Thoughts on personal responsibility

[sgtgwn]

As we all know, there was a terrible tragedy in Arizona yesterday. Innocent people died and a public servant was seriously wounded. Regardless of your political leanings, this should be seen as a wake up call. Even if the shooter was a deranged man, completely out of touch with reality, and this had nothing to do with politics (though I fail to see how this could not have to do with politics), the atmosphere of hate and vitriol in public discourse needs to stop. People who have the power of a public platform need to take responsibility for the consequences of their words. Period. I don't care if this isn't what you intended, or that some looney took it the wrong way, if you say hateful things, espouse violent rhetoric, equate public officials with evil, etc. - YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE. Do the right thing, don't be equivocal, or say "Well, they just misunderstood what I was saying:" Own your actions and say you were wrong!!!! Say you won't be a party to this sort of speech in the future. It was right of Keith Olberman to do so, unfortunately, he seems to be in the minority.

We are all responsible for our words and actions.