The Aftermath.

The extreme political rhetoric of the last 2 years comes in large part from the "right" side of the political spectrum. There is serious consequences to be had when it comes to political discourse in this country following the shooting in Arizona.

I see why conservatives are in large part pushing the "he is crazy/insane" defense. As I see their argument, if the shooter is crazy/insane, no one is responsible for his actions. Except the shooter. Well if the shooter is crazy/insane, then by the very definition of the word means that the shooter is not responsible for his actions and was influenced to act by an outside force.

If I were a conservative, I would hope like hell that this kid is sane, because with a sane individual it is easier to ascribe personal responsibility too their motives and actions. If he is insane, it looks like this shooter's motivations can be attributed to whomever he listened to, or followed.

It is being reported that the shooter has an affiliation to a group known as the American Renaissance.

As it pertains to Palin, and the other merchants of right wing misinformation and extreme political vitriol, I can only hope that this is a moment of reflection and a chance to change the tone and tenor of politics. But I fear that this just a chance for them to "reload" and take aim at the "bulls-eye" on their political enemies.

Propaganda at it's finest.

I have been getting SPAM email from two websites that are fronts for getting out the propaganda of World Net Daily. One of them is Vision to America. It is birther central there. It is all birther, all the time! The second is The Patriot Update. It is another birthers unite site!


Since I started posting to these sites I have learned:

Conservatives/Republicans are by in large John Kerry flip floppers. They are fond of posting that Obama should adhere to poll results. Of course, back in 2006 and 2008 when the electorate gave majorities to the Democratic Party in the house and senate, these folks weren't crying that Bush should adhere to the will of the electorate. Quite the opposite in fact. That makes them flip flopper. Whether they realize it or not.

These same folks would brag about how Bush is a real leader, who doesn't lead according to poll results. Of course to validate their point they would follow it up with a reference to Clinton leading according to poll results. And now, these same individuals are demanding that Obama do what they never asked of Bush, and what they criticized Clinton for doing. Clearly there is a whole lot of flip flopping going on.

Now, regarding the birthers and their beliefs; if they are going to call for the impeachment of a sitting president, they should understand how the process works. If they want Obama to be tried for treason, they really can't believe that he is Kenyan born. Of course, it is most likely that they are oblivious as to who can and cannot be tried for treason. They are also under the delusion that just because you impeach a president, or find one guilty of treason, it magically undoes the actions taken by the congress and the president.

One other thing I have learned from the posters in these forums is that many(most) of them are completely unaware of the legislative process involved in repealing health insurance reform. They seem to believe that if the House of Representatives repeals Obama's health insurance reform, it's repealed. No other actions are required.

It is sad that these people who like to think of themselves as strict constructionists are so uninformed when it comes to the US Constitution, and the legislative process.

Oh the irony of it all.