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Subscribe to RSSWEST MONROE, LA -- Rick Santorum denounced a comment Friday made, unbeknownst to him, by a woman who said that Santorum, while taking shooting practice, should pretend the targets were President Obama.
While the presidential contender was down field, taking aim at paper targets, a woman in the crowd could be heard shouting out "pretend it's Obama." The remark drew scattered chuckles from the assembled crowd.
Santorum himself did not hear the remark, but denounced it upon being informed of it; he was wearing headphones and was considerably down range when the comment was made.
"It's absurd. No I'm not pretending it's anybody but shooting pistols. It's a very terrible and horrible remark and I'm glad I didn't hear it."
The U.S. Secret Service told reporters they would look into it.
Leave a Comment:
...but...but...but...Mr. Santorum, what about...
"It’s not my responsibility as a candidate to correct everybody who makes a statement that I disagree with." - Rick Santorum - January 23, 2012
Noid...
I am no Rick Santorum fan but honestly... how can he be held accountable for what some nut in the crowd said?
He denounced the statement. So in my opinion there is no story here.
The other thought I had was that I was not there and don't know what she truly meant by that comment. In the old days we used to say that we had someone in our sites when we about to take them on head to head... one on one...
But in these times... the country is so divided that everyone thinks a comment like that is actually intended to mean in my gun sites to kill them. I wonder... if the opponent that Santorum wanted to take on were not a person of color... would we be making an issue of this?
I am not making excuses for this woman... at the very least her choice of words was in poor taste.
Thoughts?
Despicable!!!
The laughter from his supporters is even more disgusting!
Coming off the Treyvon Martin killing - pay attention America - the is TODAY'S Republican party!
Only problem is they are not bothering to put on the white sheets anymore!
JUSTICE FOR TREYVON MARTIN NOW!!!
Reset
The crudeness in these people is so mind boggling. Despicable elements.
"It's a very terrible and horrible remark and I'm glad I didn't hear it."
Sure you're glad Rick, 'cause if you had heard it what pray tell would your response have been? That it's absurd?
"I wonder... if the opponent that Santorum wanted to take on were not a person of color... would we be making an issue of this?"
I would certainly hope so - do you think it would it have been any less of an issue to the Secret Service if it had been a Democrat shooting and someone had shouted "Pretend it's Bush"? Not funny either way, and I fail to see what color has to do with anything in this story.
Look, for once Santorum said the right thing. Let's leave it at that.
Maybe we cannot directly blame Rick Santorum for the woman's comment on "pretend it's Obama", but we can certainly blame Santorum for being at a shooting range in general! The callousness of not seeing the bigger picture is pretty telling of who Santorum and the right is!!!
On second thought, I'm going to argue with myself here on the issue of color. Let's say our current Secretary of State was President instead - would that same woman in the crowd have been just as likely to shout "Pretend it's Hillary!" and think it was just as funny?
I somehow doubt it.
All in all, though, I'd tend to second what DefenderofUnderdog just said - there's really probably no "good" photo op at a shooting range in any case. Stick with kissing babies and sampling some gumbo or jambalaya.....
Actually, for the Republicans being seen at a shooting range is a good way to get in with the NRA crowd.
I surprised Rick didn't say something like "women don't belong at a shooting range."
As much as I dislike Santorum I can't hold him responsible for someone else's poor taste. Maybe it's a lesson he should learn.
DefenderOfUnderdog - Why is it wrong for someone who supports the 2nd Amendment to go to a firing range to practice the rights provided by the 2nd Amendment?
How about we take a step back and realize something. It's just a stupid comment that someone made. According to our constitution that person has the right to say something as long as it's not a direct threat. So why make a big deal out of something that's nothing? For a change let's call it like it is, a stupid comment that doesn't deserve a story.
Considering the anti-gun rhetoric the left consistently puts out, there's hardly a BAD photo-op for a Republican candidate at a gun range. Though 'pretending it's Obama' would be one in my book.
Your talking about a collection of Republicans at a gun range who have come to see Santorum. I think the comment was pretty much something one would have expected.
noid....maybe he decided to?? I dont get your point...hes a decider too ya know..
I am definitely not a Santorum fan (that frothy stuff stains the sheets). However, he made the correct statement when informed of the comment that some moron made. "It's absurd. No I'm not pretending it's anybody but shooting pistols. It's a very terrible and horrible remark and I'm glad I didn't hear it."
Maybe 'Absurd' isn't the word I would have used, but he was right to denounce the comment. This shouldn't even be an issue now.
The problem is not Santorum, it's the nut in the crowd. The politics of hate are turning the right into a cesspool of nastiness.
Charlie#'s - Santorum would never say that shooting ranges are not a place for women. Who else is supposed to carry the guns in, clean them and make the coffee?
Of course it would, C. Smith. You and your ilk have no respect for the office of the President. Your fear-mongering and NRA b.s. works well with the fringe element, paranoid kooks, generating tons of cash for gun manufacturers and lobbyists. Every time there's a Dem in the White House you all start with this nonsense - of course, the rational people understand that the President has actually expanded gun rights, but don't bother with the details, okay?
That woman's unfunny remark is further proof that Second Amendment rights should be coupled with Second Amendment responsibilities.
Personally, I hope no one hands that woman a pistol...perhaps she is a bit dim to be trusted with a gun.
Laughter from the crowd...probably nervous laughter that someone would make such a stupid statement.
Glad that Santorum was put off that the statement was made and said so.
Sad to see that folks like Feisty would pretend to be like the woman who made the stupid remark..Justice for Trayvon???...perhaps you mean a thorough investigation into the shooting of Trayvon....In America justice comes from the courts after a preponderance of evidence is presented...perhaps the evidence will convict the shooter or perhaps it will vindicate him...In America we don't try anyone in the court of public opinion or by way of threats from the oval office toward public officials....Law enforcement needs the opportunity to conduct a through investigation. If that investigation leads to a grand jury or to a trial then the evidence needs to stand without any prejudice by the community or the Oval office.
Good going Rick...glad to see that there is a line not to be crossed in your candidacy.
