183 Comments

• maloney | Jan 22, 2011, 09:24 AM EST

  Trexnine..How can one person be so wrong & so right at the same time? Your so far left you make Grayson look civilized. Who were you before you changed your name to rexnine?

• rexnine | Jan 22, 2011, 02:25 AM EST

  Borefield..are you really so stupid you think Patrick Roberts is Left-Leaning? Every time he's forced to acknowledge the left, he apologizes. .Now you just look Stupid, Borefield.

• rexnine | Jan 22, 2011, 12:40 AM EST

  I live in AZ, And as a hunter, and a Qualified Expert military marksman, and a Christian, I can tell you that there's no hope for Arizona. Not until there's enough democratic representation to offset the tyrannical hold the republican party has here. I live in Jeff Flakes District..and here we have 20 percent of the population living with no health care. And nearly 20 percent unemployment. And one of the good ones got shot here trying to do the right thing for Arizonans. It's a Shame. Yet you will not hear Any republican from Arizona admit that the vitriol rhetoric, or the lax gun laws may have played even the most minuscule role in the shooting?? Give us good citizens a break ! McCain, Kyle, Flake, and all the republicans here in my home state have Blood on their hands, Period!

• desertliving | Jan 22, 2011, 12:36 AM EST

  peterson, most people do agree with AZ's laws INCLUDING the gun laws. In fact, AZ is ranked #49 for crime ratio and New Hap is #51 (including Wash DC)Look it up on dept of justice site. Most American, (3 out of 4) agree people should own guns for SELF DEFENSE. Both states have carry conceal laws without a license needed. Besides, who can purchase firearms is a FEDERAL law, not state. I respect what your trying to say but get your facts a bit straighter.

• peterson | Jan 20, 2011, 08:27 PM EST

  Most U.S. citizens agree with Arizona's Laws except for their recent Gun Law. They should be more careful about who can purchase fire arms.

• seanomelbourne | Jan 15, 2011, 05:07 PM EST

  You love arguing with yourself Maloney.

• yakimak | Jan 14, 2011, 01:28 PM EST

  As regards a certain idea mongers remarks of a couple of pages back whose name I don't want to even remember. Yes I agree with him that the Iberian Catholic conquest of Latin America was just as wrong as the Anglo -Saxon Protestant one was in the North American continent with the consequent enslavement and exterpations of the native inhabitants. The fundamental differance being that in the Amglo-Saxon Protestant part of the Continent that became the United States for some reason or other we developed a Mind Writ that gave us the illussion that we had some sort of a right to go invading other nations to preserve liberty or democracy.Curiously a number of those nations we invaded either had oil fields in them or oil pipelines thru them. The The Iberian Catholic nations south of the Rio Grande did not develop this illussion after their land stealth.

• borefield | Jan 14, 2011, 09:46 AM EST

  Let the Call for "Rehtoric and Hate Talk to Stop". Let it begin with Patrick Roberts and his leftist followers. What he writes is baseless and irresponsible. Patrick and his leftist clientel are so enraged by the results of the last election they just couldn't exercise a smidge of restraint or dignity. They used this tragedy to put out their hate agenda ASAP. The NY Times, without any facts put forth their vitriol within 2 hours of this awful tragedy. They then point fingers about retoric. The deranged young man that caused this had nothing to do with despicable politics. Patrick writes nothing of interest,just self serving trash. He is no asset to Irish Central.

• maloney | Jan 14, 2011, 09:28 AM EST

  McNamara..I try not to think when possible. I've seen what it's done to all you poor lame arse liberals.

• maloney | Jan 14, 2011, 09:17 AM EST

  seano...as likable a fellow that you are, you worry me with your infatuation with grunting pigs. Don't the Aussies have laws against beastiality? How do you find time between the roos & the oinkers? By the way moneybags Brazil wants you to pony up. They say their problems are worse than yours. The next thing you know you'll be tellin us America doesn't send more disaster aid worldwide than any other country.

• seanomelbourne | Jan 13, 2011, 04:45 PM EST

  Maloney Aussies gave generously to New Orleans relief,we also sent emergency service crews to California when the state was burning.You have shown your true colors of meanness and narrow mindness.Well I suppose all you can expect from a pig is a grunt.

• seanomelbourne | Jan 13, 2011, 04:39 PM EST

  No need for him to panic Mman,give me his number I'll set him straight.

• eiriamach | Jan 13, 2011, 01:55 PM EST

  People are revisiting a one-minute video titled "Nancy Pelosi Desperately Attempts to Squeeze Out Some Crocodile Tears," posted on You Tube by a Pelosi critic in Sept. 2009. The title is ironic now since Pelosi's words have proved prophetic. (And likely her "misting up" was genuine too, as she recalled the assassination of Harvey Milk in 1978.) She says, "I have concerns about some of the language that is being used because I saw this myself in the late 70s in San Francisco, this kind of rhetoric. . . . It created a climate in which violence took place. . . . I wish we would all curb our enthusiasm in some of the statements and understand that some of the ears that it is falling on are not as balanced as the person making the statements may assume."

• Monsoonman | Jan 13, 2011, 01:53 PM EST

  Lad: I have been watching the "biblical proportion floods" in Oz, on the telly. A friend who lives there just contacted me by shortwave and said it has been raining heavily for three days now. His wife has done nothing but stare through the window. If it doesn't stop soon he will probably have to let her in.

• McNamara31 | Jan 13, 2011, 12:20 PM EST

  Maloney....To make jokes out of the misfortunes of other, like the mass flooding in Australia...is a bit sick...don't you think?

• maloney | Jan 13, 2011, 11:50 AM EST

  Seano...to hear you tell it rooland is the richest landmass in the world. More resources than anywhere else. Everybody in rooland is rolling in dough. I'll let you take care of yours & I'll continue to take care of mine. You should have plenty of wealth to share with your comrades. Rooland has another untapped resource, swimming lessons.

• kell7757 | Jan 13, 2011, 08:25 AM EST

  Now this website won't post my comments. I have tried three times to post. They won't allow you to login unless you accept cookies. That pretty much says it all.

• bridgetony52 | Jan 13, 2011, 02:59 AM EST

  @McNamara31 – Excellent post, can’t see how anyone could disagree with keeping guns out of schools, but would be interested in hearing a counter-argument?

• bridgetony52 | Jan 13, 2011, 02:55 AM EST

  Re Sarah’s ‘Blood Libel’, didn’t her advisors tell her the best thing to do when you’re in a hole

• seanomelbourne | Jan 13, 2011, 01:46 AM EST

  Maloney's off the meds again. Well you may make light of the floods and the deaths that occurred. An area bigger than Texas is under water the daily life of 21/2 million people has been disrupted Maybe you would like to donate to flood relief,after all the Aussies gave generously to flood relief in the BIG EASY. qld@gov.au/flood is the site you may contribute.

• maloney | Jan 12, 2011, 11:29 PM EST

  searlit...Why do women wear makeup or want the latest new push up bra? You have your toys, we have ours. We don't say you can't have the new video game for your game console, you can only play with your old games. No more soap opras or dancing with the stars for you. Reruns only for you. Why do you feel you have the right to tell me what I need or what is good for me? I can't wait until they come out with laser guns & light sabers.

• kell7757 | Jan 12, 2011, 10:55 PM EST

  IrishTierney and Monsoonman thank you for your comments. There are republican and conservative political organizations for Irish Americans, so that is where I will put my energies. I see that any publication related to O'Dowd here will only ever tolerate the liberal view. Try www.irishrepub.org/ or irishgop.com/ and their facebook page. Good luck to all, stay strong in your beliefs and true to yourselves!

• Searlit | Jan 12, 2011, 10:36 PM EST

  Better gun laws are in order. That's for sure. Why is there so much objection to stricter sales of arms? I'm not talking about making guns illegal. The wild west was back in the 19th century. Why do you gun enthusiasts want to go backwards in time? This is a new millennium.

• maloney | Jan 12, 2011, 10:22 PM EST

  Every liberal idiot in the country blamed Palin in the first 5 minutes after the shooting including the politicians. Seems that makes your comment pretty lame there seano. By the way, how's the underwater roohumping going for ya seano?

• McNamara31 | Jan 12, 2011, 08:32 PM EST

  Extreme rhetoric and very lax gun control laws can be a deadly combination. What’s next? Presently, Arizona's HB2014 (same as the Texas version) states "COLLEGE SHALL NOT ENACT OR ENFORCE ANY POLICY OR RULE THAT PROHIBITS THE POSSESSION OF A CONCEALED WEAPON BY A PERSON WHO POSSESSES A VALID PERMIT." It basically requests that the law be changed to allow college students the ability to carry their concealed weapons all day throughout the state’s colleges and dormitories. Does any other parent out there want their child attending a university away from home were all the students are packing? What are we coming to when the classroom is filled with weapons instead of books and the political leaders think this is a move in the right direction. For who? I'm a mom of a teenager who is off to college in two years. And I know that boys not matter what state they are born in are fascinated with guns. And I also know the level of drinking across this country at every university. What even more horrific tragedy awaits us if this legislation is approved? I will definitely take a pass on "any" university in a state that passes this type of legislation.

