Alan Dershowitz defends Sarah Palin's use of "blood libel" in a metaphorical rather than literal context. Yup, the "Blame Sarah" crowd has gotten that silly (although Jonah Goldberg thinks they have a bit of a point).
Jim Geraghty has an excellent recap of the use of "blood libel" a metaphor. Frank Rich and Andrew Sullivan go gay; here is Rich:
Frank Rich, New York Times columnist, October 15, 2006: “The moment Mr. Foley’s e-mails became known, we saw that brand of fearmongering and bigotry at full tilt: Bush administration allies exploited the former Congressman’s predatory history to spread the grotesque canard that homosexuality is a direct path to pedophilia. It’s the kind of blood libel that in another era was spread about Jews.”
WaPo columnist Eugene Robinson goes ethnic:
Ann Coulter’s column, October 30, 2008:
His expert pontificator on race was The Washington Post’s Eugene Robinson, who said the Pittsburgh hoax was “the blood libel against black men concerning the defilement of the flower of Caucasian womanhood. It’s been with us for hundreds of years and, apparently, is still with us.”
And he has many others (including a defender of Al Gore against "blood libel"), but Mr. Geraghty's list does not include this use by Ken Blackwell in The American Spectator:
The Blood Libel of the New York Times
...So, let’s see an example of what the Times calls civility. A leading Thoughtful Writer for the Times is Peter Steinfels. Steinfels writes on religious topics. Here’s a sample of his work in the form of a recent book review:
A Provocative Work About the Christian Right
By PETER STEINFELS The New York Times April 25, 2009
If you wanted a book title to speed the pulse of liberal academics, journalists and politicians, you couldn't do much better than "The Democratic Virtues of the Christian Right." For many people that's a title akin to "The Winning Ways of Serial Killers."
...
I call attention, however, to that vile line: “…a title akin to ‘The Winning Ways of Serial Killers.’” If ever Rush Limbaugh’s term “Drive-by Media” applied, it applies here, in this libelous -- even blood libelous -- terminology.
Works for me.
THE MORNING AFTER: Some reviews are good; I am irked, and I bet I will find others similarly situated. I have a Post In Progress; my gist will be that President On The Other Hand seems to rebuke the lefties who laid the blame on the right, then adopts their message by calling on all of us to be more civil.
OK, so maybe Palin, Limbaugh and Beck aren't directly responsible for mass murder, but can't we come together in a bi-partisan manner to agree they failed to do anything to stop it?
Posted by: Pops | January 12, 2011 at 05:38 PM
Kurtz and Rubin and Dem shill , the ADL's Foxman, all erred IMO in claiming Sarah shouldn't have used that term. Kurtz was mistaken. Foxman was playing his consistent Dem court Jew role and Rubin? Well, I'm afraid I don't know what got into her. She criticized even Palin's timing and the content of the video. PHEH.
All I see on the horizon are spotless white togas and the wolves snapping at the heels of anyone who fights for what's right with any skill and vigor.
Posted by: clarice | January 12, 2011 at 05:45 PM
So the real story is a left-leaning, dope smoking, liberal conspiracy theory believing 9/11 truther shot a Republican federal judge and a Democrat who voted against Nancy Pelosi two days after the Daily Kos proclaim the Congresswomen was DEAD TO ME.
Could the drive-by media have been any less accurate??
Posted by: Pops | January 12, 2011 at 05:45 PM
I think Blackwell is off base. I read Steinfels's line as poking fun at liberals whose heads explode over the Christian Right. He's not suggesting the Christian Right is akin to serial killers, he's saying that this is how the crazy left might react to the book's title.
Posted by: jimmyk | January 12, 2011 at 05:46 PM
Could the drive-by media have been any less accurate??
Don't dare them.
Posted by: Charlie (Colorado) | January 12, 2011 at 05:49 PM
In my dreams I see Limbaugh, Palin and Beck going to Arizona and give themselves up to face the charges the sherriff has levelled against them.
