Video: Giffords’ Astronaut Brother-in-Law Issues Statement from Space

US News • Views: 31,467

International Space Station commander Scott Kelly is Gabrielle Giffords’ brother-in-law, and today he made a statement on the shooting in Arizona.

As I look out the window, I see a very beautiful planet that seems very inviting and peaceful. Unfortunately, it is not.

These days, we are constantly reminded of the unspeakable acts of violence and damage we can inflict upon one another, not just with our actions but also with our irresponsible words.

We are better than this. We must do better.

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161 comments
1 Stanghazi  Mon, Jan 10, 2011 4:06:54pm

Irresponsible words. We are better than this.

2 (I Stand By What I Said Whatever It Was)  Mon, Jan 10, 2011 4:11:09pm

re: #1 Stanley Sea

Irresponsible words. We are better than this.

Clearly this means he is a 1st-Amendment-hating librul!!!

///

3 Eclectic Infidel  Mon, Jan 10, 2011 4:11:26pm

So when does the right-wing seething begin?

4 prairiefire  Mon, Jan 10, 2011 4:11:28pm

They seem to be an awesome family of astronauts and public servants.

5 Walter L. Newton  Mon, Jan 10, 2011 4:12:26pm

In a make believe idealistic world, this would be true... the reality is these sorts of tragedies have always been with us and will continue. The most we can do is effect the places where it happens and maybe the frequency of the incidents. Other than that, this is not going to disappear.

6 garhighway  Mon, Jan 10, 2011 4:12:42pm

With him saying this from space, he'll be accused of being an alien.

7 SanFranciscoZionist  Mon, Jan 10, 2011 4:13:43pm

re: #4 prairiefire

They seem to be an awesome family of astronauts and public servants.

Nice people. The wedding photos were adorable. She and her astronaut looked so happy.

I understand she has children. Does anyone know what ages? They're probably not adults yet, she's only forty.

8 beartiger  Mon, Jan 10, 2011 4:13:51pm

After reading the news reports about the Westboro morons, I just handed in my official resignation from the human race.

9 Renaissance_Man  Mon, Jan 10, 2011 4:14:10pm

Unbelievable. Such blatant partisanship and politicising of a tragedy in his own family to attack the right. Just another example of liberal hate speech.

10 Walter L. Newton  Mon, Jan 10, 2011 4:14:16pm

re: #8 beartiger

After reading the news reports about the Westboro morons, I just handed in my official resignation from the human race.

Good... we need the room.

11 Ben G. Hazi  Mon, Jan 10, 2011 4:15:33pm

re: #3 eclectic infidel

So when does the right-wing seething begin?

Was fixing to say the same thing.

Cue wingnut outrage and calls for his immediate resignation from NASA and return from the ISS in 5, 4, 3...

12 Bob Levin  Mon, Jan 10, 2011 4:15:49pm

Even from a plane the ground looks peaceful. And the violence, by comparison, is so clearly a kind of mass insanity. That is, it does not fit into the picture of the world from hundreds of feet above, thousands of feet above, or from an earth orbit.

13 (I Stand By What I Said Whatever It Was)  Mon, Jan 10, 2011 4:17:16pm

Alex Jones' tonight's Google Bomb Search terms: "liberal smear machine" and "gunman left winger".

I kinda dig it that people so openly identify themselves as rightwing by doing the whole offense-by-being-defensive-and-dishonest routine.

14 SanFranciscoZionist  Mon, Jan 10, 2011 4:18:13pm

re: #8 beartiger

After reading the news reports about the Westboro morons, I just handed in my official resignation from the human race.

I don't know you, but I will say that I'd rather keep you in and give them a dishonorable discharge.

15 garhighway  Mon, Jan 10, 2011 4:18:42pm

re: #11 talon_262

Was fixing to say the same thing.

Cue wingnut outrage and calls for his immediate resignation from NASA and return from the ISS in 5, 4, 3...

In space no one can hear you scream "Die, liberal, die!"

16 beartiger  Mon, Jan 10, 2011 4:19:21pm

re: #9 Renaissance_Man

Unbelievable. Such blatant partisanship and politicising of a tragedy in his own family to attack the right. Just another example of liberal hate speech.

You can of course talk, because your political attack on the heartfelt words of a family member is obviously so loving and classy.

17 Reginald Perrin  Mon, Jan 10, 2011 4:19:23pm

Damn elitist liberal!
///

18 Obdicut  Mon, Jan 10, 2011 4:20:38pm

re: #16 beartiger

He was being sarcastic.

19 Slumbering Behemoth Stinks  Mon, Jan 10, 2011 4:20:42pm

Had to run a few errands. On the radio, Mark Levin called Sheriff Dupnik a "menace", and said he wasn't a "real" sheriff.

I wonder what kind of mud these idiots will sling at Mr. Kelly now.

20 Killgore Trout  Mon, Jan 10, 2011 4:21:01pm

Nasa is a bunch of Global Worming socialists who fabricate government propaganda for grant money!
/Wingnut

21 Stanghazi  Mon, Jan 10, 2011 4:21:30pm

re: #19 Slumbering Behemoth

Had to run a few errands. On the radio, Mark Levin called Sheriff Dupnik a "menace", and said he wasn't a "real" sheriff.

I wonder what kind of mud these idiots will sling at Mr. Kelly now.

I swear, I'm crying a tear at each of these stupid cover our asses quotes.

22 beartiger  Mon, Jan 10, 2011 4:22:01pm

re: #18 Obdicut

He was being sarcastic.

I sit corrected, my apologies. It's hard to satirize the right.

23 Amory Blaine  Mon, Jan 10, 2011 4:22:08pm

re: #9 Renaissance_Man

Unbelievable. Such blatant partisanship and politicising of a tragedy in his own family to attack the right. Just another example of liberal hate speech.

Where the fuck is the blantant partisanship and politicizing in that clip?