Geez, Fiesty, at least spell the poor kid's name correctly. Not that I don't agree with you.
txmom
In case you have not noticed, the people calling for "justice for Trayvon" are demanding that law enforcement and the rest of the justice system to take actions. Their protests have been peaceful and respectful.
Before the protests the local law enforcement not only failed to take action, they failed in their duty to even investigate the crime. Zimmerman walked away from the scene with bloody clothes and his handgun.
I really, really, really don't like O'Bama BUT, the remark (although said many many times over),, is definitely inappropriate. Like it or not he was elected as President. While you need to respect the Office, you DO NOT have to respect the person in the office.
the Trayvon tragedy is starting to take on the aspects of vigilante justice, even the President looks to cultivates political following from this tragedy, he as a ex attorney should no better, let law enforcement finish their investigation and not let mob justice cloud the issue.
Da Noid,
Come on now, Ricky makes enough stupid remarks that get him in enough trouble without you trying to hold him accountable for other peoples stupidity. Same goes for the rest of you boobs that try to pin this remark on him.
96ws6
Did you even read the comments? Not one of the above commenters blamed Santorum for the woman's ignorant "joke". What are you talking about?
Zimmerman was also never tested for drugs or alcohol, yet they ran a full toxicology screen on Trayvon's dead body & left him laying in the morgue while his parents were searching for him for 3 days...
Why didn't the cops check out his cell phone?
Priorities? Perhaps?
don7524....what the initial investigation found is that Zimmerman shot in self defense. I can agree that possibly the authorities did not look too far for any true evidence and there is most certainly a need for a through investigation. The outcome needs to reflect the law and the evidence not the screaming banshees out in front of city hall.
As for the protests...oh goodie a reason for both Sharpton and the New Black Panther party to feed off the grief of parents in reoccuring public forums. Seems the most positive outcome so far is that sales of Skittles and ice tea are up, courtesy of a tragic death. Oh yes and the endorsement from the President, that is always good for blind justice....now that BO has chimed in there will always be doubt that Trayvon was truly the victim of a vigilante. Perhaps, the president is OK if the outcome includes the conviction of a man who may well be innocent.
I am shocked! Santorum has said something that makes him look like a big boy. Good for him...
txmom
You have a severe case of tunnel vision. There clearly was no investigation until the (peaceful) protests. The police merely took Zimmerman's word for the self defense explanation. The real investigation so far has been done by journalists who used freedom of information laws to get the 9-1-1 tapes.
It is completely obvious that you are very biased in this case, and your bias is not for "blind justice." Contrary to your beliefs about the sales of Skittles and iced tea, the most positive outcomes of this case may be review of the ridiculous "stand your ground" laws and a heightened awareness of the still existent racism in this country.
@Irish
The problem is, this is a general mindset within the conservative movement. Deny it at your own peril. The crowd laughing just confirms it for me. People like this are a danger to our country.
You can minimize it all you want but the rest of us won't.
Honor no longer resides in the GOP or any of its followers. It is really as simple as that. They continually shame this country. Idiots all. Polarized to a point of stupid and ignorant.
1. Good on Santorum for condemning the remark.
2. Too many people have been justifying hatred and murder in recent years, its nice that a Republican politician finally had the moral turpitude to stand up to it. That's the first time since John McCain 4 years ago. Enough of the murderous rheotoric. Enough of the pandering to hatred.
Sad, but true.
Gone are the days of the party of Lincoln.
No, it's really not. Just the same as free-loaders and welfare recipients are not todays Democratic party. It's not that cut and dry. There are idiots on both sides of the aisle, and failing to see that makes you one of them.
Don...Why would you think I am biased....because I do not goose step behind those who would seek further blood without evidence of a crime....I can't imagine the grief of parents who have lost their child to violence. Although Sharpton seems to be collecting quite a lot of money for their loss. I also cannot imagine the grief of parents who can do nothing but stand by and watch as their son receive death threats,receive a withdrawl slip from his college, must move because of death threats and all because a police department did not do a thorough investigation at the time of the incident. Lives have been taken and further have been ruined without the consideration of evidence.
Where is Obama in denouncing violence and threats against Zimmerman...for that fact where is this constitutional scholar when it comes to belief in the laws of this country. Perhaps, BO could have actually risen to the occasion as Santorum did and denounce such stupidity.
I get that you have no real interest in proof...what is your proof that this incident revolved around racism? Thing is you have no interest in evidence...like Sharpton and the New Black Panther Party it is all about loud voices and $$$$$.
The GOP has done an outstanding job of whipping up racial and politcal hatred in this country. I hope their proud of the results, even on this vine there are people defending the shooter and the actions of the police in the Trayvon Martin murder. What has happened to the good and decent Republicans that used to care about America? The answer is simple, they have been replaced by an army of hate merchants willing to do or say anything to regain power in Washington, so they can rape the country again. I feel nothing but pity for anyone foolish enough to vote for these right wing extremists. The Republican/Tea Party must be purged from our political system permanently before they can cause any more damage to our country.
Santurom's visit to the shooting range was a dog-whistle for country bigots, his base.
To visit a range amidst this national controversy is saying, "Don't worry ya'all the 2nd amendment is safe with me, no matter how many young black men die"
Wow..big al...so you are saying that the evidence in the shooting has nothing to do with 911 calls, what neighbors recall hearing, what Trayvons GF had to say as she was with him on the phone, was the fathers girlfriend expecting Trayvon at her house, what was Trayvon's demenor at the convenience store, what was Zimmermans demenor where ever he was before the incident, were there any other incidents where Zimmerman pulled a gun at someone in the neighborhood, did Zimmerman have injuries consistent with an attack...etc...you know evidence not how many rallies can be scheduced in a short period of time.
Feisty mentions a toxicology on Trayvon...of course there would be a toxicology done in an autopsy...there is no great scandal in that...so what was in the report? If Trayvon did not live in the neighborhood and had no ID on him it would be understandable that he would not be identified for a few days. What responsible police force invites parents of missing kids in to view the all the John Doe's in the morgue.