------
Of course it will be bad enough to see the sheriff on the stand at the real trial being asked:
Q: From that start sheriff, you didn't believe my client was guilty of these crimes did you? In fact you made several public statements blaming others for these crimes?
Q: Can we play the sherriffs remarks to the jury to show he from the bigginning thouight my client was not to blame?
Posted by: Pops | January 12, 2011 at 05:55 PM
Incidentally, since there's been pronoun confusion today, the two "he's" in my last sentence at 5:46 refer to Steinfels, not Blackwell.
Posted by: jimmyk | January 12, 2011 at 05:57 PM
I think the prize for the most ludicrous libel against Palin has to be ABCs the note:
"BOTTOM LINE: Sarah Palin, once again, has found a way to become part of the story."
Written by MICHAEL FALCONE and AMY WALTER"
After three days of major news organizations claiming she was behind the mass murder, they then blame Palin for making herself part of the story by pointing out the medias lies.
At lease we can now, put these two so-called journalists on a list of reporters that cannot under any circumstance be believed.
Posted by: Pops | January 12, 2011 at 06:00 PM
Dershowitz settles the question. Odd that one of the few honest liberals would be a lawyer.
Posted by: Danube of Thought | January 12, 2011 at 06:01 PM
How I wish I owned some words.
Posted by: MarkO | January 12, 2011 at 06:12 PM
Nobody cares about "blood libel." They're just scared of another "death panel."
Posted by: Extraneus | January 12, 2011 at 06:19 PM
Steinfels is one of the few NYT writers I can stand any more. His comment in this case is on the liberal media, not conservatives, and he is spot on.
A movie 25 years ago called "Where the Buffalo Roam" was based loosely on Hunter Thompson, who had a rottweiler whose attack prompt was the word "Nixon". The same holds true with the asinine media these days when the word Palin is mentioned.
Palin remembers that words have meaning, and used them specifically.She's loving this. If she wasn't the bete noir before, she surely is now.
Posted by: matt | January 12, 2011 at 06:24 PM
Ouch.
That damn liberal'splodeyhead braintrust jumped up and bit me.
I just chewed down a handful of Exedrin with all the splitting-atoms-with-their-minds goings-on.
Sigh.
Posted by: Enlightened | January 12, 2011 at 06:24 PM
Charlie, they don't need daring; they're self-motivated.
Posted by: Rob Crawford | January 12, 2011 at 06:24 PM
Dershowitz has always been somewhat of a maverick unwilling to blindly follow liberal orthodoxy. I respect him for his comments today displaying that maverick tendency.
Posted by: Jim Rhoads a/k/a vjnjagvet | January 12, 2011 at 06:26 PM
We should remember the reaction of the oaf Bloomberg immediately after the attempted Times Square bombing: he cautioned us not to jump to conclusions; after all, it could just be some guy who was angry about the healthcare bill.
Posted by: Danube of Thought | January 12, 2011 at 06:31 PM
Sarah Palin has every right to defend herself against these libelous attacks. I thought her statement was measured and honest with good suggestions for healing.The Left is like Pavlov's dog whenever her name is mentioned.
Posted by: maryrose | January 12, 2011 at 06:34 PM
Dershowitz has been subject to unfair attacks by leftists for not accepting their Blood Libels against Israel.
Posted by: PaulV | January 12, 2011 at 06:35 PM
Someone needs to shoot Sarah Palin
The video at the bottom. Language alert, but worth watching. Too easy to forget who we're dealing with.
Posted by: Extraneus | January 12, 2011 at 06:36 PM
Most of the idiot commenters on the Kurtz piece were absolutely certain that somehow the very use of the phrase "blood libel" was an anti-semetic slur. Dopes.
Posted by: Boatbuilder | January 12, 2011 at 06:36 PM
Reports that people attending the rally are being given "Together We Thrive" t-shirts.
Posted by: Rob Crawford | January 12, 2011 at 06:46 PM
Rob: Ahem. "Memorial."
Posted by: Boatbuilder | January 12, 2011 at 06:51 PM
Yeah. Right. "Memorial".
