AZ sheriff blames political rhetoric

Just saw an interesting interview with one of the guys who helped hold down the shooter. He is a concealed carry permit holder who was packing heat that day. He was inside shopping at the grocery store when the incident took place and when he heard gunfire, he came running to the scene. Says he turned the safety off his firearm when he got outside. He never had to shoot the shooter, and is thankful of that, but having the firearm gave him the confidence to jump on the guy and help hold him down. He says he was ready to use his weapon if he needed to, but fortunately, he didn't have to do that.

YouTube - Tucson Shooting Hero Joe Zamudio Sets Ed Schultz Right On Owning A Pistol

What's your point?:idontno:

What's your point?:idontno:

Well, at least it took 3 pages before we heard "the only way to keep us safe from gun violence is to have more people carry guns". :roll:

Although it's not apples to apples, he is the president. I expect a little more from him.

I think gun analogies should be abandoned across the board.

No doubt she loves the spotlight but this is going too far.

I agree that was over the top, at least the part about pandering. I think that her gun sight web page appeals to those with more physically agressive tendencies. When high level politicians make such references to violence it gives validation to violence as a solution. It helps create a climate in which violence is acceptable. I can't assume the shooter was caught up in this climate, but I also can't fault the sheriff for suggesting this a a possibility.

That is actually perfect! give the guy a prison sentence for life, a small mirrored room and lots of quite time, and maybe a straight jacket. I like it.

SJ, don't know how you are connecting the dots today...I was not suggesting this as a prescription for anyone in particular, just all of us in general. But, I guess if it works for you...:idontno:;-)

It seems to me that the young man needed help and it's just too bad that our system of mental health services doesn't work better than it does. According to a report I heard this morning, the National Alliance of Mental Illnesss did a study recently about services, and Arizona was next to the last in the country in providing services to mentally ill persons. (www.nami.org.)

That is actually perfect! give the guy a prison sentence for life, a small mirrored room and lots of quite time, and maybe a straight jacket. I like it.

I think that's exactly what he's going to get. I'm a little put off at the suggestion by some he should get the death penalty, since I don't see this as being his fault in the sense that imho he didn't rationally make the decision to kill people.

I think gun analogies should be abandoned across the board.



I agree that was over the top, at least the part about pandering. I think that her gun sight web page appeals to those with more physically agressive tendencies. When high level politicians make such references to violence it gives validation to violence as a solution. It helps create a climate in which violence is acceptable. I can't assume the shooter was caught up in this climate, but I also can't fault the sheriff for suggesting this a a possibility.

I think the words and tone you used were exactly like those used by the people you are trying to condemn so you are part of the problem and calling the kettle black.

I don't know much about her but I'm guessing she's not the debil and probably a lot more complex than you try to paint her. Or at least the people pulling her career strings are.

I think gun analogies should be abandoned across the board.



I agree that was over the top, at least the part about pandering. I think that her gun sight web page appeals to those with more physically agressive tendencies. When high level politicians make such references to violence it gives validation to violence as a solution. It helps create a climate in which violence is acceptable. I can't assume the shooter was caught up in this climate, but I also can't fault the sheriff for suggesting this a a possibility.

I agree (with the bold part.)I certainly am not going to fault the sheriff for his opinion. I happen to believe from my viewing of the interview that he was talking about a lot more than just Sarah Palin, and in fact, may not have meant Palin at all. That was interjected by others. From all I have read and heard from friends who live there, Arizona has its own homegrown versions of "over the top" talk radio shock jocks...and he may well have been referring to them for the most part. Although I am aware that he was putting that in the context of the entire country.

But, whomever he was referring to...he is the one who is putting his and his officiers' lives on the line out there, so I am willing to let him have his opinion and do his job the way he sees fit...

The Tucson Shooter And The Case For Involuntary Commitment | The New Republic

Interesting read. Is it time to give government more control over our lives, to the point of allowing it to incarcerate someone who has not committed a crime, but is deemed potentially capable of doing so in the future?

Interesting that he puts all the blame on 1970s civil libertarians but doesn't mention except in passing the near-total gutting of public mental health services by both sides of the aisle during that time frame. Additionally, private health insurers providing adequate in-patient care have pretty much vanished in recent years- far cheaper to give a handful of out-patient therapy sessions every year and expect medication to keep the patient semi-functional even if their condition really calls for in-patient treatment.

I know that the people who run in-patient mental health services for the uninsured in Okaloosa could easily fill beds for 4-5 times where they are now- the need is there, the money isn't, and they're stuck trying to triage the worst of the worst when they do have a rare open bed.

Jon Stewart says it perfectly IMO

mediaite

interesting too that mental health parity is part of the recently passed health care reform act...many people have worked for years to realize this. I wonder if any of the Rules Governor Scott stopped recently affected this for Florida's mental health providers?

Jon Stewart says it perfectly IMO

mediaite

He did a great opening speech last night - I am going to find the transcript.

Very heartfelt and very sane.

I have no love for Sarah Palin, and I like to think I?m committed to civil discourse. But the political opportunism occasioned by this tragedy has ranged from the completely irrelevant to the shamelessly irresponsible.

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/11/opinion/11brooks.html?_r=1

Brooks sums things up nicely.

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/11/opinion/11brooks.html?_r=1

Brooks sums things up nicely.

Great summary by Brooks who also notes...

"They were vicious charges made by people who claimed to be criticizing viciousness."