Arizona and the Right Wing

On Saturday January 8th Arizona Representative Giffords was holding a Congress on your corner event at a local Safeway in her district. At about 10 minutes after 10 a gunman walked up and shot her in the head. When it was all over six people had died, including a nine year old girl. This is what we have allowed our country to become. In truth the assailant in this case most likely was not influenced by the current tone in Washington but the events from that Saturday should allow us to reflect on the current climate in and about Washington. Why do we accept rhetoric that is violent in nature? Why do we accept politicians running for office that passively advocate for violence?

During her race to unseat Harry Reid in Nevada Sharon Angle suggested that people may have to resort to second amendment remedies. What does that mean exactly Sharon? Are you recommending that if you do not win (she didn't) that people arm themselves in defence AGAINST their government? How about Rick Perry, the current Governor of Texas, who floated the idea of leaving the Union? Frankly, I am in support of this idea Rick, have at it. How about Sarah Palin, who used gun sights to target 20 members of congress, including Rep. Giffords? Michelle Bachman who told Minnesota that she wanted them armed and dangerous because of her distaste for cap and trade?

Truth be told, the left is not completely blameless. We have had our moments, recently Joe Machin, shot the cap and trade bill. The right has gone into overdrive looking for anything they can pin on the left to absolve themselves from any responsibility. I have seen a map similar to Palin's except the targets looked like archery targets and I do not recall the gun metaphors being reported nightly. There is also the President during the campaign saying that you bring a gun to a knife fight. these are few and far between and they fall far short of the type of rhetoric we have been seeing as of late.

I recently read an article where it was noted that the number of deeath threats against candidate Obama spiked due to Sarah Palin running around saying that he palled around with terrorists. I still remember the cry of "Kill Him" at one Palin rally. the Republicans have seemed to have forgotten their own words and the affect they have on the crowds in which they resonate.