Yesterday Pima County Sheriff Clarence Dupnik took the bold step of naming Sharon Angle and Sarah Palin as two individuals responsible for the kind of toxic 'political vitriol' which he believes must end in light of the recent shooting in Tucson, Arizona. Dupnik's comments came in an interview with Geraldo Rivera of Fox News. Earlier in the day Dupnik had been interview by Megyn Kelly of Fox News, who accused the Sheriff of inserting politics where it did not belong. In the Rivera interview, Dupnik stands by his earlier comments, and goes further in identifying two Republicans as the source of the kind of heated rhetoric he earlier condemned. A video of the interview can be seen on the left.
[Slideshow: Tucson and the country mourns losses in the Gabrielle Giffords shooting]
Rivera first asked about Dupnik's comments from two days ago in which the sheriff stated,
"I think it’s time as a country we need to do a little soul searching because I think that the vitriolic rhetoric that we hear day in and day out from the people in the radio business, and some people in the T.V. business, and what we see on T.V. and how are youngsters are being raised. It may be free speech but it does not come without consequences. Arizona has become the Mecca of prejudice and bigotry."
Rivera then accused Democrats of taking of advantage of those comments, and asked Dupnik whether he regretted "speculating" on the motive. Dupnik responds,
"Not in any way shape or form...It doesn't surprise me that people from the right would be upset that people like myself, and maybe people from the left, and a whole lot of other people in America feel as I do, that the anger that's purposefully generated by people who make a living off of it, serves one particular party better than the others. And it wouldn't surprise me if it continues through at least 2012."
Rivera then states he regrets that he made it so "political." Rivera goes on to ask if Dupnik wants to change anything he said or "alter the record in any way." Dupnik responds,
"Not in any way shape or form. When you have people like Sharon Angle, in Las Vegas, running against Harry Reid, making outrageous statements such as 'We may need to resort to taking the second amendment into certain cases.' And for people like Sarah Palin to say 'We have people like Gabby Giffords in our cross-hairs.' I think those statements are totally irresponsible and they're not without consequences. And we are seeing them here."
Rivera claims that the statements "no role" in a briefing of "what should have been about a crime."
It is important to note that Palin never verbally stated that Gabrielle Giffords was in her "cross-hairs." Still, Sarah Palin political action committee, SarahPAC, has been criticized for releasing a map which had Giffords' district targeted by a set of cross-hairs.
See also:
A dissection of a Fox News smear campaign against Sheriff Dupnik
Comments
I understand the frustration that progressives must be feeling after being trashed in November they want to lash out at anything. We now know this person was a drug abuser, a flag burner, anti constitution and a loner. Doesn't sound TEA party to anyone else except the progressives illogical mind set. We also know that the bullseye target reference played no part in the attack. That these allegorical references, such as the one used by Obama, they bring a knife we bring a gun are mostly used by democrats and the news media. Conservatives could blame Pelosi or Reid except for the fact that the MSM is a one way progressive bull horn. TEA party has much to over come before the structure put in place by progressives is dismantled.
And you continue to insist on being part of the problem rather than part of the solution, huh, klatoo?
Despite your attempt at spin, what's clear is that this nutjob took stuff from both ends of the political spectrum. whether or not he specifically was triggered by the Palin bombasts is irrelevant - the point is that those kinds of over-the-top political posturing create an atmosphere of hatred the fruitcakes, in their delusions, think gives them the justification for their actions.
Wow. You're freaking crazy.
You can not yell "fire" in a crowded theater. Certain "free speech" is not (and cannot be) protected. Palin and Angle's use of gun metaphors in the context of politics is a perfect example of unacceptable "speech", they both need to be held accountable and prosecuted.
Free speech to progressives only covers what progressives say.
Here is some speech approved bt the progressives.
http://michellemalkin.com/2011/01/10/the-progressive-climate-of-hate-an-...
Yes you can.
However, you cannot FALSELY yell fire in a crowded theater.
And then sent to a concentration camp, wkorthof?
Nice work Ryan. Very well written.
Point out anywhere this killer ever talked about Palin or Angle.
Anywhere?
This is a tragedy and is made more tragic by the freaks who have ax to grind.
There is only one person to blame for this tragedy and that is the shooter, a sick and twisted young man who has had this representative in his sights since 2007. I know it is common practice for the left wing (mainstream) media to find some else to blame and that is what we see happening here.
We'll witness collusion on their part to craft an indictment of Palin, Angle, the Tea Party, conservatives and anyone else they can lay blame on, anything to diminish and stop the rising tide of conservatism that threatens their hand picked president and his agenda.
No, there is only one person to blame for this heinous act and that is Jared Loughner and may he receive swift justice and the punishment he so richly deserves.
