[Deckard]

As has been said... the perpetrator is obviously 100% to blame for the act itself - but that doesn't absolve others of responsibility for the wider destructive culture that may have pushed him - and may be pushing others - over the edge.

Was a political targeting like this predictable? Well, yes. Of course it was. It was as predictable as the subsequent accusations and subsequent whines of protest that we should only blame the perpetrator and not delve deeper or wider. All of it was predictable.

The fact that Giffords actually warned Palin that her use of such violent imagery would have "consequences" says it all.

Though of course it goes without saying this is a problem that goes deeper than Palin. She's merely the useful idiot who came to prominence and slid into the role of lightning rod.


[EDIT: I've deleted all the pseudo-sociology I wrote after this point. It adds nothing.]