A Further Perspective
I’ve Got Your “Inflammatory Rhetoric” Right Here
Facing up to Facebook last Saturday.
If you were logged in to Facebook on Saturday after the shooting in Arizona, you may have noticed a trend in your newsfeed. I did, anyway. Many of my leftist Facebook friends were collectively engaged in assuming and articulating the Tea Party’s culpability. More specifically, they blamed, as the media eventually did as well, the “inflammatory rhetoric” of the right wing.
The arguments scrolling down my newsfeed went something like this: Of course, there are psychotic nutjobs on both the left and the right, but it’s the leadership of the Republicans and the Tea Party that are responsible for this violence in Arizona. Right-wing leaders knowingly stoke the nutjobs with “inflammatory rhetoric.”
As evidence, a cacophony of links to Sarah Palin’s 2010 election map appeared… a map that targeted vulnerable Democrats with crosshairs. One Facebook friend summarized the Left’s reaction to Palin’s map this way:
F[—-] YOU SARAH PALIN! REP. GABRIELLE GIFFORDS’ BLOOD IS ON YOUR COMPLETELY INCOMPETENT HANDS!
This comment seemed rather inflammatory, as Facebook rhetoric goes. But shortly after that, another inflammatory example of rhetoric was posted by another friend on my wall:
The GOP cannot deal with a black man as president period. This hateful rhetoric is trumpeted by FOX 24/7 without being Truly condemned and halted by the Republicans…
And, again, when a third Facebook friend described Tea Partiers as being in the market for “torches, pitchforks and sickles.”
Eventually, the argument pinning the blame for the shooting on the Tea Party was capped off with this confident claim: Leaders on the Left just don’t regularly engage in this type of violent, inflammatory rhetoric.
Not inflammatory rhetoric on its own, but it did get me to thinking.
And so, I listed on my Facebook wall the following links, each prefaced with a simple question. One after the other. You can decide for yourself if leaders on the Left would ever engage in such inflammatory rhetoric. That is, if we can agree on what “inflammatory rhetoric” actually is. Apparently, if leaders on the Left have expressed this rhetoric, but claims are made insisting it doesn’t happen, then there is some doubt as to its inflammatory nature.
Did this qualify as “inflammatory rhetoric”?
Obama to Latinos: “Punish” Your “Enemies” in the Voting Booth
… In a radio interview that aired on Univision on Monday, Mr. Obama sought to assure Hispanics that he would push an immigration overhaul after the midterm elections, despite fierce Republican opposition.
Did this qualify as “inflammatory rhetoric”?
Matthews: ‘Someone’s Going To Jam a CO2 Pellet Into Rush’s Head And He’s Going To Explode’
Bill Hussein O'Stalin| 1.10.11 @ 6:48AM
Great article!
Jeremiah| 1.10.11 @ 6:59AM
Very smart and well documented. Valerie, you should have read the outlandish trash posted by liberals on AmSpecBlog during the first hours after the tragedy. I think liberals would rather have her dead so they can push their agenda than pray for her recovery. And the attacks on Palin, Beck and Rush were absolutely the worst ever. I also think it's time for TAS to have some kind of moderation because some of the trash posted here was extremely provocative and evil.
Alice Moore| 1.10.11 @ 9:20AM
Do not forget the huge hanging in effigy of, then Vice Presidential candidate, Sarah Palin by a West Hollywood resident in 2008.
Jeremiah, you made a cogent point at the beginning. The Left, indeed, have their beloved Mascots. It can be Palestinians, starving children in Ethiopia, or even Tiny Tim Cratchitt. They really are not interested in any type of elimination or improvement of horrible circumstances. The continuation of misery is their reason for being. If our hero Tiny Tim had died of his illness; these professional ghouls would have been filled with ecstasy. They would have had their poor, dear dead mascot trotted out for their propaganda.
It will be interesting to hear Rush's response today. There is a section of public opinion in this country that wants to make this an American Reichstag Fire. If I was a family member, I would be furious with these jackals.
In refutation, have a care. The Left is like that proverbial Hog in the Mud.
Alan Brooks| 1.10.11 @ 9:20AM
But you want Democrats dead, don't you? the way you describe your having been a pro politician, we can see you are no altruist.
Alan Brooks| 1.10.11 @ 9:22AM
It was directed at Jeremiah; Alice, you and I posted simultaneously.
Alan Brooks| 1.10.11 @ 9:25AM
PS,
Jeremiah, you did write you were involved as a pro; why don't you tell us what your positions were back in the day-- so we can see the larger picture.
Jeremiah| 1.10.11 @ 10:34AM
Back in the day? I would have tracked you back to your spider hole in your mom's cellar, and made sure you wouldn't be able to troll anywhere anymore, and no one would have missed you.
Is that picture large enough or do you need bigger glasses?
Alan Brooks| 1.10.11 @ 11:46AM
Jeremiah, you did NOT answer the question. What sort of an operator were you? were you Dem, and now you are GOP? or perhaps you are libertarian; or maybe you don't know exactly what you are.