24 Slumbering Behemoth Stinks  Mon, Jan 10, 2011 4:22:52pm

re: #16 beartiger

Get to know Renaissance_Man. He was being sarcastic.

25 Eclectic Infidel  Mon, Jan 10, 2011 4:22:55pm

re: #4 prairiefire

They seem to be an awesome family of astronauts and public servants.

I wonder how Loughner's family measures up.

26 Amory Blaine  Mon, Jan 10, 2011 4:23:05pm

re: #23 Amory Blaine

Where the fuck is the blantant partisanship and politicizing in that clip?

Sorry. I have damaged satire detector.

27 Obdicut  Mon, Jan 10, 2011 4:23:12pm

re: #20 Killgore Trout

I wonder if the global warming deniers will take a moment, see that Loughner believed in crazy conspiracy theories about NASA, realize they believe in crazy conspiracy theories about NASA, and come to a revelation.

I highly doubt it.

28 beartiger  Mon, Jan 10, 2011 4:23:35pm

I'm new here. I'll learn.

29 brookly red  Mon, Jan 10, 2011 4:23:35pm

under the circumstances, I think a pretty classy statement by the BIL...

30 Daniel Ballard  Mon, Jan 10, 2011 4:23:52pm

NASA is a hotbed of sensible professionals. Sure to be discredited by RW radio pundits in 3...2...1.

31 (I Stand By What I Said Whatever It Was)  Mon, Jan 10, 2011 4:23:58pm

re: #27 Obdicut

I wonder if the global warming deniers will take a moment, see that Loughner believed in crazy conspiracy theories about NASA, realize they believe in crazy conspiracy theories about NASA, and come to a revelation.

I highly doubt it.

That would involve combining A and B and arriving at C.

32 SanFranciscoZionist  Mon, Jan 10, 2011 4:24:24pm

re: #19 Slumbering Behemoth

Had to run a few errands. On the radio, Mark Levin called Sheriff Dupnik a "menace", and said he wasn't a "real" sheriff.

I wonder what kind of mud these idiots will sling at Mr. Kelly now.

What makes someone a 'real' sheriff? This is starting to sound like a law-enforcement version of "The Velveteen Rabbit".

33 Decatur Deb  Mon, Jan 10, 2011 4:25:27pm

re: #28 beartiger

I'm new here. I'll learn.

Welcome. Say "Hi" to Walter, he always enjoys new faces.

34 SanFranciscoZionist  Mon, Jan 10, 2011 4:25:29pm

re: #23 Amory Blaine

Where the fuck is the blantant partisanship and politicizing in that clip?

Guys, if Cato was here, he'd grump at me, but can I recommend that everyone be careful with their sarc tags for a bit? We have a lot of new people here who don't know the cast, and emotions are running a bit high.

Thank you, that is all.

35 brookly red  Mon, Jan 10, 2011 4:26:02pm

re: #28 beartiger

I'm new here. I'll learn.

you did bring beer?

36 Stanghazi  Mon, Jan 10, 2011 4:26:03pm

re: #33 Decatur Deb

Welcome. Say "Hi" to Walter, he always enjoys new faces.

STOP THAT DD

37 Renaissance_Man  Mon, Jan 10, 2011 4:26:11pm

re: #26 Amory Blaine

Sorry. I have damaged satire detector.

No, you really don't. It's actually becoming impossible to satirise these clowns. You can't make your statements so deranged and stupid that it's obvious satire, because someone will have already said that in earnest.

38 Slumbering Behemoth Stinks  Mon, Jan 10, 2011 4:26:20pm

re: #21 Stanley Sea

I swear, I'm crying a tear at each of these stupid cover our asses quotes.

The "call to calm", if you will, was not pointed specifically at anyone IIRC, but some very specific people have decided to take it personally and politicize, all why bitching about politicizing it.

I am disgusted by the whole thing.

39 Amory Blaine  Mon, Jan 10, 2011 4:26:32pm

re: #19 Slumbering Behemoth

Had to run a few errands. On the radio, Mark Levin called Sheriff Dupnik a "menace", and said he wasn't a "real" sheriff.

I wonder what kind of mud these idiots will sling at Mr. Kelly now.

I just went to Walgreens. On NPR the false equivalence was all they talked about. (Both sides need to calm down, etc.)

40 SanFranciscoZionist  Mon, Jan 10, 2011 4:26:38pm

re: #25 eclectic infidel

I wonder how Loughner's family measures up.

Well, right now they're behind a piece of plywood measuring 4x4, talking to the FBI.

I don't know. I want to think the best of these people until I learn otherwise. No matter what the hell was going on with this boy, I doubt his parents wanted him to grow up to kill a federal judge.

41 Walter L. Newton  Mon, Jan 10, 2011 4:27:46pm

re: #34 SanFranciscoZionist

Guys, if Cato was here, he'd grump at me, but can I recommend that everyone be careful with their sarc tags for a bit? We have a lot of new people here who don't know the cast, and emotions are running a bit high.

Thank you, that is all.

Are you sure?

42 RadicalModerate  Mon, Jan 10, 2011 4:27:49pm

re: #32 SanFranciscoZionist

What makes someone a 'real' sheriff? This is starting to sound like a law-enforcement version of "The Velveteen Rabbit".

They consider Joe "Stormfront" Arpaio a "real" sheriff.

43 Walter L. Newton  Mon, Jan 10, 2011 4:28:01pm

Oops...

Are you sure.
//

44 Eclectic Infidel  Mon, Jan 10, 2011 4:28:02pm

re: #40 SanFranciscoZionist

Well, right now they're behind a piece of plywood measuring 4x4, talking to the FBI.

I don't know. I want to think the best of these people until I learn otherwise. No matter what the hell was going on with this boy, I doubt his parents wanted him to grow up to kill a federal judge.

Or a child.

You're right, of course, but the curiosity is starting to eat at me.