• kell7757 | Jan 12, 2011, 07:57 PM EST

  Thank you. I'm sure there are better places for non-liberal Irish Americans to go to discuss their ideas, republican or at least more balanced, such as irishrepub.org irishgop.com, irish american republicans on facebook, www.tcunation.com/group/conservativeirish, possibly politics.ie, although I know that's more liberal. It is too bad, because there are parts of the liberal agenda I agree with, content wise. But I am going to be true to my values. This place does remind me somewhat of Irish American liberals I rubbed elbows with growing up, who lacked any tolerance for views different than their own. Good luck to all, I will find my niche elsewhere, and wishing the same to all here as well!

• seanomelbourne | Jan 12, 2011, 06:17 PM EST

  Mman! viewed Sarah on huff post what a self serving little lady she is AND using a TELEPROMPTER what a self serving hypocrite.She tried to make the day about her and justifying her rhetoric. She did not have the grace to just give her condolences and leave the drivel for another day.

• Searlit | Jan 12, 2011, 02:40 PM EST

  I don't want to make anyone's head hurt. Maybe we can start over and listen to each other instead of attack and blame.

• IrishTierney | Jan 12, 2011, 02:18 PM EST

  Thank you kell7757. You hit the nail right on the head! "Too many character assassinations, etc. Nothing coming from the website reflects my values, and I just don't feel comfortable associating myself here any further." If Irish Central is also home to Irish Voice and Irish America, I guess I can rule out those publications as well. There is enough of this bias crap on the major television networks in America. God bless all.

• Monsoonman | Jan 12, 2011, 12:29 PM EST

  You have a valid point Kell7757. There is NO attempt by irish central, to have a counterbalance to the bias of its editors. Even their arts editor is a liberal rabid dog, whose only writings are on gay rights and how much he hates anything politically center or right of center. The ratio on the editorial staff is 42 to 0 in favor of the left. You might as well read the Daily Kos or the Huffington Post at least they don't hide behind being Irish, they are honestly out there with their political leanings.

• kell7757 | Jan 12, 2011, 11:54 AM EST

  I am thankful for having this website that I have been able to learn exactly what is going on in the Irish American liberal mind. A sense of entrenchment is definately part of it. Political sniping and character assasinaations, I guess a no holes barred type of approach to achieving political gains. I decried the glamorization if Irish Americans criminals that seems to pass as casual entertainment here. But I think this is the straw that broke the camels back for me. This Roberts guy, so transparently opportunistic, didn't even break his stride, in his attempt to use a tragedy as political currency. I see something quite rotten here, and I just don't want to be exposed to it any further. I have no problem with your wanting to pursue your liberal agenda, as long as you can do so respectfully. Too many character assassination, etc. Nothing coming from the website reflects my values, and I just don't feel comfortable associating myself here any further.

• hancock | Jan 12, 2011, 09:57 AM EST

  Maybe Obama and his guys should also stop doing it the "Chicago way."

• McNamara31 | Jan 12, 2011, 12:02 AM EST

  Roger Ailes of Fox News and Sarah Palin's employer, has told his people "I told all of our guys, shut up, tone it down, make your argument intellectually," If Ailes honestly felt his people were "fair and balanced" there would be no need for such direction. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords' husband has also told lawmakers he blames inflammatory rhetoric for the assassination attempt on his wife.

• jamieLM | Jan 11, 2011, 06:18 PM EST

  This guy sounds like a psychopath - no remorse, no empathy, no conscience. Psychopaths don't need political rhetoric or political agendas to "spin off" and be out of control. They do senseless things because they don't have any "sense." They can take ANYTHING (grammar, currency???) and use it as a reason to commit horrendous acts. They're empty inside with no moral compass and mentally unbalanced (but not necessarily insane) and that's what makes them so dangerous.

• McNabb1966 | Jan 11, 2011, 05:49 PM EST

  @searlit..."Come and see the violence inherent in the system. Help! Help! I'm being repressed! Oh, what a giveaway! Did you hear that? Did you hear that, eh? That's what I'm on about! Did you see him repressing me? You saw him, Didn't you?"

• seanomelbourne | Jan 11, 2011, 05:32 PM EST

  Maloney is back parrot fashion live off your own wit.

• 2BorNot2B | Jan 11, 2011, 04:31 PM EST

  And talk about 'hate speech': have you seen the page on FB titled : " I hate it when I wake up and Sarah Palin is still alive" --- It shows Sarah with a gun pressed to her temple. Then the description says: Sarah Palin: one of the most incompetent stupidest political idols of all time. Yeah, the left is soooo right! Those Tea Party hatemongers...!!!

• 2BorNot2B | Jan 11, 2011, 04:26 PM EST

  sez McNamara31: " The smears against GWB were like ripples in a pond. Obama encountered a tsunami." --- barrack created his own tsunami. GWB at least had some class; he never commented on the incompetency, fumbling, strong-arming and bribing of this Chicago goon. Following are his own words: "“If they bring a knife to the fight, we bring a gun.” Get out there and “punish our enemies” “I don’t want to quell anger. I think people are right to be angry! I’m angry!” “Punch back twice as hard.” I want to know “whose ass to kick” "The Republicans should sit at the end of the bus.."

• 2BorNot2B | Jan 11, 2011, 04:11 PM EST

  @ Searlit -- Why don't you offer concrete proveable instances of your accusation. --- Slander is common among the left-wing. It's only hate-speech when the 'right' does it, isn't it? The Patriot Act was dreamed up by Clinton after the Oklahoma bombing; Bush used it to prosecute the muslim terrorists and those who aided them.

• Monsoonman | Jan 11, 2011, 04:07 PM EST

  Head hurt!

• Searlit | Jan 11, 2011, 04:00 PM EST

  McNamara31 is right. Free speech was curtailed when GW Bush was President. His "elite base" was able to use their financial clout to squash and spin any kind of critic. They used intimidation of journalists. Journalists were arrested just for doing their job of reporting. Peaceful protests by citizens against the War in Iraq were targets of FBI investigations, etc. Do you guys remember that the coffins of soldiers returning home from the wars weren't even aloud to be filmed? How do you spell repressive?

• IrishTierney | Jan 11, 2011, 02:41 PM EST

  We need to look at how this kid was brought up. He had no siblings and his parents are described by their neighbors as "having kept to themselves". More like recluses! It's no wonder the kid had major issues. Of coarse his lawyer will push for an insanity plea. I say hang him in the public square for all to witness. That is to say once he's had his fair trial and umpteen appeals. By then he'll be 50 yrs. old. Now that's justice in America. I can't believe that nobody in the crowd didn't draw their weapon and cap his ass on the spot. Too bad, cause it would have saved the taxpayers a lot of money.

• kell7757 | Jan 11, 2011, 12:27 PM EST

  Time to encourage all people to exercise their freedom of speech and practice respect for others who do so, regardless of whether or not you agree with them.

• kell7757 | Jan 11, 2011, 12:25 PM EST

  WASHINGTON (Reuters) Jan. 11 Majority doesn't blame rhetoric for Giffords shooting.

• donal1951 | Jan 11, 2011, 11:41 AM EST

  I am a person who frequently writes his senators and his congressman about issues that concern me. But whether I agree with the three Congress critters or not, I am polite and reasoned. At least in Maine, I am convinced they are doing their jobs as best they can and if we're not satisfied, there's always the next election. Also, the failure to compromise in Congress and instead throw verbal stones across the aisle is making it impossible to solve some of the nation's problems. I'm not sure in this case that rhetoric had any real influence on the assassin, who appears to be seriously mentally ill. But the threats Rep. Giffords has received and the breaking of doors in her district office were uncalled for. My prayers are with her. I suspect even though I am a conservative I might well have voted for her had I lived in her district because of her reputation for honesty and hard work.

• donaldcox43 | Jan 11, 2011, 02:24 AM EST

  These horrible,sickning, senseless, murders are beyond my understanding. This woman was no more deserving of this than the beautiful little girl that was killed, or the 3 senior citizens, or any of the others that were killed and injured. However, this event has nothing to do with the fight to rid this country of as many illegal aliens as possible.We have over 9% unemployment and 6% of the American workforce is illegal. It is very easy to see the problem. It is one that is not going away without a fight. We concerned Americans are fighting for our homes, our families wellbeing, and our lives. There is absolutly no way that we can give up now.

• seagreen | Jan 11, 2011, 01:59 AM EST

  It is unbelievable some of the graphic email about Obama that I get from people that think I am one of them. Really bad stuff! I will not do it, I just delete it, but sometimes I feel lie sending it all to Louis Farrakhan.

• JimMcGarity | Jan 10, 2011, 11:50 PM EST

  Maby the press shouldn't give this nut job all this free press, then we wouldn't even know who he was as if we'll remember in a few days.

• hancock | Jan 10, 2011, 07:21 PM EST

  Mac, I guess you can't remember the reams of hate speech against Bush, typical selective lefty.

• maloney | Jan 10, 2011, 07:04 PM EST

  This nut is you with a gun seano.

