The OpEd: Should the right rethink their words?

 
Posted on Tuesday, January 11, 2011

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Give me your thoughts...
Comments:
	The Right Wing Smear Machine will never take any responsibility for their words or actions. They seem to be getting very defensive though. Notice how they are playing defense & pointing the finger? In my opinion the main reason they are playing defense is because they are scared of the possibility of civil lawsuits or they just won't make money with their rhetoric the way they used to because there are other copy-cat nut jobs out there & maybe losing a few sponsors is part of their fear if some other tragedy happens. I am sure the "what if" for Sarah Palin is not only is her image getting tarnished, she is afraid of a civil suit in the future. The tragedy is a wake up call; there are other unstable people out there who are running around without any treatment & some copy-cat psycho is always a possibility. The Right Wing Rhetoric needs to stop! Words & actions come with a responsibility, especially those in the public eye.  Posted by M, Fargo
	The facts are the facts. The bottom line is that for the past year, Ms. Gifford and others have spoke out and asked political leaders on the right to help stop the rhetoric and they refused - that's a fact. Maybe, if Limbaugh and Beck would have spoke out a year ago (the way they are now) this would not have happen, or it least we would not be talking about it as a hot topic issue.  I don't blame Sarah Palin for the shooting, but I do hold her responsible for majority of the tone of this country.  I feel that all Americans share the blame for this sickness in America. But until we can say it, and tone down the way we speak to each other --- I fear the worse. My heart goes out to al the victims, but to think of the little girl who was born on September 11, and died before her 10th birthday --- makes me cry. We have to give repect to her and the others. God Bless America  Posted by Cordova, Tennessee
	M, Fargo Who is going to sue The Right Wing Smear Machine and for what? Laughing with you not at you!!!  Posted by Jerry
	Rush Limbaugh's lobotomy went seriously wrong. After a tragedy like this you would think the right-wing would accept their obligation to stop lying. I hoped Fox Network would, but after today I know they are not. In fact they are twice as bad.  Posted by linda, virginia
	Of course they should. Ms. Palin's map was NOT the cause of the actions of an individual that is clearly unstable. That said, was the map and her repeated references to don't retreat, reload ill-advised, misguided, rash, reckless, imprudent, foolhardy, injudicious, and/or foolish? Absolutely! As if that is not enough, look what some marketing nit-wit came up with (and Glenn Beck is already hawking): http://firedoglake.com/2011/01/11/build-your-own-joe-wilson-commemorative-you-lie-assault-rifle/#  Posted by D - Atlanta, GA
	If the Right didn't think their hate speech contributed to the actions of Loughner, they wouldn't have gotten their panties in a twist over Sheriff Dupnik's comments about "vitriolic rhetoric" in radio and some TV shows - he didn't say Right Wing media - they just assumed he meant them. If the Right didn't think their hate speech and incitement to violence didn't affect people's actions, the bullseye map wouldn't have been scrubbed from Palin's web site and one of her staffers wouldn't be scrubbing negative Facebook posts within minutes of their posting. If what people say doesn't affect other people, there wolud be no advertisements or reasons to campaign. So, they KNOW that their words have consequences and I think they should own up to it, clam up, and do their jobs properly if they are politicians and get off the airwaves if they are media. Of course it won't happen, though, since as our friend says "They're still Republicans."  Posted by Ann, St. Paul, MN
	A little food for thought for all concerned, with the resent shooting and past numerous proud proclamations of hate speech against Democratic Party members by even Congressional members of congress I have one point to bring out.  Beware the course you take from now on for there are consequences for your actions. Our military has sworn to protect the Constitution You have forgotten their sworn oath that in part states, ""I, _____, do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; " By continuing your course of action in sighting and calling for armed Revolution you are by your choices and actions choosing to be classified as DOMESTIC ENEMIES of the CONSTITUTION. Members of the United States Military, please do your duty and be very watchful of these domestic enemies of this great country.  Posted by Raymond Smith, Vancouver, WA
	On Monday's show, Schultz claimed that "I do not condone violence". This is a flat-out, bald-faced lie, and I will use Schultz's own words to prove it. On Wednesday, Feb. 24 of last year, Schultz said these words over the air: "You're damn right, Dick Cheney's heart's a political football. We ought to rip it out and kick it around and stuff it back in him." So, Schultz expresses a desire to rip out the heart of the former Vice-President over the airwaves. (An aside point - did the Secret Service ever launch an investigation into this blatant threat?) And liberals don't engage in violent rhetoric, huh?  Posted by robert citizen U.S.A.