Posted by: Rob Crawford | January 12, 2011 at 06:55 PM
Ah. Report of t-shirts appears to be false. Sorry for being gullible; hard not to think the worst of this crowd after the last few days.
Posted by: Rob Crawford | January 12, 2011 at 06:56 PM
Official WH brand - blue and white signs, free t-shirts with the brand, concession stands - yeah, it sounds just like a memorial service.
Posted by: centralcal | January 12, 2011 at 06:57 PM
If they want to thrive why don't they just sign up for Kaiser healthcare.........last time I went to a memorial I sure as hell wasn't hoping to thrive with those around me.
LUN
Posted by: Enlightened | January 12, 2011 at 07:05 PM
It's very hard to underestimate them.
Posted by: clarice | January 12, 2011 at 07:05 PM
I love Tammy Bruce. She is twittering away about the branding, the neon signs, the t-shirts, the concessions stands and this:
One hour before the Obama Massacre Theater begins.
Posted by: centralcal | January 12, 2011 at 07:07 PM
Did you watch that, Clarice? I know it's poor form to use eliminationist rhetoric, but I wouldn't mind eliminating those people.
Posted by: Extraneus | January 12, 2011 at 07:10 PM
@ Danube of Thought
Thats an absolute lie. That is NOT what bloomburg said. He did NOT caution jumping to conclusions. In fact he flat out stated it was someone from the tea party who was angry.
http://www.sodahead.com/united-states/bloomburg-blames-tea-party-for-suv-bomb-attempt-in-times-square/blog-313383/
Posted by: carmachu | January 12, 2011 at 07:10 PM
Do you think Obama will mention that the Sheriff acted stupidly?
Posted by: Pops | January 12, 2011 at 07:10 PM
Palin should have said simply:
'In fact only one politician has told their supporters that they have enemies they need to punish, that their anger is justified, that they need to get in their opponents face, and they need to bring a gun.'
The media may be able to figure out just whom that politician is....
Posted by: Pops | January 12, 2011 at 07:15 PM
He'll obliquely refer to the Sheriff's words to say that both sides have acted stupidly. After all, Obama is the centrist. The rest of us are partisans. He of course understands that there are strong feelings on both sides, but we need to come together as a people, for the good of the country. Like he does. Etc.
Posted by: Extraneus | January 12, 2011 at 07:15 PM
“House Chamber, Washington, D.C. January 12, 2011. M. Speaker:
I haven’t gotten to know Gabrielle Giffords yet, and I thank God that by His grace, I haven’t lost the chance to do so.
I didn’t know those Americans who came to speak with her that day. But what I do know is that they gathered last Saturday in Tucson to do something uniquely American. Gabrielle Giffords was reaching out and listening to her employers, the American People, and they had come to offer her their guidance and advice and counsel.
In this respect, the attack on Gabrielle Giffords and her constituents struck at the very heart of our process of representative democracy – that very point where the American people communicate their views to their elected representatives. That is the linchpin in the entire process of self-government.
This was not only an attack on those who serve, it was an attack on every citizen who steps forward to offer honest advice and counsel and yes – even criticism – to those they have selected to serve them and to serve the nation.
It is the nature and the strength of a participatory democracy to have passionate and heart-felt differences of opinion.
But in moments like this, we see the very best of the American people come forward. Men and women of good will cease to be Republicans or Democrats; we put aside our passionate differences and disagreements; we suspend our political agendas; we silence partisan recriminations.
We unite and stand together as one nation – the American nation; one race – the American race; one people – the American people.
By doing so, we pay supreme honor to our fellow citizens who were felled in the exercise of their rights and responsibilities as a free people; we salute the heroes who without a moment’s hesitation rose to resist and stop this craven and depraved attack; and we assure the world, as Lincoln said, that “that government of the people, by the people and for the people shall not perish from the earth.”
">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LFIZKyTx3VA&feature=player_embedded"> Video
Posted by: Threadkiller | January 12, 2011 at 07:20 PM
No, I didn't watch it. I have seen quite enough of this stuff when Bush was president to fill my remaining days with disgust for these people.
