Let me extend my condolences to all the victims and their families. This heartless, thoughtless, evil act deserves the condemnation of all peace loving, free Americans. Let us all pray for the the speedy and full recovery of Gabby Giffords and all or the other survivors. Let us say a prayer for those who have lost a loved one. Let us say a special prayer for the Green family. They lost a lovely nine year old daughter ... such a young life so senselessly cut short.
As I knew would happen, various groups on the left have blamed talk radio, Fox news, and the Tea Party movement in general for causing this horrible tragedy. It appears that Jared Loughner was a disconnected and disturbed individual. I find it appalling that blame is so easily tossed around.
It appears that Miss Giffords was one of the incumbent congressional members that was politically targeted on Sarah Palin's web site last spring. It is being inferred now (as it was then) that this was a veiled call for violence on the part of Sarah Palin. It was not! Miss Giffords was involved in a very contentious race with Iraq vet Jesse Kelly. Miss Giffords won by a mere 4,000 votes. Mr. Kelly was a Tea Party favorite. So naturally, her political detractors and political enemies are being blamed by the media and by Sheriff Clarence Dumpnik. This is both irrational and irresponsible.
As one of the original pre-cursors and one of the original voices of the Tea Party movement, I wholeheartedly reject these insinuations. Let me assure you; the Tea Party is about ballots not bullets. We spoke loud and clear as a nation on November 2. We will not be silenced by the rhetoric of those who will use such a tragedy as a weapon to mute the voices of millions of law abiding, God fearing, patriotic Americans. Blame will be assigned when Mr. Loughner meets his final judgment ... sometime after he takes his final breath. It is not for us to decide.