Question is, will you change your spots yet again, and continue to do so?
Jeremiah| 1.10.11 @ 1:33PM
Mister Brooks, first I thought you were kidding, but I realize you're dead serious. You're mistaking me with another Jeremiah who must have posted elsewhere. I started to post on AmSpec about 2 weeks ago, and having a military background, I loathe most politicians. I don't subscribe to the libertarian agenda although I enjoy reading PJ O'Rourke. I hope this will be helpful.
SId Vicious| 1.10.11 @ 3:49PM
Jeremiah, Alan is living, breathing, walking proof that, to fascist socialists, ignorance and moral depravity in the pursuit of a political goal is no vice.
Alan Brooks| 1.10.11 @ 5:29PM
Sid it doesn't bother me what you say; what the Right thinks doesn't hold anymore, save for business. Politically, you have squandered the post- Cold War legacy. From "read my lips, no new taxes to McCain, you went nowhere except for business-- so if you can live for bread alone, if you can reduce everything to commercialism, then you've got it made in the shade. What, do you think Palin is a female Christ who can save you?
Palin Saves?
Sid Vicious| 1.11.11 @ 2:52AM
Why do Regressives reflexively assume that anyone who opposes their point of view is automatically a Palin supporter? Answer honestly how: Do you guys believe everything you read at HuffinPole Post, Toilet Paper Memo and MorOn.org? Goodness gracious, man! Virtually no one on this side of the divide totally believes everything they read at Spectator.org, you know.
Finally, when are you Regressives going to stop taking yourselves and your own beliefs so seriously?
Spook| 1.13.11 @ 10:05PM
You tell-em Alan. That November election didn't mean nothing.
HeHeHe
Not Perfect | 1.16.11 @ 4:13PM
HeHeHe Made you think real hard about it didn't it? Honestly it did. Come on truthfully it did! Are you the enemy within? Think about that one!
Jeremiah| 1.10.11 @ 7:05PM
Alan, I am the Jeremiah that has responded here occasionally for a year and a half and am the one who has worked seriously in federal campaigns. There is another here who posts as Jeremiah occasionally - I wish AmSpec would set it up so that only one person could have a particular 'handle.' This is the only post I have made to this thread. So you may be confusing the Jeremiahs (and then there's my other brother, Jeremiah...)
JeremiahToo| 1.10.11 @ 7:35PM
Jeremiah, you were here first. Sorry to have hijacked your 'handle', From now on, the one above is mine.
old white guy| 1.13.11 @ 4:05PM
the dem commies set the stage, light the fires, set the rabble rousers on course and then blame the conservatives. alan, you seem to lack critical analysis skills. your mind flows in one direction commie left. i like the word commie because it sums up all liberal sociaist , totalitarian goals with one word ,commie.
Spook| 1.13.11 @ 10:07PM
Another "Old White Guy" agrees with you.
I like the term commie.
Jeremiah| 1.10.11 @ 11:07AM
Sorry I meant Stephanie, not Valerie... Valerie was my dear wife for 7 years and she's still on my mind and in my prayers.
Anyway, great article Stephanie.
JimP| 1.10.11 @ 7:18AM
Let's not forget about the movie the left made about the assassination of Pres. G. W. Bush along with the comparisons of him to Hitler etc .
Terrific article. Thanks for writing it!
Appleby| 1.10.11 @ 7:18AM
I have noticed this trend especially among the Friends of Friends -- a former colleague of mine who is very liberal has a lot of lefty friends whose response to mild-mannered queries or suggestions from the right with obscenity, blasphemy, commands to *shut the f*** up and get out of here* and other high-class rhetoric. I am not limiting myself to listening only to my own side of an argument, but I was taught that the only people who resort to name-calling in filthy language are people who have no argument to make.
The nut with the gun is always inflated into a Conspiracy by the kiddies who demand a Story -- a clearly scripted event with Good Guys, Bad Guys, and a solution within 24 hours. And a simple nut with a gun is boring; it will not sell Cialis and Viagra, and it will not keep the news cycle going.
oldfart| 1.10.11 @ 7:31AM
One thing that was passed down to me frm my parents is that people who constantly use profane langauge are just demonstrating a serious lack of intelligence.
Walking Horse| 1.10.11 @ 9:40AM
Decades ago, I heard an aphorism appropriate to the topic:
"Profanity is a crutch for inarticulate mother*******."
oldfart| 1.10.11 @ 7:28AM
Progressives and liberals always say other people (middle of the road and and the so called right-wing) are guilty of anthing they do. Their (useful idiots of the left) actions speak so loudly I cannot hear a word they are saying.
old white guy| 1.13.11 @ 4:08PM
oldfart, i think it is called projection.
Dopctor Right| 1.10.11 @ 7:58AM
The killer is a committed leftist. He shot a conservative, pro-borders, pro-2nd amendment Democrat - someone Conservatives and Tea Partiers can support - yet, of course, it's "the right wings fault!"
