Washington (CNN) – In the aftermath of the Arizona shootings, some critics have accused Republican Sharron Angle of spewing potentially dangerous political rhetoric in her recent bid for Nevada's Senate seat. Now, Angle is responding: releasing a statement on Wednesday that denounces any form of violence - and calls the criticism of her dangerous.
"I condemn all acts of violence. The despicable act in Tucson is a horrifying and senseless tragedy, and should be condemned as a single act of violence, by a single unstable individual," Angle said in the statement.
"Expanding the context of the attack to blame and to infringe upon the people's Constitutional liberties is both dangerous and ignorant. The irresponsible assignment of blame to me, Sarah Palin or the Tea Party movement by commentators and elected officials puts all who gather to redress grievances in danger," Angle added.
Six people died, and six others - including Rep. Gabrielle Giffords - remain hospitalized after the shootings in Tucson. As Americans try to understand the actions of accused gunman Jared Lee Loughner, some critics have focused on Angle's words during her race against Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid - a race that Angle lost in November.
In one especially eyebrow-raising comment from the campaign, Angle told a radio interviewer, "If this Congress keeps going the way it is, people are really looking towards those Second Amendment remedies." Many people believed Angle was invoking the Second Amendment's right to bear arms as a way to keep the federal government in check.
There is no evidence that Loughner's alleged acts were in reaction to any heated words or images from the recent political season. Despite that, some have referenced Angle's words and actions from other conservatives, like a map from Palin that used crosshairs to target Democrats - including Giffords - during the midterm elections.
In her statement, Angle calls that "finger pointing" an effort to boost news audiences. "It contradicts the facts as they are known - that the shooter was obsessed with his twisted plans long before the Tea Party movement began," Angle said.
"I have consistently called for reasonable political dialogue on policy issues to encourage civil political education and debate," she added.
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"Our rhetoric can't be blamed for inciting violence!! Your saying it can is dangerous and can incite violence!!!"
absolutely incredible....
Pretty self-serving, Sharon. What about the big "if"? As in, "If any words or actions of mine contributed to the mindset of this troubled individual and his actions, that was not my intention and I am truly sorry."
So her "second amendment remedies" aren't dangerous, but criticism of her is. Nice.
How are those second amendment remedies working for you now Sharon? Good Job, IDIOT.
Angle is a disgrace.
Yes, Angle condemns all acts of violence except for the 2nd Amendment Remedies she's repeatedly suggested. Like Palin, she owns those words and no amount of back-peddling is going to change that fact.
Perhaps this crazy woman would care to elaborate just what 2nd amendment solutions are since they don't involve violence?
ok sharon, you aren't responsible for your stupid words. now take you lithium and slide into obscurity.
the shooter was obsessed with his twisted plans long before the tea party movement bega,,,and He didnt do anything...til, U guys started all those negative comments!!!
Sharon Angle is not responsible for the shooting. A totally crazy person is the only one guilty. That is a fact.
Angle made a name for herself blaming people who were not personally responsible for things, she was against. So, I find it hard to fathom her comment here, being serious. Was it Canadians or Asians in her ads? And if so, where in the USA are they the immigration problem? Oh, yes, Nevada was overrun by Asians and Canadians and that is the problem with the economy and surely health care. (Tea Party madness is to blame, and blame others, for every problem.)
Ok, this woman is just plain delusional.
Sharon, Sharon Sharon. You reap what you sow, honey. The only reason people people are blaming you is because you are partially responsible. Now, what's truly reprehensible is you failing to take reasponsibility for your behavior. Mr. Loughner will be judged for his poor behavior. You probably never will be. Keep in mind it was your pal Sarah who said, "Don't retreat. Reload." Well, doll, words have consequences. You see, when you engage in hate speech with a violent edge, someone is bound to be adversely influenced. Sooner or later, you're going to have to face the fact that you're part of the problem here.
"I have consistently called for reasonable political dialogue on policy issues to encourage civil political education and debate," she added.
***********************************************************
REALLY, you call telling your supporters that if the vote doesn't go your way there are 2nd Amendment remedies to use RESPONSIBLE?.....Admit it, you are a hate monger just like Palin and now that some deranged guy listened to you how many are DEAD and wonded? You need to GO AWAY
You told us that people would and probably should use their guns against Congressmen if they didn't change their views, and that's exactly what happened. How in the world can you distance yourself from that?
