Today a Democratic Congresswoman from Arizona, Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, was shot in the head by a young man at a public event in Tucson.
MSNBC is reporting that she is still alive and in surgery.
If it turns out that the murderer was a Tea Party crazy, targeting Giffords for her support of causes he detested…
Giffords, 40, is married to U.S. astronaut Mark Kelly. She took office in January 2007, emphasizing issues such as immigration reform, embryonic stem-cell research, alternative energy sources and a higher minimum wage. In November, she edged a tea party favorite.
…Then a lot of people, a lot, need to get very, very, very angry.
At Sarah Palin for putting Giffords on her "crosshair target list" for elimination in the 2010 elections. At Fox News for firing up the right-wing lunatics and failing to stamp out the vicious lies that fuel the flames of Tea Party extremism. At many, many people.
If this guy was a Glenn Beck-loving, gun-toting, take-back-our-country fanatic, it's time for all out war against immoderate Republicans. No more compromising. No more shading of the truth.
These assholes are out to destroy America, and all that it stands for: the rule of law, open and civilized debate, peaceful dissent.
Note: I said "if." I'm just saying…if.
[Update: when asked if Giffords had any enemies, her father said "Yes, the whole Tea Party."]
[Update 2: The sheriff of Pima County, where the attack occurred, wasn't shy about pointing out the responsibility talk radio and cable news (a.k.a. Fox "Noise") voices who spout anti-government vitriol have for pushing mentally balanced people over the edge into violence.
Paul Krugman, ditto.
You know that Republicans will yell about the evils of partisanship whenever anyone tries to make a connection between the rhetoric of Beck, Limbaugh, etc. and the violence I fear we’re going to see in the months and years ahead. But violent acts are what happen when you create a climate of hate. And it’s long past time for the GOP’s leaders to take a stand against the hate-mongers.
Along the same line, Gary Hart nails the dangers of over-the-top right-wing rheotric in "Words Have Consequences." Yes, they do. Six people died, including a 9 year-old girl. Are you proud of what you've wrought with your words, Glenn Beck, Michael Savage, Fox News, etc. etc. etc. etc.? Read on for what Hart wrote.]
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