Memo to Leftwing media: Go "eff" yourselves. Your infantile l'il games don't work anymore.
DCD-in-Indiana| 1.10.11 @ 8:01AM
Were I a liberal today I would be ashamed to look in the mirror. The hypocrisy on the left in the face of this tragedy is beyond belief.
DeesBull| 1.10.11 @ 12:51PM
That's just it, they have no shame. That's how they keep doing it and don't learn from it. Sad.
JF| 1.13.11 @ 12:27PM
You have to have standards in order to have shame, and the Left left theirs behind - along with any intellect - in the '60s.
martin j smith| 1.10.11 @ 8:10AM
it is possible that obama will try to tringulate between Left and right and take a" Can't we all get along position" I think he should be called on this. On the one hand first to say: yes we should all get along. And then the House of reresentatives should hold hearings in the context of healing our nation from the hurt of the recent shootings and look at media behavior as a 'learning experience" in "what not to do" in the future.
crooked wren| 1.10.11 @ 8:17AM
Can someone forward this to the Sheriff -- and to Geraldo -- and to the NYT -- and . . . and . . . .
Jeremiah| 1.10.11 @ 8:34AM
Yes we can...(oh my God...) but it would be useless. They either wouldn't read it or use the standard B.S. ("I didn't say that!" "This is quoted out of context!" or crap like that.) Just use the web as our evildoers do and log on their blogs and websites and "spread the wealth around"!
idalily| 1.10.11 @ 10:55AM
You cannot reason with the brainwashed. Leftist progressives are a cult and they are brainwashed. I am completely serious. They spew the same hate-filled crap over and over, crap they heard from their parents (the "peace-loving" flower children of the 60's, the "compassionate" eugenics proponents of the 30's, etc.). They spew this because it's been pounded into them from birth and they never listen to opposing points of view. There is no reasoning with cult members. Moderate Dems and Indies are a whole different story and we should engage with them in reasoned debate as often as possible. But the only thing to do with Leftists is shine the light. They will do the rest to prove who they really are. The Giffords tragedy is a sad, perfect example.
SonOfSam| 1.10.11 @ 12:13PM
Having a reasonable debate with a liberal is like trying to play volleyball with a goldfish: they don't get it, they can't do it, its an utter waste of your time
George True| 1.10.11 @ 1:55PM
It's also like trying to teach a pig to sing. It doesn't work, and it just annoys the pig.
old white guy| 1.13.11 @ 4:12PM
jeremiah, you are right. they actually believe the crap they spew. that is why it will become even more difficult to work with them. they want our freedom at any cost and will blame us for wanting to keep it at any cost. but we are no longer free and have not been for many years. tell me something you can do that the government does not have a say in.
wodiej| 1.10.11 @ 8:48AM
These blogs should monitor comments. When they go over the line, the article should be blocked from posting comments.
If you are on a blog and you are reading comments like this, then walk away. These people feed off of upsetting others. That is how they get attention. You may as well be trying to rationalize with a tree. If there is no one to argue with, they will go away.
JimP| 1.10.11 @ 8:57AM
"These blogs" and "comments" "go over the line"? Are you referring to Ms. Herman's article and the comments here?
daddio| 1.11.11 @ 3:50PM
Jah! Ve vill monitor your comments and report you to ze authorities zo you can go to ze camps...
ols white guy| 1.13.11 @ 4:13PM
wod. piss off.
Eddie Stair| 1.10.11 @ 8:58AM
All I can say about your article can be said in one word: Excellent!
Richard Baker| 1.10.11 @ 9:01AM
When I heard that his readings included The Communist Manifesto and Mein Kampf I was certain that he was a Conservative and a Tea Pary member. Riiight.
SonOfSam| 1.10.11 @ 12:15PM
yes and OF COURSE he had an occult shrine in his backyard, complete with skulls and rotting oranges: that's where he worshiped "Aqua Buddha"
Having a reasonable debate with a liberal is like trying to play volleyball with a goldfish: they don't get it, they can't do it, its an utter waste of your time
County Slug| 1.10.11 @ 9:02AM
Maybe with such postings that may be considered imflammatory to where it needs to be reported that the POTUS may call for a new cabinet position to be created, an Internet Czar.
Richard Baker| 1.10.11 @ 9:02AM
Tea Party, not Tea Pary.
tdiinva| 1.10.11 @ 9:29AM
Here's one from Markos Moulitsas via Patterico:
http://patterico.com/2011/01/0.....fords-too/
Seems like he also put a "bullseye" on Giffords because she is a blue dog.
He also sent his post down the memory hole when called on it. (also via Patterico)
http://patterico.com/2011/01/0.....uous-post/
hunter| 1.10.11 @ 9:41AM
The buck stops at obomba, with obomba. He is the one that has fanned the flames of this tragedy. By pushing obombacare for a year, that 60% of the people did not want, and of the other 40% only a few percentage actually wanted. By ingoring illegal immigration, both of these with his arrogrant mannerism. All the while flying all over on vacations, costing millions of dollars. How I wish for days past, once we had a actor that was a President, now we have a president that is a Actor.
