The Arizona shooting.

[gridlore]

Yes, I am aware of it. Been following the news all day. Horrific is the best word to describe the events.

But I'm not posting anything more about it until we have a lot more hard information. Right now, the alleged shooter appears to be a rather deranged libertarian based on the information released. I'm reserving judgment until we hear more from the FBI and police. Pointless uninformed speculation is worthless. Wait for the facts, mourn the deaths, and pray or offer hope for the wounded in your preferred method.

One thing, though. A lot of noise is being made over the fact that Rep. Giffords appeared in Sarah Palin's graphic targeting vulnerable Democrats. This graphic used the generic crosshairs on a national map. This is hardly new, and the Democratic National Committee used the exact same imagery in 2004 and 2006 at least. Using the crosshairs is common, and is not an explicit call to violence. The rise in violent rhetoric on the right is disturbing, but as I said, right now we have no idea what set the shooter off.

Stay calm, people. Wait for the facts.

Comments

[murphymom.livejournal.com]

Although I can acknowledge the logic of what you have said, I do need to point to the rhetoric that has gone along with the Palin use of crosshairs - specifically, Sharon Angle's call for "Second Amendment remedies". Plus Palin's parading her rifleperson's skills on television - even if one doesn't watch her show, that particular clip was used as a promo - doesn't strike me as innocuous.

Yes, I hope that this young man was a singular "nut-job" and not politically motivated. But I do think the right has a lot to answer for, and I don't blame anyone for feeling that the rhetoric may well have been the tipping point.

[vayacondia.livejournal.com]

I believe reference was also made to "reloading" and "taking people out" by Palin and/or her supporters.