On the Self-Indulgence of the Tucson Media Orgy
It is perfectly normal that we were all shocked and saddened to learn of this terrible event. It is perfectly normal that we would discuss it here, and it is perfectly normal--and useful--for us to discuss our legal framework for coping humanely with the criminally insane. Particularly given the terrible personal loss suffered by our own George Savage, all of this is normal.
What is not normal is the now-monomaniacal focus of the entire American media, on both the Left and the Right, on the question, "Whose rhetoric is most hateful and unpleasant?" The question is in the first place irrelevant and in the second obviously unserious. If you show me a well-constructed, longitudinal study of young schizophrenics, half of whom have been exposed to the Sarah Palin's crosshair-chart and half of whom have not, and mutatis mutandis, a statistically significant number of the second group go on to commit an act of political violence, maybe it might be worth talking about. But absent that, this is pure hysteria.
It's just as self-indulgent for those on the Right to preoccupy themselves obsessively with the grave insult offered their amour-propre by the suggestion that their rhetoric has been intemperate, and to spend hour upon hour collating and cataloguing examples of equally intemperate Leftist rhetoric--as if it was some kind of competition with a prize at the end--as it is for those on the Left to do it. Surely no one doubts it possible to find examples of rudeness and vitriol all over the spectrum of American political opinion? Surely no one doubts that the metaphors of the military--and shooting and boxing, for that matter--are part of the normal fabric of the English language, used by everyone, and that sane people know the difference between the literal and the metaphorical?
Meanwhile, while we are focused on a shooting that is obviously a shattering tragedy for the victims but has no particularly deep political meaning, this assassination and its aftermath is pregnant with minatory significance and should be scaring agitated, hand-wringing American columnists to death, or at least into pro forma agitated hand-wringing if they can't muster a bit of authentic sentiment:
ISLAMABAD, Pakistan — Cheering crowds have gathered in recent days to support the assassin who riddled the governor of Punjab with 26 bullets and to praise his attack — carried out in the name of the Prophet Muhammad — as an act of heroism. To the surprise of many, chief among them have been Pakistan’s young lawyers, once seen as a force for democracy.
Their energetic campaign on behalf of the killer has caught the government flat-footed and dismayed friends and supporters of the slain politician, Salman Taseer, an outspoken proponent of liberalism who had challenged the nation’s strict blasphemy laws. It has also confused many in the broader public and observers abroad, who expected to see a firm state prosecution of the assassin.
Instead, before his court appearances, the lawyers showered rose petals over the confessed killer, Malik Mumtaz Hussain Qadri, a member of an elite police group who had been assigned to guard the governor, but who instead turned his gun on him. They have now enthusiastically taken up his defense.
That's a nuclear power. Which one of these events is really worth talking about this much?
Senik > Searching for Grace in Tucson
Robinson > The Utter Irresponsibility of Sheriff Dupnik
Savage > A Plea for Mental Health Reform
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Jul '10
Re: On the Self-Indulgence of the Tucson Media Orgy
I disagree. The demonization of everyone right of center in the wake of the Oklahoma City bombing gives conservatives every reason to fight back and point out the blatant games that are being played. It's not as though the right is trying to pin Loughner on the left, we just want them to play by their own rules.
If they control the narrative on this, and are permitted to reduce every conservative position to a shorthand for violent extremism, it will have great consequences down the road.
Oct '10
Re: On the Self-Indulgence of the Tucson Media Orgy
I would say that the decline of civil discourse between Left and Right in the United States is certainly worth talking about. The gleeful eagerness of many on the Left to use this massacre to demonize their opposition lends further credence to the notion - popularized by William Gibson in Spook Country - that America has, during the past decade, slipped into a Cold Civil War. The situation in Pakistan is incredibly terrifying, but the very prospect of the complete collapse of reasoned political discourse (and what that may imply) in the United States is no less distressing.
May '10
Re: On the Self-Indulgence of the Tucson Media Orgy
Except that a charge left unanswered is a charge accepted. Otherwise, this becomes Mr. Obama's "Oklahoma City Moment," his opening to redefine the Left as morally superior, reset the narrative and pave the way to rolling back the gains of last November.
You may not like it, you may find it unseemly, but there it is. Arguing against the major political story in the United States by setting it against the background of another case of political violence a half a world away is like trying to save the Titanic by bailing water with a thimble. The rush of the water is still going to knock you down and drown you. (I'm trying so hard to avoid the military metaphor.)
Jul '10
Re: On the Self-Indulgence of the Tucson Media Orgy
Claire, after the last two days of wall-to-wall punditry about the Arizona tragedy, I'm worn out. I agree with you; it's time to move on.
With regard to Pakistan, I recognize that its combination of Islamist-inspired instability and a nuclear arsenal represents a threat of significant proportions; perhaps second only to that presented by Iran.
But I am at a total loss to know what we can do about Pakistan. We seem to have no effective diplomatic influence. And the prospect of a military adventure there is nightmarish.
It seems to me that Pervez Musharraf at least kept a lid on things while he was in office, but where now is the political figure in Pakistan who stands any chance of bringing sanity to the nation?