Posted by: clarice | January 12, 2011 at 07:24 PM
Actually, it's a dead metaphor, like "jackknife".
Posted by: Greg Ransom | January 12, 2011 at 07:29 PM
Oh. Fuck me.
LUN.
The t-shirts are real.
Posted by: Rob Crawford | January 12, 2011 at 07:34 PM
Actually, it's a dead metaphor, like "jackknife".
Talk to some truck drivers and you'll realize that "jack knife" is not a dead metaphor.
Posted by: Rob Crawford | January 12, 2011 at 07:34 PM
OT
Iraq Vows to Boost Oil Production to 3 MMbpd:
Obviously someone needs to clue this guy in. Iraq doesn't have any oil to sell because the U.S. went in to steal it all.
Posted by: PD | January 12, 2011 at 07:35 PM
The t-shirts are real.
Of course. This is the PR administration.
Posted by: PD | January 12, 2011 at 07:35 PM
I didn't realize I was so poorly educated. Although I knew the origins of blood libel, I stupidly thought that in today's world it was more about long term animosity, kind of like the Hatfields and McCoys or some such. Stupid stupid me.
Posted by: Sara (Pal2Pal) | January 12, 2011 at 07:36 PM
I wonder if Paul Wellstone will get one of those "Together We Thrive" T-shirts for the
re-enactment of the Wellstone memorialTucson memorial service.Posted by: Neo | January 12, 2011 at 07:36 PM
Rob-
No, thank you.
Posted by: Melinda Romanoff | January 12, 2011 at 07:39 PM
it was more about long term animosity, kind of like the Hatfields and McCoys
I think that that is a "blood feud"
Posted by: Neo | January 12, 2011 at 07:40 PM
Of course. This is the PR administration.
That's not just PR. It's branding. They've built a brand around a murder.
Where did they get a stadium's worth of t-shirts in three days?
Posted by: Rob Crawford | January 12, 2011 at 07:41 PM
Where did they get a stadium's worth of t-shirts in three days?
It would be amusing to find out when the shops got the orders. Last night? This morning? If they used multiple shops in the general area it might not take that long.
Posted by: Porchlight | January 12, 2011 at 07:43 PM
So do we call it the
Murder in Tucson"Together We Thrive Murders" ?Posted by: Neo | January 12, 2011 at 07:43 PM
Ahem. "Rally."
My bad.
Posted by: Boatbuilder | January 12, 2011 at 07:46 PM
Good grief, a t-shirt. And Enlightened stole what I was thinking, have hear KP adverts all the time. It also looks like a creepy slogan from V or some such. Anyway.
Posted by: RichatUF | January 12, 2011 at 07:46 PM
The Anchoress says it so well. Read it all.
And so, today, Sarah Palin–probably aware that she was damned if she did, and damned if she didn’t–made a statement. It was actually a very good, if a trifle long, statement. Immediately upon her delivering it, the media, like jackals went on the attack. ABC news, in a breathtaking example of cognitive dissonance, wrote: “Sarah Palin, once again, has found a way (!) to become part of the story. ”
The (!) is mine. The press hauls this woman into the story, makes her a focal point of it, and then asserts that she has inserted herself into it. Staggering.
Other talking heads were spittle-spewing over Palin’s use of a very common phrase that had actually been all over media they day before thanks to Glenn Reynolds’ essay in the Wall Street Journal: “Blood libel.”
The press had almost–almost–been forced to put their Palin-toy down, but those two words–which had not offended when used by Reynolds, or by Andrew Sullivan in the past–gave them something new to bite on. “Blood libel!” “Palin still using violent rhetoric!”
And the Palin-madness–a madness unto rabidity–is reinvigorated.
“Today was supposed to be set-aside for the victims,” someone posted on twitter, “Palin decided she is one of them.”
No. Sarah Palin made a statement that was contextual, relevant and appropriate to the day. The press, if they really wanted to put the day aside for the victims, could have simply reported that Palin made a statement, and moved on. In truth, they could have utterly ignored Palin’s statement altogether, because she really is not part of this story.
