Juan Williams: We Can't Blame AZ Shooting on "Right-Wing Rhetoric"
Juan Williams, speaking yesterday on Fox News Sunday, offers a refreshing, non-partisan perspective on the Arizona shooting (via The Daily Caller):
Reflecting on the media's narrative of the shooting, Williams said,
I think it’s important to say this, as someone left of center, that you can’t just blame this on some kind of right-wing rhetoric. I mean, clearly, I think this kid was unstable....I would hope that people aren't so base as to make this into a political debate at this moment.
I've always found Williams to be a thoughtful and reasonable pundit--he's not a hack like so many of them out there, and his words above affirm this.
Williams also added:
I do have worries about Arizona, I think the sheriff down there said it yesterday when he said that there’s too much of this kind of anti-immigrant fervor going on in Arizona. Some people call it the new Birmingham because of the intolerance that’s demonstrated in much of the state… I think the people in Arizona have to stop for a second and think about exactly why they are so angry and why this incident happened in Arizona.
This is a bit provocative: is Arizona the new Birmingham?
- Comment (28)
- · Quote
- · UnfollowFollow (4)
- Pages:
- 1
- 2
Comments:
Oct '10
Re: Juan Williams: We Can't Blame AZ Shooting on "Right-Wing Rhetoric"
My brother lives in Tucson, and he said that the political environment is very heated there. This is from a guy who has attended protests outside of Gabrielle Gifford's office.
My problem with this entire discussion is that political rhetoric has nothing to do with the shooting. As Kenneth pointed out, this has to do with mental illness. What does political rhetoric have to do with someone gunning down a 9 year old girl? This entire conversation is is taking on a life of its own...which is what worries me.
Re: Juan Williams: We Can't Blame AZ Shooting on "Right-Wing Rhetoric"
I'd love to know what your brother's reaction to all of this is? What does he say about the mood in Tucson right now?
Sep '10
Re: Juan Williams: We Can't Blame AZ Shooting on "Right-Wing Rhetoric"
I would ask Juan why he thinks so many people in Arizona are angry? Is it because of pure racism or is it because their government has not protected their life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness? I believe it to be the latter of the two. And until that is acknowledged, the rhetoric will continue to be heated.
To blame the actions of some nut job pot smoking nihilistic loser on heated political rhetoric is absurd. I liked the world better when people were responsible for their own behavior and actions. What happened to that world?
May '10
Re: Juan Williams: We Can't Blame AZ Shooting on "Right-Wing Rhetoric"
OK, so this has nothing to do with politics, and the kid was just unstable. But we need to ask: Why was he unstable in Arizona? Huh?
I read the second quote as, 'Yeah, the kid was unstable, but all that ferment in the 'New Birmingham' pushed him over the edge." Forgive me if I'm not refreshed.
Re: Juan Williams: We Can't Blame AZ Shooting on "Right-Wing Rhetoric"
Daniel Frank: OK, so this has nothing to do with politics, and the kid was just unstable. But we need to ask: Why was he unstable in Arizona? Huh?
I read the second quote as, 'Yeah, the kid was unstable, but all that ferment in the 'New Birmingham' pushed him over the edge." Forgive me if I'm not refreshed. · Jan 10 at 6:58am
Maybe Juan was suggesting that something in Loughner's environment sparked him to do what he did. Someone can be unstable, but then be moved to action by having that instability sparked. I think that Juan's reasoning is pretty consistent here. He's saying that Loughner was probably not motivated by right-wing rhetoric, but probably was motivated by something larger going on in AZ.
Jun '10
Re: Juan Williams: We Can't Blame AZ Shooting on "Right-Wing Rhetoric"
The sheriff Williams refers to is Clarence W. Dupnic.He was interviewed on Fox News, and after watching Megyn Kelly gently eviscerate this guy, I would only add that he is a shameless Democrat hack. Sheriff Dupnic, in my view, is not even close to smart enough to do the job he was elected (I assume) to do. He is an embarrassment and should be thrown out of office at the voters' earliest convenience.
Edited on January 10, 2011 at 4:36pmRe: Juan Williams: We Can't Blame AZ Shooting on "Right-Wing Rhetoric"
Standfast:
To blame the actions of some nut job pot smoking nihilistic loser on heated political rhetoric is absurd. I liked the world better when people were responsible for their own behavior and actions. What happened to that world? · Jan 10 at 6:58am
Just to be clear, I think that Juan Williams would agree that heated political rhetoric did not cause the shooting. He says so himself when he calls the MSM out on the bogus "right wing rhetoric" narrative of the shooting.
