Tools of Fear/Demonization/Tragedy in Tucson

On Demonizing Rhetoric & Aggressive Action

Highlighted Essay: The Political Economy of Character Assassination: Who Invests in and Profits from the Discourse of Hate? by Jonathan Michael Feldman

After Tucson: The Right-Wing Media Offensive by Political Research Associates
Conservative pundits have been quick to criticize as opportunistic the suggestion that Jared Lee Loughner, the accused shooter in the January 8 Tucson killing spree, might have been influenced by right-wing conspiracy theories or violent rhetoric.

Right-Wing Rhetoric

• "How the Right's Rhetoric Fueled the Actions of Arizona's Mass Murderer," By Adele M. Stan on Alternet
  It's too soon to say what motivated the man apprehended for the shooting. But the Tea Party culture of political intimidation affirmed his violent impulses.
• Reportage you'll never see on Fox: MSNBC's Contessa Brewer explores extremist rhetoric and right-wing violence by David Neiwert on Crooks and Liars
• In the Wake of the Arizona Tragedy, Are Right Wing Pundits Telling the Truth? By Mitchell Bard on Huffington Post
• "When Violence Comes From the Right, Media Hear No Evil," by Joseph Palermo on LA Progressive
• "Violence, threats not political tools," by Travis McAdam of the Montana Human Rights Network in the Great Fall Tribune (Montana).

Earlier Warnings of Bigotry or Violence Stemming From Right-Wing Rhetoric

• Toxic to Democracy: Conspiracy Theories, Demonization, and Scapegoating, by Chip Berlet, Political Research Associates. June 2009.
• Extremism, Conspiracy Theory And Murder, Chip Berlet interviewed by Terry Gross on Fresh Air, NPR, June 18, 2009
• “'Who Will Rid Me of This Troublesome Doctor?': Bill O’Reilly, King Henry II, and George Tiller," by Chip Berlet on Religion Dispatches, June 24, 2009.
• Does hateful rhetoric really lead to violence? History gives us the clear answer: yes by David Neiwert on Crooks and Liars, September 20, 2009
• Right-wing violence, threats are on the rise -- and getting a wink and a nudge
  by David Neiwert on Crooks and Liars, October 29, 2010
  
• Tea party in the Sonora: For the future of G.O.P. governance, look to Arizona, by Ken Silverstein, Harper's, July 2010.

Outlandish Right-Wing Rhetoric

Multiple Reports on Media Matters for America

• Beck said Gore using "same tactic" in fight against global warming as Hitler did against Jews, May 01, 2007
• Beck's Guest Jim Rogers: "Massachusetts Is More Communist Than China," January 14, 2011

Related

• Report: Toxic to Democacy: Conspiracy Theories, Demonization, & Scapegoating
• Tragedy in Tucson - 2011
• Berlet's posts on Talk to Action
• Demonizing Rhetoric & Aggressive Action
• Right-Wing Populism
• Patriots & Militias
• The Murder of Dr. George Tiller
• The Tools of Fear
  • Dualism
  • Demonization
  • Scapegoating
  • Aggressive Apocalypticism
• Conspiracism

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