The political Left has been known to orchestrate frame-up attacks designed to make it appear that right-leaning opponents are responsible for violent acts and plots.
If I wrote the paragraph above in the context of reporting or commenting on the pipe bombs that were reportedly sent by an unidentified person or persons to prominent Democrats, many people would react angrily, and rightly so. After all, there is no evidence that the atrocious but thankfully unsuccessful targeting of the Obamas, the Clintons, CNN, George Soros, and Eric Holder (as well as Debbie Wasserman Shultz, whose Florida office was given as the return address on some of the packages) was carried out by political leftists. There is no proof that any Democrat was hoping to cast suspicion on Republican supporters, to suggest to voters, less than two weeks before the midterms, that Trump and GOP rhetoric incites violence. To intimate, in the absence of any proof, that left-wing agitators may be responsible would be a condemnable smear.
That’s why this paragraph, by the usually sensible Will Rashbaum in the New York Times’s report on the apparent attempted bombings, is so infuriating:
Mrs. Clinton, Mr. Obama, Mr. Soros and CNN have all figured prominently in conservative political attacks — many of which have been led by President Trump. He has often referred to major news organizations as “the enemy of the people,” and has had a particular animus for CNN.
The report goes on to say that the CNN bomb package was addressed to former Obama CIA director John Brennan (who is actually a commentator at MSNBC, not CNN). The Times then adds, gratuitously, that Brennan “is a harsh critic of Mr. Trump,” who revoked Brennan’s security clearance “in what was seen as an act of retribution.”
At this point, there is no evidence whatsoever that provocative words from the president had anything to do with the sending of bombs. Indeed, there is as yet no known evidence of who is behind these possible attacks. And speaking of “attacks,” why, in light of the context of a possible bombing spree, is the Times asserting that Secretary Clinton, President Obama, and Mr. Soros have “figured prominently in conservative political attacks”? They have not been subjected to “attacks” in the sense conveyed by this report; they have been on the receiving end of mere political criticism, not the subjects of attempted political assassinations.
There is plenty of media commentary at the moment about incivility, in the form of incendiary rhetoric and actions. This is entirely appropriate. But I’m at a loss to understand how the climate is improved by spicing up reports with thinly veiled suggestions that President Trump may have triggered a series of potentially murderous attacks on political opponents.
Liberals are sure to blame conservatives for this the same way they blame the NRA for mass shootings like that idiot David Hogg did
As none actually exploded it might be Wile E Coyote some agent is sure to check the ACME purchasing records. Disclaimer: I have no proof to link Mr. Coyote.
Well, it would be if they sprinkled their criticism around among some of the Democrats pushing incivility, threats, intimidation and violence. But, of course, they aren’t.
Wasserman-Schultz did it; she put her return address on the envelopes so she could get those that did not explode back and get a refund from Bill Ayers.
Every pipe bomb recipient is someone that Trump has repeatedly attacked and demonized.
Meanwhile, in other news today… Southern California white nationalist leaders arrested; private messages show effort to ‘reimagine’ movement
@kitt: Pretend you’re a democrat-they you can blame anyone you want without a shred of proof and the lsm will not only believe you but trumpet you.
@Greg: You noticed that huh? Considering not ONE bomb exploded, sure sounds like a typical left wing plot to demonize Trump. Just the usual…
None were opened by the persons they were intended for.
Trump: “I just want to tell you that in these times, we have to unify,”
Yeah, right. That’s what you’re always promoting, isn’t it?
@Greg: Rise above movement you would hate any anti antifa group, keep an eye on those trials, can you explain how a pro white group is different from a pro black, pro women, pro Asian ? If someone attacks you with a baton or an elderly person by you what would be your reaction?
Its 50 guys, just 50 so important that they get a negative label, just because they kick the asses of a few antifa attackers in self defense. Antifa the lefts little brownshirt darlings.
@Greg: #8
The one photo I saw had a timer attached.
You don’t put a timer on a mail bomb.
I’m calling fake, just like CNN’s stories and yours.
@Greg:
They are also each and every one someone who demonized Trump and all his supporters, as well as incited and excused political violence themselves.
So, no matter what Trump or Republicans do or say, you on the left will still pursue the same uncivil, provocative, intimidating, violent agenda? Or, would YOU be willing to tone back YOUR rhetoric to a more civil level?
The left will have to give up their visceral hatred of Trump, accept Hillary was defeated and stop calling everyone that disagrees with them racists.
Up to about 8 bombs now none have went boom perhaps a nice hoverboards , Galaxy Note 7 phones or sneak in some flushmates.
After Trump’s rhetoric and behavior, you expect polite restraint? To get respect, you have to show it. He has showed none because he has none to show, and it’s all coming back on him. It’s only a matter of time. Ultimately, he’s his own worst enemy. “As ye sow, so shall ye reap.” It’s true of both men and nations.
@Greg:
Aside from the fact that Trump’s rhetoric and behavior is a RESPONSE to liberal outrage over being refused their PROMISED Presidential victory, yes, I do. The most vitriolic and violent rhetoric comes from the left, so if YOU expect anyone else to be civil, shouldn’t you learn to be civil yourself first?