• McNabb1966 | Jan 10, 2011, 07:01 PM EST

  @McNamara31...Another Lefty in deep denial. You're re-writing history if you think that the smears against Bush were less than what Obama has encountered. And most of the "smears" that Obama has faced were products of the Democratic primaries and the Hillary Clinton campaign, including the "birther" issue. And you need to check your facts with regards to the latest presidential election. Sarah Palin wasn't named as McCain's running mate until August of 2008. More inconvenient truth for ya, pal.

• McNamara31 | Jan 10, 2011, 06:54 PM EST

  @hancock.. The smears against GWB were like ripples in a pond. Obama encountered a tsunami.

• chesapeake | Jan 10, 2011, 06:53 PM EST

  your so-called hate rhetoric comes from the far right and the far left. This is a tragic event that must not be turned into a political statement; but that ia exactly what is unfolding. This young woman was more conservative than liberal, so maybe the nut-case attacked her for that reason. Mourn the dead, pray for the survivors, and show a little reason.

• McNamara31 | Jan 10, 2011, 06:47 PM EST

  @McNabb1966..you stated: "2007, long before Obama was president and long before there was a Tea Party - or Sarah Palin as a national figure" Are you serious? In 2007 this country was in the middle of the most heated campaign in decades as Obama ran against McCain and his "divisive mouthpiece" of a running mate, Sarah Palin. And as for your comment on "hate rhetoric" I mentioned a quote directly from the mouth of Michelle Bachman and your summary is correct, it was indeed "hate rhetoric", you were simply wrong about the hater who originated it.

• McNabb1966 | Jan 10, 2011, 06:09 PM EST

  Apparently it doesn't take much to amuse seanomelbourne, lol. Loughner is a 9/11 Truther with a gun.

• seanomelbourne | Jan 10, 2011, 06:00 PM EST

  I find it amusing when the McNabbs of this world run for the hills and blame the left. The richest pro gun lobby on capital hill is the extreme right NRA.Loughner was not motivated by left or right politics.He was motivated by his own twisted logic. he's Glenn Beck with a gun.

• McNabb1966 | Jan 10, 2011, 05:30 PM EST

  @McNamara31...No evidence that the shooter's problem with Giffords had anything to do with her support of Obama. In fact, the evidence from people who knew him suggest that his obsession with her specifically began in 2007...long before Obama was president and long before there was a Tea Party - or Sarah Palin as a national figure. As I've said before, the shooter more closely fits the profile of the Left than anything else. In fact, when you say the things you do about Sarah Palin and Michele Bachmann you make yourself sound a little like Loughner. Why don't you cease and desist with the "hate rhetoric?"

• seamusmoore | Jan 10, 2011, 05:28 PM EST

  Alas, the facts are beginning to emerge about this tragedy. According to the federal indictment filed yesterday, Loughner had targeted Giffords as far back as 2007, when he attended "A Congress on Your Corner" event then as well. In 2007, nobody outside of Alaska knew anything about Sarah Palin and Glenn Beck's show was on Headline News (whose viewership can be counted by hand). Michelle Bachman was just beginning her first term in Congress and had national recognition only because she called for a hearing on Bush's decision to raise troop levels in Iraq. For those whose hobby is connecting the dots into a right wing formation, you may have to go back to the drawing board. @hancock Yes, you are correct. All liberal streets like those in Dublin go in only one direction.

• hancock | Jan 10, 2011, 04:06 PM EST

  How about that movie about the assassination of GW when he was president? Or does it only work one way Mac?

• McNamara31 | Jan 10, 2011, 03:14 PM EST

  @BigGuns: Yes all people are capable of hate, however one question for you... How many bleeding heart liberals or MSNBC watchers have massacred people this year? This guy’s target was a pro Obama political person and her followers. The purposeful hate and fear mongering by the “extreme right” through their hired guns: Limbaugh, Palin Beck and Bachman have raised hate to an alarming height in America, and a nine year old little girl has paid the price. Her blood is on their hands. We are experiencing a time of “pure stupidity” in American politics created by people who want to divide this country or take it back to the Wild West. When the Texas legislator plans to push a law that would permit college students to carry concealed weapons on campus, that’s pure stupid. When Rep. Michele Bachmann continues to stoke the flames of hate defending her assertion that the Obama administration and congressional Democrats constitute a “gangster government.” That’s pure stupid. When John Boehner appoints Michelle Bachman to the House Intelligence Committee... That’s pure stupid. What do you expect to happen? We need to return to sanity in this country and restore our political system to a fact based system and turn away from a smear based system with guns for everyone.

• tcenname | Jan 10, 2011, 02:05 PM EST

  Seamusmoore so I see that you think the U.S is a great mistake just because we narrowed the native American population when whites arrived and if we had used Spanish Moorish troops as in S. America this would have beenless racist talkout the region that became the U.S. If we had Spanish Moorish troops from the Supra Gibaralter area fighting native American peoples we could have had a camel corps instead of the U.S. cavalry. As for what do I specifically mean bywhite let megive you an example from the mouth of Chief Joseph Of yhe Nex Pierce Indians. It is rated as one of the worlds Great Speeches When the Whites first came here wegreeted them as long lost brothers. Lost to us in the Great Migrations of Mankind. They could not have survived the first winter without our help. They have a name for this they call Thanksgiving. We taught them how to raise Turkeys, corn,pumpkinand cranberries among other things. It was a big land it was big enough for allbut who would have thought they would want everything from the Great Sea to the Great Sea.Aftera day of war we made a treaty with the White Father in Washington. He said that these mountains would be out land forever. Wesigned a treaty and we believedhim. Now the prospectors have discovered gold in the foothills of out mountains and the pony soldiers want us to move again. I don't know what you are going to do my chiefs but as or mefrom where the sun nw stands I shall move no more"Declaration of War by Chief Joseph of the Nez Pierce before his assembled chiefs on the U.S Federal Government

• kell7757 | Jan 10, 2011, 02:03 PM EST

  It is ironic that Roberts so quickly went into spin mode to try to chalk one up for his side. Ironic for two reasons -- it turns out the shooter was NOT a right wing nut after all, and secondly robert's is one of the biggest offenders of fanning the flames of hate and political polarization. All you have to do is go back and look at these columns, to see that name calling is something he just does without any seeming awareness.

• kell7757 | Jan 10, 2011, 01:11 PM EST

  This whole thing is a tragedy, and as long as all we do is play the blame game, like robert here (it seems to be an uncontrollable reflex) unfortunately I don't foresee how things will change. Both the lack of adequate mental health services and the lack of community in American are at a pretty abysmal state.

• BigGuns | Jan 10, 2011, 01:05 PM EST

  Your web site is a major contributor to partisan negativity. You pretend that it is only right wing people that capable of hate. Listen sometime to Kieth Obermann or Chris Mathews. They are not partisan at all.

• DanOLoingsigh | Jan 10, 2011, 12:45 PM EST

  I spent some time working in the Industrial Health & Safety environment, carrying out ‘Risk Assessments’. The main principle in Health & Safety is that you identify and assess the ‘Hazard’, and then spend time and money minimising it. In an Oil Refinery, laws or rules are enforced to prevent naked flames, for obvious reasons. Most countries accept that the major ‘hazard’ in an environment where many people have access to a range of firearms is the misuse of those firearms. You either accept that as the major hazard, or believe it’s more hazardous for law abiding citizens to be without a weapon for self defence. If you fail to address the major hazard, expect a higher risk, and a higher incidence of misuse.

• Monsoonman | Jan 10, 2011, 11:38 AM EST

  Naive people think that all you have to do is make another law and everything will be just fine. It is already against the law to kill or injure someone with any weapon, unless you are defending yourself...So Mr. Louglan, the shooter is in big big trouble, eric holder is going to prosecute him! Yes that's it, outlaw guns and we will be a peaceful society...LOL!

• REMITROMJR | Jan 10, 2011, 11:28 AM EST

  A loon shot her, not because of anything anyone said, but simply because he was a loon. Political speech is just fine; when the issues are very meaningful to each side, passions run high...but those passions are expressed verbally and only loons let weapons speak for them.

• DanOLoingsigh | Jan 10, 2011, 06:45 AM EST

  As an outsider looking in on this issue, and the huge reaction, I do not claim to know too much about the detail, so I will refrain from comment on specifics. But it seems that the more available that firearms are, then the risk of persons running amok is greater. US citizens must believe this is a ‘price worth paying’ to preserve their ‘civil right’ to bear arms. So long as they accept ‘the price’, then continue to accept these tragedies, your choice.

• seagreen | Jan 10, 2011, 06:42 AM EST

  It would be nice to live in a society where the population does not own guns, and the police are able to protect the populace from the criminals that plague common people. That is not the case in North America, and those that believe it could be, are the "last of the good listeners". WE talk about trickle down society, well that warlike approach that our government has waged on the world has done just that! Two big city cops told me months ago, that anyone without a criminal record that does not own a gun is out of their mind! What are you going to do with 309 million people when their kids are hungry. A lot of Americans do not like each other in the first place. They have been media brainwashed and conditioned by the political opportunists, and now that there are indications that things could get out of control, they are falling all over themselves with rightousness pleadings of restraint!! " You reap what you sow" and we have done that quite well. I was well ahead of the cops advice, as well as every other house within 15 miles of mine.

