(CNN) – Sarah Palin spoke out on the Arizona shootings Wednesday, calling the events “tragic” and sharply chastising those who have suggested charged rhetoric from her and others on the right may have motivated the killings.
“Like many, I’ve spent the past few days reflecting on what happened and praying for guidance. After this shocking tragedy, I listened at first puzzled, then with concern, and now with sadness, to the irresponsible statements from people attempting to apportion blame for this terrible event,” Palin said in a video posted on her Facebook page.
“Acts of monstrous criminality stand on their own. They begin and end with the criminals who commit them, not collectively with all the citizens of a state, not with those who listen to talk radio, not with maps of swing districts used by both sides of the aisle, not with law-abiding citizens who respectfully exercise their First Amendment rights at campaign rallies, not with those who proudly voted in the last election,” the former Alaska governor said.
Palin’s statements come in the wake of suggestions from some Democrats and media commentators that her political rhetoric over the last year may be linked in some way to the shooting Saturday that left Democratic U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords in critical condition.
Some critics have cited a Facebook posting by Palin last march that placed a crosshair over several Democratic-controlled congressional districts, including that of Giffords. Palin also tweeted at the time: "Commonsense Conservatives & lovers of America: "Don't Retreat, Instead – RELOAD!"
But in her statement Wednesday, Palin said any effort to connect statements by her or others to the shootings amounts to "blood libel."
“Within hours of a tragedy unfolding, journalists and pundits should not manufacture a blood libel that serves only to incite the very hatred and violence they purport to condemn. That is reprehensible,” she said.
The term was initially used in the context of the Arizona shootings by conservative pundit Glenn Reynolds, who in a Wall Street Journal Op-Ed Monday characterized efforts to link the attacks to rhetoric on the right as a “blood libel.”
But the phrase itself invokes controversial connotations, referring to a long-standing anti-Semitic myth that Jews murder children for religious rituals. In present times, the term has come to be understood by some as any false accusation of murder and has recently been invoked by supporters of Israel in defense of charges the government was responsible for killing Palestinian civilians.
A Palin adviser had no further comment on the message.
Palin also suggested the charged political atmosphere of late differs little from that which has long dominated American politics.
“When was it less heated? Back in those “calm days” when political figures literally settled their differences with dueling pistols? In an ideal world all discourse would be civil and all disagreements cordial,” she said. “But our Founding Fathers knew they weren’t designing a system for perfect men and women. If men and women were angels, there would be no need for government. Our Founders’ genius was to design a system that helped settle the inevitable conflicts caused by our imperfect passions in civil ways.”
– CNN's Peter Hamby contributed to this report
Full statement
Like millions of Americans I learned of the tragic events in Arizona on Saturday, and my heart broke for the innocent victims. No words can fill the hole left by the death of an innocent, but we do mourn for the victims’ families as we express our sympathy.
I agree with the sentiments shared yesterday at the beautiful Catholic mass held in honor of the victims. The mass will hopefully help begin a healing process for the families touched by this tragedy and for our country.
Our exceptional nation, so vibrant with ideas and the passionate exchange and debate of ideas, is a light to the rest of the world. Congresswoman Giffords and her constituents were exercising their right to exchange ideas that day, to celebrate our Republic’s core values and peacefully assemble to petition our government. It’s inexcusable and incomprehensible why a single evil man took the lives of peaceful citizens that day.
There is a bittersweet irony that the strength of the American spirit shines brightest in times of tragedy. We saw that in Arizona. We saw the tenacity of those clinging to life, the compassion of those who kept the victims alive, and the heroism of those who overpowered a deranged gunman.
Like many, I’ve spent the past few days reflecting on what happened and praying for guidance. After this shocking tragedy, I listened at first puzzled, then with concern, and now with sadness, to the irresponsible statements from people attempting to apportion blame for this terrible event.
President Reagan said, “We must reject the idea that every time a law’s broken, society is guilty rather than the lawbreaker. It is time to restore the American precept that each individual is accountable for his actions.” Acts of monstrous criminality stand on their own. They begin and end with the criminals who commit them, not collectively with all the citizens of a state, not with those who listen to talk radio, not with maps of swing districts used by both sides of the aisle, not with law-abiding citizens who respectfully exercise their First Amendment rights at campaign rallies, not with those who proudly voted in the last election.
The last election was all about taking responsibility for our country’s future. President Obama and I may not agree on everything, but I know he would join me in affirming the health of our democratic process. Two years ago his party was victorious. Last November, the other party won. In both elections the will of the American people was heard, and the peaceful transition of power proved yet again the enduring strength of our Republic.
Vigorous and spirited public debates during elections are among our most cherished traditions. And after the election, we shake hands and get back to work, and often both sides find common ground back in D.C. and elsewhere. If you don’t like a person’s vision for the country, you’re free to debate that vision. If you don’t like their ideas, you’re free to propose better ideas. But, especially within hours of a tragedy unfolding, journalists and pundits should not manufacture a blood libel that serves only to incite the very hatred and violence they purport to condemn. That is reprehensible.
There are those who claim political rhetoric is to blame for the despicable act of this deranged, apparently apolitical criminal. And they claim political debate has somehow gotten more heated just recently. But when was it less heated? Back in those “calm days” when political figures literally settled their differences with dueling pistols? In an ideal world all discourse would be civil and all disagreements cordial. But our Founding Fathers knew they weren’t designing a system for perfect men and women. If men and women were angels, there would be no need for government. Our Founders’ genius was to design a system that helped settle the inevitable conflicts caused by our imperfect passions in civil ways. So, we must condemn violence if our Republic is to endure.
As I said while campaigning for others last March in Arizona during a very heated primary race, “We know violence isn’t the answer. When we ‘take up our arms’, we’re talking about our vote.” Yes, our debates are full of passion, but we settle our political differences respectfully at the ballot box – as we did just two months ago, and as our Republic enables us to do again in the next election, and the next. That’s who we are as Americans and how we were meant to be. Public discourse and debate isn’t a sign of crisis, but of our enduring strength. It is part of why America is exceptional.
No one should be deterred from speaking up and speaking out in peaceful dissent, and we certainly must not be deterred by those who embrace evil and call it good. And we will not be stopped from celebrating the greatness of our country and our foundational freedoms by those who mock its greatness by being intolerant of differing opinion and seeking to muzzle dissent with shrill cries of imagined insults.
Just days before she was shot, Congresswoman Giffords read the First Amendment on the floor of the House. It was a beautiful moment and more than simply “symbolic,” as some claim, to have the Constitution read by our Congress. I am confident she knew that reading our sacred charter of liberty was more than just “symbolic.” But less than a week after Congresswoman Giffords reaffirmed our protected freedoms, another member of Congress announced that he would propose a law that would criminalize speech he found offensive.
It is in the hour when our values are challenged that we must remain resolved to protect those values. Recall how the events of 9-11 challenged our values and we had to fight the tendency to trade our freedoms for perceived security. And so it is today.
Let us honor those precious lives cut short in Tucson by praying for them and their families and by cherishing their memories. Let us pray for the full recovery of the wounded. And let us pray for our country. In times like this we need God’s guidance and the peace He provides. We need strength to not let the random acts of a criminal turn us against ourselves, or weaken our solid foundation, or provide a pretext to stifle debate.
America must be stronger than the evil we saw displayed last week. We are better than the mindless finger-pointing we endured in the wake of the tragedy. We will come out of this stronger and more united in our desire to peacefully engage in the great debates of our time, to respectfully embrace our differences in a positive manner, and to unite in the knowledge that, though our ideas may be different, we must all strive for a better future for our country. May God bless America.
From CNN Politics
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I can't believe I am saying this ... but I AGREE WITH PALIN!
Hey Sarah.....I guess you should have thought of the consequences before you chose the words you used in your political rhetoric! You and your words are reprehensible (such a big word for you too). PLEASE, DO US ALL A FAVOR AND GO AWAY!!
She's wasting her time! Her haters are going to spew their uneducated vomit her way no matter what she says.
"Palin also suggested the charged political atmosphere of late differs little from that which has long dominated American politics."
The boob just doesn't get it, does she.....
The dead have yet to be buried and Governor Palin is invoking "blood libel". One would have hoped for a period of respectful silence and contemplation from her – or at least a call for calmer voices. Sadly it appears that she prefers to reload, not retreat.
I genuinely feel pity for someone whose sense of victimhood is so great – but I also fear for our country.
She goes on about personal responsibility while trying to evade any responsibility for her own words and actions. Reasonable people are not buying your nonsense, Palin. You have blood on your hands.
Pail is a Hypocrite: Every word in her two shabby books, her speeches, blogs, etc., are full of Finger-Pointing." That's about all she does in her public activities – finger point. She is the person who sent out the "reload" gun target campaign map with names of candidates listed under the graphic. What gives her the right to accuse others of "finger pointing"? Just another example of why she is a vapid, shallow, ignorant fool.
"Within hours of a tragedy unfolding, journalists and pundits should not manufacture a blood libel that serves only to incite the very hatred and violence they purport to condemn. That is reprehensible"
Hmmm . . . Death Panels, baby.
No Sarah the only thing reprehensible was your behavior during the election , drawing crosshairs on an elected offical, You call yourself a leader , but your behavior has been a disgrace................
wow, thanks sarah. i didn't know you were the victim here. it's all about sarah, all the time.
Oh she just won't go away ever. CNN please resist the temptation to print her garbage, this country has had enough of her.
Shut up idiot. Please just shut up. I hope you've earned enough money off your stupid supporters that you can finally go away.
The Tea Party, GOP and their supporters are "Reprehensible". Compare this with all the Republican and Tea Party rhetoric. It appears to make a difference where the comments are coming from; it's OK if it's coming from the right wing, but not OK if it's coming from anywhere else....
What really sad about the republican party. During the Bush eight years, republicans allowed he & Cheney to drive this country into the mess it is in. Cheney now in a medial crisis and it's only by the grace of God he's still breathing. Republicans embraced the hatred groups including teaparty mob just be in power. They could easily "buck up" to Sarah Palin and her ugly rhetoric and denounce this behavior. No they embraced this ugly mob for their own ego.
Olberman + 1 : Palin – 5000. Look, Sarah, how hard is it to just shut your hole?
Sorry, Sarah. Whether there is any link, direct or indirect, ever proven, your words are intemperate, incendiary, and irresponsible. You gun imagery has no place n civil discourse. This is not blood libel perpetrated by the media. It is your own cheap tricks. You will forever be linked to this tragedy; on that basis, your national political career is also over. What you sow, you shall reap.
