BREAKING: Rep Gabrielle Giffords; Several Others Shot

[RobsPics]

SURPRISE SURPRISE SURPRISE

[D1B]

That should be "**** off Rob"...

If you label people voting Republican (I'm assuming you're referring to R's as "dickhead heros") as poor white violent stupid gun totin scum, then you're engaging in the same rhetoric as those very poor white violent stupid gun totin scum.

It matters D, it matters. Your language speaks of deep-seated hatred.

Stop telling everyone you disagree with to **** off.

He's just baiting, Rob.

He lives for the bobble-headed approval of the dbackjons of the world.

Yeah, whatever makes the blood on your hands tolerable.

[D1B]

Thanks. It wasn't my intent to come across like an ass, although I know I did.

Your reputation as a good-natured fence sitter and good-humored provocateur survives intact.

And your's as a boring conk automaton blowhard gun rights moron is as well.

[HI54UNI]

SURPRISE SURPRISE SURPRISE

Did you fix the spelling error in the original fabrication or did someone else?

http://victoriataftkpam.blogspot.com/20 ... IA+TAFT%29

[Chemhen]

Thing is, by its very nature (being antigun and a bunch of pussies) the left doesn't lead to as militant a response among its followers. Please correct me if I'm wrong, but I'm not aware of any Republican elected figure (at the federal level) who has had threats made against them (guns fired into offices, broken windows, armed people showing up at rallies, death threats, that kind of thing). I definitely agree with you that the kneejerk reaction both sides have to anything the other does, anything they think they can spin to their benefit, is extremely tiring.

Very OT, but I just had to say, your avatar is fantastic.

Are you fvcking serious? How long have you been living under a rock?

Thanks for the info, you're right. My bad.

[free7694]

I'm with Penn Jillette, I think:

"@pennjillette
Penn Jillette
**** Civility. Hyperbole, passion, and metaphor are beautiful parts of rhetoric. Marketplace of ideas can not be toned down for the insane"

This guy was clearly a nut job. You don't shoot 20 people because of something Sarah Palin put on her website. The shooter had a few screws loose and seemed to have something against this congresswoman in particular. Judging a whole group of people based on the actions of one psycho is a terrible mistake.

[ALPHAGRIZ1]

Reporting FOUR dead, and Gifords shot in the head...

Damn, that sucks.

Now shes over qualified to be in Congress.

[TwinTownBisonFan]

I'm with Penn Jillette, I think:

"@pennjillette
Penn Jillette
**** Civility. Hyperbole, passion, and metaphor are beautiful parts of rhetoric. Marketplace of ideas can not be toned down for the insane"

This guy was clearly a nut job. You don't shoot 20 people because of something Sarah Palin put on her website. The shooter had a few screws loose and seemed to have something against this congresswoman in particular. Judging a whole group of people based on the actions of one psycho is a terrible mistake.

Dear God, why do celebrities (regardless of which side of the aisle) really think what they think matters?

This may be the dumbest sentiment of them all... because what he's basically saying is that "well, this is how it is - irresponsible rhetoric is a God-given right, so fuck responsibility, and let's ensure that it happens again by writing it off as 'just some crazy guy'"

how damned irresponsible. i get his point - free expression is free expression, and he's not wrong on that point - just an asshole. while we have free speech, it's not without consequences, and overheated political rhetoric with allusions to violence - if continued unabated, will result in more violence. what we've just witnessed was a deadly cocktail of over-heated political rhetoric and a mentally unstable person who couldn't tell the difference...

people have a right to free speech, but those in the public sphere need to be more aware of just how powerful rhetoric and hyperbole can be in the wrong hands - and be more responsible about their use... it's naive and childish to simply throw up your hands and say "well he was a nut and that's that" because it abdicates any level of accountability or responsibility for what has happened here. it's a cop out - plain and simple.

[Skjellyfetti]

mugshot... wow

[native]

I'm with Penn Jillette, I think:

"@pennjillette
Penn Jillette
**** Civility. Hyperbole, passion, and metaphor are beautiful parts of rhetoric. Marketplace of ideas can not be toned down for the insane"

This guy was clearly a nut job. You don't shoot 20 people because of something Sarah Palin put on her website. The shooter had a few screws loose and seemed to have something against this congresswoman in particular. Judging a whole group of people based on the actions of one psycho is a terrible mistake.

Dear God, why do celebrities (regardless of which side of the aisle) really think what they think matters?