Aside from that, I think when Juan asks the bigger question about the political mood of Arizona, he's trying to offer some context. Despite why the people there are angry (if they're angry), Arizona has been emanating a good deal of political energy lately. That can lead to volatility and instability. Though I wouldn't say that AZ is the new Birmingham, I do think that context is always one piece of the puzzle, especially when you're trying to figure out why a young kid initiated a shooting of so many innocent people at a political event.
Jun '10
Re: Juan Williams: We Can't Blame AZ Shooting on "Right-Wing Rhetoric"
Emily Esfahani Smith, Ed.
Daniel Frank: OK, so this has nothing to do with politics, and the kid was just unstable. But we need to ask: Why was he unstable in Arizona? Huh?
I read the second quote as, 'Yeah, the kid was unstable, but all that ferment in the 'New Birmingham' pushed him over the edge." Forgive me if I'm not refreshed. · Jan 10 at 6:58am
Maybe Juan was suggesting that something in Loughner's environment sparked him to do what he did. Someone can be unstable, but then be moved to action by having that instability sparked. I think that Juan's reasoning is pretty consistent here. He's saying that Loughner was probably not motivated by right-wing rhetoric, but probably was motivated by something larger going on in AZ. · Jan 10 at 7:20am
Yeah, something like the dry climate. Give me a break! Emily, are we now going to move to looking for what might have caused someone to go off the deep end?
Re: Juan Williams: We Can't Blame AZ Shooting on "Right-Wing Rhetoric"
Cas Balicki
Emily Esfahani Smith, Ed.
Maybe Juan was suggesting that something in Loughner's environment sparked him to do what he did. Someone can be unstable, but then be moved to action by having that instability sparked. I think that Juan's reasoning is pretty consistent here. He's saying that Loughner was probably not motivated by right-wing rhetoric, but probably was motivated by something larger going on in AZ. · Jan 10 at 7:20am
Yeah, something like the dry climate. Give me a break! Emily, are we now going to move to looking for what might have caused someone to go off the deep end? · Jan 10 at 7:34am
There's a distinction between "right wing rhetoric" and the political mood of Arizona. If you're telling me context doesn't matter, then you need to give me a break.
Oct '10
Re: Juan Williams: We Can't Blame AZ Shooting on "Right-Wing Rhetoric"
Emily Esfahani Smith, Ed.
I'd love to know what your brother's reaction to all of this is? What does he say about the mood in Tucson right now? · Jan 10 at 6:55am
After the initial shock, he then said that he wasn't completely surprised. I think he is completely wrong on this though, because i still don't see the link between the political debate in Tucson and this guy's severe mental illness.
The Sheriff is a real disgrace. I was watching MSNBC this morning and Tom Brokaw was praising him for "speaking out against inflammatory political rhetoric". Why is Brokaw praising a guy who is accusing his political opponents of accessory to mass murder?
Re: Juan Williams: We Can't Blame AZ Shooting on "Right-Wing Rhetoric"
tms
The Sheriff is a real disgrace. I was watching MSNBC this morning and Tom Brokaw was praising him for "speaking out against inflammatory political rhetoric". Why is Brokaw praising a guy who is accusing his political opponents of accessory to mass murder? · Jan 10 at 7:49am
Right, and the MSM can latch on to the Sheriff as a "reliable source" since he's a local and tells them what they want to hear.
Re: Juan Williams: We Can't Blame AZ Shooting on "Right-Wing Rhetoric"
I agree with Emily that even if Juan says some goofy things sometimes and is often wrongheaded, he is basically a decent guy. (Hope I'm not putting words in your mouth, Emily.) I see no malice in Juan, and, I find that refreshing.
Jun '10
Re: Juan Williams: We Can't Blame AZ Shooting on "Right-Wing Rhetoric"
Just one problem with Juan Williams' comments. He associates anti-Semitism, being anti-immigrant and being anti-government as somehow "right-wing". So, in his attempted effort not to politicize the incident, he has in fact, politicized it by labeling the anti-government, anti-Semitic, anti-immigrant group that Loughner is associated with as "right wing". So-called "liberal" pundits like Williams continue to smear conservatives who have always repudiated anti-Semitism and are not anti-immigrant nor anti-government. In point of fact, those on the "Left" have an embarrassing history of embracing anti-Semitism, and supporting anti-immigrant and anti-government movements that they would like forget but now foist their embarrassment onto conservatives.