• barneyjo | Jan 10, 2011, 03:05 AM EST

  Sorry, my Math is bad; the little girl was nine yrs old and may she like all the other victims rest in peace!!

• barneyjo | Jan 10, 2011, 02:57 AM EST

  @seamusmoore - re your point "why did he shoot so many others as well?", at a guess I would say that the very presence of those people at the event rendered them as "legitimate targets" to the shooter; a case of "Guilt by Association" maybe?? Also, here in Ireland, the wires are reporting that the little 6yr old girl shot dead was born on 9/11. Something for the anti-gun control lobby to reflect upon,especially if they themselves have kids.

• RobinOCork | Jan 10, 2011, 02:45 AM EST

  Before we blame America's gun laws, before we oh-so-presumptuously blame politics for this horrendous crime, let's follow the probabilities: The last 20 school or other mass public shootings have been perpetrated by shooters who either were currently taking legally prescribed psychiatric drugs, or had been recently. In a few cases--like the Muslim fundamentalist psychiatrist who went berserk and shot fellow U.S. soldiers--the U.S. Army will not release data about any psychiatric drugs. BUT the man was a psychiatrist with legal authority to write prescriptions for psychiatric drugs. So one can conclude (but not fully prove) that he was self-medicating on psychiatric drugs. In mass murders, look first for psychiatric drugs. The other "causes" the shooters cite as their "reason" are prevalent in millions of people who don't shoot their fellows.

• seamusmoore | Jan 09, 2011, 11:18 PM EST

  If Jared Loughner was motivated by the "inflammatory" political rhetoric, as so many seem to think, and he targeted Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, then why did he shoot so many others as well? Why not just Ms Giffords?

• glorybe1929 | Jan 09, 2011, 10:54 PM EST

  Pray for Gabby to get well soon and have no side affects from the shooting.Pray that she is still the wonderful woman that she was before the shooting and even more caring and loving than she was before.

• Bairbre | Jan 09, 2011, 10:31 PM EST

  I know that it is a waste of time to argue with certain people who like to twist the truth... As to the cheap shot at shooting children, you really should be ashamed of yourself. I can also see that you have never placed yourself in harms way to protect another human being! Been there and done that. So be proud of yourself seanomelbourne Posted by Bairbre on Jan 09, 2011, 04:55 PM EST As to more guns, please do research on felons in possession of weapons and the fact that the American Criminal Justice System has systematically failed to prosecute these felons for decades in order to boost statistics to taken weapons from law abiding citizens. Posted by Bairbre on Jan 09, 2011, 07:00 PM EST IT WAS THE FEDS THAT REFUSED TO PROSECUTE THE ARMED FELONS WHEN CHARGES NEEDED TO BE FILE. As to felons with guns, it was in the 1980's when working with the FBI and ATF, etc., that I was repeatedly told that if they (the Feds) prosecuted every felon in possession of a weapon, the prisons would be full and that they (the Feds) had better things to do!

• McNamara31 | Jan 09, 2011, 10:30 PM EST

  pilib04... I agree with you. Sheriff Dupnik’s statements represent reason, character, and common sense along with 50 years of law enforcement experience. The daily inflammatory rhetoric of Limbaugh, Palin, Beck and Bachman has distorted the facts and made many people paranoid about the current political environment. Some individuals are “ill”, or unbalanced, and do not have the capacity to discern that today’s smear tactics and fear mongering are tools of conservative political combat. When these political opportunists intentionally inflame society for their own selfish gains it is grossly irresponsible. John Boehner recently appointed Michelle Bachman to the House Intelligence Committee further legitimizing those who inflame and divide this country. Today 6 people are dead, 13 are injured and a 9 year old lies on a mortuary slab. Tonight the “opportunists” are busy working on how to “spin” the blood off their hands.

• McNabb1966 | Jan 09, 2011, 09:47 PM EST

  @seanomelbourne...Yes, well "loopies" who are violent, such as schizophrenics or psychopaths, are always a potential hazard and certainly don't require a gun in order to kill. But on the subject of Hitler you should know that he was a firm believer in gun control. Not just control, which we already have in this country, but outright banning. But it wasn't a public safety issue for him but rather a means of rendering the population defenseless. He was particularly keen on disarming the Jews of Germany (and, later, the conquered territories), for instance. This was to lessen their ability to resist the Final Solution.

• Monsoonman | Jan 09, 2011, 09:46 PM EST

  Well I am expecting the liberal democrats to bring forth a dozen new gun control laws designed to make us all safer, and of course make it a "hate crime" to kill a politician but you can't legislate crazy...btw: I have it on reliable sourced information, the reason the kennedys are breeding with arnold schwarzeneger is to see if they can make a bullet proof kennedy.

• seanomelbourne | Jan 09, 2011, 09:31 PM EST

  I'm doing my bit,installed a 2.8 solar system and the company increased my charges from 15.3c per kWh to 23.4c per kWh so much for corporate greed.I agree McNabb but bairbre needed a lesson in common sense.she likes guns and inferred that a nanny state bans guns,maybe if she asked the families of the people tragically killed what they think. Bairbre obviously condones loopies carrying guns as she said it,s not worth trying to pick up gun totin crazies it's to hard.

• Monsoonman | Jan 09, 2011, 09:17 PM EST

  Lad we don't have time for dna analysis, but thanks for the thought, the overpopulation problem is too pressing for that....and yes stealing electricity is a serious offense,president obama and attorney general holder are determined to put a stop to it. Global warming is a serious problem.

• McNabb1966 | Jan 09, 2011, 09:10 PM EST

  @seanomelbourne...The answer to your question is that Hitler was a STATIST who felt that government should control all aspects of individual life, which is exactly what he had in common with Stalin and other totalitarian dictators. He used the unfettered power of the STATE to destroy anybody who disagreed with him, whatever their political point of view. He also eliminated several "right wing" opponents, German conservatives who opposed total state control.

• seanomelbourne | Jan 09, 2011, 09:06 PM EST

  Mman maybe if you hurry with DNA analysis you may be able to free another 100 wrongfully convicted felons.The U.S. imprison people for long periods for the most ridiculous simple "misdemeanors".For instance a person was imprisoned for 10 yrs for tapping into the electricity supply.I would hate to be a black American in a white neighbor where a crime has been committed,but that ok bairbre's got it covered with her Glock.

• Mike7571 | Jan 09, 2011, 09:01 PM EST

  The shooter was obviously a very disturbed young man. The left's rush to blame this on the TEA party and the right in general is childish. This congresswoman was targeted by far left websites for her moderate stances. Let's keep all of the victims in our prayers, because for whatever reason this disturbed young man did this, there are more than a dozen grieving families.

• seanomelbourne | Jan 09, 2011, 08:58 PM EST

  oh! what vitriol Bairbre if Hitler was a lefty why did he execute trade unionist/communist/liberal thinker/democrats (especially Jews). You are a narrow minded moron.You were caught out and can't handle the truth my dear.

• hancock | Jan 09, 2011, 08:30 PM EST

  Auastralia isn't even a real country.

• Bairbre | Jan 09, 2011, 08:28 PM EST

  seanomelbourne I think you need to go back to school to learn English and read my post with your brain not you emotion. Now take a deep breath. Germany under Hitler was the Nationalsozialistische Deutsche Arbeiterpartei, translated for you is the National Socialist German Workers' Party and the party leader was......Yes, that's right Hitler!!!! As to the rest of your brain wave.........you are so short circuited! Where did you fall off the turnip leaf with shooting children you imbecile! You are truly scary and not worth any further discussion.

• Monsoonman | Jan 09, 2011, 08:13 PM EST

  Lad, granted we have a prison overpopulation problem, but we are making great strides in resolving it. We are building new prisons as fast as we can and starting to privatize. Some of the privatization models show that if death penalties were followed trhough with and the prisons were populated dense pack, rather than the current loose pack, we wouldn't have a prison over population "problem",

• McNabb1966 | Jan 09, 2011, 08:00 PM EST

  @seanomelbourne...It's always a good time to bash the United States, isn't it? And I think Abe would have been quick to point out the flaw in your latest rant. You're advocating stricter government control of firearms while at the same time bashing the government agency tasked with carrying out that responsibility?

• seanomelbourne | Jan 09, 2011, 07:39 PM EST

  Bairbre to call Hitler a "progressive democrat" is ignorance in the extreme. I did not use gutter language and you are the only one of us naming Palin.You were caught with your pants down.When working with the ATF did you gun down any children in Waco?History and common sense do not seem to be a prerequisite for joining the ATF.And your twisted logic of not arresting felons for carrying weapons would be amusing if it were not so sad. The prisons in the U.S. are already maxed out.You can also add to your list that there are more people in American Jails than all of Europe and Australia combined. When is the penny going to drop,I think Abe got it wrong you can fool most of the people all of the time.