This may be the dumbest sentiment of them all... because what he's basically saying is that "well, this is how it is - irresponsible rhetoric is a God-given right, so **** responsibility, and let's ensure that it happens again by writing it off as 'just some crazy guy'"

how damned irresponsible. i get his point - free expression is free expression, and he's not wrong on that point - just an *******. while we have free speech, it's not without consequences, and overheated political rhetoric with allusions to violence - if continued unabated, will result in more violence. what we've just witnessed was a deadly cocktail of over-heated political rhetoric and a mentally unstable person who couldn't tell the difference...

people have a right to free speech, but those in the public sphere need to be more aware of just how powerful rhetoric and hyperbole can be in the wrong hands - and be more responsible about their use... it's naive and childish to simply throw up your hands and say "well he was a nut and that's that" because it abdicates any level of accountability or responsibility for what has happened here. it's a cop out - plain and simple.

The only irresponsibility here is the left's shameless attempt - including yours - to use this incident to criticize political opponents and curtail free speech.

The antidote for irresponsible speech is more free speech, not less free speech.

[mainejeff]

This was a politically motivated assassination attempt of a U.S. Congresswoman. Deal with it CONKS!

[native]

This was a politically motivated assassination attempt of a U.S. Congresswoman. Deal with it CONKS!

Thanks, maryjane! You are so fvcking easy!

There are only a handful of you lefties with either a shred of intelligence or of integrity. The only question for the rest of you, like mj, is whether you are really that dishonest or really that stupid.

[TwinTownBisonFan]

Dear God, why do celebrities (regardless of which side of the aisle) really think what they think matters?

This may be the dumbest sentiment of them all... because what he's basically saying is that "well, this is how it is - irresponsible rhetoric is a God-given right, so **** responsibility, and let's ensure that it happens again by writing it off as 'just some crazy guy'"

how damned irresponsible. i get his point - free expression is free expression, and he's not wrong on that point - just an *******. while we have free speech, it's not without consequences, and overheated political rhetoric with allusions to violence - if continued unabated, will result in more violence. what we've just witnessed was a deadly cocktail of over-heated political rhetoric and a mentally unstable person who couldn't tell the difference...

people have a right to free speech, but those in the public sphere need to be more aware of just how powerful rhetoric and hyperbole can be in the wrong hands - and be more responsible about their use... it's naive and childish to simply throw up your hands and say "well he was a nut and that's that" because it abdicates any level of accountability or responsibility for what has happened here. it's a cop out - plain and simple.

The only irresponsibility here is the left's shameless attempt - including yours - to use this incident to criticize political opponents and curtail free speech.

The antidote for irresponsible speech is more free speech, not less free speech.

1. where in anything that i said did you get that i want to restrict speech?? what i said was very clear - free speech comes with great responsibility, and i think that has gotten lost... i'm not saying we should restrict what people say at all - i'm saying, especially those with influence - should bear in mind that there hyperbole can be misinterpreted - and reconsider how they choose to make their point.

2. i have said, over and over again in the last two days that wringing some kind of political capital out of this is wrong - and i mean it. and i think if you look back over my posts on this matter, it should be much clearer...

nowhere in my posts have i said the blame lies with the Republicans or the Tea Party or their respective pundit class - in fact, i said the very opposite - i said that the ramped up political rhetoric of the last two years may have helped create an environment where someone who couldn't understand the difference between hyperbole and instructions might be incited. I didn't cast about blame wildly - I didn't go for a cheap political point - I pointed out, factually - that the degrading political climate of the last two years was something that those of us in the industry had noticed, and that what happened on Saturday seemed sadly inevitable to those of us who deal with this every day.

I'm not saying these things because I think it'll hurt the Republicans, or damage the Tea Party - I don't care about either of them frankly. I am saying what I am because it is what I've observed. What I am shocked by in the last 48 hours, as much as anything - has been the sad and reflexive backlash by many conservatives - who seem more worried about avoiding any appearance of blame for this than they are about what happened and why. Rather than take the opportunity to have an honest conversation about the vitriol and bellicose nature of our politics, especially over the last decade - it seems that the reaction has been to cast about for blame and cry foul that someone might suggest that the politics of fear and anger and hate might have had something to do with this tragedy.

More than anything though - I am just generally disappointed that 6 people lay dead - that friends and colleagues of mine had to witness this (and are lucky to be alive and unhurt) - and that, yet again, a moment that could have served to unite us - has become another cheap political football.

