Why, In Spite of It All, Rhetoric Still Matters

In the Summer of 2010, fear was spreading across America.  Conservative pundits and politicians like Newt Gingrich, Sarah Palin, Rudy Giuliani and Sean Hannity spoke against it in the direst of terms.  Thousands of little-known local radio hosts, fringe religious leaders and no-name armchair pundits joined in the chorus.

In spite of all the concern from the Right,
Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf was an ally 
in the war on terror, worked with the FBI,
 and had never been quoted using violent,
anti-American rhetoric

They spoke about the disrespect to thousands of Americans who died four blocks away.  They warned of the danger that was to come by allowing such a violent religion, with it's violent "jihad" rhetoric, on our soil.  Bloggers claimed that building this mosque would directly lead to violence, as the rhetoric would turn Americans into violent Muslims.

Nationwide, there was protest, the burning of Korans, the burning of Mosques, and the passing of Unconstitutional planning ordinances to prevent Muslims from spreading their "hatred," because, as Newt Gingrich's movie warned us, America Was At Risk.

It seems that the Right has recently had a change of heart regarding violent rhetoric.

Democracy, Public Servants, and the Price of Violent Rhetoric

The moment I heard of Rep. Gabrielle Giffords' attempted assassination, I was in total shock.  Here was a highly intelligent, attractive, moderate democrat who had been literally SHOT IN THE HEAD LIKE A DOG.

This resonated with me for many reasons.  First, I was formerly a political staffer for a controversial politician.  As her Legislative Assistant, I dealt with threatening and angry attacks on a daily basis.  I was the person who answered when you called her office, I was the person who had the first crack at the abusive emails.  I didn't agree with every policy position that the Senator took, but I supported her and researched for her and responded to emails for her because that was my job.

Gabe Zimmerman, Rep. Giffords' Director of Community Outreach, was just a political staffer doing his job.  He died in the attack, in spite of the fact that he made no political decisions.  His job was just to ensure that Rep. Giffords was as available to her community as possible.  And for that, he died.