For an illuminating exploration of terms see Jonah Goldberg's wonderful presentation in 2008 at the Heritage Foundation when he promoted his book "Liberal Fascism". All four episodes are worth watching, but he starts to hone in on labeling in Episode 2.
Most conservatives I know are staunchly pro-Israel, in favor of legal immigration and advocate working within the confines of the law and the Constitution to improve government.
Williams comments would have been more welcome without the smear on the "right-wing".
Jul '10
Re: Juan Williams: We Can't Blame AZ Shooting on "Right-Wing Rhetoric"
I kinda like Juan Williams, but here, he's being a weasel. To reference "...anti-immigrant fervor..." is a blatant misrepresentation of what's happening in Arizona.
Arizonans aren't upset about immigration, they're upset about an invasion of illegals.
Jul '10
Re: Juan Williams: We Can't Blame AZ Shooting on "Right-Wing Rhetoric"
Re: Juan Williams: We Can't Blame AZ Shooting on "Right-Wing Rhetoric"
No, you just said what I was trying to in a more elegant way! Thanks David.
Re: Juan Williams: We Can't Blame AZ Shooting on "Right-Wing Rhetoric"
Great point, very insightful. But did Juan call Loughner right-wing? I think he just said that Loughner may have ties to a group, American Renaissance, that is anti-semitic and anti-government. Juan said "there is a temptation to say that this is a result of right wing attacks," but he doesn't outright call Loughner right wing himself--unless I'm missing something.
Edited on January 10, 2011 at 5:34pmRe: Juan Williams: We Can't Blame AZ Shooting on "Right-Wing Rhetoric"
Kenneth: I kinda like Juan Williams, but here, he's being a weasel. To reference "...anti-immigrant fervor..." is a blatant misrepresentation of what's happening in Arizona.
Arizonans aren't upset about immigration, they're upset about an invasion of illegals. · Jan 10 at 8:03am
Yes, Kenneth, and also a misrepresentation in that, as far as we know, the issue (immigration/illegals invasion) was wholly irrelevant to the shootings.
Jun '10
Re: Juan Williams: We Can't Blame AZ Shooting on "Right-Wing Rhetoric"
Emily Esfahani Smith, Ed.
Great point, very insightful. But did Juan call Loughner right-wing? I think he just said that Loughner may have ties to a group, American Renaissance, that is anti-semitic and anti-government. Juan said "there is a temptation to say that this is a result of right wing attacks," that he doesn't outright call Loughner right wing himself--unless I'm missing something. · Jan 10 at 8:12am
The dots are connected, are they not? Loughner is possibly connected to "American Renaissance" - a group characterized as an anti-Semitic, anti-immigrant, anti-government "right-wing" group - ergo Loughner is "right-wing" anti-Semite, anti-immigrant, anti-govenment extremist.
I don't think that's unreasonable leap of logic..."right-wing" extremist by association with a purported "right-wing" extremist association. Is there a reason to believe otherwise?
Dec '10
Re: Juan Williams: We Can't Blame AZ Shooting on "Right-Wing Rhetoric"
Loughner had a history with Gabrielle Giffords specifically, having shown up to one of her gatherings in 2007 where he submitted a question : "How can the Government govern when words have no meaning?" She didn't (couldn't) even give an answer, and it seems he's been plotting his revenge ever since.
Hasn't the heat of the political climate actually gone DOWN since the midterm election? The campaigns are over for the time being, the ads are off the air, and Congress had only just started its new session. If any faction is currently distraught and agitated over the new Congress, it would be the Left, not the Right: the Right is still in at least a benefit-of-the-doubt moment to see what the House Republicans can do. And given the Republican House majority, an assassin motivated by shifting Congress to the Right would have gone after a Senator.
The second Juan Williams quote negates the first: despite casting doubt on the culpability of Right-wing rhetoric, he then ascribes culpability to Right-wing rhetoric, and casually smears the people of Arizona as being on the same moral plane as Bull Connor and George Wallace, both stalwarts of Alabama's Democratic Party.
Edited on January 10, 2011 at 5:55pm