At the moment we’re seeing liberal Democrats self-righteously bemoaning the “violent rhetoric” of conservative Republicans, and criticizing Republicans for stirring up “vitriol”, implying that the shooting in Arizona was due in part to harsh language from conservative politicians and TV or Radio personalities.
George Packer of the New Yorker said,
“This relentlessly hostile rhetoric has become standard issue on the right. (On the left it appears in anonymous comment threads, not congressional speeches and national T.V. programs.)
Whatever drove Jared Lee Loughner, America’s political frequencies are full of violent static.â€
This is not to defend or excuse Republicans but just a little reminder to pious Democrats that maybe they should pause for a moment of self-reflection before accusing others of stirring up trouble.
Of course, in the minds of these fine Democrats the “violent rhetoric” displayed below is different, I suppose they felt it was justified. I suppose they felt they were expressing free speech.
May I suggest we try less name-calling and more actual discussion? Fewer insults and more genuine suggestions on how to make things better?
It would be good if everyone would tone down the rhetoric on both sides and try to be more civil in their disagreements, but it’s disgusting to see Democrats act self-righteous about “violent rhetoric” given their public expressions of hatred and violence in the past. Here are just a few examples:
