After Rep. Gabrielle Giffords was shot in the head and a number of others were wounded or killed in a shooting in Tucson, Ariz. on Saturday, Pima County Sheriff Clarence Dupnik said that the state has "become the mecca for prejudice and bigotry."
Addressing the tragedy at a news conference, the sheriff said that law enforcement had reason to believe that Giffords was specifically targeted in the attack. He added that evidence suggests one suspect -- 22-year-old Jared Loughner, who is already in custody -- likely did not act alone.
"When you look at unbalanced people, how they respond to the vitriol that comes out of certain mouths about tearing down the government. The anger, the hatred, the bigotry that goes on in this country is getting to be outrageous," said the sheriff. "And unfortunately, Arizona I think has become sort of the capital. We have become the mecca for prejudice and bigotry."
When asked by a reporter if Giffords being shot could have been motivated by "prejudice and bigotry," Dupnik responded, "All I can tell you is that there's reason to believe that this individual may have a mental issue.And I think that people who are unbalanced are especially susceptible to vitriol."
While speaking, the sheriff said that himself it included, "it's not unusual for all public officials to get threats." However, he said the sentiment doesn't come without consequences. "And that's the sad thing of what's going on in America," he explained. "Pretty soon, we're not going to be able to find reasonable, decent people who are willing to subject themselves to serve in public office."
AlbertaghostCultural Wasteland, Alberta Canada5,914 posts
gininitaly: While speaking, the sheriff said that himself it included, "it's not unusual for all public officials to get threats." However, he said the sentiment doesn't come without consequences.
"And that's the sad thing of what's going on in America," he explained. "Pretty soon, we're not going to be able to find reasonable, decent people who are willing to subject themselves to serve in public office."
I don't agree with this sentiment. While this sad event definitely shows that there are crazy people out there and, with the advent of the Internet, it allows them to become far more involved and exposed to politics than at any other time in the past.
I can see security being beefed up which will of course, add to the cost of government but, certainly believe that his contention that decent people will not run is very unreasonable. In Iraq and Afghanistan for example, there is no difficulty finding those who are willing to take the political slots, despite knowing they are in fact on a hit list from day one of declaring their intent. As well, people still ran for office after Regan, the Kennedys and others were shot.
After Rep. Gabrielle Giffords was shot in the head and a number of others were wounded or killed in a shooting in Tucson, Ariz. on Saturday, Pima County Sheriff Clarence Dupnik said that the state has "become the mecca for prejudice and bigotry."
Addressing the tragedy at a news conference, the sheriff said that law enforcement had reason to believe that Giffords was specifically targeted in the attack. He added that evidence suggests one suspect -- 22-year-old Jared Loughner, who is already in custody -- likely did not act alone.
"When you look at unbalanced people, how they respond to the vitriol that comes out of certain mouths about tearing down the government. The anger, the hatred, the bigotry that goes on in this country is getting to be outrageous," said the sheriff. "And unfortunately, Arizona I think has become sort of the capital. We have become the mecca for prejudice and bigotry."
When asked by a reporter if Giffords being shot could have been motivated by "prejudice and bigotry," Dupnik responded, "All I can tell you is that there's reason to believe that this individual may have a mental issue. And I think that people who are unbalanced are especially susceptible to vitriol."
While speaking, the sheriff said that himself it included, "it's not unusual for all public officials to get threats." However, he said the sentiment doesn't come without consequences.
"And that's the sad thing of what's going on in America," he explained. "Pretty soon, we're not going to be able to find reasonable, decent people who are willing to subject themselves to serve in public office."
But I bet he is running for Re-election! amazing, all that Political Hay that is being made out of that sad Incident! Makes one wanna Puke!
Conrad73: But I bet he is running for Re-election! amazing, all that Political Hay that is being made out of that sad Incident! Makes one wanna Puke!
But instead of commenting on the meat of the statement.... you immediately minimize the observation by bringing up his election... which in his constituency isn't obviously a good political move nez pas?
AlbertaghostCultural Wasteland, Alberta Canada5,914 posts
gininitaly: Another minimizer .... why can't an observation simply be that? That it might actually make sense beyond politics?
I thought the thread premise was sound and apt. I disagree with it but believe that it is worth discussiing.
Taking it just a bit further, I wonder, if he is correct and only brave people enter politics, this may make for better politicians or, on the other hand, 'Governators' armed in Iron Man suits with 88mm cannons for arms.
In any case, I echo my initial point which is that in politics, there are more people to fill the positions than there are positions. Most of them just as qualified as the one filling it.
gininitaly: But instead of commenting on the meat of the statement.... you immediately minimize the observation by bringing up his election... which in his constituency isn't obviously a good political move nez pas?
AlbertaghostCultural Wasteland, Alberta Canada5,914 posts
gininitaly: Besides, the man is 75 yrs old and probably not even running for reelection!
Maybe he's just sick and tired of appeasing the right who've done nothing but send us plummeting into an abyss.
But what private contractor for the US military would want the abyss to end?
Since 75 there has been an equal distribution of the state to both parties recently ending with Nepolitano and prior to that it has been mostely Democrats running it.
