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The bipartisan calls for unity following the shooting attack on Republican lawmakers practicing at a baseball field in northern Virginia is unlikely to last.

How could it last when some conservative lawmakers and commentators are already blaming progressives and liberals for the shooting that left Rep. Steve Scalise (R-La) in critical condition after surgery to repair damage to his hip and internal organs.

Last Wednesday morning James Hodgkinson, 66, of Belleville, Ill., opened fire on Republican lawmakers practicing for an annual congressional charity baseball game in Alexandria, Va. Two heroic African-American Capitol Police officers shot and killed Hodgkinson during a gunfight.

Immediately after the shooting some Republicans began blaming the shooting on liberals for inciting Hodgkinson, a former volunteer for Bernie Sanders presidential campaign.

Kellyanne Conway seemed to accuse the media of fomenting the kind of anger that led Hodgkinson to embark on the shooting rampage.

Former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich blamed increasing hostility on the left for inciting Hodgkinson, and a series of things, which sends signals that tell people that its OK to hate Trump, its OK to think of Trump in violent terms, its OK to consider assassinating Trump.

What happened to individuals being responsible for their own behavior?

It wasnt too long ago when Republicans were quick to insist that angry rhetoric and right-wing ideology, and even the divisive language that Trump used during his presidential campaign, are not to blame for individual actions.

Blaming Sanders, liberals or progressives for Hodgkinson actions is wrong.

Sanders advocates for a peaceful political revolution. He acknowledged that Hodgkinson was a volunteer on his campaign and said he was praying for the recovery of Scalise and the other victims.

I am sickened by this despicable act, Sanders said in a statement. Let me be as clear as I can be. Violence of any kind is unacceptable in our society, and I condemn this action in the strongest possible terms. Real change can only come about through nonviolent action, and anything else runs against our most deeply held American values.

His followers are right when they said that blaming all of Sanderss supporters for the actions of one was comparable to blaming all Muslims for terrorism.

Although the criminal is the only one to blame for his actions, politicians on the right and the left should be clear that they denounce violence as part of their movement.

See the rest here:
Please don't blame shooter on liberals - The Philadelphia Tribune