Arizona Congressman Gabrielle Giffords Apparantly Survives Assassination Attempt

[ExileOnDaytonStreet]

Re: Arizona Congressman Gabrielle Giffords Apparantly Survives Assassination Attempt

Then there is Limpballs calling her the White House dog. But I guess that doesn't count in "Oh poor me" land.

Playing the victim requires ignoring a lot of stuff. It's like the old, tired question of bias in the media. People are often so busy whining about liberal bias and conservative bias that they miss the fact that both exist and that "lowest common denominator bias" trumps them all.

 

[Old Pio]

Re: Arizona Congressman Gabrielle Giffords Apparantly Survives Assassination Attempt

The Palin thing is overblown in every way.

Frankly, everything about her is overblown. Even people who think she's a cancerous loon *raises hand* need to realize that she's just one of the great many loons populating the national political media.

The other side of the token is that anyone who willfully puts themselves in the spotlight as much as she does (and she does it more so than almost anyone else not holding office these days) has to expect some overblown attention. Scandal and gossip over substance: it's just the way the media, and popular culture, work. That's not necessarily to say that she brings it upon herself, it's just that no one should be too surprised or shocked by it.

You have a point. But let me ask you this: when was the last time Letterman told a dirty joke, on the air, about anybody's else's 14 year old daughter?

 

[ExileOnDaytonStreet]

Re: Arizona Congressman Gabrielle Giffords Apparantly Survives Assassination Attempt

You have a point. But let me ask you this: when was the last time Letterman told a dirty joke, on the air, about anybody's else's daughter?

I'd have to watch Letterman more often to know. I do know that he seems to have more of a "Whatever, I'm getting old and I just don't care anymore" attitude these days, which lends itself towards crossing that sort of line.

 

[Old Pio]

Re: Arizona Congressman Gabrielle Giffords Apparantly Survives Assassination Attempt

Playing the victim requires ignoring a lot of stuff. It's like the old, tired question of bias in the media. People are often so busy whining about liberal bias and conservative bias that they miss the fact that both exist and that "lowest common denominator bias" trumps them all.

Bias in the legacy media is as strong as ever. It's just that nowdays we have more choices and their ability to influence the outcome of public debates has waned. In the old days, we had three networks, each striving to put out the newscast that most slavishly reflected the biases of the New York Times. Those days are gone, and with them, the undeserved influence of those media. It always brightens up my day to see some "the sky is falling" story because circulation of the Times is down, again. People voting with their feet. It's the American way.

 

[Old Pio]

Re: Arizona Congressman Gabrielle Giffords Apparantly Survives Assassination Attempt

I'd have to watch Letterman more often to know. I do know that he seems to have more of a "Whatever, I'm getting old and I just don't care anymore" attitude these days, which lends itself towards crossing that sort of line.

Sure, but I'd imagine a really good guess to answer my question would be "never." And your explanation for his behavior may be true, on the other hand, it wouldn't be an excuse. And it wouldn't explain why he only has "senior moments" when it comes to Palin's kids.

Just for the record, Palin isn't first on my list for Republican presidential nominees. My posts about Palin are in the same vein as the basketball coach yelling for the ref to "call it the same on both ends of the court." In '08 I supported Rudy and his campaign hit the ground like a safe. I might support him this time around. However, today a guy I actually know, Herman Cain, former CEO of Godfather's Pizza, said he was forming an exploratory committee. And even though he's a long shot, I'd support him in a heartbeat.

 

[5mn_Major]

Re: Arizona Congressman Gabrielle Giffords Apparantly Survives Assassination Attempt

A Palm Springs, Calif., man was arrested on Wednesday on a federal charge that he threatened to kill Rep. James McDermott (D) of Washington because of the congressman’s stance in last month’s debate over whether to extend the Bush tax cuts.

“Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, or George Washington, Alexander Hamilton, if any of them had ever met Jim McDermott, they would all blow his brains out. They’d shoot him in the head,” Mr. Habermann, 32, allegedly said in a recorded voice mail message on Mr. McDermott’s office telephone.

