Having first watched this clip this morning:
Joe Scarborough Destroys Rep. Tim Huelskamp: 'We Can't Even Talk About [Gun Control] Without You ... Insulting Me Personally? (VIDEO)
Joe Scarborough laid into Kansas Rep. Tim Huelskamp on Friday after the congressman accused the MSNBC host and other gun control advocates of pushing "a political agenda" in wake of the Sandy Hook tragedy.
After clashing with the hosts about fiscal cliff negotiations, co-host Mika Brzezinski asked the congressman if he thought it was time to reconsider his stance on laws pertaining to assault weapons.
Huelskamp said that as a congressman, he was bothered by how individuals politicized the tragedy "so quickly." Huelskamp said that the country has a "cultural program." He added, "It's not a gun problem; it's a people problem."
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/...
And then rolling over here to read Dallasdoc's excellent recap:
Scarborough Agonistes: Conservative Extremism Shocks Conservative
I find myself marveling once again and the malignant stupidity of the GOP and their slavish adherence to NRA talking points, particularly their oft-repeated mantra that we are not permitted to "politicize" any incident that involves the use of guns. I have read countless recitations of the "it is inappropriate to politicize this" line, and I have to say, it is as ignorant as it is appalling.
For a basic definition of "politics", let's turn to a readily available source such as Wikipedia:
Politics (from Greek politikos "of, for, or relating to citizens") as a term is generally applied to the art or science of running governmental or state affairs, including behavior within civil governments, but also applies to institutions, fields, and special interest groups such as the corporate, academic, and religious segments of society. It consists of "social relations involving authority or power" and to the methods and tactics used to formulate and apply policy.[1]
Modern political discourse focuses on democracy and the relationship between people and politics. It is thought of as the way we "choose government officials and make decisions about public policy". [2]
http://en.wikipedia.org/...
"Politics" literally means "of, for, or relating to citizens."
So when a great tragedy happens to our citizens, we are not allowed to talk about this thing that relates to our citizens? We can't talk about doing something to prevent what has happened to our citizens? This is such an obscene concept, fomented by those on the right, that I can't comprehend how it continually gets a pass.
Politics (from Greek politikos "of, for, or relating to citizens")
Memorize this simple definition, and wield it every time some wingnut tries to stifle rational discussion about gun control in this country.