Sheriff Dupnik
In today’s Wall Street Journal John Fund wrote a brief story entitled “Sheriff Dupnik Misfires.” Mr. Lund’s opening sentence says it all.
“Sheriff Clarence Dupnik’s department was well aware of Jared Loughner’s mental instability and may have been slow to respond to death threats.”
So instead of being pro-active and heeding the warning signs of this deranged young man, Pima County Sheriff Clarence Dupnik goes on the news circuit for his 10 minutes of fame while making statements against Rush Limbaugh for which he has no evidence. Furthermore, this is not what we are to expect from any law enforcement leader.
“The Arizona shootings have made Pima County Sheriff Clarence Dupnik, the man in charge of investigating the tragedy, a liberal hero for his comments targeting what he calls the “irresponsible” political rhetoric of conservatives. But he also has critics who say his department was well aware of Jared Loughner’s mental instability and may have been slow to respond to death threats the suspect made in the months leading up to Saturday’s rampage.
While every citizen has the right to be registered in any political party and, follow whomever you wish on talk radio or cable TV, it is worth noting that while sheriff Dupnik “is a Democrat and self-described Rachel Maddow fan, he has deliberately inserted himself into politics by linking the shootings to conservative commentators and rhetoric.”
His fellow lawmen in Arizona are appalled because all of the evidence so far suggests that the gunman is a deeply disturbed individual with no coherent political motives. “I just hope he’s not giving this 22-year-old an alibi by blaming talk radio,” Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio told the Los Angeles Times.
Sheriff Dupnik would do far better to spend his time figuring out how Jared Loughner managed to buy a gun last November to commit his crimes. He apparently passed a federal background check solely because he had no prison record. But Reuters reports that Sheriff Dupnik acknowledged that “there had been earlier contact between Loughner and law enforcement after he had made death threats, although they had not been against [Rep. Gabrielle] Giffords.” The sheriff’s department was aware that Loughner had been asked by police at a local community college to stop attending classes because of his odd behavior. Several of his fellow students expressed fear of him and said they believed he was unstable.”
Give some thought to the final sentence in the Journal report where John wrote:
” Perhaps if Loughner had been convicted of making death threats, he wouldn’t have been able to clear the federal background check he needed to purchase a firearm last November.”
Bottom. line. He was out of line with his comments to Megyn Kelly on FOX News and was negligent by not taking action having prior knowledge that Mr. Loughner is deranged.
So Clarence Dupnik now provides sound bites for Jared Loughner’s defense team. Nice going Sheriff. Will you be seated at the defense table?
Sheriff Dupnik should be rebuked for exploiting a tragedy that his department might have been able to avert.
The entire Wall Street Journal story can be read at the following link:
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703791904576075941558881006.html?mod=googlenews_wsj
Its PIMA Not PUMA
Thanks Paul. I wish the “U” and the “I” on this keyboard could be separated.
Larry, while I have jousted with you on local politics, I do not disagree with the jist of your story here.
However, we have not readjusted our lawmaking to the rapid fire pace of the local news cycle and we are seeking to place blame for stuff that simply falls under the catogory that “it happens.” This was an insane person acting insanely, It is tragic and everyone is looking for someone to blame. Unfortunately, it is simply one the price you pay for having a free society.
For every Loughner, or crazy Alabam professor or crazy Virginia Tech student that carry out their insane inner thoughts, there are a thousand that make similar statements and those thoughts go no further than their little delusional brains.
Geoff.
This tragedy does not warrant nor justify guests on CNN pointing fingers at conservative talk radio that I witnessed yesterday.
Sorry I know the high profile guest but cannot recollect his name. He may have appeared on Anderson Cooper’s slot.
SHOOT THE MESSENGER (or what would you expect from Larry Gilbert,charter member of the Rush Limbaugh Fan Club)
I can’t find one concrete FACT in Fund’s editorial that proves any inaction on Dupnik’s department, but there IS lots of innuendo.
