Traditional Tone-Raising Sunday Open Thread

Death threats from one of the Tucson shooting victims directed at a Tea Party founder?

The theme of the event was "An American Conversation Continued" --  the idea being to continue the conversation that a madman's brutal rampage had interrupted.  So it was inevitable that the conversation would eventually turn to politics.   It did, toward the end, with Amanpour leading a discussion on a very touchy but obvious topic:  gun control.

That's where the atmosphere turned tense.   When Tucson Tea Party founder Trent Humphries rose to suggest that any conversation about gun control should be put off until after the funerals for all the victims, witnesses say Fuller became agitated.  Two told KGUN9 News that finally, Fuller took a picture of Humphries, and said, "You're dead."

When State Rep. Terri Proud (R-Tucson) rose to explain and clarify current and proposed gun legislation in the state, several people groaned or booed her.  One of those booing, according to several witnesses, was Fuller.   Witnesses sitting near Fuller told KGUN9 News that Fuller was making them feel very uncomfortable.

The event wrapped up a short time later.  Deputies then escorted Fuller from the room.  As he was being led off, Fuller shouted loudly to the room at large.  Several witnesses said that what they thought they heard him shout was, "You're all whores!"

Fuller, age 63, is a political operative who specializes in gathering petitions for ballot initiatives.   Before the program began, he passed out business cards to people sitting around him that read:
"Signatures
"Expediting Initiatives since 2006
"J. Eric Fuller
"Political Circulator."

Earlier, Fuller had endeared himself to the left with his statement that "It looks like Palin, Beck, Sharron Angle, and the rest got their first target.”  From John Hayward:

Fuller’s emergence as a beeping smoke detector amid the right-wing haze of the “Climate of Hate” has already drawn praise from Soros operative Eric Bohlert, who issued a Twitter taunt to Michelle Malkin and Andrew Breitbart: “Countdown to smearing wounded veteran from Tucson massacre begins… now.” 

Looks like Fuller activated his Auto-Smear app and ended the countdown.

Comments

[sbw]

Mornin' all. I don't expect to see much civility to day -- family roadtrip to NYC to see the Rangers and Flyers at Madison Square Garden tonight. The wife's Christmas present for us all -- love that woman.

Any suggestions for a quick, light dinner before game dinner near MSG?

[clarice]

Something to read while traveling if you aren't driving of course.
http://www.americanthinker.com/2011/01/clarices_pieces_another_memo_f.html>Clarice's Pieces

If I think of a restaurant, I'll post it.

[clarice]

sbw, unless you are willing to go away some distance your best bet is Korean barbeque at one of the restaurants in Koreatown.

[Captain Hate]

Inspired Pieces, C; interesting and effective way to summarize a very bizarre week.

I'll be anxious to see if ABC includes any mention of Fuller's actions in their "This Week" or airbrushes it out like the Soviets did in photographs containing liquidated militry "enemies of the state". If not, I hope Fox or some other network jumps in to point out the lack of integrity.

[centralcal]

Another Clarice's (Master)Pieces today.

[Jack is Back!]

Evidently, Fuller got into a heated argument, at the Safeway "Congress on the Corner" event of January 8th, with a Marine veteran and had to be separated by the Zimmerman kid who was killed.

I think its time for some enterprising blogger or commentor to prepare a list of physical attacks, death threats and outrageous libels or slanders by the Tea Party or the right and those of the left, democrats and unions (SEIU and the Teachers especially come to mind). I have a feeling it is going to be as lopsided as the Packers-Falcons game last night.

Then send it to the NY Times and see if it gets published.

[Neo]

Canada gets weird again ...

Last week's ruling by the private radio regulator Canadian Broadcast Standards Council (CBSC) to ban a Dire Straits song is “chilling” and effectively puts rock radio stations on notice, claims a longtime music industry expert.

Former Billboard Canadian bureau chief and current CelebrityAccess senior editor Larry LeBlanc says the fallout from banning Canadian private radio stations from airing the unedited version of the 1985 hit “Money For Nothing” — specifically for its repeated mention of the word “faggot” in a verse of the song — could resonate with music programmers for some time to come.

