Andrew Sullivan destroys Howie Kurtz over his comments on the "blame Sarah" crowd.

[Hamlette]

If one were to try and muster the most pious response to the attempted Giffords assassination - and actual assassination of a federal judge - it would be hard to beat this:

"I hate to say this, but the blame game is already under way.

It began within hours of Saturday's horrifying shooting of Arizona Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords and nearly 20 others, even before the gunman was identified.

One of the first to be dragged into this sickening ritual of guilt by association: Sarah Palin...

Here we go again in Arizona, as people with political agendas unleash their attacks even before the victims of this senseless shooting have been buried. I find it depressing beyond belief.

This isn't about a nearly year-old Sarah Palin map; it's about a lone nutjob who doesn't value human life. It would be nice if we briefly put aside partisan differences and came together with sympathy and support for Gabby Giffords and the other victims, rather than opening rhetorical fire ourselves."

Sully responds:

I have yet to read or hear anyone who has both decried the violent rhetoric of the Palinite right and who doesn't also feel sympathy for the victims of this mass murder - so one of Kurtz's straw men disintegrates upon even momentary reflection. But here's the important point: when public officials are gunned down in public, it is deeply relevant to figure out why, and to ask questions and seek answers immediately. Those questions and answers will inevitably involve politics. To describe this process as "sickening" is a bizarre view for a journalist.

And then there's the second straw man. No one is saying Sarah Palin should be viewed as an accomplice to murder. Many are merely saying that her recklessly violent and inflammatory rhetoric has poisoned the discourse and has long run the risk of empowering the deranged. We are saying it's about time someone took responsibility for this kind of rhetorical extremism, because it can and has led to violence and murder.

http://andrewsullivan.theatlantic.com/the_daily_dish/2011/01/mr-kurtz-he-dead-wrong.html

Even Sarah knows she guilty (why did she take down the map, why did she offer her condolences so quickly?) so it is indeed bizarre for the media to support her too. What is sickening is that the media didn't call her out then. Blood's on their hands too.

[patrick t. cakes]

1. The "Palin mentality" kills!

"Even Sarah knows she guilty (why did she take down the map, why did she offer her condolences so quickly?) so it is indeed bizarre for the media to support her too. What is sickening is that the media didn't call her out then. Blood's on their hands too."

[Rosa Luxemburg]

2. The fact that the right aren't sympathetic makes one think that they are guilty

I feel for the family of that 9 year old girl.

[proud2BlibKansan]

3. Same thing I have been saying!

The right's FIRST reaction was to express anger over being blamed for the shooting. They are STILL today not expressing any sympathy, but just deflecting criticism.

[freshwest]

6. That's exactly what they are doing. Even playing the victim in some places!

[WillyT]

4. K & R !!!

:kick:

[johnnyrocket]

5. Someone need to confront Kurtz head on..

...that douche is SO wrong. It's stunning they are defending these cross-hair tactics.

[Dawson Leery]

8. Wolfie, Candy, and Howie did their best

to whitewash Sarah's responsibility for this.

[DirkGently]

7. Notice how it only becomes "the blame game" when there's a conservative that may deserve some?

[davidwparker]

9. Key sentence: "Blood[s] on their hands too."

And Rupert Murdock, the people at Fox News, and the rich ones who supported with their $$$ the organized mischief made by the baggers.

As left talkers and commentators have said, WHEN it does happen, it will be because of these backers, Rush L., and the whole Fox effect. Gullible and misguided people think this is real news.

[Recursion]

10. "No one is saying Sarah Palin should be viewed as an accomplice to murder."

Mr. Sullivan clearly doesn't read DU...

[UTUSN]

11. Meh, Andy was a Shrub crotch sniffer n/t

[Vinnie From Indy]

12. Howie Kurtz is highly paid propaganda pimp

He has lied, distorted, misdirected and omitted real news for years as a media watchdog. Sully is not one of my favorites, but he hit this nail dead on.

[Supersedeas]

15. a Beltway Cocktail Hour shill ready to protect his Astroturfing buddies

[Supersedeas]

13. Howie wants us all to ignore that the target of the assassination was a Democratic Politician

just some crazy acting crazy...and the crazy reaction to the crazy is no different than the crazy that kills some random people.

[seabeyond]

14. yes. exactly. thank you sullivan. and THAT is toned down and thoughtful. nt