Ms. Angle you made a statement that boiled down to "If you don't like what the government does, get a gun and USE it to attack that government". And guess what? Someone just did EXACTLY that. Your words were DELIBERATELY inflammatory. You yelled FIRE in a crowded theatre withe no consideration about the harm you would cause as a result. Maybe you will think twice before shooting you ignorant mouth off again. At the very least, I hope this nation remembers your words and your utter lack of judgement should you ever darken the political doorstep again.
Typical right wing response...its okay as long as it doesn't happen to us. This type of speech is now dangerous because they don't want someone to run up on them. Its too late, the blood is already on your hands.
It took crazy angle and her second amendment remedies almost a week to crawl from under a rick and lie! Same with mentor from alaska. They are both useless monsters!!
Well well well, look who is trying to make lemonade from lemons now. Its bitter taste to realize that not only did you get pounded by a fairly unpopular senator up for re-election but now your rhetoric is proving hard to distance yourself from.
So, what exactly does Second Amendment remedy actually mean, Mrs Angle? You are a lier and a coward for not taking responsibility for your vile rhetoric you spewed forth during the election.
Angle, How is that taking them out with 2nd amendment thing working out for you? Your condemming violence is too little,too late. You and Palin might plan a little get together to wash blood from your hands. Your kind of people are inexcuseable!
Angle condemns the violence, yet she used such violent tones during her campaign that it is irreprehensible. She has no reason to be in politics and yes, her rhetoric was calling for second amendment remedies. I guess the shootings was the remedies she and others were talking about!
She really did not have to say anything, polls indicate that Americans don't believe the crap the democrat liberals are putting out. They have lost all credibility and people now see throught them. Just waiting until 2012 to get rid of the libs in the Senate and that idiot that some village in Kenya lost.
2nd amendments remedies sounded, and sounds like, murder Reid if I lose to me. Your fake indignation over complaints about your hate mongering only shows your shallowness, ignorance.
"I have consistently called for reasonable political dialogue..." Then why did you run from reporters? You ignorant liar
I love how the fanatics on either side of the political spectrum like to distance themselves from their comments and rhetoric when something tragic happens. Just because one of these figures (Palin, Angle, etc) says "I don't condone violence" doesn't mean anything to me. Their words throughout the campaign seasons and beyond are irresponsible and inflammatory. Don't back down now with your harsh and insensitive words and ridiculous one-liners. You need to own it. Because everyday people are easily influenced by words (watch our campaign season...doesn't take a genius to see that). And public figures DO influence the actions of everyday people (as much as that pains me to see). You DO hold some responsibility. But you can make a positive difference by acting like a mature, adult human being moving forward.
She and everyone else who spew harmful rhetoric in the public need to take responsibilty for their choice of words!!!
It is so funny how now they are all shouting don't blame me!!!
Who cares what this dolt thinks? Angle and her supporters are dumber than dirt and she got her clocked cleaned by one of the more unpopular Senators out there. Angle sits there and talks about "second amendment remedies" and then when someone shoots a Congresswoman, a Federal judge, a young child, and a host of others, she runs from her own words like her pants were on fire.
There is a reason why people like Angle, Palin, O'Donnell, and Miller will never be taken seriously. They run their mouths with no thoughts of intelligant debate and insight, and they take zero responsibility for their actions while pointing their fingers at anyone except for themselves. Angle and her ilk are truly pathetic.
Please stop the lies.
Mrs. Angle and Mrs. Palin would do well to simply apologize for their foolish words. Defending their vicious comments in the past only serves to prove they are guilty of gross negligence, ignorance, and fear mongering. They should truly be ashamed of themselves. Unfortunately, I doubt there is much self reflection for either of these two sorry politicians.
Then please, Ms. Angle, explain exactly what you meant by "2nd amendment remedies". What exactly is a 2nd ammendment remedy, and how does it apply to citizens who disagree with congress?
I guess the libs are taking a page from your playbook Sharon. Time for the left to re-energize, "reload", and take this great country back from the puritanical right!
It already happened and You Republican got what you ask for.
Wow! I can see why Sarah Palin and Sharron Angle get along. These have to be the two LEAST reflective people in the country. Hey ladies, stop trying to defend yourself and take a looooong look in the mirror. Gabrielle Giffords is fighting for her life, and six innocent people are dead, because some crazy person resorted to using "a 2nd amendment remedy" on a congresswoman who had cross hairs over her district on your website.
