Are you attempting the 'us vs. them' between MSNBC and FOX with the dig at Chris Matthews? If so, it's becoming easier for healthy humans to make the choice... especially after giving both stations equal time. Dig in to the ugliness and refuse to take the high road; you'll be right at home at Fox with others who can't stand the idea they might need to change. Just for the record...There is no such thing as Fox News. It does not exist, since what they does not include factual reporting; which can be demonstrated by watching their past footage and comparing it with actual events.(In addition, they simply cannot be unbiased while donating millions to the Republican Party.)There is however, Fox Entertainment, and those who are entertained by name-callingand fear mongering will never 'get it'. It's sad. It won't make the country a better place, won't solve any problems, won't bring anyone together...but then that's not what Limbaugh, Palin, Beck or any of their ilk are about. More and more Americans are making the choice...that it's time to step away from the ugliness. It's time to find common ground. It's time to seek out ways to become more civil, maybe focus a bit more on ways we can disagree without being disagreeable. So...the choice is yours. Stay where you think the 'ratings'are...(although I wonder where those numbers came from...) and surround yourself with what is becoming an increasingly irrational fringe element; locked into a position that will only lead to more anger and hatred, or support the idea of Democracy, where you encourage discourse and an exchange of ideas without demonizing those who disagree. Congresswoman Giffords herself did the best job of calling out the problem, after her office was vandalized - simply because of the way she voted on healthcare.

Contrast President Obama's tone of civility with that of Michelle Bachman, asking Minnesotans to be 'armed and dangerous'; Sarah Palin's "Don't retreat, reload", Sharon Engle's 2nd Amendment remedy, and it's really easy to see who's behind the wheel here. There are consequences to the hate speech, and besides violence, alienating the public is one of them. Again- it's a choice. Do Americans want to be part of Palin's 'base' if this is what they stand for? I don't think so.

Thank you. Skippy. You made your point, and eloquently.

Wheres the proof? This nut job didn't listen to talk radio, or watchFox News. I believe you were displaying hate speech.

Wheres the proof? This nut job didn't listne to talk radio, or watch Fox New..

Now that is something we do not know for sure at this point. That being said, I don't think he would have had to listen to talk radio or watch Fox to be infected with the poison being spewed over the air waves. While he was some what of a loner does not mean he didn't have conversations with those who do get their information from Fox and talk radio.

Well stated, Skippy.

Bruce is product of his circumstances - I do not at all blame for what he says - after all we are our brother's keepers - we just have to keep these particular brothers out of leadership positions. We will just let them rant and pat them on the shoulders and those among us with sharper minds will do the heavy lifting.

There, there Bruce - it is time for your nap now.

I do wish we would have civility in political discussion, but until the left recognizes their lies, and tones down their statements, it will never happen.

Chris Matthews may be a so-and-so, but he's there to hype the establishment, create conflicts where none existed, and glorify are elected officials. Seriously, a typical quote I heard was,

"Wow, Sarah Palin is for real. I see shades of Nixon. I'm not a believer in her brand of politics, but irregardless, she is a powerful force within the Conservative movement, and the Republican party. Wow she commands some real power. We may be seriously looking at a Obama/Palin match up."

He said this probably 1 1/2 years ago. He is simply a shill for the ruling elite. Period.

I don't know who wrote that speech for Obama, maybe Obama did himself, in either case it is a good one. Sadly though it is apparent that it has fallen on the deaf ears. To turn this horrible event into a political attack on others is at the same time very sad and just plain silly.

I heard that Obama wrote most of the speech. It was so personal, and with young daughters he could certainly empathize with Christina's family.

Palin's speech was perhaps well-timed after all. It gave the Country a chance to hear tone deaf, and perfect pitch in one day. Couldn't we use musical, or sport, or anything but war metaphors? Would be music to my ears.

Very well-put Greta.

Good to see you are slowly coming down off the ledge and toning you comments down. Given what you had to say Saturday and Sunday, even you had to realize you either cooled it or your head would explode.

But do tell, how are her comments "taking the low road?" After all you seem to be giving her bonus points. Might that be a little inconsistent? Again, you should really take a look at what you had to say Saturday, as that was particularly crazy (or just pure ignorance).

The MSM(except Fox Entertainment) would be doing America a Big Favor by tuneing out this Ignorant B---H. She has brought enough disgrace to the lower 48'z & it's way past time it Stopped.

John Mccain, Are You happy now that you've Paid America back for NOT Electing You as our President?