• McNabb1966 | Jan 09, 2011, 07:26 PM EST

  @pilib04...What, specifically, do we know about the shooter that would lead any objective observer to conclude that his motivation was at all linked to Sarah Palin or even partisan politics at all? And are you aware that Democrats have also used the "bullseye" symbol when discussing politicians - including members of their own party - that they were "targeting." How often do you think the Democrats used the "targeting" symbolism when they went after Senator Blanche Lincoln of Arkansas in a primary? It's all well and good to make a show of wringing your hands about all the "hate rhetoric" but you undermine your credibility when you insist on pretending that it doesn't occur on both sides of the political spectrum. If they Left insists on politicizing this then they should at least have the intellectual honesty to admit that they are just as "guilty." If you can't even do that much then you really don't have a point to make at all.

• McNabb1966 | Jan 09, 2011, 07:17 PM EST

  It's quite telling that the Left doesn't want to talk about the shooter at all. That's because his profile fits THEIR profile almost perfectly. So they'd rather exploit the attack on a politician who, until this happened, was the target of "hate rhetoric" by several commenters at Daily Kos...including the infamous "dead to me" statement that they then tried unsuccessfully to cover up. Not only is it hypocritical and idiotic but also profoundly disrespectful to the victims and their families. And why do the wingnuts do it? Because they are consumed with hatred for Sarah Palin in particular and all those who don't agree with them in general.

• pilib04 | Jan 09, 2011, 07:14 PM EST

  The sheriff of Pima County and Representative Gifford have made telling statements about the Palin Hate Campaign. "There's reason to believe that this individual may have a mental issue. And I think people who are unbalanced are especially susceptible to vitriol," Pima County Sheriff Clarence Dupnik said in a news conference Saturday. "People tend to pooh-pooh this business about all the vitriol we hear inflaming the American public by people who make a living off of doing that. That may be free speech, but it's not without consequences." The sheriff's comments echoed remarks Giffords herself made last year during the height of the 2010 midterm elections. In an interview with MSNBC last March, the Democratic lawmaker, who had been the target of threats over her vote on health care reform, noted her inclusion on list of lawmakers Sarah Palin was targeting for defeat that featured gun-related imagery. "The way that she has it depicted has the crosshairs of a gunsight over our district," Giffords said at the time. "When people do that, they have got to realize there are consequences to that action."

• Bairbre | Jan 09, 2011, 07:00 PM EST

  seanomelbourne Guilt??? Now all we need is a 5 cent psych wannabe. Don't go where you do not have any training or common sense. "She was in somebodies cross-hairs" and you have been reading the posts which critized Palin for targeting Gifford. Hilter was a very progressive Democratic Socialist! I see that you need a Nanny Politician to take care of you. Politicians are not the ones to look to for protection, they are the ones that take rights away from the citizenry. As to you gutter language, one always knows when someone is on their last "hoof", cannot think intelligently and resorts to emotion. As to felons with guns, it was in the 1980's when working with the FBI and ATF, etc., that I was repeatedly told that if they prosecuted every felon in possession of a weapon, the prisons would be full and that they had better things to do! Violence by gun is primarily perpetrated by criminals on criminals.

• maloney | Jan 09, 2011, 06:41 PM EST

  seano...so you have never mentioned Palin. Your just another roohumping liberal liar.

• McNabb1966 | Jan 09, 2011, 06:38 PM EST

  Even the Left's so-called "comedians" are addicted to the violent hate-speech. Which Lefty hypocrite wants to have long, heart-felt discussion with Kathy Griffin, Joy Behar, Rosie O'Donnell, Roseanne Barr and Janeane Garofalo about their hate rhetoric?

• Monsoonman | Jan 09, 2011, 06:30 PM EST

  These are Roberts voices of moderation: Howard Dean “I hate the Republicans and everything they stand for…” and: “This is a struggle between good and evil and we’re the good?” and “we need to remember that the enemy here is George Bush, not each other.” Or the Florida Democrats who ran an ad calling for the assassination of Donald Rumsfeld Or New York State Comptroller Alan Hevesi who called for Senator Schumer to “put a bullet between the president’s eyes?” Or Jonathan Chait who said “I hate President George W. Bush.” Or “The Late Late Show with Craig Kilborn” where they superimposed the words “Snipers Wanted” over an image of Bush delivering his acceptance speech at the Republican convention. Or Nobel Peace Prize winner Betty Williams who said she could kill President Bush? Or Randi Rhodes who joked about killing the President? Or England’s Charlie Brooker who wrote: about President Bush disproving the existence of God once and for all. The world will endure four more years of idiocy, arrogance and unwarranted bloodshed, with no benevolent deity to watch over and save us. John Wilkes Booth, Lee Harvey Oswald, John Hinckley Jr – where are you now that we need you?”

• McNabb1966 | Jan 09, 2011, 06:23 PM EST

  First of all, it's shameful (but not surprising) to see the eagerness of the Left to play politics with this tragedy. Patrick Roberts, true to the hypocritical nature of the Leftist, whines about "hate speech" by spewing it all over another prominent Arizona public figure, Jan Brewer. Not to mention the violent, hysterical attacks by the Left on Sarah Palin. I'm not holding my breath waiting for idiots like Patrick Roberts and his fellow wingnuts to follow their own "advice."

• vickila12 | Jan 09, 2011, 06:19 PM EST

  One thing that's clear reading these comments, is that Irish Central readers do not uniformly share the liberal left leanings of Irish Central's editorial staff. With this in mind, how about focusing on IRELAND instead of American politics? Above quote from Irishmoonfrog.. see below: That was exactly what I was thinking? Are things all that perfect in Ireland that you have the gall to attack the American way? Go write about your own country....I don't see people clamoring to get in!

• vickila12 | Jan 09, 2011, 06:16 PM EST

  You, Mr. Writer, are the lunatic. There is no reasoning or excuse for this event except that the shooter was mentally disturbed regardless of his surroundings, i.e., what he "thought" he saw or heard. There is no explanation for his reaction to the fictional events as they occurred in his mind. Quit with the blaming; there is no blame here really. It's an extremely sad moment in history. Cruelty always has and always will exist and no one can ever imagine what would cause an individual to harm others like what happened in Arizona.

• peterson | Jan 09, 2011, 06:05 PM EST

  Do not believe everything the Liberals report.

• wjb1tex | Jan 09, 2011, 05:44 PM EST

  ** Obama: “They Bring a Knife…We Bring a Gun” ** Obama to His Followers: “Get in Their Faces...

• seanomelbourne | Jan 09, 2011, 05:40 PM EST

  Bairbre I never mentioned Palin do you have a guilt complex about the shooting of a left leaning politician. Loughner did not appear to have any leanings his reading material covered right wingers like Wells/Hitler and on the left Marx.Felons with guns versus citizens with guns what a load of b--s.The U.S. has the highest death rate by gunshot in the western world because of the stupidity and cowardice of your politicians to protect the people and their failure to take on the gun lobby wake up for chr--t sake.

• cillowen | Jan 09, 2011, 05:34 PM EST

  folks are getting nutty and nuttier - tired of the shame and blamers who trive on it.

• irishmoonfrog | Jan 09, 2011, 05:10 PM EST

  One thing that's clear reading these comments, is that Irish Central readers do not uniformly share the liberal left leanings of Irish Central's editorial staff. With this in mind, how about focusing on IRELAND instead of American politics?

• wjb1tex | Jan 09, 2011, 05:06 PM EST

  ** Obama: “They Bring a Knife…We Bring a Gun” ** Obama to His Followers: “Get in Their Faces...

• Bairbre | Jan 09, 2011, 04:55 PM EST

  seanomelbourne We know who shot, but thank God, did not kill Gabrielle Gifford. He is Jared Lee Loughner a left winger nut! You point out O'Reilly, yet you are just as "guilty" when you cite Palin of pointing "cross hairs". As to more guns, please do research on felons in possession of weapons and the fact that the American Criminal Justice System has systematically failed to prosecute these felons for decades in order to boost statistics to taken weapons from law abiding citizens.

• irishwxman | Jan 09, 2011, 04:51 PM EST

  Spoken like a true liberal wingnut. Sean

• seanomelbourne | Jan 09, 2011, 04:40 PM EST

  We have had O'reilly the Tiller killer.Who really killed Gabrielle Gifford? She was in somebodies cross-hairs. All the U.S. needs now is more guns on the street.

• irishwxman | Jan 09, 2011, 03:50 PM EST

  "I long for the day that our political and media figures get as indignant about innocent Americans killed by their own government...as they are about a government official who was targeted by a clearly sick and deranged young man."

• Bairbre | Jan 09, 2011, 03:47 PM EST

  eiriamach Yes, that perfectly states the Liberal mentality and their flawed thinking process. Thanks!

• eiriamach | Jan 09, 2011, 03:32 PM EST

  Bairbre, your research skills are quite impressive. Now, please research this: "post hoc ergo propter hoc."

• Bairbre | Jan 09, 2011, 03:20 PM EST

  Has anyone researched Mexico's immigration laws?...

• irishwxman | Jan 09, 2011, 03:18 PM EST

  ciarrai, you are dead wrong. And the venom you spew is just as deadly as the shooter's bullets. I am ashamed that we have ties to the same Irish county. People like you, and Patrick Roberts make me sick

• LKearney | Jan 09, 2011, 03:04 PM EST

  If you think Arizona is so racist and horrible, might I assume that Ireland will welcome 12 MILLION ILLEGALS into their country with open arms?

