Does sex education in schools make teenagers more horny?
Do video games make young men more violent?
Does Michael Savage turn people into church shooters?
Shotgun wielding, Jim Adkisson, revealed his motive:
During the interview Adkisson stated that he had targeted the church because of its liberal teachings and his belief that all liberals should be killed because they were a ruining the country, and that he felt that the Democrats had tied his country's hands in the war on terror and they had ruined every institution in America with the aid of major media outlets. Adkisson made statements that because he could not get to the leaders of the liberal movement that he would then target those that had voted them in to office.Now that is some wacked-out logic. Where would he get those ideas? Police found some interesting books in his home:
Still seized three books from Adkisson's home, including "The O'Reilly Factor," by television commentator Bill O'Reilly; "Liberalism is a Mental Disorder," by radio personality Michael Savage; and "Let Freedom Ring," by political pundit Sean Hannity.This is from Calvin Rye:
The Far Right is no more responsible for this tragedy than “The Fisher King” for the brutal murders it inspired. In other words, not at all. The gunman was unstable.
An unstable mind caught up in political hyperbole: Liberals hate America. Liberals hate Christians. Liberals want to destroy the family. Liberals are ruining our way of life. Liberals should be executed for treason.
You’d have to be insane to believe that crap.
To those who demonize liberals… It’s not that I blame you for these murders. It’s that I want you to recognize them as a warning sign. When someone that sick and violent finds your message that appealing, it should make you stop and think. Do you realize how hate-filled your rhetoric has become? Do you recognize the bile you’re spewing?
Excellent post. I believe Calvin Rye is hitting the nail on the head: the hate spewers (right wing nuts) are much to blame for this man's insanity and hatred. I was worried that many people would target religion, so I am very thankful for this post.
ReplyDeleteJohn, thank you for all these posts on the tragedy and the aftermath. It just sickens me that there are people in this world who are so warped that they think killing is the answer to anything!
ReplyDeleteI have pointed the folks at MadPriests to your blog today. I know Doxy reads you constantly.
Somehow I had lost your address. I have you in my bookmarks now.
"Liberalism Is a Mental Disorder," hmm? That's an ironic sentiment, for the man who just shot up a church...
ReplyDeleteShock Jocks will say anything that will sell a book.
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ReplyDeleteStill seized three books from Adkisson's home, including "The O'Reilly Factor," by television commentator Bill O'Reilly; "Liberalism is a Mental Disorder," by radio personality Michael Savage; and "Let Freedom Ring," by political pundit Sean Hannity.
ReplyDeleteOK, so what book(s) do you suppose were found in the homes of the suicide bombers in India, in Turkey, in Iraq, and in Israel this past week?
Just askin'.
And how does this connection between what someone reads and what they do connect with all the "Kill Bush" or "I Hate Bush" speech?
We had all better read the book of James about the use of the tongue, or we will find ourselves, Left and Right, sawing off the branch upon which we are sitting.
"OK, so what book(s) do you suppose were found in the suicide bombers in India, in Turkey, in Iraq, and in Israel this past week?"
ReplyDeleteProbably none. They just looked out their window and saw all the foreign forces on the territory that they (the terrorists) view as their homeland.
If you are making the argument that Islamic Fundamentalism is to blame for terrorists attacks in the Middle East, you should probably read the research out on the driving force of suicide terrorism.
And just because I am sharing this information with you does not mean that I support terrorism in any means. I just want to get the facts straight. I believe in peaceful movements (eg. Ghandi, MLK, Jr., Ron Paul, etc.). I agree that there are hate groups on the left as well as the right.
"OK, so what book(s) do you suppose were found in the homes of the suicide bombers in India, in Turkey, in Iraq, and in Israel this past week?"
ReplyDeleteThe only comment I've read lately that could equal the above in intellectual banality is the comment by "Brian" at Sharon Cobb's blog.
"Brian" asked Sharon if she thought that "the Catcher in the Rye killed John Lennon".
Of course, I'll give you odds there was a Bible in Adkisson's apartment too.
;)
Rachel- leave the myopia of the US in the Middle East for just a moment. Exactly what foreign troops were stationed outside of said bombers' window in Gujarat, India?
ReplyDeleteI agree with what I believe Calvin Rye is saying, that the books themselves are not to blame. However, the over-heated rhetoric and the hate speech on both sides have a lot of influence, and a lot to answer for.
A little perspective, Gobart. Shotgun Jimmy just shot up a church--not just a church, a particular church--and wrote why he did it. Because he hated liberals and gays.
ReplyDeleteWhy did he hate them? He repeated the stuff he had read and heard over and over and over on talk radio and in their books.
24/7 hate all over your a.m. dial will eventually inspire a dittohead to take action for the cause.
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ReplyDeleteI think we have all made our points. I deleted your last comment Captainkona because it is not helpful.
ReplyDelete"not helpful"
ReplyDeleteHeh, perhaps not. ;)
But spot on nonetheless.