Your Judgement is Empty, Sir!

Blood libel (also blood accusation[1][2]) refers to a false accusation or claim[3][4][5] that religious minorities, almost always Jews, murder children to use their blood in certain aspects of their religious rituals and holidays.[1][2][6] Historically, these claims have–alongside those of well poisoning and host desecration–been a major theme in European persecution of Jews.[4]

@Spanky: Gee...Equating her situation to that of the Jews who have been rounded up and murdered for 20 centuries isn't over the top, is it...?

Rick:

YOU are one of the very reasons the discourse in this country will never calm down.

That is one of the most immature posts and plain ignorant posts you have made TODAY.

Did anyone call your mother a B...h? There may be some people that think YOU are a disgrace. I personally think your just another ignorant azz, sitting on the porch chewing tobacco and snuff, backwards redneck.

Rick,Ky

The MSM(except Fox Entertainment) would be doing America a Big Favor by tuneing out this Ignorant B---H. She has brought enough disgrace to the lower 48'z & it's way past time it Stopped.

Indeed Rick

How many sides does a snowflake have? All of the shining hope for Sarah appears to be fading. Sarah is now in the race to the very bottom.

All right,’ said the Cheshire Cat; and this time it vanished quite slowly

Sarah is fading.

ITM and his own 'special' brand of absurdity!

YOU are one of the very reasons the discourse in this country will never calm down.

Followed up with:

I personally think your just another ignorant azz, sitting on the porch chewing tobacco and snuff, backwards redneck

You couldn't make this sh!t up no matter HOW hard you tried! lmfao!

Popcorn anyone?

I guess if she is racing to the bottom, you had better make room. We all know you are a bottom feeder literally.

Fiesty:

I didn't ask you to make shyt up. I keep it real. I'm not on here to rub noses with you. I will say what I have to say and if U don't like it..............

I didn't ask you to make shyt up

Umm... I didn't make shyt up... I copied and pasted your very OWN words from your post #1.4!

Do try to keep up...

ITM: Your street cred is showing.

fiesty - but you did accuse him of making shlt up by your comments in post 1.6. How strange that one opinion is acceptable but anothers is not.

The comments speak for themselves. Is Sarah Palin or Rush directly responsible for Tuscan? No. But they have been significant contributors to a toxic environment. They are indirectly responsible in a manner that the papparatzi was responsible for the death of Lady Diana. As a Gerry Ford type republican, I was embarrassed when Newt came in and started the attack and make it personal mode of republican politics. I have always viewed it a cowardly argument to address an issue by demonizing the speaker - it's always easier to discredit the speaker instead of addressing their argument. It does show a lack of character in Ms. Palin, that unlike Regan or other statesmen, she doesn't address the victims, or try to cure the hurt that has been inflicted on our national soul, but rather try to attack other side and sound as though they are the poor victim here. Where I used to rail at the extreme left for their ridiculous arguments, we must also look at the Republican side, and fight the extremists and people that want to bring us down to their level. I look at these two comments and it is clear who the "adult" in this situation is between the two.

There is no reason to vilify anyone to get a point across. In politics the influence is vast so what comes out of the mouth of politicians isn't all that much different than the words coming out of a religious leaders mouth. There is no excuse to use violent intensity to prove one is better than another. Diplomacy is lacking in the US and we need to get it back and practice it daily. Fostering hate is the wrong path no matter where that path may lead.

I couldn't have said it better myself...it's all about Sarah........I would prefer to have people really capable of empathy running the show..I don't see it with her.

Those two creatures of mirth, the queens of the keyboards, the attack dogs of the MSNBC left do make me laugh with their funny comments.

One has to laugh at them for their self-importance.

How many sides are there on a snowflake? And from where do your obtain your scientific information to prove your numbers?

So, if someone breaks into my house, wrecks the place, and let's my cats out to fend for themselves. . .

And I blame it on the neighbor whom I dislike, despite not having any proof of their involvement, merely my deep rooted belief that it must have been them. . .

And then it is proved to have been a stranger who was mentally ill . . .

That should not preclude my continuing to blame my neighbor, right? I should continue to denounce them to my other neighbors, blaming them for the incident?

You know what the reaction would be, do you not?

Good. That is what is happening to the democrats who continue to blame "the right" for this tragedy.

ramboet - after listening to the full video and reading obamas speech excerpts above they are essentially espousing the same thing. Sarah points a finger at the media for promoting "blood libel" obama generalizes it further when he says...