She most certainly shares some of the blame for degrading the political discourse with her many wacko comments and phrases. Like Palin her propensity to speak in NRA type language only enflames the fringe right and the mentally unstable.
Thanks be to God that she wasn't elected!! Can you imagine her as a US Senator??? Really!!!
Man UP angle Man UP!!!!!!!
Once again...if the shoe fits.
To act as though or actions & words have no consequence is extremely naive at best.
Like when you used the words – we have to take Harry Reid out. Now, I'm a stable person and knew exactly what you mean as most American's did. But there are some out there that could say something else. It could take on a "literal" meaning. In NO WAY do I blame you, Palin, or anyone else for this act. But it is time to dis agree without the rhetoric. We need to stop using words like – Death Panels, Marxist, Communist, etc. Stop saying words, like, reload and take people out. Democrats, Republicans, Tea Party, Conservatives, Liberals, we are ALL AMERICANS. Let's start acting like it. Disagree, debate, assemble, protest, I'm all for it. But we need to be respectful and stop demonizing each other. We don't know this guys motives, but we can all learn from it.
Let's get this straight...she implicitly endorses "Second Amendment remedies" and then says that nothing she said during the campaign could be contrued to endorse any act such as this? Thank God she lost the election.
No she hasn't.
What this tragedy has done (and Angle is not in any way responsible for it) had focused out attention, as a nation, on vitriolic language used by politicians and the media. This act may not have been caused by any of the vitriolic language being thrown around but it woke us up to the potentilal for the consquences of such language. Angle may say she abhors violence but she is the one who used the phrase "second amendment solution" to get rid of the opposition. What these very public people need to do is "man-up" and admit they have been careless with their language and, if they do so, they might find sympathy and some support from the public. If they continue to complain that they are being wronged they will only lose standing in the public's eye.
Spewing bile filled invective suggesting that her "kind" need to shoot the "other" kinds of Americans not to her liking and then whining when called on it-Palin and Angle have this kibuki dance down to a fine art form. Their notion of civility is simply beating the living daylights out of, for example, women as with Paul Rand's toadies and then demanding the beaten woman apologize to them. I don't recall Palin and Angle commenting on that little exercise of the right wing's version of First Amendment rights.
What we need is people with FORTHOUGHT not you.
Now Angle and Palin are making this all about themselves as the victims. They are so ignorant they can't tell the difference between direct blame and the very fact that they both were a way out of line for their choices of words. These two will never "Man Up" enough to say sorry if I offended anyone with my words. This whole debate should have taken place when it happened and both Palin and Angle should have been severley denounced for their tactics by Republicans and because they were not man enough to say Palin and Angle were dead wrong,now Angle, Limbaugh and Palin will play the victim card and make this political. Keep in mind all of the mentioned above hold no elected office, and never will.
Democrat political maneuvering around this horrid event is sickening. If this is what democrats are all about, then I will have nothing to do with the party ever again. It's sad what liberals have turned the party into these days. They have become the most hateful and intolerant group I have ever known.
"... which, like Palin, is why I want to capitalize on this tragedy by playing the blame game." Are there any adults in politics anymore?
"If this Congress keeps going the way it is, people are really looking towards those Second Amendment remedies."
After being reminded of this statement I understand what the Sheriff was trying to say. It wasn't about one statement or a map, it's about a conglomerate of statements and a tone set that has made it okay to be violent if necessary in the discourse of politics. If a statement takes re-explaining it was probably not that well thought out and irresponsible to being with.
Reasonalble political dialogue? What a crock.
What, did the girls all decide on their conference call that today was the day to address this issue and the accusations that their venom may have contributed? Give me a break. Angle needs to take her lead from the last election and GO HOME, LEAVE THE STAGE.
What part of this Don't YOU get?? "not only by the act itself, but by the words that are SPOKEN. Now please tell us what YOU mean about the" 2nd amendent remedies" if the the people didn't vote the way YOU wanted them to VOTE? Can YOU just MAN UP for once!
So it is OK for Manchin (D) to pickup a hunting rifle and shoot a hole in "Cap and Trade" on TV but words by Republicans are murderous. So said the National Paranoia Party, oh Democrats.
For the sake of argument, let's accept her apparently flimsy retort. Then we owe it to ourselves to allow her to explicate precisely what "second amendment remedies" she was referring to. That should be very eye-opening.