In the past, we might support the installment of some sort of military regime that would impose stability. But in Pakistan, the military is dominated by Islamists.
It seems we're destined to watch Pakistan become a totally failed state.
Help us, Claire. What would you have us do?
Dec '10
Re: On the Self-Indulgence of the Tucson Media Orgy
Lucky for me, I am also on a schedule that follows Istanbul time, despite my Ohio residency. A late night Claire post was just the cure I needed for a depressing day of battling the clueless left. Thanks :)
I'll go back to my hole of being a secret conservative tomorrow.
Oct '10
Re: On the Self-Indulgence of the Tucson Media Orgy
I would like to move on, but the hateful, malicious insults leveled by the Left must be countered. I will not stand silent while I and those whom I support are falsely accused of being effective conspirators to murder, for silence implies consent.
Jul '10
Re: On the Self-Indulgence of the Tucson Media Orgy
My guess is that the only people who are persuaded by those insults are the people stupid enough to align themselves with the Left in the first place.
Sound and fury, signifying nothing.
Dec '10
Re: On the Self-Indulgence of the Tucson Media Orgy
"Surely no one doubts that the metaphors of the military--and shooting and boxing, for that matter--are part of the normal fabric of the English language, used by everyone, and that sane people know the difference between the literal and the metaphorical?"
No, surely NOT. The narrative on the Left is driven by their hope that they can convince a majority of Americans to abandon the common-sense idea that martial metaphors are a normal part of our language and culture. Jim Geraghty on NRO's Campaign Spot blog notes the hypocrisy:
"'I understand the idea that, even if Loughner had no idea who Sharron Angle is and even if he never saw Palin’s infamous cross-hairs map, it still makes sense to encourage political leaders to ditch violent rhetoric,' writes Salon news editor Steve Kornacki at the site’s War Room blog.
"The first step in encouraging political leaders to ditch violent rhetoric? Stop calling your blog the WAR ROOM."
Claire, you're making a grave error if you think the national debate is somehow balanced and reciprocal.
As for Pakistan, let's pray it doesn't come to nuclear war between Pakistan and India.
Dec '10
Re: On the Self-Indulgence of the Tucson Media Orgy
Mike LaRoche: I would like to move on, but the hateful, malicious insults leveled by the Left must be countered. I will not stand silent while I and those whom I support are falsely accused of being effective conspirators to murder, for silence implies consent. · Jan 10 at 9:43pm
In some ways (like one very twisted way) I sympathize with the left punditry, cocked and ready to go in a cathartic moment. Although I plan to move on tomorrow, I suspect someone will speak up in a meeting. I'm actually legitimately concerned about my professional situation considering that I could see myself blowing up in a moment of frustration, goofy as that sounds. Time to put on the sober face.
May '10
Re: On the Self-Indulgence of the Tucson Media Orgy
Oh, if it were only so. Unfortunately, there are huge numbers of voters in this country that are only driven to pay attention during big stories like this and the impressions that they come away with can be lasting.
Even if it seems fleeting at the time, campaign commercials, editorial story arcs and talking point memos in 2012 will try to resurrect the themes articulated now. Too often the casually interested will then respond with, "Oh, yeah, I remember that. The Republicans and their hate machine was responsible for that!"
When I first got into television 30 years ago, I said I was going to treat my audience with respect. And then I met them. Now I give them the respect they deserve.
Jun '10
Re: On the Self-Indulgence of the Tucson Media Orgy
There are also people in government today, on the far left, just waiting for some concrete excuse to limit "hateful" speech--"hateful," being anything that successfully embarrasses them or thwarts their social "progress." Crushing conservative or religious free speech has been tried in other parts of the Western World. I don't see any reason they wouldn't try it here in the United States. They just need to manufacture some reason to do it.
Re: On the Self-Indulgence of the Tucson Media Orgy
Stuart Creque: Claire, you're making a grave error if you think the national debate is somehow balanced and reciprocal.
As for Pakistan, let's pray it doesn't come to nuclear war between Pakistan and India.
Doesn't this juxtaposition of sentences make my point? Okay! The national debate is unbalanced. Does that mean we must participate in some kind of sandbox fight about who said a mean thing first? This is a time to lead by example. It's appropriate to say once, and simply, "That's silly. Language is full of metaphor. Greg is not literally about to blow up." Then the adults have to return to thinking about the things we as adults really need to think about.
Kenneth, I don't know the answer. I'd have a better idea, I think, if I could see more serious discussion of this in the news. But the pundits seem too busy to help me out on this one.
Oct '10
Re: On the Self-Indulgence of the Tucson Media Orgy
Kenneth
My guess is that the only people who are persuaded by those insults are the people stupid enough to align themselves with the Left in the first place.
Sound and fury, signifying nothing. · Jan 10 at 9:47pm
If only those stupid enough to align themselves with the Left were as insignificant as they are ignorant. Problem is, most people are idiots. EJ makes a good point in noting how the meme of the "hateful Right", if successfully implanted amongst those only casually interested in politics, could adversely affect the next presidential election. After all 53% of the voters were dim-witted enough to vote for Obama during the previous one.