[death dealer]

The only irresponsibility here is the left's shameless attempt - including yours - to use this incident to criticize political opponents and curtail free speech.

The antidote for irresponsible speech is more free speech, not less free speech.

1. where in anything that i said did you get that i want to restrict speech?? what i said was very clear - free speech comes with great responsibility, and i think that has gotten lost... i'm not saying we should restrict what people say at all - i'm saying, especially those with influence - should bear in mind that there hyperbole can be misinterpreted - and reconsider how they choose to make their point.

2. i have said, over and over again in the last two days that wringing some kind of political capital out of this is wrong - and i mean it. and i think if you look back over my posts on this matter, it should be much clearer...

nowhere in my posts have i said the blame lies with the Republicans or the Tea Party or their respective pundit class - in fact, i said the very opposite - i said that the ramped up political rhetoric of the last two years may have helped create an environment where someone who couldn't understand the difference between hyperbole and instructions might be incited. I didn't cast about blame wildly - I didn't go for a cheap political point - I pointed out, factually - that the degrading political climate of the last two years was something that those of us in the industry had noticed, and that what happened on Saturday seemed sadly inevitable to those of us who deal with this every day.

I'm not saying these things because I think it'll hurt the Republicans, or damage the Tea Party - I don't care about either of them frankly. I am saying what I am because it is what I've observed. What I am shocked by in the last 48 hours, as much as anything - has been the sad and reflexive backlash by many conservatives - who seem more worried about avoiding any appearance of blame for this than they are about what happened and why. Rather than take the opportunity to have an honest conversation about the vitriol and bellicose nature of our politics, especially over the last decade - it seems that the reaction has been to cast about for blame and cry foul that someone might suggest that the politics of fear and anger and hate might have had something to do with this tragedy.

More than anything though - I am just generally disappointed that 6 people lay dead - that friends and colleagues of mine had to witness this (and are lucky to be alive and unhurt) - and that, yet again, a moment that could have served to unite us - has become another cheap political football.

Again. Native, he is being straight up honest here. TTBF has been a very reasoned voice in this whole madness that has erupted on this thread. He is no MJ.

[native]

The only irresponsibility here is the left's shameless attempt - including yours - to use this incident to criticize political opponents and curtail free speech.

The antidote for irresponsible speech is more free speech, not less free speech.

1. where in anything that i said did you get that i want to restrict speech?? what i said was very clear - free speech comes with great responsibility, and i think that has gotten lost... i'm not saying we should restrict what people say at all - i'm saying, especially those with influence - should bear in mind that there hyperbole can be misinterpreted - and reconsider how they choose to make their point.

2. i have said, over and over again in the last two days that wringing some kind of political capital out of this is wrong - and i mean it. and i think if you look back over my posts on this matter, it should be much clearer...

nowhere in my posts have i said the blame lies with the Republicans or the Tea Party or their respective pundit class - in fact, i said the very opposite - i said that the ramped up political rhetoric of the last two years may have helped create an environment where someone who couldn't understand the difference between hyperbole and instructions might be incited. I didn't cast about blame wildly - I didn't go for a cheap political point - I pointed out, factually - that the degrading political climate of the last two years was something that those of us in the industry had noticed, and that what happened on Saturday seemed sadly inevitable to those of us who deal with this every day.

I'm not saying these things because I think it'll hurt the Republicans, or damage the Tea Party - I don't care about either of them frankly. I am saying what I am because it is what I've observed. What I am shocked by in the last 48 hours, as much as anything - has been the sad and reflexive backlash by many conservatives - who seem more worried about avoiding any appearance of blame for this than they are about what happened and why. Rather than take the opportunity to have an honest conversation about the vitriol and bellicose nature of our politics, especially over the last decade - it seems that the reaction has been to cast about for blame and cry foul that someone might suggest that the politics of fear and anger and hate might have had something to do with this tragedy.

More than anything though - I am just generally disappointed that 6 people lay dead - that friends and colleagues of mine had to witness this (and are lucky to be alive and unhurt) - and that, yet again, a moment that could have served to unite us - has become another cheap political football.

Your side started the cheap political football bullsh!t, and there has been far more hateful and violent rhetoric from the left than from the right, starting long ago with Obama** himself as a candidate and going through to his infanous "enemies" speech to Latinos this past October. The leading irresponsible public figures who have irrationally lashed out this weekend, Paul Krugman and Sheriff Dupnik, are lefties, NOT conks. I have heard a half dozen additional elected Dems on a variety of news channels chime in to blame political rhetoric, and maybe one or two Repubs.