45 SanFranciscoZionist  Mon, Jan 10, 2011 4:28:21pm

re: #29 brookly red

under the circumstances, I think a pretty classy statement by the BIL...

Given that the circumstances are that he's in space and his sister-in-law was shot through the head, I think it's an excellent statement.

I myself would have gone with "PUT THIS FUCKING SHUTTLE DOWN NOW!! I CAN'T BE IN SPACE!!! MY BROTHER NEEDS ME!! FUCK, IF YOU WON'T TAKE ME BACK I'LL WALK!!!"

But that's why I don't have the temperament to be in NASA.

46 garhighway  Mon, Jan 10, 2011 4:28:26pm

re: #37 Renaissance_Man

No, you really don't. It's actually becoming impossible to satirise these clowns. You can't make your statements so deranged and stupid that it's obvious satire, because someone will have already said that in earnest.

On the topic of things that might be hard to satirize, The Onion is starting up an ESPN satire tomorrow night called The Onion Sportsdome. Ought to be funny.

[Link: www.nytimes.com...]

47 albusteve  Mon, Jan 10, 2011 4:28:53pm

re: #37 Renaissance_Man

No, you really don't. It's actually becoming impossible to satirise these clowns. You can't make your statements so deranged and stupid that it's obvious satire, because someone will have already said that in earnest.

why even try?...it's all been satirized before

48 Reginald Perrin  Mon, Jan 10, 2011 4:28:53pm

re: #32 SanFranciscoZionist

What makes someone a 'real' sheriff? This is starting to sound like a law-enforcement version of "The Velveteen Rabbit".

The (R) beside there name.

49 Stanghazi  Mon, Jan 10, 2011 4:29:19pm

OT, my lazy ass can't find the channel for the National Championship game.

Lizards?

50 RadicalModerate  Mon, Jan 10, 2011 4:29:56pm

re: #49 Stanley Sea

ESPN is carrying all of the BCS games this year.

51 Stanghazi  Mon, Jan 10, 2011 4:30:15pm

re: #50 RadicalModerate

ESPN is carrying all of the BCS games this year.

smooch

52 Kragar  Mon, Jan 10, 2011 4:30:22pm
we are constantly reminded of the unspeakable acts of violence and damage we can inflict upon one another, not just with our actions but also with our irresponsible words.

And conservatives will call this an attack on them in 3..2..

53 Slumbering Behemoth Stinks  Mon, Jan 10, 2011 4:30:41pm

re: #32 SanFranciscoZionist

What makes someone a 'real' sheriff?

Blind support for SB1070, and a willingness to give a pass to hostile, demonizing rhetoric, I suppose.

But what would I know? Since I'm not supportive of either of those things, I guess I'd be branded as "not a real 'conservative'" by the same crowd.

54 Walter L. Newton  Mon, Jan 10, 2011 4:30:49pm

re: #49 Stanley Sea

OT, my lazy ass can't find the channel for the National Championship game.

Lizards?

993... no... that's my favorite porn channel... er... 435... wait... that's the Bowling Channel... I don't know.

55 SanFranciscoZionist  Mon, Jan 10, 2011 4:31:01pm

re: #42 RadicalModerate

They consider Joe "Stormfront" Arpaio a "real" sheriff.

I don't think most sheriffs measure up to that lofty standard.

And that's a good thing, by me.

56 Capitalist Tool  Mon, Jan 10, 2011 4:31:24pm

re: #49 Stanley Sea

OT, my lazy ass can't find the channel for the National Championship game.

Lizards?

ESPN

57 Racer X  Mon, Jan 10, 2011 4:32:05pm

re: #38 Slumbering Behemoth

I am disgusted by the whole thing.

Me too.

58 Stanghazi  Mon, Jan 10, 2011 4:32:57pm

re: #57 Racer X

Hey dude.

59 goddamnedfrank  Mon, Jan 10, 2011 4:33:41pm

re: #52 Kragar (Proud to be Kafir)

And conservatives will call this an attack on them in 3..2..

"First, they came for the hate mongering pudwhacks, and I didn't speak up because I was not a douche."

60 Jadespring  Mon, Jan 10, 2011 4:33:53pm

re: #26 Amory Blaine

Sorry. I have damaged satire detector.

Sometimes it hard to detect when it's just text, especially if you don't know the person that well. In RL sarcasm is conveyed just as much by tone and body language as it is words.

I bet if you heard him speak it out loud you would have detected it no problemo. :)

61 Slumbering Behemoth Stinks  Mon, Jan 10, 2011 4:34:23pm

re: #39 Amory Blaine

I just went to Walgreens. On NPR the false equivalence was all they talked about. (Both sides need to calm down, etc.)

I suppose both sides could stand to calm down a little, but as far as heated rhetoric goes it's been extremely lop-sided.

62 albusteve  Mon, Jan 10, 2011 4:34:28pm

re: #57 Racer X

Me too.

a dark time, these days....people are making complete asses of themselves....I'm just glad I'm only a witness and not a part of it....
where you been Racer?

63 Amory Blaine  Mon, Jan 10, 2011 4:34:45pm

re: #59 goddamnedfrank

"First, they came for the hate mongering pudwhacks, and I didn't speak up because I was not a douche."

Then they came for the assholes. I had to take a number..

64 Fozzie Bear  Mon, Jan 10, 2011 4:35:10pm

re: #23 Amory Blaine

Where the fuck is the blantant partisanship and politicizing in that clip?

And this is why we have sarc tags. This is Poe's Law at work.

65 researchok  Mon, Jan 10, 2011 4:35:59pm

re: #55 SanFranciscoZionist

I don't think most sheriffs measure up to that lofty standard.

And that's a good thing, by me.

Went for my whirling dervish outfit fitting today.

66 Kronocide  Mon, Jan 10, 2011 4:36:06pm

Shame on this astronaut for taking advantage of this event to push a political agenda!