Can we at least agree that people with a history of mental instability should be allowed LEGAL access to automatic weapons? if we can not agree to this minimum, we're merely waiting for the next mass murder tragedy.
Sarah Palin has no credibility complaining about anyone's irresponsible statements, when she was so irresponsible as she lied about death panels. To her, the only irresponsible statements are those made amyone who disagrees with her, and she can never be guilty of making any irresponsible statements.
So, if she's truly the "innocent victim" here, then why EXACTLY did she have the "crosshairs" campaign poster scrubbed from her websites literally half an hour after the shootings on Saturday? If there is nothing wrong with the poster, then why EXACTLY did they come up with a cover story 10 months later that the gun sight graphic was a "surveyor symbol".
Oh woe is the professional victim Sarah Palin.
IS there any event in the world, celebration or tragedy, that Palin doesn't make out to be all about her? 'ME ME ME! Pay attention to ME!!!'
If she just ignored the slanders against her and issued a two-sentence offer of condelence like EVERYbody else did, we'd have moved on. But no. She has to make sure we remember that the 6 dead people aren't the real victims, she is.
Can't she just go back to Alaska and her 'real America' and stay away from the 99% of the rest of Americans who are not 'real' enough for her?
This idiot Palin fall on the same category as Limbaugh and Beck. These group of people only promote hate to get paid. Sad, America has to come to this.
let me be the first to challenge sarah to a duel - oh, that wouldn't be fair since her tlc mini-series demonstrated that she is a fraud who never shot a gun before. riddle me this, simple sarah, if your words don't impact anyone, why use them? just re-load.
Who wrote this for Palin? She sure as hell didn't write or research this.
Funny how she's never responsible for ANYTHING
Sound bites such as : death panels, pal around with terrorists, lock and reload, second amendment remedies, gun scopes are not part of Vigorous and spirited public debates.
Peter KIng (R-NY) words have consequences
I don't think she is responsible for the actions of a killer. However, I do think she and many others (including anonymous rants on the internet) are responsible for the encouragement of rage. How individuals choose to process their rage is their own decision.
And, of course, Sarah did not write this article – she can't construct a grammatically correct sentence. In other words, some had to write this for her. Typical......
Sarah Palin's actions before this occurred is what is reprehensible (she had help spelling that word!).
She stirred the pot and cooked the meal, now she has to take responsibility (she doesn't know how to spell this word either!) for it.
She is a would-be tyrant, and appeasement of a tyrant is never a good idea. The media and other politicians need to stop walking on egg shells around her and call her out. If they did, her and her money would disappear back into the wilderness of Alaska. And that is where she belongs.
Stop treating this woman like she is some sage of wisdom. She is a know-nothing, racist rabble-rouser leading a pack of Anarchists.
She is NOT a patriot, her actions are against everything America stands for.
Sarah Palin, we condem you. Your colorful rhetoric is stoking violence in this country. Under no shape form or fashion can you be a representative of christianity.
Darn it. Her only chance of getting the republican nod is to simply shut up.
What is the husband of Sarah (Todd) doing there?? I thought he is her main adviser. With all her explanation here it looks like she is there totally alone in the wilderness without anyone telling her don't do/say that!!! What a blander!!!
OK show of hands, who actually believes she wrote this herself? Anyone? Bueller?
Sarah Palin needs to understand that her words and comments have consequences whether she or any of the media understands it or not! No one is blaming her directly but these hatred comments about shooting, Reload, and Target practice is not what our so-called leaders should be using to get their message out! If only Palin and these people had lost loved ones to these useless shootings and murder, then she and they would understand where many of us are coming from. Hate speech is hate speech and these politicians accused democrats of Death Panels and all kind of lies to stir up their people, knowing they were lies. Now, we have a mental patient shooting 20 people, and we can't even get the Congress to do the right thing on Gun Control and how much bullets is too much! This country is in the sewer and Hell, contrary to all God stands for. That has not beeen addressed by the Religious Right or the Tea-Partiers who claim they are on the right side of this argument. Where is your sense of right!
She is only speaking out today, because our president Obama will be speaking today, it's always about her, 4 days of silence, and today of days she's trying to turn the spot light away from her, the damage is done, she came out and spoke mean of our president on the very day of the shooting, about him being hell bent on destroying America, you are done MISS 15 MINUTES!!!!!!
So much for the party of "personal responsibility".
And, of course, Sarah did not write this article – she can't construct a grammatically correct sentence. In other words, someone had to write this for her. Typical......
A rather weak statement. I guess no one wants to say that they will stop trying to be cute and tone down their rhetoric and focus on civil debate and improving this democracy. BTW– Sarah - you made your bed now you are going to have to sleep in it for awhile. Hopefully when you awake you will act like someone worthy of our attention and vote.
I wonder how she feels about her friend Bachman's idea to bring back HUAC to investigate members of Congress whose ideas Bachman finds "un-american"? Palin's statement, however well-delivered, does not square with her past comments about declaring some areas and people "more American" than others, to name just a few. She needs to demonstrate better behavior going forward, not just apologize and revert back to type at the first available opportunity. If she and others across the political spectrum will show more civil behavior in the future, than the lives lost and damaged in Arizona will have had some positive impact rather than to serve as yet another symbol of our inability to bridge minute differences.
it was "reprehensible" that ms. palin posted a map with cross hairs over ms. giffords' seat inviting people to "reload" rather than retreat. one has to wonder how ms. palin would have felt if ms. giffords had put a cross hair over ms. palin's district. ms. palin's choice of words was reckless and lacked judgment. she can cry foul all she wants but it just is what it is.
Gee. Sarah can dish it out but can't take it? As a Christian you should know that words do carry weight. Free speech yes. But it all comes with consequences.
While there is no proof that any of the rhetoric led to these shootings, it's time for those in the public eye – whether it be in the political arena, TV or on radio – to pull back on the heated statements. How do we actually know what prompted the shootings? How do we know the rhetoric didn't or could have led to them? If not this time, what about the next time? No backpedaling should be accepted, clean up your acts.
No one is interested in what you have to say, Mrs. Palin. Congresswoman Giffords predicted something like this could happen when you put up that website. No one said you pulled the trigger or bought the gun but you bear the responsibility of creating the atmosphere (just like the rest of the goofy left and right wing extremist nuts on the airwaves) that can propel unbalanced people to this type of horrific action. I realize that you are now trying to salvage what is left of a dying political career but it is too late. Hopefully the events of Saturday have caused the world to move beyond your kind and to a new era.
She just doesn't get it or feel it's in her best political interest to admit she made a mistake with that crosshair posting.
She's lecturing on responsiblity? What do you call quitting in the middle of your term?
so says the irresponsible mud-slinger Sarah Palin, former governor of Alaska who resigned before she completed her term, who's taken the big bucks and wants even more, Sarah the right-wing target maker, may you devolve into oblivion
Apology accepted I guess? If that's the best we're gonna get...I guess its OK to threaten with physical violence in political campaigns then?
Democrats: Lock and Load!
Republicans: Bring the heat!
Why debate policy when you can just rattle your saber?
How does this woman expect to get any respect when all she does is lay blame. She doesn't even have the guts to make a statement in public. Does she think she can hide behind her social media wall forever???
Sarah, please admit, considering our country's past that you suddenly seem so versed in, that it is also irresponsible to use gun sights to "target" members of congress and to "reload". Then many in the country may begin to take you seriously.
What Palin fails to recoginize is that mentally ill persons ARE affected by what they hear and in a lot of cases "act" on it. She is ignorant to the fact that in the real world we are saturated with the media on a minute by minute basis. When you have the media and talk show hosts constantly foaming at the mouth on political issues it can be a lot like "waterboarding" those who are mentally weak. Her comments and others like her just goes to show that her "type" of politics and rhetoric will never change. She is more interested in making money and to do that she must incite others with total disregard as to the case and effect .
Translation: "It's all about ME!"
I wonder who she has writing her blogs??? this is from the person who talked about "death courts/councils. seems the concern over what one says/implies only goes one way
Run Sarah run. How could violence happen here at home after you and some of your cohorts thought symbols of violence made a great campaign tool? No you personally did not commit the atrocity and had no connection to the Arizona shooter, but what exactly have you done to stop the "load and shoot" imagery? You can lie to your cadre of admirers, but are you so far into delusion that you can lie to yourself when you put your head on your pillow each night? Have you no conscience?
Either she just doesn't get it or is just an outright liar. There is DEFINITELY a change in political discourse, with herself and her cohorts in the center, and it's not just about guns. They rile up the few who feed on anger and fear and they denegrate compromise. Our past leaders were just that – leaders – who managed to compromise for the overall good of the country. These people DIVIDE with the sole purpose of getting their own way. Sarah is the compleat example of the girl used to getting her own way, and if you don't agree with her you're the enemy. Unfortunately many of us are proud, loyal Americans but are criticized and demonized by Sarah and her crowd. Yes, she's to blame.
Wonder who wrote that speech for the Queen of the Crosshairs?
What everyone else has said in the aftermath of the shooting is irresponsible, but not what she said before the shooting. What else did you expect from her? Little miss can't be wrong.
GO AWAY and make millions of dollars ......that is what you do best MISS PALIN...and why did you take the map and names off your website if it was ok to do it? you just need to go away......ALASKA is a great place for ANNIE OAKLY
Maybe she can sleep now.
She should be happy- after all, 19 for 20 is pretty good.
I'm not saying she's to blame. However, either her or her own people took down the famed crosshair map from her website immediately after the shooting. So she has no right to chastise anyone for at least thinking her rhetoric was a cause – she did it herself!
Now that you've dissolved yourself and others on the right of any blame in this (Giffords opponent Jesse Kelly-"get on target and come shoot a loaded M15") I hope you continue to sleep well. God knows your heart and your intentions.
If the shoe fits........and it does fit you Ms. Palin, then you must wear it. Words can inspire, they can also insite.
You cannot walk away from the cross hairs or the reload comment, they are yours.
Wow, Sarah, remarkably well worded. Who wrote it for you?
Fort Hood, anyone? Christmas Day guy, anyone? No, Sarah! You have not placed any blame on the POTUS for either of these events minutes after they occurred! You're always the victim, right?
Poor Sarah & Beck, they are always the "victims".