	Thank you Raymond....That is exactly what the military should do. We should visit every recruiting office in our state and ask why they are not doing this.  Posted by linda ,virginia
	I actually think Ed should rethink his words. He is a loose cannon that comes unglued at the drop of a hat and spews hatred. Remember that Ed said we should rip Cheney's heart out of his chest, kick it around and shove it back in. Sounds pretty compassionate to me. Ed is a joke who has very little education and even less skill. Those who listen to his rants about outsourcing seem to not mind him opening a business in a foreign land. Ed I hope you save your money or your construction business is profitable because your SNL skits on the radio and tv won't last long.  Posted by Clint, Colorado
	Clint, I believe Cheney's heart was out of his chest when Ed said that. Some mechanized device was causing his heart to beat. I believe he needs a heart transplant. Still Ed should not of said that. It's a good thing Cheney does not live in Az.  Posted by linda, virginia
	Ok, here is where there is a philosopical disconnect. Just like the word "live" has two separate pronunciations, and two entirely different definitions for each - the word "RIGHT" has two descriptions. Right - meaning leaning in the direction of conservative values. More dogmatic and autocratic in nature with rule by the wealthy elite. Right - meaning one half of the concept of RIGHT AND WRONG. Weird thing is, the new extreme right embraces both. And with the veiled threats of violence through their network of our new "Lord Haw-Haws" like Beck, Limbaugh, Steele, and Hannity... along with broadcast ownership not allowing access of alternate programming to the prime media outlets, the message become even more slanted.  If all you hear on the radio is the word salad of these pathological rant masters, there are many that accept their findings as truth. As we are finding in time, their philosopical concept is an Emperor with not a stitch of clothing. These propagandists have lit the fuse, and poured the coal to the crazy train. When the damage occurs, they hide like bad little children, with plenty of excuses when they are finally called upon to explain their behavior. Nobody is right all of the time. There must be a sense of reason. Walking around armed reflects a genuine lack of trust in your fellow citizen.  Without trust there is no relationship. Trust is the core value in all relationships.  Trust, truth, love, consideration, and caring for our fellow citizen in some Right wing circles is called a 'socialist' concept.  I call it character and consience.  We have gotten so far away from these principles. We need to get back there again no matter on which side of the spectrum you are coming from.  Posted by Ricky Schultz, Bristol VA
	I'm tired of all the hate coming from the right. It's been going on for years & needs to stop. I'm so sick of it that I want to move to Canada & not even deal with Republicans anymore. I'm tired of waiting for them to get a conscience & apologize for their horrible behavior. I just don't think they can change anymore. I've pretty much given up on them. I think they enjoy being horrible, I really do.  Posted by Tammy Smith, San Diego, CA.
	Like Ed said, let them get mad and complain, they're wrong on the issues, we got the truth on our side, just keep fighting back these rightwing bullies, better times will lie ahead and we will win and protect our democratic great society!  Posted by Stalone Malone, Joplin MO.
	Yep, they all do it! Threats, bad mouthing insults; the right/left love to do it. But to suggest the whole nation is pissed off because of what some radio hack says really is stupid! People are pissed at this country NOT LISTENING to what they want GOVERNMENT to do! GET OUT OF WARS! Stop Immigration Invasion Stop Wall st. Bankster criminals! Protect American jobs CAN YOU HEAR US NOW? You can say all day long/years long that being a sodomite is good; I will not become one because some nutbag says so! For the life of me I can not understand why local police are not at Congressmen/women gatherings??? Maybe the congress people fear it looking like a POLICE STATE Dennis Kucinich and Ron Paul find a lot of common ground we should help them pull it off. I fear the New World Order much more than a screwball with a piece!  Posted by merkin muffly Destin
	HATE TO SAY I TOLD YOU SO,BUT.........................I HAVE BEEN PREACHIN, THE SAME THING ABOUT FOX FOR LIKE .................EVER!  Posted by Stephen R. Northeast Tennessee