Do you think Sarah Palin's "target map" influenced the Arizona shooter on Saturday?
Language always matters. And injecting imagery suggestive of violence doesn't help either.
-Christine Trinh
It's hard to say if Palin's target map directly influenced this act. But I'm sure that her "targets" helped to create an atmosphere of "us against them."
-Brian McNitt
Yes, along with teabaggin, rightwing radio & TV and Republican rhetoric.
-Sam J. Cataldo
You betcha!
-Karen Nichols
Until there's an investigation we won't know if the (alleged shooter Jared Lee Loughner) even KNEW OF the map, much less how much inspiration it provided. But the map and other rhetoric demonstrate the mindset of one side that violence (and images of violence) is acceptable in the public debate.
-Alex Hardesty
I believe it could have, considering that (Palin) also went to that district denouncing Giffords. Unfortunately, there were even more like Sharon Angle in the neighboring state, talking about using "second amendment" resolutions to get what you want. It really ticks me off when I hear Republicans criticizing the complaints as if they're being picked on. I haven't heard Democrats talking about "reloading" or using gun targets to "take out" the other party. They made their bed, let them lie in it.
-George Borg
Comments are edited for grammar and length.