I don't believe Palin is personally to blame. The shooter was CRAZY.
But I do wonder why on earth she blames others for things, they are not personally responsible for, and then claims to be mistreated here? To me, her point is lost, by her own actions.
We all know half gov palin did not write this on her own. She is now trying to say she did not do or say any of the things she did. Stay in alaska! No one cares what you think or say anymore. You have no credibility left. Most americans have seen you for what you really are. Go away and stay away.
As usual. An opportunist, strategist and a FAKE. It's obvious Palin didn't write this herself. I'll concede she's smart enough to hire a talented writer to provide a message for her. But no more. It took Pailn four days to release a statement that includes words of compassion, because she had to wait for someone to put them together for her. She can't be that slow on the world stage. It would be reckless and dangerous for America to have a leader who can't think and analyze in real time. Palin will never be ready for prime time governance.
Dear America, Please, please, please for the love of God and for the sake of the entire world, please do not elect this fundamentalist as the leader of the free world.
Poor, poor Sarah. She can't understand that people are not blaming her, even though while she prayed for guidance, she wasn't advised on how to figure this out. What people ARE saying is that all of her references to guns, targets, and other statements meant to appeal to "true Americans" has to stop and stop now. Anyone trying to con someone has to prey upon the mark's basic instincts – what he or she knows best. There is no substance behind her, so she has to play upon people's fears. This time, however, it didn't work.
Here's some advice: you may have gotten some political traction out of the gun-toting image you painted in the past, but good taste suggests that you tone it down in the future. This isn't a statement about blame or 2nd amendment rights, just human decency.
I wonder what she paid the speechwriter?
The best defense is a good offense, right Sarah?
She obviously did not write this herself.
I'm not sure who wrote this for her, I am sure she didn't, but she should use this person for everything that comes out of her mouth.
Now when people like Palin (mis)quote President Jefferson (tree of liberty...), I'll ask them if the amount of blood shed by patriots in Tucson wasn't enough.
George Washing has been the only sitting U.S. President to command an army in the field, and that was to put down an anti-government, anti-tax movement (Whiskey rebellion). People like Palin feed such movements, as they would seem to be paid well for it. Just because people like her are always around it doesn't make what they do right.
Palin's political future is toast. Period.
Roger Ailes asked his spewers of hate at Fox to "Tone it down." But, it looks like the big three did not get the message.
Yes Sarah ... you would make a fine leader of the free world with your inate ability to bring people together and your grizzzly wisdom.
Why does this woman keep getting lead press? While she does spew hate and ignorance, we can't blame her. This shooting had nothing to do with her. It had to do with easy guns and our feeling that we can say and do anything we want no matter the consequences. The American public needs to look at itself. We hunger for stupid and a 24/7 news cycle is our fast food joint. Filling us with cheap crap all of the time and eating away at our health. We need to turn off CNN, Fox, MSNBC and others. Get back to catching our news in the half hour segments at 6/6:30 and again at 11. Only then can we get away from boneheads like Palin and Beck who won't have anyone other than their Facebook followers to spew their hatred.
Silly Sarah just doesn't get it. This Congressman (Giffords) addressed Sarah Palin's map prior to this incident. Giffords, like most of us, knew how irresponsible the words and actions of Sarah Palin were. Silly Sarah pretends to have no clue as to how reckless, a public officials' words can be. When her (and others), make it seem as if the federal government is under seige, then people who have a loose afiliation with reality may be pushed into what they think are patriotic actions.
We the people also bear some responsibility here, because we allowed Silly Sarah to exist in our daily lives because of our incessant belief that she deserved to be heard. Well, certainly, our chickens have come home to roost.
Leave it to Sarah Palin to make herself the victim in all of this. Palin's behavior is reprehensible.
Why does she hide behind Facebook and Twitter? She's like some terrorist sending out videos. She can't go on television to speak her position. She obviously didn't write the words, and it does seem like she's practicing her speaking abilities. But the real truth is, it's not blame for Arizona. It's for being silly and insensitive, not understanding what is responsible rhetoric or not–no intelligent, sophisticated and civilized person would ever use the crosshair imagery over real people's names, or use the phrase "don't retreat, reload"...she's dangerous, because she's naive–a bubble head with power. Go on Parker Spitzer Sarah and answer hardball questions that will show your intellect, not your the persona your group created.
OK, OK so you didn't pull the trigger. Are you insinuating that your kind of rhetoric (nasty and hateful) has no effect on people who hang on to your words...and you say a lot of them. Everyone is saying that you should be let off the hook because "whose to say your bullseyes, and rabblerousing (yes you do) caused the shooting?" My question is "how do you know that for sure"? Palin-like muckraking is only consistent with those other talking fools...I mean talking heads, fool. You sure are raking in the bucks, though.
Bottom line: Human being should not be gun targets on anyone's map.
Again, her ghost writers have been busy. In her note she passively admonishes every American citizen that doesn't agree with her narrow vision and once again, this writing is full of right-wing leanings so clearly, she didn't pray enough. I have not heard anyone blame her or the conservative talking heads directly. Clearly, the rhetoric is out of control and has been for some time – this has been noted worldwide. In most employment arenas, you cannot post or use violent symbols or use threatening speech while displaying intimidating postures as you would be escorted to your vehicle by security personnel and simultaneously fired from your job. Children are not allowed to display these kinds of behavior in school as it's labeled bullying. Status quo. She is business as usual. She has learned nothing.
If anyone know what reprehensible means? It's Sarah Palin! I find her so phoney!
When President Obama called for a moment of silence on Monday in honor of the Tucson shooting victims, I was kinda hopin' Sarah Palin would stay silent for a week, maybe a month.
Why are you so quiet Mama Grizzly?
Hitting too close to home?
Charlatans like Palin incite to violence and rake in good money for doing it, but when someone out there carries out their suggestions they wash their hands. Despicable Palin, as always.
As usual, Sarah says, "Don't blame me, just because I put a target on someones face, doesn't mean I thought anyone would take me up on my lack of good judgement" Sarah, If you stop spewing hate, NOBODY will be able to blame you for a thing.
She's had DAYS to have someone else write a comprehensible statement for her. Too little, too late. However, more alarming than Sarah's "It wasn't me, why am I always the victim" statement, are the people on her Facebook page that are eating it up and thinking she's the next Messiah. THEY are the ones who truly scare me!
Condemn those that speak of '2nd Amendment Remedies" please.
"What you do speaks so loudly I can't hear what you say." Ralph Waldo Emerson
NO ONE has argued against PEACEFUL dissent and this twit Palin knows it. Honor the precious lives cut short? Yeah right. I know what this phony "Christian/Patriot" honors ... MONEYand POWER.
Take responsibility for the hurtful things you profess. If it were your child saying something evil, wouldn't you correct them? It is you and it's time for you to stand up and say if I had anything to do with this, I am truly sorry. Remember, many lynchings occured because of the spoken word. Many believed Hitler and agreed that it was okay to burn millions of Jewish people. You know of the hatred that continues to exist in this country and by reflecting on it and inciting nut jobs who hang on your every word, you are indeed responsible for everything you say.
keep it up sarah...maybe someday someone will believe you. NOT
She's like Lady Macbeth, scrubbing her hands and yelling 'out, damned spot!!'
....too late, it won't work.
Although I agree that our leaders on both sides of the aisle should cool their rhetoric, I strongly disagree that if everyone in public life from the politicians to the talk show hosts and media cleaned up their acts and became almost saintly that we would cease to have these nut cases with an agenda of their own. These are mentally deranged malcontents who are mad at the world and think everyone is stupid but them. They are rejects because they have a sick perception of the world in which we live and therefore, cannot deal with reality and try to recreate life and people to suit their world. He is another Timothy McVeigh, Unibomber, Hinkley, and all the rest before him and that we have yet to meet. So let us please put the blame where it belongs.....on the person who committed the crime and not everyone else.
When I hear the statement, "Don't retreat - reload", I see a picture of violence - does anyone not?
"Don't retreat - stand your ground - let your voice by heard", would be a more appropriate statement.
Whether it was her fault or not, she has been tainted by the media.
The GOP will have a better chance in 2012 without her.
Her own party is going to use this against her as much as anyone else.
...So then now Sarah......Sit Down, Shut Up, and take your poison back to Alaska.
This woman is truly a fool....
How fast can Sister Sarah backpedal?
The literary style here and wording suggests this was handed to her by a script writer. It is so different from her prior postings and speeches.
I'd still like to hear what she personally feels, not just reading a press release.
Feeling a little bit guilty, are we Sarah??
Sarah, please just go away and take Rush and the rest of Fox News with you. Stop playing on the less intelligent, the rest of us know!
Right wing talk is saying that democrats wanted this to happen. Doesn't that make you wonder what is in the mind of an imbecile right wingnut? Many of the slime from the extreme right have been praying for a terrorist attack like 9-11, so they can say, "We told you so."
The hate she preaches (and it is pure hate) is reprehensible.
The statements and opinions other people make toward her are expressed by the protection of their First Amendment rights that we all have, (the same amendment she hides behind). The link is there and the whole country knows it, heck the whole world knows it, and it will not just go away because she says it is “reprehensible”. Unfortunately, for one 9-year old, she will never get to use her First Amendment rights, or will a good judge will not be able to protect other's First Amendment rights.
Does Sarah understands that those who attacked us on 9/11 were inspired by the words of Osama bin Laden. He didn't fly the plane himself. Those who listened to him acted and claimed 3,000 lives, so did the crazy Tucson boy. I can not see the difference among these different killers!
No... the violent gun themed imagery and rhetoric of the right including Palin's use of crosshairs and her "don't retreat. reload" is what is reprehensible. Even on the off chance it had nothing at all to do with this incident it is still reprehensible and this event should still be a wake up call for the right on their violent rhetoric, and I say for the right because this sort of rhetoric and imagery in the mainstream is coming solely from the right. Thats not partisan... thats just factual.
Just like Palin to grab the spotlight. She should just keep her mouth shut and let these families grieve.
Well, Sarah, if the criticism is so off-target (heh, sorry), then put your rifle scope graphic back up. Oops, I meant to say your "surveyor" graphic.
Wow... It took her so long to draft a response.
