Scalise still in critical condition, will need additional operations

[Attorney General & PPT Dwarven Dragon]

My prayers are with Mr. Scalise.

[Antonio the Sixth]

And I really, really hope that this is more a case of the guy just looking for a reason to shoot someone and not that he radicalized within the American left. Otherwise, it means there is something terrible going on within it.

Somebody "just looking for a reason to shoot someone" is an equally terrible reason for violence (as is any reason)--that doesn't mitigate it in any way if it turns out to be the case.

While it doesn't change the gravity of what he's done, it would have less dire consequences for the state of political division in this country. If we've reached the point when people actually go out and shoot other people for their political views, we have entered a dire new reality.

[Virginiá]

While it doesn't change the gravity of what he's done, it would have less dire consequences for the state of political division in this country. If we've reached the point when people actually go out and shoot other people for their political views, we have entered a dire new reality.

Maybe it is the case that in these highly polarized times, a president viewed as polarizing in their own way really agitates and stirs up the "out party," resulting in more violence. We saw that during Obama's tenure, a president who, in combination with a major recession, helped radicalize a lot of conservatives. Now with Trump's election, maybe something similar happens on the left - perhaps even more so. The question then becomes how long Trump serves as POTUS.

Although, I don't think the energy and right/leftwards shift of the parties is entirely due to the past 2 presidents.

[Antonio the Sixth]

While it doesn't change the gravity of what he's done, it would have less dire consequences for the state of political division in this country. If we've reached the point when people actually go out and shoot other people for their political views, we have entered a dire new reality.

Maybe it is the case that in these highly polarized times, a president viewed as polarizing in their own way really agitates and stirs up the "out party," resulting in more violence. We saw that during Obama's tenure, a president who, in combination with a major recession, helped radicalize a lot of conservatives. Now with Trump's election, maybe something similar happens on the left - perhaps even more so. The question then becomes how long Trump serves as POTUS.

Although, I don't think the energy and right/leftwards shift of the parties is entirely due to the past 2 presidents.

The only question I have is, where does it end? I don't want to go full Beet, but if things continue down this path me might actually have normalized political violence like in India or some African country.

[Attorney General & PPT Dwarven Dragon]

While it doesn't change the gravity of what he's done, it would have less dire consequences for the state of political division in this country. If we've reached the point when people actually go out and shoot other people for their political views, we have entered a dire new reality.

Maybe it is the case that in these highly polarized times, a president viewed as polarizing in their own way really agitates and stirs up the "out party," resulting in more violence. We saw that during Obama's tenure, a president who, in combination with a major recession, helped radicalize a lot of conservatives. Now with Trump's election, maybe something similar happens on the left - perhaps even more so. The question then becomes how long Trump serves as POTUS.

Although, I don't think the energy and right/leftwards shift of the parties is entirely due to the past 2 presidents.

The only question I have is, where does it end? I don't want to go full Beet, but if things continue down this path me might actually have normalized political violence like in India or some African country.

Don't worry, in order to actually go full Beet, you have to become a republican for several weeks over the dems somehow becoming politically irrelevant.

[Technocracy Timmy]

While it doesn't change the gravity of what he's done, it would have less dire consequences for the state of political division in this country. If we've reached the point when people actually go out and shoot other people for their political views, we have entered a dire new reality.

Maybe it is the case that in these highly polarized times, a president viewed as polarizing in their own way really agitates and stirs up the "out party," resulting in more violence. We saw that during Obama's tenure, a president who, in combination with a major recession, helped radicalize a lot of conservatives. Now with Trump's election, maybe something similar happens on the left - perhaps even more so. The question then becomes how long Trump serves as POTUS.

Although, I don't think the energy and right/leftwards shift of the parties is entirely due to the past 2 presidents.

The only question I have is, where does it end? I don't want to go full Beet, but if things continue down this path me might actually have normalized political violence like in India or some African country.