By the by, Dupnik is not exactly a liberal, from Slate;
“But a look through Dupnik’s past reveals a much more complex figure than his current portrayal as a liberal Democratic crusader. Dupnik first joined the Tucson Police Department in 1958, was appointed sheriff of Pima County in 1980, and has won re-election ever since. Perpetually over-tasked and under-resourced, Dupnik’s force has the near-impossible job of dealing with not just the usual case load, but also the continuous flow of illegal immigrants from Mexico. In 1981, Dupnik sent a message to all residents: Arm yourselves. Police couldn’t adequately protect the populace, he said, because they didn’t have sufficient manpower: “Not only are things not good, they are going to get worse. For those who are so inclined, it’s time to start protecting yourselves.”
It was an early example of Dupnik’s bluntness—how often does a sheriff confess he can’t protect the populace?—and his pragmatism: Better to be honest and safe than to feign safety and risk danger. Since then, Dupnik has become the go-to sheriff to give a candid, ground-level view of illegal immigration. Speaking to Sean Hannity in July 2007, Dupnik said, “I don’t know that there’s any reasonable solution to the problem.” Hannity pushed him: What about more agents? A border fence? Predator drones? Dupnik stood his ground: “I’m not sure there is a solution.”
For the whole article;http://www.slate.com/id/2280767
In 1981, Dupnik sent a message to all residents: Arm yourselves. Police couldn’t adequately protect the populace, he said, because they didn’t have sufficient manpower: “Not only are things not good, they are going to get worse. For those who are so inclined, it’s time to start protecting yourselves.”
It was an early example of Dupnik’s bluntness—how often does a sheriff confess he can’t protect the populace?
Hm, this is twisted – he was an advocate for more guns in the population? If Larry’s side can digest that, where will their spinning minds come down? It’s true that right now Dupnik has become the choice target of the right (Larry caught his conference call this morning?) I’m finishing up a little bagatelle that you all might find interesting – “Top Ten Uses Of the Arizona Bloodbath.”
Vern.
No, I missed him this morning. Golf does have a priority.
However driving home after 10 a.m. I tuned into 640 am and listened to RUSH reading from an apparent source with history of the sheriff and the shooter.
The trigger for my post was today’s Wall Street Journal by John Fund, a man with valid media coverage credentials.
Part (or all) of your above added commentary was included by Rush in his monologue.
Anonster. While I have made a presentation to a Rush Limbaugh Fan Club on redevelopment and eminent domain abuses, I am not a regular attendee nor listener.
Blaming talk radio is a diversion from a failure to see the signs and taking action.
A close friend went to school with the Congresswoman’s dad.
This is a sad story for our country, regardless of party affiliation.
Anonster. I do not read the slate blog.
This sheriff is not the only AZ sheriff with a concern for border security. Based on what we have just read he did suggest residents to arm themselves. However, having knowledge of threats made by Jared he should have been on the radar screen and should not have had access to a Glock semi-automatic pistol. Are you kidding me?
This is pure bunk Larry. What a crock of BS. The Sheriff speaks the truth and the Wall Street Journal and the rest of the right wing media circles the wagons to defend themselves.
Bunk.
The sheriff was way out of line. Does he offer any proof that Jared Loughner listens to Rush Limbaugh on the air or elsewhere and furthermore can you present any audio tape of Rush inciting a shooting of any citizen?
You have the right handle. BUNK!
Mentally unstable people should not be allowed to own a gun. Had a proper background check been made, it would have found this particular person unfit to own one. It seems fair that drug addicts, violent offenders, felons, and the mentally ill should never be able to own a gun. It also seems fair that better backgrounds checks should be made and maybe even a psychological evaluation be performed before a gun can be purchased or owned. It’s a right to bear arms but that right ends when it comes to unstable people.
JT. While I suppport the Second Amendment I totally agree with your comments.
Yeah, all rights guaranteed by The Constitution can and should be taken away from some people in certain circumstances. Case in point, prisoners (especially the ones on death row). They have done something society does not like and their rights have been taken away accordingly. There is nothing wrong with owning a gun. However, there is something very wrong with mentally ill people owning a gun or any kind of weapon for that matter.
THE FACTS
From yahoo!News;
But the 22-year-old had no trouble buying the Glock semiautomatic pistol that authorities say he used in the Tucson rampage Saturday that left six dead and 14 injured, including Rep. Gabrielle Giffords.