• Bairbre | Jan 09, 2011, 02:56 PM EST

  patrickesq There are already gun laws in effect. Do your homework! Read the Constitution and why there is a Second Amendment!!!! The Constitution is not a false prophet but the people who want to destroy the Constitution are false prophets who have historically destroyed civilizations to remake the world in their "visions". They remake the world in their "visions" over the dead bodies of people who did not appreciate and believe in their self appointed "Enlightenness"! ie Pol Pot, Stalin, Hitler, etc. I worry about the Congresspeople who openly state that what they are doing is Unconstitutional but of course now, they are Enlightened and above the law. What they do will result in the death of many, as they are the "self appointed" Progressive Socialistic revolutionaries.

• kell7757 | Jan 09, 2011, 02:55 PM EST

  This article has disgusted me more than anything I've seen in a long time. They haven't even buried the dead, and all this man can do is "keep score", without skipping a beat.

• LKearney | Jan 09, 2011, 02:54 PM EST

  I see that when factual information that contradicts what Mr. Roberts has to say is presented, it doesn't get posted. Hooray for censorship. From the tone of the article and the fact that you have not posted my comments - which were purely fact based - I see that you have little understanding of America or Americans. You just have your socialist agenda.

• ciarrai | Jan 09, 2011, 02:53 PM EST

  I hope someone will be able to stop the hate that spews out of Glen Beck's ignorant mouth. And Michael Savage's also. Forget Palin. This is her death knell. Everything President Obama says is ridiculed and regarded as nothing to these monstrous, traitorous fools. A pox on all their houses. They have spawned the likes of this punk who shot everyone out in Arizona. They are as guilty as the shooter.

• irishwxman | Jan 09, 2011, 02:37 PM EST

  lol @ monsoon. Fitting avatar BTW hahaha. We are staring down the barrel of 7 inches of snow and ice here in the midwest.

• Pittsburghkid | Jan 09, 2011, 02:31 PM EST

  It is hateful to call Conservative, who want immigration laws enforced, racist, zenophobes. The law is the law, and Media name calling is not right. As a flunky of the Media, do you feel that you stiffling of honest debate is without consequences?

• patrickesq | Jan 09, 2011, 02:27 PM EST

  The hate and fear mongers of the world need to be condemned by all who care about civility and community values. These false prophets who spew their venom on the public airwaves should be totally rebuked . The political deference to the power of the National Rifle Association should be rejected and reasonable gun control laws enacted for the protection of all. There is no justification for allowing citizens to carry assault and other automatic weapons anywhere in public places.

• Monsoonman | Jan 09, 2011, 02:21 PM EST

  BTW: wxman, thanks for the vfr wx here in cali, we needed it....Seanmelbourne says he is buiding an ark and sailing it to the ksfo area, too wet for him in Rooland.

• walter3ca | Jan 09, 2011, 02:10 PM EST

  Oh, please. It is only hate rhetoric when it disagrees with your point of view. The guy who shot the Congresswoman was a liberal nut case. Ask his frioends.

• Bairbre | Jan 09, 2011, 02:01 PM EST

  A LITTLE GUN HISTORY In 1929, the Soviet Union established gun control. From 1929 to 1953, about 20 million "right wing" dissidents, unable to defend themselves,were rounded up and exterminated. ------------------------------ In 1911, Turkey established gun control. From 1915 to 1917, 1.5 million Armenians, unable to defend themselves, were rounded up and exterminated. ------------------------------ Germany established gun control in 1938 and from 1939 to 1945, a total of 13 million Jews and right wingers who were unable to defend themselves were rounded up and exterminated. ------------------------------ China established gun control in 1935. >From 1948 to 1952, 20 million political dissidents, unable to defend themselves, were rounded up and exterminated. ------------------------------ Guatemala established gun control in 1964. From 1964 to 1981, 100,000 Mayan Indians, unable to defend themselves, were rounded up and exterminated. ---- ------------- ------------- Uganda established gun control in 1970. From 1971 to 1979, 300,000 Christians, unable to defend themselves, were rounded up and exterminated. ------------------------------ Cambodia established gun control in 1956. From 1975 to 1977, one million educated people, unable to defend themselves, were rounded up and exterminated. ----------------------------- Defenseless people rounded up and exterminated in the 20th Century because of gun control: 56 million and counting!

• haikued2 | Jan 09, 2011, 01:58 PM EST

  The inuendo that this nut was a Tea Party hit man is stupid and without any foundation or merit. He is/was sociopathic and apparently quite a disturbed youngster for years. His incoherent ramblings are no more Tea Party than they are peace activists or environmental whackos.

• irishwxman | Jan 09, 2011, 01:55 PM EST

  too bad this isn't like Facebook Monsoonman, I would "like" that comment. lol

• Monsoonman | Jan 09, 2011, 01:41 PM EST

  I just listened to a press conference with the local sheriff of pima county. An extreme liberal himself, he couldn't wait to inflame and politicize the situation by pointing fingers at "inflammatory speech" and the need for gun control. My opinion is that if he was doing his job, the nut would have been locked up before the shooting happened. The sheriff had plenty of warnings and ample opportunity to lock this guy up. Further, if more people had been armed in the crowd they could have disabled this shooter before he got a few rounds off. That's why you don't see this sort of thing happen in Israel, the ordinary citizens are armed.

• feeneycj | Jan 09, 2011, 01:40 PM EST

  we're all reeling at this viscious act. I hope the source of the young man's obsessions are discovered.

• joanmoody | Jan 09, 2011, 01:33 PM EST

  While I am extremely sorry for what happened I will admit that political election have become very angry and political diatribes. What needs to happen is that we have a four month time frame for campaigning and elections that we have now. For pete's sake 2012 has already started. Much, much too early!!!

• kell7757 | Jan 09, 2011, 01:28 PM EST

  irishwxman, thank you for your comments here. Yes, it is a waste of time to show Roberts his hypocracy. But it's not a waste of time to exercise our right to free speech. And Monsoonman, yes "opportunistic", that is the word I was looking for when I first saw this article. Opportunistically politicizing a tragedy.

• PhlutiePhan | Jan 09, 2011, 01:24 PM EST

  Glenn Beck has talked about a "Reichstag Moment". In Germany, the "right" was demonized in order for the "left" to take over. The basic input behind the left is abortion which has taken millions of lives and left a trail of "guilt and violence".

• FastEddy | Jan 09, 2011, 01:21 PM EST

  " ... Rhetoric in Arizona has been very violent in the past few months. It has been sad to witness the type of naked threats and inflammatory laws that have been passed in that benighted state. Governor Brewer has invented anti immigrant stories such as headless bodies found ..." Mmmmmm And this is not? "14 decapitated bodies found in Mexico resort city..." - DrudgeReport Headline today. The pot calling kettles something else (again)?

• JosephOCasey | Jan 09, 2011, 01:15 PM EST

  Irishwxman, it may be possible that the FB screenshot I saw was a fake. I went back and questioned the person who posted it on a local media FB page. He claims to have personally taken the screen shot immediately after the media revealed Loughner's name. He says that there was not time for someone to fake it. I do suppose that someone who knew that this shooting was going to take place could have set it up. Regardless, the actual point is that the suspect is a loon and assigning blame to the right or the left is a fools errand. You cannot apply logic to the thoughts of a disturbed individual. As even Patrick should acknowledge, the right is not making similar claims assigning blame to the left. Shame on those on either side who would take advantage of a tragedy such as this to try to score political points and demonize their opponents. I have also read a blog called hillbuzz that points out Loughner's left leanings. I know nothing about the background of those who produce Hillbuzz nor their credibility. By the way Mr Roberts, why is it up to Sen McCain to end the partisan bitterness? It's origin clearly belongs on the left. See the Robert Bork hearings for the true origin of the partisan divide. You lefties are never responsible for the problems you cause.

• Monsoonman | Jan 09, 2011, 01:12 PM EST

  WHAT DID I MISS? Journalists urged caution after Ft. Hood, now race to blame Palin after Arizona shootings. Tea Party Is Afforded Less Benefit Of The Doubt Than Radical Islam! With Ft. Hood, an open islamist gunned down dozens in an attack he all but said he was going to launch, and the best the Left could do was blame America’s love of guns while preaching that we cannot rush to judgment. To this day apologists on the left still will not bring themselves to conclude that Major Hasan was a Jihad terrorist animated by radical Islam. On the other hand, the blood hasn’t even been mopped up yet in Tucson, and disgusting opportunists on the Left have already declared the Arizona massacre an official act of the Tea Party.

• irishwxman | Jan 09, 2011, 01:00 PM EST

  You're right Nicomax. it was all Sarah Palin's fault. You people really need to get over yourselves. You would blame Palin and Beck for the oceans being too salty. You liberal idiots make me want to effing puke.

• Bairbre | Jan 09, 2011, 12:43 PM EST

  1661996usmc Have you ever listened to some of those Liberal adds and they have used much more extreme visual and language???? Or is that OK? Semper Fi!

• Nicomax | Jan 09, 2011, 12:39 PM EST

  How's those cross-hairs workin for ya, Sarah?

• irishwxman | Jan 09, 2011, 12:35 PM EST

  1661996usmc you have nothing to base this on other than your wild imagination. Stop spreading lies.