But we can’t expect to solve our problems if all we do is tear each other down

Both provide past examples of Americas heated and often vitriolic debates. They do differ on the end results though. Palin makes the point that despite heated differences of opinion, hands are shaked and the business at hand moves forward oftentimes with compromise. Obamas point is that the heated debators close their mind to the others viewpoint...

The problem is that this kind of vilification and over-the-top rhetoric closes the door to the possibility of compromise. It undermines democratic deliberation. It prevents learning -- since, after all, why should we listen to a ‘fascist,’ or a ‘socialist,’ or a ‘right-wing nut,’ or a left-wing nut’?"

As obama states that we must condemn violence for our republic to endure, palin also condems it as well. Let us not forget that obama has shown (after the nov 2010 elections) that he is willing to also shake hands and get on with the business at hand.

I do wonder that if obama read FR's political blogs he wouldn't look at them and proclaim "what a perfect example of what I said in my commencement address."

BTW - I have said it in the past and I have said it today. I don't consider palin to be a viable republican presiddential candidate nor do I plan on voting for obama in 2012.

Man, get the F out of here.

The left started almost immediately BLAMING this on the right. You have the audacity to suggest the right wants a fight when the left is blatantly the antagonizer.

If you think people on the right is just going to sit back and let the left just run rampant with the frikken smears you have it twisted.

Much of the Right wants a fight and prefers an emotionally charged atmosphere in which reason goes out the window.

You're unfairly assuming the broader political right in America is cut of the same cloth as the talking heads who have books to sell and television programs in need of ratings and advertising dollars.

EDIT: ...ITM's nonsense notwithstanding.

Exodite:

Nobody ask for your "oh I'm so superior to all in this room" opinion.

BTW: you are still a certified jackazz.

And as always, ITM, you prove yourself an intellectual giant and a worthy opponent.

If Obama really wants to slow down all this he could start by having the left that started all these vicious lies apologize. That would start with Krugman at the New York Times, the sheriff who doesn't seem interested in law enforcement and all the rest who were quick to judge. The problem I see is the left wanted it to be so and tried real hard to make it so. How would you blamers feel if it was you being attacked? I know, they don't care because they are only in it for the money, right? So if you were one to blame, maybe now would be a good time to set an example and apologize.

mr mike

There are no vicious lies on the left regardinig this instant. The cross-hairs were not surveyors marks, such action does have consequences. Beck rants irrationally and has a definite effect on unbalanced right wing nut cases.

Yes, this guy was a nut, but then no sane person would take Beck seriously. If you had a definite nut case in your town, someone you know was more than a bit batty with little or no grasp of reality (like this guy) and you talked him into commiting a crime, are you not either partially or wholly responsible for that crime?

This is a no-brainer, actually.

Can somebody please tell me when the founding fathers used Dueling muskets among themselves to settle political disagreements in the construction of law??!!?!!!???

Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr to come to mind.

chilled - yes there is, they are both deadly. Giffords was extremely lucky that loughner used the ammo he used. Regardless, it was a sad day for america on saturday, just as it is everyday in america when murder and mayhem occur.

The Hamilton/Burr duel wasn't over a single political disagreement. It was over repeated personal attacks in public venues which became so bitter that the feud was resolved in death.

It served as a lesson for generations of Americans.

Until now.

Typical "CON" logic.....someone else is to blame for your crimes.....so you accuse Cinton of murder to justify the crap your side has brought on by brandishing assault rifles at political rallies....the facts make you a damned liar and crook.

The judge was at the rally to thank Giffords for a project they worked on together.

Correct, Chef Darrell...proving that Democrats and Republicans CAN mix.

Much condolences to the family of Judge Roll, along with the families of all the victims.

what does Clinton have to do with the murders in AZ?

Palin has no clue as to how to work with people who differ from her view point. She is part of the either you're with us or you are against us crowd.

Most of the successful government programs and policies have been co authored by Democrats and Republicans.

The problem with Palin is that she doesn't know that she doesn't know and quite frankly probably never will.

Well said, Ron!

Apparently Palin is the co-President. What she says is just as important as what Obama says.

JoAnnaSmith1

Apparently Palin is the co-President. What she says is just as important as what Obama says.

Ahh No! She could even handle a full term as Governor of a state with a population of less than 700,000. Although I will say she is quite the opportunist.

