MadHound Donating Member (1000+ posts) Click to send private message to this author Click to view this author's profile Click to add this author to your buddy list Click to add this author to your Ignore list Wed Jan-12-11 09:22 AM
Original message
Where is the evidence?
Almost before the echoes of the gunshots dimmed, the conventional DU wisdom jumped to the conclusion the the shooter, Loughner, was influenced by the RW noise machine.
Why did people jump to this conclusion? Because the main target of his shooting spree was a Democratic Congresswoman? Well, the shooter of a Democratic president was an avowed Communist, so the target proves nothing.
Because Loughner lists Mein Kampf and We the Living as two of his most favorite books? He also lists the Communist Manifest and Brave New World as two of his other favorite books.
Because he wrote anti-government screeds? Being anti-government is not limited to the right, the left has, and does, embrace anti-government rhetoric and views.
The simple fact of the matter is that we simply don't know what Loughner's personal politics are. More importantly, we don't have a clue as to whether those politics, whatever they are, pushed Loughner towards violence.
What we do know is that Loughner was a deeply disturbed individual, one with a history of mental illness problems. Ascribing motivations to Loughner's actions is, at this point in time, an exercise in both futility and stupidity. In the haste to demonize the right, to play gotcha games, we are far too willing to forego the basic facts and wildly speculate without evidence.
Or we could continue to act like those we hate, the rabid RW, who also jump to conclusions that simply aren't there, to wildly speculate with little or no evidence, all to score some mythical, mystical political point.
The choice is up to you.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=439x181096Other than your shots at the right wing you pretty much nailed it. This will make you tons of friends at DU for sure.
el_bryanto Donating Member (1000+ posts) Click to send private message to this author Click to view this author's profile Click to add this author to your buddy list Click to add this author to your Ignore list Wed Jan-12-11 09:27 AM
Response to Original message
1. OK I am in favor of looking at how we behave in response to this
That said, of course we think that some day Conservatives are going to do things like this. We have a couple of decades of Limbuagh describing Liberals as hateful enemies of America. We have Beck spinning out paranoid fantasies where we basically run everything and are heading America towards a course of Apocolyptic destruction. Limbaugh Conservatives see as evil traitors out to destroy America.
They belive that we are evil and they may not believe in their own ability to deal with us peacefully (either because of Becks frameworks or because they simply think that Government just doens't work). So while I do agree that self-examination is very useful after a tragedy like this, I know that the next time a Democratic politician is shot I will react in exactly the same way, i.e. I'll assume it's a crazed Limbaugh conservative.
Bryant
Sounds like profiling to me.
seabeyond Donating Member (1000+ posts) Journal Click to send private message to this author Click to view this author's profile Click to add this author to your buddy list Click to add this author to your Ignore list Wed Jan-12-11 09:29 AM
Response to Original message
3. damn i am so tired of this self righteous bullshit that feeds and enables the rw to continue on
you may like to precieve that there is absolutely no dots to connect in your opinion. but you are wrong. there. that simple
MadHound Donating Member (1000+ posts) Click to send private message to this author Click to view this author's profile Click to add this author to your buddy list Click to add this author to your Ignore list Wed Jan-12-11 09:32 AM
Response to Reply #3
8. What's your evidence? n/t
Valid question just saying I'm right so there hardly qualifies as evidence.
seabeyond Donating Member (1000+ posts) Journal Click to send private message to this author Click to view this author's profile Click to add this author to your buddy list Click to add this author to your Ignore list Wed Jan-12-11 09:35 AM
Response to Reply #8
13. it really doesnt matter at all. not a single bet. you will ignore regardless. you dont see it.
Edited on Wed Jan-12-11 09:36 AM by seabeyond
i do. we differ in opinion here what the nation needs, needs to learn, needs to pull from this experience. we differ in what we need to speak out about. it is really a waste of time to even kinda try to answer your question, it will be dismissed with no respect at all
but i am so sick and tired of people on du regress to the point of dismissing, demeaning, devalueing people because of differing opinion.
you say.... if i dont see as you, THAT makes me = to a rw.
wth is you making a comment like that doing? making you exactly what rw are.
is it really necessary for you to make your point by degrading people you dont agree with?
