By John W. Lillpop
A sick, despicable coward named Jared Loughner turned an ordinary shopping center in Tucson, Arizona into a killing field on Saturday morning. This deranged monster murdered six innocent people in cold blood, including a nine-year-old girl, and inflicted severe injuries on several others, including Rep. Gabrielle Giffords.
Unfortunately, the tragedy and sorrow of this awful day were magnified when, in some quarters, the events in Tucson were blamed on “right-wing” extremists.
The implication was that hard-edged rhetoric broadcast by Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity, and Glenn Beck had somehow driven the 22-year-old Loughner into the abyss of insanity and murder.
Unbelievably, some even tried to blame the carnage directly on Sarah Palin.
As one who has listened to Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity, and Glenn Beck for years and years, I admit that I have never—never!—heard any of these conservative superstars even come close to suggesting that any form of violence should be used to advance conservative principles.
For sure, Limbaugh, Hannity, and Beck routinely express very strong opinions about the massive intrusion of government into the lives of the American people, spending by Congress which has exploded the federal deficit, and the socialist change advocated by Barack Obama.
Strong opinions and a call for resistance, yes. But violence of any sort? Never!
However, the Tucson slaughter has led many to call for an easing of the harsh rhetoric and hate speech.
I agree.
In fact, the following examples of outrageous rhetoric should serve as warnings to all:
Left Wing Host Jokes About Shooting George W. Bush
While Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity, and Glenn Beck have never joked about killing Barack Obama, left-wing radio talk show hostess Randi Rhodes once suggested that President George W. Bush should be shot.
As reported in the media, Rhodes said the following:
"The (leader) is the president of the United States, so why doesn't his father or his brother … take him out for a little fishing, and let him say some Hail Marys – he loves God so much. … You know, Hail Mary, full of grace, God is with thee – pow [gunshot sound] – works for me."
Now THAT is reckless and irresponsible!
Congressional Democrats Say “F” the President
President Obama’s “deal” with Republicans to extend the Bush tax cuts to all, including the well-to- do, spawned extreme rage from those on the far-left of the Democrat party.
This leftist rage was reported in the media where congressional reporter Carl Hulse revealed that “Vulgar words were aimed at President Obama” during a closed-door meeting of Democratic House members, a fact initially reported by Roll Call.
To be precise, the words were “F*** the President.”
That sort of language directed at a sitting president could cause a barely- sane person to take insane action, and is otherwise the sort of rhetoric that should be avoided, especially by members of the president’s own party.
Bringing Guns to Knife Fights
During the 2008 presidential campaign, Candidate Barack Obama himself resorted to extreme rhetoric on occasion, including this quote:
“If they bring a knife to the fight, we bring a gun,” Obama said in Philadelphia last night. “Because from what I understand, folks in Philly like a good brawl. I’ve seen Eagles fans.”
Surely a brilliant orator like Barack Obama could conjure up a less violent way to motivate his base?
This is even more dangerous rhetoric that should be avoided.
Republicans and Hand to Hand Combat
Barack Obama’s use of violent language did not end with his inauguration to the U.S. presidency.
In fact, on October 7 of 2010, President Obama said the following:
“A Republican majority in Congress would mean “hand-to-hand combat” on Capitol Hill for the next two years, threatening policies Democrats have enacted to stabilize the economy, President Obama warned Wednesday.”
Hand to hand combat? Is that sort of war-like language really necessary, Mr. President?
Is there not a danger that some unhinged soul might see your words as a declaration of war against fellow Americans who just happen to be Republicans?
Jesse Jackson: Cutting Obama’s Nuts Off
As reported in the media, the Reverend Jesse Jackson chose to use very graphic and violent language during the 2008 campaign to describe his disaffection with candidate Barack Obama.
“Jackson was caught on tape during a Fox News interview saying that he believed Obama was “talking down to black people,” remarking on recent speeches the Illinois senator made about fathers taking care of their children.
“I want to cut his nuts off,” Jackson later remarked.
Even though Reverend Jackson is of the same race and political ideology as Barack Obama, that sort of language is unacceptable for broadcast into homes where young, impressionable and unstable minds tune in.
It is also quite Un-Christian, Reverend!
In sum, the notion that vulgar, demeaning rhetoric should be reigned in is a good one.
Let’s start by slapping offenders on the left into shape!