 

[Priceless]

Re: Arizona Congressman Gabrielle Giffords Apparantly Survives Assassination Attempt

A Palm Springs, Calif., man was arrested on Wednesday on a federal charge that he threatened to kill Rep. James McDermott (D) of Washington because of the congressman’s stance in last month’s debate over whether to extend the Bush tax cuts.

“Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, or George Washington, Alexander Hamilton, if any of them had ever met Jim McDermott, they would all blow his brains out. They’d shoot him in the head,” Mr. Habermann, 32, allegedly said in a recorded voice mail message on Mr. McDermott’s office telephone.

Just a coincidence. Don't go drawing any conclusions.

 

[huskyfan]

Re: Arizona Congressman Gabrielle Giffords Apparantly Survives Assassination Attempt

A Palm Springs, Calif., man was arrested on Wednesday on a federal charge that he threatened to kill Rep. James McDermott (D) of Washington because of the congressman’s stance in last month’s debate over whether to extend the Bush tax cuts.

“Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, or George Washington, Alexander Hamilton, if any of them had ever met Jim McDermott, they would all blow his brains out. They’d shoot him in the head,” Mr. Habermann, 32, allegedly said in a recorded voice mail message on Mr. McDermott’s office telephone.

this indeed would be a political crime. if the man is sane. the Tucson case is a mental health issue and not a politcal one. anyone - from either side - who tries to make it political is at best a fool.

 

[Priceless]

Re: Arizona Congressman Gabrielle Giffords Apparantly Survives Assassination Attempt

Mr. Habermann is the second man to be charged with threatening a member of Congress in the last week. On Friday a Colorado man was arrested for threatening to shoot people at the office of Senator Michael Bennet, Democrat of Colorado, and set a fire around its perimeter.

The two cases represent some of the few threats – among hundreds of similar situations in the past decade – that federal prosecutors deemed serious enough to press charges.

Both men face up to 10 years in prison for threatening a federal official, a criminal offense.

Mr. Habermann threatened to kill Mr. McDermott in a voice mail message on Dec. 9 in an effort to interfere with his vote on the tax cut proposal, the federal complaint said.

Nothing to see here. All is well.

 

[5mn_Major]

Re: Arizona Congressman Gabrielle Giffords Apparantly Survives Assassination Attempt

Just a coincidence. Don't go drawing any conclusions.

Too late. Conclusion drawn. There is waay too many finding solutions in a gun.

 

[huskyfan]

Re: Arizona Congressman Gabrielle Giffords Apparantly Survives Assassination Attempt

Nothing to see here. All is well.

Too late. Conclusion drawn. There is waay too many finding solutions in a gun.

ah. a conspiracy. yes. perhaps members of the mind control through grammar group?

 

[XYZ]

Re: Arizona Congressman Gabrielle Giffords Apparantly Survives Assassination Attempt

Too late. Conclusion drawn. There is waay too many finding solutions in a gun.

Which is exactly why you have to dodge all those bullets on your 394 morning commute, no?

 

[5mn_Major]

Re: Arizona Congressman Gabrielle Giffords Apparantly Survives Assassination Attempt

Which is exactly why you have to dodge all those bullets on your 394 morning commute, no?

Do obsessed posters really have no originality? For about the fifth time, learn a new post.

ah. a conspiracy. yes. perhaps members of the mind control through grammar group?

What?

If you guys really believe that guns in the hands of those other law enforcement was the answer...come out and say it. If you're just sore about something...no need to say anything at all.

 

[XYZ]

Re: Arizona Congressman Gabrielle Giffords Apparantly Survives Assassination Attempt

Do obsessed posters really have no originality? For about the fifth time, learn a new post.

We're all still waiting for you to answer a question for the first time ever. Until that time comes I see no reason to ask a new one. I try to give you the benefit of the doubt, but it's too late. My conclusion is drawn.

 

[dxmnkd316]

Re: Arizona Congressman Gabrielle Giffords Apparantly Survives Assassination Attempt

Is "political missile silos" your coinage? If so, very nice, because it's perfect.

It most definitely is. I wanted to say bomb throwers but missile silos worked so much better.

 

[Kepler]

Re: Arizona Congressman Gabrielle Giffords Apparantly Survives Assassination Attempt

It most definitely is. I wanted to say bomb throwers but missile silos worked so much better.

