The Arizona sheriff investigating the Tucson shooting that left U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffordscritically wounded had harsh words today for those engaging in political rhetoric, calling conservative radio host Rush Limbaugh "irresponsible" for continuing the vitriol.
"The kind of rhetoric that flows from people like Rush Limbaugh, in my judgment he is irresponsible, uses partial information, sometimes wrong information," Pima County Sheriff Clarence Dupnik said today. "[Limbaugh] attacks people, angers them against government, angers them against elected officials and that kind of behavior in my opinion is not without consequences."
Limbaugh today railed against the media and Dupnik for trying to draw a link between the heated political climate and the shooting rampage, calling the sheriff a "fool." But Dupnik stood by his assertions.
"The vitriol affects the [unstable] personality that we are talking about," he said. "You can say, 'Oh no, it doesn't,' but my opinion is that it does."
I don't think Limbaugh is to blame for the shootings any more than I think Palin is, but both their actions, words and images are incredibly divisive. When you are thinking to yourself "I really hate those politicians," you might think about taking action even though you don't, but when you hear hateful words from Rush and Palin telling you that the liberals are the enemy and "reload," it could - COULD - spur someone to action.
Nmysys wrote: And you remember those three words so well. Hmmm!! Methinks your nose is growing by the moment.
I do remember those words. They stuck with me, because I thought "Rush spews crap and lies all the time. Why would he choose to say that words have meaning when his words...." You get the meaning.