I say yes, you say no, OR People are Strange

Enjoyful

We don't have absolutely free speech here, either. 

Alpal

Laura - "it's either a right or it isn't"  No lines, if it's in the constitution then go for it. Makes life very efficient. You never have to waste time discussing or thinking about things like intentions, honesty or ethics. Interesting concept.

rosemary-b

Maybe Laura could clarify her comments. It sounded to like she thought free speech was absolute. "You can't draw a line it's either a Right or it isn't."

 Lines have been drawn. You can't yell fire in a crowded theater, things that are judged obscene are prohibited.

Allison

I think we crossposted.

pip57

I think most of us have said, over and over again, that both sides need to take some responsibility.  We also agree that this guy was 'unhinged' and we do not yet know what sent him over the edge.

However, we keep hearing the same posters trying to lay blame at specific people who just happen to be on the other end of the political spectrum than they are.

I am beginning to think that we are experiencing "drive by postings".  Is that just as entertaining as deleting posts? 

Enjoyful

PIP -

The right has made a practice of outright lies couched in fear-mongering and violent language.  It's appropriate and just to lay some of the blame at their feet.

Can you draw a direct line from the shooter to Palin's crosshairs and "reload" comment?  Of course not.  It's just one more comment and visual among countless others.  It's easy to focus on Palin's comments because she's of the more blatant abusers.

No drive-by postings here.  I can defend everything I've said.

E

pip57

Sorry you thought I was referring to you E.  Absolutely was not you. 

rosemary-b

PIP I just got new contacts and now can read your avatar.  I love it.

Our whole society is violent so it is easy to find someone on the other side to point fingers at. Almost of our heroes solve their problems with guns or their fists. There are not many popular movies that extoll the virtues of Ghandi or Martin Luther King Jr. or other nonviolent folk.

I accept that we all including me are too violent but I am sick of hearing, they do it too or I'm not as bad as they are. No I am not a hippie. I am just sick of people thinking might makes right.

Anonymous

OH MY GOSH!  I CANNOT believe you are still blaming Sarah Palin for this loon's action.  Have you NOT been watching the news about this man's personality? 

A sheriff has no right in opining his views..  He is known to be a partisan.  Perhaps none of you have seen his interviews, but it's very clear who he is and why he's opining his views.

Anonymous

We must reject the idea that every time a law's broken, society is guilty rather than the lawbreaker. It is time to restore the American precept that each individual is accountable for his actions.

Ronald Reagan

 

Bren-2007

I agree Shirley .. but I also believe that society has a moral duty to act responsibly.

Bren

BarbaraA

Bren, one person's view of responsibility can differ greatly from another's. I would imagine it would be very difficult to define responsible behavior. From my perspective, I just try to do the best I can do without hurting anyone. And if everyone or almost everyone did the same, I think the world would be a far better place. Just my Utopian, optmistic view.

Enjoyful

Oh okay PIP!  No worries.

Anonymous

So, we're still playing the blame game?  I find that extremely irresponsible.  No politician from either side had anything to do with this man's behavior...period.

Medigal

Shirley:  Who's playing the blame game?  I haven't posted nothing about what I am really thinking and even if you put my beloved Ronnie Reagan's photo on your post, I can still think bad thoughts if I want to about "certain" females who love to shoot innocent fish!  I think that is sooooo cowardly to shoot a fish!  Has she ever heard of a fishing pole?  But it's not "macho" to go fishing with a pole.  Tough gals "shoot" the poor fish.  That's all I am going to say today (I think!) since I have a lot of other stuff I have to get done.  Need to get on the phone and prove all the nutcases are not out on the streets with guns.  They are working on the phones for the health insurance companies trying to make the rest of us nuts with their incoherant replies. You gals have fun! 

Anonymous

Oh, and I'm sick of see this being made into a political issue.

Here's "what if."  What if a Latino shot Rep. Giffords?  Who would we blame then?  The sheriff?  Rep. Giffords was very unhappy with how her borders were not being secured.  Yes, I know this is only a hypothetical, but "what if?"

I think I'm done with this blame Sarah crap or blame any conservative talk show crap.  Have you seen ANY tea party member being violent against anyone.  If so, would you PLEASE post it here..pics, vidoes?

Here's some violent outburst.  What's next for our country?  It's not Sarah Palin and talk radio causing the violence. Conservatives have ALWAYS said..NO VIOLENCE...use the ballot box.  The far left are the violent ones.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zTXBOgPCh9w 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EB2sdbOqgtc&feature=related

Anonymous

Medigal, what are you talking about?