Loughner’s personal history did not disqualify him under federal rules, and Arizona doesn’t regulate gun sales. His criminal charges were ultimately dismissed, the Army information was private and Pima Community College isn’t saying whether it shared its concerns about Loughner with anyone besides his parents.
Loughner cleared a federal background check and bought the pistol at a big-box sports store near his home on Nov. 30 — two months after he was suspended by the college. He customized the weapon with an extended ammunition clip that would have been illegal six years earlier.
There is nothing to indicate that anything went wrong in the process leading up to that purchase — except the ultimate outcome. But the question hangs: Was there any single piece of behavior — or a combination of two or more — that that might have prevented Loughner from obtaining the gun that police say he used during his rampage?
Background checks are designed in part to weed out prospective gun buyers who have felony criminal records, have a history of domestic violence or are in the country illegally. None of that applied to Loughner.
There were warning signs, but nothing in his past that should have disqualified him under the laws and regulations as they are written today.
Anonster. Thank you.
And after I return from a watchdog meeting I will see if there are “other facts” or credible sources to confirm Yahoo or offer an alternative assessment.
The truth is the left is unstable all over this world! The only thing that is holding things together is the stable from the right!
Not anything else!
So your buddies Beck, Limbaugh, O’Reilly, Palin, etc., are rational, mentally healthy individuals? Are you nuts?
Rapscalion.
Not my favorite news source but let me share the latest from ABC. Quote:
This morning on “Good Morning America,” ABC’s Ashleigh Banfield sat down with Zach Osler, a high school friend of Jared Loughner, the suspect in the Tucson massacre.
Osler says his friend wasn’t shooting at people, “he was shooting at the world.” Regarding the high-pitched talk radio and cable news political rhetoric, Osler says his friend didn’t even watch the news.
He did not watch TV. He disliked the news. He didn’t listen to political radio. He didn’t take sides. He wasn’t on the left. He wasn’t on the right.
what a dupnik that guy is
http://www.breitbart.tv/zeitgeist-the-movie-according-to-friend-this-film-drove-loughner-over-edge/
This is why the left is mad!
So when are the Bugs Bunny and Road Runner cartoons going to be scapegoated as enticing people to commit violent acts? I’m no Palin or Rush fan (the conservative commentator, not the Canadian progressive rock band), but for every “right winger” you single out for blame you can single out an equal or greater number of “left wingers” as well. Essentially this finger pointing becomes a zero sum game that justifies why I choose to be a small “l” libertarian.
More people die from alcohol poisoning and cigarette smoking every year than they do from gunshot wounds. Should we ban alcohol and cigarettes while we are at it? If so, let me know how that works for you.
Guy. Very well stated.
We will have to watch the cartoon network to see if any of those old gems need to be banned
You know, Larry. Every time Wile E. Coyote bought a bunch of explosives from ACME Corporation to catch the Road Runner, I had this unnatural urge to blow up buildings, douse small animals with gasoline and set them on fire.
And somewhere on this site is a spy for the Children’s Television Advocacy Network that will blow this out of proportion and make their cries for censorship.
Guy Fawkes,
“but for every “right winger” you single out for blame you can single out an equal or greater number of “left wingers” as well.”
REALLY?
Prove it.
The reaction to this shooting didn’t occur in a vacuum, please, post the corresponding acts of violence to these three recent stories;
*****************************
July 28, 2008
Man, 58, arrested and charged after 2 killed, seven others injured in Unitarian church.
KNOXVILLE, Tennessee (CNN) — A man accused of fatally shooting two adults and wounding seven others at a Knoxville church told police the church’s liberal teachings prompted him to attack, according to court papers.
Jim Adkisson said liberals should be killed because they’re ruining the nation, according to an affidavit.
Jim David Adkisson told investigators all liberals should be killed and admitted he shot people Sunday morning at Tennessee Valley Unitarian Universalist Church, according to a search warrant affidavit obtained by CNN affiliate WBIR.
Also, a four-page letter police found in Adkisson’s vehicle indicated he was motivated by frustration over being unable to obtain a job, authorities said Monday.
According to the affidavit requesting to search Adkisson’s home, the suspect told investigators liberals should be killed because they were ruining the country. Adkisson also blamed Democrats for the country’s decline, according to the affidavit.
