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Adieu, Adieu, Remember Me
March 25, 2011 | 38 comments
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DeMint’s Defense of RomneyCare is Ignorant…And Dangerous
March 17, 2011 | 85 comments
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McConnell Pushing Vote to Block the EPA from Regulating Carbon Emissions
March 17, 2011 | 9 comments
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More Barbour on Afghanistan
March 16, 2011 | 8 comments
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House Passes Three Week Spending Bill
March 15, 2011 | 8 comments
The Spectacle Blog
In the wake of the Fort Hood massacre in November 2009, the editorial board of the New York Times urged:
In the aftermath of this unforgivable attack, it will be important to avoid drawing prejudicial conclusions from the fact that Major Hasan is an American Muslim whose parents came from the Middle East.
President Obama was right when he told Americans, “we don’t know all the answers yet” and cautioned everyone against “jumping to conclusions.”
Unverified reports, some from his family members, suggest that Major Hasan complained of harassment by fellow soldiers for being a Muslim, that he hoped to get out of a deployment to Afghanistan, that he sought a discharge from the Army and that he opposed the American military involvement in Iraq and Afghanistan. There were reports that some soldiers said they had heard him shout “God is Great” in Arabic before he started firing. But until investigations are complete, no one can begin to imagine what could possibly have motivated this latest appalling rampage.
There may never be an explanation. And, certainly, there can never be a justification.
For now, all that can be said is that our hearts go out to the families of the 12 soldiers and one civilian killed. And we are hoping for the fast recovery of all those who were wounded, including Kimberly Munley, a civilian police officer stationed at the base, who shot Major Hasan and ended the killing.
Yet for some reason, that sense of caution was strangely absent in today’s editorial on the tragic shooting in Arizona:
It is facile and mistaken to attribute this particular madman’s act directly to Republicans or Tea Party members. But it is legitimate to hold Republicans and particularly their most virulent supporters in the media responsible for the gale of anger that has produced the vast majority of these threats, setting the nation on edge. Many on the right have exploited the arguments of division, reaping political power by demonizing immigrants, or welfare recipients, or bureaucrats. They seem to have persuaded many Americans that the government is not just misguided, but the enemy of the people.
That whirlwind has touched down most forcefully in Arizona, which Pima County Sheriff Clarence Dupnik described after the shooting as the capital of “the anger, the hatred and the bigotry that goes on in this country.” Anti-immigrant sentiment in the state, firmly opposed by Ms. Giffords, has reached the point where Latino studies programs that advocate ethnic solidarity have actually been made illegal.
Its gun laws are among the most lenient, allowing even a disturbed man like Mr. Loughner to buy a pistol and carry it concealed without a special permit. That was before the Tucson rampage. Now, having seen first hand the horror of political violence, Arizona should lead the nation in quieting the voices of intolerance, demanding an end to the temptations of bloodshed, and imposing sensible controls on its instruments.
Bob K.| 1.10.11 @ 12:29AM
Always the voice of reason! In fact, ANY reason to advance the cause of liberalism will do!
Alan Brooks| 1.10.11 @ 9:41AM
But you don't care about HER, a Dem congressman (or woman) means nothing to you. Where have you written a word of sympathy for half her skull being removed, and her pain & discomfort?
Bob K.| 1.10.11 @ 1:17PM
The NYT editorial didn't mention that either!
Clearly the Times Editorial Board regards her as just another political casualty to exploit in their war on Conservatism!
Another black mark against them for their thoughtlessness! Thanks for reminding us.
WhiteBikerTrash| 1.10.11 @ 6:57PM
Allen, your unintended irony runs deep! Where are your words? She seems to be a "Blue Dog" Democrat. Closer to a Conservative then a "Nancy Pelosi" Democrat. No kind words from you? It is you that seems to have no concern about her except as a foil
Clint| 1.10.11 @ 12:34AM
We Are In A Media War With The State Run Authoritarian Mainstream Media Propagandists.