So Feisty....what was the outcome of the toxicology report on Trayvon?
txmom
I say you are biased because protestors are not, as you claim, "seeking blood." They are, in fact, seeking justice by asking for a special prosecutor and an investigation - an investigation that was severely lacking when the death of Trayvon actually occured. The unfortunate result of that dereliction of duty by local law enforcement was that important evidence has been lost forever.
Your charges against Al Sharpton are unsubstantiated and demonstrate further evidence of your obvious racial bias.
This comment is further evidence of your bias and willful ignorance. My "proof" is that Zimmerman referred to as a "f***ing coon" in a computer enhanced portion of the 9-1-1 call and as a "black", stating that "they always get away". He then followed Trayvon Martin after the 9-1-1 operator told him not to.
Contrary to your baseless accusations of me I am interested only in justice - justice that was not happening before the protests. I realize that Al Sharpton somehow bothers you. I don't care. He and others are doing a great service to this country through their demands for justice. Justice means thorough investigation and if someone is guilty they should be punished. Get it?
If Zimmerman is having a bad time right now perhaps he is regretting his decision to follow Trayvon Martin contrary to the instructions from the police dispatcher and contrary to his description of responsibilities as a neighborhood watch volunteer.
Wow. Txmom I am very very disturbed that you would turn this into a rant against Sharpton and Black people in general. Your racism is shining through; I hope you're proud of yourself for holding firmly onto your antiquated beliefs and I'm sure you're passing them down to your children who will one day continue that tradition of hate by passing it down to their children. Every shred of evidence released by law enforcement paints a picture of total incompetence on the part of police, total racism and hatred on the part of Mr. Zimmerman, and the peaceful protests by people of all colors demanding justice have brought people together to recognize that this kind of thing should not be happening any more. This is not the Wild West circa 1860. This is happening in the most advanced society on the planet. Well, at least we are trying to be, despite efforts from the Right to bring us back to 1776. You are a sad and pathetic excuse for an American, and if you don't like it tough crap. I'm using my 1st Amendment rights to tell you what a POS you are.
I forgot
don...why don't you tell that to the Parents of Zimmerman who have seen their son have to alter every aspect of his life because of death threats. There is nothing peaceful about death threats...of course doesn't seem as if anyone is investigating those either...perhaps the problem lies with the police department. Now we have the FBI, Justice Department and the AG for the state of Florida involved....perhaps the "peacful" protesters and the New Black Panther Party can go home and let law enforcement do their job.
You realize you just stated that your evidence is a computer enhanced portion of a call using an nasty slurr? As I understand it CNN among others have listened to the tape over and over to no avail. So please cite the sorce of this evidence.
You realize that the only thing Sharpton is doing is collecting money for the greiving family...while the New Black Panther Party is collecting disinfranchised young people.
You seem to have decided justice is only for the guilty....what if he is found innocent? Get it?
Scott I am no racist...I leave that to the Sharptons of this world along with those in the New Black Panther Party... and well folks like you who bend over backward to look for racism where it does not exist and ignores racism going on right in front of your face.
so....sickofbickering...you think the people in the crowd chuckled at her comment because they thought it was funny she suggested santorum
"take him on" ???
txmom
As I have repeatedly stated, I stand with the protestors who seek to have a thorough investigation. You talk as if the protestors are a lynch mob when, in fact, they have acted in a completely responsible and respectful manner to get the federal government, the governor of Florida and the local government to just DO THEIR DUTY! If they wanted only revenge on Zimmerman, do you believe that Zimmerman would have survived?
Your constant disparagement of Al Sharpson, Black Panthers, etc., even though they have done nothing wrong is ample evidence of your prejudice. Why do you have a problem with African American people seeking justice?
I have no problem with African American People seeking justice...nor do I have a problem with Hispanic American People seeking justice...or indoAmerican People seeking justice or Native Americans seeking justice....I don't even have a problem with Anglo American's seeking justice....I do have a problem with the bottom feeding scum that seek some sort of profit when others have suffered like Sharpton or the New Black Panther Party.
Negative on ALL counts!
Why wasn't one done on the killer George Zimmerman?
Why did the police leave his body in the morgue without checking his cell phone for 3 days?
Please point me to where Zimmerman has been threatened? Hell, no one knows where he's at...
BWHAHAHAHAHA!
Here's a hint - your obsession with Rev. Al Sharpton & the Black Panthers is the give away along with your none to subtle 'code words'!
Thankfully people like you txmom, & your ilk are a dying breed, gasping your last breaths of bigotry & hatred!
The majority of Americans are better then this!
txmom
Two of your issues reveal a great deal about you. One is that many prominent Americans have called for investigation and justice in the Trayvon Martin case and you have criticized only Al Sharpton and other black Americans. You have accused Reverend Sharpton of "profiting" without any proof that he has any financial gain whatsoever. The other issue is that you continually assume that the justice that others seek presumes Zimmerman's guilt. It does not. What we are calling for is a thorough investigation and gathering of all available proof.
This woman's comment doesn't reflect how conservatives or republicans feel. She very well may have been a democrat plant for all we know....just like Sandra Fluke was. A pawn to be used and discarded by the DNC.
Yes, there are Fringe Democrats who say stupid things too, but this was a Republican fringe dweller. Own your problems and try to educate some manners into them. Both sides.
While I do not support Santorum in any way, for any office, I think his gut response was the correct one in this case.
Please post your source for the toxicology report? Sorry, but I find it hard to take you at your word, for obvious reasons.
Why didn't the check his phone in the morgue? I suppose that is a good question and someone in the morgue should be held accountable. Who ever took the missing person's report in the Police Department should probably be questioned as well. All very good reasons to have a complete investigation.
Seriously...no one knows where he is at becasue, according to his parents he is hiding from the death threats.
I suppose Feisty that if you are threatended by me and my ilk...you realize we aren't going anywhere.
So if you are connecting the dots....a prudent person would ask why is she so spirited about Sharpton and the New Black Panther Party and not about the NAACP, students from High School to University or the various Congressional members on both sides of the aisle...could be that the NAACP has a reasonable interest to assure the African American Community is truly being served within their community and they aren't front and center with their hand out at every turn....Students in High School and University...becasue it is reasonable for them to expect justice for their contemporaries because it could be them some day. For congressional members and other public officials speaking out for investigation....because their jobs matter only when the Justice system works.
