by David Safier Guns are a part of U.S. history and culture, and always will be. That’s simply a fact not worth fighting about. People own guns and rifles because they feel the need for protection and because they like to use them for recreation. Some people love collecting and firing guns the way other … Read more

Posted by AzBlueMeanie: Greg Sargent writes at The Plum Line – Can "paranoid" political culture trigger violence in the unhinged?: I'm going to second Steve Benen's claim that this column by Harold Meyerson is an important addition to the debate over the shooting: The primary problem with the political discourse of the right in today's … Read more

Posted by AzBlueMeanie: I could not believe this story in the Arizona Daily Star today, 2 talk hosts advocate peace, but rants go on: In the wake of the Arizona shootings, conservative talk-show host Glenn Beck issued a challenge to all Americans to reject violence. Liberal talk-show host Keith Olbermann voiced his own call for … Read more

Posted by AzBlueMeanie: I hold this woman in utter contempt after her latest "Palin pity party" self-indulgent narcissism to cast herself as a "victim" on the very day this community has set aside to honor the victims of the mass shooting on Saturday. I will refrain from commenting out of respect for my friends and colleagues who were the … Read more

Posted by AzBlueMeanie: A Tucson group is planning to have "Angel Action" present at the funerals of 9-year-old Christina-Taylor Green on Thursday and U.S. Judge John M. Roll on Friday. Local 'Angels' group, new AZ law seek to shelter funeral goers from protests: Hundreds will stand side to side wearing white, and dozens of people will … Read more

by David Safier I'm reading more analyses of this kind, which make a great deal of sense. It's not only violence-laden rhetoric that inflames the discourse and leads to threats and acts of violence. It's language that declares, You're not one of us — language that dehumanizes political opponents or makes them into aliens. This … Read more

by David Safier The Republic has an article about Anthony Miller, Chair — now former chair — of Legislative District 20 Republicans. He resigned because of "a nasty battle between factions of Legislative District 20 Republicans and fears that it could turn violent in the wake of what happened in Tucson on Saturday." Other officers … Read more