When I saw the tragic news Gabrielle Gifford had been shot in the head while meeting with consituents, I felt sick. It's so much more than a shooting rampage when free speech is attacked so ferociously. And it gets even worse. At least one fellow representative is adding to the carnage because he blames those who politically disagree with the victim. Yes, according to Rep. Raul Grijalva (D-Ariz.), Tea Partiers, incited by Sarah Palin, are ultimately responsible for the shooting.
"If you're an opponent, you're a deadly enemy," Grijalva said of the mindset among Arizona extremists. "Anybody who contributed to feeding this monster had better step back and realize they're threatening our form of government." -Huffington Post
In other words, if you have an opinion that differs from Grijalva's, you'd better keep quiet. Is this guy married? Wow. If I were his wife, I'd be in jail for "assault and battery" because I said I didn't like the steak and he did. The last time I checked, our form of government allows for free speech, Mr. Grijalva. It's not "hate" just because I disagree with another person and try to convince others of my opinion.
This representative also targets Palin. I'm not surprised, though. As soon as I saw what happened, I thought, "O.K. Someone in politics who disagrees with Gifford is going to be blamed." That's what is happening to our country. And I'm terrified, not of crazy shooters, but of this "differing opinion = hate talk" philosophy.
According to Grijalva, Palin is creating a "toxic climate" and needs to "keep quiet."
"Grijalva said that Tea Party leader Sarah Palin should reflect on the rhetoric that she has employed. 'She -- as I mentioned, people contributing to this toxic climate -- Ms. Palin needs to look at her own behavior, and if she wants to help the public discourse, the best thing she could do is to keep quiet.'" - Huffington Post
The laughable irony is that discourse is impossible with only one person doing all the talking. Mr. Grijalva, is that what discourse looks like when you talk to people?
Running outside, hopping on my trusty tricycle, looking for a new adventure.
