynic and homophobic rap lyrics are dangerous to society; if you believe that a nipple in a Superbowl halftime show is a threat to our moral fabric - then surely you should also fear that the way public and media figures have framed political participation with shooting gallery imagery is just as potentially lethal.
Follow Marty Kaplan on Twitter: www.twitter.com/martykaplan
Dylan Ratigan: A Destructive Crossroads
Alan Grayson: Gabby Giffords: A Few Words
Robert Naiman: Is Palin's "Crosshairs" Map Relevant? Giffords Thought So
Priscilla Warner: How to Sit Still When Tragedy Strikes
"If you're worried that violent video games may make kids prone to bad behavior; if you think that misogynic and homophobic rap lyrics are dangerous to society; if you believe that a nipple in a Superbowl halftime show is a threat to our moral fabric - then surely you should also fear that the way public and media figures have framed political participation with shooting gallery imagery is just as potentially lethal."
It was not included so we could go hunting. It was not included so we could protect ourselves from our neighbors trying to harm us. It is our basic right to protect ourselves from a tyrannical government. What the author calls "the second amendment solution' is why the right is there. Read the Supreme Court opinions for the last 200 years including the recent Washington, DC case.
Do you remember the Chinese guy standing unarmed in front of the tank. That is the reason we have the Second Amendment. Don't give it up lightly.
Bringing down the debt of the nation and society starts with sensible solutions in healthcare, education and compassionate decision making. Not by fattening the well to do and taxing the poor and old. How many reasonable leaders have to sacrifice their lives so the ambitions of quasi leaders will be fulfilled?
This guy was a nut. Plain and simple. No law - doctrine - etc... should come out of this. At some point the individual must be held accountable - not society.
This man was insane.
It's that simple.
You should be ashamed of yourself for standing on the corpses of the victims in order to score a few political points.
Now congress will "pack heat" when they go to work. It will now be more difficult to engage in democracy. BUT there will be no extra health care for the mentally ill. Shame on the students and faculty at PIMA county comm coll for not following up on someone that they felt was a danger to them. Oh and then there is the WALMART factor. I will no longer be bullied into being quiet while people behave like barbarians. Palin Angle, Bachman WOMEN for the love of God, promoting violence, actually voting against their own interests as woman in order to perpetuate this insane notion of gun ownership. I've never heard of anyone going on a killing spree with their bare hands. The violent rhetoric is not just prevelant in politics, how about sports and finance sectors as well. Some one on T.V. brought up the cost of gun injuries if we want to reduce the cost of medicine then limiting gun ownership would be a good place to start . This would have to happen while Republicans are in the majority. A beautiful 9yo girl is dead.
I believe you are right, Mr. Kaplan. So, why don't you tell the individual running the show in D.C. that it's a family show and to cut the crazy talk because, to quote you, "...rhetoric shapes reality..."
“I want you to get in their face.” — Barack Obama. He didn't mean in a friendly way either. But wait, there's more!....
"If they bring a knife to the fight, we bring a gun! .....Because from what I understand folks in Philly like a good brawl. I’ve seen Eagles fans.” — Barack Obama
Remember, if you want to change the world, start with the man in the mirror, Mr. Kaplan. I do not subscribe to violence. It is a put-off when politicians on either side do it. But don't try to frame this debate from one side. It's both sides and fans on both sides.
Just like my mom said: "If you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all." And that goes for presidents, senator & congressmen.....and bloggers...
Have a nice day, all the way :)
Please keep the timeline of the story straight
www.awaketorealfreedom.blogspot.com
That's a typical response from the "You're-On-your-Own" Party.
What a sad statement about the land of the free and home of the brave.
Are you saying that committing regime change through war is reason for calling the soldiers of a regime that committed ethnic cleansing through gassing is reason to call them INNOCENT?
God help us.