[Neo]

Canada gets weird again ...

Last week's ruling by the private radio regulator Canadian Broadcast Standards Council (CBSC) to ban a Dire Straits song is “chilling” and effectively puts rock radio stations on notice, claims a longtime music industry expert.

Former Billboard Canadian bureau chief and current CelebrityAccess senior editor Larry LeBlanc says the fallout from banning Canadian private radio stations from airing the unedited version of the 1985 hit “Money For Nothing” — specifically for its repeated mention of the word “faggot” in a verse of the song — could resonate with music programmers for some time to come.

... well this may explain why MTV doesn't have videos any more.

[clarice]

Thanks. I have a feeling that in the nest two years, Leni will be writing like crazy.

[Jane says obamasucks]

So how does our president plan to spend MLK day?

[Neo]

Political Pundits Surprisingly Good At Getting Inside Mentally Unbalanced Shooter's Head

LOL

[clarice]

Neo, wasn't that Onion piece incredibly funny?

[Melinda Romanoff]

Excellent Pieces, Clarice, as always.

[Pops]

Its not Fuller's fault. Its obviously all the left wing anti-Tea Party rhetoric that drove him to threaten peoples lives.

[Captain Hate]

FNS did indeed mention Fuller and showed him being led away

[Captain Hate]

I just want to point out that Poppin' Fresh and Allahpansy at Malkin's Eunuch's Emporium aka Foul Air have nothing that mentions Fuller.

[Mark Folkestad]

JiB, I think that your suggested list would be quite long. I've shared here how we in the University of Minnesota College Republicans were punched, kicked and spat upon by peaceniks. My dear mother, an ardent conservative Republic and dedicated teacher, was threatened with mayhem and even death if she didn't join an illegal (at the time) strike. Those threats ended only when I had private conversations with the goons, promising disproportionate payback. Violence and strident rhetoric from the lefties is hardly a new thing, but I am dismayed at the recent proliferation.

[Jack is Back!]

Mark F,

To keep the list shorter and simpler, lets just start when Santelli made his "Tea party" comment on air at CNBC. Of course, by starting then, less than 2 months into The Won's term, will most likely get branded as a racists trick. The problem will be on the research end of things since most of the threats, attacks and libel/slanders go underreported or not reported by the MFM. Someone like Hit could probably ferret out best of the best but from what I remember of how the tea party was receive it could be a burdensome effort since there is so much out there that did get reported or blogged.

OT: Interesting how the Kennedy's are back in the censoring game. They have been trying for over 60 years to manage the press, media and public perception of themselves and they seem to succeeding again. But I have money on Fox picking the series up.

[DebinNC]

Wonderful piece, Clarice! Best take of the shooting yet imo, especially as none of the coverage I've read mentioned the ridiculous Saint Michelle pose.

Re Fuller, he's described as a "political operative" but I've yet to see msm mention of the party for whom he operates. It's amazing to see reports "targeting" his mental instability and ignoring any political motivation.

[rse]

Clarice-

That was an excellent way to make your points. Humor pierces so much better and is remembered longer.

For MO to still be so clueless about appropriate attire 2 years in really says something about who she is inside.

MO and Jarrett-with advisers like this, what could go wrong?

[Mark Folkestad]

JiB, why worry about being called a racist? We earn that by merely breathing.

Clarice, sounds like a good plan for sbw's dining near MSG. Many years ago I got trapped in Penn Station for 23 hours, returning from Europe and missing my train. The city was jammed with conventioners and vacationers, and there was not even a YMCA room available. I saw the seamy side of NYC that night. If I every spend time there again, at least your advice on a good place to eat will stick with me.

[DebinNC]

A few tidbits on Fuller...he's a disabled vet who plays tennis, he's a coward who left the scene and drove himself to the hospital while bullets were still flying, even though he didn't think he was badly hurt (he was released from the hospital the next day, proving he was right)..and he claims he'd do anything for the Democratic Party. Yikes!

[Jack is Back!]

sbw,

If Korean is not your taste there is Keen's which is a pretty good steakhouse on 36th St. near 6th avenue. I have eaten there a number of times before taking the train down to DC when I used to do that.

