This is a screengrab from Sarah Palin's website Take Back the 20, taken moments ago. One of the crosshairs in Arizona appears to be for the district represented by Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, a Democrat. (First iteration of Ms. Palin's map here.)
Rep. Giffords, who'd just won a third term, was shot today in the head outside a grocery store while meeting with constituents. The Arizona Republic is live-blogging coverage. The latest from them says Ms. Giffords is in surgery in very serious condition -- UPDATE: The paper says she's out of surgery and in intensive care. A federal judge, John M. Roll, and a Giffords staffer were also reportedly killed. MSNBC says the alleged shooter, 22, is in custody. In all, six people are reported dead. The toll includes a nine-year-old girl. Eighteen people were injured.
ADDING: As several commenters have noted, there's no indication that the alleged shooter was politically motivated. Even if the perpetrator turns out to have been seriously involved in political causes, which again there's no evidence of, his actions will likely remain senseless. What we can say is that today's shooting, whatever its motivation, comes after an election season that was marked by the language of violence, like Sharron Angle's call for Second Amendment remedies. And so today's literal violence in a political context will inevitably raise questions about the effect of violent rhetoric.
Firedog Lake and David Safier each link to an ad they say came from the Pima County Republican website in June. It invites people to a fundraiser for Ms. Giffords' opponent, Jesse Kelly. The ad urges:
Get on Target for Victory in November Help remove Gabrielle Giffords from office Shot a fully automatic M15 with Jesse Kelly
At the time, candidate Jesse Kelly tweeted that the event had gone great -- "great turnout," "great success." He tweeted a couple of pics from the event, including this one:
Today Mr. Kelly tweets, "We are all deeply saddened by this morning's shooting. Gabrielle Giffords, the other victims, and their families are in our prayers."
Sarah Palin has offered her condolences over Facebook. After the November vote, Yahoo noted that Ms. Palin's Take Back the 20 campaign "scores a bull's-eye." Ms. Giffords' seat was one of only two Ms. Palin's favored candidates lost.
ADDING: House Speaker John Boehner issued a statement saying he's "horrified by the senseless attack." President Obama called it an "unspeakable tragedy."
After today's shooting, Ms. Palin's website went down. It's possible that it's simply being overwhelmed with traffic, though the error message I get says my browser "can't find the server." I was able to screengrab a couple of the pages before the site went dark. If you've got more, share links in the comments, please.
(H/T Aaron Naparstek)
Sarah Palin's map with Gabrielle Giffords' name.
From our original post last spring. You can also find this on Ms. Palin's Facebook note:
Everyone should email Sarah Palin, the crazy Tea Baggers in congress, and Fox News! Send them a message that they all have blood stains on their hands!
"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 the capital. We have become the mecca for prejudice and bigotry."
In an interview after the vandalism, Giffords referred to the animosity against her by conservatives. Palin listed Giffords' seat as one of the top "targets" in the midterm elections because of the lawmakers' support for the health care law.
"For example, we're on Sarah Palin's targeted list, but the thing is, that the way that she has it depicted has the crosshairs of a gun sight over our district. When people do that, they have to realize that there are consequences to that action," Giffords said in an interview with MSNBC.
---------------
Sarah Palin I hope you are not dancing and prancing around that one of your many targets was nearly murdered today! You have blood stains on your hands along with the loony right wing Tea Baggers / GOP who have supported violence! You and your conservative movement are the baby killers! A 9 year old was killed a long with 5 others today because of your actions! You should be on air saying you are sorry for putting up reload targets on our politicians, and that you don't support violence and you take full responsibly of what you said! Our troops didn't fight and died for this country to have people like you going around verbally supporting violence and murdering one another they died for this country for trying to protect this country and keep peace and freedom in the US! There is a fine line when it comes to Freedom of speech! GOD knows and sees your actions, you are not a Christian woman, you are anti-Christ...
