The Moral Consequences of Political Rhetoric
Questioning What's Right
As I watched Sheriff Dupnik discuss the moral con- sequences of political rhetoric after the Arizona shooting of US Representative Gifford, I found myself nodding and agreeing vehemently. There are certain things you read or hear that just ring true, and Dupnik was spot on. So I felt compelled to weigh in on a subject that has been bothering me for quite some time.
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The Moral Consequences of Political Rhetoric
The latest to chime in on the impact of widely broadcast extreme political rhetoric was Sarah Palin, who called "finger pointing irresponsible," this week. That is quite funny to me, since it is a perversion of the discerning argument made by the clear thinking and wise speaking Clarence Dupnik, the now famous Sheriff of Arizona's Pima County. I agree with Palin that finger pointing is irresponsible, and that the exaggerated act of the same by Palin and too many of our leaders, pundits and reporters today is exactly the problem.The discerning Dupnik gained the immediate attention of the nation when he said that the senseless shooting of Congressional House Member and human being (lest I remind you) Gabrielle Giffords, was the result of the angry mood of the nation. He further clarified for the frenzied fanatics watching Fox News and reading the Daily Kos, and I agree and enhance, that this manic mood has manifested mostly due to the biased and purposeful, and often senseless and illogical, political rhetoric that comes out of the mouths of politicians, reporters and pundits. It is more so the result of this refuse, better deposited in the toilet than on television, that the nation complains today more than it works to restore itself.
And when these messages reach the ears of the innocent, and redirect the naïve toward hatred and anger, do not think that those responsible have not sinned in broadcasting them. There is a finger Mrs. Palin should fear, which is a responsible one, and one to which she claims to adhere, but it is not of this earth and its foolishness. To do good is not simply accomplished by standing with a party of religious conservation, but to stand for good works and good deeds, and to do them yourself unselfishly, humbly and quietly. If anger and hatred are the fruits of your works though, then more evil is accomplished than good. I'm not only pointing the finger of blame at Sarah Palin or Republicans of any sort, but at every individual who feels obligated to speak loudly before wisely into microphones, for the sake of reaction, ratings and call backs.
And when these messages reach the ears of the unsophisticated of mind and the mentally ill, the discernment of their bias is lost, but their push is set forth. It was once said by someone wiser than I that leading the innocent to sin is far worse than sinning yourself. And don't tell me that we are not to blame for the recipient's interpretation of the message, when the message is intentionally incensed to spur reaction significant enough to bring about action. It's votes they want, but as public relations demons direct votes, they also unfortunately direct mischief, and in this case murder. So subtle is evil that we can miss it before our eyes, and if it can take the greatest of intentions to ruination, then it can certainly take the tailored tempest to tirade.
Shame on you America, for allowing this state of affairs to exist! What would Martin Luther King say about our world? Where would John F. Kennedy and Ronald Reagan stand on the state of politics today? They would be ashamed of us, and rightly so! Demand that our politicians stop serving evil masters while attempting to shape our minds to their liking, and insist they instead start on serving their constituents honorably by scribing solutions. In that case, and if hearts are soft, it will not matter economically, socially nor with regard to foreign affairs what political party dominates our government, since their undiluted good deeds will dictate our deliverance.
Leaders do best by example, and in these days their example has been to divide from and hate our brothers and neighbors because of party affiliation. In times I should be too young to remember, or perhaps which no man has yet seen, our leaders led us by virtue and by righteousness. That is the only admirable scenario befitting of a nation created on the greatest of ideals.
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Labels: Editors_Picks, Life, Politics, The_Greeks_Classics
posted by The Greek | 3:00 PM
9 Comments:
Sorry, but, in my opinion, this is not good reasoning.
First of all, I've seen no evidence that Loughner was a political person. So how politians would influence him is a non-starter. But let's say he was. Let's pretend that Obama saying, "bring a gun to a knife fight" or Palin wanting to 'target' certain districts for republicans somehow tipped the scales and so now 'rhetoric' is to blame for an insane act.
Based on this logic, JD Salinger was respsonsible for the assassination attempt on Ronald Reagan (after all Hinkley had a copy of Cather in the Rye with him).
Based on this logic, Jodie Foster (Mark Chapman's obsession) was responsible for the death of John Lennon.