/

67 albusteve  Mon, Jan 10, 2011 4:36:30pm

re: #61 Slumbering Behemoth

I suppose both sides could stand to calm down a little, but as far as heated rhetoric goes it's been extremely lop-sided.

so what?...after all this, so what?

68 WINDUPBIRD DISEASE [S.K.U.M.M.]  Mon, Jan 10, 2011 4:37:02pm

so when do we get to hear Instapundit and Limbaugh and co. smear him as well

69 Killgore Trout  Mon, Jan 10, 2011 4:37:54pm

I think this whole thing will blow over. It's sad to see so many people pleading with the wingnuts (especially the family members) but the wingnuts are determined to continue. Soon things will be back to "normal" until the next time. I shudder to think how much of a death toll it's going to take for the wingnuts to reconsider.

70 Decatur Deb  Mon, Jan 10, 2011 4:38:22pm

re: #65 researchok

Went for my whirling dervish outfit fitting today.

That begs for elaboration.

71 SanFranciscoZionist  Mon, Jan 10, 2011 4:38:52pm

re: #65 researchok

Went for my whirling dervish outfit fitting today.

Are you getting one of the oversized fezzes?

72 WINDUPBIRD DISEASE [S.K.U.M.M.]  Mon, Jan 10, 2011 4:39:00pm

re: #42 RadicalModerate

They consider Joe "Stormfront" Arpaio a "real" sheriff.

Well, the legal trouble he's in is certainly real! Lol.

73 2by2  Mon, Jan 10, 2011 4:39:16pm

clearly looks like a commie left winger: Jared Loughner
//////

74 brookly red  Mon, Jan 10, 2011 4:39:34pm

re: #69 Killgore Trout

I think this whole thing will blow over. It's sad to see so many people pleading with the wingnuts (especially the family members) but the wingnuts are determined to continue. Soon things will be back to "normal" until the next time. I shudder to think how much of a death toll it's going to take for the wingnuts to reconsider.

well not that I disagree on face value but reconsider exactly what?

75 researchok  Mon, Jan 10, 2011 4:39:37pm

re: #70 Decatur Deb

That begs for elaboration.

It's an SFZ and CL thing.

We were kidding around last night.

76 WINDUPBIRD DISEASE [S.K.U.M.M.]  Mon, Jan 10, 2011 4:39:54pm

re: #39 Amory Blaine

I just went to Walgreens. On NPR the false equivalence was all they talked about. (Both sides need to calm down, etc.)

That's NPR! NPR is not exactly a bunch of fist pounding raconteurs :D

77 Slumbering Behemoth Stinks  Mon, Jan 10, 2011 4:40:09pm

re: #52 Kragar (Proud to be Kafir)

And conservatives will call this an attack on them in 3..2..

Not this one.

But then again, I'm not the type to don a tricorner, call those I politically disagree with "Nazis", spout insane conspiracy theories, make common cause with troofers, theocrats, and white supremacists, demonize my opponents in the most dehumanizing of ways, and pretend to dress up all that garbage as conservatism.

78 simoom  Mon, Jan 10, 2011 4:40:33pm

ABC News had the creepy, shaved-head Loughner mugshot in their ABC World News broadcast, so it seems it's real:
[Link: abcnews.go.com...]

79 Slumbering Behemoth Stinks  Mon, Jan 10, 2011 4:40:39pm

re: #57 Racer X

Hey bro, how you been?

80 researchok  Mon, Jan 10, 2011 4:40:47pm

re: #71 SanFranciscoZionist

Are you getting one of the oversized fezzes?

Yes, I'm just having trouble choosing a color.

Do I want a fruit color or a muted leopard print?

81 Decatur Deb  Mon, Jan 10, 2011 4:41:30pm

re: #75 researchok

It's an SFZ and CL thing.

We were kidding around last night.

Sounds like the Lewis Black line:

"If it weren't for my horse, I never would have spent that year in community college."

82 researchok  Mon, Jan 10, 2011 4:42:05pm

re: #72 WindUpBird

Well, the legal trouble he's in is certainly real! Lol.

Arpaio is a caricature nowadays.

Time for him to go.

83 WINDUPBIRD DISEASE [S.K.U.M.M.]  Mon, Jan 10, 2011 4:42:38pm

Man, Instapundit's site, it just cannot be overstated how badly designed that thing is, it's the worst for reading on a computer screen

No wonder he doesn't know what crop marks are, dude's probably never even heard of a graphic designer

84 WINDUPBIRD DISEASE [S.K.U.M.M.]  Mon, Jan 10, 2011 4:43:08pm

re: #82 researchok

Arpaio is a caricature nowadays.

Time for him to go.

I agree! And all the crazy prison fetishist culture and memes he brought to America as well

85 albusteve  Mon, Jan 10, 2011 4:43:31pm

re: #69 Killgore Trout

I think this whole thing will blow over. It's sad to see so many people pleading with the wingnuts (especially the family members) but the wingnuts are determined to continue. Soon things will be back to "normal" until the next time. I shudder to think how much of a death toll it's going to take for the wingnuts to reconsider.

of course it will blow over, some new shiny object will take it's place....the MSM will muscle it to the back burners and all will resume as before....the important questions will peter away, because the principles involved don't want to face reality...a new reality will surface and leave nothing but residual spit in it's wake....people are stupid and the media knows it

86 CuriousLurker  Mon, Jan 10, 2011 4:43:37pm

Okay everyone who said something funny or clever in this thread please accept an imaginary up-ding from me. My ding-finger is tired this evening, so I'm gonna go into lurk mode for now.

87 Charles Johnson  Mon, Jan 10, 2011 4:43:53pm

Chris Matthews is really reaming a Tea Party leader on his show. It's great.

88 simoom  Mon, Jan 10, 2011 4:44:16pm

re: #87 Charles

Tuning in.

