“In light of the occurrence of Congresswoman Gabby Giffords’ shooting, I tend to now think that our focus should shift off of barking dogs and fireworks, and onto more pressing matters. Am I right?”
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“So, Arizona are you happy with the gun laws? Anyone pay attention to the news - two major shootings within the week. We have become the wild, wild West — really something to be proud of.”
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“Truly a tragedy about Rep. Giffords, but the left will only use this tragic event to blame talk radio and law-abiding gun owners. They are truly shameless.”
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“Talk about irresponsible rhetoric. Hearing Pima County Sheriff Dupnik and others blame SB 1070, the tea party and Arizona gun laws, the reason for the tragic shooting of Congresswoman Giffords was contemptible. This senseless act will “lift the rock” for every other pro-illegal alien amnesty liberal to scurry between all the CNN, MSNBC and PBS news programs vilifying Arizona politics. Congressman Grijalva will probably demand a boycott of Arizona again.”
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“What a state ... I feel like I’m living in Judge Roy Bean’s Republican Wild West! Arizona’s mentality keeps dropping lower by the minute. Isn’t there anything too wrong, too dumb, too ugly or too bad that Arizonans won’t do to make this state even worse than it already is?”
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“Pima county sheriff stands up on national TV and says Arizona is full of racists and that talk radio and TV is to blame, What a disgrace this man is using a tragedy to fuel his agenda.”
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“Every tragedy brings good people to the front lines. In the tragedy of Tucson, I discovered a gentleman: The sheriff of Pima County spoke like a true leader (the truth). It was not macho talk, just the information needed and something many Americans forgot. It was a call for unity, not division. Remove the vitriolic comments from your language and love thy neighbor and respect others’ opinion in a civilized way. I hope the people that do not agree with what I say here answer this with a civilized tone. Thank you sheriff for showing the world that there are still people with class in Arizona.”
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“To Sarah Palin: How is that bulls-eye thingy working for ya now!”
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“Sarah Palin and the tea party are about as much to blame for the Tucson shootings as Barack Obama is for once saying to his left-wing activist base, “If they bring a knife to the fight, we bring a gun.” By the way, the tea party movement won in November. Winners don’t go on shooting sprees.”
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Your chance to sound off: E-mail Vent submissions to vent@evtrib.com
Dale Whiting posted at 10:21 am on Wed, Jan 12, 2011.
First Ventor: Amen, you are right. And that is pretty much the jest of Sheriff Dupkin's remarks. But since one point of view takes offense at his remarks, perhaps subconsciously realizing it appears aimed mostly at them, they object and seek to reflect his perceived scorn of them back to him. He did not point his finger at either "side." He pointed it at both sides.
Second Ventor: Yes, we can, could and should take another look at gun laws. I learned of a provision that would have given the Pima County College an easy way to bring Jared to the attention of healthcare authorities and lead to his being denied the right to own or possess fire arms. So perhaps we need to take advantage of those provisions we alread have and make these provisions more well known.
Thrid ventor: I hope and trust that your prediction will be proven wrong. What is the basis of this prediction, if not your own prejudice against the lefties?
Fourth ventor: I read and listed to numerous statement by represenatives from [not of] both sides. Yet I failed to see any pointing fingers at SB1070 etc. The finger pointing went to both sides whose rhetoric might have influenced Jared, a person whose grip on reality and sense of balance had been lost, and yet perhaps others, to take hasty and inappropriate action. "Me thinks thou [the conservative right] doth protest too much" and in doing so reveals a deep seated sense of blame.
Fifth Ventor: Where we Arizonans might be headed south, let's point out those things which seem to be pushing us down the path and debate, not vilify, making changes. That would be Gabby's way of addressing these matters!
Sixth Ventor: I pointed out that Sheriff Dupnik probably did overstep a line, comparing Arizona to the rest of the nation when he had no real and objective proof that we are the worst, and using a truely unfortunate analogy between Arizona and Mecca, he is in a position to make statements emphasizing that divisive attitudes appear to be doing us harm. Gabby said as much in her last e-mail. Would you throw stones at Gabby for saying what Sheriff Dupnik said the very next day? I think not!
Seventh Ventor: I agree. But for his marginally inappropriate analogy and overstatement, he was doing his job. He is the sort of leader Gabby would be [and likely is] proud to work with.
Eighth Ventor: Isn't it interesting how fast the bull's eyes [images practically everyone recognized as gun scope cross hairs] were replaced and their intent denied. But both sides have been overly indulgent in this sort of thing. Gabby would agree.
Ninth Ventor: That both sides have overly engaged in innappropriate rhetoric is obvious. But I have heard practically no denials from Lefties that innappropriate rhetoric was used by them, too. Sheriff Dupnik's statement was politically neutral. But the protests to the contrary from the Righties would make one think otherwise. Perhaps a guilty conscience doth make thou protest too much. I have not seen any serious fingerpointing. Why have you?
Dale Whiting posted at 9:09 am on Thu, Jan 13, 2011.
P.S.
Let President Obama's Wednesday night address from Tucson be our guide to a more civil, substantive, and united debate on means to achieve that One Nation Under God, Indivisible" goal, and a reality for our succeeding generation. They need our guidance. They depend upon our example.
pnutman posted at 3:50 pm on Thu, Jan 13, 2011.
Did you all see the "booking" PIC of the Terrorist from the :Pueblo."
Looks like Uncle Festus (Jimmy Coggan) of the TV show, The Adams Family. Scary...
I thought the 1st Speaker, think his name was Dr. Gonzalez who indicated his heritage was really ready to "BASH SB1070." I think he got that subliminal message out to the National Audience.
Thought the Camera did a fine job on focusing in on Palin's "Target" when Pres. B.O. talked about "crazy rhetoric" going on. Great timing, and the Major Network Camera was quickly on the Palin Contribution. Bet the Folks at Fox News missed it cause their Camera was not in Bed with the President Administration's TEXT before hand. Kudo's to the Chief.