Today in the Washington Examiner January 13, 2011

Michael Barone - Systematic assassinations not part of our politics


We do know of societies where people on one side of the political divide encourage and sponsor assassinations of people whom they oppose.


This was Germany in the years after World War I, when those who thought Germany had been stabbed in the back hailed the assassination of the industrialist and moderate (Jewish) politician Walter Rathenau in 1922. Including a failed painter from Vienna named Adolf Hitler.


This was Japan in the 1930s, when advocates of military aggression systematically assassinated moderates who wanted their country to live in peace with its neighbors and not seek conquests abroad.


Or, to take an example from last week, Pakistan, where the governor of Punjab was assassinated. His offense: opposing blasphemy laws that carried a death penalty. Those who supported his assassination celebrated publicly and urged more such killings.


Suggestions that the shooting in Arizona are of the same ilk as these examples is something of a blood libel against the politicians of all stripes in our country and of the American people. No American politician, no significant segment of any political movement, no statistically identifiable share of the American people wishes the violent death of its political opponents.


Susan Ferrechio - House members want added security after Giffords shooting
House members will return to the Capitol on Wednesday for the first time since the Tucson, Ariz., shooting rampage that nearly killed colleague Gabrielle Giffords, and they are demanding improved protection ranging from office security cameras to the installation of a plexiglass barrier over the House floor.


Julie Mason - Washington's political calm not likely to last


For official Washington, currently on hold while the nation comes to terms with the weekend shootings in Tucson, Ariz., the question isn't whether partisan politics will return, but how fast and ferociously.






Matthew Sheffield - Liberals take a page from the Westboro Baptist songbook


In short: Innocent people were killed because American and its leaders have sinned against the higher light. Which is effectively what New York Times columnist Paul Krugman said in a column printed Monday. I've taken the liberty of illustrating the comparison by interposing Krugman's and Phelps' words: Read More






Michael Barone - Maybe people just aren't buying it


Has the shooting of Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords in Tucson Saturday made Americans more worried that opponents of Barack Obama’s policies will turn to violence? Actually, a little less so, according to pollster Scott Rasmussen. Read More


Susan Ferrechio - State of the Union Scheduled for Jan. 25


House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, has sent an official invitation to the White House for President Obama to deliver the annual State of the Union Address. The date is set for Jan. 25, a Tuesday. Boehner's letter makes reference to the Tucson shooting rampage, saying the government exists to serve the people and, "Even in the wake of tragedy, we must never waiver from our obligation to carry out their will and provide solutions to keep moving our nation forward." Read More






Timothy P. Carney - When a 'debate' is really just one side making stuff up and the other side objecting


Media critic Jay Rosen regularly critiques the media for getting the viewpoints of "both sides" and then "leaving it there." It's a good critique, because often in a debate, one side is just making stuff up. Read More






Mark Hemingway - Dem Congressman who called for GOP Gov. to be put against a wall and shot now pleads for civility


Ex-Rep. Paul Kanjorski, D-Pa., pens an op-ed in the New York Times today about the proper political response to this weekend's tragedy. I wholeheartedly support the former Congressman (Kanjorski lost his seat in November) when he argues that, following this weekend's shooting, Congressman need to remain open and accessible to the public. Read More






Timothy P. Carney - The Great 2010 Cashout: Byron Dorgan & Bob Bennett to K Street


Byron Dorgan, something of a liberal hero, is now a K Street lobbyist. And Bob Bennett, the prime victim of the Tea Party and a vaunted "moderate," is joining Dorgan. Arent Fox, a K Street lobbying firm, announced today that Dorgan is becoming co-chair of the firm's Government Relations Practice, while Bennett will be a Senior Policy Advisor. Read More