"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." (John 13:34-35)
"The foremost is, 'Hear, O Israel! The Lord our God is one Lord; and you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.' "The second is this, 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no other commandment greater than these." ( Mark 12:28-31)
"There is a saying, 'Love your friends and hate your enemies.' But I say: Love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! In that way you will be acting as true sons of your Father in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust too. If you love only those who love you, what good is that? Even scoundrels do that much. If you are friendly only to your friends, how are you different from anyone else? Even the heathen do that. But you are to be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect." (Matthew 5:43-48)
Well only 18 of the 20 gun scope 'targets' on Sarah Palin's “take them out” map were switched to Republican seats. So, according to thinking and beliefs of the whack job ring wingers (like would be Republican Representative Allen West’s chief of staff, Joyce Kaufman), "if ballots don't work, bullets will" or it’s absolutely fine to use Sharron Angle’s ‘second amendment remedies’ if the voters don’t get the elected official they wanted. Everyone knew the Republicans would eventually get someone killed with their violent, incendiary, hate filled rhetoric. What did you think would happen when idiot Republicans decided to hang the gadsden flag off of the side on the capital building to whip up the crazy nut jobs into a frenzy. Right wing nut jobs take these actions, by supposed 'leaders', seriously and literally. Then people get murdered!!
I also find it extremely interesting that as Fox was showing live coverage of the candle light vigil, they abruptly cut the feed (after only just a few seconds) because the person that was speaking at the time mentioned the words Sarah Palin. It immediately went blank and than to commercial. After they came back on air there was no mention of why the feed was cut. They then proceeded to spend the next hour and a half insinuating the guy was mentally insane and (they 'heard') was a "pot smoking loner". Thereby (trying their best at) absolving Fox Fiction's (and there precious queen commentator, Sarah Palin) idiotic rhetoric of any responsibility for this guys horrific actions.
There is a map of the United States at the National Mental Health Association web site.
www.nmha.org/go/state-ranking
This map needs to go right next to Sara Palins map of the United States.
The similarities are both funny and hideous.
Palin can run, but she can´t hide ....just google www.takebackthe20.com
You WIN elections, you do NOT TAKE elections by force.
Palin is acting just like a child murderer trying to get rid of the EVIDENCE....if there was nothing wrong with the TARGET map and her RELOAD...why act so GUILTY by taking it off the net. Palin is not fooling anybody and anybody who supports her after this is a partner in her CRIMES.
Greg
John McCain, who is responsible for unleashing the mutt from the north, now sees blood spilled in his home state. Palin encouraged ugliness during her vice-presidential campaign stops with vitriolic rhetoric and did nothing to tamp down anger. She was the one who kept saying our president once consorted with "terrorists." Simpled-minded and self-absorbed, Palin did nothing in those lurid arenas where cries of "Kill him" were sometimes heard. To her ears, they were like cheers.
Beck, Limbaugh, and O'Reilly share in the responsibility.
McCain is responsible for setting loose Palin. McCain is also senator from Arizona. I hope the blow-back into McCain's face includes Arizona voters tossing him and the nutter Brewer out of office.
Rachel, Et tu Brutus?
It is well known and documented that the cross hair metaphor was copied from previous campaigns. Sarah Palin has always unequivocally denounced violence and utilizes this method because she is from a sport hunting state and personally enjoys hunting. (I can't see how anyone could kill one of God's creatures for sport and am totally against it but I understand it has been done since the beginning of time and is legal.)
From the tit bits I have heard of this man's utube video and myspace page he sounds like a CT (conspiracy theorist) to me. I happen to have a friend that listens to am radio and believes things like 7 people control the world, 911 was an inside job, sinister meanings behind changing our money, the government is taking away all our civil rights, the government is allowing drugs into the country to keep people dumbed down, main stream media wants you to believe they are telling you the absolute truth, and basically everything we experience in our everyday life is motivated to keep us under thumb of big brother. Really no connection to the elections, because they believe everyone is out to get us, and their anger is based against everyone in office because they believe anyone in politics is being controlled by the seven that control the earth.
My question is: What would possibly motivate the media to bring up this unconnected sport hunting metaphor mindlessly used by a high profile very polarizing public figure (which I have seen so far on Keith, Rachel, and even Fox news) and at the same time denouncing violence, knowing it would incite anger and even more division between the people? hmmmmmmmmmmmmmm
Where is the line media will draw when ratings are not more important than the safety of others? It's not so much the action, because we know the intent of Sarah Palin, but the way the media presents it. It's like blaming old school cartoons for kids taking hammers and hitting their siblings with it. There are always going to be extremists and anything from a song to a movie can motivate them. I'm really surprised you would jump on this band wagon, I thought more of you and this show.
We have just experienced a real loss in our government because what I can tell about this congresswoman she was what was right about our congress. She was taking the time to organize and listen to the people she represents.I pray for her full and speedy recovery.
AND EVEN FOX? You are a part of the CHILD KILLING PROBLEM my friend.
