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Title: GOP Senator Urges Media Not To Talk About Palin’s Violent Rhetoric
Source:
RawStory
URL Source: http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2011/01/ ... -talk-palins-violent-rhetoric/
Published: Jan 9, 2011
Author: David Edwards
Post Date: 2011-01-09 17:33:42 by Brian S
Keywords: None
Views: 2752
Comments: 2
Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-TN) urged CNN's Candy Crowley Sunday not to mention Fox News' Sarah Palin in connection with the shooting of Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-AZ). In an a Sunday interview, Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) noted that public figures have used violent rhetoric against Giffords, something Palin has done. "Those of us in public life and the journalists who cover this should be thoughtful in response to this and try to bring down the rhetoric, which I'm afraid has become pervasive in the discussion of political issues," he said. "The phrase 'don't retreat, reload,' putting crosshairs on congressional districts as targets, these sort of things, I think, invite the kind of toxic rhetoric that can lead unstable people to believe this is an acceptable response," Durbin added. The Illinois senator was referring to a post on Sarah Palin's Facebook page that placed crosshairs over Giffords' congressional district. Palin said supporters should "reload" and use their votes to "aim for" the Democrat's defeat. "You talk about putting those that you want to defeat in the crosshairs graphically on the Internet, you're talking about Sarah Palin here," Crowley observed. "I guess that the undertow -- and certainly it's not an undertow on the internet -- but the undertow with politicians now speaking publicly is, 'Well, the Republicans and tea party and Sarah Palin have gone way too far in their rhetoric. It's been violent rhetoric and therefore this sort of thing happens.' Are you making that direct connection?" "I don't think you can ever make that direct connection," Durbin explained. "But don't we have an obligation, those of news public life and those who cover us, to say this is beyond the bounds? It may be constitutionally permissible, but it shouldn't be acceptable rhetoric. We shouldn't invite it on the radio talk shows or the TV, at least without comment. We ought to say that goes too far." Crowley turned to Alexander for his view. "Is it over the line politically these days, given the kind of climate we're in, to be talking about or graphically showing a politician in the crosshairs or talking about taking them out? Was it over the line, sort of specifically, since it's now being talked about everywhere, Sarah Palin's web ads for people she would like to see targeted for political defeat?" she asked. "Well, Candy, I think you're responsible, by bringing this up, of doing the very thing you’re trying to condemn," Alexander shot back. "You're making and implying a direct connection between Sarah Palin and what happened." "I think the way to get away from it is for you not to be talking about it," he added. Apparently Fox News agrees with the senator from Tennessee because when Palin's name was mentioned at a vigil for Giffords, they cut the video feed. Palin offered her "sincere condolences" on her Facebook page Saturday, but did not acknowledge any responsibility for inciting the shooting. "We never ever, ever intended it to be gun sights," Palin aide Rebecca Mansour told conservative talk show host Tammy Bruce. Mansour agreed with Bruce's suggestion that the crosshairs were simply represented a "surveyor's symbol." This video is from CNN's State of the Union, broadcast Jan. 9, 2010. W
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#1. To: Brian S (#0)
Let's not leave Glenn Beck out of this. It wasn't all that long ago when this story hit the air. Crazed Right-Wing Shooter Targeted S.F. Tides Foundation, ACLU Tuolumne County man Byron Williams, 45, arrested for a shootout with CHP on Saturday, "was reportedly heading to San Francisco to target individuals at liberal nonprofit the Tides Foundation and the ACLU," reports KTVU. “This was his plan. This is what he stated to us,” said Oakland police spokesperson Jeff Thomason. “And we're just lucky that the CHP stopped him when they did, or he could have killed people.” Williams' goal was to "start a revolution" by killing people at liberal organizations over the weekend. However, before the parolee could make it to San Francisco, according to The Chronicle, Williams was stopped by California Highway Patrol officers for "speeding and driving erratically on westbound Interstate 580," prompting the shootout. Williams closed down 580 in both directions near the Grand Avenue exit in Oakland just after midnight Saturday night. Two officers were injured in the shooting. Tides Foundation works to promote "human rights, justice, and a healthy, sustainable environment." The American Civil Liberties Union, as most of you know, is a crucial organization working "to defend and preserve the individual rights and liberties that the Constitution and laws of the United States guarantee everyone in this country." UPDATE: For those curious as to why the Tides Foundation was targeted, just ask Glenn Beck and Fox News. (Thanks to commenter auweia1)
“Commonsense Conservatives & lovers of America: "Don't Retreat, Instead - RELOAD!" Pls see my Facebook page.” - Sarah Palin
Mansour agreed with Bruce's suggestion that the crosshairs were simply represented a "surveyor's symbol." Liars. “Commonsense Conservatives & lovers of America: "Don't Retreat, Instead - RELOAD!" Pls see my Facebook page.” - Sarah Palin
#2. To: Brian S (#0)
"We never ever, ever intended it to be gun sights," Palin aide Rebecca Mansour told conservative talk show host Tammy Bruce.
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