“He felt that the Democrats had tied his country’s hands in the war on terror and they had ruined every institution in America with the aid of major media outlets,” the affidavit said. “Because he could not get to the leaders of the liberal movement … he would then target those that had voted them into office.”
Inside the house, officers found “Liberalism is a Mental Health Disorder” by radio talk show host Michael Savage, “Let Freedom Ring” by talk show host Sean Hannity, and “The O’Reilly Factor,” by television talk show host Bill O’Reilly.
************************
I-580 shootout suspect mad at left-wing politics
Parolee in body armor injured, 2 officers hurt
July 19, 2010|By Bob Egelko and Henry K. Lee, Chronicle Staff Writers
A 45-year-old parolee, described by his mother as angry at left-wing politicians, opened fire on California Highway Patrol officers on an Oakland freeway early Sunday and was hit by return fire while wearing body armor, authorities said.
Williams watched the news on television and was upset by “the way Congress was railroading through all these left-wing agenda items,” his mother said.
************************
Salon
SUNDAY, MAY 31, 2009
O’Reilly’s campaign against murdered doctor
The Fox News star had compared Tiller to a Nazi, called him a “baby killer,” and warned of “Judgment Day”
BY GABRIEL WINANT
When his show airs tomorrow, Bill O’Reilly will most certainly decry the death of Kansas doctor George Tiller, who was killed Sunday while attending church services with his wife. Tiller, O’Reilly will say, was a man who was guilty of barbaric acts, but a civilized society does not resort to lawless murder, even against its worst members. And O’Reilly, we can assume, will genuinely mean this.
But there’s no other person who bears as much responsibility for the characterization of Tiller as a savage on the loose, killing babies willy-nilly thanks to the collusion of would-be sophisticated cultural elites, a bought-and-paid-for governor and scofflaw secular journalists. Tiller’s name first appeared on “The Factor” on Feb. 25, 2005. Since then, O’Reilly and his guest hosts have brought up the doctor on 28 more episodes, including as recently as April 27 of this year. Almost invariably, Tiller is described as “Tiller the Baby Killer.”
Tiller, O’Reilly likes to say, “destroys fetuses for just about any reason right up until the birth date for $5,000.” He’s guilty of “Nazi stuff,” said O’Reilly on June 8, 2005; a moral equivalent to NAMBLA and al-Qaida, he suggested on March 15, 2006. “This is the kind of stuff happened in Mao’s China, Hitler’s Germany, Stalin’s Soviet Union,” said O’Reilly on Nov. 9, 2006.
O’Reilly has also frequently linked Tiller to his longtime obsession, child molestation and rape. Because a young teenager who received an abortion from Tiller could, by definition, have been a victim of statutory rape, O’Reilly frequently suggested that the clinic was covering up for child rapists (rather than teenage boyfriends) by refusing to release records on the abortions performed.
How about the fictional documentary of the assasination of George W. Bush in 2007? Or the “tolerant” Mike Malloy stating on his radio show how he wanted to see Glenn Beck hang himself on live TV? Did these events occur in the vacuum that you speak of? I don’t agree with either Beck or Bush (persoannly can’t stand either of them), but where was the condemnation from the faux liberals on these actions? With the notable exceptions of Vern Nelson and Glenn Greenwald, I’d have better luck finding “Waldo” at the Irvine Spectrum during the Christmas shopping season than finding someone who claimed to be “liberal” that condemned these actions.
Even though I find these actions deplorable and deserving of condemnation, I wasn’t on the bandwagon to have them censored or silenced because I found their views disagreeable. Vern is right. Censorship of any form of political speech is not the answer to stop murder, nor is the curtailing of civil liberties. What’s next? Censoring Miley Cyrus videos because there is a direct link to domestic violence?
For every time you point a finger, there are four that point back to you. (Yes, I know stupid overused cliche…but you modern day “liberals” seem to like that so allow me the courtesy of ) Why you must be the most tolerant person in the world the way you carry yourself. You must of never committed any harm in your life. If that’s the case, that fantasy glass house you live in must be shatterproof.