"and even Fox news" refered to the fact that Fox normally presents the Right view of the news and Sarah Palin was "even" a Fox news contributer. Kind of like them shooting themselves in the foot for the sake of ratings.
But you knew that, didn't you.
It's in no way new that mentally unstable people are influenced by political rhetoric that uses violent language and metaphor. Not new. Not at all. We should know better. Speeches and warnings were made and given in 2008 that I vividly recall - and still it continued. I am sure I am not alone in, sadly, not being surprised by this. IF this incident changes that kind of language (as violent deaths in the past have temporarily), I can only hope that this time it is a permanent change. Although history shows us otherwise, let's try. Media, politicians, individuals, we all share the responsibility.
We all control our own vocabulary, and the symbols we use - at least that.
So, let's try.
Child killed was born on 9/11......WAY TO GO hate mongers!!!!
Nine-year-old Christina Taylor Greene was among those killed in a tragic shooting in Tucson, Ariz. on Saturday.
The incident occurred at a public event held by U.S. Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords in her home district. Local NBC affiliate KVOA reports that family members say Christina, who was a student at Mesa Verde Elementary School, went to the event because she wanted to learn more about the world of politics.
Born on 9/11, Christina was described by family members as a vibrant individual and someone who was excited about life, according to KVOA. The local outlet reports they called her "the best daughter in the world."
Segalini told the Republic that his niece was involved many extracurricular activities ranging from ballet to baseball. KVOA notes that she loved the sport, as well as horseback riding and swimming.
"She was real special and real sweet," he said.
From The Huffington Post
Rest in Peace Christina Taylor Greene, our thoughts and prayers are with your family and friends.
It doesn't matter what caused this person to attack. That is useless information. It matters that we reexamine all of the rhetoric common to the media and try to discern what Could cause a future attack.
I'm less concerned about whether the psycho with a gun was politically left leaning or politically right leaning, and more worried that a psycho was able to get a gun. I'm less concerned whether the violently charged rhetoric was directed towards the left or the right then I am concerned that there was violently charged rhetoric to fuel his madness.
Please remember that properly assigning blame and preventing further atrocities are not the same thing.
I believe that in reaction to the 2008 election and the loss of confidence in the Republican Party, the forces on the right tried to reach out to anti-government dissidents, and conspiracy theorists, and other antisocial paranoid groups, such as radical militia. The result has been a chaotic mess that we refer to as the Tea Party. An organization most notable for the fact that it is not an organization. It is an amalgamation of groups with varying, often conflicting ideologies but a common emotional charge.
I would hope that in the future the Republican leadership and all politicians, would be cautious in "recruiting from the lobbies of asylums" and remember that the enemy of your enemy is often your enemy as well.
What concerns me is some people refer to other political groups with bigoted views by placing a label on everyone that belongs to that political group. Kind of like people grouping all Dems labeling every individual as someone who has to hate to exist.
If you look really, really hard you may find a little good in all groups, and if you take that good from every group and put it together you may actually have a cohesive plan that would benifit everyone.
"Can't we all just get along?"
This is what happens when a feeble old men tries to become president and attempts to placate his female constituents with THIS bubble headed nincompoop!
Sarah Palin has been a thorn in the side of humanity since she emerged from the snow caverns of Alaska WITH her Bronze Age Religious delusions and extreme Fascist ideology 2 years ago.
GO AWAY! HAVEN'T YOU FINALLY DONE ENOUGH DAMAGE! Sarah, please go back to exorcising witches and killing Caribou and please STOP putting human being into cross hairs so your demented followers can attempt to kill them!!!
Re Failin' Palin, If I've said it once, I've said it a hundred times, but let me reiterate: "Ain't nothin' more dangerous in this world than a fool with a cause."
“Thanks to Sarah Palin and her map with targets to Districts of Congressmen, and Congresswomen (that she doesn’t agree with politically) with her crosshairs, she has made it easy for her followers to target anyone she doesn’t agree with.
I guess this is what Sharon Angle meant when she said Second Amendment remedies. So far 6 are dead (1 age 9) 12 Injured including Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords. Is this what you meant by Second Amendment remedies Sharon?
There needs to be more rigorous gun control laws. Guns kill: If the man holding the gun; that pulled the trigger; that shot the bullet; that killed the innocent men, women, and 9 year old child, didn’t have the gun to begin with; this never would have happened. GUNS KILL!”
