I do not think the shooting in Tucson is Palin’s fault … anymore than I think John Lennon’s death is J.D. Salinger’s fault (and there is certainly more of a direct connection to the assailant in that case). Although the fact that Palin’s site and Twitter have been scrubbed demonstrates that people in her camp at least sense a connection. Also … Michael Moore’s tweet below resonates with me as well:
If a Detroit Muslim put a map on the web w/crosshairs on 20 pols, then 1 of them got shot, where would he b sitting right now? Just asking. (link)
Regardless, a discussion of rhetoric and it’s purpose and effect in political discourse is certainly long overdue. The vitriol that is belched out by the right over a 2% tax increase for people who make a quarter of a million dollars a year should make you cringe and question the person’s perspective and sense of judgment … two significant qualifications for public office. They could end up doing something egregiously foolish … like embarrassing cowboy-ish taunts of “bring ’em on”. For instance.
As far as people’s criticism of “politicizing” this tragedy … it’s a fair point, and one I would like to be sympathetic towards … however talking about this aspect of this weekend’s horror feels more proactive than just saying “I feel sorry for the victims and their families.” Who knows. Maybe it’s not … I’ve been wrong before. But I’d like to think it is.