Bankrupt The Mainstream Media Propagandists.
BackwardsBoy | 1.10.11 @ 12:40AM
Sheriff Dupnik is wrong to inject politics into this when his job is to investigate the facts surrounding this tragedy. His interview with Megan Kelly was a disgraceful display of partisan, left-wing talking points. In fact, his statements could be responsible for preventing what should be a swift punishment for the shooters' crimes.
It seems that the MSM is following Rahm Emmanuel's admonition never to let a crisis go to waste.
TokyoTom | 1.10.11 @ 12:50AM
I love the hypocrisy with which the right points out the hypocrisy of left, in order to dodge its obvious responsibility for fuelling the religious and political divisions that the right finds convenient as a way to mask their desire to control a fairly naked kleptocracy behind their small government rhetoric.
Perhaps hypocrisy is in the eye of the beholder, Philip, but it doesn't seem so hard to distinguish these cases: in the first the NYT is seeking to keep fears of "Islamofascists" from running out of control, and in the second is drawing attention to the political polarization and hatred that are clearly on the rise.
One can disagree with the policies favored by the NYT and the left (like gun control) yet still recognize that at least the left deserves to be taken seriously, unlike you.
George S| 1.10.11 @ 4:17AM
No. The NYT is not "drawing attention to the political polarization and hatred that are clearly on the rise" -- it is instead creating it and blaming others, something the Nazis were adept at doing. Had the NYT mentioned that Loughner encountered Giffords in 2007 and later remarked that she was stupid and unintelligent, what would be the shelf-life of the theory that it was the right wing rhetoric of the 2010 Tea Party that triggered the shootings?
As for the Hasan editorial, why is fear of Islam unhealthy yet fear of conservatism isn't?
How many conservatives were in the Weather Underground, the SLA, the SDS, the FALN or the Black Panthers? What is the conservative equivalent of the WTO riots? Were those conservatives who rioted in Chicago back in 1968? The hatred and body counts are all on the Left. And I'll bet you that Loughner is the latest lefty to be inducted.
Patriot| 1.10.11 @ 4:27AM
The Left is just pissed off because they got shellacked in the last election. They're sore losers, and they're using this tragedy to try to regain power. Sick, vicious bastards.
Ain't gonna work this time.
Loughner is a Leftist, a certifiable nutjob like all of them.
Warrior | 1.10.11 @ 12:29PM
A lot of big words coming from a jackass. What political polarization are you speaking of? Ensuring that you tell everyone you are going to take a gun to a knife fight? Perhaps you applauded movies and manuals on how to assassinate President Bush. I wish you liberals would just shut up and stop trying to triangulate every situation into a political one. Loughner was crazy, get it. No amount of gun control or reduction in political rhetoric was going to stop him from going on a killing spree.
BLCulotti| 1.10.11 @ 8:29PM
Tokyo Tom speaks gibberish. He has been brainwashed and reacts accordingly.
not clarence dupnik| 1.10.11 @ 12:55AM
Dupnik has proven his incompetency when, in the same press conference he derided right-wing vitriol, established that Judge Roll was simply walking over to say "Hi" to Gabrielle.
If the shooter is to be tried under a death penalty crime, Judge Roll would have to have been exercising his official duties as a Judge. Numerous outlets have reported he stopped by to talk with her about the caseload the federal judges have due to incidents on the border.
Which is it, Sherriff Dunce?
azwayne| 1.11.11 @ 5:19PM
Talking of dupnik will find you some interesting facts, not just a place to put blame but the real cause of this disaster. Most will continue to cover and hide his incompetent roll, why, because he is government paid liberal incompetent. Too bad someon didn't grab the sheriff's file on Jerod the assasin immediately. It's been burned by now. The sheriff knew the assasin, thru various calls and complaints. If he had done reasonable job jerod would never had bought the gun but would have been under treatment or incarcerated. No wonder he wants to get blame somewhere else. Ask him for facts, not opinionated rhetoric, liberals know dumbed down america can be swayed .