Everyone yelling back and forth at each other needs to take a second and calm down and breathe -- if you did not catch Keith Olbermann's special comment last night I suggest you find a link to it -- he talked about vitriolic rhetoric not only from the Sarah Palins and Glenn Becks of this world but from the left as well -- we all need to recognize that dangerous and violent rhetoric and imagery can set off disturbed individuals leading to the awful tragedy witnessed yesterday in Tucson -- let's please stop the yelling and think of the victims -- and let's stop making excuses for the inexcusable and irresponsible people on radio, on cable, and in the political world who shamelessly and recklessly use violent rhetoric for nothing more than political gain and ratings-- and if Palin did scrub her website and FB page maybe it's because a light went off in her head or in someone who works for her that her actions have been reckless and dangerous -- and maybe just maybe in light of this tragedy she and others will think twice about using reckless and dangerous language in the future --
Because if the shameless people who assail our national discourse on a daily basis cannot even stop this crazy back and forth one day after an innocent little girl is gunned down simply because she wanted to learn about government after being elected to her school's council -- then we are truly lost --
Just read this statement at Politico:
"An aide to Sarah Palin said images of crosshairs were never meant to evoke violence, in the Palin camp's first extended comment on yesterday's attack. "We never ever, ever intended it to be gun sights," Rebecca Mansour told the talk radio host Tammy Bruce in an interview transcribed by the Alaska Dispatch."
I really wish Mrs. Palin would take responsibility for this and talk about how we need to stop the violent rhetoric -- and how she has seen how her words and imagery can be used for evil -- and that she will never again use this imagery or tell her supporters to "reload" - why can't anyway just be the adult in the room and take ownership of his/her mistakes -- perhaps I ask for too much
It is truly sad and disturbing that she cannot find it in her heart to be that adult in the room -- particularly today when victims are still fighting for life -- I honestly expected her to take ownership of this issue and set an example if not as a political celebrity but as a mother - again I ask for far too much
I wonder how that touchy-feely grizzly mom put 'em in the cross hairs is workin' for you now, Sarah?
Sarah Palin owns these murders and does not understand that the hate talk she practices has dire consequences.
The Rachel Maddow special on the Assassination of Dr. Tiller had a colleague of Dr. Tiller succinctly express the dynamic of these kinds of situations ... paraphrased ... 'Those who don't have the guns, incite the ones who do.' Later, the colleague said that the people inciting the violence, will after a tragedy, stand back and claim they had no connection to a perpetrator of violence.
We do need to hold people who use imagery of violence to account for what has happened. One can't jail someone for words and speaking one's mind, no matter how vile. However, not seeing that rhetoric like "if ballots don't work, bullets will" to subsequent acts of violence when the words are still resonating ... is willful blindness.
Convincing those who buy into this tone of vitriol that there is a direct linkage between the violent words of some and the violent acts by others ... is like trying to convince those in denial about the dangers of smoking that the link between cigarettes and lung cancer is real ... or is like trying to convince many conservatives that global climate change is real and has a man-made contribution.
One may not be able to connect the dots with a specific phone call or email or know connection between those on the public airways and the lone individuals determined enough to do something ... but millions of people feel connected to those broadcasting, even if the communication is only one way. Can we deny that radio broadcasts before the Rwandan genocide had nothing to do with the mass killings? I think not.
We can't jail those who incite ... but we should condemn loudly and convincingly their rhetoric, tone, and imagery. We as a people shouldn't reward vile behavior by giving those who use language of violence a microphone nor the privilege of serving in public office.
Thank you, very well said David!
Interestingly, and in line with your post, there is a book by Margaret Heffernan coming out in a couple months that speaks to what you have touched on (Willlfull Blindness):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R_G8VFE_Ox4
Apologies here...I should not have sent the last post. If Will, Laura or any other blog moderator are present can you please delete the above post (the one made by me)? Thank you very much if you do. It was inappropriate of me to issue information regarding someone who isn't me without consulting that person first about said release. I apologize sincerely. Please ignore the above post.
Now Mickey, you flatter me so...any resemblance to anyone in her book is purely for entertainment purposes only I’m sure (what was the South Park disclaimer?). And, love you sweetheart!! (Will/Laura, disregard MM's request please)
Seriously though, what David brings up I think speaks volumns to how and why these horrific things seem to eerily regularly happen, all while we knowingly and willfully could and should be aware of them as they develop, grow, and become reality. Ms. Heffernan’s book, “Why We Ignore the Obvious at Our Peril” offers some extraordinarily insightful dialogue on this subject, all while developed around recent current events...as she states in her video release:
“Willful blindness is when there are things that you could know and should know but somehow just manage not to know – once you start to get the idea, you see it everywhere….The biggest threats aren’t secret or hidden, they are right in front of us”.
