Sheriff Who Blamed Violent Discourse Is New Right-Wing Target

[marmar]

Washington Monthly, via AlterNet:



Sheriff Who Blamed Violent Discourse Is New Right-Wing Target


On Saturday night in Tucson, Pima County Sheriff Clarence Dupnik lamented societal factors -- most notably, the toxicity of our political discourse -- that he fears may have contributed to the day's violence.

"When you look at unbalanced people, how they respond to the vitriol that comes out of certain mouths about tearing down the government. The anger, the hatred, the bigotry that goes on in this country is getting to be outrageous," the sheriff said. "And unfortunately, Arizona I think has become sort of the capital. We have become the mecca for prejudice and bigotry."

Dupnik added that he believes "unbalanced" people are "susceptible to vitriol."

It appears many conservatives believed the sheriff was referring to them, and began responding in kind.

Dupnik immediately angered some on the right, who took his words to be directed at the tea party and conservatives, as well as Arizonans who took offense to his depiction of Arizona as "a mecca for prejudice and bigotry."

Sen. Jon Kyl (R-AZ) said he didn't think the sheriff's words "had any part in a law enforcement briefing." Rep. Trent Franks (R-AZ) said he was "disappointed" in the sheriff. Conservative talk show host Neal Boortz said Dupnik was looking for political gain, and Fox News anchor -- in an interview with the sheriff -- wondered aloud why he would "inject political speculation" into the story.

............(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.alternet.org/newsandviews/article/432749/sheriff_who_blamed_violent_discourse_is_new_right-wing_target/

[cutlassmama]

1. If they weren't to blame they wouldn't feel guilty.

[emulatorloo]

3. You don't start scrubbing your websites because you feel blameless.

[glinda]

2. Who couldn't have predicted this...

[tom_paine]

7. 99.5% of Americans.

n/t

[emulatorloo]

4. So lets see, Angry Republican Politicos react with Vitriol and Character Attacks

Wow, I did not see that coming at all!

<sarcasm>

[Tippy]

5. K&R for Truth and justice and for a brave Sheriff who told it like it was

Next time he runs for re-election he will need help...One republican Congressman this morning said what happend is Giffords own fault. This world has indeed gone mad.

[reformist2]

6. His comments were incredibly damaging to the right wing.

It's because they came from someone who doesn't "fit the mold" of a liberal.

[FormerOstrich]

8. Of course....

and so the Arizona Republic is on cue:

Pima County sheriff should remember duty

http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/opinions/articles/2011/01/11/20110111tue1-11.html">AZRepublic

grrrrrrrr

[rbrnmw]

9. typical and just proves to me how childish they are ..............