And we need to blame World of Warcraft video games for Calumbine, and we should blame the Beatles for Charles Manson. Etc., etc., etc.
So, in addition to putting a lid on political rhetoric, we also need to put a lid on literature, pretty actresses, video games and music!?
I'm not saying I like the tone of today's politics. The recouse however, if you don't like the tone of certain pols, is simply don't vote for them. But let's not pretend that rhetoric can cause insane acts. It can't.
I believe the Sheriff had a Joseph Welch (special counsel to the Army) moment.
"Have you no sense of decency sir?
Directed to Senator Joe Marthy in Army-McCarthy hearings June 9, 1954
I also blame the Media for feeding this immoral Poltical Rhetoric. Reagan and Kennedy did not have to deal with the 24 hour news cycle. The media made Palin who she is today.
I agree with you. The rhetoric of so-called "leaders" and the TV personalities has gotten out of hand. These people never seem to have a kind thing to say about people whose views are different. They don't seem to know a thing about the political tradition of America, a free society, and they are poisoning the atmosphere. I agree with the Sheriff- this has got to stop.
The evidence is that this murderer, as shown by the statements of his friend, was not someone who listened to talk radio or even was particularly political. There is NO EVIDENCE to support the wild speculation of this author that this madman, who had an altar with a replica of a human skull in his backyard, was influenced to even the slightest degree by political rhetoric or venom of the left or the right. Blame him and his mental illness and not those who exercise their First Amendment rights.
"...I'm not only pointing the finger of blame at Sarah Palin or Republicans of any sort, but at every individual who feels obligated to speak loudly before wisely into microphones, for the sake of reaction, ratings and call backs...."
You're not? Then why are you almost enumerating those on the right and never mentioning the burgeoning facts of abuse from the left?
I'm afraid we'll find with some research and time that this sheriff is so political, because he has a need to cover up his own actions or actions of those he is responsible for.
Donald,
It is misleading to write what you have written, because anyone whose ever read a political website or blog, or who has listened in on political speak in chat rooms, knows that there is an impact of political rhetoric on the mentally unstable and on the unsophisticated in attendance.
There is outright hatred abound in this country because of this nonsense, and threats of all sorts are thrown about without thought or consideration. Whether Jared did it because of political issues is clear, because he attempted to kill a US Congressional Representative. He targeted her. Why didn't he just kill a bunch of people at the community college that kicked him out, if there was no political aspect to his attack?
Yes, he was mentally unstable, and yes this was politically incensed. I'm looking forward to and appreciate your response and thoughts.
Anonymous,
Sheriff Dupnik's statements were not politically inspired. Common sense and television watching should make it clear to any logical thinker that the Republican Party is more radical in its speak and more exaggerated in its demeanor than Democrats.
It's childish behavior that has effectively alienated me, a life long Republican who voted against a Greek American in Michael Dukakis for the party I thought represented my conservative bias. At the time, it did.
I voted for Obama in the last election, because I find him one of the wisest politicians I've seen in decades. I'm conservative on religious issues, but I no longer COMPLETELY trust in trickle down economics to solve all our ills, as I've seen how the poor suffer with my eyes close up. Right now, the poor are being audited by the welfare program whilst we pass legislation extending tax breaks for the ultra rich! We have many flaws, and so I cannot sit confortably within any box, political or of any sort.
When Republican values manifest to where they should be, with humility and without nonsensical attacks on issues to win PR and votes, I may return, but until then, I'm independent, because neither party perfectly fits me.
And I will continue to tell it like it is, whether you think I have a political agenda or not! Let's talk issues and forget party. Fix the human problem. The president said it well, let's do better and not harm one another.
"Common sense and television watching should make it clear to any logical thinker that the Republican Party is more radical in its speak and more exaggerated in its demeanor than Democrats."
Huh? Alan Grayson says "republicans want you to die quickly," Dick Durbin calls US soldiers guarding prisoners Nazi-like, and not to be outdone, Nancy Pelosi compares tea partiers to nazis.
There ain't a hair of difference with the bomb throwers on either side.
In fact, the dems are far worse because they immediatly start with ad hominem attacks (because their arguments are weak). Yeah, Palin can have a sharp toungue like with the 'death panel' comment, but she doesn't do name calling.
Obama is the wisest politician in decades deserves a response, too. Once I get up off the floor from laughing I'll write one up.
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