Clint| 1.10.11 @ 1:00AM
The Socialist Leftists' Mantra: First, We Confiscate Their Guns, Then We Can Confiscate Even More of their Income.
Brian S| 1.10.11 @ 1:20AM
"The Socialist Leftists' Mantra: First, We Confiscate Their Guns, Then We Can Confiscate Even More of their Income."
Sounds like the dangerously close to the delusions of the paranoid schizo who did this. "Socialist Leftist" out to confiscate things . . . the mind of a conspiracy theorist working itself into a fevered pitch. Clint, get some help.
Clint| 1.10.11 @ 1:39AM
Sounds Like Brian Got The Mind Of A Socialist Leftist Parasite Apologist .
Get A Job.
Occam's Tool| 1.10.11 @ 3:58PM
Dear Brian S:
You are making me defend Clint against my will.
Obama is well known as an anti NRA advocate. He was also all about raising "taxes on the rich" until he "got shellacked" in the elections.
He also started his career in the home of Bill Ayers, noted Weatherman terrorist.
Jared| 1.10.11 @ 1:23AM
Isn't an editorial supposed to convey an opinion? I understand that different conclusions were reached in each case, but if the Times had been equally aggressive in their treatment of the Ft. Hood case, they would have decried the anti-Muslim sentiment in searching for an explanation. I only see inconsistency here, not hypocrisy.
Lobo| 1.11.11 @ 5:27PM
What's the difference, one just sounds nicer.
Brian S| 1.10.11 @ 1:24AM
"We Are In A Media War With The State Run Authoritarian Mainstream Media Propagandists. Bankrupt The Mainstream Media Propagandists."
Almost missed the paranoid sentences with all words capitalized. Wow . . . scary stuff. Please get some help Clint.
Alan Brooks| 1.10.11 @ 12:12PM
Notice how these wingnuts express condolences for the conservative judge, but not Giffords?
Patriot| 1.10.11 @ 4:05PM
Where are your kind words, Alan? As usual, all I see from you is ridicule. Hypocrite.
Charlene| 1.10.11 @ 4:43PM
Thankfully, Giffords is alive. Condolences for her are a bit premature. Where are YOUR words of condolonces for ALL the MURDER victims? The 9 year old child, the Aide, three elderly folks AND the Judge. None? Talk about a "wingnut". You're part of the problem.
WhiteBikerTrash| 1.10.11 @ 7:40PM
Allen once again you show your gross lack of knowledge. The Judges rulings were less than "Conservative" as was the President who appointed him.
Bruce| 1.10.11 @ 8:37PM
Brooks - I've asked this question of you before, but it begs to be asked again.
Are you really as stupid as you write, or do you have to work at it?
I'm thinking the former. There have been hundreds of well wishes for Rep Gifford's on every "conservative" based blogs I read. I don't recall hearing your despicable lot offering any such well wishes to former VP Cheney when he was hospitalized recently. Come to think about it - when President Reagan passed, the left appeared to be positively joyful. Why don't you just STFU and go play with your little friends on Kos?
Clint | 1.10.11 @ 1:28AM
Sounds Like You Don't Know Your World History Nor Me, Pseudo-Psychology Boy.
Vanders| 1.10.11 @ 1:39AM
Exactly. TokyoTom. The Times was merely calling attention to the rise in political polarization by informing its readers that those on the right are virulent, angry, hateful, bigoted, demonizing exploiters of division. Surely one can disagree with the policies favored by the left and still recognize that an insightful political analysis such as this deserves to be taken seriously.
ECM| 1.10.11 @ 2:27AM
Haha! Bravo! The unfortunate thing is your satire sounds a little too much like the actual left, so you lose some points for being a bit too accurate.
Patriot| 1.10.11 @ 4:08AM
Leftists can't help it--"Projection is a pillar of Leftist thought." Leftists are the personification of hatred, and Jared Lee Loughner is your poster boy.