89 Slumbering Behemoth Stinks  Mon, Jan 10, 2011 4:44:33pm

re: #67 albusteve

so what?...after all this, so what?

It's ridiculous to screech hateful, demonizing rhetoric and cry "they do it too" when called on it. That's what.

90 brookly red  Mon, Jan 10, 2011 4:44:57pm

re: #80 researchok

Yes, I'm just having trouble choosing a color.

Do I want a fruit color or a muted leopard print?

urban cammo

91 Fozzie Bear  Mon, Jan 10, 2011 4:44:58pm

re: #53 Slumbering Behemoth

Blind support for SB1070, and a willingness to give a pass to hostile, demonizing rhetoric, I suppose.

But what would I know? Since I'm not supportive of either of those things, I guess I'd be branded as "not a real 'conservative'" by the same crowd.

I suggest sane conservatives abandon the label and claim a new one. Sort of like "progressives". I mean, I think the nutbars outnumber the sane (actual) conservatives by now. That's the problem. That's why they keep getting teaheads through the primaries.

92 albusteve  Mon, Jan 10, 2011 4:45:46pm

re: #89 Slumbering Behemoth

It's ridiculous to screech hateful, demonizing rhetoric and cry "they do it too" when called on it. That's what.

oh....that was decided two years ago, thanks for the reminder

93 Fozzie Bear  Mon, Jan 10, 2011 4:46:27pm

re: #68 WindUpBird

so when do we get to hear Instapundit and Limbaugh and co. smear him as well

Someday, the right is going to spear itself on it's own lance so badly, that we have a Joe Walsh "have you no decency left, sir" moment, and we can all take a deep breath.

94 albusteve  Mon, Jan 10, 2011 4:47:04pm

Chris Mathews eh?....someone has to do it, might as well be him on his TV show...I hope he doesn't hold back

95 researchok  Mon, Jan 10, 2011 4:47:06pm

re: #84 WindUpBird

I agree! And all the crazy prison fetishist culture and memes he brought to America as well

Yeah.

He started as a law and order type- no problem there. He took a tough line on illegal immigration- no problem there, either. That's what the voters wanted.

Where he failed was in the execution. He became a one man judge, jury and executioner. To make it worse, he gave more import to the media than he did to the law. Further, he pissed on a lot of people to stay in the limelight- and covered it up.

He's got no one to blame for his problems but himself.

96 Slumbering Behemoth Stinks  Mon, Jan 10, 2011 4:47:39pm

re: #91 Fozzie Bear

From my cold, dead, something-or-other.

97 Charles Johnson  Mon, Jan 10, 2011 4:47:47pm

I don't always like Chris Matthews, but when he's on, he's on. They already have the video up at MSNBC - I'll be posting it soon.

98 Jadespring  Mon, Jan 10, 2011 4:47:49pm

My brain farted. What network is Matthews on?

99 Capitalist Tool  Mon, Jan 10, 2011 4:48:15pm

i try real hard not to bad mouth anybody online, but must confess, I've lost it a few times over the years here and have gone after a few people and especially Glenn Beck. Not sure why he trips my trigger so much as there are plenty of others out there who do also, of all political stripes.
GB, I promise to try yo hold fire in future.
i'll let you dig your own holes.

100 brookly red  Mon, Jan 10, 2011 4:48:21pm

re: #95 researchok

Yeah.

He started as a law and order type- no problem there. He took a tough line on illegal immigration- no problem there, either. That's what the voters wanted.

Where he failed was in the execution. He became a one man judge, jury and executioner. To make it worse, he gave more import to the media than he did to the law. Further, he pissed on a lot of people to stay in the limelight- and covered it up.

He's got no one to blame for his problems but himself.

same as it ever was... same as it ever was

101 Jadespring  Mon, Jan 10, 2011 4:48:27pm

Oh psyche. Charles is a mind reader....

102 researchok  Mon, Jan 10, 2011 4:48:39pm

re: #86 CuriousLurker

Okay everyone who said something funny or clever in this thread please accept an imaginary up-ding from me. My ding-finger is tired this evening, so I'm gonna go into lurk mode for now.

Not even input on the Fez color?

And do you know if there is such a thing as an A Line Whirling Dervish costume option?

103 Slumbering Behemoth Stinks  Mon, Jan 10, 2011 4:49:10pm

re: #92 albusteve

oh...that was decided two years ago, thanks for the reminder

Two years ago? Nah, I got that pounded into my head 34 years ago. In kindergarten. "He did it first" is a poor excuse, even for a kid.

104 researchok  Mon, Jan 10, 2011 4:49:42pm

re: #91 Fozzie Bear

I suggest sane conservatives abandon the label and claim a new one. Sort of like "progressives". I mean, I think the nutbars outnumber the sane (actual) conservatives by now. That's the problem. That's why they keep getting teaheads through the primaries.

I resemble that remark.

105 Walter L. Newton  Mon, Jan 10, 2011 4:50:05pm

re: #98 Jadespring

My brain farted. What network is Matthews on?

993... no... that's my favorite porn channel... er... 435... wait... that's the Bowling Channel... I don't know.

106 Stanghazi  Mon, Jan 10, 2011 4:50:20pm

President Obama to travel to Arizona on Wednesday - @marcambinder [Link: huff.to...]

107 Stanghazi  Mon, Jan 10, 2011 4:50:40pm

re: #105 Walter L. Newton

993... no... that's my favorite porn channel... er... 435... wait... that's the Bowling Channel... I don't know.

Cut the porn Walter.

108 Lidane  Mon, Jan 10, 2011 4:50:50pm

re: #87 Charles

Chris Matthews is really reaming a Tea Party leader on his show. It's great.

Tweety annoys me sometimes, but when he gets in a righteous snit, it's entertaining. I'll have to look for clips of this later.

