Sheriff Dupnik's criticism of political 'vitriol' resonates with public

[malaise]

And the RWs and hate radio bosses know it

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/44/2011/01/sheriff-dupniks-criticism-of-p.html
<snip>

Pima County Sheriff Clarence W. Dupnik, who is overseeing the investigation of Saturday's mass shooting that critically wounded Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D), became an overnight sensation with his remarks that the "vitriol" in today's political discourse contributed to the incident and that Arizona has become "a mecca for prejudice and bigotry."

Dupnik's name was a top search term on Twitter Saturday night, with many of the tweets thanking him for his candor, and overnight, a Facebook page titled "Clarence Dupnik is my Hero" sprung up.

In a news conference Saturday evening, Dupnik condemned the "atmosphere of hatred and bigotry" that he said has gripped the nation and suggested that the 22-year-old suspect being held in the shooting was mentally ill and therefore more susceptible to overheated messages in the media.

"There's reason to believe that this individual may have a mental issue. And I think people who are unbalanced are especially susceptible to vitriol," he said during his televised remarks. "People tend to pooh-pooh this business about all the vitriol we hear inflaming the American public by people who make a living off of doing that. That may be free speech, but it's not without consequences."
------------
Bravo Sheriff - :yourock:

Sorry folks don't know what happened there - deleted a chunk :D

[GoCubsGo]

1. Does Polly want a cracker?

After reading some of those tweets, it's becoming more and more obvious that the right sure do know how to parrot the talking points. Looks "An MSNBC Star Is Born" is the meme of the weekend.

[malaise]

3. They know he spoke the truth

Didn't mean to post all those tweets

[nadinbrzezinski]

9. Trust me polly is not as dumb

we own two.

Oh and stick the program... does polly want a waffle?

[annabanana]

2. Truth hurts doesn't it? . . .you RW fucktoids.. . . n/t

[lonestarnot]

4. Sucks to be those motherfuckers.

[xchrom]

5. dupnick is my new hero. nt

[Overseas]

6. K&R. I was glad he told the truth right away too. //nt

[felix_numinous]

7. This man was fully aware

of the potential of that powerful media moment and he chose his words well. He spoke from his higher self.

[deacon]

8. This reminds me of the 'Is waterboarding torture?' debate. If they determined it was

those involved would be guilty.

[malaise]

16. Ding ding

and RWs are never ever responsible for anything or guilty

[Ptah]

10. Sheriff Dupnik has had some heated exchanges with a local talk show host:

From the Tucson Weekly, Jan. 8, 2011:

http://www.tucsonweekly.com/TheRange/archives/2011/01/08/jon-justice-responds-to-dupnik-criticism

Obviously, there are a million more pressing issues today, but here's an e-mail comment from
KQTH FM 104.1 talk-show host Jon Justice in response to Dupnik's press conference editorializing
about the polarizing role of talk radio.

Recognizing this is probably Dupnik's toughest day, and emotions understandable, Dupnik
has focused on this belief in the past as well, and has singled out Justice, although he probably
includes the likes of Glenn Beck in the mix as well. He editorialized at least twice, maybe
three times, on the topic.

Here's the Justice e-mail response:

I feel incredibly bad for our brave Pima County Sheriff’s Officers who have
to serve under Clarence Dupnik. Within hours of the horrific shooting that took
place at the congresswoman’s event Dupnik was telling local media that talk
radio and the media was partly to blame, only to repeat his statements again
during the press conference that was receiving national attention. We have no
idea at this point the motivation of this murderer’s act. Yet Dupnik took his
moment in the spotlight to drive a political wedge into the event. They were
reckless and dangerous statements made by someone who should have known
better. He should have been using his time to help bring the community together.
Instead his statements made Tucson appear to be a city full hate, bigotry and vitriol.
To say, as Dupnik did, that comments made on the airwaves essentially motivated
this person to commit this crime is exactly what he blamed talk radio of doing,
inciting through pure rhetoric. It was complete misuse of his power and he owes
the media in town, TV and radio, an apology for his horrible comments in the middle
of such a tragic day. He should step down immediately from his position as Pima County Sheriff.


---------------------------------------------------------------
Here are two parts on an interview with local RW talker, Jon Justice, 104.1 FM
There will give you an idea how long Dupnik has been fighting the heat from radio:

Dupnik Interview Part 1
http://il.youtube.com/watch?v=YTv8LHJZ8Uk


Dupnik Interview Part 2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=58wWm0t-eB0

[DailyGrind51]

11. Police chiefs and sheriffs are much more capable of perceiving the big picture than many

rank and file patrol officers and deputies.

[DBoon]

12. they know who in their community gets death threats

as well as the tenor and likely source of those threats

[UTUSN]

13. K&R #24 n/t

[steve2470]

14. k&r nt

[DenverDad]

15. Having heard Sheriff Dupnik's statement on the radio

If I recall correctly, his criticism was of the "vitriol" and hate talk in general. He didn't name names specifically, or mention a particular party, BUT it was the Republicans that became defensive, and created the backlash.

Methinks thou doth protest too much?

[snagglepuss]

17. Exactly.

Welcome to DU :hi:

[DenverDad]

18. Thank you.

:-)

[butterfly77]

19. Kicked&Recommended...

[jillan]

20. Those righties are not very happy about this. Just read their sad little comments.

:nopity: They don't want to face the truth.

[lonestarnot]

21. I want that sheriff! You can have RPieHole damn it!

}(

[Zax2me]

22. I don't get it. Who is the sheriff talking to?!

"His anger would well up at the sight of President George W. Bush"
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/16/us/16loughner.html?_r=3&adxnnl=1&pagewanted=3&adxnnlx=1295272816-mzPTbiXmgfYK5d56DmiDjg
Is he saying that rush and palin and the like made this guy angry at bush?