Should Sara Palin be held accountable?

[YLGuy]

Sara Palin came up with her "Target Map"

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/03/24/sarah-palins-pac-puts-gun_n_511433.html

Today Congresswoman Giffords was shot in Tucson. She was on the map.

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/09/us/politics/09giffords.html?partner=rss&emc=rss

[MooseMom]

The thing that disturbs me most about Sarah Palin is that she presents every argument in an "us versus them" framework.  She is one of the most divisive voices on the American political landscape at a time when the electorate clearly wants Congress to work together for the benefit of the entire nation.  She has to find an enemy before she can be effective.

That said, I really hesitate in making Palin responsible if indeed this was an attempt at political assassination of the Congresswoman.  Ultimate responsibility is with the shooter.

[okarol]

C'mon. Jeez. The subject of this thread is ridiculous. Some psycho shot people at a town hall meeting.
It's still not clear how many were shot. Absolutely horrible event. I am praying for all of the victims. 

[MooseMom]

C'mon. Jeez. The subject of this thread is ridiculous. Some psycho shot people at a town hall meeting.

Well, I hope you are right and that politics had nothing to do with this.  Congresswoman Giffords must have been pretty popular, though, to be a re-elected Democrat in Republican Arizona.  Her constituents are losers in this, too.

[okarol]

I didn't say politics had nothing to do with it. I just think the focus should be on the victims.

[MooseMom]

I didn't say politics had nothing to do with it. I just think the focus should be on the victims.

Of course you are right, but I guess hospital policies dictate how much information they can give out.  There's not much information right now about any of this.  Chaos and confusion reigns.  Guess we will have to be patient and just keep listening for updated news.


http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/01/08/gabrielle-giffords-shot-c_n_806211.html
Huffington Post has an updated feed...

Notice that Sarah Palin has made a statement.

[cariad]

I don't think it is ridiculous. I think people in positions of power - anyone who has the attention of the country and a platform to use - should be expected to show restraint and caution. Sarah Palin crossed the line in my opinion, and then this is compounded by being a figure who is very popular with many people.

Free speech ends when you advocate violence, most especially when it is directed at specific individuals. I think it is important to talk about how our country comes to this, or there will be more victims to focus upon in future.

[cariad]

I didn't say politics had nothing to do with it. I just think the focus should be on the victims.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/01/08/gabrielle-giffords-shot-c_n_806211.html
Huffington Post has an updated feed...

Notice that Sarah Palin has made a statement.

That's more of a generic non-statement in my opinion.....

[YLGuy]

C'mon. Jeez. The subject of this thread is ridiculous. Some psycho shot people at a town hall meeting.
It's still not clear how many were shot. Absolutely horrible event. I am praying for all of the victims. 

NO, it is not! When she came out with her "Map" many were appalled at it saying something like this may happen. It is ridiculous that the map with cross-hairs on people would be found acceptable.

[okarol]

LOL so the map made someone shoot them? Get real.

[MooseMom]

That's more of a generic non-statement in my opinion.....

I mentioned it only because it made me wonder if Palin feels any morsel of responsibility due to her map.

I wonder if John Boehner is crying.

[cariad]

It's not that the map "makes" someone, but would you want to see your name/face with crosshairs over it? This is a violent and radical intimidation tactic.

[MooseMom]

LOL so the map made someone shoot them? Get real.

Someone tried to assassinate President Reagan to impress Jodie Foster.  Weirder things have happened.

[okarol]

LOL so the map made someone shoot them? Get real.

Someone tried to assassinate President Reagan to impress Jodie Foster.  Weirder things have happened.

Yes, and those people are mentally ill. Would you blame Jodie Foster for making movies??

[cariad]

That's more of a generic non-statement in my opinion.....

I mentioned it only because it made me wonder if Palin feels any morsel of responsibility due to her map.

I wonder if John Boehner is crying.

Oh, I think mentioning it was completely appropriate, but I highly doubt she does and it sounds like the type of pre-written utterly emotionless statement with which you could just substitute out names at a push.

Interesting. And if John Boehner is not crying, it will be the first time in days!

[cariad]

There's an immense difference between an actress making films that are fiction and being a political figure who wants to lead the country.

[Hemodoc]

C'mon. Jeez. The subject of this thread is ridiculous. Some psycho shot people at a town hall meeting.
It's still not clear how many were shot. Absolutely horrible event. I am praying for all of the victims. 

Thank you Karol, we have nuts on both sides of the aisle. 

I don't agree with the AZ congress woman's politics, but she didn't deserve this.  My prayers are with her and her family.  If we are going to be a nation of laws, that applies to all.  I would point out that apparantly 12 people were shot by this person.

Eric Cantors office was shot at as well last spring.  Is Pelosi responsible for that?  Of course not. I would hope we can get past inflammatory rhetoric in this nation or we are truly doomed, once again on both sides of the aisle.

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2010/03/25/rep-cantors-richmond-campaign-office-shot-overnight/

[cariad]

C'mon. Jeez. The subject of this thread is ridiculous. Some psycho shot people at a town hall meeting.
It's still not clear how many were shot. Absolutely horrible event. I am praying for all of the victims. 