109 Killgore Trout  Mon, Jan 10, 2011 4:51:09pm

re: #106 Stanley Sea

President Obama to travel to Arizona on Wednesday - @marcambinder [Link: huff.to...]

The wingnuts will love that one.

110 CuriousLurker  Mon, Jan 10, 2011 4:51:32pm

re: #102 researchok

Not even input on the Fez color?

And do you know if there is such a thing as an A Line Whirling Dervish costume option?

LOL, I have to admit I've been giggling and struggling to resist giving you dings for your Whirling Dervish outfit. I keep imagining you spinning around saying, "How do I look? Does the red fez one make me look fat??"

111 Gus  Mon, Jan 10, 2011 4:51:34pm

Woot!

One of my LGF pages was linked by Salon

Watering the tree of liberty

When the GOP didn't have the votes to stop healthcare reform from passing, their strategy -- and it almost worked -- was to scare Democratic elected officials. That was the point of telling everyone to shout themselves hoarse at the town halls: to terrify House members. Convince them that their constituents were incensed. If some LaRouchites or other unclassifiable political entities got into the mix, fine -- more voices for the choir of rage. What was formerly a sort of uneasy tolerance of the extremists inched closer to open acceptance. Roger Ailes allows Glenn Beck to run amok spreading classic Bircher paranoia. Matt Drudge links to conspiracy-mad broadcaster Alex Jones. Everyone in the party had to pretend to be cool with idiot extremist Oath Keeper Sharron Angle, because the craziness the right wing whipped up led its primary voters to select her over the safe party hack who would've handily defeated Harry Reid. There are connections -- both direct and spiritual -- between the far-right Patriot movements that flourished in the '90s and some of the more out there elements of the Tea Parties.

112 Stanghazi  Mon, Jan 10, 2011 4:51:45pm

re: #108 Lidane

Tweety annoys me sometimes, but when he gets in a righteous snit, it's entertaining. I'll have to look for clips of this later.

[Link: tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com...]

113 Alexzander  Mon, Jan 10, 2011 4:52:11pm

re: #111 Gus 802

Congrats!

114 jamesfirecat  Mon, Jan 10, 2011 4:52:12pm

There will always be something so profound about seeing the world from space... I'm sure of it... and this mans words strike me as no less profound.

115 Tigger2005  Mon, Jan 10, 2011 4:53:08pm

Now, now... what does a commie left winger look like?

Like this. (Admittedly, most of them seem to favor 'staches.)
Pol Pot

Stalin

Che Guevara

Kruschev

Lenin

116 Gus  Mon, Jan 10, 2011 4:53:50pm

re: #113 Alexzander

Congrats!

Thank. Now I can be less crabby for about 15 minutes. ;)

117 albusteve  Mon, Jan 10, 2011 4:54:01pm

re: #107 Stanley Sea

Cut the porn Walter.

what porn?

118 jamesfirecat  Mon, Jan 10, 2011 4:54:08pm

re: #87 Charles

Chris Matthews is really reaming a Tea Party leader on his show. It's great.

Wow if Chris Matthews can bring himself to "ream" one Jon Stewart and Steven Colbert are going to be epic...

119 Renaissance_Man  Mon, Jan 10, 2011 4:54:21pm

re: #91 Fozzie Bear

I suggest sane conservatives abandon the label and claim a new one. Sort of like "progressives". I mean, I think the nutbars outnumber the sane (actual) conservatives by now. That's the problem. That's why they keep getting teaheads through the primaries.

I actually don't. I don't think they outnumber them at all, because the vast majority of people are not inclined to wholeheartedly give themselves over to cults.

However, the US political system gives this small cult disproportionate power, because the cult is energised enough to turn out and vote in much greater proportion than regular people. Furthermore, the US political system is binary - people with conservative beliefs don't know what to do. You have two huge parties with a broad range of policies, but very few people agree in the entirety with every policy of either party. Yet there's no option - you have to pick one of two sides. American culture is great at that - giving the illusion of choice, when there really isn't much to choose from.

Now one party is sharply contracting in terms of support and policy range, but Americans still only have two choices. And normal conservatives don't actually know what to do, and I feel for them. They probably fit best with the right-leaning part of the Democrats, but they don't want to vote Democrat, partly out of old prejudices and partly because you also therefore end up voting for the parts of this superparty they don't agree with. So they're left with several bad choices - don't vote, thus giving greater weight to the votes of a small, angry cult; convince themselves that voting R will somehow support the 'sane' Republicans, and hold their nose; or vote D and vote for some things they don't agree with.

And worst of all, the term they've identified with - 'Conservative' - has been taken. It now means something very different, yet they still identify with the term. And I really, really wish it was otherwise.

120 Decatur Deb  Mon, Jan 10, 2011 4:55:13pm

re: #106 Stanley Sea

President Obama to travel to Arizona on Wednesday - @marcambinder [Link: huff.to...]

Representative West will be pleased that POTUS is going into the line of fire.

121 researchok  Mon, Jan 10, 2011 4:55:24pm

re: #110 CuriousLurker

LOL, I have to admit I've been giggling and struggling to resist giving you dings for your Whirling Dervish outfit. I keep imagining you spinning around saying, "How do I look? Does the red fez one make me look fat??"

I'm hoping to have sponsor patches.

122 Stanghazi  Mon, Jan 10, 2011 4:55:41pm
For as long as I can remember, I have heard conservatives blaming everything that is wrong in the universe, from violent crime to declining test scores to teen pregnancy to rude children to declining patriotism to probably athlete's foot . . . upon Dr. Spock, Hollywood liberals, the abolition of prayer in school, Bill Clinton, the "liberal 1960s," the teaching of evolution — in other words, upon symbols, rhetoric, cultural norms, and the values expressed by political and media leaders. Yet from the moment when someone gets a gun in their hands, apparently, society ceases to have any influence whatsoever on the outcome and individual responsibility takes hold 100%. Something is driving the tripling of death threats against congressmen (and the concomitant rise in threats against Federal judges and other villains of the right, from Forest Service rangers to climate scientists) and it isn't the sunspot cycle.

