Associated Press
On Friday morning, while much of the country was still learning about the horrific events in Aurora, Rep. Louie Gohmert (R-Texas) decided to weigh in with some thoughts of his own. As the right-wing Texan saw it, the deadly violence was the result of "ongoing attacks on Judeo-Christian beliefs."
"We have been at war with the very pillars, the very foundation of this country," Gohmert said. "You know what really gets me, as a Christian, is to see the ongoing attacks on Judeo-Christian beliefs, and then some senseless crazy act of a derelict takes place."
The implication was hardly subtle: a madman killed 12 people because Americans separate church and state. Over the weekend, however, Gohmert made an effort to walk back his offensive comments.
Rep. Louie Gohmert (R-Texas) said Saturday that his controversial comments about the Aurora, Colo., shootings were "grossly taken out of context" and apologized to those whom he may have offended. [...]
"As a father, my heart goes out to those who lost loved ones in this heartless attack. The killings were a senseless, outrageous act," Gohmert said. "Our thoughts and prayers continue for all those so tragically affected, and I am very sorry if my comments caused heartache to anyone in Colorado."
As Gohmert explained it in a statement, he was supposed to be on the radio show to talk about a different subject, but the show switched gears in light of the morning's developments. Apparently, this was supposed to serve as some kind of excuse for the congressman connecting the massacre to "attacks on Judeo-Christian beliefs" that exist only in his imagination. It's almost as if he's saying, "I can't be held responsible for the words that came out of my mouth; I'd been prepped to talk about a different subject."
As for the "context," perhaps Gohmert should go back and actually listen to what he said. On the air, the Republican not only whined about imaginary attacks on his faith, but expressing despair about our secular society, he also seemed to connect the mass murder of 12 people to the absence of state-sponsored prayers at high school graduation ceremonies.
I'm glad Gohmert is now willing to kinda sorta apologize ("if" others were bothered), but the fact remains that the context doesn't help.
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With Gohmert the "'if' others were bothered" comment is appropriate. It is unlikely many were offended. Most probably thought, "there he goes again." When you go to the crazy well often enough people consider the source and stop being shocked or offended.
Analyzing political conservatism as motivated social cognition integrates theories of personality (authoritarianism, dogmatism–intolerance of ambiguity), epistemic and existential needs (for closure, regulatory focus, terror management), and ideological rationalization (social dominance, system justifi- cation). A meta-analysis (88 samples, 12 countries, 22,818 cases) confirms that several psychological variables predict political conservatism:
The core ideology of conservatism stresses resistance to change and justification of inequality and is motivated by needs that vary situationally and dispositionally to manage uncertainty and threat.
Dear Texas Republican repressive, I mean reprehensive, I mean representative Gohnert, I am so sorry you were not born with tear ducts.
Born without tear ducts? Try a soul.
sorry Gohmert. I was born without spell-check ?
Dear GrumpyLiberalBee, As bad as my grammar is, I would have mis-spelled down to “ soulless “ eventually. But thanks for saving me some time. Wow, can you believe the lack of heart here from “ our “ Reposition, darn it , Republican friends ? . .
Does anyone wonder why congress has an approval rating of 17% or so?
On second thought, I wonder why it's that high?
So it seems that he is using the " can't believe I said that so it must have been taken out of context or I was caught off-guard" defense. Next time he is so inclined, I hope he will just keep his mouth shut. Or maybe his constituents will figure out he needs to be silenced.
Crazy Republicans keep saying "my words were taken out of context" in contexts that make it clear they don't understand what those words mean. A suspicion confirmed by their own penchant for actually taking words out of context.
Of course Gohmert would think the shooter was part of the war on Christians. The shooter was dressed like his hero Mister Heat Miser which links it back to the war on Christmas.
you are a sick puppy, you know that ??
I am really tired of people making these apolgies with the "if I offended" line or "to those who might have been offended". If no one were offended people like Gohmert wouldn't apologize at all. Someone told him his remarks were offensive and insensitive.
He only needed to changed that last bit a little for it to be a real apolgy:
" I am very sorry (good, so far) if (ah, there's the word that needs replacing with THAT) my comments caused (and insert MORE here) heartache to anyone (period here) in Colorado." No need to limit his apology to just those in Colorado. Some of those killed or injured were from other states. Some of those victims no doubt had relatives and friends in other states as well. His remarks are further inappropriate and offensive to all of us actually, whether or not we are personally connected to those innocent people who just wanted to enjoy a midnight show with a lot of other like-minded people.
I really hope that Rep. Gohmert will take this lesson in thoughtless speech and learn something valuable from it. He can't make everything about his own narrow viewpoint or use every horrific thing that happens as a chance to lecture the rest of us on what we should or shouldn't do and believe.
What is it with politicians and these non-apology apologies?!? Why do they always say "IF"?!? It's so cynical.
I think they say 'if' because they don't believe they did anything wrong, and would rather not-so-subtly imply that the fault is on the other side. If you're offended, it's only because you're so thin-skinned. That seems to be the real message of these non-apology apologies.