' "Expanding the context of the attack to blame and to infringe upon the people's Constitutional liberties is both dangerous and ignorant. The irresponsible assignment of blame to me, Sarah Palin or the Tea Party movement by commentators and elected officials puts all who gather to redress grievances in danger," Angle added.'
How can verbal attacks on people's constitutional liberties be dangerous. Angle's entire commentary is devoted to saying that speech does not influence people's actions. The only thing irresponsible here is Angle's refusal to accept responsibility for irresponsible invocations of violence against individuals and government by her, by Palin and by the lunatics in the tea party.
Loughner was just looking toward those "second amendment remedies" of yours, dirtbag. You'll say what you want to fire up your base, but won't own your words afterwards. You are disgusting.
Hows that shellacking by Harry Reid werkin fer ya!
I'm center-left and agree you really can't pin the Arizona attack on conservatives. The attacker was hardly a conservative activist...much more of a looney similar to the Va Tech shooter or the nut who killed Dimebag Darrel and 4 others at a Pantera concert several years ago. Paranoid, delusional, obssessive, ... However, Sharron Angle did cross the line several times during the last election season and the "people will have to turn to second amendment remedies" was an outrageous statement. As long as we can still vote in elections, violence will NEVER be an answer. Just because your party or candidate loses doesn't mean the system is broken. And I still say that even though I wasn't pleased with the recent November House changeover. So if anyone deserves criticism, it's Angle. Thank goodness she lost! (She's probably the only one out there who could get Reid re-elected!)
This woman is scary! She incites and divides. She should never be allowed to run for any elected office again!
Hosea 8:1-14 – "They Sow the Wind, and Reap the Whirlwind"
This is one of the more sensible things that Angle has said, and I agree with the content of the statement.
Reasonable dialogue like "Second amendment solutions?" These words are a call to arms and not to attend a peaceful afternoon tea party with cookies.
I would only ask that Ms. Angle try to explain her point of view to Ms. Giffords Grieving husband and father. If this had happened to a republican or tea partyer they would be doing what they accuse the left of, but even more so.
While most intelligent and well grounded people know that Loughner acted on his own twisted accord, Angle's threatening and bullying monologues , as well as others, are intended to be inciteful. The constant 24-hour streaming of gun-analogied political speech (i.e. "Dont Retreat, Reload!' and "...Americans using their 2nd Amendment remedies" and "..come armed and dangerous") works like any well oiled propaganda machine. It's irresponsible and it's bullying and it's intentional. There should be a law. It's not tolerated in the workplace or in schools so we as American citizens should have zero tolerance for it from public officials and those with political aspirations.
Threaten 2nd Amendment remedies and what do you expect the "crazies" to do?
"If this Congress keeps going the way it is, people are really looking towards those Second Amendment remedies."
Wow. Who knew she was an evil prophet. Can't make any excuses with this righties because this is exactly what Hannibal Lector did to the Congresswoman.
Whats wrong with Sharron Angle and Sarah Palin. When anyone is accused of something and they think its not fair, always they come immediately and make their explanation. They don't wait all these days go-by, get ideas from friends of what they should say, and come later with their bogus explanations! Absurd!
A source of extremism
Another hate filled person who will not take rsponsibility of her actions.
Who would ever think that Palin, Angle and Limbaugh would deny all responsibility and blame liberals? What a change for them.
This is another person who professes love for the Constitution but obviously does not understand it. A lesson on the 1st Amendment. One a person criticizes another, that is not an infringement on the right. Also, only the government can do this. If I, as a person, gagged another or threatened them from making a political statement, no infringement because I am just a citizen. If a police officer or government worker did this, yes, there woudl be an infringement. Passing legislation also is an infringement. Arizona passing the law about picketing at funerals, probably an infringement (although I highly support it). If I blame Palin or Angle, yes I may be ignorant (or have a political motive) but it is not an infringement of the 1st amendment. I do blame people like them for the stirring up fear and anger though, and it is my 1st amendment right to say so.
How ironic that one of few gov't leaders to condemn the violent statements last year is the very one fighting for her life. As Rep. Giffords said, these words have consequences.
Angle needs to MANUP and she is part of the hate speech alumni along with everyone else
Kinda tough, ain't it Angle, when your language and imagery of violence pouring out of your mouth comes back to haunt you in a big way. Sorry, but you, Palin, Beck and Lambaugh, ARE responsible for stirring the pot of violence in politics and in society. Many commented on it during the campaign - but did you change your tactics? No, you intensified your verbage. Time to accept responsibility, loser. Time to MAN UP, or SHUT UP, SHARON ANGLE. I prefer shut up - and you can add, go away, as well.