Our system works for no one if a complete investigation is not undertaken. We still live in a society where we are innocent until proven guilty.
soazDan
This woman absolutely reflects how some Republicans or conservatives think, but no one is accusing all conservatives of this flawed reasoning. Your suggestion that she might be a Democratic plant is worthless. You don't have any reason to believe such a thing except that an irrational thought occurred to you and you could not help expressing it publicly. Sandra Fluke was not a "plant". She was clearly put on the list by Democrats to testify before Congress. She was not a pawn and she has not been "discarded." You are talking nonsense.
I think it is kind of humorous that the politicians are starting to make these boards seem friendly.
It may have been politically correct for Santorum to denounce the comment but...
won't he lose the tea party support?
After all, they're the ones to carry weapons to rallies, bullseye democratic targets, etc...
I guess Ron Paul will pick up the TEA party support...
txmom
You are clearly grasping at straws. Why in your wildest imagination would you believe that the morgue should be checking Trayvon Martin's cell phone. This was absolutely the job of the police investigators and they chose not to investigate. The morgue is not accountable. Their job is to determine cause of death.
I am glad that you agree that a full investigation is in order. I just wonder why you think that Reverend Sharpton should not work toward that same end.
don97524
Can I answer that? Can I? Can I? Because Mr Sharpton likes to set fires and fan them. He doesn't put them out when it is warranted.
Do you seriously think if it had come back positive it wouldn't be all over the news?
Let's keep in mind, this is not an isolated incident with these Barney Fife's down there in Sanford!
Don, I think the first post said this what conservatives are like or something to that extent. Sandra Fluke was a plant, she was originally portrayed as a student until people found out what an activist she was. She was introduced as a student at Georgetown not as spokewoman for reproductive rights in which case she could be considered a plant. As for the woman who shouted I said she could be a democrat. Prove me wrong!
There were books and movies about a Bush assassination, where was the ourrage then? You think one woman's off color remark is as bad as a funded and shot movie? As bad as a published book? What a bunch of pathetic hypocrites.
soazDan
Is it not possible to be a student AND be committed to a cause? Sandra Fluke was not a plant. Her intentions and the intentions of the Congress members who solicited her testimony were honest and above board. No one misrepresented Ms. Fluke's political position in any way.
Valhalla Phil
Your charge of hypocrisy is valid only if the people who criticize this woman for her remarks are standing up for the movies you mention. That is not the case and your accusations are ridiculous.
I may be totally naive, but why is the discussion about Sandra Fluke, when in reality, it should be about why congressmen and religious leaders are the only people on the panel. It should have been both male and female doctors (for perspective). What even remotely can a bunch of male congressmen and religious leaders know about women's health other than one group that wouldn't have a clue, and the other group that shouldn't. I'll let you decide which is which.
Doesn't matter who Santorum pretends the target is. The only thing he's likely to hit is his own foot. (any chuckles from the audience now?)
Txmom,
I am glad u are not my mom, otherwise I might have lost out in the words a wise man said, " Judge a man by his charector, not the color of his skin."
Next Zimmerman is not in hiding, the feds know where he is and are watching him, they will file charges when all said and done. He should of thought about the consequences when the authorities told him to stay still but went vigilant instead. When he ends up in prison will you send him a gift basket? He got more to worry about there than the out of jail.
Racicsm has no room in any conversation face to face or in person. Please spare readers of it.
God Bless
Richard Small....I suppose then we are both satisfied as I am used to dealing with children with reason and open minds...they are 12,12,& 15...maybe you could learn from the young. I suppose my wisdom has judged Sharptom on his lack of character and well the New Black Panther Party is realy no better than the Klan.
Why is it so important for progressives to make this about race? Because as you say...Racism has no room in any conversation face to face or in large groops screaming for a lynching. Honestly, If I were the racist you all have me pegged me to be I wouldn't be looking for justice for either man. My concern is that with 24/7 news guilt or innoccence seems to be lost in the court of public preference.
As for Zimmerman and the feds watching him....the only want the Feds or US Justice department can intervien is if there is a findng of a hate crime. If the evidence leads them to such a finding the I do hope that Zimmerman is arrested and tried...if not then the State will need to declair a finding in their investigation and proceed according to the law.
Is there nothing so low and reprehensible that a bunch of ignorant hillbillies won't say it and then laugh about it afterward? When this election is over the Republican Party needs to take a long hard look at itself and then change its goals, its ideology, and its direction. It doesn't need people like these hate-filled crackers dragging it down.
SF pedestrian. I have an alarm system on my home. No, I don't currently have a gun, but if the now nearly daily shootings and daily robberies on the South west of Akron continue I will get one and be ready.
From the time I push the code on the nearest keypad on my alarm system the police will be to my door in a maximum 2 minutes and 30 seconds. it only takes 45 seconds from the time someone reaches my door that they can kick in the door, hunt an occupant down and shoot them dead. 45 seconds is plenty of time to stop an assailant for someone who is trained.
Txmom,
As for Zimmerman and the feds watching him....the only want the Feds or US Justice department can intervien is if there is a findng of a hate crime. If the evidence leads them to such a finding the I do hope that Zimmerman is arrested and tried...if not then the State will need to declair a finding in their investigation and proceed according to the law.
I agree to your statement.
Feisty...when I asked for the reference for the Toxicology reports...I ment a reference that discussed the reports findings....again just saying it is clean does not make it so. so here is what you left out
So your Negative on all counts (re. drug nd alcohol test) was just blowing smoke..right? A bit of progressive literary license otherwise known as baseless fiction.
When Jimmy Hoffa Jr. said to "take those sons-a-bitches out" you guys (liberals) broke your fingers to make excuses for him and Obama but now you want to use any excuse to @!$%# on someone else even when what they say is responsible and appropriate. Way to show your hypocrisy and bigotry! Now collapse me and show Teddy and myself right. By the way, the Trayvon Martin story is that way--->
Stop derailing.
txmom: You need to read more, the police stated that the tests on Trayvon were all negative however they did not test the killer, Zimmerman did they, nope. And why did they not try and find Trayvon's next of kin for three days because they were busy trying to dig up some dirt on him to help justify Zimmerman's actions. The Sanford police have a well earned reputation of bias and violations against the black community in Sanford. I know, I live in FL do you? And I am white and I can see the bias. If it takes black leaders to wake up the people of Sanford and the leaders of the State, so be it. Then there are people like you who want to sit back in their comfy chairs and pass judgement on those trying to right a major wrong.