Dear self-righteous Sarah, this is not about you. However, if the "shoe fits" wear it. I could not help noticing you had removed your crosshair target image in response to the outcry. If you are so innocent, why remove it? Now you invoke partisan rhetoric to disentangle yourself from this tragedy. Whether you and your smart mouthed colleagues have some culpability remains to be seen. What the sheriff's and the general complaint is that this was an inevitable outcome from the rancor you folks spew. If your objectives were strickly political in nature, perhaps it would deserve less scrutiny. However, you and your ilk use grossly contentious phases to invoke ardor from the fringe supporters on the right. In doing so, you enhance your viewing audience levels and consequent advertising revenues. In retropsect that appeaars to be your true objectives. If only it were about issues, but dear Sarah, you can't put lipstick on a pig and call it pretty.
I'm so happy that she came out with such a statement/message. She's absolutely right, this is not the time to lay blame but to support the victims and their families and hold Loughner responsible.
Anyone that believes these words were written by her better look in the mirror. If she had something to say, why not do it in person and not falsely claim her ghostwriter's words as her own.
Did we expect anything else from Palin? Blaming others is her mantra, right Katie Curic? She didn't intend on her words and actions to directly cause such harm....but people we HAVE to restore some dignity to our debating, Palin are YOU listening? How are those crosshairs maps working for ya?
Where is, "If any statements or actions of mine, however inadvertently, contributed to the mindset of this troubled individual and his subsequent actions, for this I am truly sorry."? Self-serving and self-centered, Sarah!
Then clean up your act Ms. Sarah. The ugly words come out of your mouth and the ideas to fill the airwaves with hateful speeches come from Fox and your handlers.
Well, it IS a good thing that Palin removed the gunsight target icons from her website map. Her comments sound a bit as if the guilt feelings may be getting to her. She is certainly partially responsible for the current vitriolic state of our national public discourse...but then I guess we all are somewhat responsible. Bottom like, America, take a breath and lets not talk about each other with hatred.
You'er Done, you put up the cross hairs with Mrs. Giffords name on it, that's irresponsible
she is a bigger mess than ever
Preying on the fears of the elderly with her death panel scam was pure evil. Michelle Bachman may be a real character, but Sarah Palin has no character.
She certainly brings up some good points. I doubt if any of these are her orginal thoughts. She seems more concerned with her name and reputation than having concern for the victims. But to be fair she's in a no win situation for those of us who don't like her. Myself included.
Talk about the kettle calling the tea pot black. Sarah Palin, with her rifle crosshairs on Democratic districts; with her don't retreat just reload slogan, along with her pea-brain followers known as the tea party with all their neo-Nazi rhetoric are solely responsible for the spreading of hatred in this country. And this lady calls herself a Christian. These people are not Christians, they are evil to the core and they are destroying this country.
She didn't write that. He second-grade mentality cannot grow that fast. She speaks in hate, fear, lies, and self-pity. Anything else is written for her.
She is NOT former Gov., she is FORMER QUITTER HALF-GOV and has no business trying to give anyone any advice. She needs to raise her kids and bake those cookies that will make them all chubby little idiots.
"The thing is, the way that she has it depicted has the crosshairs of a gun sight over our district," Giffords said in March. "When people do that, they've got to realize there's consequences to that action." Sarah Palin incited hatred & violence.
Representative Gabrielle Giffords said it all when she spoke on Sarah Palins use of crosshairs on her Democratic target map. Sarah can't run away from her own spoken words using her shrill voice. Too late.
Please go away, you vacuous, evil woman. What exactly do you do other than provoke and incite anger? Tucson is a wonderful town filled with wonderful people. We don't need you to tell us how to grieve. Those affected by this terrible tragedy were highly accomplished, compassionate people who actually worked towards good, rather than the evil that you and those like you espouse. Your 15 minutes is over, please just go away.
I am not a fan of Sarah Palin. I think she has been a political opportunist and very reckless in her tactics. I haven't liked much of anything she has said in the past, but her text in this response was well said. I hope she is really sincere in this and has learned from this incident to change her tactics. She would not have been a focal point of blame if it wasn't for her vitriol and rhetoric. Something tells me though this was a well worked draft by her attorneys and staff. Its missing all the you betchas so I know its really not her own words.
Walk it back half termer, walk it all back. You are an idiotic moron and your stupid is catching up to you.
I have nothing against Sarah personally, but in listening to her speak and then reading this, I cannot for the life of me believe she wrote this. It also introduces a new term "blood libel", is that some form of veiled threat of litigation for those that question any connection to violence? While I do not think the left or right specifically drove the man to these killings, it seems strange that Palin is the only one to be defending the current climate.
Sorry Caribou, But you have some responsibility in this. No matter what your 'intentions' were, as a politician in America you have culpability with the words and images that your put out for public consumption. It has been long known that mentally unstable people follow 'instructions' given them, and putting targets on the faces of others are just the instructions that some people need to complete their deadly task. You, nor any of your cohorts, are forgiven in this. One can only hope this will lead to a change in the rhetoric of the party of war and destruction.
I wonder though, when you, Beck, Limbaugh, Hannity, or O'Reilly go to sleep do you sleep soundly? From the actions of all of you in the last few days, it seems like none of this affects any of you at all. This is a shame and a relief, as now we are assured that you are not the people we want in charge.
First of all, she's an idiot. That being said, does anyone really believe she even remotely put that statement together? Her brain power could toast bread......lightly. I don't blame her for what happened, but both sides could benefit by ratcheting down the rhetoric.
There never will be a connection between those two facts. But there is no denying that Palin was an instigator. She should apologize. "Don't retreat. APOLOGIZE!"
Ha! What crap from that idiot loathsome Palin. Maybe she'll get crosshaired!
Ridiculous! You've added to and often started the hateful rhetoric that's out there. Own it. And stop it!
$arah obsesses over hate, fear, division, money - and CNN obsesses over Palin. STOP IT STOP IT STOP IT STOP IT !!!!!
Nothing we say will bring this little nine year old child back, or the rest of the dead, just stop the hate. I am sick and tired of hearing the hated words. God tell us to love everyone as well as our self.
Yes, it is reprehensible. There is one person that's responsible for this, maybe two, and it looks like he will get off. Gotta love our justice system.
When all else is said and done; when all philosophical, religious, political and social agendas, for and against America, have been discussed and re-discussed for the thousandth time, one unadulterated fact still remains intact: Sarah Palin is an idiot.
As a Republican I find whatever the former governor has to say of little interest. She does not represent a good majority of our views. She is obessed with the limelight and is not worthy of our interest. Crosshairs may be appropriate to hunting but not for political opponents. Where is the civil discourse we expect of our leaders and especially when the mantle of Ronald Reagan is periodically brought up. I doubt sincerely that President Reagan would have stooped her loathsome tactics. We will all be better off when she fades from the scene and hopefully someone with more intelligence steps out of the shadows.
and we certainly must not be deterred by those who embrace evil and call it good.
-------------------------------------------------–
THAT WOULD BE YOU SARAH.
You and your cohorts passing themselves off as modern day RethugliKKKlans.
Oh please stop Ms. Palin. If you're target map wasn't so wrong- then put it back up. I dare you. Either put up or shut up.you're becoming a bore......
First her campaign uses violent language and symbols to run a divisive and hateful campaign. Then she casts herself as the victim when her influence has an (allegedly) unintended consequence.
Sarah, we don't need "God's guidance"... some common sense would be sufficient.
How come Granny Sarah Grizzly says she is a "Hockey Mom" if none of her kids play hockey?
Palin is always the victim. How about just saying she is sorry for her violent, corrosive speech and that she'll tone it down in the future.
After watching and reading about Ms. Palin I doubt that she came up with this speech. It was probably the work of a very talented professional speech writer. Its always interesting to see how people who are guilty of rabble rousing are the first to loudly proclaim " it wasn't me/us you just misunderstood what I was saying" Palin is firmly in the camp of Rush and Glen.
I wish she would just go away.
Too late, Palin. You and all of your republican cronies own those words of violence and no amount of back-peddling is going to change that fact. Do us all a favor and crawl under a rock somewhere.
No one should be censored in what they say. That being said, I would like to point out this. I was thinking about Congresswoman Giffords parents yesterday as my thoughts and prayers were with their family. I was thinking (as a father myself), what it would be like to see a map with cross-hairs on it and my daughters name listed on that map with the statement "Let's take back the 20 together" and "It's time to take a stand". Personally, I would be horrified as any parent would be. I'm sure Sarah Palin would be. I didn't see anything on the map saying "Let's load our vote" or "Let's aim our vote". Really, that would have been more appropriate.
Do I think that this map had to do with this tragedy? Absolutely not. Do I think that this map and other things from BOTH sides is in extreme bad taste? Absolutely.
I defended Sarah Palin when her daughter, Bristol, was pulled into the general election. It was disgusting and had no place as a topic in the general election or any election for that matter. I would really like to know how Mrs Palin and other elected officials would feel if their children were perceived as "targets" on a map. Not a very Christian thing to be doing for predominantly Christian country.
Horse puckey! That's like saying the Ayatollah does not know that he has inflamed people and incensed them to violence when he condemns America. There is a violent undertone to the rhetoric in our political theater. It is absolutely shocking and frankly, for the first time in my life, I actually think this country could literally split itself apart because of these extremes. Sarah Palin wants a pass to say whatever she wants and bear no responsibility for it. It would be like her saying, "If I was President I would nuke Iran" and then being perplexed when Iran exercises a preemptive strike. Words can move people to action and instill emotion in individuals to "defend" themselves and their country. If not, the constitution would just be another piece of paper with some words scrawled on it.
This is from a woman who during the 2008 campaign repeatedly claimed that Obama "palled around with terrorists" to which audience members shouted "traitor". Now, that's reprehensible. I don't think it's appropriate to lay blame for this horrific incident at the feet of Palin, but this "it's only words', first amendment crap is naive and deceptive dribble. If she evokes G-d/prayer one more time, I will throw up. The Hannitys(Mr. Swiftboat) and Palins of the world who profess to be devout Christians and then intentionally mislead and incite their mindless herds towards hatred is as big a hypocricy as there ever has been. Palin needs to just take her millions and fade into obscurity.
Poor Sarah...always the victim.
What is reprehensible Palin is putting cross hair on Ms Giffords and others as well as your hate speech. Period. End of story. GO AWAY.
Is there ANYONE out there who thinks those words were written by her?
Sarah Palin, please shut up. There is no one group to blame for what this man did, but you better believe you ARE in deed a part of the reason things like this can happen. All that Tea Party hatred you've been spreading isn't working for ya lately, huh? Do the Republicants a favor – sit down and shut up.