Who did he degrade on the left anyway?
Asking for proof is smart not, degrading.
MadHound Donating Member (1000+ posts) Click to send private message to this author Click to view this author's profile Click to add this author to your buddy list Click to add this author to your Ignore list Wed Jan-12-11 09:39 AM
Response to Reply #13
19. I'm not demonzing you as a RWer, there is no need to demonize me as a RWer,
I'm simply asking a question, where is your evidence? Show me any sort of definitive proof that Loughner was motivated by RW politics, that's all I'm asking for. Can you do that, or will you continue your ad hominem attacks in lieu of real evidence?
seabeyond Donating Member (1000+ posts) Journal Click to send private message to this author Click to view this author's profile Click to add this author to your buddy list Click to add this author to your Ignore list Wed Jan-12-11 09:43 AM
Response to Reply #19
23. agree with me or continue to act like those we hate RABID rw. tell me, this woman no better than a
Edited on Wed Jan-12-11 09:49 AM by seabeyond
RABIB rwer. read her letter and tell me that you pull from her letter the same garbage that you hear from the RABID rwer.
seabeyond Donating Member (1000+ posts) Journal Click to send private message to this author Click to view this author's profile Click to add this author to your buddy list Click to add this author to your Ignore list Wed Jan-12-11 09:43 AM
Response to Reply #19
23. agree with me or continue to act like those we hate RABID rw. tell me, this woman no better than a
Edited on Wed Jan-12-11 09:49 AM by seabeyond
RABIB rwer. read her letter and tell me that you pull from her letter the same garbage that you hear from the RABID rwer.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=439&topic_id=176458&mesg_id=176458
you are not simply asking a question. you post that if you dont agree with you.... you are as bad as a rabid rwer.
you are not simply asking a question. you post that if you dont agree with you.... you are as bad as a rabid rwer.
So the RW is rabid if we question your statements with no evidence provided by you. Odd definition of rabid.
The link he posted as "evidence" was a letter from Gifford's cousin to Sarah Palin. I am guessing because the cousin holds that silly graphic as the reason why he did this, is proof.
MadHound Donating Member (1000+ posts) Click to send private message to this author Click to view this author's profile Click to add this author to your buddy list Click to add this author to your Ignore list Wed Jan-12-11 09:49 AM
Response to Reply #23
31. You certainly like to put words in my mouth,
Edited on Wed Jan-12-11 09:49 AM by MadHound
And after your last post above, where you are accusing me of being a RWer, it is obviously projection on your part to state that I'm accusing you of being a RWer if you don't agree with me.
All I'm asking for is evidence, where is the evidence. All you're giving me is personal attacks. That says volumes about the evidence you (don't) have, and also a lot about your ability to carry on a rational discussion.
seabeyond Donating Member (1000+ posts) Journal Click to send private message to this author Click to view this author's profile Click to add this author to your buddy list Click to add this author to your Ignore list Wed Jan-12-11 09:52 AM
Response to Reply #31
34. i am not putting words in your mouth. i am using YOUR words.
Edited on Wed Jan-12-11 09:53 AM by seabeyond
YOUR words compare anyone that does not think like you to RABID rwer. there is no question. now, if you want to clarify that comment, fine. but those are YOUR words.
personal attack? you personally attacked every person that does not agree with you. me challenging you on that attack doesnt get to be switched to personal attacks. if it wasnt in your post, i would not have even posted on this thread.
there is evidence from all the garbaged spewed from right.
there is evidence from all the attacks from rw that came from the garbage
there is evidence from every position this shooter held.
you see nothing?
why should i bother.
Well Seabeyond, DU is world famous for calling anyone who disagrees a rabid RW even if they are as liberal as you are but, just disagree on one thing.
