Post from a reader
January 9, 2011
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by David Safier
Regular BfA reader and commenter Phillip Keuter sent me this post. You can read the full post after the jump.
I would take this idea that Mr. Safier expressed about violence-laced political rhetoric a step further. It's not just that so much of the rhetoric is laced with violent images and violent metaphors, it's also that so much of the rhetoric from certain places is not even connected with reality. That dynamic always leads to trouble, whether you're in a marriage, running a country, prosecuting a war, publishing a newspaper, or teaching in a classroom.
Examples abound. First is the quote above from Jesse Kelley: "They're destroying this nation, and while I'm still breathing, I will not let it happen." Glenn Beck makes references to the Weimar Republic and hyper inflation. Death Panels, Socialism, Marxism, Hannity calling the Wall Street Journal the "Liberal Left Wing Media.” Bush invaded Iraq — did they attack us? Were they friends with Al Queda? Crazy-making. Plain and simple crazy-making when you stop basing your decisions and your rhetoric on what is real.
And right now? What is the current Frank Luntz nine seconds or less soundbite currently in fashion? "Jobs-Killing" Health Care Bill. It's not connected to reality…it's connected to a win-at-all-costs-and-damn-the-torpedoes-and forget-the-consequences approach to political warfare. And yes, when you conceptualize politics as "war" and lose your moral bearings (i.e., the ends justify the means), and your rhetoric is not based upon anything connected to reality but instead is connected to military references (see http://teapartypatriots.ning.com/ … "Stop the Tyrant!" "1st Brigade" etc), then you have left the reality based world and live in a crazy-making fantasy.
What does it take for a Republican to admit his/her party’s political language is out of control?
January 9, 2011
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by David Safier Most Republicans are acting outraged — nothing new about that — that Democrats are concerned about the vitriolic rhetoric we're hearing from the right. If the Rs can out-outrage the Ds by, say, shouting down Sheriff Dupnik for commenting on the vitriol and hate (Kyl and others) or making the Star's cartoonist/columnist … Read more
What Were Jared Loughner’s Politics?
January 9, 2011
By Michael Bryan The right wing desperately wants America to believe that Loughner is not one of them. They are grabbing onto every scrap and rumor to paint him as a leftist. Homeland Security and Fox News (of all sources) don't agree: According to a law enforcement memo based on information provided by DHS and obtained … Read more
26 Solutions for Restoring Transplant Funding
January 9, 2011
From Arizona98.com: Register your support for restored transplant funding on Facebook. 1.) Use a portion of the settlement with AIG announced 12/22/10 - $2,143,829 Arizona will receive this amount as part of a 50-state settlement with AIG. The $150 million settlement occurred 12/17/10 and became public 12/22/10. Arizona’s share of this settlement is $2,143,829. The full settlement is available … Read more
Tucsonans Step Up to Stop Further Shooting
January 9, 2011
Tucson Sentinel Reports: Four people said to have helped stop the alleged shooting rampage of suspect Jared Lee Loughner have been identified by the Pima County Sheriff's Department. They are Patricia Maisch, Roger Salzgeger, Bill D. Badger and Jospeh Zamudio. Deputy Jason Ogan gave the following account: Patricia Maisch was at the event, in the … Read more
Illinois Rep. demonstrates to Arizona legislators how to restore funding for transplant patients
January 9, 2011
Posted by AzBlueMeanie: State Rep. Steven Daglas (R-IL) is the kind of "compassionate conservative" with basic human decency and his humanity still intact, something in short supply in the GOP-dominated Arizona Legislature. Rep. Daglas was so moved by the plight of Arizona's transplant patients at the hands of our legislature and Governor Grim Reaper's death … Read more
Republicans want everyone to dial back the rhetoric — now
January 9, 2011
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by David Safier Republicans say, now is not the time for blame or partisan statements. Let's keep cool heads. This from people who screamed, without cause, that Democrats were creating Death Panels to kill our grandmothers and Sarah Palin's baby. That was OK. This from people who either agreed with or didn't comment on the … Read more