Wow. A little bit "all about Sarah" rhetoric. Methinks the lady doth protest too much.
Sarah Palin should feel guilty. Her "Death Map" that was used in a variety of places is totally inappropriate as well as her signature phrase about reloading. Included on the Death Map was the name of the beloved Congresswoman as well. Combined with some of the other statements made by the radical right, a person with an unstable mind can and will process these comments and take action. This was so very demonstrated. Our prayers are for the people that were murdered and injured and for their grieving families as well.
I would just like to know who wrote it for her, she cannot spell, pronounce nor understand 90% of the words in that article. Please, give me a break. Listening to her speak, anyone with any knowledge of public speaking that has heard MRS. Palin speak, knows she is not capable of creating any thought as coherent as this. Please!! It is so manufactured and hypocritical.
Only took two days for someone to write the speech for her, and for her to be able to read it with a straight face...
Sarah Palin is not fit to be any kind of leader. Why are we wasting our time to cover, listen and watch her nonsense?
The problem with her full statement is that she successfully takes NO responsibility for creating a toxic environment. Sure, the shooter may not have said "Well, she put crosshairs on a map, therefore I must go and shoot Rep. Giffords" That is ludicrous and it is ludicrous to say that her rhetoric had nothing to do with what happened. By lashing out at the "media" and the Democrats – who rightly and fairly have suggested that the speech in Washington is poisonous, she has not once stated that her words may have consequences.
How does that go. If the glove fits? You said shocking things that have come back home to roost.
"Acts of monstrous criminality stand on their own. They begin and end with the criminals who commit them, not collectively with all the citizens of a state... not with law-abiding citizens who respectfully exercise their First Amendment rights..." I wonder how quickly this rhetoric would change if the topic of Islamic states, the attacks on the WTC, and freedom to build mosques were the issues in question. I guess the benefit of doing one-sided "facebook/twitter politics" is that it doesn't allow anyone the opportunity to ask you to clarify your statements (or tie them to some of your other views!).
Boy, talk about bad timing and bad taste....this is not about YOU today Sarah !!
I can't begin to explain how much I dislike this woman and the people who continue to support her lunacy.
She no more wrote that than the man in the moon. Whoever writes her stuff took about three days to come up with that, but it certainly wasn't Sarah. I doubt if she could read it out loud! Having said that, let me add this: what a crock, coming from Sarah Palin.
Sarah your poisonous gutter rhetoric has consequences and now all the world is to see.
The same day of the shooting you were spouting that President Obama was working to weaken America. Working to weaken America.... yes a logical goal for our nations President....Let me see here, what can I do to weeaken this great land of ours?!? Better to go back to having 50 million citizens without any type of health care, no that wouldn't weaken that would strengthen according to the GOP....hmmm......
Anyone with a little sense knows you are a self-serving idiot but the ignorant believe your nonsense and hence the problem.
So we know this guy was an anti government, gun owning, conspiracy theorist. That sounds like your base to me Sarah.
"It is time to restore the American precept that each individual is accountable for his actions." Does anyone beleive that Palin understands that she is also accountable for her actions? Does anyone beleive that that Palin is capable of writing this statement at all.
Amazing that she takes no responsibility and feels no shame over putting crosshairs over a district that turns out to have a madman in their midst who takes her message seriously. Instead she blames the media for stiring it up. Without the media, Sarah, nobody would know who you are. Sarah Palin, you are not fit to govern, you are not fit to have a platform like you do to make the outlandish statements that you do. You should thank the founding fathers every day that you have the freedom to spew such stupidity.
The Sheriff should have been gathering facts after the shooting. But instead, Sheriff Dupnik took the opportunity to blame Arizona's lax, new gun laws and, the angry "rhetoric" of talk radio. Now everyone is trying to blame everyone, but a crazy young man who did this. To use this as an opportunity to enact the fairness doctrine, new gun laws, etc. is flat out wrong.
People blame the violence on TV and video games for violent actions by young adults and teens.. If this is true, why wouldn't it be conceivable that the ex-Governor's comments i.e. "Don't retreat, reload" and the need to man up, while not directly influencing, could also have indicated encouragement or acceptance of the type of violent behavior displayed in Tuscon on Sat. In fact, one of the reasons I chose not to vote for John McCain was the combative rhetoric of his running mate. Can't Sarah Palin have the grace to acknowledge that her comments should be toned down.
That is an awfully long tweet. No wonder she has been silent for five days.
In addition – she as much said "well, everybody else was talking trash, so why am I to blame?" as well as "You know, the cave people beat each other with clubs to settle differences, so it wasn't much better before me either".
Come on – some Political person (of which she is not because she doesn't hold an office) Stand UP, say 'Enough is enough'.
God, this woman has NO conscience.
Sarah, Sarah, Sarah. 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 you're the one 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.
God bless you Sarah... keep up the good fight..
Go pound ice, Sarah...You have absolutely NO credibillity!
For crying out loud, lady, just apologize for your potentially volatile rhetoric, promise to tone it down, and walk away quietly like a responsible person, even if you don't mean it. Getting all indignant is the wrong response.
Typically classless response from the QUITTER. Hey, Sarah, how about for once realize that it's NOT about you. You DID use "bullseye" images. You HAVE used violent images and rhetoric to score political points. You HAVE deliberately used the fear of DEATH and VIOLENCE at the basis of your political messages. The pathetic excuse of "everybody does it" is a load of crap. How about you TRY and take the high road and pledge to be more thoughtful in your words. If the problem is that everybody does it, why not set yourself apart by NOT doing it. Or is your message so pathetic and weak that it can't survive without fear? If your only defense is that "only a madman would take my message literally" then you have NO defense when a madman DOES take it literally. You DID put out that message. You DID help light a fuse. Do us all a favor, and DON'T light another one.
Its amaizing to me that this woman thinks she can be president and yet people are dumb enough to think she can. She knows dam well the rhetoric from people like her, Bachman, hannity, beck, limbaugh and fox insighted the sick man to do what he did. It's also funny how the right came out really quick saying its from both sides, thats utter BS. I haven't heard any democratic congress person or senator spewing out hatred day after day after day. The GOP exploited this hate and fear, so much so that it got them the house of representatives, but now they can't tone it done, the genie is out of the bottle. I'm afraid this is only the beginning just wait til 2012. You'll see the level hate coming from the right that hasn't been seen since civil trights era. I hope America is ready for what is to come.
Amazing how Palin and Angle refuse to understand that words have consequences and may result in unfortunate actions by others. If you are a public figure,people are are going hear what you say. The sad fact is that people may take your words to the extreme whether or not that was your true intentions. In others words think before you speak.
You put a map up with crosshairs on her district, within hours of the shooting you take it down but NO CONNECTION right? You tell people to RELOAD but you didn't mean any harm right? For once could youj understand THIS IS NOT ABOUT YOU....Rather than stand up and come out right away and say something publicly NO you are not capable you post it on Facebook...AND YOU think you should be President..Shame on you, shame on John McCain for bring you out from your hole in Alaska.........Do us a favor QUIT once again and go away........You are a joke
Palin never ceases to amaze me.. Rather then use this as an opportunity to tone it down and recognize that her approach is at the very least unsettling to many she reflects back to dueling in American politics as justification for her idiotic cross-hair visual..
Well I'm all for reinstating dueling if the first match is Sarah Palin vs Michele Bachmann ... Either way the country wins!
Although Palin is pretty good with a gun so she could wipe out all of congress and then we would be left with Sarah..
Maybe that's not should a good idea
Within hours of a tragedy unfolding, journalists and pundits should not manufacture a blood libel that serves only to incite the very hatred and violence they purport to condemn. That is reprehensible,”
-------------------------------------------------–
They did not have MANUFACTURE it Sarah. YOU wrote it and actually felt guilty enough to take it off your website. What does that action say about YOU? If all was well and within reasonable discourse and expression of your Freedom of Speech, why take it down? It was so akin to 'destruction of evidence' that it would've been funny if people hadn't just been killed.
You are a sad, pathetic, and embarrassing walking paragon of the worst that this country has to offer. I am ashamed for you since you're too amoral to be ashamed for yourself.
Absolutely NO ANGST over the part that YOUR hateful rhetoric could've played in this. And certainly no personal committment on YOUR part to TONE DOWN the hate.
Unbelievable!
There goes her chance to take responsibility for her vitriolic rhetoric. Instead, she uses the opportunity to defends herself so she can continue making money with her violence-inciting speeches. Boy, weren't we lucky she never made it to be VP.
oh sarah ... so well said with blood on your hands ...
It's all about you Sarah...... it's all about you......
If she doesn't feel guilty, why did she pull down the questionable material on her website and facebook?
People are wondering why Sara waited four days before replying. Simple: she just wanted to make sure that Jared Loughner did not make some initial statement saying that he was encouraged to do this by the current political rhetoric. Now that it appears that he is just a messed up individual, it is safe to claim the moral high ground and to say that such suggestions are "reprehensible"... You betcha.
Instead of admonishing the "lamestream" media for putting 2 and 2 together. It would likely behoove Ms. Palin to examine her own rhetoric and that of her colleagues. Inspiring people to participate in the politcal system is good thing, inciting people to cause harm is not. All of her "death panel" talk goes hand in hand with her "Reload" campaign and "palling around with terrorists" nonsense she has been spouting for the past few years. I will also say the photo of her attached to this article looks more like she is biting the insides of her cheeks to stop from laughing than that of a serious politcal contender. But then she is probably thinking, if it can happen in Arizona, in can happen in Alaska so she is probably soiling herself.
Perhaps a speech just about the victims and the country would of been okay, but this proves that it's always all about her.
Palin, Never,never,never accept responsibility for anything,always invoke Reagan and God, blame the media( actually you forgot to call the media The Lame Stream Media) be sure to keep those guns in sight with the heavy duty clips. After you wipe the blood off your hands and go target someone else. Reload !
Keith Olbarmann did a 9 min commentary on the rhetoric from both sides, and apologized for his past remarks that could have been interpreted as advocating violence. Why can't Sarah do the same instead of going on the attack. Class and empathy, Sarah's never had it, never will. She makes Alaskans look bad. We don't all think or act like her, in fact very few of us do. We don't want her or her rhetoric.