Louis Jenkins| 1.10.11 @ 9:45AM
And finally it is put in print. Will it matter? Most likely not. You see the MSM is on a crusade to blot out the right,conservatives, and the Tea Party. They will do their best to clamp down on the groups in any way they can, including gun control, the internet ID, and electronic ids just to name three. Something is always found to make the conservatives look bad, just when you thought it was safe to get back in the water.
SonOfSam| 1.10.11 @ 12:18PM
that may be so, but I've got a message for all the so-called "beautiful people" out in Hollywood, Washington and Wall Street: there's a lot more of us than there are of you. We the people are standing up, and we will shake off you damned parasites like so many gnats
FastJohnny| 1.10.11 @ 9:51AM
Facebook: the crash course on how to be a sociopath. Can't say it to someones face, so they say it to a pc screen. It is so much easier being a frothy mouthed screaming sociopath on a keyboard.
cyberdog| 1.10.11 @ 9:52AM
Obama: “They Bring a Knife…We Bring a Gun”
Obama to His Followers: “Get in Their Faces!”
Obama on ACORN: “I don’t want to quell anger. I think people are right to be angry! I’m angry!”
Obama to His Mercenary Army: “Hit Back Twice As Hard”
Obama on the private sector: “We talk to these folks… so I know whose ass to kick.“
Obama to voters: Republican victory would mean “hand to hand combat”
Obama to lib supporters: “It’s time to Fight for it.”
Obama to Latino supporters: “Punish your enemies.”
Obama to democrats: “I’m itching for a fight.”
idalily| 1.10.11 @ 10:59AM
Put this in the comments for Krugman's NYT post. Pretty please. I want to watch.
Clint| 1.10.11 @ 1:09PM
Bawney Fwank : "I'll Thlap You Thilly With Thith Purth."
seth| 1.10.11 @ 1:45PM
Clint....
YOU WIN THE AWARD AS MENTALLY HANDICAPPED POSTER CHILD OF THE WING-NUTZ, for that "brilliant" comment...
Don't you jokers GET IT...???
HATEFUL COMMENTS HAVE CONSEQUENCES...
The Big E| 1.10.11 @ 2:00PM
And claiming that someone wins an "award as mentally handicapped poster child of the wing-nutz" is not a hateful comment?
seth | 1.10.11 @ 2:52PM
nope...but making fun aof a person's speech(impediment...Mr Frank can not help the way he pronounces words...nu?)
..IS HATEFUL...
AND..
PERPETUATING STUPID ANTI-GAY STEREOTYPES IS EVEN MORE HATEFUL.....!
The Big E| 1.10.11 @ 3:14PM
Your response to my question tells us all we need to know. You sir, are a true hypocrite of the worst possible sort. You come on this sight bemoaning what you perceive as "hateful rhetoric" while engaging in exactly the same sort of behavior you decry. And all the while, you make not one logical comment, resorting solely to ad hominem attacks in a lame effort to make a point.
And the sad thing is, you're obviously either too ignorant, or too brainwashed, to see it.
Nunya| 1.10.11 @ 2:46PM
Seth,
Two things: First, get a sense of humor. Life's a lot more fun with one, and Clint's post was actually pretty funny.
Second, whose "hateful comments" are you referring to? Obozo's that Cyberdog listed above? Frankly, I've heard exaactly ZERO "hateful comments" from any Conservative speaker or radio host, EVER.
SETH | 1.10.11 @ 2:54PM
Nunya:
Sorry...(actually I'm quite GLAD....)
WE DO NOT SHARE THAT SORT OF SENSE OF "HUMOR"........!!!
Todd S| 1.10.11 @ 4:23PM
It isn't a stereotype if that is actually how he speaks. I assume you must be gay and looking to be offended but get over it. If you want to look at hateful rhetoric, Barney Frank is one of the worst when it comes to that not to mention his protection of any reform of Fannie Mae makes him especially complicit in the housing meltdown.
Occam's Tool| 1.11.11 @ 2:49PM
I have some Gay friends. I refuse to see Barney Frank as a stereotype of Gays. He's sui generis---I doubt any of my Gay friends would allow their lover to run a gay prostitution ring out of the Congressional Office like Barney did.
idalily| 1.10.11 @ 8:28PM
Do you really want to go down this road? If so, please go back and READ THE ARTICLE. Plenty of hate speech from the Left side of the aisle, and if you do not see that, it proves you are a member of the brainwashed cult that is Progressivism.
BananaForBarney| 1.10.11 @ 9:55PM
SETH: Everyone wants to walk around the issue and be "logical" & "reasonable" & "civil" and all that other BULL EXHAUST. I'll just be HORRIBLY TRUTHFUL -- Barney Frank is a repulsive, Brothel-Operating piece of democrat schlit. I don't have to LIKE him - I don't have to RESPECT his "position" and I certainly don't have to LOOK PAST HIS LYING, FAT GLASS ( rhymes with ). Summary: Seth, WE DON'T CARE WHETHER YOU LIKE IT ANYMORE - We don't care whether YOU THINK someone should be respected... HE'S SCUM - he parties with SCUM -- HE'S PROBABLY got SCUM on him...