Oops, too late. Sorry WBEng, I read MM's before I read yours.
It's OK Will she called me right afterwards...I did not realize I was revealing personal information and I was...her overall point is lost with what my original post said, so it is better to just have my overall point deleted. TYVM Will...BTW I'm sorry you have to look after us all on the weekend. I hope your day is going well. Don't mean to stick you with my/everyone else's complaints. You sure are a trooper Will, and I don't mean that sarcastically. I don't think I could do your job. You're fing awesome (with all awesomeness intended).
That's Ok Will! It's very sweet of you actually - and thanks for your gracious and 'blind' understanding ;-))
Aren't these people amazing! They support the 2nd Amendment (their interpretation) and taking up arms against the government. Then they're filled with sadness and offering condolences when it actually happens. Incredible.
Most of what the Repuclican's say is said in a way to insight violence in voters. The most recent thing is their labeling of the health care repeal as repealing the "Job killing" health care program. If you aren't upset enough about the health care bill passing we will get you upset by telling you it's the reason you don't have a job because the health care bill is "killing" jobs. Republicans aren't right wing nuts they are stupid idiots.
If the average citizen was to make some of the comments that 2010 candidates made, we would have been arrested for "terroristic threatening". Why were they not arrested or at least pulled aside and slapped beside the head? IMO the same goes for some of the TV talking heads that like to stir things up.
I believe in both the first and second ammendment (and, yes, I have guns) but I think that civility has been lost and needs to be regained. Our right to speak freely and bear arms comes with responsibilities to our fellow man.
It is a legitimate issue. I am sure that Sarah Palin never wanted anyone to actually go shoot someone, but this rhetoric is in very poor taste. It was before, and it now.
It would be very classy of Palin to acknowledge this and to apologise, but we all know that will never happen. By the end of the week, she will be a victim, hurt even worse than Gabby Giffords. I can predict the arguments already, "this shooting helped the career of Giffords' and hurt Palin's"
Palin is very lucky that this killer appears to not be a supporter, so is the Tea Party.
I recommend a return to rhetoric based on sports analogies.
"New details emerging about the suspected shooter behind Saturday's deadly rampage reveal a 22-year-old man with a troubled past who law enforcement say may have been influenced by American Renaissance, a pro-white publication."
"An internal Department of Homeland Security memo obtained by Fox News suggests that alleged gunman Jared Loughner...may have ties to the American Renaissance group, though it's unclear if he was directly affiliated with the publication or group."
--Jana Winter Fake (Fox) News
I think we can put this one to bed. That website is SO PRO TEA PARTY its actually pretty scary. They don't appear to be the loose cannon types like we are accustomed to. Highly educated, literate, and I don't think they will pay any debt if it's not backed by gold or silver. I hate to say this but I actually agree with the gold and silver thing. We are paying debt based on lies, ponzi schemes and toxic assets right now.
It's time for the Sarah PAC folks to realize this murder was politically motivated and stoked by the vitriolic rhetoric of Sarah Louise Palin and others who condone hate speech as a means of civil disobedience.
PS...why does FOX have inside sources at Homeland Security but MS(NBC) doesn't? What's up with that?
PS...he seems fascinated about the reading of the constitution. Claimed most of us have never read it. Which is probably true. This might seem out of bounds but what if the reading of the constitution in CONGRESS last week set this freak off?
You know that's completely speculative.
Sarah Palin is in the same boat with Fox News, Glen Beck, Hanniity, O’Reilly.
Per: Jillian Rayfield | March 24, 2010, 5:47PM
“Sarah Palin posted a picture on her Facebook page showing croiss hairs over the districts of Democrats who voted for health care reform in districts that Republicans carried. On the page, Palin writes: With the president signing this unwanted and “transformative” government takeover of out health care system today with promises impossible to keep, let’s not get discouraged. Don’t get demoralized. Get organized!Palin also tweeted the page: Don't Get Demoralized! Get Organized! Take Back the 20! Conservatives & lovers of America: "Don't Retreat, Instead - RELOAD!"
Is Sarah Palin washing her hands to any blame, is she washing her hands with the blood?