But they did not, because they cannot. Where Sarah Palin is concerned, the mainstream press and the political pundit class are like 14 year olds obsessing over the social order of the cafeteria, and especially that stupid new cootie girl, ewwww.
They are the spiteful, malevolent and immature teenagers in “Carrie,” armed with pig-blood and just looking for any opportunity to pour it.
They are repulsive in their clique; one wants to take them by their shoulders and shake them and say “grow up! GROW UP!”
Posted by: Sara (Pal2Pal) | January 12, 2011 at 07:47 PM
Some people got shot. But let's not forget what this thing is all about, people.
Posted by: Barack Obama | January 12, 2011 at 07:48 PM
The Anchoress is en fuego!
Posted by: clarice | January 12, 2011 at 07:50 PM
It would be amusing to find out when the shops got the orders. Last night? This morning? If they used multiple shops in the general area it might not take that long.
Don't forget the time to make the design, get it approved, and make some proofs.
...
I'm really having a hard time not coming to some really nasty conclusions.
Posted by: Rob Crawford | January 12, 2011 at 07:50 PM
Police have released the records of interactions with the shooter, story at hotair and smoking gun.
But there is no mention of any of the death threats that Sherrif Dumbdick mentioned.
Chollajumps blog last post on the death threats sez "Anyone in Law Enforcement or Mental Health in Pima County that ever had contact with Mr. Loughner is now in bunker mode. Everyone is afraid of lawsuits down the road. They are evaluating their behavior and checking to make sure they followed all rules governing the care of Jared Loughner"
Also, Sherrif Dumbdick has some skeletons, his daughter served 2 1/2 years for "
"She was booked into the jail the same day a search warrant was served at a Midtown hotel room where methamphetamine, cocaine, marijuana, a scale, syringes, pipes and counterfeit money were seized, according to court documents filed Friday."
Posted by: windansea | January 12, 2011 at 07:50 PM
Maybe Richard Dawson can MC the event.
">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CBteGkNfyVA&feature=related"> Running Man
Posted by: Threadkiller | January 12, 2011 at 07:54 PM
Someone doesn't know the meaning of "dead metaphor".
Posted by: Greg Ransom | January 12, 2011 at 07:56 PM
pops,
I stole your description of what this is really about at the top of the thread.
And here comes the Obama together we thrive rally where the Messiah will once again part the seas. Too bad he can't shovel the snow.
Posted by: Jane says obamasucks | January 12, 2011 at 07:57 PM
Danube of Thought: Thats an absolute lie. That is NOT what bloomburg [sic] said.
Loosen your underwear, pal. Then read it and weep:
.”Posted by: Danube of Thought | January 12, 2011 at 07:57 PM
♫ ♫
My chausses were wrapped too tight
I couldn't get 'em off last night
A week went by
Now it's July
Finally got 'em off and my girlfriend cried
♫ ♫
Posted by: Extraneus | January 12, 2011 at 08:00 PM
How do you cheer at a memorial service?
Posted by: Sue | January 12, 2011 at 08:03 PM
So are any of the families allowed at this pep rally?
And why doesn't the sheriff get to talk?
Oh it is so solemn - all those screams of adoration has Obama grinning ear to ear. Nice
Posted by: Jane says obamasucks | January 12, 2011 at 08:03 PM
Oh gawd it is so hard for him to fake emotion.
Posted by: Jane says obamasucks | January 12, 2011 at 08:03 PM
windansea-
But there is no mention of any of the death threats that Sherrif Dumbdick mentioned.
Seems that a small gap exists in the records.
Posted by: RichatUF | January 12, 2011 at 08:04 PM
I like how Boatbuilder is using "violent metaphor alert" whenever he/she uses a metaphor like "slapped them silly"...LOL!
VMA could become a new popular acronym!