Thank you Karol, we have nuts on both sides of the aisle.  There was a Republican congressman who had someone shoot at his office some time back in the last few months, Is Pelosi responsible for that?  Of course not, deranged people are just that.

I don't agree with the AZ congress woman's politics, but she didn't deserve this.  My prayers are with her and her family.  If we are going to be a nation of laws, that applies to all.  I would point out that apparantly 12 people were shot by this person.

I don't remember Nancy Pelosi implying that guns were the way to hash out political differences. Wasn't it Sharon Angle who said "2nd amendment remedies"? Thank goodness the people of Nevada rejected that thinking, or lack of thinking.

[okarol]

There's an immense difference between an actress making films that are fiction and being a political figure who wants to lead the country.

I know that. That's obvious. The thread is about holding Palin responsible for this slaughter. If it makes anyone feel better, they can blame her. I just think it's short-sighted. Threats and damage has been done to many offices of representatives who voted for the health care bill.

[okarol]

Anyway, pardon me for posting as I historically avoid all political threads, so I leave it to you folks to hash it out. I doubt the problems of our country are going to be solved in a thread on IHD. I will go back to my corner. Still praying for the 12 victims (one now confirmed dead) and their families.

[MooseMom]

I wonder if the shooter was legally able to have a gun under Arizona laws.  The one victim that died was a child...9 months old. 

[MooseMom]

Anyway, pardon me for posting as I historically avoid all political threads, so I leave it to you folks to hash it out. I doubt the problems of our country are going to be solved in a thread on IHD. I will go back to my corner. Still praying for the 12 victims (one now confirmed dead) and their families.

Well, all of the problems associated with the provision of dialysis aren't going be solved by ALL of the threads on IHD, but we still talk about it.  This may have started out as a political thread, but the underlying fear is that we are headed toward violent times, and this attack just reinforces that fear.  Sure, there are violent people with guns on all sides of the political divide, but this really is an attack on all of us who chose our representatives in a democratic way.  If someone killed my congressperson, I'd feel personally violated. 

[MooseMom]

No, I don't blame Jodie Foster for making movies, but Jodie Foster never claimed to lead and represent the American people.  Ms. Foster never directed people to "target" anyone in any way.

The Congresswoman's office in Arizona was vandalized during the healthcare debate.  Many democratic congresspeople experienced the same form of intimidation.  While the attack today may well be random and have nothing to do with politics, it is interesting that the President, John Boehner and Mitch McConnell and Sarah Palin...all highly visible political figures...all seem to intuit that there might be some political motivation behind the attack.  But it does remain to be seen if that is indeed the case.

The surgeons are optimistic about her chances for recovery.  She made it through surgery.  She's still unconscious.

[Hemodoc]

Anyway, pardon me for posting as I historically avoid all political threads, so I leave it to you folks to hash it out. I doubt the problems of our country are going to be solved in a thread on IHD. I will go back to my corner. Still praying for the 12 victims (one now confirmed dead) and their families.

Well, all of the problems associated with the provision of dialysis aren't going be solved by ALL of the threads on IHD, but we still talk about it.  This may have started out as a political thread, but the underlying fear is that we are headed toward violent times, and this attack just reinforces that fear.  Sure, there are violent people with guns on all sides of the political divide, but this really is an attack on all of us who chose our representatives in a democratic way.  If someone killed my congressperson, I'd feel personally violated.

I think what Eric Cantor stated after a bullet went through his campaign office sums up what all should do at present:

Cantor said "a bullet was shot through the window" of his campaign office. The incident happened Monday, Fox News has learned, the latest in a rash of apparent threats and acts of intimidation against members of Congress. Most of the threats so far have been reported by Democrats, but Cantor -- the No. 2 Republican in the House -- is one of about 10 lawmakers who has asked for increased security protection, Fox News has learned.

In brief and pointed remarks, Cantor said he would not be releasing any information about the other threats he's received, as some lawmakers have done, out of concern that it would "encourage more to be sent."

And he admonished his colleagues -- specifically Rep. Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., and Democratic National Committee Chairman Tim Kaine -- for "dangerously fanning the flames by suggesting these incidents be used as a political weapon."

"Any suggestion that a leader in this body would incite threats or acts against other members is akin to saying that I would endanger myself, my wife or my children," Cantor said. "It is reckless to use these incidents as media vehicles for political gain."

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2010/03/25/rep-cantors-richmond-campaign-office-shot-overnight/

This is a terrorist attack against our political system.  I would hope we wouldn't fall prey to the political retribution they planned as a result of this horrible event.  If so, it will only lead to more attacks and the loss of freedom for all of us.

[cariad]

Well, all of the problems associated with the provision of dialysis aren't going be solved by ALL of the threads on IHD, but we still talk about it.  This may have started out as a political thread, but the underlying fear is that we are headed toward violent times, and this attack just reinforces that fear.  Sure, there are violent people with guns on all sides of the political divide, but this really is an attack on all of us who chose our representatives in a democratic way.  If someone killed my congressperson, I'd feel personally violated.

Well said, MM. I agree completely.