Jun '10
Re: On the Self-Indulgence of the Tucson Media Orgy
I would simply echo the sentiments about Pakistan that Kenneth has expressed but add that Pakistan's internal conflicts and history of political assassination have been a constant issue for decades and may only get worse despite anything that America does or does not do. I mentioned Pakistan as one in a list potential hot spots when queried about America's post-Cold War defense posture and perhaps not too surprisingly, was not challenged on this. I would hope that the Pakistani government does not morph into a more belligerent and fundamentalist Islamist state. That does not bode well for India or the region because India will defend herself; and it will have additional repercussions for the Israel and the Middle East.
On the home front, there is a sense that emotions are getting as intense as they were on exhibit in the late 1960s but rather than lament that, I would only ask that people ask why that is.
-more-
Edited on Jan 10, 2011 at 10:11pmOct '10
Re: On the Self-Indulgence of the Tucson Media Orgy
Greg Adams
Mike LaRoche: I would like to move on, but the hateful, malicious insults leveled by the Left must be countered. I will not stand silent while I and those whom I support are falsely accused of being effective conspirators to murder, for silence implies consent. · Jan 10 at 9:43pm
In some ways (like one very twisted way) I sympathize with the left punditry, cocked and ready to go in a cathartic moment. Although I plan to move on tomorrow, I suspect someone will speak up in a meeting. I'm actually legitimately concerned about my professional situation considering that I could see myself blowing up in a moment of frustration, goofy as that sounds. Time to put on the sober face. · Jan 10 at 9:48pm
I understand your position regarding your professional situation, for I too am in a profession where I'm surrounded by leftists. In real life, I must be silent and restrained lest my career suffer. Thankfully, there are appropriate venues (like Ricochet) where political frustration can be relieved.
Dec '10
Re: On the Self-Indulgence of the Tucson Media Orgy
Claire Berlinski, Ed.
This is a time to lead by example. It's appropriate to say once, and simply, "That's silly. Language is full of metaphor. Greg is not literally about to blow up." Then the adults have to return to thinking about the things we as adults really need to think about.
huh? well, yes, purely a metaphor in the safety of those I feel intellectually safe. Didn't know I was being "inflammatory" ha!
Jul '10
Re: On the Self-Indulgence of the Tucson Media Orgy
When I said it was time to move on, I meant in the context of Ricochet. We all know where we stand on this issue. All that can be said has been said.
The professional pundits will, of course, go on milking it for all it's worth. They get paid to do so, and this issue doesn't require them to do much original thinking - it's a classic thumb-sucker.
At this point, it's little more than a shouting match, in which each party endlessly repeats the same arguments.
If you want to do anything about it, call your Congressman and demand that he not be stampeded into some new gun-control law or any measure that restricts free speech.
As for me, I'm done with the issue. I'm not gonna listen to it on radio, read it on the web or comment about it here at Ricochet.
Dec '10
Re: On the Self-Indulgence of the Tucson Media Orgy
As for me, I'm done with the issue. I'm not gonna listen to it on radio, read it on the web or comment about it here at Ricochet. · Jan 10 at 10:14pm
Agreed. I turned off Medved today. In this new year where my resolution is to have a strict no moping policy, I got out all of my frustration today. Time to go into "laugh at it instead" mode and speculate on the personal life of Cam Newton. (And Peter Robinson, for that matter. I never thought toothpaste brand would border on TMI, but he made it a great convo)
Jun '10
Re: On the Self-Indulgence of the Tucson Media Orgy
I would contend that the reason that the unrelated actions of a deranged individual is immediately seized upon by both ends of the political spectrum is because what we're seeing played out as a backdrop to this insane act is a greater and more intense fight for the soul of our own country - for the idea of America itself. For seventy years America has drifted toward a European-style socialist state and my contention is that with the election of Barack Obama that is now a concerted effort by socialists who have seized control of the Democrat Party and have intensified the effort. What they didn't anticipate, however, was the Tea Party movement that threw a monkey wrench into their engine of fundamental change. I think from here on, any event is liable to be exploited, as unfortunate and sometimes reprehensible as that is. Considering the stakes, those on the left pushing the country to a socialist state, will use any incident to smear those on the other end of the spectrum who seek to stop them. And as others have articulated, we either lay down and allow ourselves to be smeared or set the record straight.
May '10
Re: On the Self-Indulgence of the Tucson Media Orgy
I'm willing to stop talking on Ricochet about the vast recent history of violent leftist rhetoric -- as it's preaching to the choir -- but I know too many people ignorant of recent history and influenced by the last seemingly-reasonable liberal blog they read not to document and continue to try and influence those around me about the facts in this matter.
I will not stand by and be tarred as a murderous racist by those who engage in the worst forms of slander on a daily basis. I won't let them own the history because they are willing to yell louder and longer.
Some have to counter the hate and the false history.
But it's also understandable to want a refuge, and there's no good reason for Ricochet not to be a refuge.