Posted by: Janet | January 12, 2011 at 08:05 PM
Regardless of what the teleprompter displays at the memorial tonight, what's read from the speaker's eyes and body will reflect the man inside. Pardon me, but I will never believe that Obama has a scintilla of regret for the bloody mayhem last Saturday. He sees every event small and large as a political opportunity to benefit HIM. Because of his own calculating actions in office, he has implacably proved to me his casual disdain for human life and for Americans in general, especially those who are pigmented lighter that he. This entire politically contrived event makes me nauseous and embarrassed for my country. I hope there are enough clear-headed Arizonans participating in and around this event to prevent a maudlin overdose, or the opposite: a big rock-concert-like affair benefiting the appearance of the Messiah.
Posted by: OldTimer | January 12, 2011 at 08:05 PM
Don't forget the time to make the design, get it approved, and make some proofs.
Yeah, I'm trying to work backwards to figure out when someone signed off on the idea. I think at least 24 hours, don't you?
Posted by: Porchlight | January 12, 2011 at 08:06 PM
Copeland?
OMG.
Posted by: Melinda Romanoff | January 12, 2011 at 08:06 PM
Okay, here comes the prayer for gamblers.
Posted by: Jane says obamasucks | January 12, 2011 at 08:06 PM
Oh gawd they had to have stacked this deck. People are cheering for the Indian who is a Mexican. I want to know who was invited to this.
Posted by: Jane says obamasucks | January 12, 2011 at 08:07 PM
Yeah--we've got chariots of fire going and a bunch of people cheering who have no idea of what the word 'decorum' is.
Posted by: glasater | January 12, 2011 at 08:07 PM
Quote of the Day over at Ace of Spades:
They're clapping. They're clapping at a funeral.
Posted by: Rob Crawford | January 12, 2011 at 08:08 PM
If I were a family member, I would be appalled. In fact, I wouldn't be there. Dear heavens, these people are nuts.
Posted by: Sue | January 12, 2011 at 08:09 PM
Peyote is a damn fine thing. I'm thinking now of Carlos Castaneda. Watch your Southern Door, boy.
Posted by: MarkO | January 12, 2011 at 08:10 PM
The little girl's father said his wife and daughter were fans of Obama, he though leaned the other way. I took it to mean he is a republican. He has to be horrified, if he is there.
Posted by: Sue | January 12, 2011 at 08:10 PM
glasater-
The prelude was Aaron Copeland's Fanfare for the Common Man.
Posted by: Melinda Romanoff | January 12, 2011 at 08:10 PM
I was on the wrong thread...
glad to see someone is watching the
My congresswoman got shot and all I got was this lousy tee shirt political rally.
Y'all have better stomachs than I.
Posted by: Stephanie | January 12, 2011 at 08:11 PM
Cheering/clapping/yelling....what am I watching here?
Posted by: J.R. | January 12, 2011 at 08:11 PM
Yeah, I'm trying to work backwards to figure out when someone signed off on the idea. I think at least 24 hours, don't you?
Minimum. I think someone was working on this by early Sunday morning, latest.
I honestly wouldn't be surprised if they didn't have a template prepared that they could just drop in the appropriate city name.
I'm not even watching this thing and it's making me sick.
Posted by: Rob Crawford | January 12, 2011 at 08:11 PM
I said it first--Wellstone II! Remember that.
Posted by: clarice | January 12, 2011 at 08:11 PM
Cheering/clapping/yelling....what am I watching here?
Wellstone II: Electric Boogaloo.
Posted by: Rob Crawford | January 12, 2011 at 08:12 PM
Porchlight-
Monday probably. Someone could call up UA (the U's purchasing office?) and see if they have any info about the shirts. I'm still stunned that they are passing out t-shirts at a memorial service. T-shirts???
Posted by: RichatUF | January 12, 2011 at 08:14 PM
If I may, my son is just as important than those souls we just lost.
Another opportunist.
Posted by: J.R. | January 12, 2011 at 08:14 PM
You know I can't get over how much damage Paul Krugman did to this country this week. There really need to be some consequences to his actions.
