Palin: Journalists should not manufacture a blood libel (Update)

Indeed. Take a moment to listen to the entire response from Sarah Palin on the tragedy in Tucson. Never bitter or angry she attempts to focus blame where it should be focused … on the criminal … and pleads with journalists to “not manufacture a blood libel.”

Here it is in entirety …

Sarah Palin: “America’s Enduring Strength” from Sarah Palin on Vimeo.

I can’t say whether I would vote for her for President but this speech was Presidential and she handled her response to the tragedy with the calmness and sincerity of an experienced leader. For a woman who has been under attack for years now … she continues to prove she handle criticism with dignity and respect.

Here’s Ed’s take at Hot Air, much like mine.

Earlier this week, I told a reporter that a public response would be tricky for Palin. She needed to defend herself but without being seen as descending to the level of the debate as it stood at that moment. Plenty of others were defending conservatives already, but Palin needed to engage the debate on her own terms at some point in a manner that allowed her to rise above the accusatory morass that the media encouraged almost from the hour in which the shootings took place.

This video message affirms the wisdom of that approach. Palin does an excellent job in making her point without lashing out in anger over the attacks, and underscores the importance of personal responsibility rather than group guilt in a free society, the priority of free speech as an underpinning of democracy, and the determination of Palin and the rest of the conservatives to defend those principles. It’s precisely what Palin needed to say, and precisely the manner and forum in which she needed to say it.

Update (Steve): Palin’s video is catching on. Others writing include Malkin, Sister Toldjah, Jim Hoft and the Washington Times.

Update 2 (Steve): So we have people cringing at Palin’s use of the words blood libel. OK, let’s first actually make the effort to read and post the paragraphs around the words so we have a little bit of context. So instead of just putting quotes around a few words with a period right after the word libel, why not read the full post or at least the two paragraphs. My emphasis.

[blockquote]Vigorous and spirited public debates during elections are among our most cherished traditions. And after the election, we shake hands and get back to work, and often both sides find common ground back in D.C. and elsewhere. If you don’t like a person’s vision for the country, you’re free to debate that vision. If you don’t like their ideas, you’re free to propose better ideas. But, especially within hours of a tragedy unfolding, journalists and pundits should not manufacture a blood libel that serves only to incite the very hatred and violence they purport to condemn. That is reprehensible.

There are those who claim political rhetoric is to blame for the despicable act of this deranged, apparently apolitical criminal. And they claim political debate has somehow gotten more heated just recently. But when was it less heated? Back in those “calm days” when political figures literally settled their differences with dueling pistols? In an ideal world all discourse would be civil and all disagreements cordial. But our Founding Fathers knew they weren’t designing a system for perfect men and women. If men and women were angels, there would be no need for government. Our Founders’ genius was to design a system that helped settle the inevitable conflicts caused by our imperfect passions in civil ways. So, we must condemn violence if our Republic is to endure.[/blockquote]

From what I read, blood libel is a false accusation and/or myth that religious minorities sacrifice children to use the blood for medicinal purposes or rituals. It seems to be mostly associated with Jews murdering children.

I’m certainly not going to state her choice of words were perfect or a perfectly acceptable analogy, but pundits and journalists continue to promot the lie/myth that TEA Party members, talk radio show hosts and conservatives caused this to happen. When the conservative pundits and talk show hosts – including Vicevich – get multiple notes stating “you have blood on your hands” Palin’s choice of words is not “creepy.”

To point at the use of the term and freak out about its use and then link it to the fact Rep Giffords is Jewish? Not sure about that either.

Update 3 (Steve): Last comment on the subject from Alan Dershowitz.

The term “blood libel” has taken on a broad metaphorical meaning in public discourse. Although its historical origins were in theologically based false accusations against the Jews and the Jewish People,its current usage is far broader. I myself have used it to describe false accusations against the State of Israel by the Goldstone Report. There is nothing improper and certainly nothing anti-Semitic in Sarah Palin using the term to characterize what she reasonably believes are false accusations that her words or images may have caused a mentally disturbed individual to kill and maim. The fact that two of the victims are Jewish is utterly irrelevant to the propriety of using this widely used term.