Hey lady, all he did was exercise his second amendment option. You remember that don't you, you personally responsible republican?
"I didn't encourage anyone to take up guns if you don't like the way Guvment' is operating". It's the Liberal-Biased Media that made that up".
"Expanding the context of the attack to blame and to infringe upon the people's Constitutional liberties is both dangerous and ignorant. The irresponsible assignment of blame to me, Sarah Palin or the Tea Party movement by commentators and elected officials puts all who gather to redress grievances in danger," Angle added.
So, Sharron, some uses of free speech are indeed irresponsible, eh? How 'bout, those assigning blame to you agree that that was irresponsible, and agree stop that, and you agree that violent imagery and metaphors in political discourse are also irresponsible, and you stop that? I think everybody would pretty much be fine with that.
It isn't a matter of legality - Sharron Angle, Sarah Palin, and anyone else have a right to say whatever they want (so long as they aren't directly inciting violence or mass panic). It's a matter of good taste and morality. I would hope anyone would think twice before insinuating the need for armed responses to public policy, and using violent political metaphors. It's just plain tacky and it appeals to people's baser instincts. Right or left, I would expect something a little more enlightened from any public servant.
So, criticism of Mrs. Angle is dangerous, but her rhetoric of violence and intolerance isn't? How does that work? If it's dangerous on one side, it's dangerous on both. We MUST re-establish civility or we are headed towards anarchy. Mrs. Angle doesn't understand that, and that's the most dangerous situation of all.
So, what exactly did you mean when you said people were going to be looking to those second amendment remedies, Sharon? You know what you meant, and my guess is anyone with about a 5th grade education knows what you meant. You can deny it all you want, you're still a lunatic.
"If this Congress keeps going the way it is, people are really looking towards those Second Amendment remedies."
Since she claims she wasn't endorsing armed resistance to government, perhaps she was just describing what she saw as the current sociopolitical climate in a way that seems to have been very prescient. But wait...
"It contradicts the facts as they are known – that the shooter was obsessed with his twisted plans long before the Tea Party movement began."
So really, when Ms. Angle made the Second Amendment remark, she was commenting on something she believed was ALREADY going on– peoples' intention to use firearms to express their distaste for, and/or distrust of, the federal government. If that was the case, if she truly "condemn[s] all acts of violence", perhaps she should have been working all along to help prevent "single, unstable individual[s]" from using firearms against elected officials. But even more so, if she believes that "The irresponsible assignment of blame to me, Sarah Palin or the Tea Party... puts all who gather to redress grievances in danger," then does she NOT advocate "Second Amendment remedies" to this new "danger"?
Like Sarah Palin, Sharron Angle should work on being more consistent in her message.
Bottom line Mrs. Angle, your words didn't cause the tragedy in Tucson but they certainly didn't help. Everyone needs to dial it back a lot and use their extensive educations to find better ways to say things. We now live in a 24/7 media world and nearly every average citizen has a camera and a microphone on them at all times in the person of their cell phone. Words matter and if you are going to run for public office, you have to learn to use your best words, not your worst...
She is lying.
What else could possibly be implied by "Second amendment remedies" other than violent resistance to government?
She is an antisocial psychopath.
Compare the following statements: the first from Timothy McVeigh, mass murderer and domestic terrorist, the second, a recent one by Newt Gingrich. Angle and the others have to take responsibility for their 2nd Amendment solutions rhetoric.
I believe we are slowly turning into a socialist government. The government is continually grow...ing bigger and more powerful and the people need to prepare to defend themselves against government control. -Timothy McVeigh
On the one front we have a secular socialist machine led by Obama, Pelosi, and Reid, and on the other front we have radical Islamists who would fundamentally change this country into a system none of us in this room would recognize - Newt Gingrich
Mrs. Angle, you don't have anything to explain to the American people. You talked during the campaign and everyone heard your voice. Let the people now tell you if you were understood or not. In my opinion, you were clear. The American people knew what you meant when you talked. Please, there is no need to clarify anything. Your voice was heard and that's why you couldn't even defeat Reid. As leaders, We need to change the way we talk.
You have just as much blood of people much better than you splattered all over that tacky red outfit. It will haunt you to the end of your life.