Posted by: Jane says obamasucks | January 12, 2011 at 08:14 PM
Four more years!
I feel good! I knew that I would!
Posted by: Barack Obama | January 12, 2011 at 08:14 PM
This entire politically contrived event makes me nauseous and embarrassed for my country.
Me too OldTimer.
Posted by: Janet | January 12, 2011 at 08:14 PM
Make sure the simple family doc gets a t-shirt.
Posted by: J.R. | January 12, 2011 at 08:15 PM
I'm traveling and so far behind on comments it is not funny, but has anyone posted this
Alec Baldwin rant?
"would go down to Washington and we would stone"
Nothing could be clearer, except maybe someone saying "if they bring a knife to the fight, we'll bring-----"
Posted by: Pagar | January 12, 2011 at 08:15 PM
http://thechollajumps.wordpress.com/
the proprietor of this blog, James Kelly, appears solid, he was an analyst for Naval Security Group and the NSA, lives in Tucson, and is also a reporter. He broke the desth threats story with this:
Jared Loughner has been making death threats by phone to many people in Pima County including staff of Pima Community College, radio personalities and local bloggers. When Pima County Sheriff’s Office was informed, his deputies assured the victims that he was being well managed by the mental health system. It was also suggested that further pressing of charges would be unnecessary and probably cause more problems than it solved as Jared Loughner has a family member that works for Pima County
Posted by: windansea | January 12, 2011 at 08:15 PM
I really, really don't want to say what this whole thing smells like.
Posted by: Rob Crawford | January 12, 2011 at 08:16 PM
Following the anthem, the lights will dim and Michael Buffer will come out and say Let's Get Ready to Memorialize!!!
Posted by: J.R. | January 12, 2011 at 08:17 PM
LOL JR.
Posted by: Stephanie | January 12, 2011 at 08:19 PM
Boy I am really having a hard time watching this. The cheering and screeching by people who clearly don't know any of these victims is just as rude and as wrong as the day is long.
It's a pep rally.
Posted by: Jane says obamasucks | January 12, 2011 at 08:22 PM
They don't give out tee shirts at funerals where you live? Come on, man.
Posted by: MarkO | January 12, 2011 at 08:22 PM
"The prelude was Aaron Copeland's Fanfare for the Common Man"
Served the same purpose nicely on a Stones tour a while back.
Posted by: Danube of Thought | January 12, 2011 at 08:23 PM
Tell me again how Palin, who even Ambinder says was presidential in her video, isn't up to beating a guy so imbecilic he thinks this is appropriate?
Posted by: clarice | January 12, 2011 at 08:23 PM
My son just called me and informed me that if he ever gets killed in a public tragedy such as what happened in Tuscon, he would not only haunt me into the afterlife, but make sure all our ancestors did too, if I even thought of making such a public political spectacle as this Memorial. And, he also indicated the most unspeakable punishments if I even considered having Obama speak at the event.
Good Lord, tee shirts, logos, bumper sticker slogans, and clapping and cheering. I pray to God the families are not there having to endure this mockery.
Posted by: Sara (Pal2Pal) | January 12, 2011 at 08:23 PM
In my sophomore year in high school my best friend's brother was killed in a motorcycle accident. The brother was a senor at the same school.
He had a small group of friends that cared deeply for him. At the funeral the church was packed with the entire high school.
I remember, to this day, two things that were said within the crowd of kids. "This was a great way to get out of school." "I didn't know him but I’m telling people I did."
I don't watch "Heathers" for that, among other reasons.
This sham reminds me of people that proved they only care for themselves. How sad.
The tee shirt should say: "Once you can fake sincerity, you can have it all."
Posted by: Threadkiller | January 12, 2011 at 08:23 PM
senor = senior
Posted by: Threadkiller | January 12, 2011 at 08:24 PM
Who was it who was described as the least sentimental person?
Posted by: MarkO | January 12, 2011 at 08:26 PM
Iowahawk is on fire on twitter... I can't even get a link up for him.
Posted by: Stephanie | January 12, 2011 at 08:28 PM