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Jim Vicevich

Jim is a veteran broadcaster and conservative/libertarian blogger with more than 25 years experience in TV and radio. Jim's was the long-term host of The Jim Vicevich Show on WTIC 1080 in Hartford from 2004 through 2019. Prior to radio, Jim worked as a business and financial reporter for NBC30 - the NBC owned TV station in Hartford - and as business editor at WFSB-TV in Hartford for 14 years while earning six Emmy nominations and three Telly Awards.

23 Comments

  1. harpergal on January 12, 2011 at 6:58 am

    My opinion of Sarah Palin really changed for the better after reading her book 'Going Rogue' which focused on her time on the campaign trail for VP but also included her life growing up in Alaska and with her family. It explained an Alaskan way of thinking and living that does indeed mirror what an early pioneer might have been like. She doesn't back down – she is relentless in a non-vitriolic way – and she gets things done. Anathema to the left who only talks and stirs the pot and throws out ridiculous statements that DO inflame. The more ridiculous they become, the more they are calling attention to their ridiculous selves and people are beginning to realize how ineffectual and deluded they are. They are burying themselves – good. So here it comes back to my personal philosophy on life. At one time, when I was a young teacher in a more innocent time, I wanted to start my own progressive grade school that stressed and taught the 4 R's – Reading – for that is knowledge; Respect – for everyone, everything on the Earth and including the Earth itself; Religion – acknowledging everyone's right to practice and understanding there is a greater purpose than yourself in the Universe and finally but most importantly; Responsibility – for yourself in thought, word and deed. Yes it sounds a bit Shangri La-ish but if you think about it, it pretty much addresses all the ills of our society, plus builds children and adults with a strong moral code and good character. How outlandish! Respect doesn't mean that you have to agree – it means you openly listen and respect other's opinions and vice versa. It means you can have adult, fun discussions without violence and learn from one another – or maybe not, but you listen. You don't shut down or shut out. You respect people's differences. You respect the Earth and learn how to best manage the resources that are here for us. You respect yourself and learn to gently erect boundaries that define who you are and shows others how to deal with and respect you, too. None of this easy and it all takes constant work and refining/practicing/trying over and over again but Oh My Gosh. Don't you think these principals would better serve us in the long run as a society than teaching some of the meaningless junk my child had to learn for a test and then promptly forget, in school? And on a lighter note, how about a personal finance class in all high schools that teaches kids how to manage their money and balance a checkbook???? Do laundry???? Clean????????? 🙂 Thanks for listening….



  2. harpergal on January 12, 2011 at 7:09 am

    P.S. I do tend to wander – back to Sarah. She Is someone to be respected. She is courageous, outspoken in a good way and strong. A real role model when we have a dearth of those these days. And I do believe in everyone having the right to carry guns – everywhere., anytime. I know to some it is an extreme and scary position to take but if you throw that old "then all the criminals will be able to get them more easily" argument in my face – again –  WAKE UP! They already all have them – all of them – anytime they want one – as many as they want!!!!! I think a punk with a gun might think twice before he mugs someone at an ATM if he knows that there is a good chance someone nearby is carrying. Will innocent people get hurt and killed in the heat of a passionate argument or by a drunken wild man or a mentally deranged person? Yes. But it happens right now anyway. Let's even out the odds a little….



    • Steve M on January 12, 2011 at 7:18 am

      Welcome to the site and thank you for commenting, but please keep comments short.



  3. Plainvillian on January 12, 2011 at 7:19 am

    This is an eloquent statement, clear, cogent and precise in reiterating American values and a measured thoughtful response to the furor caused by a tragic event.  It will elevate Mrs. Palin to a new level of respect among her supporters and a higher level of fear in her enemies.

     

    The sarcastic would say that Tina Fey gives great speeches written by great speech writers, but that would denigrate a significant public statement by a woman of proven leadership ability.  There is real impact in the fact that this was released on the internet and not via traditional media.  Look for more calls for controls on the internet.

     

    This speech leaves Mr. Obama with two sensible options:  He can say "I agree with what she said," and sit down or he could (and should) be snowed in in DC.  Sadly, I'll bet he'll take his teleprompter to Tucson and ramble aimlessly through long minutes of tortured PC-speak to absolve the guilty and indict the innocent while praising the nonparticipants.  His speech will be hailed as great by the media while Mrs. Palin's will be ignored.