JF| 1.13.11 @ 12:31PM
If that is the case, then you'll have a cow reading all of Mike Malloy's rants:
http://www.quotesstar.com/quot.....65675.html
BTW, Bill Maher said that "liberals never talk" about hate or violence, which tells me that Maher - along with other libs - never listen to LIBERAL talk radio.
Charie| 1.13.11 @ 6:43PM
Seth, you're absolutely correct. Now live by it!!!
You really had to dig deep to make that a "hateful" comment. I love the Left's ability to take any word and make it into hate speech.
The Big E| 1.10.11 @ 10:18AM
And let's not forget Obama's comment: "If they bring a knife to the fight, we bring a gun."
Reckon that's inflammatory?
The fact is the left could care less about Rep. Giffords or any other victim of this nut case - they care only about using the tragedy to try to silence their opponents.
If you check Drudge, you'll find this report by Peter Schroeder today in The Hill:
Rep. Robert Brady (D-Pa.) reportedly plans to introduce legislation that would make it a federal crime to use language or symbols that could be perceived as threatening or inciting violence against a federal official or member of Congress.
Why would Rep. Brady do this you ask? Well, apparently Mr. Schroeder did ask, and the response:
"The rhetoric is just ramped up so negatively, so high, that we have got to shut this down," Brady said.
Let's repeat that to let it sink in:
"The rhetoric is just ramped up so negatively, so high, that we have got to shut this down."
Reckon he's talking about shutting down any of the left-wing rhetoric referenced in this article? Or Obama's comments about bringing a gun to the fight? Or do you suppose that would be considered legitimate (and protected) political speech?
Pete| 1.10.11 @ 10:45AM
A nutjob is a nutjob, but no president in my lifetime has done so much to pit race against race and class against class in everything he says and does. Could it have been enough to push a whack job over the edge? I think so.
MikeD| 1.10.11 @ 11:02AM
I posted a comment a few months ago that predicted the cycle of destruction would begin with some apparently disconnected event that will be blown out of proportion and then twisted by the leftmedia and the dems themselves for political gain. I'm not sure this is the catalyst, but it could be.
The dems playbook is based on the "BIG LIE", continually propagating that lie until the truth is conveniently lost in the noise. They've done it with glo-bull warming, healthcare, terrorism, and about every other issue and event. This is no different. The fact that the shooter is a left wing nutcase matters not one bit.
DEMOCRATS AND THEIR WILLING LACKIES IN THE MEDIA ARE INCAPABLE OF DISCERNING THE TRUTH MUCH LESS TELLING THE TRUTH.
It was once said that a "liar needs a good memory" to keep track of his lies. No more. It doesn't matter a bit what the libs/dems say or do because the media will cover for them; by either burying the news or throwing so much extraneous crap on it that the facts are lost in the fog.
Whether we like it or not, we truly are at war. It is a war for the very existence of our Country; and, by extension, the very world we know. We can take nothing for granted, and understand that dems/libs will never be truthful. Truth and lies are just tools in their box of weapons, to be pulled out as needed. Republicans cannot believe anything dems say; watch what they do and resist EVERYTHING, for they are the real embodiment of evil in our Country today. There can be no compromise, no 'reaching across the aisle, no moderation. These people have proven that they will do ANYTHING to gain, and expand, their power over us and our lives. We cannot forget that for one minute; and we must make sure that Speaker Boehner remembers it too. Harry Reid is already trying to change the rules in the Senate to castrate the GOP. It is another blatant example of Reid's, and the demoncraps', campaign of search and destroy.
BananaForBarney| 1.10.11 @ 9:59PM
What MikeD said, ya'll...
daddio| 1.11.11 @ 4:07PM
+1
Dave| 1.10.11 @ 11:13AM
Interesting, these are the same people who say that movie violence and denigration of women has no effect on peoples' behaviour. Yet they are quick to blame political discourse for deplorable actions like this. WHAT HYPOCRISY.
Andrew Klavan | 1.10.11 @ 11:18AM
Very good and thoughtful article, Miss Herman.
I wrote something about our media hysteria here
http://www.city-journal.org/2011/eon0109ak.html
but you have a way of making your point that is very clever. Congratulations.
Christopher| 1.10.11 @ 12:11PM
Mr. Klavan, read your article. very good. Remember when they found the Unabomber, he had a copy of AlGore's book, Earth in the Balance, all underlined, but the media could find no connection worth discussing between the extreme Gore views and the Unabomber.