I particularly like the connotation that they are buried deep in the ground, cut off from the rest of reality, and hardened against attack. That describes the closed-minded, paranoid environment of both Fox News and talk radio perfectly, and for a few other sources (Kos, MSNBC) it's a very good fit.

 

[Kepler]

Re: Arizona Congressman Gabrielle Giffords Apparantly Survives Assassination Attempt

However, today a guy I actually know, Herman Cain, former CEO of Godfather's Pizza, said he was forming an exploratory committee. And even though he's a long shot, I'd support him in a heartbeat.

It's always interesting when people have personal contact with and knowledge of candidates, so they can see beneath the carefully constructed media image. If it's not an imposition, could you share how you know him (professionally? socially?) and what you think of him? Thanks.

 

[Kepler]

Re: Arizona Congressman Gabrielle Giffords Apparantly Survives Assassination Attempt

The new meme from the right: Obama is turning this memorial service into a "pep rally" to kick off his 2012 re-election bid.

The right wing Mad Libs template says "Last night's statement by (Democratic public figure) is yet another digusting reminder of how much these people hate America. The sensible response by (Republican public figure) shows that there are still brave Americans willing to go up against the (conspiracy of the day -- see memo from Roger Ailes) to speak the truth." There are a few good examples on this thread, so the lemmings have been fully inoculated against having their own thoughts.

The right isn't so much auto-pleasuring as it is on auto-pilot.

 

[geezer]

Re: Arizona Congressman Gabrielle Giffords Apparantly Survives Assassination Attempt

Others would disagree, including Mr. Dershowitz, who is not exactly a right-winger:

I shared this information also, and along with the others it was disregarded, ignored or attacked. It's fascinating to watch. I wouldn't vote for Palin, but the level of screaming, purple-faced hatred she generates among Democrats is like nothing I've ever seen (I wasn't much aware of politics during the Reagan years).
Now this latest Democrat call to arms is ostensibly because she used the phrase "blood libel" in the most common modern usage, rather than in reference to a historical event Keith Olbermann found on Wikipedia. It's really amazing how much energy is being poured into this.
It's just as silly as this idea that she is passing on assassination orders to her secret army through ads, or whatever. It says a lot more about the Democrats than the Tea Party, that this stuff is widely believed.
(cue Kepler: "Sarah Palin makes us all think about her all the time! She won't leave us alone!")

 

[Priceless]

Re: Arizona Congressman Gabrielle Giffords Apparantly Survives Assassination Attempt

MSNBC: Obama to Americans: 'We can be better'
WSJ: Obama Calls for a More Civil Nation
LA Times: Obama urges Americans to debate 'in a way that heals'
WaPo: Obama calls for healing, not blame
Politico: Barack Obama's speech: Eulogy with a powerful message
Guardian: Barack Obama's Tucson speech rose to the moment and transcended it: Obama spoke more like a pastor than a politician, carving out a moment of calm amid the toxic rhetoric
NECN: Obama urges nation to live up to expectations of youngest Ariz. victim

You know President Obama’s Tucson Memorial speech had to be pretty darned great if the Fox News panel assembled to critique it – a panel that did not include a single Democrat or liberal – found only its length to criticize. Of course, they took some jabs at Democrats and - shades of Paul Wellstone’s memorial – of the not-somber-enough tone. But the panel blamed the audience, not Obama.

The panel consisted of Brit Hume, Chris Wallace and Charles Krauthammer. It probably would have been too much to ask for Alan Colmes or Alicia Menendez or Kirsten Powers or Bob Beckel to be on the panel. But there wasn’t even Juan Williams or Mara Liasson.

Nevertheless, there was nary a harsh word for Obama. The audience was a different story.

Krauthammer nearly gushed. He called the speech a “remarkable display of oratory and of oratorical skill, both in terms of the tone and the content.” Krauthammer noted the “inappropriate” cheering of the audience but said it was not the president’s fault. The speech was “so inspirational,” Krauthammer said, “You could only conclude that he did exactly what he had to do in a difficult environment. I think that tone (the raucousness of the audience) seemed odd and off-the-key for most of the event in a situation of sorrow and grief and yet he turned it around… in a way that I thought was extremely successful.”