Six people were killed, and a congresswoman is in critical condition. There’s plenty to be said, plenty of blame to go around among the demagogues. With so many rapid-fire claims to cause-and-effect, there’s nothing I can add to what wasn’t already written within 24 hours of this terrible event. Writing what I did about the recent assassination in Pakistan, and its relationship to American institutions and values, the irony of the Giffords shooting was not lost on me.
But the reaction that came later; the outpouring of support from all camps, the universal revulsion to such a heinous act, and the hangdog expressions on the faces of those who foment such violence for money or votes all combine to say everything that needs to be said about America.
This sort of thing should never, ever happen. No person, whether they are a public official or a private citizen, should face mortal threat for their political views. Valuing expression and human life clearly precludes the legitimacy of certain political views, namely those views that call for violent upheaval. In the name of expression, there are limits to expression. In the name of life and liberty, there are limits to life and liberty. Our acceptance of those paradoxes is elemental to our social contract as a people.
In American rhetoric it’s all fun and games until someone gets hurt. But when someone gets hurt, no one thinks it’s funny. Now, if only our politics were more of a gentleman’s game.
For those who cry out that this incident will lead to a stifling of dissenting views, perhaps they should consider that certain dissenting views do in fact threaten others. One cannot talk about national revolution without also talking about sedition from that nation. One cannot talk about overthrowing regimes without underscoring the need for bloodshed. Only the public and public institutions can judge where to draw the line with any legitimacy. At some point, we all must yield a bit of autonomy for a lot of peace and prosperity.
And if you don’t like it, write your congressman. But don’t shoot them.
But the reaction that came later; the outpouring of support from all camps, the universal revulsion to such a heinous act, and the hangdog expressions on the faces of those who foment such violence for money or votes all combine to say everything that needs to be said about America.
This sort of thing should never, ever happen. No person, whether they are a public official or a private citizen, should face mortal threat for their political views. Valuing expression and human life clearly precludes the legitimacy of certain political views, namely those views that call for violent upheaval. In the name of expression, there are limits to expression. In the name of life and liberty, there are limits to life and liberty. Our acceptance of those paradoxes is elemental to our social contract as a people.
In American rhetoric it’s all fun and games until someone gets hurt. But when someone gets hurt, no one thinks it’s funny. Now, if only our politics were more of a gentleman’s game.
For those who cry out that this incident will lead to a stifling of dissenting views, perhaps they should consider that certain dissenting views do in fact threaten others. One cannot talk about national revolution without also talking about sedition from that nation. One cannot talk about overthrowing regimes without underscoring the need for bloodshed. Only the public and public institutions can judge where to draw the line with any legitimacy. At some point, we all must yield a bit of autonomy for a lot of peace and prosperity.
And if you don’t like it, write your congressman. But don’t shoot them.
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