Just a matter of time before SIster Sarah posted on her Facebook page denying ANY responsibility for the tragedy in Tucson. Of course with many news organizations clamoring for a statement, not surprised that you took the easy way out and refused to speak personally about it!. I do not think anyone in the "lamestream media" is attempting to place direct blame on you, even though to claim that, does enable you to look like a victim too. The issue, Mrs. Palin, is that when you travel all over the country inciting your right-wing base with inflammatory rhetoric and post maps with gun sights on your web site, you also have to be prepared to take the heat when one of those you targeted is attacked. Oh, and by the way, stop trying to claim they were not gun sights, that just makes you look more pathetic! You and Sharon Angle and Glen Beck and Rush Limbaugh all bare responsibility to taking the low road in the political debate and now have to deal with the repercussions, so just do it, deal with it!
It's only irresponsible to point fingers now that those fingers are pointed at you? You, Sara, and your far-right buddies made finger pointing an art but now it's irresponsible? That is laughable.
By Palin addressing these statements, she still is diverting the attention away from the victims and making this about her plight against the nation. Oh please. It hurts to be bitten by your own words doesn't it?
I can only imagine how she would have reacted if a person on the left had done this to a right wing politician. I guess we'll never know as only right wing idiots do these types of things.
Again she demonstrates that she is clueless.
She never misses an opportunity to put herself in the center of the spotlight. She'll make a few more bucks from this. Or else.
I wonder who wrote this for her? She hasn't got the ability to do it.
Palin Lashes Out. Guess CNN doesn't want to turn down the tone. No one is fooled by the left's desire to tone things down. They just want to blame conservative for the murders. Oops it has failed. Check out the CBS poll you idiots. Go get'em Sarah
Funny that she's calling her critics irresponsible and segways right into denial. She throws a little religion into it as well. TYPICAL CHARLATAN!
Palin and Fox News say that it's not their fault for promoting violence against the left. Well, if you all remember Nancy Pelosi's life was threatened not too long ago, by a 48-year old man over the healthcare bill. In an interview on a California ABC News affiliate, the mother of a man arrested for threatening House Speaker Nancy Pelosi blamed Fox News for exacerbating her son's mental illness, saying it encouraged his behavior.
"Greg frequently gets in with a group of people that have really radical ideas and that are not consistent with myself or the rest of the family, which gets him into problems," the 83-year-old mother of the accused man, Eleanor Giusti, said. "I say Fox News, or all of those that are really radical, and he, that's where he comes from."
Palin is an idiot, plain and simple.
This idiot don't get it!!!!!! No she did not say go kill but when your hateful rhetoric and bad choice of words cover the airways you have some responibiltiy. How many time have gangster rap been the blame for the violence in the African American community. No one particular rapper did anything but when you create the environment. Plus she look a mess on this video looks like guilt.
Stop this childish nonsense! All of us have a responsibility for making the American political climate, a hostile and unwelcoming place for Republicans and Democrats, and anyone in-between. Any effort to make it less so will have a positive impact on all of us. What's wrong with wanting a better, safer and civil country? Our country must come first, before politics and egos.
Amazing how there is a need to regulate television and movies because of the aggressive and potentially violent impact they have on people, yet politicians will claim their intense and violent innuendos do not do the same.
She talking but I and I hope no one else is listening. She took politics, and it's dirty tricks, and placed it back in a childish world of grade school antics. SHE IS WHAT IS WRONG WITH POLITICS. Her hate speech might not mean anything to her but to me she shouts fire in every crowded room she goes into and then slinks away to cry that the "lame stream media" twists her words.
Palin IS a media creation herself, so look in the mirror when you call something reprehensible. She is an irresponsible celebrity loudmouth who will never be a leader; she already abdicated that role.
Maybe next time she will watch what she says....
THIS is not about you Sarah. Have some respect and guts to – in your words – Man up, Your message sickens me to the core. As a Republican I am ashamed of what the party has become and I will never vote or support representative who use hate or coded rhetoric that can be aligned with violence. Time to rise above your selfish spotlight seeking. It is your vile and poison speak for the last two years that has gone overboard,
Figures you want to speak BEFORE the President has a chance to quell this nation. Shame on you.
It is time for you and your family to fade away Sarah.
I was wondering how long it would take the mean girl to say something inappropriate and stupid. Your are slipping, Sarah.
It took longer than I thought it would.
Palin is trying to look presidential in the picture but she failed. She looks as confused as the first day i saw her on stage and we all know she did not write her statment. She and the rest of the republicans now are trying to distort the truth and that is, rhetoric from her and the political machine from the right has gone beyond acceptable. When remedies from want to be politicians are covered with "violent rhetoric" than violence may occur to those who are unstable to begin with. Leaders do not need ratchet up rhetoric to convince voters to vote for them, what they need to do is show leadership and the votes will be casted for them.
I am astonished, and I don't believe one word of it. Death panels came out of this womens mouth and that is only one of the many nasty comments and name calling. I am 58 years old and have been voting since I was 18 years old and she is lying through her teeth that the nastiness has always been at the level it is now. This is CYA and that is all it is. Because she was and is a big part of it. I have worked around alot of women in my life but she is the shrewest and nastiest, yet whinny when she is called out on her comments. You can't have it both ways.
Saran Palin you are right about the one that responsibility was the man doing the shooting. But people like you,Rush Limbaugh and Glenn Beck Is all you do is spread hate and racist are just as responsibility. Saran palin on a T.V shooting a machine gun and you all way say don't retreat ,Instead reload and put cross hair on people. No one running for Politics should be doing.You say back in the clam day Political figures settled their differences with dueling pistols,they shoot at each other not at people in front of a Safeway store. I don't know how you can compare the two.Saran palin you have no business running for any PUBLIC OFFICE of any kind ,and the other need too be take off the radio or T.V.
she and so many of the right, including the all star line up at fax news, have bashed anyone who thinks differently for so long that there has to be the possibility that their rhetoric is the igniter for violence against the left. for what she has spewed over the last year, all the while exposing her lack of intelligence, she should be ashamed of herself. i would love to see hannity, rush, coulter, palin and beck just go away and let the country begin to heal.
If the shoe fits WEAR it!!!!!!!
To my good friend Palin, sometimes we ought to becareful when we are at the podium. It's important to understand that there lots of knuckle heads out there, who instead of taking the message from the idiom-phase manner it has been projected, they'll take it literally; "don't retreat, but reload". To the learned, the message is straight clear but to the deranged, the message is interpreted as picking a weapon and start a war especially when many people know that you are a gun loving person!
Let me be the first to say, "Damn, it took a long time for someone to write that for her. I wonder if it was the same people who wrote that other reloading garbage for her. Why do the people who always say stop going to the past, you know about 6 years ago, but now they want to go way back when there was not gun-laws and say, at least we are not dueling anymore? Yes, I really due believe this lady will continue to spread her hate and get paid for it just like the rest. If they can spread the hate, why are we jumping on entertainment. Thanks, but no thanks.
Sarah, 'me thinks you protest too much'. In all your statement, I don't seem to find anything about your campaign suddenly taking down your 'crosshair's' poster with Ms Giffords's state one of those identified. Thats what I find 'reprehensible'.
It is a fact that Sarah Palin has used and still uses bombastic language when speaking to the public. It is a fact that Sarah Palin had a map on her web-site with "crosshairs" centered over districts she wants/wanted targeted. It is a fact that Gabrielle Giffords called her out on this map in particular. It is a fact that at a public and polictical event, Gabrielle Giffords was shot by a gun in the head. According to Mrs. Palin this is just a coincidance? I think not. Crazies follow crazies – just look at FoxSpews and how those haters of all defend her now. Hell is in thier future!
Sarah is right. INstead of attempting to get cheap political points by blaming others, lets sock it to th monster that did this, and to quote you, Sarah, "RELOAD!!!!
Who wrote this statement for you Ms Palin? This is beyond your ability. Too little to late.
Logical fallacy: Mrs. Palin, you've just admitted, in your own words, that intemperate commentary can incite hatred and violence, yet you do so in the midst of a statement that claims the opposite is true. You argue that the left's claims about angry rhetoric inflaming some people to the point of violence are simply wrong, but in the next breath you claim that the very act of making such statements "serves only to incite the very hatred and violence they purport to condemn". Um, so which is it? If the left's claims about the right will "incite..hatred and violence", then how can they be wrong when they argue that the right's claims about the left do precisely the same thing? Do you mean to argue that only rheotric from liberals incites violence, while rhetoric from conservatives doesn't? How, exactly does that work?
Why so defensive, Sarah?
Nothing is ever Sarah's fault! She does have good speech writers!
I am in no way blaming Sarah Palin, nor anyone besides the criminal responsible for the crime. On the other hand, I must disagree with her comment that seems to blow off the power of negative speech. I have never seen more anger and hate than I do today. Hate filled speeches, after all helped fuel the crowd at one of her rallies to begin chanting "Kill Obama." Extreme falshoods also probably had something to do with gun toting rednecks showing up at Tea Party rallies, holding signs depicting Obama as Hitler, along with their guns.
Language that incites violence or encourages what we have witnessed in Arizona is against the law. Why do people like Sarah Palin continue to hide their violent nature behind the right of free speech? Clearly crosshairs on a map is a blatant call to every off balance individual to take up arms.
She blames everybody but do not take blame for herself, she is no leader, go back to your bunker. She is the problem, not the solution.
Disregarding the fact that Palin's not bright enough to actually write this statement, it's clear that it's more important to her to justify her campaign rhetoric than to admit that she could tone down the violent imagery she uses, especially since she must realize that her base is comprised of more than a few mentally unbalanced members...
Right sarah, YOU'RE the victim here.
WELL, this empty money hungry grubing user didn't write this ! She DID put a TARGET on Giffords' district and 19 others and left it on her website until this weekend. Hmmmmm. While the shooter is responsible...others are too. Including Sarah Halfwit Palin.
"Acts of monstrous criminality stand on their own. They begin and end with the criminals who commit them...".
These are the words of an ignorant, dangerous individual.
I can see you squirming from here Palin. You and your ilk ARE responsible for this! You may not have fired the gun but you supplied the bullets with your ugly and hate mongering rhetoric . The blood of Ms Gifford and all of the ijured and dead are on your hands. PLEASE GO AWAY!
I think Sarah Palin's reprehensible. That guy in Arizona shot the wrong person.
Sarah Palin, Two words for you " SHUT UP""!! Enough of you! Go back to Alaska and bury yourself in your house to where you belong...