I take most of your points and believe your plea to be sincere, but clean up your own house before you open your mouth about Republicans or cast stones.

**To his credit, Obama has kept it Presidential for the past 48 hours. I hope it stays so as long as he is President.

[death dealer]

mugshot... wow

That is one spooky looking dude. He is absolutely wacked! Has he shaved his eyebrows? Holy fuck, he's pulling a scene right out of the Wall. Call me when it's over.

[native]

1. where in anything that i said did you get that i want to restrict speech?? what i said was very clear - free speech comes with great responsibility, and i think that has gotten lost... i'm not saying we should restrict what people say at all - i'm saying, especially those with influence - should bear in mind that there hyperbole can be misinterpreted - and reconsider how they choose to make their point.

2. i have said, over and over again in the last two days that wringing some kind of political capital out of this is wrong - and i mean it. and i think if you look back over my posts on this matter, it should be much clearer...

nowhere in my posts have i said the blame lies with the Republicans or the Tea Party or their respective pundit class - in fact, i said the very opposite - i said that the ramped up political rhetoric of the last two years may have helped create an environment where someone who couldn't understand the difference between hyperbole and instructions might be incited. I didn't cast about blame wildly - I didn't go for a cheap political point - I pointed out, factually - that the degrading political climate of the last two years was something that those of us in the industry had noticed, and that what happened on Saturday seemed sadly inevitable to those of us who deal with this every day.

I'm not saying these things because I think it'll hurt the Republicans, or damage the Tea Party - I don't care about either of them frankly. I am saying what I am because it is what I've observed. What I am shocked by in the last 48 hours, as much as anything - has been the sad and reflexive backlash by many conservatives - who seem more worried about avoiding any appearance of blame for this than they are about what happened and why. Rather than take the opportunity to have an honest conversation about the vitriol and bellicose nature of our politics, especially over the last decade - it seems that the reaction has been to cast about for blame and cry foul that someone might suggest that the politics of fear and anger and hate might have had something to do with this tragedy.

More than anything though - I am just generally disappointed that 6 people lay dead - that friends and colleagues of mine had to witness this (and are lucky to be alive and unhurt) - and that, yet again, a moment that could have served to unite us - has become another cheap political football.

Again. Native, he is being straight up honest here. TTBF has been a very reasoned voice in this whole madness that has erupted on this thread. He is no MJ.

I agree that ttbf is not mj, and I agree with most of his points, but his accusations of the right playing "cheap political football" are disingenuous when Paul Krugman and Sheriff Dupnik have been the leading perpetrators of such bullsh!t.

[TwinTownBisonFan]

Again. Native, he is being straight up honest here. TTBF has been a very reasoned voice in this whole madness that has erupted on this thread. He is no MJ.

I agree that ttbf is not mj, and I agree with most of his points, but his accusations of the right playing "cheap political football" are disingenuous when Paul Krugman and Sheriff Dupnik have been the leading perpetrators of such bullsh!t.

you misunderstand me - there have been plenty on the left - and plenty on this board - who have engaged in it. my anger is pointed at those on both sides who have been all too busy to filter this event, which should be a game changer, through the pathetically incapable lens of the politics of the last few years.

[mainejeff]

This was a politically motivated assassination attempt of a U.S. Congresswoman. Deal with it CONKS!

Thanks, maryjane! You are so fvcking easy!

There are only a handful of you lefties with either a shred of intelligence or of integrity. The only question for the rest of you, like mj, is whether you are really that dishonest or really that stupid.

And you're a fvcking moron. Try watching the news.......watch Fox if you'd like. They're all reporting the same conclusions.......that it was an assassination attempt based on political beliefs. Sorry you can't handle the truth, nancy.

[native]

I agree that ttbf is not mj, and I agree with most of his points, but his accusations of the right playing "cheap political football" are disingenuous when Paul Krugman and Sheriff Dupnik have been the leading perpetrators of such bullsh!t.

you misunderstand me - there have been plenty on the left - and plenty on this board - who have engaged in it. my anger is pointed at those on both sides who have been all too busy to filter this event, which should be a game changer, through the pathetically incapable lens of the politics of the last few years.

I take your points, ttbf, and believe that you are sincere. I absolutely agree that this weekend's assassination attempt should be viewed without any political filtering, if that is what you mean.