[PaulV]

@DebinNC- Playing tennis is good for mentally & emotionally disabled.

[Captain Hate]

he's a disabled vet

There was a link @ AoS last night that said it was a "non-physical disability" so make of that what you will. He's 63 so his time in the service was Viet Nam era.

[OldTimer]

It strikes me as cynically exploitive of Amanpour and ABC to initiate a "town hall" meeting for members of the Tucson community in the aftermath of the shooting. Amanpour is certainly not known for her established American small-town roots, or even for her grasp of the 'American spirit', as exemplified within the vast and growing Tea Party movement---she thinks the tea party supporters are the borderline psychotics; not the leftists who are well documented stirring up anti-establishment sentiment. Why not just leave the residents alone to spontaneously form their own "outreach" groups, free from the ghoulish fascination of the liberal press?
Ironically, Fuller is one of their own, and yet they still refuse to remove the log from their eyes.

[clarice]

JiB, the producers of the Kennedy series could not hope for better publicity. Whoever carries it will pick up a gigantic audience.

[Captain Hate]

OldTimer, ABC is very adept at doing that type of manipulative shadow dance. Years ago when Diane Sawyer got her implants in a wringer on the Food Lion case, they conducted a "town hall" at Wake Forest University to discuss the ethics of it among a bunch of college kids who were completely removed from the situation and more likely to approach it from a "troof to power" standpoint. Or aspire to ultimately be hired by a network outlet.

[Jack is Back!]

Clarice,

Same guy who produces 24. So you know its got to be pretty good. The Kennedy's is supposed to have some "salaciious parts" showing the infedelity of Jack and Bobby. But once again in the "age of civility" its the progs and dems who would prefer only the rights dirty laundry be broadcast.

Mark F,

I forgot that Malkin had already put together a list of the left's vitrioi and attacks. LUN.

But I still think it would be more fair and balanced to have a side by side comparison.

[Mad Jack]

Allahpansy and Popin' Fresh, too funny CH. Me thinks you might be banned in the Great White North.

[Jack is Back!]

Uh,oh. Nothing like reading something and you find out you are stupid and have to remake yourself if you are going to survive proper typing and posting skills. LUN

[Danube of Thought]

Brava Leni! Encore!

Sbw, I've got an inquiry out to my buddy who is a Knicks season ticket holder. Will post on this thread when I hear from him.

JiB, why send the list to the NYT? You'll reach a much wider audience on the web and, of course, FNC. Better yet, a Palin Facebook entry...

Have I told you all lately how much I love the Fuller story?

[clarice]

DoT, Thanks.
Re Fuller: It's as if nemesis is winging about striking down the lying bastards.
JiB. You can post it here and I'll repost it at the Tatler or you can send it to AT (editoratamericanthinkerdotcom) for its blog. Tell them I sent you.
The NYT would never print it.

[Jack is Back!]

DoT,

You're right about the Slimes but I would just love to see how they would spin the list.

Did you see the vid of the perp walk with Fuller seemingly disoriented and trying to shake off the deputies hold on his elbows and arms? He may be a vet but he is vet who needs mental health help. Thank God for the VA since I think they employ more shrinks than any other institution in America.

[Captain Hate]

Hold off on the uncritical praise for the VA, JiB; having done contract work for the Feds, a more arrogant bunch of technological imbeciles is hard to fathom. Plus the project I was working on had to do with money they'd witlessly withheld from disabled vets.

[Charlie (Colorado)]

So, I meant to DVR the ABC thing and forgot; did they show the "You're Dead!" moment?

[Captain Hate]

Charlie, according to a poster at AoS watching the show "no".

[Army of Davids]

It's as if the media doesn't even try to hide their bias anymore. They are just a flat out propaganda arm of the Democratic party at this point.

[Army of Davids]

legacy pension and healthcare obligations.

Chrysler, GM, municipal, state, EuroLand, Japan.....it's the case w/ all of these.

In almost every long term solvency issue.... legacy pension and healthcare obligations are a major driver of fiscal risk.

