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Hey Sarah
Topic Started: Jan 11 2011, 12:16 PM (763 Views)
kenny
HOLY CARP!!!
Comedian Frank Conniff tweeted: "Hey, Sarah Palin, hows that hatey, killy, reloady, crosshairsy thing working out for ya?"
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Piano*Dad
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Bull-Carp
The Politicized Mind

David Brooks' latest column.


Quote:
 
The Politicized Mind

By DAVID BROOKS

Before he allegedly went off on his shooting rampage in Tucson, Jared Loughner listed some of his favorite books on his YouTube page. These included: “Animal Farm,” “Brave New World,” “Alice in Wonderland,” “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest,” “Through the Looking Glass” and “The Communist Manifesto.” Many of these books share a common theme: individuals trying to control their own thoughts and government or some other force trying to take that control away.

Loughner also made a series of videos. These, too, suggest that he was struggling to control his own mind. Just before his killing spree, Loughner made one called “My Final Thoughts.” In it he writes about different levels of consciousness and dreaming. He tries to build a rigid structure to organize his thinking. He uses the word “currency” as a metaphor for an inner language to make sense of the world.

“You create and distribute your new currency, listener?” the video asks. “You don’t allow the government to control your grammar structure, listener?”

All of this evidence, which is easily accessible on the Internet, points to the possibility that Loughner may be suffering from a mental illness like schizophrenia. The vast majority of schizophrenics are not violent, and those that receive treatment are not violent. But as Dr. E. Fuller Torrey, a research psychiatrist, writes in his book, “The Insanity Offense,” about 1 percent of the seriously mentally ill (or about 40,000 individuals) are violent. They account for about half the rampage murders in the United States.

Other themes from Loughner’s life fit the rampage-killer profile. He saw himself in world historical terms. He appeared to have a poor sense of his own illness (part of a condition known as anosognosia). He had increasingly frequent run-ins with the police. In short, the evidence before us suggests that Loughner was locked in a world far removed from politics as we normally understand it.

Yet the early coverage and commentary of the Tucson massacre suppressed this evidence. The coverage and commentary shifted to an entirely different explanation: Loughner unleashed his rampage because he was incited by the violent rhetoric of the Tea Party, the anti-immigrant movement and Sarah Palin.

Mainstream news organizations linked the attack to an offensive target map issued by Sarah Palin’s political action committee. The Huffington Post erupted, with former Senator Gary Hart flatly stating that the killings were the result of angry political rhetoric. Keith Olbermann demanded a Palin repudiation and the founder of the Daily Kos wrote on Twitter: “Mission Accomplished, Sarah Palin.” Others argued that the killing was fostered by a political climate of hate.

These accusations — that political actors contributed to the murder of 6 people, including a 9-year-old girl — are extremely grave. They were made despite the fact that there was, and is, no evidence that Loughner was part of these movements or a consumer of their literature. They were made despite the fact that the link between political rhetoric and actual violence is extremely murky. They were vicious charges made by people who claimed to be criticizing viciousness.

Yet such is the state of things. We have a news media that is psychologically ill informed but politically inflamed, so it naturally leans toward political explanations. We have a news media with a strong distaste for Sarah Palin and the Tea Party movement, and this seemed like a golden opportunity to tarnish them. We have a segmented news media, so there is nobody in most newsrooms to stand apart from the prevailing assumptions. We have a news media market in which the rewards go to anybody who can stroke the audience’s pleasure buttons.

I have no love for Sarah Palin, and I like to think I’m committed to civil discourse. But the political opportunism occasioned by this tragedy has ranged from the completely irrelevant to the shamelessly irresponsible.

The good news is that there were a few skeptics, even during the height of the mania: Howard Kurtz of The Daily Beast, James Fallows of The Atlantic and Jonathan Chait of The New Republic. The other good news is that the mainstream media usually recovers from its hysterias and tries belatedly to get the story right.

If the evidence continues as it has, the obvious questions are these: How can we more aggressively treat mentally ill people who are becoming increasingly disruptive? How can we prevent them from getting guns? Do we need to make involuntary treatment easier for authorities to invoke?

Torrey’s book describes a nation that has been unable to come up with a humane mental health policy — one that protects the ill from their own demons and society from their rare but deadly outbursts. The other problem is this: contemporary punditry lives in the world of superficial tactics and interests. It is unprepared when an event opens the door to a deeper realm of disorder, cruelty and horror.


Brooks is fairly clearly calling his fellow NYT pundit, Paul Krugman, an @sshat. Having read Krugman's total tripe on this subject, I agree with Brooks.
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John D'Oh
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MAMIL
The accusation that the Palin advertisement contributed to the shooting is wrong, and reprehensible.

On the other hand, her claim that the crosses are a 'surveyor's symbol' is what we would call in the pre-nuance era, a big fat stinking lie.
What do you mean "we", have you got a mouse in your pocket?
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George K
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Finally
Good editorial. After the calls for reason and information in the Fort Hood shooting (in which an eyewitness saw the alleged murderer yell "Allahu Akhbar!"), the rush to political condemnation in this case has been nothing short of astounding.