  4. RoBrDona on January 12, 2011 at 7:36 am

    Blood libel is still used by certain Muslim groups even now. It tells of spurious ritual murders of Christians supposed to have been perpetrated by Jews over the last hundreds of years. These lies are specifically designed to apply the most heinous label possible to a group to justify their own bloodthirsty ends: specifically moral justification for ethnic cleansing.  The analogy is correct – applying direct blame to conservatives for the shooting death of a politician opposed to their world views is right on the money. To denigrate certain political views in this way to gain some moral ascendance regarding ANY matter is truly vile. The far left and far right are both guilty – (yes, pictures of dead babies do qualify). Kudos to Palin, who I am not a great fan of, for publicly calling for toning down the rhetoric and treating our right to free speech with some respect.      



  5. sammy22 on January 12, 2011 at 8:06 am

    There is a lot of digging going. I would stop digging.



  6. Lynn on January 12, 2011 at 10:16 am

    I couldn't view the video because I didn't want to subscribe to Vimeo,, but that won't stop me from commenting. I will take your word for her use of blood libel, I'm not familiar with it. Also that she gave a measured and intelligent speech. However, I get real nervous about referring to her as a candidate for President. The next candidate has got to be totally competent in understanding the economy and balancing budgets. It wouldn't hurt to know about commerce and how companies create jobs and grow. These problems will definitely still be with us in 2012. I just don't see Sarah ever gaining my trust in these areas. of course, if all is rosy and the unemployment rate drops back to 5% like under Bush, I will reconsider.



  7. Steve M on January 12, 2011 at 11:16 am

    Lynn – you should not have to subscribe to Vimeo. Just single click and play.



  8. harpergal on January 12, 2011 at 12:13 pm

    Hi Lynn – From what I read in her book, she understands all of that very well AND knows how to implement what needs to be done – she did it in Alaska and I would trust her to try to do it in Washington as well. I was pleasantly surprised by what she has accomplished as Gov. and wish more people, including myself, had known more about her before the election. It's a good read, if you haven't and want to know more.



  9. Lynn on January 12, 2011 at 1:30 pm

    Thanks Steve, I have no idea why I could not open before, but I think it had something to do with all my spam blockers. Anyways, I loved parts of Sarah's speech, but she gets a little preachy to me, like (dare I say it Glenn Beck). I don't want to be one of those women who is harder on women then men. I did change my mind about Linda M. so maybe with Sarah, too. Also,harpergal, your enthusiasm is wonderful to see. I haven't read her book and maybe I will. I most admire her for taking on the corrupt Republican good 'ole boys but there is something missing for me. Let's just make sure we get it right in 2012. I'm going to look at everyone very closely.



  10. PatRiot on January 12, 2011 at 2:36 pm

    I am so glad she did this speech.  Gutsy lady.  This is what the President SHOULD have said!  Every word of it. 



  11. BEA on January 12, 2011 at 3:04 pm

    She is such a class act! I always feel that she speaks from her heart and means what she says…not just reading from a teleprompter.

    She rallied me in…if you'll excuse me, I think I'll go sing "God bless America" and wave my little American flag. 🙂



  12. David R on January 12, 2011 at 3:13 pm

    Sarah's hired a brilliant speech writer. When I heard the term "blood libel" I had no idea what it meant, but I knew that manufacturing it was something very bad. Now it turns out that hardly anybody knew what it meant, but still had emotional reactions to it. "Blood libel" is one of those terms that by-passes the intelect to speak directly to the emotions. That's what makes it brilliant. Sarah made the right move when she hired that anonymous speech writer, understanding that it is appeals to the emotuons that will push her toward the nomination.



  13. JollyRoger on January 12, 2011 at 5:12 pm

    I got a chuckle as Jim assured one of today's callers that he's "not in love with Sarah Palin"- if I got that right???   I was listening with one ear…

    Just last night I'd been reading the archives:  August 30, 2008; titled: "Yeah Baby!  "I am just in love with this woman. Anyone out there know where I can get “Sarah For Vice President” stickers made? This video is from the Draft Palin For VP site courtesy of Michelle Malkin … who BTW says “I’m Impressed.” Hey, who wouldn’t be?"