[Theo]

AoD --

And no one is fooled any more. It used to be that the media could really influence, almost dictate public opinion by what they reported and how they reported it. But look back at the last week. All of the main outlets were on the "blame the anti government rhetoric of the Tea Party" bandwagon and THE PUBLIC DID NOT BUY IT. Instead the public quickly came to believe that those putting forth that argument were just trying to score political points.

Yes, they are annoying, but they are not all that powerful any more.

[peter]

Unfortunately, Madison Square Garden is in a part of town that lacks a lot of dining choices. I would head over to Ninth AVenue, maybe Jack's steakhouse at 34th street.

[Charlie (Colorado)]

Haven't been there in several years, but the thing about the MSG area is it's as close as Manhattan can come to a sort of downscale area. There used to be a Korean deli across the street -- just down from the Pennsylvania (Pennsylvania 6-5000, that one) that I liked.

Keen's is wonderful, but not a place for a light meal.

[Boatbuilder]

A shocker! Not a word about Fuller in Todays NYT, despite 5 pages in the first section on Loughner, the effect of the shooting on the community, etc.

Not fit to print, apparently.

[Danube of Thought]

As this thing begins to draw away in the rear-view mirror, I think we will conclude that apart from the shooting victims the biggest loser in all of it will be Paul Krugman. He's toast.

Have I quoted Omar Khayyam yet today?

The Moving Finger writes; and, having writ, Moves on: nor all your Piety nor Wit Shall lure it back to cancel half a Line, Nor all your Tears wash out a Word of it

Tough darts, Paul.

[centralcal]

I love the Rubayat reference, DoT. So true. Also for Krugman, Fuller, et al, I am reminded of Proverbs: People who set traps for others, get caught in them.

[Porchlight]

I am reminded of Proverbs: People who set traps for others, get caught in them.

I was just reading that last night, centralcal. Lots of apropos verses in Proverbs.

[Porchlight]

Very enjoyable Pieces, clarice.

I love the idea of an ongoing series of occasional Letters from Leni to the Obamas. You know the WH will have ever more frequent Big Ridiculous Media Events for Leni to comment upon now that Campaign 2012 has officially begun.

[Boatbuilder]

Frank Rich is still a regular; Bill Moyers still has a gig on NPR. I put the odds on Krugman being damaged by anything but the accelerating decline in NYT subscriptions at about 4 to 1. If the Times dumps him he'll move straight to MSNBC. After all, he's a Nobel Prize winner; you can't get much higher credentials as a moron than that (OK, maybe a Pulitzer).

[Boatbuilder]

Is this Fuller guy invited to the SOTU? For a shout-out? He can sit next to Justice Alito.

[Tully]

From this morning's AP story:

"Ogan said deputies decided [Fuller] needed a mental health evaluation and he was taken to a hospital, which will determine when he will be released."

Tucson law enforcement finally noticed that when people act crazy, you CAN force an evaluation on them.

[Porchlight]

Is this Fuller guy invited to the SOTU?

Had this incident not occurred, I wouldn't have been at all surprised to have seen him there.

[Porchlight]

Tucson law enforcement finally noticed that when people act crazy, you CAN force an evaluation on them.

Sad, isn't it? Dupnik is probably too well-protected to face any serious consequences, in this life anyway.

[Boatbuilder]

I'm really beginning to wonder why Giffords didn't have more significant security. Never mind the alleged "right-wing hate;" there seems to have been an awful lot of free-floating lunacy in Sherriff Dupnik's jurisdiction.

[clarice]

Maybe Mencken will write the Obamas, too.

[Jack is Back!]

Bb,

Including Dupnick himself:)

Krugman is a tool. He did his job as best as the tool was designed for and used for. He set the tragedy up for the left, Obama, Fuller, CNN, MSNBC et. al. to shine their lasers on. He will continue to be a big part of the left's tool box of dangerous instruments whether they are true or false as long as they do what the left wants them to do. And the story-line may not be the same from now on but I do believe that the Tea Party, Palin, Rush, Beck, et. al. will now be more visible in the left's derogation, contempt and slander. The only way to fight back is to be really civil like in tort action (i.e. Levin against Mathews which I for one would pay to watch).

