MSNBC is reporting that Sarah Palin has posted a nearly eight-minute video on her Facebook page condemning those who blame political rhetoric for the Arizona shooting that gravely wounded U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords. Last spring Palin targeted Giffords' district as one of 20 that should be taken back. Palin has been criticized for marking each district with the crosshairs of a gun sight.
In the video, she blamed journalists and pundits for manufacturing what she referred to as "blood libel" that incites hatred and violence. Interesting, because that's the same thing they were saying about her, but without the newly minted term. Palin said she had "listened, at first puzzled, then with concern and now with sadness to the irresponsible statements from people attempting to apportion blame for this terrible event."
"Puzzled," "sadness" and "irresponsible" remind us of what we feel when listening to the former governor of Alaska. While she is obviously not directly responsible for the shootings, this incident presented an opportunity for her to address the need for responsible use of language in political rhetoric from both parties and some self-reflexivity. Clearly it was a missed opportunity.
Read more and watch the video at MSNBC.
In other news: Virginia Gov. McDonnell and Republicans Reveal Controversial Plan.