When you hear anything on the news about the head of a political party in another country being gunned down, the account correctly refers to it as an assassination.
Why should we not call it what it is when the same happens in America?
Earlier, a gunman barged into the Arkansas Democratic Party headquarters, demanded to see the party chairman, and promptly shot him. The victim of the shooting, Bill Gwatney, a former state lawmaker, later died.
The attacker led police on a 30-mile chase before being killed in a shootout with them.
Unfortunately, terrorism like this has become par for the course among the right wing lately. This follows closely the gunman in the Tennessee church massacre shooting his victims because of politics. But it's also not a surprise, because right-wing talk radio is full of exhortations for listeners to do exactly what these shooters did.
(Source: http://www.katv.com/news/stories/0808/543890.html)
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Arkansas Democratic leader assassinated
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ReplyDeleteHow much right-wing radio do you listen to, Tim? I sometimes listen to Bill Cunningham, Neil Bortz and Michael Savage and none of those guys advocate violence. Nor did the late Tony Snow when his show was on the air before he went to work at the White House. I don't listen to Limbaugh, Laura Ingram or Sean Hannity, but I doubt they advocate violence. So, what radio shows are you talking about?
ReplyDeleteI suspect mental illness in the case of the Arkansas assassin and the Tennessee gunman.
Some studies have found links between extreme conservatism and mental illness. So, yes, it's likely that Timothy Dale Johnson was batshit insane, and there's also a good chance (better than 50/50 for sure) that he was a right-winger. The bizarre behavior at the Baptist headquarters seems to confirm both hunches.
ReplyDeleteBill Gwatney was a close ally of Mike Beebe, and worked tirelessly to help get him elected. For this I am grateful. Arkansas ended up both getting a very good governor in Mike Beebe and also averting the disaster that an Asa Hutchinson administration would have undoubtedly been.
Gwatney was a Hillary supporter, but as soon as Obama clinched the nomination he remained loyal to the party by endorsing Barack and immediately started working to help get Obama elected. My thoughts go out to the Gwatney family and to the Johnson family as well.
Sheffbd, the Arkansas shooter truly is an assassin. The fact you called him an assassin is proof that you know the shooting was politically motivated...for that is what an assassination is. An assassination is a politically motivated killing.
ReplyDeleteAnd I have heard Michael Spewage and Sean H. advocate violence.
Actually, assassination means the murder of a public figure. Doesn't necessarily have to be for political reasons.
ReplyDeleteHa! Savage is definitely entertaining and is probably a genius. But then again, so was Adolf Hitler. Savage is the only one on talk radio worth listening to. All the other pukes spew the same ole spin, day in-day out. BORING!
ReplyDeleteBut Savage has got game! A real entertainer.
Violence: well I listen to Savage about 3 nights a week and between Islamo-fascist tirades and his disdain for mexicans, I would say that he purports violence directly. I have listened to him since he started. After all of his spectacular insight and photographic memories, he is, in the end, a hypocrite. His last name is actually Weiner (which I like better because it's funny) and his parents were Immigrant Russian Jews. He has flopped on most subjects on air and acts as if he never held the opposing position. If I ever see him in a live debate (not on his monologuous talk-show) I believe he eventually would become very different than we hear on a.m. radio and would probably lose. And if he can't win a real debate, I doubt any other talk-snow host could make it past the first round. They lie. They are too smart to believe what they profess. It's that simple.
I'm sorry, if anyone takes right-wing talk radio seriously, I would advise them to take a few philosophy and logic courses at the local college. These guys are entertainers and spin doctors. They mix truth with lies and offer it up a special way to the public. This is usually followed by reinforcement of the ideas through repitition throughout the program. Their job is to spin, It's very simple and very effective.