Shooting could tame tough political rhetoric (No Way! I will not give up my constitutional rights)

reuters ^ | 1/9/2011 | By Richard Cowan

[tobyhill]

Protesters parade an altered photo of President Barack Obama sporting an Adolf Hitler-like mustache. A candidate for the Senate muses about gun "remedies" if election results don't go the right way. Members of Congress are spat on and taunted with racial epithets before casting votes for a healthcare reform bill.

Welcome to politics American-style.

For the past few years, some public officeholders and pundits have warned that the political rhetoric has gotten a little too overheated in a country known for its loose gun laws and history of presidential assassinations.

Now, in the aftermath of Saturday's Arizona shooting rampage that left a congresswoman in critical condition from a gunshot to the head, six people dead and 13 others wounded, some are saying it's time to reset the tone of America's political discourse.

[my3centsworth]

“Members of Congress are spat on and taunted with racial epithets before casting votes for a healthcare reform bill.”

I thought no proof was brought forth to substantiate this claim - much to the chagrine of the press...just because they wanted it to be so, doesn’t mean it was.

[Parmy]

From what I have read about our history, today’s political rhetoric is tame compared to that of the past.

[Parmy]

From what I have read about our history, today’s political rhetoric is tame compared to that of the past.

[gusopol3]

Members of Congress are spat on and taunted with racial epithets before casting votes for a healthcare reform bill

Once they have a lie out there, even the video doesn't make them retract.

[BenLurkin]

This is the age of Orwell — once the left has told a lie it will never be untold.

[donna]

Obama re British Petroleum executives: “I have my boot on their throat.”
Obama: “They Bring a Knife…We Bring a Gun”
Obama to His Followers: “Get in Their Faces!”
Obama on ACORN Mobs: “I don’t want to quell anger. I think people are right to be angry! I’m angry!”
Obama to His Mercenary Army: “Hit Back Twice As Hard”
Obama on the private sector: “We talk to these folks… so I know whose ass to kick.“
Obama to voters: Republican victory would mean “hand to hand combat”
Obama to lib supporters: “It’s time to Fight for it.”
Obama to Latino supporters: “Punish your enemies.”
Obama to democrats: “I’m itching for a fight.”

[I still care]

Totally biased.

1) There are many more pictures of Bush out there dressed as Hitler than Obama ones. I know, the local lib has one in his basement. I saw it.

2) There were no racial insults. No one else heard any, there was none in the videos made on site, and when challenged, the response of the left was, “How dare you challenge the truthfulness of this ardent leftist”.

You would think Reuters would be ashamed at some point. But they aren’t, so we need to keep pointing out how they are no longer an honest press, but Pravda West and a true 5th column.

[kcvl]

Screw the FACTS, Richard. More propaganda from
Reuters. Where was he when the left was threatening President Bush and carrying Hitler signs?

I am really sick and tired of the BIAS! Enough already! and they wonder why the political discourse? How about the damn truth for a change (we can believe in)!

[FrankR]

[WinOne4TheGipper]

I’m curious why reuters thinks that biased, inaccurate, and irrelevant reporting would solve the issue of inflamed rhetoric?

[central_va]

Where were all of these hot rhetoric toner downers during the Reagan administration when he was called every name in the book and was about to start WWIII? Every evening news cast(pre-cable) started with a homeless American story. Yeah those were the days.

Hey Cowan KMA, how's that for toned down rhetoric you f-ing hypocrite?

[kcvl]

Richard Cowan

[hal ogen]

richard “avoid the facts” cohen is an embarrassment to “journalism”. Hey, you uninformed moron, no one spat on anyone and no one called any racial epithets at the 9-12 meeting. Haven’t you seen the video proof. I was there, you mutant. Did you ever hear of the 1st amendment?

[Carl LaFong]

Sorry, Big Dick Cowan of Rotters.
This blatant intimidation to stop criticism of the left and their policies is not going to work.
This is a reprise of lefty/media hive’s speech stifling routine number 47-criticizing the statist left, their ideas and policies is branded as hate speech.
This incident has given us even more incentive and a big ‘teaching moment’ to point out the cancer on the Republic which the MSM has become.

[BuckeyeTexan]

The far left has always encouraged violence as political activism.

[screaminsunshine]

This Socialist Media Blitz appears to be connected to the new plan of “No Label”..A silly Liberal farce to try to stop the hemorrhage of support.Since we gave them the Bums Rush in November. But not to worry a lot of brain dead Republicans will fall for it . They always do. Republicans remind me of a combination of Elmer Fudd and Charlie Brown.

[BuckeyeTexan]

The far left has always encouraged violence as political activism.

[kcvl]

[Weird Tolkienish Figure]

Horseshit, you all remember all the the “bush as hitler” posters? As public enemy used to say “don’t believe the hype” this call for civility is total bs.