Just so we're all clear on this, if the left and Obama supporters want to take the statement (s) of a few individuals as being indicative of the entire conservative republican movement, then turnabout is fair play. I guess our worst fears are realized.
hardtostarboard
Try to maintain some perspective. Certainly there are some on the left who may say that the voices of a few conservatives represent "the entire conservative republican movement" - most of us say or believe nothing of the sort. There are conservatives on Newsvine who blast ALL liberals and there are liberals on Newsvine who disparage all conservatives. The rest of us attempt to address specific issues and specific persons.
If you look at this from only your own point of view and can't see the same mistakes on the other side you are part of the problem.
don97524
Your comment rings true. Just find the article on Rush Limbaugh. One says Rush is the leader of the republican party because nobody else wants to lead, therefore, his opinions are the opinions of all republicans. The same for Maher and his comments that conservatives claim, speak for all liberals.
He should denounce the comments because he claims to be a leader and wants to lead our country. This is what real leaders do. They call out the crazies, the liars, the mis-informed. Unfortunately, too few leaders on the right have exhibited this particular leadership quality - it's certainly the first for Santorium.
I always thought McCain stood up to comments about then Senator Obama being "a Muslim" and an "A-rab" because he himself was born in Panama and didn't want to "go there." But we just learned that the Secret Service asked him to try to tone down the hate speech among the right-wing. Why? Because there have never been as many threats in the history of our nation as has been made against President Obama.
Dang straight this women needs to spend some time behind bars. And Santorum denounced it only because he was advised of the legal seriousness of such threats. However, Santorum has failed to denounce Birther comments and other less threatening but nonetheless disgusting bile spewed at his gatherings during his campaign.
The very sad fact is Teapublicans have NO leadership, no intellectual honesty, no "courageous" candidates or "bold" members of congress -- Well heck, they have no platform or original thought either. Shut down the Haters. Throw the Teapublicans out!
don97524 -- Limbaugh started the conspiracy theory that Sandra Fluke was a plant in an attempt to cover his own arse. What is Hi-larious is when you ask these idiots if the Dems are ventriloquists who make Santorum say the things he says, or if Dems are holding a gun to Teapublican's heads and forcing them to pass legislation against women's rights, not just one bill, and not just one time, but so many so fast we all have whiplash.
Of course, the GOP/TP are waging a war on women, starting with not one of them voting for the Lilly Ledbetter bill for equal pay, and more recently voting for the Blunt-Rubio amendment (that really is against everyone's liberties), and at state levels, holy cow it's hard to keep up just with the numerous anti-abortion bills alone!
Feisty Redhead Roselle, IL -- LOL, love the Barney Fife reference. This is the perfect visual for most Teabagger types. Except Barney was more progressive!
"If this Nut Santorum denounced this nutty Women's bark", he would lose his support from the tea retards in the back ground. A reporter said Ricky turned and smiled at the nutty Women.
This was a staged event. Ts way good ole Ricki-Pricki can denounce what the woman said to try and show he's not a racist to the black people that do not support his bigoted and sorry azz.
Funny how out all of the people there, they recorded this one woman making this comment. Who recorded it, and why was it recorded are the real questions that need to be asked.
This was most definitely staged.
Obama 2012
DAVE BROCK GETS EVEN WITH RICK
or
DEAD MEAT STILL DRAWS FLIES
I see nothing but an affront to President Obama and at the very least some degree of safety that needs to be addressed by the secret service.
I hope they interview the woman and set her and everybody else straight that the Presidents safety is paramount in this country. There is no place in this country for anyone to make statement about the life of a president regardless of what side of the aisle a person stands.
nomoresameo - Seriously? The President wasn't in the room. He probably wasn't even in the same state. It's called a joke, I'm not saying it's a good joke. Actually it's a rather poor joke but a joke none the less.
If you think that's an affront to President Obama, how did you feel when people compared President Bush to Hitler? The Secret Service (who was probably in the room) interviewing this woman would just be a waste of time and distracting them from protecting both Obama and Santorum from people who are really a threat against them.
So tell me irish, when can we distinguish when it's a joke and when it's a serious threat? Who gets to make that decision? Joke or not, it needs to be taken seriously. I'm no fan of the President, but he is still OUR President, and any comment like that needs to be investigated. If nothing else, investigate her for being that stupid to actually say it.
Now, the people that compared Bush to Hitler also need their heads examined. But this does not need to be an 'eye for an eye, or disgusting comment for disgusting comment' scenario.
You can always count on there being a few nutjob racists at the shooting range.
The last time I was there some red neck was firing some stupidly huge pistol that was so loud that everyone else started leaving the range. Came back later after the local trash was gone.
.
You never make a death threat against the President or insinuate one. Period!!! Its against the law.
Santorum said what he did because he was advised by the Secret Service of what was said and they were then investigating it. Should he not have had Secret Service detail -- you would have heard CRICKETS from him -- the same as in the past where comments have been said and have gone unaddressed.
There is no slap on the back congratulating Santorum for what he said to respond as he's shown from previous actions what his true character is. For all the bible thumping he does -- he talks the talk - but doesn't walk the walk.
So it's perfectly OK for the Left to say that Jimmy Hoffa Jr. was merely misunderstood when he said to "take those sons-a-bitches out" but to raise holy hell here? Hell by your logic Hoffa was advocating mass murder.
Sean, I'm talking about an introductory speaker for Obama last year. Not even a regular attendee but someone up on the stage before Obama. As a matter of fact, most of the Left poo-poo'ed the comments as a joke. This is Hoffa Jr. and he's still a powerful labor and union figure.
Exactly. In a nation with a history of presidential assassinations, this @!$%# is unacceptable.
