The Tragedy in Tuscon is a turning pont/crossroads moment

[Politics_Guy25]

America will

A) recognize the hatred/vitriol that is consuming its politics and pull back from the brink into a more civilized political discourse where all points of view are respected and the memory of what happened to Gabby and the others is at the forefront of everyone's mind as America remembers what unites it rather than divides it.

or

B) The various factions will blame each other for the tragedy, the vitriol gets worse, events that dwarf Tuscon in scale including more signifcant assasinations and bombings begin happening on a regular basis and eventually the republic disintegrates.

The tragedy will either mark the beginning of a return to civilization for America or just the start of a brutal descent into hell, especially since this is Great Depression II.

[ProgressiveProfessor]

1. Doubtful, it will move off the front pages once something else happens like Linday Lohan

making bail or some such

[Politics_Guy25]

3. Yesterday is a warning

of what is to come. The media and political figures either help pull the US back from the brink or it's a plunge into the abyss. That's jmho.

[OregonBlue]

2. Only if we stand up to the "news" media and make them start reporting on the issues instead of

trying to entertain us!!!

[Cirque du So-What]

4. Or C)

There will be a fresh outrage week after next - the latest shiny object to focus our attention...until the next one comes along, that is. Personally, I'm hoping Option C does not come to fruition, as this latest shooting - to me - represents a threshold moment. I hope this opportunity to turn back from the abyss is not lost.

[valerief]

5. I think a Christina Law will be passed. It will be a watered-down nothing of a law

(but will be symbolic!) and business will continue as usual in our banana republic.

[noise]

6. The right wing needs the hate

Their agenda is garbage so they must fool people into supporting them.

[Mist]

12. Yes--it's a cheap'n'easy way of keeping the nuttiest rwingers gratified and less concerned with

details like a failing economy and no jobs.

[CountAllVotes]

7. agree

This is the straw that broke the camel's back!

:dem: :kick:

[dkf]

8. I am hoping for a).

I don't know what good purpose option b serves.

[BeyondGeography]

9. I'm pessimistic

Ugly doesn't happen overnight, nor does it begin to disappear in a moment.

That said, events matter, and this is no small thing.

The media won't help. It will come down to leadership, and not just from the President. I heard some sincerity in the voices of elected officials from the Right yesterday. They will have to start standing up to their own; a Sister Sarah moment, if you will.

But, even then, I fear the institutional obstacles (i.e. all the money that's tied to hate) will be too much for well- meaning individuals to overcome.

[Name removed]

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[Bonhomme Richard]

11. Down the rabbit hole as soon as a white girl goes missing. n/t

[AsahinaKimi]

13. I don't think anything will change, and only get worse

This is not the last of this, its probably the beginning, unfortunately.

[toddaa]

14. I'm going with B

In a few weeks another round of American Idol/Biggest Loser/Survivor will start up and America will go back to sleep.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q95kX_EP2Nk

[lunatica]

15. It will be a turning point for the politicians in DC because they're now afraid

for their own lives. They've got incentive now.