*sigh* Another politician to whom we need to explain the meaning of "taken out of context".
What hypocrisy from the far-right conservative extremists. Like clockwork, they routinely come out after every one of these horrific mass shooting events (one a year these days...) and lecture the media and the rest of the country on how people should not "jump to conclusions" and that guns aren't the problem and that these killings are all just the work of demented lunatics who would have found any way to deliver mayhem and death, etc. And in the next breath, these monsters instantly finger the "liberal values" of America as the reason for the "depravity" of the murderers and this would never happen if the USA was a Christian fundamentalist dictatorship, etc. Guns kill people, and assault weapons with 6,000 rounds of ammo bought in bulk off the web kill even more people... http://www.sunstateactivist.org
Think about it; you would not expect someone to go nuts with a pocket knife, and he might get some cuts in; a man with a shogun knife in a mall would probably be immediately removed as a clear and present danger. You wouldn't take an AK47 to a Pheasant shoot. I think this is all common sense, and would not lead to the banning of guns. Wake up America, you're children are dying......
yea, your kids are dying from cultural and moral decay brought about liberals and creeps from Hollywood..
If Christianity is such a great religion, why hasn't it been able to prevent all the cultural and moral decay that has happened since the establishment of Christianity. To be blunt about it, I'd say that Christianity has been a spectacular failure as a moral force.
Yeah, I was going to say; how long has christianity been at the helm and exactly how much longer does it need to solve the world's ills again?? Maybe we're just not worthy of your bull@!$%# god's love!
But supposedly he created us, which means he does lousy work.
We just need more tax cuts and less regulation, then all of Christiandom will be safe.
Darn, thank you, Mr. Gohmert, I had thought, I knew the definition of cold-hearted.
I stand corrected. . .
It looks like louie louie took his talking points for the supposed topic, and used it on the assault topic; that's sort of like his everyday taking his head, sticking it up his ass, and talking about the rest of his asinine topics. I won't even use the other blogs slanders of calling him 'Gomer,' as it would be an insult to Jim Neighbors...... How did this man and Alan West get elected????
Hollywood libtards that over last 40 years gave us culture of psychopaths, killers, filth, porn, blood, and guts splattered all over our screens – yes those Hollyweird people are now outraged when some idiot emulates that culture..! They blame guns! Kind of like blaming forks and spoons for obesity epidemic in America..
Libtards that tell us it is OK that little Tommie has two mommies or two daddies.. those libtards that tell us we cannot smoke in public places – well except for smoking pot.. Libtards that want us to believe any weird and perverted lifestyle is fine and should be taught in our schools - but want us to remove God from our schools.. Yes those liberal idiots are now taken back and shocked..
Christian Bale is now distressed by events in Colorado, yea that Christian Bale who gave us that inspiring and uplifting charter of American Psycho.. Daddy of junkie Heath Ledger is now telling us we need tighten up out gun laws.. Madonna is outraged about this tragedy – yes that Madonna that popularized promiscuity and filth amongst the young girls in America – telling them it is just fine to wear underwear on top – how cool is that girls! Get some tattoos too while at it – and keep flashing your privates in public.. It’s perfectly normal..
But I think this is the first time Hollyweird down deep inside knows that they do have blood on their hands – and they do realize the they are largely responsible for cultural and moral (and thus economic) decay of this country..
Meantime ABCNews creeps tell us this dude was Tea Partier..?! Can you imagine the “reporting” if they would find Sarah Palin’s book in this Colorado creep’s apartment? Like they found idiot’s Al Gore “work” in the shack of Unabomber Ted Kaczynski?
What is your problem bpepik, are you constipated? Go take a large dump somewhere and you will feel better. geezzzz
newsblog903:
People (?) like that are bound to happen when lots of people worship a god who not only has his agents commit genocide, but who himself commits genocide.
Typical reaction of libtards when faced with load of facts or truth..
So easy to blame Hollywood or someone or go on a witch hunt, bpepik, instead of dealing with the problem in a rational manner.
They make a mockery of their God and their religion, Entropy.
And of course, those on the right have totally self-serving ideas of "facts" and "truth. Those on the right have no use for objective reality. All that matters to them is Ideological Soundness/Theological Correctness.
Don't forget misguided Biblical dogma, propaganda, distorted thinking, guns, and most of all their blessed God, MONEY!!
Hollywood is just one brick in the wall of liberalism.. Funny to read libtards talk about objectivism.. lol
Your vision will clear with some e-lax bpepik!
This little bpepik oik is a load of something, but it isn't facts. Kitty isn't going to play with this mouse even for a little while. Straight into the bin with it.
In today's episode of Poe or Not Poe, bpepik serves up some pure, distilled conservatroll id.
So which is it ladies and gentlemen?
Poe or Not Poe?
What Jedeo Christian values is he talking about? I just don't see the connection.
Me either. It's about the most sinful thing I ever heard. Link mass murder to religious beliefs. Unbelievable.
