The events of Saturday, January 8, 2001 will long remain in our hearts and minds. The senseless act of violence by one deranged twenty two year old man against so many innocent people must be condemned by all. As I listened to the radio on Saturday afternoon hoping that early reports were wrong (they erroneously broadcast Ms. Gifford’s demise), I was struck by the care and compassion exhibited by the so called right wing talk radio show hosts. They went out of their way to condemn the shooting and called for all Tucsonans to pull together and think of only one thing, the recovery of the victims. There was no call to circle the wagons and be ready to defend our conservative ideals because of the actions of an unknown gunman. No, they continually called for a bonding of all of us and to pray for the victims.
But, as bi-partisan as they were, the words were unheard by the left. The sheriff of Pima county, Sheriff Dupnik, went on national TV on Sunday and when questioned did not hesitate to blame talk radio and inferred that anyone associated with the conservative or Tea Party movement were ultimately responsible for the maniacal actions by the shooter. When questioned for proof, he admitted he had none but it was his “opinion”. Mr. Dupnik, keep your opinions to yourself. It is people like you who inflame, prejudice and aggravate situations like this. You are a disgrace to your office, your fellow officers and to all of Tucson. You have portrayed us as a bunch of radical right wing extremists when it is you, who are extreme.
In two words, SHUT UP!
