There's been a lot written about Jared Loughner, and what might have motivated him to go on his horrific killing spree in Tucson. There have been lots of theories and accusations and suppositions, but very little in the way of concrete data. All we have to go on are his incomprehensible videos and 2nd hand anecdotes from aquaintences. I hope this will be my last treatise on this sick and twisted individual.

The most popular meme in the circus of talking heads is that the "angry rhetoric" and violence-suggestive gun-focused talking points from Republican leaders and pundits is to blame. I initially felt that way as well. After all, it hasn't been that long since a church was shot up for being "liberal", and an abortion doctor was killed. It all fits the pattern, right?

I believe it fits a pattern, yes, but not one provoked by violent gun rhetoric. Instead, I think it falls under the umbrella of paranoid delusion, inflamed by a drumbeat of "the government is out to get you" conspiracy theory.
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41 comments (Latest Comment: 01/13/2011 00:28:43 by BobR)

I don't know what to add that hasn't already been said here and elsewhere. This is what I have been so concerned about -- a political assassination. Make no mistake about it, that is just what this is. The murderer said so himself: We can talk about the atmosphere of hatred that has been building Since the 2008 election campaign. At this point, it would be redundant. What bothers me most is the cover the media has given this atmosphere. There is no doubt in my mind that the vile rhetoric was indeed enabled by a media that refused to report on it honestly. It was fanned by pundits who in turn painted it with a special touch of fear infused hate. Hate was enabled because it was a better and more salacious story for viewers. News became twisted and distorted, and people just got angrier and more upset.
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65 comments (Latest Comment: 01/10/2011 23:22:18 by clintster)

I heard the news today, good God. Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords (D-AZ) was shot today, along with numerous other people. Six died, including judge John Roll and a small child. The shooter was apprehended and appears to be a 22 yr old young man.

It's hard to tell what his motivations were, since there is so much contradictory and strange information pouring out from all over, with very little confirmation as to sources. It's too early to discern what his belief system holds, too early to say what his political leanings might be.

What we CAN say is that this was bound to happen. The rhetoric that has been ratcheting up with implied and even overt references to gun violence have become nauseatingly familiar. Consider these:
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8 comments (Latest Comment: 01/10/2011 04:07:46 by velveeta jones)

On July 21, 1969, Neil Armstrong became the first human being to set foot on the moon. I remember watching it on TV as a child with my father, my parents letting me stay up late to watch such a historic event. I was mesmorized.

Except - it didn't really happen. It was all faked, done with sets on a soundstage. We know this is true because someone knows someone that says they worked on the set and were sworn to secrecy, blah blah blah.

Welcome to the world of conspiracy theories.
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77 comments (Latest Comment: 01/07/2011 21:34:50 by Raine)

Today is the first day of the new congressional session, when power changes hands in the House, and the Senate rearranges a few deck chairs. We have a split personality party getting ready to set a good deal of the political agenda in DC. What do we have to look forward to?

Nothing... zilch, nada.
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49 comments (Latest Comment: 01/05/2011 22:06:21 by Raine)