Paul wrote a few words that aptly fit people like Gohmert: "The name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you." (Rom. 2:24)
Attacks on Judeo Christian beliefs? Is that really the catalyst for this person who indeed ATTACKED PEOPLE? How does Gohmert know?
I just don't understand these people saying I'm not responsible for the words that came out of my mouth. Just say I am sorry for my words that I said. No excuses, I prepared for some topic on the radio show, or if I offended someone… ?
Well I read that it is not what goes in to a man that corrupts him, but what comes out, meaning words and deeds.
This is a pretty bad thing to say God is angry and caused the murdering because of liberals or whatever (excuse me, Christian conservatives are doing corrupt and immoral things).
I think people are being taught some very odd religious ideas. But believing that is your business, but when you say it in public, then you are going to have push back. Maybe we should keep these things in our own mind. Opening up your mouth to speak, it can't be unsaid. Only "I was wrong to say that" can have any effect. I believe it is not wise to around pronouncing God's meaning as it may be your own thoughts, not God's.
This is a man who for whatever reason went on a killing spree.
I have a tough time thinking it was God, when many religious folks would probably be more inclined to say "the devil made him do it".
These "signs from God" relating to political things like Democrats are insufficiently religious because their values are more open to non religious and non Christian religions.
So all I can say is there are some who like to say they know the mind of God. There are strong moral values in liberal, moderates, non Christian and non religious folks and there are many folks calling themselves Christians that act very contrary to the person whose name they call themselves.
It is disturbing to hear people say they know God's mind and explain what this horrendous tragedy meant in religious terms.
This country is supposed to be home of the free to believe as they believe, provided it is within the laws of the land. This is not forcing a certain belief into laws which would violate constitutional laws.
This killer never said any reason that I know about as to "why" he did this, so Gohmert is off base to say he knows why because he knows God's mind.
Gomer "Pile" is the AR-15 of stupidity.
I don't understand how his Judeo-Christian beliefs differ from mine. Are we talking about the same religion here? I'd say they were just concerned about the Old Testament but Hebrews don't believe hardly anything these Religious Wrong advocates profess.
And what does religion have to do with mass murder? It's insane to make this comparison or just political expediency at its worse?
Good Ol' Louie has said lots of stupid stuff, but, it's not atypical of stupid stuff said by Texans. Texas is full of Gohmerts, especially east Texas. Let's not forget the musings of our illustrious Governor Bush, and the more recent mind-farts of Good-Hair Perry. Does the term "Texas Apostles" jog any memories?
Please allow me to play Devil’s advocate on these mass shooting cases. I’m NOT sticking up for the maniacs who shoot innocent bystanders. I’m simply pointing out the hypocrisy of arms dealing that goes on in the name of the American PEOPLE!
“If your tax dollars are financing evil… THEN YOU’RE EVIL TOO!”
Ever heard the old saying “…live by the gun, die by the gun” . The USA has armed and financed some of the most vicious degenerate dictators who in turn make their people or neighbors suffer. What American foreign policy has done to Iraq and Iran alone is an affront to GOD and everything it is to be a human being.
NOTE: (What ever happened to those 175,000 weapons that came up missing in Iraq?)
The funny thing is the US government will give guns to almost every savage fanatic on the planet to fight drugs or terrorism but make it hard for their own citizens to own a gun for protection. Only a silver spoon type who lives and works in an Ivory tower world would say the average American does not need to protect themselves.
The silver spoons and well-connected have private security guards who carry guns for them. I’ll bet every building or courthouse where one would find silver spoons has metal detectors and armed security checkpoints.
Now down here in the trenches where 49 MILLION Americans struggle below the poverty level… police response time SUCKS! If the criminals decide to (as happened to me) steal your work truck and tools in the night or mass attack as you walk in front of you own apartment complex then ONE HAS GOT TO PROTECT THEMSELVES!
I could have used a gun but I had a Bic pen which was used to stick in the neck of one of the attackers who were busy beating the **** outta me and probably would have killed me if not for that action before I was knocked unconscious.
Now I detest the way the NRA and Conservative wackos use their gun power or the way all these right wing nutcases are shooting or bombing their own people. What I’M SAYING is responsible gun ownership is possible with a little common sense and rational rules put in place to keep the crazies from getting their hands on assault rifles and high capacity ammunition clips. I am somebody who understand reality cyberbitchslap.blogspot.com
© 2012 by SPQR
QUOTE OF THE DAY
“… if the insane want to shoot people why not get them to wait for the next big Koch Bros get together?”
Charlie Stunats
Gohmert, Franks, Rooney, Westmoreland and Batcrazy Bachmann need to resign. Then instead of voter ID, we need to check and make sure the people running for office have an IQ higher than plant life and at least a passing knowledge of our Constitution. That should eliminate most of the teapubs and over half of the dems.
Good grief he even looks like the village idiot.
Gohmert is just another right wing politician who routinely espouses religious sanctimony when discussing public policy positions, spews vitriol at those with whom he disagrees, and is completely incapable of accepting responsibility for his own mistakes, failures, and shortcomings.