SonOfSam| 1.10.11 @ 12:24PM
Yes and these same dolts couldn't find a connection between the Fort Hood shooter shouting "Allah ho akbar!" and --perish the thought!! -- that he might have committed an act of Islamic terrorism. For that matter, that jackass Krugman at the NYT didnt even MENTION the Fort Hood shootings until over a week later, and neither did any of his fellow travelers at the "paper of record"
bunch of damned hypocrites! But fear not, for like the dinosaur, they have had their day. Emphasis on the past tense. This pathetic collection of has beens and never weres that passes for "elite" opinion cannot stop the rise of We The People
George True| 1.10.11 @ 2:02PM
Mr Klavan, I read your article. Simply superb, sir. I saved a copy and will shamelessly use it against leftist who tries to pull this "blame the tea party" crap.
I have also enjoyed your videos at PJTV, especially the one where you did a devastating parody of the MSM and their smears against the Tea Party.
idalily| 1.10.11 @ 8:34PM
Excellent. One of the best I've read. Kudos.
Christopher| 1.10.11 @ 9:19PM
Mr.Klavan,
Read your books: Empire of Lies, Shotgun Alley,Damnation Street, and Dynamite Road. Picked Shotgun Alley at a used bookstore on vacation two years ago and could not put it down. So I bought all the books I could find that week. I recommend them to all Spectator readers. Well written, smart, especially Empire of Lies.
Stephanie Herman | 1.11.11 @ 5:37PM
Nice article, Andrew.
VBMax| 1.10.11 @ 11:37AM
Read your article Mr Klavan...Excellent, concise and totally true!
W| 1.10.11 @ 11:41AM
Great article, Ms. Herman.
I read that Loughner is an atheist, believes the US government did the 9/11 attack, is a nihilist, smoked pot every day in high school, and read the Communitst Manifesto by Marx, and Mein Kempf by Hitler. Sounds like a resume for MSNBC or Hardball.
But of course, these facts make him a christian-fundamentalist- right wing -tea party voter in the expert analysis by the lefty liberal media. I suppose we will see their cut and paste rants on this website under the names of the usual suspects, so far only the incoherent Brooks today
SonOfSam| 1.10.11 @ 12:25PM
yes, and I'm sure this goddammed David Koresh look alike must have worshipped Aqua Buddha at that backyard shrine of his, just like all us Tea Party patriots do
coal carrier| 1.10.11 @ 12:40PM
It is just amazing to me, to hear the ridiculous ranting of the left. Ed Schultz, Keith Olbermann, Van Jones, Valerie Jarrett, Chris Matthews and Andy Stern, just to name a few. They view the Tea Party as a bunch of wild maniacs. Well I am a member of the Tea Party. We want small responsible government, low taxes and bureaucrats to stay out of our private lives. In this day and age, that is radical.
vtwin| 1.10.11 @ 12:44PM
Oh come on, if the shoe fits wear it!
Dustoff| 1.10.11 @ 3:55PM
Sorry size and it's a left foot shoe only!
coal carrier| 1.10.11 @ 7:43PM
“if the shoe fits wear it!” You can’t be serious. You apparently didn’t read the article. If you did read it, where is she wrong?
How about some specifics.
Who Knows?| 1.10.11 @ 1:36PM
Great article!
And, maybe it epitomizes what’s going to happen more and more---to wit, spreading the WEALTH of true history.
As an old fart, who values his free time, so far I’ve consciously avoided joining in all the new high tech media games.
But, what about most people, especially in the vital nation of America?
The scientific proof that there is insanity in this country sits in the White House.
Consider this insanity to be an addiction a la booze. What is FIRST needed is the awareness that one IS addicted, or in this case insane, when it comes to TRUTH about history.
So, with the burgeoning outlets for still drunk-on-insane-beliefs Americans to both vent their stupidity and to be exposed to this fact, with TRUTH pushed back by those who are NOT ignorant about history---particularly very recent history---maybe we could be happy about what this outrageous nut’s rampage in Arizona is causing.
Just as America badly---existentially?---needs a lesson about the Constitution, so does it require one about history.
I remember in the 50’s and 60’s enjoying my favorite TV shows, and being so hopeful about the future ability to later in life be able to AGAIN see them, since I assumed technology would surely advance. And, now we have TV Land and Nick at Night, etc. Why, sometimes the Sy Fy station shows old Twilight Zone shows!
So, maybe it’s a good thing that most newbies are so connected by high tech devices, and they won’t be able to avoid the flood of TRUTH as streams of words, despite their proclivity to mostly use them for mundane Narcissistic concerns, ONLY.
Keep talking!
Oldefarte| 1.10.11 @ 1:57PM
This tradegy has no connection to politics, but is being used by the left [in their mantra of never letting a catastrophy go unused] to their advantage from their domination of the MSM. The true cause of this massacre and similar others is the liberalism emanating from their Hollywood culture of no limits/laws/restrictions, etc upon one's imigination. The TV shows and movies now produced by Hollywood contain unlimited violence, sexuality, alternative lifestyles etc; and liberals violently oppose any conservative attempts to constrain same. These Hollywood liberal proclamations daily indoctrinate/brainwash our children into religiously believing their garbage as truth. This is subliminal advertising run amock, and our children are its victims. If/until this country regains control over its children by banning or seriously limiting the output of this Hollywood liberal garbage streaming forth into the minds of our youth and effectively brainwashing same, these type violent occurrances will continue to occur, sadly!!!!!!!!