You are the walking stereotype of what I deplore in the liberals and conservatives of today. The epitome of double standards and inconsistency. At least Vern and Gabriel have some principles and will call out people he agrees with on their insane rants to sqaush free speech. Shit, you make Michelle Quinn and Stanley Fiala look sane!
For all of the overdramatic Glenn Beck style tears that you faux liberals shed, your pathetic apologists and blind reciters of the show transcripts of Rachel Maddow and Keith Olbermann (Anonster, Dan Chmielewski, et al.) continue to sweep the problem of mental illness under the rug. While the deaths of the people in Tucson were indeed tragic, the greater tragedy is that we have not had an honest dialogue on how we should deal with mental illness and get these people the medical attention they deserve and empower them to live full and productive lives. And these people are pretty much left to die in shame with the stigma you help enable with your rhetoric and insensitve wisecracks. Why censoring Glenn Beck’s broadcast and indirectly linking him to murder is a greater priority. We need to do it FOR THE CHILDREN!!! While you folks are obsessed with Beck’s every word, you believe that you have a blank check to make fun of mental illnesses and political philosophies that you disagree with by llinking the two together. A practice that many people on the Left and Right are so quick to do when it comes to expressing their dissent of each other’s views. As if there was a proven link between political philosophies and mental illness or political rhetoric and murder. Larry Gilbert is right. There is no credible link, only assumptions.
Oh wait, anonster or cub reporter Dan Chimichanga of TheFibOC found it on the Internet! It must be true. If that’s the case, I know a Nigerian prince that would like to share his financial wealth with you.
Guy. While I have yet to read your above lengthy response don’t ask me why but I am reminded of the movie Wag the Dog
Seriously. I receive emails daily from a dozen newspapers and blogs from around the country. From FlashReport and the Sac Bee to the Mission Viejo Dispatch, the City of Mission Viejo, and the Register.
Access to that data sets the table of info. that extends beyond the other references visited daily.
That said, we still have a responsibility to “trust but verify” facts.
You are correct as to the lack of a link/connection between mental illness and political speech.
THanks for all the shout-outs, Guy, especially for being mentioned in the same breath as Glennzilla, but I’m not sure all of that is exactly right: For one, I’ve never condemned Mike Malloy or that “Assassination” movie. (which is exactly why I don’t have to feel like a hypocrite not usually condemning extremist rightwing rhetoric.) For one thing Malloy is extremely boring and irritating and I always avoided him in the evenings; and that movie, it was so obscure, I sure never saw it; it mostly exists as something for righties to bitch about.
But you’re way off trying to draw equivalency between Malloy and the “assassination” movie (throw in Ward Churchill why don’t you) and the rhetoric and events that anonster and gericault decry – it’s a HUGE difference of scale and such, the former being totally obscure fringe while Palin, Bachmann, Beck, Rush, etc. are the MAINSTREAM of today’s psychotic right. I mean, the right HALF of Americans. That is scary.
I stand with free speech, and not using every new tragedy to muzzle people’s freedoms more, but still – – I hope this latest incident causes the Palin types to choose their metaphors more carefully, and if they don’t I’ll be in the front row of folks shouting them down. Remember Ann Coulter – you don’t hear from her too much any more because she went over the line so many times that nobody could handle it any more.
How about, she says, “Don’t retreat, reload” and we shout back, “Yeah, just like in Tucson, bitch?”
Guy Fawkes,
What gets under that extra thin-skin of yours,is that you fancy yourself as some sort of political sage and I’ve shown what you really are, a bombastic incoherent fool.
All the above stories came out of CNN/San Francisco Chronicle/Salon, all main stream news sources, but heck, when you can’t dispute the FACTS, it’s always useful to try and discredit the source. There are lots of examples of right-wing attacks on liberal/democratic targets, but I couldn’t find any going the other way, please provide some links.
Next, I’d like you to point to liberals trying to sweep the issue of mental health under the rug, what is so IRONIC is that much of the violent rhetoric and vitriol that has been hurled at democrats and especially Congresswoman Giffords, was over the health care bill, which will improve access to mental health services for millions of Americans.
The BRITISH mockumentary about GWB, never heard of it and I leave it to the Brits to debate its merits.
