January 8th, 2011

Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-AZ) was shot in the head this morning during a public constituent meeting in Tucson. Thirteen others were wounded, and a nine-year old girl, a federal judge, and four others were shot and killed.

“We’ve diagnosed the problem… Help us prescribe the solution.” – Heading on Sarah Palin’s map of the US showing Democrats her PAC was targeting (including Gabby Giffords) with crosshairs on their districts

 

“OK, I will.” – the suspected shooter, 22 year old Jared Lee Loughner from Tucson (paraphrased) 

What, all you tough-talking extremists, did you expect

When you our country with violent rhetoric infect?

How many more times must such things take place

While you continue our polticial discourse to debase.

How many more peole have to die

While you continue, your rhetoric’s impact to deny?

Wasn’t the Tides Foundation attack enough

To get you your violent followers to rebuff?

Weren’t all the death threats, vandalism, and calls for revolt

Enough to fill you with revolt?

I guess all that didn’t suffice,

And now six dead and 14 wounded have paid the price.

Just because he wasn’t carrying a copy of Sarah Palin’s crosshairs map and chart

Doesn’t mean they didn’t in his action play a part.

But the problem with violent rhetoric is not just that one thing,

But an unbroken and continuous string.

It’s happened before, and will happen again

Unless we this hateful and violent rhetoric end.

***

Here’s Giffords during the healthcare debate talking about prior threats and violence against her.

 

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Update 1/11/10: Here’s the excellent cover of the upcoming edition of The Stranger.

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