[Stephanie]

After all, he's a Nobel Prize winner; you can't get much higher credentials as a moron than that (OK, maybe a Pulitzer).

Academy Award.

[narciso]

Great pieces, again, Clarice, true
Boatbuilder, this seems to be the Rage virus
of 28 days, although Fuller already had it,
before the shooting. So one assumes he had PTSD if he ever did see combat, an interesting query considering his age.

[Jack is Back!]

narciso,

Fuller's website posting. If Loughner had a website it would look exactly like this. I love his interests = piano, bicycling, tennis and prosyletizing. LUN

[glasater]

Taranto is holding his own right now on Zakaria's GPS against that Cohen fellow TM likes to feature.

The link is to today's show and I think CNN will have a repeat later in the day's programming.

This is about the only liberal show I'll watch along with Candy Crowley's show that usually runs just before GPS.

[MayBee]

Fuller had gotten into an argument with a "former marine" at the event before Giffords was shot. He went to scream down protestors. I wonder if the marine was one of the guys who ultimately saved the crowd.

Giffords certainly seems to have had a number of her constituents with an unhealthy obsession for her.

[Jack is Back!]

MayBee,

Have you seen his posting on the Hypnothought website? Its at the LUN I posted above and here. Well worth the read.

[narciso]

The panel except for Britt, seemed to argue that Sarah's defense against the slur of inciting assasination was most 'unhelpful',
it's only freedom of speech at stake, fellas, nothing important

[Captain Hate]

I dunno, narc; I thought Kristol was the most understanding regarding the predicament she found herself it. Britt surprised me the most in the panel as Mara and Juan played their assigned roles almost as if they were scripted.

[Boatbuilder]

What I still don't really understand is why Giffords didn't seem to have even minimal security (if she did, I haven't heard any mention of it). Don't U.S. Congresspersons have secret service protection as a matter of course? Can they get it if they request it? If I were a security guy Loughner's appearance alone would set off major alarm bells.
Hindsight is always 20/20, of course, but it seems odd--especially given her prior complaints about Palin's alleged "targeting." If she meant it as something other than a political talking point, why no security?

[Jim Rhoads a/k/a vjnjagvet]

Clarice hits a homer today. I predict exploding heads on the left.

I second the dining suggestions near Penn Station. The Korean restaurants look like holes in the wall but are authentic and have reasonable prices for NYC. Bolgogi (Korean barbecue) is a particularly good choice for those unfamiliar with Korean food.

Keens is an old and venerable NY restaurant. Its specialty is the mutton chop of all things. It also features excellent and large lamb chops and all cuts of prime beef. You can make a lunch out of many of the appetizers.

Side note: In 1966, I had lunch there with my future father in law and asked permission to marry his daughter. Fortunately, he gave it.

Most of the conservatives who are tut tutting about Palin's self defense are deathly afraid she will win the Republican nomination.

Bear down Chicago Bears. Ahead 2i-0 at half time.

[Jim Rhoads a/k/a vjnjagvet]

BB:

Congress persons have no secret service protection nor can they get it unless they previously held the office of Pres or VP. The SS does not have the manpower to protect 535 people in their travels and appearances throughout the US.

[Boatbuilder]

Thanks, Jim. Is there some other agency for Congress?

[Specter]

Fuller says:

My experiences encountering public figures and many affluent travelers in person has led me to believe that we all are to blame for George W. Bush.

Uhhh...well...that says which side of the fence he's on. And in the article - his reference to "Political Circulator" - In CT a circulator, by law, is a person:

Circulator. Each circulator of a nominating petition page shall be a United States citizen, at least eighteen years of age and a resident of a town in this state and shall not be on parole for conviction of a felony. Any individual proposed as a candidate in any nominating petition may serve as circulator of the pages of such nominating petition. (section 9-453e)

Anybody wanna take bets for which party he is a circulator?

BoatBuilder - Chris Murphy just appeared here this week in a Congress on the Corner event - the local town provided one police officer, but other than that, no addl. security.