Palin is partly to blame. She incited with her devisive rederick all the already borerline crazys, racist and the special interest groups, the opportunist and the just plan ignorant..she did it all under the guise of restoring America and she attacks any and everyone while hidding behind Facebook and other media outlets where real people can't fight back. Palin throws the brick and hides her hands.
It seems now Sarah Palin understand words, even thought we have a right to speak them, they have consequences. Sarah you can't play the innocent role now. If you had been so considerate as you are now, evil minds would not have been so eager to pursue what you consider a passionate debate. You need to get serious Sarah and be reluctant to engraph violence as a way of being passionate about your type of politics. Cross targets, reload, pawing around with terroist this type sarcasm and vitriol really needs to stop. We don't contribute enough to MENTAL ILLINESS to substain the results. The incident of Arizona has been a long time coming. Let us do all we can to prevent other such incidents. Please!
I usually don't agree with anything out of Sarah Palin's mouth, but I tend to agree with her that blame lies with the individual responsible for the shootings.
BUT,
To say that the attempted murder of a Congresswoman isn't politically motivated is nonsense!
It is unbelievable that in the wake of this tragedy that Sarah Palin would take the opportunity to turn it into a discussion about the victimization of herself. When will this woman's fifteen minutes of fame end. Enough. Enough.
There is a reason why there are laws against inciting a riot. This woman has no idea that people in power can influence others around them. She is just as responsible for spewing hate and causing this tragedy as if she were standing there encouraging him to do it.
Sorry, Sarah, spin it all you like. The blood of the 9 year old girl is on YOUR hands. Congratulations. Your followers followed your instructions and reloaded. Your followers targeted who you asked to be targeted.
And calling them "survey marks" only fools the feeble-minded.
I hope you get investigated by the FBI over this.
You have no problems with images like this, do you – got the point? (cut/past as URL) bit.ly/2012Palin
When you rile up your base using these rhetoric & tactics, you have already lost your case.
only those that light a fire are at fault. There is no blame for those that piled the wood or poured gas on the pile. Real leaders take responsibility for their actions. I believe we are seeing the end of the Palin erra,
you stirred the pot with all you gun talk idiot. What? Did you think all your lemmings were responsible gun owners? You didn't think there'd be any nutjobs out there fist pumping at your "real America" speeches? You toot your flute and the rats follow. Ever hear the term "live by the gun die bie the gun". Well there ya go stupid
Short version: "I'm the victim here."
Language that incites violence is against the law. Why do people like Sarah Palin continue to hide their violent nature behind the right of free speech? Clearly crosshairs on a map is a blatant call to every off balance individual to take up arms.
She should just go away to Alaska and take care of her kids. She has done more than enough already for and with America. Can't recognize it anymore.
Don't retreat, reload.
He failed to reload, therefore her wing of the political machine is not liable. It's physics.
She is exactly the problem , when you incite people , what do you think they will do ? Just like Palin taking no responsibility in this tragedy . She and other's on the right share part of the blame , remember during the 2008 elections when Palin was hold a speech , members of her audiance were yelling all kinds of racial slurs and she didi nothing to quell them .......and some of you wnat this woman to run our country, I have news for a lot of you .....her carreer in politics is over ! wink-wink that !
“Acts of monstrous criminality stand on their own." Wrong again Sarah. People are influenced by their environment; what they see, hear, and feel. Your negativity and blatant lies may not have influenced this event, but you REALLY need to shut your mouth. Your vitriol is divisive and your desire for fame is border line psychotic in itself. Go back to AK, stay there, and keep your mouth shut.
Of course she wants to send the blame elsewhere. She feels responsible and it is evident in that she has taken the crosshairs off of the website and this is her second statement about the shooting. This is also why Sarah Palin will never make it as a viable Presidential candidate. At some point, thinking you are cute by shooting caribou and talking about pigs and lipstick ends with the reality that as a public figure, what you say matters and you are responsible for your words, especially when you are spewing hate. Her 15 minutes have been extended for too long.
Sarah Palin was irresponsible for posting the suggested "cross-hairs" on her website. That behavior only fuels hate and terroristic activities from crazy people. Sarah Palin and many Left-wing supporters need to pick and chose their words before they say or do something irrational in front of the public. The shootings in Arizona is a direct result of Sarah Palin's mouth.
Isn't it interesting that Sarah Palin and Sharron Angle both came out today to say that the hatred they both spew and their references to using guns to turn the country around had nothing to do with what happened in Arizona. Sounds similiar to what Rush said yesterday!! I guess when you have a guilty conscience you go on the defensive. Were they in part responsible, probably not, but their type of language also doesen't help prevent actions like this.
They complain about what they call irresponsible statements by other people, but will not admit that what they have said in the past was just as bad, if not worse. They can dish it out but they can't take. Have either one of them ever heard of "The Golden Rule"?
Even after the tragedy she is still the same hateful person blaming others. This shows why she should never be a president. I hope the news channels stop showing her news.
You're reprehensible. Just go away, forever. A society that needs to heal and tone down its anger doesn't need people like you. Just go away.
"It’s inexcusable and incomprehensible why a single evil man took the lives of peaceful citizens that day." In excusable yes, incomprehensible no. Heated rhetoric does push unstable personalities over the edge. Saying it ain't so doesn't change that fact.
Palin and tea partyers, you can take heart in one thing that was proved by this event. That is, at least a madman's second amendment right to bear arms was confirmed.
The only thing "reprehensible" is Palin herself! Have you noticed that while Dems and Independents and SOME media outlets agree the rhetoric should be toned down while extreme Repubs like Palin, other tea people, Limbaugh keep on ignoring it and trying to play like they're "victims"? They were hateful since 2008 and shrugged off the violent debates during healthcare saying "oh well,that's people", and now refuse to admit to any wrongdoing or promising to be more civil. Notice Palin is just playing that "victim" persona AGAIN? Why does the media even give her the time of day?
If she did nothing wrong, why was that part of the website with the crosshairs taken down?
There is enough blame for both parties. This tragic event was not one party against the other party. No matter if it is the Republican or Democratic party that tries to blame the other, it is just plan wrong. This tragic event was from one person, the shooter. Both parties including President Obama have used words of fear and violence to incite their followers.
Of course this coming from the woman who talked about death panels for health care and abstinence only education
That is what a Presidential address is supposed to look like.
She NEVER shuts up, does she?
God I hate her. Complete moron.
Well, if anyone should be able to recognize an irresponsible statement, Sarah Palin should.
So Sarah, you think the media is libel in inciting the very hatred and violence they purport to condemn? Sorry, it is you (along with your buddies like Beck, Limbaugh, etc) who have been stirring the 'Hate Pot' for over 2 years now, all for political gain.
Was your rhetoric PARTLY contributory to the violence? Absolutely!
Soap and water cannot remove the blood stains your hands.
Repersentative Giffords in her own words said "Words have consequences". At lease back off all the blame game and politics until she can go home. If Sara P, wants to be president, please act bigger than your video and don't flame the fire, with responding to these conversations. Just express your sorrow to Rep. Giffords and all the millions of americans who feel bad at this time.
We did not point a finger and blame Sarah for irresponsible words but Congresswoman Gifford stated in March 2010 that there are consequences some of the negative words and behavior displayed by her. Maybe there is a lesson to be learned from this, Sarah.
Just have the good judgement to stay quiet Sarah.
My question would be, which one is sicker Sarah and her lies and inflamitory retoric ,or the nut case who killed and wounded so many good people. He pulled the trigger but she aimed the gun. This women needs prozac and a muzzle. Just the facts Sarah Just the facts! charles bowen solomon stone
It is you, Ms. Palin, that is reprehensible.
Many foreign news agencies have responded to the rhetoric present in the political discourse in America. The comments and observations may allow Palin and Angle to take another tack on their contributions to these opinions. Their actions in America affect our ability to conduct business and establish relationships throughout the world. Palin nor Angle at present give comfort that they can represent America in an acceptable fashion.
her statements only convice me that the woman is a sociopath...she refuses to see that her remarks are one of the causes of the heated rethoric and violence in america...she and many others in the headlines and on the radio do much to inflame folks...especially those on the fringes of sociaty....those on the fringes of break down like the fellow in az....it is obvious that the man had a political motive...he he had a quarly withthe womans politics which he vented in writing and and exhibited on the few approaches he made towards the woman...
Typical Palin. She makes inflammatory statements and then when she's called on it she turns it around and acts like she's the victim. She never accepts any culpability for her disgusting behavior. She's a reprehensible human being.
Glad to see she is taking time to politicize the deaths of six people, including a 9 year old girl. YOU GOT A LOT OF CLASS SARAH!
Totally agree, on target! (just a metophor guys)
She's lying and a lie.She has blood on her hands in this incident.For the last two years she has traversed the country spewing hatred and lies and incendary rhetoric.This woman needs to be put away.I for one am mad as hell about these people and their refusal to accept any guilt.Make no mistake they are guilty and Palin is the main proponet.They have created an atmosphere of hatred distrust and division and I don't want to hear about their innocence.Beck,Limmbaugh and Palin need to be dropped from our civil discourse for their actions.
I wrote a long article in response to this woman’s comments but decided she isn't worth a response. Simply said, I hope she crawls back into her hole and stays there until hell freezes over. I know that even this idiot didn't put those crosshairs on districts so someone could cause them harm, however, she isn't stupid. She realized that her actions and her display could be taken out of context. She just assumed no one would blame her for the acts of a mental case out there that causes a problem. I admit that she did not conspire with anyone to cause another harm but clearly her actions and those of others could have contributed to one making the decision to take an action based on what they herd from her or from the words she has spoken.
I find this response sickening. I don't really detect any real reflection on the toxic climate of politics in this nation nor any responsibility for repeatedly contributing to that climate. I'm sure it is terrible to have people calling you on the carpet, especially your opponents. But I think Sarah should keep in mind that there are also American people who thinks she may have contributed to an atmosphere that made this tragedy possible. Sometimes, being a strong leader means correcting your errors, even for the sake of people you hurt. This is no longer about politics, for goodness sake!!! There are people dead, even a child . If there is the perception that her actions even remotely could have contributed to loss of life through violence, the noble and classy thing to do would be to apologize and take responsibility. Defending herself by quoting Reagan, making references to dueling with pistols and past elections just reeks of "politics as usual". It seems classless in its tone. I think she missed an opportunity to be a STRONGER leader.