Read more: [Link: budiansky.blogspot.com...]

123 CuriousLurker  Mon, Jan 10, 2011 4:56:03pm

re: #111 Gus 802

Woot!

One of my LGF pages was linked by Salon

Watering the tree of liberty

Okay, that deserved a ding too.

//Freaking Lizards always doing or saying something I can't ignore. I never get any rest. *sigh*

124 wrenchwench  Mon, Jan 10, 2011 4:57:24pm

re: #111 Gus 802

Woot!

One of my LGF pages was linked by Salon

Watering the tree of liberty

You do make a nice page.

125 Gus  Mon, Jan 10, 2011 4:58:09pm

re: #124 wrenchwench

You do make a nice page.

Just keep me away from Mark Foley.

//

126 (I Stand By What I Said Whatever It Was)  Mon, Jan 10, 2011 4:58:29pm

re: #111 Gus 802

Woot!

One of my LGF pages was linked by Salon

Watering the tree of liberty

Do we know the author, Alex Pareene?

127 Gus  Mon, Jan 10, 2011 4:58:50pm

re: #126 000G

Do we know the author, Alex Pareene?

Nope.

128 researchok  Mon, Jan 10, 2011 4:59:24pm

re: #127 Gus 802

He's my fashion guru.
/

129 2by2  Mon, Jan 10, 2011 4:59:54pm

re: #115 Tigger2005

yup, with that Kruschev image you're getting close
(though he didn't have to shave his head, came naturally in his 50ies)
/

130 Capitalist Tool  Mon, Jan 10, 2011 5:00:21pm

re: #111 Gus 802

Woot!

One of my LGF pages was linked by Salon

Watering the tree of liberty

in that same link... Timothy McVeigh's attorney has been assigned to defend the Arizona shooting suspect

131 Stanghazi  Mon, Jan 10, 2011 5:00:46pm

re: #126 000G

Do we know the author, Alex Pareene?

I've seen him quoted many a times. I think he's smart mostly.

Here's his recent stories

[Link: www.salon.com...]

132 SanFranciscoZionist  Mon, Jan 10, 2011 5:00:50pm

re: #110 CuriousLurker

LOL, I have to admit I've been giggling and struggling to resist giving you dings for your Whirling Dervish outfit. I keep imagining you spinning around saying, "How do I look? Does the red fez one make me look fat??"

I think if the skirt of the coat is wide enough, it will have a slimming effect. When you whirl.

133 Gus  Mon, Jan 10, 2011 5:01:10pm

re: #130 Capitalist Tool

in that same link... Timothy McVeigh's attorney has been assigned to defend the Arizona shooting suspect

How's that for extra double creepy.

134 Big Joe Ghazi  Mon, Jan 10, 2011 5:01:16pm

re: #22 beartiger

I sit corrected, my apologies. It's hard to satirize the right.

It's Poe's Law but for politics.

135 researchok  Mon, Jan 10, 2011 5:02:42pm

re: #132 SanFranciscoZionist

I think if the skirt of the coat is wide enough, it will have a slimming effect. When you whirl.

Then there is the matter of the shoes.

And accessories.

136 SanFranciscoZionist  Mon, Jan 10, 2011 5:03:03pm

re: #133 Gus 802

How's that for extra double creepy.

Well, I guess you want someone with experience defending domestic terrorists. Praise be, there aren't that many attorneys with that experience.

137 Stanghazi  Mon, Jan 10, 2011 5:05:37pm

re: #136 SanFranciscoZionist

Well, I guess you want someone with experience defending domestic terrorists. Praise be, there aren't that many attorneys with that experience.

Doing her job. I do not like how defense atty's are demonized because of their clients. Everyone in America deserves a defense.

I know the majority here agree. (Well I assume!)

138 goddamnedfrank  Mon, Jan 10, 2011 5:06:51pm

re: #137 Stanley Sea

Doing her job. I do not like how defense atty's are demonized because of their clients. Everyone in America deserves a defense.

I know the majority here agree. (Well I assume!)

She seems to specialize in lost causes.

139 wrenchwench  Mon, Jan 10, 2011 5:07:03pm

re: #133 Gus 802

How's that for extra double creepy.

She has had quite the career:

Clarke is notable for having served as legal counsel in several prominent criminal proceedings, including the trials of convicted terrorist Zacarias Moussaoui, the "Unabomber" Ted Kaczynski, Susan Smith, and the 1996 Summer Olympics bomber Eric Rudolph, among others
140 Gus  Mon, Jan 10, 2011 5:07:27pm

A Defender Who’s No Stranger to High-Profile Cases
By WILLIAM GLABERSON
Published: January 10, 2011

The capital-defense lawyer who will represent Jared L. Loughner in the shootings in Tucson, Judy Clarke, is a well-known public defender who gets life sentences in cases that often begin with emotional calls for the death penalty.

Ms. Clarke has helped a number of infamous defendants avoid death sentences, including Theodore J. Kaczynski, the Unabomber; Eric Robert Rudolph, the Atlanta Olympics bomber; and Susan Smith, the South Carolina woman who drowned her toddlers.

Over a legal career of more than 30 years, Ms. Clarke has become perhaps the best-known federal public defender in the country, with a reputation for taking on cases that seem impossible.

“She has stood up to the plate in the kinds of cases that bring the greatest disdain from the public,” said Gerald H. Goldstein, a San Antonio lawyer who has known her for years...

Odd that is doesn't mention McVeigh.

141 Stanghazi  Mon, Jan 10, 2011 5:08:27pm

re: #140 Gus 802

I saw a correction via twitter today, she did not rep McVeigh.

142 Gus  Mon, Jan 10, 2011 5:11:34pm

re: #141 Stanley Sea

I saw a correction via twitter today, she did not rep McVeigh.