Lobo| 1.11.11 @ 5:32PM
And the doesn't; which one of the three monkeys are you? Obviously not the speak no evil.
Gerald H. Treffinger| 1.10.11 @ 2:14AM
Obama ,in 2009 ; Well , hey , if you're in a fight and they bring a knife .....you gotta bring a gun .
jrs| 1.10.11 @ 2:53AM
Great observation. Pointing fingers and jumping to conclusions isn't going to help any of the victims and most likely won't help prevent a future occurrence. That said, I think where both sides has taken American politics is dangerous. It distracts from the issues and won't help unify the country when we finally realize we'll all need to share in the pain as we atone for our past excess. (This will sound one sided, but you can make equal arguements against the left) Obama is a Muslim, hates America, is a socialist are both wrong and not good for discourse. Are his actions misguided? Yes. But I don't think it's because he hates America, just that he's following bad policy advice. Should he be voted out? Quite possibly yes. The problem is that anything that doesn't fit on a bumper sticker is over the head of most Americans. But what should we expect when they can't tell the difference between Gross and Net income (Bachmann) or when the fiscal year starts. No wonder Democrats think they can fool most people regarding health care costs.
Patriot| 1.10.11 @ 3:58AM
The "Democrats" can't fool as many Americans as they used to--the election results of 11/2/10 proved that. "We won" remember? And we're just getting started.
Repeal ObamaCare!
jrsm| 1.10.11 @ 9:02AM
We, as in the American people won't win until our country is back on track. The last election means people were no longer happy w/ the last flavor of the month. They loved the vague concept that we can just cut spending and we'll be alright (we definitely need to cut spending), but once they realize that there's pain associated w/ the spending cuts I guarantee they'll be singing a different tune. Even look at the surveys. The majority don't like Obamacare, that's largely because they don't know what it is (it contains mostly garbage) however when you ask them should people be denied coverage because of preexisiting conditions or a host of other areas it tries to solve, an ever larger number agree w/ specific proposals. Additionally, it's our idiotic congressman who thinks we can spend anything we want (Dems) and Reps who can't do math either who think we can just cut "discretionary spending" and we'll be ok. That's a pretty interesting sci-fi theme.
Patriot| 1.11.11 @ 3:02PM
I agree with your first sentence; that's why I said, "we're just getting started." Guess you missed that part.
There's no magic to restoring our country, (as Thomas Jefferson said) "People get the government they deserve." The jury is definitely still out on our country's survival.
tatosian| 1.10.11 @ 4:56AM
Both sides haven't taken us there. You folks have. By shoving your repugnant ideology upon us while demanding we pay more, always more for it.
I'm not sure what unity you're referring to here. I mean obama is a king of class warfare who is clearly not above stirring up racial and ethnic resentments.
Is that the version of unity we should aspire to?
And when you say share in the pain, well some of us will share more than others, right?
And liberals didn't fool anyone regarding obamacare. They power played it through.
Despite the protests of those denied the right to see legislation that would cost them money and options.
You don't want unity, you want control.
jrs| 1.10.11 @ 9:14AM
First Moron, who is "you folks"? It's obviously not me as I voted for Bush 2x (mistake in hindsight) and McCain (will never vote for anyone associated w/ Palin again). I was against obamacare, and in favor of financial constraint.
Unity is the opposite direction the country has moved in the past 20-30 years.
I'll agree that Obama is definitely helping the spread of class warfare, however it is the right that is doing a very effective job of racial and ethnic resentment (views on illegal immigration --- we all were once, and without US population growth would be in trouble, calling Obama a muslim ,etc...).
Ideally smart policy will share the pain as equitable as possible, but some will suffer more than others. The poor will loose the most services and I think everyone should have some tax liability at the end of the year (last year I think 49% didn't) to keep the right incentives but even as we cut spending, taxes will ultimately have to go up (this will mean the rich pay a disproportionate amount in $ if not % terms).