Bill| 1.10.11 @ 2:36PM
There are more, so many more, of examples of left-wing, Democrat Party, inflammatory rhetoric, going back at least 45 years. One of the most durable is one that I know was used at least 42 years ago and has been reused innumerable years over the decades and generations: "Lee Harvey Oswald, where are you now that we really need you?" Another chestnut that stood the test of time for many years is "Off the pig!"
idalily| 1.10.11 @ 8:36PM
The current round of despicable narrative control started with The Daisy Ad. Anyone remember that one?
Charie| 1.13.11 @ 8:07PM
You bet. Small girl. Daisy in rifle barrel. Mushroom cloud.
Somehow, though, the only one Libs remember is the Willie Horton ad, which was actually true, not something dreamed up in a Liberal brain.
Andrew Keirns| 1.10.11 @ 3:02PM
A stronger defense would come by highlighting every leftist-inspired murderer. Start with Pol Pot and go backward or forward through time -- there are alot of them. And you don't need to speculate if 'inflammatory rhetoric' motivated them.
Perhaps the gun-toting University of Alabama (?) teacher passed over for tenure could become an example (she was an Obama supporter, could probably be shown to have bought the inflammatory rhetoric of the Left regarding tenure, government benefits, etc., etc.)
Freddy| 1.10.11 @ 3:04PM
Good article. Let me add some distinctions.
The Left's association of this crime with strident political rhetoric from the Right is meaningless as persuasive argument. Responding to the accusations from the Left – marshalling examples of strident Leftist political rhetoric – is also meaningless as persuasive argument. That strident rhetoric exists on both sides is simply a fact, and not even a particularly interesting fact. The stream of vitriol is so constant, and the sources of it so unimaginative and reliable, that only persons blind to the form of their own discourse could fail to acknowledge the rough equivalence in both camps. The only perspective required is the insight that one's political preferences are not so self-evidently true that only the other side engages in rhetoric.
Rather than bandying the obvious – that both sides are often vehement -- a more intelligent approach would be to analyze the predominant rhetorical strategies used by each side to ascertain whether there is any meaningful difference. In other words, it is smarter to focus on content of the message rather than its loudness.
To my mind, and stated by others on these pages better than I can, the distinguishing characteristic of Leftist political rhetoric is contempt for its political opponents. At first, one might dismiss a rhetoric of contempt as an oxymoron. Since rhetoric is the art of persuasion, treating your opponent with disdain will rarely move him to agree with you. Nonetheless, one need only read articles and reader comments on left wing blogs to see, multiplied to the nth degree, expressions of contempt and disdain for anyone holding conservative views. The tropes employed, with numbing uniformity, paint such persons in terms of ignorance and veniality. No other explanation for Right wing view is acknowledged – only stupidity, crass self interest or both.
Similarly, if I were to characterize the distinguishing characteristic of Rightist political rhetoric it would be anger. What is instructive, however, are the sources for the anger. At a basal level, of course, anger arises because opponents fail to share the Right's deeply held policy preference and seek to use political power to enact an agenda contrary to those preferences. There is nothing particularly illuminating about this source of anger. Indeed, the Left shares the same emotion when the Right seeks to use political power contrary to the Left's policy preferences. More telling, however, is the observation that the lion's share of the Right's anger is provoked by the Left's rhetoric of contempt. There is no need to dress up this observation in nuanced language: calling someone an idiot has always been, and will always be, fighting words.
Now, returning to loudness, one may legitimately ask what difference is there between a partisan screaming words of contempt until he is purple with rage versus a partisan screaming words of defiance until he is purple with rage. At one level, this is very little difference. But, at a psychological level, the difference is great. I can tell the Rightist to calm down. I can tell the Rightist to ignore the insults and focus on policy preferences and lawful political tactics. I cannot, however, tell the Leftist to calm down. The Leftist is not focused on the preferences and tactics of his opponent, but on the existence of his opponent. As long as the Left in this country wallows in a rhetoric of contempt – as long as the Right screams about ideas and the Left screams about people -- we have a long road ahead of us to restore peace and order.
The Big E| 1.10.11 @ 3:23PM
So, how do I negotiate with someone whose negotiating position is that I should not exist?
Your analysis of this situation is quite astute, and in my mind, makes it clear why the American left so often reminds me of the Jihadist Muslim - they share the same point of view on their opponents.
VBMax| 1.10.11 @ 3:27PM
You omitted one important factor: the Left lies continually. Shouldn't that make you angry?
