Media coverage of shooting in Arizona was “irresponsible”

This story has been updated from its original form to include a correction. See bottom for details.

In the wake of the shooting of U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-Ariz.), Tea Party leaders are speaking out against the use of violence as means to a political end and taking issue with media reports which attempted to blame the movement for Saturday’s tragedy.

Leaders from various Pennsylvania groups said there is no place for politically-motivated violence in the United States. Despite the revolutionary symbols and language which the movement frequently makes use of – and even the name itself, a reference to the Boston Tea Party, one of the opening salvos of the American colonies’ struggle for independence – leaders say the imagery is not intended to persuade anyone that violence is an acceptable choice.

Matt Benol, chairman of the Lehigh Valley Tea Party, said elections are how the Tea Party intends to leave its mark on American politics.

“Violence is never okay, not under normal circumstances,” said Mr. Benol. “There are still enough checks and balances and the proper way to do it is the way the Tea Party is doing it right now. Run for office. That’s how you’re going to change politics.”

John Emmons, co-leader of the Coalition for Advancing Freedom, a Tea Party group in Chester County, said there was only one instance in which violence would be justified.

“The Declaration of Independence speaks to that situation,” he wrote in an email Monday. “But we are far from that today. Regardless of what some say, our ‘weapon’ is the ballot box.”

In the immediate aftermath of Saturday’s shocking assassination attempt in Tucson, Ariz., which killed six people and left 12 others wounded, many in the media questioned whether the Tea Party bore at least partial responsibility for the increasingly hostile political rhetoric.

Some went even further, accusing the loose confederation of grassroots conservative groups known as the Tea Party of directly or indirectly inciting violence against the moderate Democrat congresswoman.

In the days since the shooting, more information has become available about Jared Loughner, the 22-year old alleged shooter. The picture which has emerged is one of a disturbed and paranoid young man who was fascinated by The Communist Manifesto and Mein Kampf, attracted to political extremism from all sides and concerned about the possibility of governmental mind control.

Dr. Thomas Baldino, a professor of political science at Wilkes University, said Mr. Loughner was clearly not a member of the Tea Party. However, the heated political rhetoric which helped organize the Tea Party movement over the last two years was also a factor in the shooting, he said.

“Here we have the situation where there is a lot of hot rhetoric and it’s violence-filled and tends to paint the opponents of one side as being un-American or a threat to our freedoms,” said Mr. Baldino. “If that behavior is deemed legitimate and you have people who are susceptible to suggestion for whatever reason, you might have some who decide to act out in this way.”

When participating in rallies, Mr. Benol said members of his organization are expected to respect elected officials for the offices they hold, even if individuals might disagree with the politician on personal or political matters.

Others in the movement took issue with the knee-jerk reaction of the media and the attempt to blame the Tea Party – either directly or indirectly – for the tragedy in Tucson.

Sharon Cherubin, executive director of UNITE PA, a Lancaster County-based group, pinned most of the blame on liberals in the media who have “disdain” for conservatives.

“Conservatives pray that there is justice in a tragedy; liberals pray that they are able to package the truth in order to move their social justice agenda forward,” wrote Ms. Cherubin in an email Monday.

Mr. Emmons agreed, calling the political motivation angle “totally irresponsible.”

“The media is supposed to be base their material on fact, not assumption or opinion,” said Mr. Emmons.

As for the rise in political heated political rhetoric, which some analysts say could trigger a violent outburst, Mr. Emmons wrote the politicians are to blame.

“They put their petty agendas above the good of the people and country,” he wrote. “I would say that the primary source of the negative energy that has been brought to the political scene are the policies and tactics employed by both parties over the last 20 years.”

A CBS poll released Tuesday showed 57 percent of Americans disagreed with the notion that heated political rhetoric was to blame for the shooting.

Even so, the Tea Party is probably going through some self-reflection in the aftermath of the shooting, said Mr. Baldino.

Tea Party leaders maintain the revolutionary rhetoric and symbolism is only a symbol and does not reflect a desire to violently overthrow the government or threaten elected officials.

“I don’t know of any rhetoric along the major Tea Party groups or the major political voices within it that are inciting people to riot,” said John Stahl, chairman of the Berks Tea Party. “We proved in this last election that we have a viable and vibrant political system, so therefore there is no need for any kind of violence.”

Mr. Benol said the Lehigh Valley group is focusing on reducing government and lowering taxes by working to get elected rather than planning violent revolution.

“Right now we’re encouraging our members to consider running for local offices. That’s the way we’re going to change how the government works,” said Mr. Benol.

CORRECTION: This story originally identified UNITE PA as a Lebanon County Tea Party group. The organization is based in Lancaster County.