Unfortunately both sides are ignorant to facts. The dems the economics of the health care bill, the solvency of entitlements, the impact of taxes on the economy. The republicans still hanging onto supply side economics and the genius of Art Laffer (at the end of the day empirical evidence doesn't support).
tatosian| 1.10.11 @ 5:32PM
You folks is you miss jrs. How much clearer can I be?
Obama is not just a class warrior, he's an enthusiastic proponent of racial and ethnic strife. Why was there a beer summit? Why were the laws ignored so as to protect black separatists bullying people at the polls? Who was it that declared those rightfully opposed to amnesty to be the enemies of Hispanic citizen voters rather than illegal immigration itself?
And no we were not all illegal immigrants once, dullard. Ever hear of Ellis Island? Nearly all immigration was legal till you folks opened the third world floodgates in 65.
Illegal immigration is a scourge. It has divided us as a nation and a culture. Folks like you insist those foreign nationals speak their own language, embrace their backwards culture and leave assimilation for another time. (And oh yeah, free health care and food stamps too com padres.)
How does all that bring us together as a nation? It doesn't.
No doubt the working poor will lose the most. Not so for our political elites. In fact, some of those punks are even now trying to hire on more govt. employees to protect them from those who insist they represent all of us, rather than their favored factions.
True enough there are those willfully ignorant of the facts.
That would be you folks, jrs.
(Ken (Old Texican)| 1.10.11 @ 10:29AM
Jrs,
It must get very uncomfortable straddling that barbed wire fence.
Your "oh so moderate" bs is a scam.
Patriot| 1.10.11 @ 4:09PM
Good comment, Ken; it's so true.
Natalie Solent | 1.10.11 @ 5:26AM
I did a very similar post about the astounding contrast between two articles by Michael Tomasky in the UK Guardian.
Two contrasting articles by Michael Tomasky on spree killers.
A commenter alerted me to this article. It's almost as if the different reactions to the murders by Hasan and Loughner followed some sort of pattern...
Barbara Munsey| 1.10.11 @ 5:59AM
The Sheriff's first comment described his state as the MECCA of bogotry, intolerance, etc.
They do plan to chide him for that hateful, intemperate and incendiary reference toward a peaceful faith whose practitioners have been unfairly demonized, right?
But of course,it was the hateful rhetoric of Palin and the Tea Party which caused him to make this unintended verbal slip.
Ted| 1.10.11 @ 6:07AM
I was feeling a sense of relief that this was just a lone nut out there, and not a political statement. Then I read these comments. Thanks for reminding me that the rhetoric of both sides is a reason to fear for the future of this country.
Patriot| 1.10.11 @ 4:10PM
Drama King.
sherlock| 1.10.11 @ 9:35AM
So someone needs to "get help" because they are calling for the economic boycott of an institution that they believe has become a mockery of it's claimed purpose?
Thoughtcrime: it isn't against the law, but clearly some wish it was.
BuddhaB| 1.10.11 @ 9:53AM
I'd say that, for those depraved enough to believe the president's accusation that the popularly elected majority are "hostage takers" and that we ourselves are hostages and that the constant talk of "fighting" for whatever socialist cause is helpful, such through-your-face tactics might be viewed as a logical extension -for now desperate hostages- of Obama's suggested in-your-face leftist evangelism.
JP| 1.10.11 @ 12:08PM
This nation was unified for a few weeks in early 2009, and look where it got us ($3 trillion in new debt, hyper inflation in the commodities markets, 10% inflation, and growing threats around the world). I'm all for partisan bickering and vitriol. The Left wants unity in the same way fascists do. Our system of government was built around partisanship, bickering, and endless debate. Our Constitution demands and protects it.
Rep Giffords and the others were a victim of an insane nihilst - nothing more, nothing less.
