Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords shot in Arizona

Originally Posted by 12thMan

You think I've lost my mind in a Jared Loughner sort of way? Couldn't resist the pun. But yeah, I am a little emotionally invested; I guess we all are to some degree.

If you read all of my comments, however, you'll see that I don't place the blame solely on some political motive or any one thing, for that matter. What I said was that we don't know, and may never know, what caused Loughner to actually do this.

That said, I have to wonder why Loughner didn't carry out these heinous acts of violence on the faculty at the community college that gave him the boot for misconduct or the Army recruiter that denied him on the basis of drug use. One would think he had a more personal grievance with both of those institutions. His past contact with Giffords, as well as the letter that was found at his home, seem to indicate some political motive or extreme views. That's all I'm saying.

But to cut to the chase, do I think Sarah Palin's crosshairs made him do this? Naw, but still Sarah Palin is a major part of the backdrop of American politics and conservative culture. She is a universal and recognizable figure by any measure and has a huge and loyal following. So while Loughner may not have taken any direct cues from Palin or her website, her extreme and hateful rhetoric may have turned up the temperature quite a bit.

Now allow me to put on my partisan hat for just a second, Republicans are very adept at giving the masses pitchforks and torches and slowly backing away once the shit hits the fan. I just feel the overheated and toxic political climate may have tipped an already mentally unstable person over the edge.

Originally Posted by Ruhskins

I'm sure the same thing would have happened to a republican congressman.

Originally Posted by firstdown

I just don't see why we had to spend all that money and make such a big deal to move her from one place to the other. Police escort, private jet, and then a helicopter.

Originally Posted by Ruhskins

True, but like I said, the same thing would have happened to a republican congressman. Each side of the aisle makes its share of things like this, which is why I find it silly when someone from the left or the right "points this out".

Originally Posted by firstdown

I just don't see why we had to spend all that money and make such a big deal to move her from one place to the other. Police escort, private jet, and then a helicopter.