After Tucson, Is the Anger Gone?

[groovedaddy]

WASHINGTON — For anyone who hoped that the tragedy in Tucson might jolt the political class into some new period of civility and reflection, suddenly subduing all the radio ranters and acid bloggers, the days that followed brought a cold reality.

Within hours of the shooting rampage that killed six and critically wounded Representative Gabrielle Giffords, liberals were accusing conservatives of inciting the violence, and conservatives were accusing liberals of exploiting the actions of a madman.

In what may have been his most emotional speech since the 2008 campaign, President Obama registered his own disappointment, pleading with all sides for temperance. “What we can’t do is use this tragedy as one more occasion to turn on one another,” the president said in his Tucson eulogy. “If this tragedy prompts reflection and debate, as it should, let’s make sure it’s worthy of those we have lost.”

If the shooting didn’t feel like the turning point in the civic life of the nation that some of us had imagined it might become, then it may be because such turning points aren’t always immediately evident. Or maybe it’s because the murder suspect appeared to have no obvious ideology, his crime an imperfect parable for the consequences of political rhetoric.

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/16/weekinreview/16bai.html?nl=todaysheadlines&emc=tha23

[Warren Stupidity]

1. Equivalency bullshit.

[Igel]

2. I think it's worse.

Both sides are even more offended at the imbecility and self-righteousness of the other.

Once the idea that they'll suffer reputational dings if they return to their sniping is past, once people have stopped waiting to see who'll return to it first, we'll see more of it.