MadHound Donating Member (1000+ posts) Click to send private message to this author Click to view this author's profile Click to add this author to your buddy list Click to add this author to your Ignore list Wed Jan-12-11 09:57 AM
Response to Reply #34
37. So that's the burr in your saddle, eh?
You don't like the fact that I called out those who are jumping to conclusions with no evidence as being similar to rabid RWer's in their actions. Well, I didn't include you personally in that comparison, you are including yourself. Thus obviously you must think that you're jumping to conclusions with no evidence.
All I've asked from you personally is evidence. Looking at what Loughner talked about, waking dreams and deeper understandings, I would like to know where you get some sort of coherent RW philosophy of his. Not what other people are saying about it, but what Loughner himself is saying that is rabidly RW. Can you provide that evidence, or simply more personal attacks in lieu of evidence?
What I love is he claims it's us on the right who jump to conclusions etc yet since 5 seconds after DUmmyland heard the news about Congresswoman Giffords they jumped on the blame the tea party wagon. The only information in the story, was she had been shot and so had some other people. For all you knew or even know now to be frank, is some nut shot her. The only evidence out there points to him not fitting in any political ideology exactly. Not one thing has shown that he even knows who Palin is much less read her website. Believe it or not lots of people don't know who Palin is.
el_bryanto Donating Member (1000+ posts) Click to send private message to this author Click to view this author's profile Click to add this author to your buddy list Click to add this author to your Ignore list Wed Jan-12-11 10:17 AM
Response to Reply #37
54. Evidence point number one - Giffords was a Democrat
Evidence point number two - Conservative have spent decades demonizing Democrats, describing us as hateful monsters who hate America.
Bryant
Ok let's play that game.
The left killed Ronald Reagan.
1 Reagan was a Republican
2 Liberals have spent decades demonizing republicans as hateful monsters who hate America.
Now if I really was using that "logic" everyone would say I am nuts.
MadHound Donating Member (1000+ posts) Click to send private message to this author Click to view this author's profile Click to add this author to your buddy list Click to add this author to your Ignore list Wed Jan-12-11 10:22 AM
Response to Reply #54
60. Giffords was also white and female,
Perhaps he disliked whites or females
The point is, we really don't know, and to be continually speculating about motivations, when those speculations aren't based in fact is an exercise in futility.
Or perhaps his dog told him to kill people the simple fact is we don't know.
seabeyond Donating Member (1000+ posts) Journal Click to send private message to this author Click to view this author's profile Click to add this author to your buddy list Click to add this author to your Ignore list Wed Jan-12-11 10:24 AM
Response to Reply #60
64. this has just gotten obnoxiously disgusting. nt
Translation I am losing so peace out.
el_bryanto Donating Member (1000+ posts) Click to send private message to this author Click to view this author's profile Click to add this author to your buddy list Click to add this author to your Ignore list Wed Jan-12-11 10:33 AM
Original message
Obvioulsy nobody is speculating now - we know enough to know that he was crazy
What you are talking about is the initial response, and I am saying that you can lecture us all you want; my gut feeling is that someday after declaring us enemies and traitors for decades, someone will act on those thoughts.
Bryant
And someone may act on your thoughts about us being enemies and traitors.
Both sides view the other side as the enemy and a traitor.
MadHound Donating Member (1000+ posts) Click to send private message to this author Click to view this author's profile Click to add this author to your buddy list Click to add this author to your Ignore list Wed Jan-12-11 10:35 AM
Response to Original message
75. Somebody already has,
The assassin of Dr. Tiller, the man who shot up the Unitarian church.
But as you say, the only concrete evidence we have as far as motivation goes is the fact that this young man was mentally ill. Why can't we deal with that rather than making it some sort of political contest?
For the RW being so rabid why is there only a few examples of violence?
