The language of violence in politics is decades old.
The idea of targeting specific candidates, or specific incumbents is an old one. On Hannity last night Democratic strategist Bob Beckel claimed original authorship of the whole “targeting opponents” theme in the ’70s. let’s face it political language is all about winning and losing.
When people talked about a Clinton War Room, that was the language of war. No one thought that he was actually at war.
Barack Obama said what he would do to counter Republican attacks: ‘If They Bring a Knife to the Fight, We Bring a Gun’. Yes that was reference to a famous movie line, and but it was a way to be clever and fold in the concept of Mob Violence. Is that really any different that the now famous “Reload” tweet?
What does it mean when the President of the United States is heard referring to democratically elected members of the US government as “enemies” that should be punished by the Latino community? That is more of the divisive war language.
The President is known for being very good with his choice of words. He knows the word “Enemy” is a very strong one.
Of course all anyone wants to talk about is bullseyes, and maps. Well when the DCC put out a map targeting Red States they used both bullseyes and the strong language.
DCC Target Map
“Targeting Strategy” and “Enemy Lines”, clearly strong words. Are the citizens, Republicans and independents, who voted for Bush really the enemy of the DCC? No. Of course not.
You might be getting ahead of this, and thinking “but they don’t target individuals, just states.” Well you would be right, but I would say it really doesn’t matter. However if you insist on Democrat Bullseye maps that target individuals, I will have to refer to the DLCC map.
DCCC Target Map
The map has been removed from the site now, but when it was up and you placed your mouse over the bullseye targets, you got a graphic and bio of the individual.
DCCC targetd republican
Many never heard the story of now former Dem Congressman Paul Kanjorski said of his political opponent “Put him against the wall and shoot him”? Now no one really thinks that this was a call for someone to kill, but it was just more of the battle language used in politics.
So much has been said about the supposed “Rifle Sights” in the SaraPac graphic, but if you really look at it, you will see the targets are pinpointed by filled in circles that have a cross on them. No gunsight I ever saw had a filled in center that you could not actually see through.
crosshairs, or bullseye
Actually the LANGUAGE on the SarahPAC graphic was very neutral. No actual war words. “Its time to take a stand” and “Let’s take back the 20 together”.
Well, many say that this was backed up with the “RELOAD” tweet. Well, as I pointed out earlier that is very similar to telling people to bring a gun to the fight.
Well, if anyone is keeping score that is two Dem maps with bullseyes to one from a Republican. Not that it matters. It is just some people are obsessed with keeping a tally.
Or a pitchfork. I know it is a bit weird, but for some the idea of protesting brings with it the images of an angry mob, with pitchforks and I suppose torches…
Who can forget when Senator Claire McCaskill suggested that IF they couldn’t raise taxes on the rich, then “It really is time for Americans to take up pitchforks.“
Seriously…. Pitchforks…. Well she also talks about targeting, and fighting.
Opponents, Attack…. and pitchforks….all strong language that has its root in violence.
“If you get hit, we will punch back twice as hard,” Not a direct call for violence, but clearly more of that strong language that clearly has at it’s base violence.
Now, almost immediately after that call, on August 6, 2009, a fight broke out at a health care town hall meeting with Rep. Russ Carnahan (D-MO), during which Kenneth Gladney was assaulted and injured. Allegedly by SEIU members who shouted racial epitaphs (the N word) at him while they beat him up, and sent him to the hospital. There is actually a YouTube video showing part of the beating. Oh and many witnesses… and the fact that he was put in the hospital.
Three months after the punches were thrown, a prosecutor in St. Louis County filed charges against six people in connection with this. All six plead not guilty even though they were not even charged with misdemeanors. Ordinance violations only. I don’t know what that means. Maybe they didn’t have a licence to beat up an african american within the city limits? I can not find anywhere if, after all these months, the case has been resolved.
I am certainly not saying that this violence or any other is a result of the political talk. I am being very clear here. Violent people will use violence. It will not be because someone tweeted “RELOAD”, anymore than they will if someone said “Bring a gun” or “punch back twice as hard”.
It is my belief that the political spectrum does not sit on a line, but is actually on a circle. The political center is at the bottom of the circle, and different ideoligies can be placed left or right of that spot. With the extreme left and extreme right meeting at the top in crazyville. That is where they share many views and traits.
This is why it is so hard to place a nutcase like Jared Loughner in an pigeon hole.
He is crazy, and he began his journey to Saturday long before the tea party and SaraPAC.