01-09-2011, 04:07 AM
davester wrote:
Perhaps this was not the particular item that incited the gunman, but I don't think that gives Sarah Palin a pass in any way at all. Given the fact that there are wackos out there who will follow people who incite or suggest violence, Palin's poster was asinine and irresponsible. We don't know yet, but it very well could have been the straw that broke the camel's back and sent this wacko out with a gun.
Note that Giffords' political opponent Jesse Kelly (endorsed by Palin) used this incredibly incendiary and irresponsible ad to rile up the folks in Giffords' district. Frankly, I'd be surprised if the gunman didn't cue in to either Palin's or Kelly's messages given the level of coincidence.
So should Kelly be held responsible? Tried?
I think it's crystal-clear that the shooter acted upon these ads as if it was a directive; what do we do with that information?
The guy is at the age where it's still likely to have your first schizophrenic break. Which may explain why he was (still) functional enough to create and manage those Youtube videos.