If we were so hell bent on killing I would think bodies would litter the streets.
seabeyond Donating Member (1000+ posts) Journal Click to send private message to this author Click to view this author's profile Click to add this author to your buddy list Click to add this author to your Ignore list Wed Jan-12-11 10:18 AM
Response to Reply #37
55. since i said it in every post, i would think that would be obvious it was the "burr in my saddle".
Edited on Wed Jan-12-11 10:18 AM by seabeyond
and again..... in owning your position, you once again go to degrading.
why do i not bother listing the evidence? you have ignored all i am saying to promote the agenda of your op. you dont address what i say. you look at a way to insult me when i address anything.
you arent interested in evidence. you are interested and consistent in putting down people that dont agree with you. it would do. no. good. to say a word about it.
MadHound Donating Member (1000+ posts) Click to send private message to this author Click to view this author's profile Click to add this author to your buddy list Click to add this author to your Ignore list Wed Jan-12-11 10:24 AM
Response to Reply #55
65. The agenda of my OP is simple,
Fact based, evidence based, reality based thinking.
Apparently you don't want to go there, and somehow the fact that I'm asking for actual evidence disturbs you to the point where you have to insult me.
It is obvious that you have no evidence, just insults, so perhaps it is simply best to discontinue this discussion with you since you seemingly don't want to listen, just insult.
Goodbye :hi:
seabeyond Donating Member (1000+ posts) Journal Click to send private message to this author Click to view this author's profile Click to add this author to your buddy list Click to add this author to your Ignore list Wed Jan-12-11 10:25 AM
Response to Reply #65
66. it is simple. snarky, obnoxious, insultive.... nt
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seabeyond Donating Member (1000+ posts) Journal Click to send private message to this author Click to view this author's profile Click to add this author to your buddy list Click to add this author to your Ignore list Wed Jan-12-11 09:54 AM
Response to Reply #31
35. did you read that womans letter? is she as bad as the RABID rw we hate? nt
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MadHound Donating Member (1000+ posts) Click to send private message to this author Click to view this author's profile Click to add this author to your buddy list Click to add this author to your Ignore list Wed Jan-12-11 10:00 AM
Response to Reply #35
39. Yes, and she is providing no evidence of a connection between Loughner and the right
Nor is she proving that RW views made up Loughner's worldview.
So the letter, while being an excellent call to tone down the rhetoric, does nothing to prove that the RW rhetoric in this country actually effected Loughner's worldview or actions.
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seabeyond Donating Member (1000+ posts) Journal Click to send private message to this author Click to view this author's profile Click to add this author to your buddy list Click to add this author to your Ignore list Wed Jan-12-11 10:20 AM
Response to Reply #39
58. you dont get it. in order to preserve your position, you really are clueless and refused to
acknowledge what people are saying.
done
i have made mypoints i wanted to with your op. but further conversation is a waste of time
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MadHound Donating Member (1000+ posts) Click to send private message to this author Click to view this author's profile Click to add this author to your buddy list Click to add this author to your Ignore list Wed Jan-12-11 10:26 AM
Response to Reply #58
68. And what fact based, evidence based points have you made?
Oh, yeah, none.
Bye :hi:
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seabeyond Donating Member (1000+ posts) Journal Click to send private message to this author Click to view this author's profile Click to add this author to your buddy list Click to add this author to your Ignore list Wed Jan-12-11 10:29 AM
Response to Reply #68
69. you have read it over and over and yet, you ask in all wonder, what evidence. obviously you ignore
what people are saying. what does it matter. why play a game. what does it do for you to do this.....
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MadHound Donating Member (1000+ posts) Click to send private message to this author Click to view this author's profile Click to add this author to your buddy list Click to add this author to your Ignore list Wed Jan-12-11 10:33 AM
Response to Reply #69
73. Yes, I have read your replies, your insults, your links. I still see no concrete evidence
That Loughner was motivated by any sort of politics.
But it is grossly obvious that Loughner was acting out of deep seated mental illness.
You have provided nothing but bluster and blather. Thanks for playing, try again.
I am sure later on all that I reposted will appear as deleted subthread but, it can live on here.