If it weren't for hypocrisy...
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"Now look here, you Baltic gas passer... "
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Nothing is as effective as homeopathy.

I'd rather listen to an hour of Abba than an hour of The Beatles.
- Klaus, 4/29/18
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George K
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Finally
John D'Oh
Jan 11 2011, 12:27 PM
On the other hand, her claim that the crosses are a 'surveyor's symbol' is what we would call in the pre-nuance era, a big fat stinking lie.
Would you like to comment on the dart boards? :lol2:
A guide to GKSR: Click

"Now look here, you Baltic gas passer... "
- Mik, 6/14/08


Nothing is as effective as homeopathy.

I'd rather listen to an hour of Abba than an hour of The Beatles.
- Klaus, 4/29/18
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Copper
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John D'Oh
Jan 11 2011, 12:27 PM
The accusation that the Palin advertisement contributed to the shooting is wrong, and reprehensible.

On the other hand, her claim that the crosses are a 'surveyor's symbol' is what we would call in the pre-nuance era, a big fat stinking lie.

Her claim?
The Confederate soldier was peculiar in that he was ever ready to fight, but never ready to submit to the routine duty and discipline of the camp or the march. The soldiers were determined to be soldiers after their own notions, and do their duty, for the love of it, as they thought best. Carlton McCarthy
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KlavierBauer
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HOLY CARP!!!
Any reference to targets or guns is clearly to incite violence, like Obama vowing to "bring a gun to (the) knife fight."
What I really like is how political this has become - it's the most sickening piece of this - either side using it as a platform for ANY sort of political message.

Hundreds of innocent people on this planet will be murdered today by bullet, machete, and worse - and nobody will care, because it won't support their agenda of control.
"I realize you want him to touch you all over and give you babies, but his handling of the PR side really did screw the pooch." - Ivory Thumper
"He said sleepily: "Don't worry mom, my dick is like hot logs in the morning." - Apple

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brenda
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..............
Good editorial, PD. Thanks for posting this.
“Weeds are flowers, too, once you get to know them.”
~A.A. Milne
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Axtremus
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HOLY CARP!!!
Piano*Dad
Jan 11 2011, 12:22 PM
The Politicized Mind

David Brooks' latest column.
Oh, if you loved that, you would surely love this:

A letter from William Rivers Pitt.

:D
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George K
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Finally
Axtremus
Jan 11 2011, 12:46 PM
Piano*Dad
Jan 11 2011, 12:22 PM
The Politicized Mind

David Brooks' latest column.
Oh, if you loved that, you would surely love this:

A letter from William Rivers Pitt.

:D
Of course, he omits the fact that the Communist Manifesto was on the list of his favorite books.

He omits the fact that this guy had a history of making death threats WHICH THE SHERIFF IGNORED.

He has an agenda to push, and doesn't want several murders and an attempted assassination to go to waste.

At least he got WMD into the mix. Good job, Mr. Pitt, good job.

But you forgot Katrina.

He also forgot the targets dart boards. Shame on him.
A guide to GKSR: Click

"Now look here, you Baltic gas passer... "
- Mik, 6/14/08


Nothing is as effective as homeopathy.

I'd rather listen to an hour of Abba than an hour of The Beatles.
- Klaus, 4/29/18
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John D'Oh
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MAMIL
KlavierBauer
Jan 11 2011, 12:42 PM
it's the most sickening piece of this - either side using it as a platform for ANY sort of political message.
I agree. The cynicism, right across the political spectrum, is unbelievable, even for someone as jaundiced with politics as I am.
What do you mean "we", have you got a mouse in your pocket?
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Kincaid
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HOLY CARP!!!
Apparently Mr. Pitt disdains the call to pull back the political vitriol in the wake of the Arizona shooting. What a distasteful individual.
Kincaid - disgusted Republican Partisan since 2006.
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KlavierBauer
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HOLY CARP!!!
Yes, because this had everything to do with vitriolic politics - just like Klebold and Harris were fine young men until they were exposed to vitriolic heavy metal music.
"I realize you want him to touch you all over and give you babies, but his handling of the PR side really did screw the pooch." - Ivory Thumper
"He said sleepily: "Don't worry mom, my dick is like hot logs in the morning." - Apple

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Luke's Dad
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Emperor Pengin
Posted Image

So now we know who's responsible for Ft. Hood.


Posted Image

Posted Image

Posted Image
The problem with having an open mind is that people keep trying to put things in it.
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Copper
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KlavierBauer
Jan 11 2011, 12:42 PM

Any reference to targets or guns is clearly to incite violence, like Obama vowing to "bring a gun to (the) knife fight."

