In the wake of the tragic shooting in Arizona there has been a lot of talk about the “tense political climate” and “extreme rhetoric.” Sadly, all that talk and the left’s determination to blame the right for the evil act committed by an apparently deranged young man has required that we do more than offer prayers condolences to victims and their families. Instead, we have been placed in a position from which we must push back against the left wing talking points that the shooting is the result of the right’s rhetoric.

I am sick and tired of being sick and tired of the left wing media trying to blame the “tense political climate,” the “extreme rhetoric” and even this despicable shooting on the right. Nevertheless, there has been some “extreme rhetoric” that a reasonable person might conclude encourages violence. Consider the following examples of extreme rhetoric rounded up by theblogprof:

• “If they bring a knife to the fight, we bring a gun.” Barack Obama in July 2008

• “I want you to argue with them and get in their face!” Barack Obama, September 2008

• “Here’s the problem: It’s almost like they’ve got — they’ve got a bomb strapped to them and they’ve got their hand on the trigger. You don’t want them to blow up. But you’ve got to kind of talk them, ease that finger off the trigger.”  Barack Obama on banks, March 2009

• “I don’t want to quell anger. I think people are right to be angry! I’m angry!” Barack Obama on ACORN Mobs, March 2010

• “We talk to these folks… so I know whose ass to kick.” Barack Obama on the private sector, June 2010

• “A Republican majority in Congress would mean ‘hand-to-hand combat’ on Capitol Hill for the next two years, threatening policies Democrats have enacted to stabilize the economy.” Barack Obama, October 6, 2010

• “We’re gonna punish our enemies and we’re gonna reward our friends who stand with us on issues that are important to us.” Barack Obama to Latinos, October 2010

Please, can someone persuade Barack Obama to tone down his extreme rhetoric before it results in more violence?