Freddy| 1.10.11 @ 6:14PM
VBMax, I share your frustration. My only suggestion is that we make a distinction between lies and what Professor Frankfurt defines in his book as "bulls**t." The former is when someone knows something to be untrue but nonethless wants to you to accept it. The latter is an assertion made in complete disregard for whether it is true or not. Most every liberal of my acquaintance is a decent person, and I do not believe that they are lying in their political discourse. I do believe, however, that sometimes they marshall "facts" to support their principles in a way that falls within the concept of B.S. Unfortunately, I do the same thing from time to time. It is all too human, across the entire spectrum of ideology. I just try to focus on keeping my own front porch swept and doing my best as a citizen.
Sea_Hunter| 1.10.11 @ 7:24PM
Freddy
Absolutely outstanding blog. It strikes me as well reasoned and thoughtfully put. I wish that on these blogs more and more people would entertain the concept that thoughtful comments mean so much more than insults. Insults fall in the face of reason, and it is long past time that reason replace rhetoric, that though replace insult. I truly wish there were more bloggers that followed your example. Well done sir, well done.
SH
Andrew Keirns| 1.10.11 @ 3:13PM
... Jeffrey Lord's already done it ... (highlighted "every leftist-inspired murderer")
Tom in Michigan| 1.10.11 @ 4:41PM
One of the most egregious, inflammatory examples of hateful, violent leftist rhetoric came from failed prog-talker Rhandi Rhodes when she said, on-air (referring to G.W. Bush), "somebody should come up behind this guy and peeeefweeewww!" making a lame attempt at a richocheting bullet noise. This was a blantant call for Bush's assassination.
No member of the so-called "right" (there is no such thing, "right-wing" is a pure construct of the left. Nazis and all others of their ilk are leftists, National Socialists, as it were) and certainly no legitimate conservative radio host, not Rush, not Glenn, not Michael has ever called for the assassination of a prog politician.
Sid Vicious (Really Vicious..)| 1.11.11 @ 9:30AM
And remember the limey poofter band Genesis music video "This is the world we know" when they step on Reagan's face or the recent Madonna video where she hurls a hand grenade at President Bush.
Liberals have the monopoly on irresponsability, they get to decide who is allowed to be irresponsible and get a free pass and who should be sent to hell.
Andrew Klavan | 1.10.11 @ 5:27PM
Here's the video of a derelict gang of vicious liberals who decide to take on a pop and mom oil refinery company who has founded a Tea Party movement, because the wicked parasites believe they are entitled to wealth they were too lazy and asocial to produce, and they really become unhinged when one of them, the gay partner of the gang's David Axelrod, is murdered by a mentally disturbed kid handling an assault weapon. Axelrod blames the murder on the whole community and wishes every Republican to be dead. Obamungus must use all his behind the backdoor influence in order not to aggravate the already overtaxed and overdrained oil company.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RbtWr39w8Y4
That movie was made on the cheap and the whole script would fit a postcard but it is full of symbols, parabols and allegories. And it is an outstanding reflection on Good vs evil, Right vs wrong and left, Strength vs weakness, Tenacity vs surrender.
Think about it.
rick| 1.10.11 @ 5:46PM
Very funny and very insightful. It proves we do not need to understand a freaking word to catch the full meaning and the intensity of the situation. I gotta find it in blu-ray. It's a useful flick.
WRJonas| 1.10.11 @ 8:15PM
There is a very simple test that we could apply to all leftist Democrats .Pass legislation immediately, named for the Congresswoman, which makes the murder of a federal elected official punishable by execution within 60 days of conviction.
Lets see how many flannel mouthed lefties support that kind of law enforcement.
Sam Levi| 1.10.11 @ 9:44PM
When I was young. My father was trying to explain World War II to me. One of the things he made me do was read. I read the Communist Manifesto. I said, "Dad, that actually looks like it would be great in a perfect world." He responded with, "Son, it isn't a perfect world." What this did was spawn a love of History; not just what was taught in school. It led me to study History, and I learned that history is nothing more than politics/religion. This led me to study various religions more deeply. What I learned is this, as long as those in power can keep those they subjegate ignorant, nothing can or will improve. The problem today is that those that are ignorant, are willfully being so. As Americans, we owe it to ourselves to know our history, and understand it. We must apply the lens of logic to what is said by those in power, or by those who wish to wield power over us. I am a veteran, I am a conservative. I do not agree with the left; but I will defend their right to say it. How may liberals can make the same statement?
Ted| 1.11.11 @ 12:30AM
Let me add Wanda Sykes' joke: "Rush Limbaugh, I hope the country fails, I hope his kidneys fail, how about that? He needs a good waterboarding, that's what he needs."
Remedy for Fever Blister | 1.11.11 @ 5:47AM
I have to say I appreciate this article, but I don't doubt, you will get a lot of comments or emails with people who strongly disagree with you.
CJohnson| 1.11.11 @ 9:55PM
Orwellian newspeak birthers 'inflammatory rhetoric'. Give one example where paper or other material ignited in the presence of words.
Adidas | 8.11.11 @ 5:51AM
is good
العاب | 4.10.12 @ 1:01PM
Progressives and liberals always say other people (middle of the road and and the so called right-wing) are guilty of anthing they do. Their (useful idiots of the left) actions speak so loudly I cannot hear a word they are saying