Ugh, another story provoked by the tragic shooting in Arizona. Worse yet, it implicitly links Beck to the shooter by its timing. It's clear now there is no link. Period.
The shooter's videos and writings cite everything from the Communist Manifesto to Mein Kempf. His friends describe him as a liberal. Most people are unaware Ms. Gifford is Jewish. Is that why this Nazi-influenced man killed her? Let's not draw lines connecting things that create a desired picture. If he was Arabic and owned a Koran, would we make the same leap that some would eagerly make if actually owned a book by Beck? What if he was a registered Republican (he registered independent and didn't vote in the recent election)? Stop it folks, please.
He was a nut case, plain and simple; no more and no less.
That being said, can we agree that violent rhetoric and imagery is a poor choice for anyone in politics? Does it really matter if it a map with cross hairs created by a PAC supporting Sarah Palin or a map of bullseyes created by the DNC? So Beck uses violent wordplay? Don't forget Obama, "They bring a knife, we bring a gun" and "hit back twice as hard" or even "punish your enemies." Just yesterday, Rep. Paul Kanjorski, D-Pa said about GOP Gov. Rick Scott: "They ought to put him against a wall and shoot him." We can find an equal number of bad examples from all parties, races and genders.
Maybe it's time for everyone to stop.
P.S. His most violent video rant has the song "Bodies" by Drowning Pool playing in the background. I would be remiss to point out what a horrible influence heavy metal music is on our youth today. That must be the real reason why he shot those people...
The shooter's videos and writings cite everything from the Communist Manifesto to Mein Kempf. His friends describe him as a liberal. Most people are unaware Ms. Gifford is Jewish. Is that why this Nazi-influenced man killed her? Let's not draw lines connecting things that create a desired picture. If he was Arabic and owned a Koran, would we make the same leap that some would eagerly make if actually owned a book by Beck? What if he was a registered Republican (he registered independent and didn't vote in the recent election)? Stop it folks, please.
He was a nut case, plain and simple; no more and no less.
That being said, can we agree that violent rhetoric and imagery is a poor choice for anyone in politics? Does it really matter if it a map with cross hairs created by a PAC supporting Sarah Palin or a map of bullseyes created by the DNC? So Beck uses violent wordplay? Don't forget Obama, "They bring a knife, we bring a gun" and "hit back twice as hard" or even "punish your enemies." Just yesterday, Rep. Paul Kanjorski, D-Pa said about GOP Gov. Rick Scott: "They ought to put him against a wall and shoot him." We can find an equal number of bad examples from all parties, races and genders.
Maybe it's time for everyone to stop.
P.S. His most violent video rant has the song "Bodies" by Drowning Pool playing in the background. I would be remiss to point out what a horrible influence heavy metal music is on our youth today. That must be the real reason why he shot those people...