[Boatbuilder]

I did some of my own research (you people are letting me down here). Apparently security for congresspeople is the exception rather than the rule, and is handled primarily by the Capitol Police. If a congressperson is concerned about safety, they can notify Capitol and/or local police. (see LUN).
I'm still puzzled as to why, at the very least, there were no local police at this event.

[Boatbuilder]

I heard a little bit of Murphy on the radio talking a day after the shooting. He basically said that there's no way you can protect yourself if you want to meet your constituents, the odds of a nutjob are small, etc. Eminently sensible.
His take is the same as mine was. But the more I hear about the political climate in Pima County, about the almost immediate finger pointing at the political opposition, about the decapitation in effigy of Arpaio, about Fuller and the Marine, about Loughner's prior encounter with Giffords, about Giffords purported concern about "targeting" (which I believe was a political talking point, but she said it), I wonder. Hell, I'd think same cops would be appropriate for traffic alone.

[Specter]

Murphy won against Nancy Johnson who'd been in the House forever. So far he has mostly voted party line with the Dems - he talks smoothly though. In this latest mess he did have a voice of reason rather than simply jumping up-and-down and finger pointing. I give him credit for that.

[hit and run]

Not to mention,Boatbuilder,that last year at a Congress on Your Corner event there was a gun dropped by an attendee that led her staff to http://azstarnet.com/news/article_c2f4520f-c9d2-515c-914f-a007db3286f6.html>call the police.

[Jack is Back!]

The Sargent of Arms for the House has already noted that there will be no extension of protection outside of the Capital. Capitol police have extended boundaries away from the infrastructure but they are pretty much contained within Capitol Hill.

Another thing missing here: if the Tea Party was going to go violent if would have been during the various town hall meetings that the Dems tried to avoid like the plague. But nothing except visible anger and disappointment in those politicians that the Tea Party threw out under the most civil of exercises - by voting.

[Danube of Thought]

My buddy says the best you can do near MSG is Cafe 31 on 31st, or the expensive steakhouse that is attached to the Garden.

[Ralph L]

I thought it was the Chinese who enjoy the MSG, not the Koreans.

[glenda]

clarice...loved today's "Pieces"

Wonder where Sheriff Dupnik was during the townhall melee with Fuller? Seems he is just another mental health case ignored.

The Dopey Tucson sheriff fits in so well with the "Leni" theme...do you think Obama would be dumb enough to have him in the audience at the SOTU? Why did Obama call this enabler provocateur?

Whoever runs against Sheriff D in the next election, needs to show that pic of Dupnik and Obama in their campaign literature! Talk about a picture being worth a 1,000 words...Caption: It takes one to know one!

[Charlie (Colorado)]

Don't U.S. Congresspersons have secret service protection as a matter of course?

Good Lord, no! There's 535 of them.

And frankly, they wouldn't have helped anyway -- Reagan had secret service and a half-dozen people got shot up then too.

[sam]

US Congressme do not get secret service protection.

I occasionally see congressmen and sentors from my area at the airport, and usually they are as alone as any other passenger.

[dick]

What bothers me is that the police already knew that Loughner had problems with Giffords, Giffords had let them know of the death threats and she was having a meet and greet in a public place. Why then did the cops not send someone there to at least have a presence there in case of problems.

Bigger question is why the cops and sheriff did nothing about Loughner in view of all the problems the college, Giffords and a lot of others had with him over the years. He had complaints dating back to a year before Palin even had a presence in the media yet the cops did nothing. I want to see how the locals try to get around that one.

[sbw]

Settled for a beer and football at an oak-paneled emporium south of MSG -- convenient for the sports-oriented family-- but I have taken names for the next time I'm on 31st St.

BTW, it was an exciting 3rd period even if the Rangers lost 3-2 and Henrik Lundqvist, my daughter's fav, didn't play. I'm embarrassed to say it is the first time I've been in the "new" MSG and the seats in section 206 were excellent. Back home at 2:45 AM, and back at work by 9 AM. [Guess who lacks the good sense to take today off to celebrate MLK day.]