While I agree strongly with your sentiment, I disagree strongly that this weekend's assassination attempt should be a game changer as far as public policy and the law are concerned. If it is a game changer, it should be in the way we feel in our hearts and the way we choose to express ourselves.

I expect Presidents and Presidential candidates to live up to a higher standard, but the enemies of freedom win when we try to use public policy and the law to discourage raucous political discourse or limit free speech. I do not begrudge the Dems their 2004 DLC map of Republican "targets" using bulls-eye symbols and naming Republican "enemies," or the more recent DCCC map again using bulls-eye symbols to "target" Republicans. But I damm sure DO begrudge the incredible dishonesty and hypocrisy of the same Dems (Hollen for one) trying to blame Sarah Palin for this weekend.

As already noted, I credit Obama for not descending immediately into political blame. But if he were a truly worthy President, he would have given the same speech this weekend that he gave after the Fort Hood Massacre when he said we should not jump to conclusions.

[native]

Thanks, maryjane! You are so fvcking easy!

There are only a handful of you lefties with either a shred of intelligence or of integrity. The only question for the rest of you, like mj, is whether you are really that dishonest or really that stupid.

And you're a fvcking moron. Try watching the news.......watch Fox if you'd like. They're all reporting the same conclusions.......that it was an assassination attempt based on political beliefs. Sorry you can't handle the truth, nancy.

FYI, mj, Ed Schultz and Keith Olberman are not news.

Thanks again for making a fool of yourself. Please chime in more often.

[TwinTownBisonFan]

you misunderstand me - there have been plenty on the left - and plenty on this board - who have engaged in it. my anger is pointed at those on both sides who have been all too busy to filter this event, which should be a game changer, through the pathetically incapable lens of the politics of the last few years.

I take your points, ttbf, and believe that you are sincere. I agree strongly with your sentiment, but disagree strongly that this weekend's assassination attempt should be a game changer as far as public policy and the law are concerned. If it is a game changer, it should be in the way we feel in our hearts and the way we choose to express ourselves.

But the enemies of freedom win when we try to use public policy and the law to discourage raucous political discourse or limit free speech. I do not begrudge the Dems their 2004 DLC map of Republican "targets" using bulls-eye symbols and naming Republican "enemies," or the more recent DCCC map again using bulls-eye symbols to "target" Republicans. But I damm sure DO begrudge the incredible dishonesty and hypocrisy of the same Dems (Hollen for one) trying to blame Sarah Palin for this weekend.

As already noted, I credit Obama for not descending immediately into political blame. But if he were a truly worthy President, he would have given the same speech this weekend that he gave after the Fort Hood Massacre when he said we should not jump to conclusions.

here again - I am NOT advocating a single change to the laws of the land... I am saying those in the public eye need to be more PERSONALLY RESPONSIBLE for their rhetoric. That's not something that changes through laws, nor should it... and nowhere have i suggested it should.

[Skjellyfetti]

FYI, mj, Ed Schultz and Keith Olberman are not news.

Says the guy that recommends taking notes while watching Glenn Beck.

[BDKJMU]

SURPRISE SURPRISE SURPRISE

Surprise, Surpise, Surprise, what? That you're a f****** moron? Quit going to left week websites to get fabrications you can post on here.

"Jared Lee Loughner was a registered independent, didn't vote in 2010 election

By Chris Cillizza
Suspected Tucson gunman Jared Lee Loughner registered as an independent voter in Arizona in the fall of 2006, according to the Pima County Registrar of Voters.

Loughner registered to vote on Sept. 29, 2006, identifying himself as an independent. Records show he voted in the 2006 and 2008 elections but is current listed as "inactive" on the state's voter roles -- meaning that he did not vote in November......
http://voices.washingtonpost.com/thefix ... regis.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[BDKJMU]

Thanks, maryjane! You are so fvcking easy!

There are only a handful of you lefties with either a shred of intelligence or of integrity. The only question for the rest of you, like mj, is whether you are really that dishonest or really that stupid.

And you're a fvcking moron. Try watching the news.......watch Fox if you'd like. They're all reporting the same conclusions.......that it was an assassination attempt based on political beliefs. Sorry you can't handle the truth, nancy.

Based on political beliefs? Sounds like the guy was a left wing nut job.
"Jared Loughner, Alleged Shooter in Gabrielle Giffords Attack, Described by Classmate as "Left-Wing Pothead""
http://blogs.phoenixnewtimes.com/valley ... hooter.php" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;