Polarization is usually solved through a crisis fueled political realignment. That's not always the case though (see 1860).

[Koharu]

Man. This makes me so sad. Praying for Scalise as well as others injured and even just those affected by the event.

[Grumpier Than Uncle Joe]

Hope that the assassin burns in hell and that Scalise gets better.

[Virginiá]

Seems like some Republicans are already beginning to raise money off of this tragedy:

http://www.denverpost.com/2017/06/15/colorado-republican-fundraising-email-congressional-baseball-shooting/

You must be logged in to read this quote.

[KingSweden]

Seems like some Republicans are already beginning to raise money off of this tragedy:

http://www.denverpost.com/2017/06/15/colorado-republican-fundraising-email-congressional-baseball-shooting/

You must be logged in to read this quote.

Utterly gross

[Devout Centrist]

Seems like some Republicans are already beginning to raise money off of this tragedy:

http://www.denverpost.com/2017/06/15/colorado-republican-fundraising-email-congressional-baseball-shooting/

You must be logged in to read this quote.

Oh boy, time to C A S H  I N

[OSR stands with Israel]

While it doesn't change the gravity of what he's done, it would have less dire consequences for the state of political division in this country. If we've reached the point when people actually go out and shoot other people for their political views, we have entered a dire new reality.

Maybe it is the case that in these highly polarized times, a president viewed as polarizing in their own way really agitates and stirs up the "out party," resulting in more violence. We saw that during Obama's tenure, a president who, in combination with a major recession, helped radicalize a lot of conservatives. Now with Trump's election, maybe something similar happens on the left - perhaps even more so. The question then becomes how long Trump serves as POTUS.

Although, I don't think the energy and right/leftwards shift of the parties is entirely due to the past 2 presidents.

The only question I have is, where does it end? I don't want to go full Beet, but if things continue down this path me might actually have normalized political violence like in India or some African country.

Polarization is usually solved through a crisis fueled political realignment. That's not always the case though (see 1860).

That period took all the way until 1894 or 1896 to solve. The country which began to be very polarized in the late 1850s didnt depolarize till the 1894 and 1896 elections.

[Devout Centrist]

While it doesn't change the gravity of what he's done, it would have less dire consequences for the state of political division in this country. If we've reached the point when people actually go out and shoot other people for their political views, we have entered a dire new reality.

Maybe it is the case that in these highly polarized times, a president viewed as polarizing in their own way really agitates and stirs up the "out party," resulting in more violence. We saw that during Obama's tenure, a president who, in combination with a major recession, helped radicalize a lot of conservatives. Now with Trump's election, maybe something similar happens on the left - perhaps even more so. The question then becomes how long Trump serves as POTUS.

Although, I don't think the energy and right/leftwards shift of the parties is entirely due to the past 2 presidents.

The only question I have is, where does it end? I don't want to go full Beet, but if things continue down this path me might actually have normalized political violence like in India or some African country.

Polarization is usually solved through a crisis fueled political realignment. That's not always the case though (see 1860).

That period took all the way until 1894 or 1896 to solve. The country which began to be very polarized in the late 1850s didnt depolarize till the 1894 and 1896 elections.

Uh

[ProudModerate2]

Seems like some Republicans are already beginning to raise money off of this tragedy:

http://www.denverpost.com/2017/06/15/colorado-republican-fundraising-email-congressional-baseball-shooting/

You must be logged in to read this quote.

Utterly gross

UN ... B-E-L-I-E-V-A-B-L-E !

[ProudModerate2]

Seems like some Republicans are already beginning to raise money off of this tragedy:

http://www.denverpost.com/2017/06/15/colorado-republican-fundraising-email-congressional-baseball-shooting/

You must be logged in to read this quote.

“If I could issue hunting permits, I would officially declare today opening day for liberals. The season would extend through November 2 and have no limits on how many taken as we desperately need to “thin” the herd.”

-Brad Goehring R-CA

Are you serious !
Is that something he said today !