"Those who can make you believe absurdities can make you commit atrocities." -- Voltaire
JimP1969
walk this GOP Gem back...
Ronald Reagan talking about student protests in Berkeley on Apr 7th, 1970
"If it takes a bloodbath, let's get it over with. No more appeasement."
Less than 30 days later
OHIO National Guardsmen open fire on students at Kent State, where a GOP Governor reigns .
Paul Beck, press secretary for Reagan, told newsmen that the governor's "bloodbath" statement was meant merely as a "figure of speech" although Reagan did not make that distinction when it used it in a re-election campaign audience composed of members of the Council of California Growers in Yosemite. Beck maintained the remark was "not literal."
& the Palin reference was just another GOP slip of the tongue..
tell it to the families of those in Tucson that were gunned down...
why is it that only the Conservatives & crazy people have guns...?
Now Ricky? what do you really think?.....
These dozens of comments tearing at Sanitarium... Come on people, even a stopped clock is correct twice a day. Rick did the honorable thing when he denounced the comment. All the other "what ifs" you folks bring up are conjecture by biased minds. Just this once, give the guy a break. Even if he made the denunciation because he had seen criticism of other candidates (Newt and the "Muslim" commentor) for keeping silent... still.... he DID denounce. Leave it at that....
Good for former-Senator Santorum.
The problem is, in the present state of the Southern-dominated GOP, he may have lost the Louisiana Primary, with his appropriate comment.
...and yet, these are the kinds of people who are voting republican. The kind of people who say these things.
Don't forget that the Dems and their kids were pulling similar and even more aggressive stunts while Bush was in office. Signs calling for his death were almost commonplace.
This is modern America. Sad, isn't it?
Bull. You know, just saying it doesn't make it so, no matter how hard you want it to do so.
Yes, there were idiots during the Bush years who said despicable things; however:
1. Signs calling for his death were not "commonplace." That's just a lie.
2. It is NEVER a defense to say that despicable behavior is o.k. because somebody else did it. What an idiotic thing to say.
sanhan, I do not think anyone is defending it, just saying that its not just one party becoming involved in this pathetic kind of behavior. As I have said before on the Vine it is not a left or right issue, it is simply bad behavior. Whats worse is our so called leaders egg it on. I woulndt vote for Santorum if you paid me, but the man did earn a little respect from me based on his reaction.
sanhan --
1. Signs calling for his death were not "commonplace." That's just a lie.
Sound familiar sanhan. Signs are not "commonplace" calling for O'Bama's death either.
The lady's behavior is not even despicable. There are thousands and thousands of people that want to see O'Bama out of office. However, I, like most Legal U.S. Citizens want him voted out of office. No one at any level wants O'Bama to be a martyr. I don't dislike O'Bama as a person, but I do believe he is a complete failure as President and is destroying our economy and our way of life.
Well Joe then you obviously have forgotten the 8 years prior to Obama (not O'Bama; he's not Irish). Our economy may be sputtering, but at least it's headed in the right direction, unlike under Bush, who put us in this position by spending like a drunken sailor and starting two unfunded wars based on lies with no exit strategy. Please stop forgetting the recent past and understand that this was a conglomeration of events that actually started in the 70s. Both Dems and Repubs are to blame, but Bush put us over the edge and Obama has done everything in his (limited, since most laws have to approved by Congress then signed by the Prez) power to turn this country around. You may not agree with his policies (I certainly don't) but to say he is a failure is completely idiotic, since the R-controlled Congress has done everything it possibly could to make him look like a failure.
More pathetic liberal lies. Bush's deficits were less than $250 million, Obama's are over $1.3 trillion, yet Bush was spending like a drunken sailor? You can't get away with lying when the information is readily available.
Obama is destroying this country, he hasn't a clue about economics or capitalism, only knee jerk socialism. These people aren't progressives, they are regressives, back to 50's style socialism and union thuggery.
And yes liberals are unpatriotic bigoted losers.
RushISaPIG
Give it a break. Enough.
"The Tea Retards and Losers like Santorum are destroying the GOP"
Because you've been such a bad boy and told such a horrible lie, it's time for your bedtime story:
I hope Valhalla Phil is o.k.
He might have had a vein pop, or something.
Maybe we cannot directly blame Rick Santorum for the woman's comment on "pretend it's Obama", but we can certainly blame Santorum for being at a shooting range in general! The callousness of not seeing the bigger picture is pretty telling of who Santorum and the right is!!!
No problem with him being at a shooting range, but maybe a little bit better timing after Florida?
I don't understand why being at a shooting range is an issue? Would you rather he practice shooting in a backyard where an accident could occur? Or do you simply have a screw loose that guns=bad?
He's looking for NRA votes.
I agree Mark Thomas that he could have found something more appropriate to do so soon after the tragedy in Florida.
Maybe not callous but definitely in poor taste.
What?
*reads again*
What?
Give Santorum a break. He needs practice at a shooting range so he can better control shooting his mouth off. Another 10-20 years, he'll get good enough to only shoot himself in the foot.
Okay, I'm about as "anti Santorum" as you can get, but ... seriously? Why is there a problem with him being at a gun range? I would prefer that EVERYONE who owns a gun put in some serious practice and make sure they know what that weapon is capable of. And to give the devil his due, his reaction was appropriate. Yes, I do feel the tone he and other Republican politicians have set encourages division and ugliness, but in this instance the woman who spoke owns the blame. I can only hope that perhaps Santorum (and others) will see such behavior as what it is, a symptom of the disease of hate that has infected the R party.
Valhalla Phil does realize that the wars weren't put into the budget, right? Bush borrowed the funds for the wars!
someone watching pornography is upsetting to him/them - all the senseless violence caused by guns in this country they have no problem with and some embrace it judging by the comment and crowd laughter - but would we expect anything less - no not from this bunch - sad joke for human beings - religion will do that to you - and they get to vote ,that is more disturbing -
Guns don't cause any violence in this country. They are merely used in violence. So are knives. So are cars. So are baseball bats. So are crowbars. I heard of a case a little while ago where one guy shot another with a bow over an argument the two had.