Medigal

Shirley:  Nothing really my friend.  You know I am always happy to disagree with you on subjects about blessed Sara of the "I Shoot Fish" Society.  I am ticked off at my health insurance company for making me hold on the phone so long so I decided bco is the best place to refuel my anger energy in a "positive" way.    Why do you keep saying the "far left are the violent ones".  I think violence can be found in "any" person if they are stirred up emotionally.  I can't stand this "far left" "far right" etc. etc. stuff.   Have you ever spent time in a mental institution?  Would you really care if those people were "far" anything as long as they were getting the help they need?  I don't judge people by their political positions.  That is the least of my worries.  I care about their "actions".   Now I have to take my "good" energy and get back on the phone with my healthcare providers.  Hold the Fort and Praise to All Those Who are Positively like ME thinkers!

Bren-2007

Medigal .. good luck with your insurance company!  And I wish I had some of your energy.  I sure need it as I'm working on a very long, boring report and it's hard to stay focused! arghh!

Enjoyful

I usually judge people by the sports teams they root for. 

Bren-2007

Enjoyful .. you're too funny.  I was rooting for the Eagles last night.  And I'll be rooting for the Steelers this weekend when they play Green Bay.

Bren

PS .. I don't know anything about hockey teams, only football!

Enjoyful

No!  Not a Pittsburgh team!  But that's okay - I only count baseball and hockey. 

Bren-2007

Sorry buddy .. gotta go with the black and yellow!  If Fahve was still playing with Green Bay and didn't turn out to be such a jerk, I'd be rooting for Green Bay.  Although Aaron Rogers is really cute.

pip57

Canadians are still licking their wounds from the junior cup game.  What a disappointment...for fans and players.

Anonymous

I'm signing off, but I wanted to respond to you, Medigal.  I only say "far left" and "far right" right now because anything the right or "far right" does is wrong in the left's or "far left's" eyes. 

The man that shot Rep. Giffords is absolutely a loon.  I am angry that anyone would jump to any conclusion, whether you like Palin or not, and blame this on her in ANY way.  Or talk radio.  There is no where that he has uttered a word about any conservative.  What has been shown is that he was obsessed with Rep. Giffords for whatever reason.  Rep. Giffords is an avid 2nd amendment rights advocate...that's what she read from the floor the day before she was shot.  She was optimistic about this new congress.  It's time to stop blaming...we conservatives are only defending for what we believe in and what we believe to be true about this senseless shooting that took so many innocent lives.

This is making our country even more divisive.

worldwatcher

Loughner Friend Explains Alleged Gunman's Grudge Against Giffords

Mon Jan. 10, 2011 12:01 AM PST
At 2:00 a.m. on Saturday-about eight hours before he allegedly killed six people and wounded 14, including Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-Ariz.), in Tucson-Jared Lee Loughner phoned an old and close friend with whom he had gone to high school and college. The friend, Bryce Tierney, was up late watching TV, but he didn't answer the call. When he later checked his voice mail, he heard a simple message from Loughner: "Hey man, it's Jared. Me and you had good times. Peace out. Later."

-SNIP-

"Tierney believes that Loughner was very interested in pushing people's buttons-and that may have been why he listed Hitler's Mein Kampf as one of his favorite books on his YouTube page. (Loughner's mom is Jewish, according to Tierney.) Loughner sometimes approached strangers and would say "weird" things, Tierney recalls. "He would do it because he thought people were below him and he knew they wouldn't know what he was talking about."

Mother Jones is not known to be a "right wing" site.

http://motherjones.com/politics/2011/01/jared-lee-loughner-friend-voicemail-phone-message?page=1

Enjoyful

Ah well, Bren, I still like you!  Just don't root for the Penguins.  *shudder*

I was thinking of you girls the other night - I was watching a hockey game and eating roasted brussels sprouts.  Fantastic!  Olive oil, turmeric, black pepper, curry powder, and salt.  I'd eat a Volkswagen if you put those oils and spices on it!

pip57

worldwatcher, thanks for that link.  A glimpse inside a twisted mind for sure.

Bren-2007

E .. I'm getting hungry too.   If you put a little Carolina bbq sauce on the Volkswagen, I'd eat it too!

Edited: Obviously Loughner has some very specific mental issues.

IronJawedBCAngel

I bought some brussel sprouts and plan on cooking them tomorrow with a roast.  I'll have to try your way of cooking them.  Ed has his blood work at the end of the week, so trying to keep with healthy menus all week.

Haven't followed hockey in a long time, just doesn't seem to resonate in Kentucky, but I'd have to root for the Flames.  Still have a team jersey that I do my occasional impression of Ashley Judd in.  Gee, its so quiet in here today!

Enjoyful

The Flames are okay.  You get a pass.  ;-)

I cook them (sprouts, not the Flames) in the oven at 350 for about 15-20 minutes.