Ever wonder why Glenn Beck starts each radio show off by saying, "Hello you sick twisted freaks!" ? I wonder if he'll continue that fine tradition today.
No, I don't wonder about just like I don't wonder about Olbermann's 'worst person' or Ed calling people he doesn't like 'bastards'.
No MickNY; poor crazy Jared pulled the trigger and he will be punished for the crime, but he is not the only person who bears culpability for this tragedy.
Every pundit, politician, celebrity, blogger or troll who has made violent statements or used violent images in reference to someone whose opinion differs from their own, bears some responsibility for ratcheting up the viciousness of the political atmosphere in America. The crazies like Jared Loughner are only the most sensitive ones to it -- the first ones to hear the dog whistle.
People of such radically differing opinions as David Sirota and Keith Olbermann have recognized this over the past couple of days and have issued statements retracting and apologizing for any violent imagery they may have used that stoked the inferno. They are ashamed of their part in this. Aren't you? As Mr. Sirota says: "silence is complicity; defensiveness is endorsement."
Don't defend the indefensible.
Palin had as much to do with this as Global warming did.
LOL, Progressives are a pitifully stupid lot.
Don't forget Major Hassan in Fort Hood when he went on his rampage. Because he was a Muslim we were told not to jump to conclusions, that would not be PC and disrespectful to all the millions of Muslims across the world.
Fast forward to today and look at the media efforts to pin this to Palin, conservatives and anyone else they can, what a mockery they make of themselves. Look at how much coverage Ryan has given this, all because it fits the narrative the left needs.
This sheriff certainly tips the scales as idiot of the year.
I'm surprised Dupnik didn't bring up the Arizona Immigration Laws. He blamed everything else. What a bitter and vengeful man he seemed to be on every show that interviewed him
Last October media Matters sent a specific request to sarah Palin to repromand and distance herself from political pundents (specifically Glenn Beck) who's free speech tends to promote violence. Media Matter's basically said that Palin should take a stand and chastise the extremist pundent ebfore their violent talk lead to another Oklahoma City act of domestic terrorism.
Here is the Clip of Palin's response on Glenn Beck's radio show wherein she stands by Glenn Beck, referrs to to the 1st Amendment and they both openly mock meida matters.
Take it however you want to. Just remeber that this is Glenn Beck and Palin's positions before this tragedy ever happened
http://www.theblaze.com/stories/for-standing-with-beck-media-matters-cla...
An excellent observation sky. I hope this is a wake up call for our country but sadly, as you have noted (Oklahoma City), we've been here before. As soon as the painful memories begin to fade, another opportunist in want of power, money and media attention will start spreading inflammatory rhetoric again. I think there are just too many people blinded by hatred and greed.
Why didn't Sheriff Dupnik provide adequate protection for Congresswoman Giffords? 31 shots fired, and not even 1 sheriffs deputy there to respond. He should be fired for not doing his job! It wouldn't surprise me if there were lawsuits against this Sheriff's Department for negligence.
thanks sheriff dupnik! hate talk incites hatefull acts - period!!!
and to all the haters here....how many of you are willing to die because another white male is upset?
Except that neither Palin or Angle used any "hate talk."
silfio:
From the Arizona Secretary of State Voter Information Web site:
Jared Lee Loughner
7741 N Soledad Ave
TUCSON, AZ 85741-1316
Political Affiliation of record: REPUBLICAN
Precinct Information: MTN VISTA UU
3601 W Cromwell Dr
TUCSON, AZ 85741
This was proven to be a photoshop. The murderer was independent and did not vote in 2010 election.
otherwise - give a direct url
It's a "Liberal Conspiracy" they tricked Limbaugh, Beck, and Palin in saying all those hateful things.
Yeah, that's it!
I think it is a tea party conspiracy. They tricked Obama-Messia into emitting all those hateful messages. They also tricked NY Slimes, CNN, MSNBC, ABC and what not into promoting progressive hate partisanship and division between the American people.
I think that this whole incident is a major major sad thing that has happened and it is truly the work of a very sick young man. No one caused another human being to do this horrific crime. Everyone should be looking to God and praying for justice for this young man. For God's sake leave politics out of this. and Charles Dupnik, you are a disgrace. You should be looking into your own heart. I don't think anyone can even come close to why this happened. It is in the evil heart of Jared. He is the one to be judged and not the rest of the world or politicians. Why can't people just grow up. This is life and it has happened before and it seems that some of you think only the Republicans are behind all of this, take a look at the evil one who comes only to kill, steal and destroy, and he has the heart of Jared.
What are pundents, anyway? Palin is a retard.
Robert, there is no such thing as a pundent, check your dictionary. Listen to how many people mispronounce the word pundit.
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