So...it's ok to put crosshairs on someone in a political ad. That's right...crosshairs of a gun, and shout "reload", and when a crazy person acts on it, then we hide behind the 1st amendment? Hey Sarah, wanna yell "fire" in a crowded theater as well?
Way to wash your hands of responsibility. Oh yeah, she'll make a great chief executive.
she has still not apologized for her violent rhetoric. she is such a tool!
Once again, we have the biggest mouth and smallest brain in Alaska playing the victim card. No one said it's her fault, but her rhetoric and that of the angry, obnoxious right contributes to the climate where tragedies like this happen. I know one thing is for sure, if the shoe were on the other foot, she would be the first person pointing the finger.
Uh...nice try, Palin. The fact remains that you ARE partly responsible for this particular crime. TAKE SOME PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR IT...
nice try, but playing the victim does not cut it. first i dont believe this was written by her but for her. her attempt to scew the facts of her words is outrageous! second, she has incited violence so much it disgusts me. third, this isnt the first time someone from fox has incited this type of act. anyone remember bill o reilly going after doctor tiller nite after nite and giving out his address. this is the same type situation. sad very sad.
Palin, why are you retreating and not reloading?
She is too stupid to get it. No one is saying her comments or any one comments actually caused this man to do what he did. The point is that words do have some consequences. People on the edge hear the rhetoric and think they might not be so out of the main stream. Some may think that if they act, as this man did, they will be viewed and heroes by those whose words have been, at best, ambiguous. People who are fringe need to know that is where they are, and putting targets on districts may cause them to think their insanity is more rational than it is. "RELOAD" does not mean vote. And a cross hair like the one on her website is NOT a surveyor's symbol. I have been a surveyor and a hunter for 35 years. That is a cross hair. It pin points a target! Don't lie.
Palin, why don't you give an actual interview. Because you are a coward. You can send emails through Beck or release a video but you know that what you did throughout the midterms elections was wrong and you are terrified for being called out on it. This was the end of your much overhyped political career. Now please leave America alone.
We have not had calls to take to the streets to "take back our country" before the 2008 election. We did not have candidates calling on people to exercise their "second amendment rights" to regain the country until Ms Palin said it.
Actions do not come in a vacuum. While this shooter may not have had any political affiliation the atmosphere created by images of targets and gun sites, by calls to take to the streets and use guns to take control will only serve to make murder easier to justify. The politicians did not pull the trigger, they made the idea of pulling the trigger look reasonable.
Spin it however you like Sarah. Sure, you did not pull the trigger but your form of politics is nothing but toxic to this great country. I hope you learned something from this tragedy...time will tell.
No Sarah, putting your political opponents in gun cross hairs on your website with this nation's history of assassination is irresponsible. Gabrielle Giffords thought so too. Unfortunately she paid the ultimate price for your mean spirited b.s. I think Gabrielle Giffords put it much more eloquently than I could, when she slammed Sarah Palin for putting her in her gun cross hairs and expressed how this not so veiled threat of violence made her fear for her personal safety...
"We need to realize that the rhetoric, and the firing people up and ... for example, we're on Sarah Palin's targeted list, but the thing is, the way she has it depicted, we're in the crosshairs of a gun sight over our district. When people do that, they've got to realize that there are consequences to that action..."
- Gabrielle Giffords
The only possible good that may come out of this tragedy is that Sarah Palin's political career is irreparably broken.
This idoit needs to just keep her mouth shut. She is a hateful, greedy peice of garbage whose relevance is finally fading off. Maybe others like her will follow suit and we can start to return this country to civility.
She's such an ignoramus that she still doesn't get it. She is contributing to a hostile environment that can have terrible consequences, whether it has happened in Tucson or not.
It was so nice not seeing your face on her for a few days, but you are back again. Was this supposed to be an apology or what? Whoi wrote this for you? And how much did you have to pay them? You dont have the mental capicty to write some thing like this. Are you going to deny that you put the cross hairs or the bullet right over her district and she made a statement that things like this will have consqences and look what happenned. Are you going to deny that people had guns strapped on them at presidendial events?? Are you going to deny that people at your rallys had nasty signs about the preidident? Sarah how can you live with your self knowing that people died from this? May i ask how would you feel if this was one of your family? Did you not go into a frenzy when that writer moved in next door? The only way to stop you is that the media news outlets and talks shows never again print any thing you say or give you any kind of coverage at your events. I hope they wake up and see what your lies and hate has done to this country of ours.
I don't understand how discussing what role rhetoric like "Commonsense Conservatives & lovers of America: "Don't Retreat, Instead – RELOAD!" (a tweet from Palin after the last election) has in gun violence is anything but debating their vision.
For example, I propose that people don't use violent terms colloquially because mentally unstable people might take that to be a directive to kill someone. That's a better idea, and clearly part of a spirited debate.
It seems Palin likes the debate, so long as it doesn't challenge anything negatively about her. Funny, that.
Either she has an evil mind or totally stupid brain not to understand the consequences of her words. I see her not as a politician because she does not have any qualities to label as a politician. The more she speaks more it sounds dumb and idiotic. She is beyond correctable...
Typical Palin -
She refers to symbolisms of violence in heated rhetoric during elections, one of the many her her "cross hairs" gets shot, and now she plays the victim.
Will the obscence ignorance of this woman never end?
What BS! There is a need to take responsibility for words, pictures, and actions. Bullseyes on congressional districts, no matter who draws them is NOT acceptable. Saying a consultant did it is again, shirking responsibility. Another example, "take up our arms" is clearly a loaded phrase that is misunderstood, especially when some of these candidates were talking about second amendment solutions, etc.
All people that release public statements, interviews, documents in a campaign or in a political arena have to tone it down and take responsibility for their actions.
This person has absolutely NO SHAME! We should never pay attention to her and her heated rhetoric (cross hairs, death panels, palling around with terrorists, etc...) again. She can't even admit that having a target over the district of a congresswoman who was shot is even a weeee bit over the top! Others have said they will tone down their rhetoric (Keith Oberman and Glenn Beck among them), but this evil, self-absorbed person can't bring herself to do that. She makes me sick!!!!!
My wish for the health and well being of the entire plant is that Mrs. Palin remains silent from now on!
I love the headline: "Palin breaks silence". Palin never shuts up. How about this one, "Palin has nothing to say." Oh wait, that's not a headline. We all know that.
So let me get this straight, it is ok for me to say things that might inflame and may cause extreme acts of violence as in using the crosshairs of a weapon and calling for people to reload, a clear metaphor for a gun, but it is not ok for people to say that it is not ok for me to say that? Furthermore the reason it is not ok for people to link this act of violence with my rhetoric is because I am on a crusade to join the people of this great nation together and move to a more prosperous time.
I apologize for the lack of continual logic; it is my feeble attempt at summarizing incongruent ideas.
I read Sarah,s statment with interest, For the most part I do not think she bears any direct responsibility; however, I do disagree with her comments that the retheric is normal/acceptable. Nor do I gree that she pays no role in sturring anger and discontent in the manner she doe,s business.Until she and other more vocal politicans are willing to accept their role in the discord that is previlent in todays political process then unnecessary negatige results are to be heard by those they address.Sarah, and other media radicals who think their negative words do not have a negative affect are simply wrong.I think they do no service to themselves nor to the political process they choose to represent. This goes out to all who choose political discorse in the media
Additionally,Todays political arena is far different from the past process, The media today is saturating the public with every minute detail and analysis of events
Of course we really can't blame her for a sick individual but her general attitude is reprehensible. She is extremely ignorant and very irresponsible in almost all areas.
obviously ghost-written. Far beyond her English grammar skills level.
As much as she would like to be absolved. she shares the blame along with all other politicians and even those of us who merely read and comment. She did not pull the trigger. But she and her ilk have helped aim the gun and primed the pan. She can't lie her way out of this one nor can her fellow demagogues bail her out.
your noise doesn't change anything. you do however need to tone it down , better yet go away . you have made plenty of money off the backs of stupid people with your mouth . time for you to leave
Sarah, regardless of what your speechwriters say in this case, you are being charged with at least partial blame because of your constant statements preaching your will. Your followers were inspired by your actions and have protested weddings, funerals, and now this. If you think this is the only time this will happen, you are in for a wake up call.
One of your cross-hairs targets was shot maybe the others should invest in bullet proof vests. Which also brings me to another point. Most of the terrorist attacks on this country haven't been committed by fundamental Muslims. They have been committed by right wing fundamental Christian nut jobs. What do you say about that reality TV Palin and Faux News?
You and your other mama grizzly whores were the ones talking about "regroup and reload" and "second ammendment solutions" if the elections didn't turn the way you wanted them to. Your the one who put the bulls eye on congresswomen Giffords district on the map which was only recently rempoved from your web site(SaraPac). You and your gang were hoping for some deranged person to act on your words and now you got it! You should "man up" use your "cojones" and take a little responsibilty.
Palin's not capable of speeches like this one. I wonder who wrote it for her?
Palin may not be the total cause behind this tragity but her presence since picked by McCain to out fox the Dems and Hilary has been the one most responsible for al the political discord. She is a cancer in our politics and willl continue to fuel the fires of unstable people. It is only a matter of time till a side of the road Tea Party meets with disaster by a sick liberal mowing them down like ten pins
I really don't get why folks like Palin can't see words have power. I am not saying that this guy acted on something he heard from her or anyone else; however she and others (everyone for that matter) need to choose their words more carefully in the future. You never know how a person will interpret the meaning of the words you select!!! I mean when you she says ‘take up our arms’, where was her clarification to say she was talking about votes at the time she made the statement? I mean really Palin is the one who goes around talking Mama Grizzly, and how she shoot elks and those who listen to her are likely to be gun packing individuals too!! Now, again I am not saying this guy heard her or anyone else, however there may be others who are out there and who hear this type of talk and they take it literally, so she and others need to select their words carefully or take responsibility for the consequences they may cause!!!
Truth: Palin did not pull the trigger of the gun. However, her rhetoric spoken in public events and the map her posted online targeting congressmen and congresswomen districts provided easy targets for people who are mentally unstable and dangerous to others. Although she has her First Amendment Rights to say anything to the public or post any rhetoric or lies on her website, that does not mean it is ok to do it. We are adult; NOT children. Very POOR judgement. Or the $$ she made also paid for her judgement or even her soul. I wonder how she teaches her own children about right and wrong things to do.