Originally Posted By Dr Hans Reinhardt "I tend to think Palin doesn't qualify. But I think it's undeniable that she shows a shocking, even dangerous inability to understand or empathize with anyone who isn't LIKE HER." Ding ding ding!
Originally Posted By Labuda "< I believe Sarah Palin simply DOES NOT CARE whether or not someone is shot or killed or paralyzed. It doesn't register on her radar, because she's incapable of having any sympathy or empathy for anyone else.> You honestly believe that? I've never met a person, EVER who is that way. Ever. " And I've never met a serial killer. What's your point?
Originally Posted By Labuda re: 157 That's an Andy Borowitz article. That tells me it's likely 100% lies that are supposed to be funny, but aren't.
Originally Posted By mawnck >>That's an Andy Borowitz article.<< Yep. I'm afraid you just got Onioned.
Originally Posted By Dr Hans Reinhardt My question to conservative members of this discussion is if indeed this nutjob didn't watch Fox News, wasn't affiliated in any way with the Tea Party movement, and had never even heard of Sarah Palin, how long will it be before another lunatic who fits that profile does something equally horrific or worse? Furthermore, why is it that in the aftermath of this terrible tragedy the most visible right wing media personalities like Rush and Sarah won't admit that they've taken the rhetoric to far and that it's high time that we change the tone of the political discourse in this country? Instead they simply dig their feet further into the ground.
Originally Posted By ecdc We already had a very close case with the Tides Foundation and Glenn Beck. I fear we're long past the point of no return. When something happens that is the direct result of this, I believe nothing will change. Excuses will be made. We may even seethe rhetoric increased - talk of the revolution and collateral damage may appear. I've long given up hope that these snakes can be shamed into decency.
Originally Posted By fkurucz >>You obviously don't work in a psychiatric-related profession.<< I read somewhere that by some estimates 10% of the population are sociopaths (not psychopaths), that is to say they have no conscience.
Originally Posted By mele <<>>That's an Andy Borowitz article.<< Yep. I'm afraid you just got Onioned.>> Alright, I can't find anything that says either way...however, she does say stupid stuff like that all of the time. Sure, it's in jest, but she thinks it's really funny to joke about shooting things, especially regarding her comments about the "lame-stream media" (as this quote was supposedly in reference too.)
Originally Posted By Dabob2 <Sarah Palin is now saying that those weren't crosshairs on that map. No siree, they were survey markers. Got that? Survey markers.> That tells me two things. 1). Sarah apparently IS capable of feeling culpable. Something's gnawing at her here, and for good reason. 2). Ultimately she's still trying to deflect responsibility by coming up with the lame-beyond-belief "survey marker" thing. It's as though she felt the stirrings of conscience or empathy... then quickly looked to tamp it down, lest it get out of hand. Luckily, it just makes her look even worse. And equating this with the Beatles?? You gotta be kidding me. "Helter Skelter" was a song about - wait for it - a giant slide. That's what they're called in England. To try to say that the leap from that to mass murder is no greater a leap than crosshair imagery is to a shooting cannot be taken seriously.
Originally Posted By Dabob2 <Excuses will be made. We may even seethe rhetoric increased - talk of the revolution and collateral damage may appear. I've long given up hope that these snakes can be shamed into decency.> I think you're right about the talk radio yakkers and Fox guys. Limbaugh and Beck will (wait for it) within days make themselves and conservatives the victims... "Those lousy libs are trying to use this tragedy to curtial YOUR freedom of speech!!" If they haven't done so already. I'd bet money on it. They'll not only try to ditch any sense of responsibility, they'll, well, "reload." I DO think, however, that there will be a temporary ratcheting down of rhetoric in Congress itself. Boehner and others feel this personally - if only because they feel like it could be them next time. I think you'll see some more civility and less demonization in Congress for a while, anyway.
Originally Posted By SpokkerJones Limited access to mental health facilities wasn't just the fault of conservatives, much less Reagan. Much of it also had to do with this idea that you can't institutionalize someone against their will, a predominantly liberal idea. We are so politically correct in this country that we cannot tell an obviously insane guy like Loughner that he's going to be put away for a while until doctors feel that he's not a danger to society. He should have been put away during the community college debacle. Everybody's instinct, especially his professor's, was the correct one in this case. This guy was never going to hold a job or establish healthy relationships. I would pay higher taxes so that guys like this are treated instead of roaming around in suburbia.
Originally Posted By SingleParkPassholder "I would pay higher taxes so that guys like this are treated instead of roaming around in suburbia." Yeah? Then write your state reps because Brown's proposed budget slashes billions from that type of thing absent tax increases.
Originally Posted By Anatole69 Re: Beatles. That was the point. An insane person will take anything and use it for justification. That's why I feel this isn't the best case to argue that the republican rhetoric is culpable for this because the shooter wasn't entirely sane. The best case would be a rational person who was explicitly moved by the rhetoric to commit the crime. - Anatole
Originally Posted By Autopia Deb In case anyone was curious about Congress Woman Giffords herself: She has responded to verbal commends,raising 2 fingers and even giving a thumbs up and so far has not had anymore brain swelling. Thank God! I hope her recovery continues and she suffers few or no long lasting effects.
Originally Posted By skinnerbox <<1). Sarah apparently IS capable of feeling culpable. Something's gnawing at her here, and for good reason.>> I don't think it's Sarah doing this. I think it's her lawyers and/or campaign advisors. Sarah doesn't have the smarts to figure out when she's gone too far rogue and crossed the line. Unfortunately, her advisors should work to prevent these situations from ever happening, instead of constantly maintaining damage control.
Originally Posted By skinnerbox Good news about Giffords, definitely. Does anyone know what will happen with her Congressional seat? Will it remain vacant for now? Or will Gov Brewer appoint a temporary Rep in Gifford's place?
Originally Posted By Kar2oonMan >>It's as though she felt the stirrings of conscience or empathy... then quickly looked to tamp it down, lest it get out of hand.<< LOL! Exactly.
Originally Posted By Dr Hans Reinhardt I know she has absolutely nothing to do with this tragedy, but I find it ironic that Bristol Palin recently bought a house and moved to Arizona.