Al tell Chris Tingle to stop the hate speech. Blowing up poor Limbaugh's head

Not "the media" newwavez- just First Read, and the rest of the MSNBC gang.

Sad, is it not?

Well, no joe...and this from the person who used her own seriously ill grand daughter as a straw-man in the health-care argument. Palin was thrust into the public spotlight by John McCain and has been kept there by her handlers....Jeeeez. She is fair game. Deal with it.

actually torpedo, the left has done more to keep palin in the limelight than her so called "handlers"

So Conservatives say. As she continues to host her own show on Fox News.

And serve as a regular guest to Glenn Beck.

And Sean Hannity.

And others.

And travel on speaking tours.

And publish ghost-written books that don't even have pop-ups.

And issue regular statements on Facebook.

Yeah, her high profile is all because of the Left.

nice spin Johnb using "all" where I used "more". Ever stop to consider that if the left ignored her she would have just faded away, or at best been motivational to a steadily decreasing audience.

If the left wants to help promote her cause by acknowledging her, demeaning her family members and disrespecting her actions, then yes the left is doing "more" to keep her in the limelight.

Inthe MIddle, TX Mrs Todd Palin is NO lady ! Anyone who thinks shootin wolves and other animals from helicopters is sport ha a screw loose... You can't even claim that you're killing them FOR FOOD !

A good and fair article. Strange how the Left and the Dems forgot about the movie , "The Assassination of President Bush" They are now rushing to hide it.

Strange how Conservatives always forget to mention the assassination movie was made by a British producer for British television.

Obviously something the Democratic Party had control over.

johnb - bet more than a few liberal $$$ were spent in viewing the film regardless of where it was shown.

McCain named her because he thought it might be nice for the pres to be smarter than the vice pres for a change.

Wow. You really think that faux news is a true "news" organization? After Fox officially agreed to give up their place as a news "source" this past fall when they publicly accepted the million dollar funding from the RNC? Seriously? Or do you really just believe whatever the hell it is you WANT to believe? Talk about TRUE ignorance.

Micheal Wilson,

From your post, it seems like you genuinely believe what you are saying about Fox. I understand that because I have a lot of friends who watch Fox and believe that it is "Fair and Balanced". However, in my opinion, Fox has had a systematic plan to undermine the legitimacy of all of the other MSM so that their viewers only trust Fox. There also seems to be an undertone of "the MSM is non-Christian; Fox is Christian".

Additionally, I believe that Fox has had a systematic plan to slant their coverage toward the Republican view point (an understatement actually). Think about it: 4-5 of the possible Republican candidates for 2012 are EMPLOYED by Fox News. Don't you think that is odd? Roger Ailes was a Republican operative for several Republican presidents.

I implore you to take a step back and re-evaluate your views on Fox News' claim that they are "Fair and Balanced". IMO, they are neither.

I actually wouldn't have as much heartburn over the coverage at Fox if they would just be honest about it and just say "we cover the news from a Republican standpoint". I would be fine with that. It is the way that they still try to act like they are fair and balanced that bothers me.

Thanks for listening.

Michael Wilson--

No one person or organization can be blamed for what a highly disturbed person does. However, the general atmosphere of vitriol and hate can certainly escalate a mentally ill person's distorted rage. And I say that as a professional, as I am a retired therapist.

I have done my homework on other things as well. For one thing, I use factcheck.org regularly. Though most news organizations slant the news and sometimes tell outright lies, Fox and the rightwing radio boys do far more of that than the leftwingers. PBS does the most factual news according to evaluators like factcheck. Factcheck.org, by the way, is funded by the Annenberg Foundation. Annenbergs were friends of Nixon and definitely conservative.

This phrase is going around this week, however, it is taken out of context. Here is the background:

Obama was quoting from the 1987 movie The Untouchables about gangster Al Capone (played by Robert De Niro) and the efforts of government agent Eliot Ness (played by Kevin Costner) to bring down Capone during Prohibition in Chicago. The trailer on YouTube contains the quote that Obama borrowed -- muttered by actor Sean Connery playing cop Jimmy Malone -- in a sinister voice: "You want to get Capone? Here is how you get him. He pulls a knife, you pull a gun. He sends one of yours to the hospital, you send one of his to the morgue. That is the Chicago way."

We also found a June 23, 2008, article in the Chicago Tribune, which stated that Obama meant the line delivered at the Philadelphia fundraiser as a joke.

It is a huge stretch to try to compare this with Palin's "Don't retreat; Reload".