Arizona Rampage: Pathology, Not Politics

Right-wing conspiracy theory flops in the absence of facts

By: Kenric Ward | Posted: January 10, 2011 1:42 PM

Around the State

Archival photo of Sarah Palin | Shutterstock

Attempting to connect invisible dots to link Sarah Palin and Jared Loughner, leftist conspiracy theorists continue to suggest that right-wing mayhem is on the loose.

The attempted assassination of Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, D-Ariz., by a lone 22-year-old gunman was seized on as an example of violence incited by tea party groups, conservative talk-show hosts and politicians like Palin.

Palin was dead in the sights of the critics, who noted that her political action committee website placed a gun-sight icon over Giffords' name. Two Florida Democratic congressmen -- Alan Boyd and Suzanne Kosmas -- received similar treatment on Palin's site.

Palin dismissed any rhetorical or logistical connection to the Arizona attack. In his writings, Loughner admitted stalking Giffords since 2007 -- a year before Palin burst onto the national political scene as John McCain's running mate.

Tags: Alan Boyd, Arizona, Congress, Gabrielle Giffords, George W. Bush, Jared Loughner, John Roll, Mark Penn, News, President Barack Obama, Rush Limbaugh, Sarah Palin, Suzanne Kosmas

Comments (2)

FLCoast

4:12PM JAN 10TH 2011

I have to disagree with the writer on this topic. This is clearly a case of both pathology AND politics. The vitriol spewed by the tea party during this past year, and Ms. Palin, have clearly tried to invoke people to violence. Ms. Palin's use of the phrase "don't retreat, RELOAD" is just one example. Putting gun sights next to peoples names is not routine and we have seen this tactic used by the anti-abortion faction in this country before they kill people. The bottom line is that there was a mentally unstable person who was influenced by the media, politicians and such groups as American Renaissance. If the public honestly believes there is no connection, then PLEASE, for all our sakes, stop with rhetoric. It's an insult to all Americans that anyone could even suggest Obama "needed" this. Those of us who lean to the left of center are tired of the abuse and threats. WE WILL NO LONGER BE SILENCED.

5:02PM JAN 10TH 2011

FLCoast, actually it is sort of routine http://www.verumserum.com/?p=13647

As you will see the Democrats placed targets on Republicans. Of course, how can we forget that movie that was according to liberals "art" that dealt with killing President Bush, or a book that went into detail on how to accomplish that action.

How can we forget Alan Grayson and Republicans want elderly to die and die quickly? How about being called Nazis, racist, homophobes, daily for years. If anything you would think that nut job liberals would be shooting elephants in circuses! No, the problem is not political speak. It is people. Parents who know their children are unbalanced. Friends who listen to the rants of their unstable friends. When it comes right down to it, not a single conservative or liberal are to blame for the actions of individuals. The individuals are responsible.

As Americans we cannot and should not suppress our speech because of the actions of mentally unstable individuals. For if we do, we will give up all liberties eventually by the actions of a few.

God Bless those families in Arizona.