Rep. Peters: Giffords a victim of the ‘rhetoric of violence’ (The Michigan View 1.19.11)

Posted by hpayne on January 19, 2011

While the link between alleged Tucson killer Jared Loughner and Tea Party rhetoric has long since been obliterated by press reports that he was mentally disturbed and unengaged in politics, prominent Democrats continue to try and use the violent rhetoric narrative to gain political advantage in the new Congress.

“Those who say right-wing rhetoric was the one factor tipping Loughner misunderstand the complex nature of psychosis,” concludes even left-wing Time magazine. “In short, saying Sarah Palin or Glenn Beck caused Loughner’s actions is, to put it charitably, completely idiotic.”

Yet, incredibly, Michigan Rep.Gary Peters (R-Bloomfield Townshop) – over a week after the shootings – tried to draft Martin Luther King as an ally in the political-speech-drove-Loughner-over-the-edge campaign. “The rhetoric of violence,” Peters told supporters in a completely idiotic email after the MLK holiday, is to blame.

“Last week when I began to prepare my remarks for the MLK day celebrations I would be soon attending, I found myself struggling,” the “Peters for Congress” missive began innocently enough. “My heart was heavy. I had just attended the prayer service for my friend and colleague, Gaby Giffords and the too many victims of the mass shooting in Arizona.”

“So I turned to one of my treasured possessions: a book of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s writings autographed by his late wife, Coretta Scott King,” he continued, soulfully. “Dr. King taught us peace; in the face of hate, he taught us understanding.”

But then came the political knife.

“We must. . . reject hyperbole and the rhetoric of violence and to see them only as barriers to coming together to face the challenges we confront as a nation and a people,” he concluded.

And there you have it. “The rhetoric of violence” shot Gabrielle Giffords.

Beware Republicans who “target” Democratic districts. Beware Republicans who oppose “job-killing” Obamacare. More rhetoric like that and you will not only massacre more innocents ” you will defy MLK’s message of peace.

You can’t make this stuff up.

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