Bullshit. The fat man was launching vicious personal attacks on everyone that got in his way the moment his twinkle-toes hit the stage. “Lyin’ Ted’s” father was involved in the JFK assassination, remember? The evil son-of-a-bitch even publicly ridiculed the appearance of Cruz’s wife. After beating all of his republican opponents into stunned submission, he then repeated every lie about every democrat he could think of, even if disproved. The personal insults never stopped.
So there you are, making the totally asinine claim that “Trump’s rhetoric and behavior is a response to liberal outrage.” That’s about the stupidest assertion I’ve heard, and believe, since Trump’s election, I’ve heard a lot of them. Trump is an ignoramus, a bully, and a total asshole. Basically, he’s an inflated, abusive, pathologically self-centered male personality that has pushed his way into the spotlight and grabbed a microphone. He’s the dysfunctional head of a seriously dysfunctional family of liars and thieves, and has never had any business as a leader or role model for the country I love. The sooner he’s gone, the safer and saner we’ll be.
@Greg:
Nope. AFTER Cruz had attacked Trump. I’ll give you another try, scooter.
You’ve got nothing to give to me, or anyone else.
@Greg: It’s just a good thing the “bomb” didn’t go directly to Hillary. She usually takes a hammer to “suspicious devices”.
Maybe she should take a hammer to Donnie Boy’s iPhone.
@Greg: She can’t; they won’t let her in the White House. She steals.
Maybe we should take a look at Donnie Boy’s tax returns before we decide who steals. The Clintons had no problem making their returns public.
Did you know the Eric Trump Foundation is also currently under criminal investigation? It raises money for terminally ill children. Hundreds-of-thousands of donated dollars were diverted for personal and business use. Like father, like son, apparently.
At this point you should probably begin babbling about Uranium One or something.
@Greg:Dems…Taxes taxes taxes russia russia russia boo hoo sniff sniff.
Reps we’re winning winning feels so good.
The cellphone stuff was another LSM NYT lie, fib, misinformation, propaganda, total BS.
https://www.theepochtimes.com/nsa-director-rogers-disclosed-fisa-abuse-days-after-carter-page-fisa-was-issued_2692033.html
https://www.theepochtimes.com/end-in-sight-for-mueller-probe-with-no-evidence-of-trump-collusion-found-so-far_2699718.html
@Greg:
Didn’t you mention “obsession” on another post? WHOA.
Did you know the left uses “investigations” as a political weapon? DeLay, Gingrich, Perry… the list goes on. How about Ellison and Gillum? Guilty until proven innocent?
Did Trump not promise to make his tax returns available for examination as soon as the “audit” was completed? That’s how he dodged the issue before the election.
The man is a crook and a damnable liar. How does the glaringly obvious not register? Do people somehow enjoy being abused and having their intelligence repeatedly insulted by this strutting, amoral huckster?
A President Who Hates Half The Country Doesn’t Get to Call For ‘Unity’
Yeah? You’re a fake president. You’re pretty much a fake everything. Show us your damn tax returns. If we’re wrong about our suspicions, we’ll apologize.
@Greg:
Someone’s obsessed….
Obsession…..
You didn’t answer the question. He did promise to make his tax returns available as soon as the “audit” was completed. He dodged a dangerous campaign question with a baldfaced lie. (Actually, two lies, because it was later revealed that the years in question were no longer under audit and closed. A couple of his idiot attorneys accidentally released a letter from the IRS confirming that to be the case. )
@Greg: Here’s your answer.
@Deplorable Me, #14:
Yeah? What do you not understand about this bullshit?
Watch it and tell me again how it’s all just a response on Trump’s part. Trump has been pitching lies and promoting irrational hostility and anger like this from the beginning. Every person that has been targeted by some bomb-building nut case has been high up on Trump’s public enemy list.
There would probably be enough outtakes of rabble-rousing moments like this from Trump’s rallies and speeches to make a feature length movie. Then he has the temerity to suggest the media and democrats need to tone down their rhetoric, ’cause look what happens? The man is an idiot.
@Greg:
I would say “founding” might not be the best word, but Obama and Hillary ENABLED ISIS to become the regional power they did that murdered tens of thousands of innocent people. Basically, is point is totally valid.
I notice you make no effort to refute that Trump’s rhetoric is in RESPONSE to liberal rhetoric. I accept you ceding the point.
That was a refutation. That was a video of Trump’s typical bullshit rhetoric. Kinda slow on the uptake there, aren’t we? But then, we are part of his target audience.
@Greg: Target audience like Obamas rallyette in Vegas yesterday 57 liberal press 19 SS agents 2 janitors an 43 love stuck followers, herded close together in front of the stage so it appeared like he had an audience. Not even a decent size mob.
@Greg:
Stating an historical FACT is not rhetoric. If being responsible for the spread of ISIS bothers you, you should take that up with Obama, not me or Trump.