After Rep. Gabrielle Giffords was shot in the head and a number of others were wounded or killed in a shooting in Tucson, Ariz. on Saturday, Pima County Sheriff Clarence Dupnik said that the state has "become the mecca for prejudice and bigotry."
Addressing the tragedy at a news conference, the sheriff said that law enforcement had reason to believe that Giffords was specifically targeted in the attack. He added that evidence suggests one suspect -- 22-year-old Jared Loughner, who is already in custody -- likely did not act alone.
"When you look at unbalanced people, how they respond to the vitriol that comes out of certain mouths about tearing down the government. The anger, the hatred, the bigotry that goes on in this country is getting to be outrageous," said the sheriff. "And unfortunately, Arizona I think has become sort of the capital. We have become the mecca for prejudice and bigotry."
When asked by a reporter if Giffords being shot could have been motivated by "prejudice and bigotry," Dupnik responded, "All I can tell you is that there's reason to believe that this individual may have a mental issue. And I think that people who are unbalanced are especially susceptible to vitriol."
While speaking, the sheriff said that himself it included, "it's not unusual for all public officials to get threats." However, he said the sentiment doesn't come without consequences.
"And that's the sad thing of what's going on in America," he explained. "Pretty soon, we're not going to be able to find reasonable, decent people who are willing to subject themselves to serve in public office."
Well Obama ran and I'm sure he knew what the outcome would/could probably be.
After Rep. Gabrielle Giffords was shot in the head and a number of others were wounded or killed in a shooting in Tucson, Ariz. on Saturday, Pima County Sheriff Clarence Dupnik said that the state has "become the mecca for prejudice and bigotry."
Addressing the tragedy at a news conference, the sheriff said that law enforcement had reason to believe that Giffords was specifically targeted in the attack. He added that evidence suggests one suspect -- 22-year-old Jared Loughner, who is already in custody -- likely did not act alone.
"When you look at unbalanced people, how they respond to the vitriol that comes out of certain mouths about tearing down the government. The anger, the hatred, the bigotry that goes on in this country is getting to be outrageous," said the sheriff. "And unfortunately, Arizona I think has become sort of the capital. We have become the mecca for prejudice and bigotry."
When asked by a reporter if Giffords being shot could have been motivated by "prejudice and bigotry," Dupnik responded, "All I can tell you is that there's reason to believe that this individual may have a mental issue. And I think that people who are unbalanced are especially susceptible to vitriol."
While speaking, the sheriff said that himself it included, "it's not unusual for all public officials to get threats." However, he said the sentiment doesn't come without consequences.
"And that's the sad thing of what's going on in America," he explained. "Pretty soon, we're not going to be able to find reasonable, decent people who are willing to subject themselves to serve in public office."
what he alludes to is unprecedented time in americas political history, where rhetoric that would be considered terrorism, is now accepted as freedom of speech by the populace.
emmaline: what he alludes to is unprecedented time in americas political history, where rhetoric that would be considered terrorism, is now accepted as freedom of speech by the populace.
when did the shift come? with obama's election
And means what.... that the left started the verbal cesspit?
I don't think so... more like after 8 yrs of republican shenanigans they were terrified of the idea that a real democrat might actually get in there... course we didn't get one, but hey... the country is no longer in the hands of the people anyway.
I mean why do you think those rallies, extremist palaver and tea parties were invented? Have you ever seen anything similar in your whole life?
Seems we could always get by with just a polling booth before. One man, one vote. So now we need to mobilize and organize? Why?
Because the right was trying to round up and whip into a frenzy the dumb and apathetic with key words that create emotion and the fear of god. If you're not for 'em your agin' 'em? If you're not a gun toting patriot, you're a traitor. Do you really believe that?
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After Rep. Gabrielle Giffords was shot in the head and a number of others were wounded or killed in a shooting in Tucson, Ariz. on Saturday, Pima County Sheriff Clarence Dupnik said that the state has "become the mecca for prejudice and bigotry."
Addressing the tragedy at a news conference, the sheriff said that law enforcement had reason to believe that Giffords was specifically targeted in the attack. He added that evidence suggests one suspect -- 22-year-old Jared Loughner, who is already in custody -- likely did not act alone.
"When you look at unbalanced people, how they respond to the vitriol that comes out of certain mouths about tearing down the government. The anger, the hatred, the bigotry that goes on in this country is getting to be outrageous," said the sheriff. "And unfortunately, Arizona I think has become sort of the capital. We have become the mecca for prejudice and bigotry."
When asked by a reporter if Giffords being shot could have been motivated by "prejudice and bigotry," Dupnik responded, "All I can tell you is that there's reason to believe that this individual may have a mental issue. And I think that people who are unbalanced are especially susceptible to vitriol."
While speaking, the sheriff said that himself it included, "it's not unusual for all public officials to get threats." However, he said the sentiment doesn't come without consequences.
"And that's the sad thing of what's going on in America," he explained. "Pretty soon, we're not going to be able to find reasonable, decent people who are willing to subject themselves to serve in public office."