• 1661996usmc | Jan 09, 2011, 12:27 PM EST

  Sarah Palin and her ads with targets on certain candidates helps to bring this hatred to the forefront. We need God's help the United States to survive the Tea Party and other hate mongers.

• Ajreaper | Jan 09, 2011, 12:21 PM EST

  This is the action of an individual, who by all accounts, has some serious mental health issues. Its a sad and terrible thing but its the actions of a disturbed individual and I am not certain how you can possibly prevent that. Good Lord, look at the fuss some people have made because of the increased security measures to fly so how you go about stopping an indivdual bent on destruction and not drive the law abiding folks absolutely nutts is an impossibility.

• irishwxman | Jan 09, 2011, 12:19 PM EST

  It's a waste of time Kell. Unless you worship at the altar of Obama or Clinton, you are a violent hateful lunatic. That is the mindset of Niall O'Dowd and Patrick Roberts. It's a shame The Irish in America have become such fringe liberal nutjobs.

• kell7757 | Jan 09, 2011, 12:04 PM EST

  Roberts, Turn around and look in the mirror and repeat these words until the light bulb goes off over your head -- Time to stop the hate rhetoric after Gabrielle Giffords shooting

• kell7757 | Jan 09, 2011, 11:54 AM EST

  Roberts stop using the words hate and racist towards people whose views are different than yours. Show respect for each person's right to have their opinion, and stop the name calling. Just because someone's views are not the same as yours, does mean they are a hateful person.

• jdi2269 | Jan 09, 2011, 11:45 AM EST

  I PREDICTED A SILLY LIBERAL ARTICLE SUCH AS THIS BEFORE I LOGGED ON! IT'S ALWAYS ABOUT THE TERRIBLE RIGHT CRITICIZING THE WONDERFUL LEFT. WHY DON'T YOU STOP SIPPING THE GUINNESS AND READ WHAT THE EDUCATED PEOPLE ARE SAYING????

• CMMcShane | Jan 09, 2011, 11:45 AM EST

  It is obvious just reading the responses of those who convict themselves by their own words.

• trspit80 | Jan 09, 2011, 11:41 AM EST

  Your need to attach this atrocity politics and to try and blame it on opponents is an absolute atrocity of it's own. It is time to say STOP, but to your type of fear mongering and your need to vilify those who disagree with you. Shame on you for trying to exploit this tragedy to move people politically.

• Bairbre | Jan 09, 2011, 11:27 AM EST

  Thank you JosephOCasey for stating the obvious! Niall, Jared Lee Loughner is one of your own Left wing-bats. Talk about not having journalistic investigation before jumping off into the Liberal abyss! There is no Tea Party connection other than in someone's pipe dream and wish list! What are you talking about or is this the march of the Lemmings? Hey Niall, What about condemning Obama's current and former Czars who openingly promote violent revolution to change America? What about Frances Fox Piven? Barack Obama, Saul Alinsky, Noam Chomsky, Che Guevara and Hugo Chavez are Jared Lee Loughner heros!!!!! These Liberal people have spouted more vitriolic hatred than what I hear from the Right. What you, the Left Wing Media and others with your mindset are missing is that the Tea Party members, including Sarah Palin, advocate GOVERNMENT OF THE PEOPLE, BY THE PEOPLE, AND FOR THE PEOPLE outlined by the US Constitution. Not the current government of the Elites, by the Elites, and for the Elites, that exists today. Oh, that's right, the Constitution to these Democratic Progressive Socialist's is an out dated instrument that they want to replace with their own world visions! You have these Left winger Congresspeople who openly and proudly state that what they do is Unconstitutional, but of course to these left wingers that is irrelevant as they are above the law!!!! Their Oaths are meaningless.

• kell7757 | Jan 09, 2011, 11:23 AM EST

  Just to be clear, I'm not in any way suggesting it's wrong for anyone to express their views on this event. But the "see this proves my point" attitude, I find pretty rough and callous, seeing as it hasn't even been 24 hours.

• OmahaSeamus | Jan 09, 2011, 11:19 AM EST

  This ain't the America I grew up in.

• forflann | Jan 09, 2011, 11:18 AM EST

  There is a difference between exercising your expression and incendary rhetoric. Let's hope we all can practise the former and avoid the latter, in this forum.

• jamthecat | Jan 09, 2011, 11:13 AM EST

  See? It's too late. The right is already blaming this horror on the left in hopes of shifting the focus from themselves. Sarah Palin's hit list with a target scope aimed at Gabrielle Giffords? The endless hate spewed by Tea Party Jihadists? The fear-mongering of those like Bill O'Reilly, Sean Hannity, Rush Limbaugh and Glenn Beck? None of that matters. The guy smoked pot so he was a liberal and so it's "ALL the dirty liberals' fault." That started before we even knew the body count; just check out the comments page on KGUN, the ABD affiliate in Tuscon (and talk about an inappropriate name). So it's too late to end the rhetoric, Patrick. The screamers will not stop screaming...as you can see from your OWN comments page. It's diseased and disgusting, but that's how they are.

• hancock | Jan 09, 2011, 11:12 AM EST

  Typical disgrace from Roberts.

• manhattan | Jan 09, 2011, 11:11 AM EST

  The facts are Mr. Roberts that any nut case can buy a gun in this country. If you don't agree with someone well just shoot them.

• kell7757 | Jan 09, 2011, 10:55 AM EST

  First of all, I find it shocking that literally the bodies of the five who died are probably not even cold yet, and already Roberts is trying to make political currency out of this event to bolster his political views. I immigrated to this country when I was ten, and both my parents are from the British Isles. I don't understand the values of this country, and certainly not the liberal Irish American mind. You should know that people on both sides are using hateful rhetoric, and you yourself use the word "hate" repeatedly in your headlines, which is an incendiary act in and of itself. The word hate should be used to describe actual hate, not to describe citizens exercising the right to express their views. This is a shocking event, please show some respect and don't use it as a forum to bolster your political views.

• Kabala0957 | Jan 09, 2011, 10:42 AM EST

  How can write an article in regards to this tragic incident? We still have no clear information if this a single or multiple individuals about this tragic incident. Early rpeorts had the congresswoman deceased,Thank God were wrong. So for you to write anything until all details come to light is nonsense. Pointing out anyone or any situation this early shows your poor writing in judgement about what, how and why is terrible incident shows your lack on seeing the tragic incident.

• borefield | Jan 09, 2011, 10:38 AM EST

  How sadly typical of IC to jump on this tragic story and turn it into a Political Event. All of you are pathetic losers. Niall, I have advised you before you need better people writing for this site. I really think I am going to opt. out. It's a disgrace.

• seamusmoore | Jan 09, 2011, 10:31 AM EST

  @seagreen to revisit my earlier point, when Brenda Ann Spenser (inspiration for the Boomtown Rats hit song "I Don't Like Mondays")started shooting up the schoolyard in 1979, was it really because she had been driven by the prior year's Proposition 13 campaign to roll back property taxes in CA? I got a better song for your crowd: "What a Fool Believes" by the Doobie Brothers. Spending the country into oblivion (both the Republican congress of 2001-6 and the Pelosi "new and improved" version of 2007-10) hasn't proven to be a winning economic strategy for Greece, has it? If you are an American (as I suspect), perhaps you would be happier to immigrate (legally or otherwise)and live among the Eurotrash who embrace your view of the world. Since my crowd just got to the US ( I am first generation), I think that I will cast my lot with those (the Tea Party crowd) who want to restore fiscal sanity to America. If my parents had wanted me to live in an economic wasteland, they would have never left Ireland.

• RonSarson | Jan 09, 2011, 10:26 AM EST

  Is this article some kind of spoof, or are liberals really that biased, and closed-minded? There are absolutely NO connections between patriots(otherwise known as conservatives or tea partyers) and this deranged, anti-Semite, individual. To say that we should be less critical of those who are destroying the country we love and have fought for, is itself highly inflamnable. Ramming heal;thcare and other programs down our throats against the wishes of the majority of the American people, and having the country being run by a bunch of unelected czars, and headed by one who refuses to even prove his eligibility for the office, are certainly grounds for being upset, but there is NO indication that it applies to this case.

• irishwxman | Jan 09, 2011, 10:18 AM EST

  @JosephOCasey...trust me when I say, I am on your side with this argument. However, Loughner did not have a FB account. He was only found to have a Myspace account and a Youtube account. Anything found on FB is probably a fake. If you are going to fight against the lunacy of the left, don't give them ammo to fight back against you. One thing the liberals hate is the truth.

• irishwxman | Jan 09, 2011, 10:11 AM EST

  @seagreen....prove it. Prove Palin or Beck had anything to do with this person. you come on this site and lie and invent BS and makes you just as mentally unhinged as the shooter.

• JosephOCasey | Jan 09, 2011, 10:10 AM EST

  This is for Daddy Mac and Patrick Roberts. Care to apologize to the Tea Party and redirect those hateful comments to his real hero? His facebook page profile pic was that of President Obama. Those he lists as influences are Barack Obama, Saul Alinsky, Noam Chomsky, Che Guevara and Hugo Chavez. Under his basic information he posted " Fight the Right! Obama and the Progressives will fight the tyrrany of big business and the racist Tea Party. BY ANY MEANS NECESSARY". Doesn't sound like a right wing extremist to me. How about to you? BE HONEST for a change.