Of course, from someone bashing all religions out-of-hand, whilst ignoring the rampant violence atheists have committed over the last century, I suppose I shouldn't be surprised that you apparently want to ban all these things.
C. Smith we are still suffering the effects of The Crusades in the Middle East and those guys wearing white robes with a red cross on the front sure as hell were not atheists!
what what percentage of violence do guns cause, lets just say, alot - how many deaths just because of the power and capability of the weapons do guns cause more then say ,knives - can knives be used in drive bys - from rooftops ,thru walls ,from very far distances ,massacre dozens in seconds - un freakin beliveable - you are not really going to compare to destruction a gun can cause to a baseball bat ,you have to be religious because only someone with your thought process can also fall for such nonsense -rampant violence, what like killing abortion doctors , i believe guns were used in all such killings or blowing up clinics much like the bombs other fanatical terroists use ,ever heard of the crusades or the spanish inquistion where millions were killed in the name of christ what about child abuse or the most recent story how the dutch church castrated young boys who they thought were acting gay - relgions cause a thousand times the violence that atheist do plain and simple ...and guns have bows and arrows beat by the same amount - amazing - no one is taking your talking points seriously anymore mr smith just cant help yourself can you
The 2nd amendment is part of the constitution.
Over half of US households have guns.
There are more guns in America than people.
Conceal carry is legal in 49 states, 42 have "shall issue", (they must give you a permit)
26 states have Castle laws.
The gun issue is over liberals, get over it. When Harry Reid sponsors a bill allowing conceal carry in federal parks, it's time to take the hint and move on.
Phil, yes, the gun issue is over. You do realize that Obama has made it easier to carry a gun, specifically in national parks and even on amtrak. I can see people owning guns for protection and hunting, but people don't need assault rifles to defend themselves or hunt. The only reason that they would need such a thing is if they are planning on facing an army, or going on a shooting spree.
That's like saying, "Bombs don't kill people, the explosions do."
Guns expedite violence, ie, they make it more likely and quicker and capable of violence at a distance.
It was a joke, but with our overreaching and tyrannical government, somebody will probably go to jail over a stupid comment. Whatever happened to freedom of speech. She said "PRETEND it is Obama". That is not a threat!
I wonder if you realize that it is a felony to make threats against the life of a president?
That was NOT a threat! She said PRETEND, do you know what pretend means?
expat, certainly she wasn't a threat, but her remark was so uncivil that she needs to be called on it.
intolerance is an insidious thing. it grows when this type of stuff is allowed, or even sanctioned, by those on either side of the aisle.
Well, if that's a "joke", it's no wonder that the Faux News answer to Jon Stewart lasted only one show.
Not at all funny.
You have heard the saying "most truth is spoken in jest"? People say exactly what they mean, then backtrack pretending it was just a joke! If it was at a fair and some one was being dunked and someone said pretend it's Obama, you might just chuckle. But not on a shooting range. Her intentions are clear because a lot, and I mean a lot, of people down there want exactly that. Wonder why she didn't say "pretend" it's Romney?
And again, there were books and movies about assassinating Bush, where was the outrage then?
It was a stupid joke. But there is free speech in America. It was not a threat. Nobody should go to jail. There is nothing to be done about it. I do hope she is ashamed for her comment, but she is a private citizen and can make off color remarks and bad jokes if she wishes. Get over it and move on.
Needless to say, there are a great number of a$$holes like that woman. When answering questions, Trayvon's mother was asked what foods he liked. One reporter asked if he liked "fried chicken" and some other reporters chuckled. A teacher asked a black student to read a poem "more black" and why blacks liked grape soda.....this is a teacher! You find a-holes all over the country, but it seems more of most vocal live down south. They need to know once and for all, "the South WON'T rise again, thank God!
And why won't the South rise again? Because the Yankees will come and kill and rape them and force them to be a part of the country even if they do not want to?
No, because they think like that and most Americans don't.
The whole reason I got out of competition shooting was exactly this. In my experience there were way too many gun enthusiasts that were hoping to catch an intruder. Handguns have no use other than a weapon to fire against another human being. You can call it anything you want; protection, defense or even your Right but the person shouting in the crowd "Pretend it's______" is certainly not unique.
Some of us are not big and strong, and are not good fighters. A gun is the only way to defend ourselves in this violent world.
A gun should be the very last option, not the first choice.
When an assailant has killed you, it is too late!
I think Santorum is having a good day today. It's like he woke up almost sane.
Does spending a lot of time around guns and gun people make you dumb and rude? It's a question that should be studied.
That said, I'm all for 2nd amendment rights. I just think that the gun people really need to set a better model than many, like the woman in this article, do at present. Kind of like slob hunters vs. real hunters. I've hunted with both, and the slobs really make me sick.
She is the rare exception, if this were more commonplace the radical left propaganda outlets would be all over it.
who in the hell said she was a "gun" person? She was attending a political event at a gun range. Did she have a sign on her? There are slob vs. real in every aspect of life and yeah a lot of 'those' slobs make me sick.
Hey MV Skeptic - you got out of competitive shooting because the other competitors could only talk about catching an intruder? Maybe you should have tried professional competitive shooting instead? Oh by the way - you destroyed your handguns after you quit right? I know you didn't sell them because they are only good for firing at another human being and you wouldn't want someone else to have the opportunity to defend themselves?
"AtomAnt, That nutty Women was a member of the Tea ReTards, do l need to say any more"
the one difference I note is when the left hated GW Bush we called him an idiot, wished he would just quit or whatever. When the right dislikes someone its shoot him, obama is a marxist, he's unamerican, he's a voodoo witch doctor. There is a vast difference in hatred expressed.
You obviously weren't paying attention from 2000 to 2008. I can't even remember how many signs I saw calling for Bush to be killed. And I'd rather be called a Marxist than a war criminal any day.
Maybe I'm biased, but the left disliked Bush for what he did, the right dislikes Obama for being Obama.