    I'd vote for Palin- if she played hoops with Barry, he'd have a lot more than a fat lip 🙂



  14. Anne-EH on January 13, 2011 at 2:01 am

    God Bless Sarah Palin, she said what needed to be said and kept it simple and to the posint. What it all comes down to is the need for personal responsibility to make a comeback to this society.



  15. Anne-EH on January 13, 2011 at 2:05 am

    Correction: "and to the point". Fat fingers, me bad! :)=^..^=



  16. Tim-in-Alabama on January 13, 2011 at 7:46 am

    Blaming Sarah Palin for the Tuscon Massacre and then attacking her use of the term "blood libel" to defend against the blood libel ain't kosher.



  17. Erik Blazynski on January 13, 2011 at 7:03 pm

    I don't really see how anyone can argue that she is a class act. She obviously needs to just shut up yet she continually opens her mouth. Regardless of the validity of her blood libel statement her ignorance in not knowing that this would cause a problem is stunning. Someone accuses you of something like being responsible you just need to keep your mouth shut.



  18. rickyrock on January 13, 2011 at 8:46 pm

    Sarah Palin's political career is over ….I have never seen someone so obviously unqualified for any leadership position.Reckless and without thinking of others she repeatedly fanned the flames of hostility and resentment never worrying about the consequences.No one will ever know the mind of this deranged killer..but what we all know is Palin's utter disregard of the potential violence of her rants.She had to know about the bricks thrown threw windows …if that's not enough how about Gabrielle Giffords own words"The way that (Sarah Palin) has it depicted has the cross hairs of a gun sight over our district," she said. "When people do that, they have got to realize there are consequences to that."Sarah Palin is done.



  19. BEA on January 14, 2011 at 7:28 am

    Hi Erik…since I'm the only one that used the term "class act", I'll have assume you are referring to my post.

    OMgosh, I SO could and would argue that she is a class act! IMHO, I like and admire her very much. Every time she (or her family) has been attacked, based on what I've seen, I thought that she handled it with dignity and class (as in the above video response)…never hate or ugliness. I know she's not perfect, but I love her confidence, drive, intelligence, work ethic, family values, "mother bear" ferociousness, strength, patriotism, spunkiness, and "humanness".

    So, that's ok that you can't see my point of view because, as you can see, I feel the same about the disliking of Sarah Palin. How could anyone dislike her so?! lol

    But isn't the world so much more interesting because we all have different points of view! 🙂



  20. NH-Jim on January 14, 2011 at 1:29 pm

    Sarah Palin, like us citizens in the TEA Party, has run out of cheeks to turn.  We will no longer be silent.  We will not shut up.  We will not be falsely accused.  Don't like my response?  Read the Constitution!



  21. socialenemy on January 18, 2011 at 5:35 am

    So let me get this straight. According to our lefty friends on the blog if someone FALSLY accuses you of something it is your sworn duty to SHUT UP???

    You've got to be kidding me. I'd love to see you keep your mouth shut if the liberal media accused you of mass murder. Could you do it? Could you be that cordial and considerate?

    Yeah right.

    Did either Ricky or Erik even watch the video? Read the transcript? Listen to a single word she said? Or did you sit down nicely in fron of the boob tube and absorb every word Chris Matthews spewed at you until he told you what your opinion of this speech should be?

    Please, PLEASE do us the favor of actually adding something to the conversation and save us the petty insults and the same old tried anti Palin rhetoric. Not once have I seen a lefty come on this site and provide us with any real proof of Palin's ignorance or inability to read. Not once. You've never read her book, you refuse to listen to her speak, you know nothing about who she is or what she's done accept what the left tells you to think.

    Palin had a right to defend herself and did so in a very respectable way IMO. Would I vote for her in 2012? If my choices were her or Obama, I'd pull the lever for Palin anyday.

    Anybody is better than what we got and all the proof I need is all around you.



  22. socialenemy on January 18, 2011 at 5:37 am

    *Not once have I seen a lefty come on this site and provide us with any real proof of Palin’s ignorance or inability to lead.*

    Sorry, typing too fast and I mis spelled.



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