There are all sorts of non-violent activities with targets.
The Confederate soldier was peculiar in that he was ever ready to fight, but never ready to submit to the routine duty and discipline of the camp or the march. The soldiers were determined to be soldiers after their own notions, and do their duty, for the love of it, as they thought best. Carlton McCarthy
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KlavierBauer
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HOLY CARP!!!
I'm being sarcastic - this issue has precisely zero to do with politics, outside of the politicians and talking heads *making* it about politics.
"I realize you want him to touch you all over and give you babies, but his handling of the PR side really did screw the pooch." - Ivory Thumper
"He said sleepily: "Don't worry mom, my dick is like hot logs in the morning." - Apple

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apple
one of the angels
..just untimely. Sarah of course is not to blame.. berated? perhaps.
it behooves me to behold
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KlavierBauer
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HOLY CARP!!!
Berated for what? Or do you think this issue has something to do with politics, and therefore mild berating is indicated?
"I realize you want him to touch you all over and give you babies, but his handling of the PR side really did screw the pooch." - Ivory Thumper
"He said sleepily: "Don't worry mom, my dick is like hot logs in the morning." - Apple

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apple
one of the angels
i don't like that type of aggressive rhetoric... it's way out there in hate land.

If I were Sarah's mother, I'd certainly tell her to tone it down, and I wouldn't wait for an opportunity to present itself. I'd have been calling her the minute I saw that map.

and yes, the incidence is a political issue because Gabrielle suffered the onslaught of teaparty aggression and commented on it herself... saying she felt threatened. She also commented on Sarah's map. She said it first and she was the one shot. It's not like the media is bringing it up to be mean.

I guess you consider Gabrielle's comments inappropriate because she wasn't shot by Palin?


Edited by apple, Jan 11 2011, 02:29 PM.
it behooves me to behold
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KlavierBauer
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HOLY CARP!!!
I must just be an idiot, because I still don't see what's wrong with the map that has bullseyes...

I play violent video games, own firearms, and have so far been able to not shoot people though, so something may be horribly wrong with me.

I'm being totally serious though - I don't understand what is "hateful" about the map with bullseyes indicating political targets to be voted out?!

The shooting is a tragedy, perpetrated by a madman, who was a danger to self and others (clearly), and could have just as easily shot up a 4H fair for unethical treatment of animals. Correlation != Causation, and the fact that he had channeled his own mental illness into political ideology, does not suggest that political ideology is the source of his dementia, and ultimately, action.
So, I politely disagree - the issue is not political. And to repeat myself, politics are no more to blame, than heavy metal was to blame for Columbine.
"I realize you want him to touch you all over and give you babies, but his handling of the PR side really did screw the pooch." - Ivory Thumper
"He said sleepily: "Don't worry mom, my dick is like hot logs in the morning." - Apple

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apple
one of the angels
sigh..

lots of people feel the way i do. pundits and politicians are calling for both parties to tone down the aggressive rhetoric. Kids who play video games are desensitized to that type of thing. If you don't want to think it is a political issue that is fine with me. I have no problem with your viewpoint.
it behooves me to behold
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KlavierBauer
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HOLY CARP!!!
I understand that your view is widely held.

I just don't see bullseyes as "agressive rhetoric" - perhaps I'm totally oblivious.
"I realize you want him to touch you all over and give you babies, but his handling of the PR side really did screw the pooch." - Ivory Thumper
"He said sleepily: "Don't worry mom, my dick is like hot logs in the morning." - Apple

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Aqua Letifer
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ZOOOOOM!
KlavierBauer
Jan 11 2011, 03:55 PM
I understand that your view is widely held.

I just don't see bullseyes as "agressive rhetoric" - perhaps I'm totally oblivious.
Or perhaps you have thicker skin.

Aggressive rhetoric? Come on.
I cite irreconcilable differences.
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kenny
HOLY CARP!!!
KlavierBauer
Jan 11 2011, 03:07 PM
I must just be an idiot, because I still don't see what's wrong with the map that has bullseyes...

I play violent video games, own firearms, and have so far been able to not shoot people though, so something may be horribly wrong with me.

I'm being totally serious though - I don't understand what is "hateful" about the map with bullseyes indicating political targets to be voted out?!
You are a good guy.

People vary.
People without guns vary.
People with them vary.
Some with guns are idiots whom may be influenced in a dangerous way by the map with gun site bullseye over location of "targets".

The map was a bad idea.
If it was okay Sarah would not have removed it from her website after the shooting.
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KlavierBauer
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HOLY CARP!!!
Kenny
 
If it was okay Sarah would not have removed it from her website after the shooting.

Removing it from her website is hardly an objective indicator of whether or not the sign is objectively "ok."
When your chosen career is a popularity contest (literally), you have little choice but to at least be aware of people's thoughts and ideas if you want to be successful.

If seeing bullseyes is a call to action for every schizophrenic on the planet, it's a marvel that more shootings don't happen at TARGET!
"I realize you want him to touch you all over and give you babies, but his handling of the PR side really did screw the pooch." - Ivory Thumper
"He said sleepily: "Don't worry mom, my dick is like hot logs in the morning." - Apple

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