Oldefarte| 1.10.11 @ 2:36PM
To apply the old slogan, ITS NOT GUNS THAT KILL PEOPLE, ITS PEOPLE THAT KILL PEOPLE. Liberals will always attempt to brainwash the public with their liberalism that guns are the source/cause of this type violence, and ignore the obvious cause/reason being that a mentally deranged WITH A GUN did so. If the current laws were enforced properly, no nutjob, drug addict, pervert of any kind would be allowed to posses a gun. If gun applications were properly vetted/investigated before issuing guns to these sub-humans, most of this violence would be prevented. If criminals arrested WITH A GUN were LOCKED AWAY AND THEIR JAIL CELL KEY THROWN AWAY, we would not be experiencing this violence. But oh no, we simply can't infringe upon ANYONE'S INDIVIDUAL RIGHTS, now can we [so say the millions of ambulance chasing lawyers and liberal morons running off their collective mouths for the benefit of their bulging wallets from their fee collection]. No, there is no such thing as INDIVIDUAL RESPONSIBILITY, now is there????????????
Occam's Tool| 1.10.11 @ 3:55PM
Why the shooter could not be stopped: Google Riese V. St Mary's Hospital, and read away. I can't stand the ACLU.
SmirkingWeasel| 1.10.11 @ 3:13PM
But the good news is that the NYT must strongly support European History programs that promote white racial solidarity, and Christian religious studies programs that promote Christian solidarity.
Right?
tatosian| 1.10.11 @ 5:38PM
Be still catamite.
SmirkingWeasel| 1.10.11 @ 5:48PM
Be clear on the definitions of obscure adjectives
before you use them.
tatosian| 1.10.11 @ 8:46PM
Be still catamite.
tatosian| 1.10.11 @ 8:53PM
Oh wait.
You're original statement was misinterpreted by me.
Sometimes my sarcasm awareness isn't what it should be.
Forget that catamite stuff. (Yeah, I know what the word means.
My bad. Sorry.
tatosian| 1.10.11 @ 8:58PM
uh. That's "your original statement" rather than "you're original statement".
tatosian| 1.10.11 @ 9:01PM
What the hell.
Catamite's a noun isn't it?
SmirkingWeasel| 1.11.11 @ 4:16PM
Yes, the post was sarcastic. But it shouldn't be-
unless all ethnic-based 'studies' and 'organizations'
and 'preferences' are eliminated. After all, there's
nothing wrong with being 'white', is there?
The Loud Talker | 1.10.11 @ 3:40PM
The fact that the sheriff introduced bigotry into this discussion is proof that he is simply spouting emotional leftward talking points and not facts. The shooter was white. The victims were white. Sheriff, please STHU.
Patriot| 1.10.11 @ 4:11PM
The sheriff just didn't want to waste a good crisis.
zergot| 1.10.11 @ 4:45PM
A left-wing loon attempts to murder congresswoman and murders an honorable Federal judge and poor little girl, and others and wounds several others. That is the tragedy that happened on Saturday. However, left-wing hate bolgs like the Daily Kos, and left-wing hate main stream media like the deficient New York Times, and NBC TV, and left-wing politicians like congressman Hoyer ratchet up the self-serving political rhetoric and falsely blame conservatives and free speech for the actions of this left-wing murderous nut job. Even the Democrat sheriff of Pima County, AZ, without facts or evidence, irresponsibly blames free speech for the murderers actions. And, no less than the Director of the FBI blames the free speech of the Internet. All for cynical political gain.
It is clear that the shooter was a left-wing ideologue; it has come out that his favorite books were the left's communist manifesto and the left's socialist Mien Kampf (Hitler was a socialist, after all.) The shooter was not a conservative in any way shape or form, indeed, all of the facts we have to date describe the shooter as left of the political center.
Now, you have leftist, democrat politicians crawling out from under their rocks to make political hay out of this terrible event. Shame on Democrats and the rest of the political left.
The time has come for the left to cool it; to stop their hate speech and their hate rhetoric, to stop blaming conservatives for the actions of their own, like that of the shooter. Those injured and killed, and their families, need our good wishes and prayers to God, and America needs to move on and be civil about it, dammit!