Palin’s Arizona Statement: “Blood Libel” and Political Dueling (VIDEO)

Presidential contender and Tea Party face Sarah Palin has released a statement regarding the Arizona shooting. Palin, who has faced extensive criticism in the wake of the tragedy regarding her violent campaign rhetoric, including a map with crosshairs that targeted the district of shooting victim Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, defends herself from those who speculate she may have inadvertently inspired the event.

“President Reagan said, “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.” Acts of monstrous criminality stand on their own. They begin and end with the criminals who commit them, not collectively with all the citizens of a state, not with those who listen to talk radio, not with maps of swing districts used by both sides of the aisle, not with law-abiding citizens who respectfully exercise their First Amendment rights at campaign rallies, not with those who proudly voted in the last election.

The last election was all about taking responsibility for our country’s future. President Obama and I may not agree on everything, but I know he would join me in affirming the health of our democratic process. Two years ago his party was victorious. Last November, the other party won. In both elections the will of the American people was heard, and the peaceful transition of power proved yet again the enduring strength of our Republic.

Vigorous and spirited public debates during elections are among our most cherished traditions. And after the election, we shake hands and get back to work, and often both sides find common ground back in D.C. and elsewhere. If you don’t like a person’s vision for the country, you’re free to debate that vision. If you don’t like their ideas, you’re free to propose better ideas. But, especially within hours of a tragedy unfolding, journalists and pundits should not manufacture a blood libel that serves only to incite the very hatred and violence they purport to condemn. That is reprehensible.”

Palin then reminds people that political fights used to be literally solved by guns. “[T]hey claim political debate has somehow gotten more heated just recently. But when was it less heated? Back in those ‘calm days’ when political figures literally settled their differences with dueling pistols?”

Between “blood libel” and “dueling pistols” it seems safe to say Palin will not be toning down her own rhetoric in the aftermath of the shooting.

Photo credit: wikimedia commons

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Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
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A P.

2:07AM PST on Jan 21, 2011

It would be more palatable if she hadn't continually make incendiary comments like "pals around with terrorists" "death panels" "don't retreat, reload"... Words have consequences, grown ups accept responsibility for mistakes they've made. We shall see if the "respectfully" part will be put to practice in the future. I would be very glad if she was the GOP nominee.

send a green star

CINDY O.

11:51PM PST on Jan 17, 2011

No. Freedom of Speech: Alive & Well in the U.S.A.

9:42AM PST on Jan 17, 2011

Susan, if you have never seen Fox News, how can you honestly comment on their content? That's like giving a review on a movie based on what other people have said about it. Huh??? Not very smart there. Why comment at all!!!

Claudia M.

12:03AM PST on Jan 16, 2011

If the scenario had been totally reversed, the left being the hate-mongers, etc., and Palin the one in the hospital right now, would Limbaugh, et al be singing a different tune? And no, I don't wish that on SP. I believe she's gonna screw herself into the ground one way or another. And it just wouldn't be the same if she wasn't there in Alaska keeping the world safe from those dang deer and keeping an eye on the Russians from her back porch!

Susan T.

5:20PM PST on Jan 15, 2011

Yes, yes, yes! I am getting absolutely sick (really) of the bantering, putdowns and sick emails, etc. you know who you are. and mostly News commentators who tear apart anything and the lying ads about one's opponents on TV and never, never give us the facts or what the electee is standing for. I have already given notice that I will never watch CNN (cable) news again due to the Anderson Cooper Group who tore into the Memorial Service this past week. And...I will never listen to what Sarah has to say, if anything.

PS I have never watched FOX news either. Talk about making me sick!!!!! Negativity and Nit Picking, All vitriol, Obama is right about this one!

5:16PM PST on Jan 15, 2011

Mary S.

5:09PM PST on Jan 15, 2011

This is going to sound kins odd but in this instance and based only on the words of her speech in the article, I think she HAS toned down the rhetoric, so much so that my first thought was, "who wrote this?" I don't agree with her one much, not al all about anything in fact, but based only on this small snippet of her speech I find myself almost in agreement. Though I do know nothing happens in a vacuum, we must still hold responsibility with the person who actually commits these awful crimes, regardless of the circumstances. After all, most people in the same set of circumstances manage to not kill people.

Daylight C.

12:44PM PST on Jan 15, 2011

Teleprompter reflected in her glasses. Why does she emphasize "Catholic" mass?

Richard M.

2:58AM PST on Jan 15, 2011

Is this a libel anyway? Surely a libel is when you say something false about somebody. Sarah Palin speaks and we can all see and hear what she is saying, there is no argument about that surely.

The disagreement is that some are of the opinion that rhetoric that regularly mentions guns and gun subjects create an atmosphere within which violent events are more likely to happen, whilst Sarah Palin and others don't. Isn't it?

Kent M.

9:45PM PST on Jan 14, 2011

Nothing happens in a vacuum. When the airwaves are full of fear and anger many people are effected some more deeply than others. Palin, Limbaugh and company make me think of the radio announcer during the Rwandan genocide who encouraged people to murder the Tutsis.