CNN: Adviser: Linking Palin to shootings 'appalling'

CNN: Adviser: Linking Palin to shootings 'appalling'
BY: CNN Senior Political Editor Mark Preston 

Sarah Palin's political aide removed a controversial web post Saturday after a gunman attempted to assassinate an Arizona congresswoman in a mass killing that left, among others, a 9-year-old girl dead. 

But a Palin aide Saturday denied the web posting from the 2010 congressional campaign - featuring gun sights over the congressional districts of 20 Democratic candidates – was designed to incite violence. Rebecca Mansour told conservative host Tammy Bruce that it was a political tool and noted it should have been removed after the November election.

Common Sense says that the radical right/Tea Party/Palin just don't get it!  Now I've never met Ms Palin, but it seems stunningly unlikely that she or her staff intended to incite violence with any of their rhetoric.  If the complaint is "incitement to violence" she is clearly innocent.  But does that make such posting OK?  Are they reasonable civil conduct?  Are they an acceptable way to campaign?  Are they politically acceptable?

Common Sense says no!  The lunatic fringe on both the left and right view vitriolic politics as an invitation to act.  Is Ms Palin responsible for the act of a deranged man?  No, she's not.  But is she responsible for contributing to the environment that encouraged him?  Yes, she is.  So to are many many other politicians and commentators.  However, the fact that others are involved does not excuse her contribution.

Common Sense says that it is long since past time that politicians and commentators grew up and began to conduct themselves in a civil manner.  It's time to stop demonizing those that disagree with us.  It's time to stop treating politics as a game between two teams.  The issues that we face are much to important to continue to tolerate uncivil behavior from either politics or commentators.

Just a Common Sense POV.