Yeah. Looks like the Washington Post is repeating that same mistake:

He has called on San Diego attorney Judy Clarke, a former federal public defender who served on high profile cases, including Timothy McVeigh, a coconspirator in the 1995 Oklahoma bombing.

143 Fozzie Bear  Mon, Jan 10, 2011 5:15:01pm

Yeah it was the unibomber. Which sort of fits in the same mental slot for me as McVeigh. I can see how that slip happened.

144 brownbagj  Mon, Jan 10, 2011 5:31:27pm

Just alike a liberal, leave the country to say something bad about republicans.

//

145 Capitalist Tool  Mon, Jan 10, 2011 5:39:14pm

Everyone in Oklahoma knows that Timothy McVeigh's principal attorney was Steven Jones.
I saw the stories that Ms. Clarke had also presented McVeigh and concluded that she might have just been one of the attorneys on the defense team...

146 Ben G. Hazi  Mon, Jan 10, 2011 6:29:35pm

re: #111 Gus 802

Woot!

One of my LGF pages was linked by Salon

Watering the tree of liberty

Congrats on the linkage, Gus...however, the money shot in the Salon article is the last line:

This stuff infects the whole culture. When this is the bed you make, you can't be too shocked when monsters hide under it.

To those who are saying that Loughner is just a paranoid nut that apparently was working in a vacuum, devoid of any influence from wacked-out right-wing screeds (that are disturbingly becoming more mainstream withing the GOP), pay attention and heed that line. He may be completely batshit crazy, but he was likely drawing his inspiration and impetus from the brain droppings of Palin, Beck, and other from the GOP and the right.

The GOP and others on the right should be ashamed of themselves, but they won't admit it.

147 moderatelyradicalliberal  Mon, Jan 10, 2011 10:10:38pm

re: #120 Decatur Deb

LOL!

148 moderatelyradicalliberal  Mon, Jan 10, 2011 10:14:01pm

re: #106 Stanley Sea

I think he will be more welcome in AZ than he would have been just a few months ago.

149 ClaudeMonet  Mon, Jan 10, 2011 11:42:33pm

re: #28 beartiger

I'm new here. I'll learn.

You've taken the first step--recognition.

Welcome.

150 ClaudeMonet  Mon, Jan 10, 2011 11:53:24pm

re: #119 Renaissance_Man

Great post. A sad situation for those of us who were liberals years ago (when it wasn't a dirty word), but had to watch in frustration as the Democratic Party we'd been raised to love veered left; who went Republican, only to see it veer right; and who now reside in an unrepresented middle.

151 boxhead  Mon, Jan 10, 2011 11:55:00pm
As I look out the window, I see a very beautiful planet that seems very inviting and peaceful. Unfortunately, it is not.

These days, we are constantly reminded of the unspeakable acts of violence and damage we can inflict upon one another, not just with our actions but also with our irresponsible words.

We are better than this. We must do better.

Preach on brother!!!!!!

152 KayInMaine  Tue, Jan 11, 2011 4:56:18am

When I heard Scott Kelly saying these words high above the earth while looking down upon us, it gave me chills! Can you imagine if the christian god spoke like this? :D

153 Obdicut  Tue, Jan 11, 2011 4:58:28am

re: #152 KayInMaine

Well, the Christian god-- as in, Christ-- did tend to speak in that hippie way about peace and good. Or did you mean, if God actually spoke from an orbiting space capsule, instead of from toast?

Image: Jesus%20Christ%20Toast%20+%20Virgin%20Mary%20Grilled%20Cheese%20photo.jpg

154 KayInMaine  Tue, Jan 11, 2011 4:59:48am

re: #153 Obdicut

LOL! Okay, maybe HE doesn't have to speak. He can just appear on toast. :D

155 Lord Baron Viscount Duke Earl Count Planckton  Tue, Jan 11, 2011 5:09:14am

re: #154 KayInMaine

LOL! Okay, maybe HE doesn't have to speak. He can just appear on toast. :D

Or here.

Image: dog_butt_jesus.jpg

156 Lord Baron Viscount Duke Earl Count Planckton  Tue, Jan 11, 2011 5:11:21am

re: #153 Obdicut

Well, the Christian god-- as in, Christ-- did tend to speak in that hippie way about peace and good.

Only when he was high. But afterwards... "I come not to bring peace, but to bring a sword" ;-)

157 sffilk  Tue, Jan 11, 2011 5:26:35am

This MAN has it correct! I also did not know Rep. Giffords is his sister-in-law (especially since the local news here in Atlanta has been devoting all transmissions during the day to keeping people abreast on the snow we had starting Sunday night).

158 tomg51spence  Tue, Jan 11, 2011 5:27:29am
damage we can inflict upon one another, not just with our actions but also with our irresponsible words.

I see this as a simple, eternally accurate statement, without any indication of whom the author may think is currently using words irresponsibly.

159 WINDUPBIRD DISEASE [S.K.U.M.M.]  Tue, Jan 11, 2011 6:31:55am

re: #152 KayInMaine

When I heard Scott Kelly saying these words high above the earth while looking down upon us, it gave me chills! Can you imagine if the christian god spoke like this? :D


Which Scott Kelly we talking about?

160 KayInMaine  Wed, Jan 12, 2011 4:29:11am

re: #153 Obdicut

What I was attempting to say was I wished the christian god would say what Kelly said....."I'm not very happy you are wrecking such a beautiful planet! Appreciate it please!". Or something like that. From what I've witnessed, it appears the christian god tells people on the ground, "Fight! Fight! Fight! Kill! Kill! Harm each other!". It's so confusing. Isn't the christian god all about love? :D

161 KayInMaine  Wed, Jan 12, 2011 4:30:06am

re: #159 WindUpBird

Scott Kelly, Congresswoman Giffords brother-in-law in the LGF post above. :D


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