• seagreen | Jan 09, 2011, 09:58 AM EST

  Now that this killing has been committed by this twenty something mental midget, who has taken all of the blather emitted by the Palins and Becks seriously, are you Republican tough guys drowning in crocodile tears? Unlike all of the moronic rhetoric of the past two tears, you like the government and everyone else, may just hope that the lid has not come off and the division in the country has not moved to another stage, which can only get a lot worse. Six people including a child are dead. Try and repeal that !!!!

• irishwxman | Jan 09, 2011, 09:58 AM EST

  @Clancey....this guy was not in any way, shape or form affiliated with Sarah Palin. That is an irresponsible remark, and you belong right up there with Roberts in the hall of shame.

• Niamhaine | Jan 09, 2011, 09:58 AM EST

  Patrick, perhaps it's time to stop the finger-pointing and feeding into the radical fringe groups on both sides. Man enough to stop stoking the flames...apparently not! Check out your facts before you go to print. You are just as bad as the ones breaking the news that Giffords was dead...anything to be first with the story, to hell with waiting for the truth.

• seamusmoore | Jan 09, 2011, 09:54 AM EST

  @tcenname "since whites arrived", you mean like those folks from Spain that colonized all of Mexico, Central and South America and imposed their "culture upon the native population", overwhelming the nativist culture to the point where their indigeous tongue was no more. BTW, guess who had conquered and ruled Spain for over 700 years, those forward looking (8th century embracing proponents of the "religion of peace" (honor killings, beheadings, etc.). For the record, if your use of the term "redskin" to describe the original natives of North America isn't symbolic of "hateful rhetoric", I don't what it is. It is good though that you have chosen to read from the gospel of Howard Zinn's "A People's History of America. Those two noted scholars of history, Matt Damon and Ben Affleck,are fellow worshippers at your "Church of the Poisoned Mind". Amen, brother.

• maycomb | Jan 09, 2011, 09:43 AM EST

  It's very sad that an article about toning down provocative rhetoric is then followed by a comments section filled with hate and vitriol.

• genie4450 | Jan 09, 2011, 09:42 AM EST

  The article is good. The You Tube video is inflammatory and inappropriate.

• Clancey | Jan 09, 2011, 09:35 AM EST

  Sarah Palin published a map last year on her website showing Congressional districts where she hoped her supporters would be elected, including Giffords'. She marked them with rifle scope crosshairs, and commented "Time to relock and reload." I hope Palin is willing to take responsibility for her part in stoking the flames of vitriol that resulted in this incident.

• bronxjames | Jan 09, 2011, 09:27 AM EST

  I read in the news that there were hundreds of headless corpses that the cartel killed so dont tell me there is none. As for guns I want a rocket launcher and a jet fighter.

• tcenname | Jan 09, 2011, 09:25 AM EST

  Hey the hate rhetoric has been going on in the north American continent since the first whites arrived and began their hate rhetoric against native American peoples almost 200 years before the Continental Congress and the formation of the embryonic American Union.Now its still going on from redskins to insurgents. Unfortunate Gabrielle is just one pebble in the road. This country was founded on hate. You can't take a whole continent off another race of man unless you hate them.

• antoman | Jan 09, 2011, 09:11 AM EST

  Guns in America should be restricted to single shot.There should be no lug for a bayonet and a bag of powder and ten balls should be $99.99 at Walmart.People will think twice before discharging a musket when each shot costs ten bucks.

• AoifeNicSeáin | Jan 09, 2011, 09:04 AM EST

  @irishwxman: How could you think? I meant my remarks independent from any party or political orientation. Sorry if that wasn't clear from my posting.

• irishwxman | Jan 09, 2011, 08:40 AM EST

  AoifeNicSeáin what about the target board the democrats used during the Bush administration? do they get a pass?

• irishwxman | Jan 09, 2011, 08:39 AM EST

  Niall O'Dowd, you should be ashamed of yourself for allowing this type of drivel to be published on your website. you are a disgrace to Irish people across the world. Patrick Roberts is a sick and twisted far left zealot who will stop at nothing to demonize the republicans, Tea Party, or anyone on the right. I think you sit awake at night praying for something like this to happen so you can write drivel like this. You are a disgrace to journalism, and Irish America. This is a tragic incident in which a small child was brutally murdered, and you can only harp on about the tea Party. You need to get some cop on and find better things to do with your time. Both of you, idiots.

• AoifeNicSeáin | Jan 09, 2011, 08:36 AM EST

  I support DaddyMac. Even in case it was an insane person who did it, nevertheless it's up to the 'sane' to act in a responsible way. To talk/write/publish drawings about shooting someone as an acceptable political means is neither responsible nor sane, even if it wasn't meant to be implemented in any 'real' way.

• irishwxman | Jan 09, 2011, 08:30 AM EST

  "I think it's pretty safe to blame this on the tea party, when the act was committed by a tea party member, spurred on by the head of the nefarious tea party herself, Sarah Palin, with her now infamous crosshairs map. Look it up. And take responsibility." DaddyMac22 that is the most ridiculous and irresponsible post I have ever read. You have absolutely ZERO proof of that. you are speculating. had you bothered to read anything regarding the shooter you would know he was not a Tea Party member, nor was he affiliated in any way with Sarah Palin or Glenn Beck. He was a member of an anti-Semitic society, and police suggest this was an act of Antisemitism. Giffords was a Jewish American. Where is your outrage for the post on Daily Kos who claims she was dead to them due to her vote against Pelosi? you are so quick to point your left wing lunacy at the tea party. you liberals are just itching for them to make a mistake so you can label them as violent. The lot of you make me sick. You should be ashamed of your selves. Did you even know the Judge that was murdered was a republican appointed conservative justice? Yeah...it was a tea party member. You moron.

• DaddyMac22 | Jan 09, 2011, 08:13 AM EST

  I think it's pretty safe to blame this on the tea party, when the act was committed by a tea party member, spurred on by the head of the nefarious tea party herself, Sarah Palin, with her now infamous crosshairs map. Look it up. And take responsibility.

• JosephOCasey | Jan 09, 2011, 01:20 AM EST

  Dear Mr Roberts, please tell me what exactly in that video that you have linked here, do you find violent. What naked threats are contained in it? Where did you stand when the left produced a film detailing how to assassinate then President George W Bush. What if Giffords is a victim of a deranged leftist? Will you apologize to the Tea Party for your attempt to link them to this? What immflamatory law do you refer to? Could it be the law that mirrors the federal law regarding immigration? When will you on the left realize that it is dopes like you who are at the root of the problems in the USA? Your blatant disregard for the Constitution and the principles on which our country was founded. I just finished watching Wolf Blitzer and his leftist CNN cohorts including Gloria Borger float the idea that this is somehow Sarah Palin's fault, then softpedal the fact that the suspect has no discernible ties to Mrs. Palin or the Tea Party. Then the idiot Blitzer goes on to say that the suspect's reading list includes the Communist Manifesto and Mein Kampf which in his brilliant mind shows that he was all over the place politically. Gee, Wolfie, really? Both Hitler and Communism have one thing in common...far left philosophy. There is nothing thus far to tie the suspect to any right wing philosophy..yet you don't hear GOP leaders trying to hang this on the left. Instead you hear them say that the suspect was mentally disturbed. Those on the right want to take back the country from people like you who have no regard for the rule of law and no concept of common decency. Perhaps it is lost on you but sadly, it appears that the left is trying to capitalize on this tragedy in an effort to smear the other side. Your column simply adds to that effort. Oh, btw, there were approximately a dozen decapitated bodies just found in Mexico. Besides being a dope, you have lousy timing too.

• barneyjo | Jan 08, 2011, 10:35 PM EST

  It has to be asked though if the political rhetoric that abounds in the USA presently is worthy of the memory of those six souls that were shot in a Tuscon shopping Mall. Their deaths MAY just help to save that country from tearing itself apart.

• Monsoonman | Jan 08, 2011, 08:10 PM EST

  So out of the other 435 members of congress you chose, national democrat socialist of America, jerry nadler to quote from? He and his ilk are responsible for most of the hatred spewed out of the far far left.

• seamusmoore | Jan 08, 2011, 05:42 PM EST

  Niall, you are a bigger disgrace to journalism to give this man a forum.

• seamusmoore | Jan 08, 2011, 05:40 PM EST

  You are a sad excuse for a human being, Patrick, never mind a journalist.

• seamusmoore | Jan 08, 2011, 05:37 PM EST

  Have you no sense of decency, sir? Is there any event that you won't try to make political hay out of? This is a horrible tragedy, clearly committed by some mentally unstable individual. How dare you use it to score political points for your views; you are beyond contempt. Hey, if Brenda Ann Spenser went on her shooting spree today, would you blame it on the Tea Party as well? As for your conjecturing "IF" comment, you are not a man by Rudyard Kipling's literary standard; however, you are more like the old joke: IF the Queen had balls, she'd be King. In your case, you don't have two, and you are not either.