Why the right is getting a free pass on Tuscon...

[regnaD kciN]

In case you haven't noticed, the verdict is in, and the far right has been absolved of all responsibility for the shootings in Tuscon. The cover story of Time this week describes as the most "shameful" part of the whole incident the voices on the left (specifically singling out Kos) trying to "capitalize" on the tragedy by tying it to rhetoric from Palin, Limbaugh, Angle and the like. And the most recent poll on the subject has shown that only 24% of those surveyed believe that there was a political aspect to the shootings, with 71% stating that it was simply the act of a "deranged" individual.

I've been trying to figure out why it seems the most natural thing in the world to view the attempted assassination of a congressperson as an apolitical act -- I mean, if the guy was deranged and just wanted to kill someone, without any political intentions, why didn't he simply open fire on his neighbors (or, if he wanted the fame that comes from killing a celebrity, some random sports or entertainment star)? How can someone target a politician and have everyone assume that there was absolutely no political motive for the crime?

But everyone is quick to simply describe the shooter as a "madman" or "deranged," and stopping at that. But there's a crucial link that is being missed. Certainly, Loughner seems to be mentally-disturbed in a violent manner. But can't the same be said for a political worldview that constantly uses images and words of lethal violence against their opponents? Is there anything more delusional about the would-be assassin's outlook than about those screaming out warnings about "death panels" and black helicopters, or insisting that Obama is right on the verge of imposing Soviet-style communism on America? Is there anything more ridiculous about Jared Loughner's obsession with gold-backed currency than...Glenn Beck's obsession with gold-backed currency?

I'd like to posit the following thesis: In the current political climate, any sufficiently developed far-right worldview becomes, in the end, indistinguishable from psychosis. And, in trying to close their eyes to this, the corporate media has no choice but to pretend there is a clean divide between those in political power (and, therefore, people for whom we need to have the illusion of sober rationality) and the "deranged individual" who is, if you look at their words, only a millimeter or so away from the socially-acceptable deranged individuals who populate the Tea Party and their talk-show and Republican Party enablers. And the sooner we stop this charade of believing there is a divide, the better.

[mwb970]

1. Bravo!

"In the current political climate, any sufficiently developed far-right worldview becomes, in the end, indistinguishable from psychosis."

You nailed it, my friend.

[Fumesucker]

2. Clever play on Clarke's third law..

Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.

I think you've got a good point, being far right does seem to unhinge one from reality.

[malaise]

3. Do you notice the deafening silence re the deadly

bomb that was placed with a few to killing and injuring people attending the MLK march in Spokane Washington? The RWs and their hacks know the truth.

They are responsible for this environment of hate, but they cannot fulfill their agenda if they admit the truth. They want an environment of fear - they want power to push their ideological agenda by any means necessary. Their leading spokespersons have stated publicly that killing liberals is OK.

[backscatter712]

4. K&R!!! n/t

[KharmaTrain]

5. They've Run For Cover...

If opinion polls are to be believed, the right has taken a big hit in the wake of Tucson. President Obama's popularity jumped 8 points and teabagger favorables have dropped. Except for Palin, whose become to narcisistic for her own good now, most GOTB politicians stayed away from playing politics with it and ran behind their usual second ammendment claptrap piss and moans. Sure there were some hate radio types who just couldn't stay away from this issue and used it to amp up their "relevance" and ratings, but the mainstream rushpublican party has cooled their jets from all the bravado of the week prior to the shootings (when Boner was sworn in) to looking ineffective and foolish with this week's "kill Obamacare" vote. Except for Faux, you're not finding the usual GOTB mouthpieces running for the microphones and the criticism from some in the media have scored some points.

The corporate media has lagged behind the public on this story. Their game is to polarize and politicize and they had a tough time trying not to do that with this story. While there are those on this side of the sandbox who want to connect dots behind the shooting and the ferral tone of today's poltical discourse, they are two seperate issues. We still have no evidence that the assasin had any motivation from Dreck or Palin but that doesn't mean there isn't some other "lone wolf" or "patriot" out there who isn't getting charged up and will be the next to take a shot at a federal building or government official. As usual, nuance just doesn't translate well here...especially for those who are already set on their positions.

[RichGirl]

6. Because it wasn't their fault....

It's enough that the rhetoric was addressed and maybe review gun rights...but if we kept at it blaming them...it would make us look really bad and get sympathy for them. This isn't the school yard.

[texshelters]

11. Okay, show me one post

directly blaming Palin herself for the Tucson Shooting.

I am tired of the BS lies around this.

Just because we mention the target map (and other rhetoric) as a possible contributor to this violence doesn't mean we are blaming Palin.

Can you see the difference?

Peace,
Tex Shelters

[lame54]

7. Here is what I have to say about that...

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

[texshelters]

13. Well Done Lame

watch out, you might be accused of blaming Sarah Palin by pointing out the rhetoric!!

Peace,
Tex Shelters

[The Backlash Cometh]

8. Minorities understand why they're doing this.

He was a white male. If they tied him to the right-wing, they would have to treat white males the same way they treat us darkies.

[texshelters]

9. People are so poorly educated and left ignnorant in this society

that they can't see more than one cause for a shooting, i.e. the political climate that legitimizes violence as a solution and a shooter being derange.

And don't forget, conservatives own the mainstream media, so why would they ever say the violent rhetoric has something to do with this?

Peace,
Tex Shelters

[Xenotime]

10. Thank you for your wonderful insight.

[Nuclear Unicorn]

12. Bremer and Hinkley made their attempts so as to impress objects of their desire

Loughner was motivated by belief that the government was using currency and grammar to control people.

I defy anyone to find an anti-currency conservative.