http://www.politicsdaily.com/2...culture-gets-a-pass/
by Matt Lewis
quote:The late New York Sen. Daniel Patrick Moynihan famously preached that culture is more important than politics. He was talking about the success of a society, but I can't help but think that the aphorism is especially apropos now.
We are a culture that fetishizes violence. Look anywhere, and you'll see it. It's in our language, our sports, our entertainment, and yes, our political rhetoric.
And it's probably true that -- as many have recently speculated -- violence-laced rhetoric or images might be enough to inspire someone who is already mentally unstable to act out.
The underlying violent culture is, I think, much more important than our political rhetoric. (Yes, some would argue that politics is just a reflection of the culture, but Moynihan saw a separation, and I agree.)
Yet it is ironic that the same people who typically mock the notion that violent movies, music or video games could influence behavior seem to think a former governor of Alaska's PAC could do so.
So far, of course, there is zero evidence to suggest that Jared Loughner -- the man charged with shooting Rep. Gabrielle Giffords and 19 others -- ever saw Palin's now-notorious map, or was, in any way, influenced by her. (That didn't stop some, seeking to score cheap political points, from immediately blaming her.) Moreover, there is (as of now) no evidence that anybody's political rhetoric triggered this horrific attack.
Still, the finger-pointing has fueled a hot topic: examining how heated political rhetoric might have caused this tragedy....
We're just a society that loves violence and, unfortunately, overexposure to violent imagery and rhetoric HAS THE POTENTIAL to encourage some to do evil things.