[OSR stands with Israel]

While it doesn't change the gravity of what he's done, it would have less dire consequences for the state of political division in this country. If we've reached the point when people actually go out and shoot other people for their political views, we have entered a dire new reality.

Maybe it is the case that in these highly polarized times, a president viewed as polarizing in their own way really agitates and stirs up the "out party," resulting in more violence. We saw that during Obama's tenure, a president who, in combination with a major recession, helped radicalize a lot of conservatives. Now with Trump's election, maybe something similar happens on the left - perhaps even more so. The question then becomes how long Trump serves as POTUS.

Although, I don't think the energy and right/leftwards shift of the parties is entirely due to the past 2 presidents.

The only question I have is, where does it end? I don't want to go full Beet, but if things continue down this path me might actually have normalized political violence like in India or some African country.

Polarization is usually solved through a crisis fueled political realignment. That's not always the case though (see 1860).

That period took all the way until 1894 or 1896 to solve. The country which began to be very polarized in the late 1850s didnt depolarize till the 1894 and 1896 elections.

Uh

I was responding to Timmy's point that realignments depolarize the country , thats not true cause 1860 was a realigning election and the country didnt depolarize for another 35 years.

[Technocracy Timmy]

While it doesn't change the gravity of what he's done, it would have less dire consequences for the state of political division in this country. If we've reached the point when people actually go out and shoot other people for their political views, we have entered a dire new reality.

Maybe it is the case that in these highly polarized times, a president viewed as polarizing in their own way really agitates and stirs up the "out party," resulting in more violence. We saw that during Obama's tenure, a president who, in combination with a major recession, helped radicalize a lot of conservatives. Now with Trump's election, maybe something similar happens on the left - perhaps even more so. The question then becomes how long Trump serves as POTUS.

Although, I don't think the energy and right/leftwards shift of the parties is entirely due to the past 2 presidents.

The only question I have is, where does it end? I don't want to go full Beet, but if things continue down this path me might actually have normalized political violence like in India or some African country.

Polarization is usually solved through a crisis fueled political realignment. That's not always the case though (see 1860).

That period took all the way until 1894 or 1896 to solve. The country which began to be very polarized in the late 1850s didnt depolarize till the 1894 and 1896 elections.

Uh

I was responding to Timmy's point that realignments depolarize the country , thats not true cause 1860 was a realigning election and the country didnt depolarize for another 35 years.

See my second sentence. I said that it doesn't always have that effect and cited 1860 as an example

1800, 1932, and 1980 all lead to a period of depolarization.

[Orthogonian Society Treasurer]

And I really, really hope that this is more a case of the guy just looking for a reason to shoot someone and not that he radicalized within the American left. Otherwise, it means there is something terrible going on within it.

Hodgkinson was no Arthur Bremer; he was a homeowner and small business owner who lived a relatively productive and generally respectable life for 66 years. The truth is that there are millions of James T. Hodgkinsons out there and the opposition party is doing all it can to radicalize them. Propaganda of the deed is about to come back in a big way.

[BlueSwan]

Let's just remember that one crazy lunatic doesn't make for a trend. Especially not in a country with 320+ million people.

Anyway, good to see most D's and R's standing together on this in opposition to political violence and absolutely disgusting to see a select few R's trying to blame Obama/democrats/Maddow/Bernie for this. Let's hope they will stay a select few.

[Sir Mohamed]

Let's just remember that one crazy lunatic doesn't make for a trend. Especially not in a country with 320+ million people.

Anyway, good to see most D's and R's standing together on this in opposition to political violence and absolutely disgusting to see a select few R's trying to blame Obama/democrats/Maddow/Bernie for this. Let's hope they will stay a select few.

Agreed. But it's very sad and disgraceful that there are still people making fun out of this or trying to use it for their purpose. You may disagree with Scalise on every issue, but he doesn't deserve to be shot. I hope he recovers quickly and fully.