C. Smith, I have no idea where you live, but it sure isn't in the Pacific Northwest! The most popular sign concerning Bush was that a village had lost its idiot. I don't recall ever seeing a threatening sign of any kind.
yeah mr smith i saw signs arrest bush and cheney as war criminals but none about killing them - do you or ever have you worked for fox news - if not im sure its your faviorte channel -
C. Smith - I am sorry, I follow the news closely, both now and when "W" was president. I never saw a single sign calling for his death. Now, it is possible (in fact, probable) that some idiot on our side did display just such a sign but to say it was an everyday occurance is absurd. If you can send two links about two different incidences of the call for W's death, then I'll be closer to believing it.
I can remember how many signs I saw calling for W's murder. Zero.
Of course liberals turn a blind eye when it's something they don't want to admit. There were numerous signs calling for his death. There were also books and movies. Talk about selective memory, sheesh.
Phil the only signs calling for death of Bush or Cheney was in the ME.Of course they are also calling for death to Obama.None about Bush or Cheney in the USA.How much are you getting paid anyway?
Bruce #'s
Here is a web page for you to ponder.
http://www.binscorner.com/pages/d/death-threats-against-bush-at-protests-i.html
Reload and send more downrange
DefenderOfUnderdog
"Maybe we cannot directly blame Rick Santorum for the woman's comment on "pretend it's Obama", but we can certainly blame Santorum for being at a shooting range in general! The callousness of not seeing the bigger picture is pretty telling of who Santorum and the right is!!!"
WTF kind of a statement is this???? Typical liberal B.S.
Whats your problem with a shooting range? must be a liberal from California. Everyone should have the right to bear arms and if someone was in my yard/house and coming after me...I would definitely blow them away and ask questions later. Santorum is just an idiot about his entire platform.
By most accounts, Santorum is in real trouble with his campaign and it looks like Romney will get the Republican nomination - eventually - unless Santorum can pull off a real upset. Having said that, what the heck is Santorum doing at a firing range instead of out meeting with the public? Is a firing range a place he normally visits to relax?
Guess what Bruce, some of us have interests other than Bird watching, and if you were to go to a public shooting range, with Rick Santorum, you would probably see a considerable crowd of people in attendance.
All hail Caesar Obomus
Actually shooting is one of the most relaxing activities one can do. My friends and I would go every Friday lunch to the local range to decompress for the weekend.
Shooting demands your absolute attention, pulling you out of your 1000mph brain wandering, problem solving, etc. A considerable percentage of engineers like me go to shooting ranges to relax.
I imagine skeet shooting has similar results.
So true, Phil. I'm pretty left of center these days (at least by contemporary GOP definitions), but I have to say that people out there who oversimplify the gun issue as "only for killing people" have probably never even fired a gun. Target shooting does, as you say, totally relax me. I learned to shoot in the Army and have kept up my marksmanship ever since. I have ZERO interest in shooting a person (although I would defend myself if pushed to) and I abhor those people who think a gun makes them Rambo and talk $h!t about their own "toughness," but I LOVE the gun range. Beats the H E double hockey sticks outta collecting stamps!
What a horrible, nasty comment. It should be investigated and may God have mercy on the woman who said it.
Peace.
What do you expect from a bunch of rednecks??
Some dingbat in the crowd made a stupid comment, so the Secret Service is going to investigate? Are gov't officials that paranoid now?
When GW Bush was president the Secret Service investigated a kid who wore a t-shirt to school with Bush's picture and the "circle/slash" (NO) around it.
Are you nuts? Even the suggestion of harming the president will get you a visit form the men in black.
As many of us have said over and over. You libbies are really something. So anxious to politicize anything and everything now that your annointed one is looking frail and desperate. The lies and half truths he is now telling are so transparent that even you must be understanding what he is.
I know I'm already sorry I asked this, but is there a point that relates to the story in what you just spilled on the page?
Saintvrain
Wow, you're full of... breaking stories. When did the Pope anoint the President? What happened to the President, is he in the hospital? Did he age over night?
What's the President desperate for? He just got Santorum's endorsement and Romney's aide gave him the Etch A Sketch slogan. What, exactly, is he desperate for?
Who are these libbies you're talking about? What lies and half truths did the president say?
Yep, like I said, you're full of bs.
fieldguy,
Most of us would be interested in your definition of "gun people". Can't wait to hear what you must be thinking.
Saintvrain,
Gun people are people who hang out at shooting ranges way more than hunters do, have big non-hunting gun collections which include AK's, talk about guns a lot of the time, regularly and obsessively go to gun shows, have images of cross hairs pointing at U.S. Congressional districts on their political websites...things like that.
yeah jerryb- a real patriot you are - everyone knows any act or threatening remark about a president has to be taken seriously - after all they do occasionally get shot at - or does that only apply to white presidents
Would the crowd have been so entertained and chuckled if she had said," Pretend it's Jebus"? They would have probably beat her to death on the spot, but that would have been just too ironic. Even if she were just "Pertending." Haa yuk!
Who the hell is Jebus?
Wake up Valhalla, tony was talking about Jeb Bush as Jesus = Jeb-us. Did he go over your little head ?
I dislike Rick Santorum but I'm glad he denounced the comment. I've never heard of a president being spoken of the way some anti-Obama people speak of him. Dislike his persona and his politics all you want, but respect his office...
He was probably pretending to shoot down a woman's right to vote.
Tricky Ricky would never pretend about that .... he takes that much more seriously.
The Second Amendment reads: "A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed."
Since a militia is what is needed to keep the security we should require each political division right down to the precinct or neighborhood to organize a militia for all those people who want to have thier fire arms. You want a gun, you volinteer for the militia of your choice one day per month in training and gun range two weeks per year of military or police training.
The NRA tends to conveniently leave out the first part.
OUTSTANDING post hotdoxy. I shall remember this. And Clotho, thank you.
Why aren't reasonable people pointing this out?
Way too many guns in America. Way to many idiots in America.
" Way to many idiots in America." that's why we need guns. A good example is the lady at the gun range and her moronic comment. When I go to the range maybe I should pretend the targets are idiots like her.
hotdoxy: that has been the argument about the 2nd Amendment for many centuries, but the Supreme Court finally weighed in and say that that it applies to individual gun ownership as well. So, regardless of what people may think the 2nd amendment applies to, the courts have weighed in and this will likely be the law of the land for a while.