As to Mike Malloy, I don’t listen to him, I DON’T like his ranting, and I think he should knock off the violent rhetoric. On that note, WHERE are the right-wingers on this blog and in the media and in office, who are calling for a more civil discourse? WHERE????? We’ve heard lots of liberals say that they are going to turn down the vitriol, but where are the conservatives saying the same thing?
Thin skinned? Me? Do you project much?
I find it hard to believe you don’t listen to Mike Malloy. Just like conservatives and liberals, you avoid guilt by association. You can go and hide in your Canyon View neighborhood.
Isn’t that right….DAN?????? Views kind of low on TheFibOC site, the “best political site in OC”?
I never claimed to be a political sage. Although, you must fancy yourself to be one since all of your sources come from the Internet. I’m not the one posting stuff from the Internet.
“Never heard of it”…typical apologist response. Pine Ridge? Never heard of it? The GWB film, never heard of it? Mental illness and linking it to political philosophies? Never heard of that either?
Tell me how that sand tastes out in Canyon View, Dan.
*sigh* no, Guy, not Dan.
Guy Fawkes,
Hey buddy, I’m not the one making all the whack-a-doodle conjectures, I do not know Dan, have never met him and know little to nothing about him. Feel free to keep “projecting” though, Mr. Super-smarty pants.
I don’t listen to Mike Malloy, he’s bombastic and egotistical (hmmmm, reminds me of someone) same with Randi Rhodes. I do however like Stephanie Miller and Thom Hartman.
My sources are found on the internet, but that doesn’t mean they originated on the internet, it also doesn’t mean they are not true.
It’s a fact that the guy who shot up the Unitarian Church was targeting liberals. It’s a fact that Byron Williams was “mad” at left-wing politicians. It’s a fact that Dr. Tiller was killed by a right-winger. What is being established here is a pattern, a pattern where liberals/Democrats are the recipients of right-wing anger and violence.
What is the common denominator, the constant demonization of liberals, democrats, government and government workers and officials on Fox News and right-wing radio. I am not saying that liberals are never over the top or guilty of violence, but the numbers are very much the other way. This is like a cancer cluster, we need to start zeroing in on the source and this time it isn’t something in the water.
this same sherrif said if they passed the az immigration law he would not enforce it .. PIECE OF WORK THIS GUY IS .
The Wall Street Journal is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Fox News Network…..
GERICAULT. SO YOUR POINT IS THEY ARE BIASED?
LET’S TALK ABOUT THE LA TIMES, A GREAT SOURCE OF FAIR AND BALANCED COVERAGE, NOT!!!
No Larry. I found it on the Internet. It must be true.
Just like the Nigerian Prince who wants to share his wealth with me. Excuse me while I go and give out my ABA# and checking account information.
Conservatives yelling in all capitals doesn’t change the fact that …..The Wall Street Journal is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Fox News Network…..
…but it does make me laugh.
Our elderly friends will on occasion accidentally hit capslock, and not know how to get it off.
sounds like a problem that you hear about on the TV commericals. Honey, my caps lock is stuck!
If your capslock stay stuck for more than four hours, consult a doctor…
Yes Vern. I am older than you and have my share of computer shortcomings.
So old that my first telephone was made from two Dixie cups and a string. You have heard of Dixie cups I hope
I soldered together a ham radio when I was a Cub Scout. You were probably a big kid then.
A big Republican kid.
gericault. Thought the might feel special as I never write in caps.
Truth be told my computer seized up while drafting a blog post this morning which forced me to use my wife’s laptop. I didn’t pay attention to the upper case initially so I continued typing.
As you can also see I have now mastered this laptop as I await the tech who will probably suggest buying a replacement.
My only concern is an overreaction to what happened in Tuscon by both sides.
LG , thanks for you explanation……much less mirthful….Perusing many other blogs , I do see a tendency for right wing bloggers to try and convince others through the use of the caps key. Sorry if I stereo-“typed” you in with the rest.
As for “over-reactions”, I prefer to consider them “consequences”.
Gericault.
It took 8 hours to get the computer back in action so I now have no excuses.
Look for my next post. I covered the Sheriff’s swearing in this morning and just returned to Mission Viejo