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Don’t blame ‘political rhetoric’ for Arizona shooting tragedy

4 min read

Thankfully and with hope for any semblance of unity that might still exist among our Nation; it appears the overwhelming majority is deeply saddened by the tragic event in Tuscon. Regrettably, we are a Nation like all others that is not immune from similar incidents. Four (4) Presidents have been assassinated beginning with “Honest Abe” some 146 years ago and there have been numerous attempts including Ronald Reagan. Witness Oklahoma City, Fort Hood, several school shooting rampages and multiple workplace killings as further examples that while terribly disconcertingleave the Tuscon matter as nothing new.

Enter the Arizona Sheriff who proclaimed within minutes of the event that it was somehow related to “political vitriol” despite the fact that even he had not yet investigated and thoroughly vetted the perpetrator. Enter the often irresponsible media, a predictable tag-team partner for the Sheriff’s theory and never bashful when presented with an opportunity to further sensationalize any situation. The result is this farce of a national debate on why this madman did what he did; moreover, what caused him to do it.

If we are to buy in on this sales pitch about spirited, political debate, partisan politics, and bantering being responsible for the Tuscon tragedy, then why have we long resisted the influence of repetitive exposure to violent lyrics and video games as causal factors for acts of violence; particularly among our youth? Where was the outrage from our do good media when “Ice T” came out with Cop Killer? Yes the same “Ice T” whose bands were named “Body Count” and “Six Feet Under.” Yes the same “Ice T” who did the voice parts in the video game Grand Theft Auto. It only makes sense that he would be elevated to a position of media wealth and prominence on national, primetime television shows like NYPD and Law & Order. Free speech perhapsironic and sad for sure; lest I fail to note that violence against law enforcement officers is at an all time high.

Partisan politics is also at an all time high in my memory, and I am completely convinced that “both sides” are responsible for that. At the same time the most recent expression of a majority voice across our Nation seemed to indicate a preference for one way of thinking over another – none of it is responsible for what happened in Tuscon.

My purpose in writing this is not to discuss politics or even the razor thin line we seem to want to walk when it comes to free speech and expression. (note the Westboro Baptist Church) It is to remind you of the fact that impulsive human actions combined with the element of surprise make for split second potential that is virtually impossible to prevent in a completely open society. More often than not, accurately identifying “why” is even more difficult and is certainly not accomplished within minutes, hours, or days following a major event like Tuscon.

For those of you quick to blame political rhetoric for this or any tragedy; please consider the irrefutable fact that our current President stated during his campaign, “If they bring a knife to the fight, we bring a gun.” For those of you quick to blame guns consider the irrefutable fact that my comments here are not the result of an ink pen; no more than a car is to blame for a DUI death.

Make no mistake about it; there are violent and deranged people among usalways have been and always will be. While the total perspective of violence and causation must be considered, and I welcome the debate, the recent explanations and extrapolations relative to Tuscon in its immediate aftermath are knee jerk reactions and fall far short of truly identifying the reality of the concern.