It is hard to be sure; Loughner has been suspiciously tight lipped throughout (he shouted, "I plead the Fifth!" even as bystanders tackled him after the shooting.) Either way, if someone says they fear being shot IN RESPONSE TO someone putting a crosshairs on their area of residence, then someone hears that and shoots them, the ultimate (if indirect) cause remains those crosshairs.


Only a nutjob could shoot someone based on Palins imagery (and there is no evidence either way about whether Loughner ever saw it.) However, everyone knows many such nutjobs exist, so national leaders offering them triggers is dangerously irresponsible. When one knows a powder keg exists, ignores that and lights a match anyway, is the explosion the powder kegs fault or the match-lighters? At the very least that is not the kind of reckless judgement I want running my country.

Basically, I completely disagree with the SCOTUS Brandenburg v. OH ruling (unanimously) reversing the core of its Schenk v. USA ruling. Brandenburgs specifics only reinforce that feeling. Actions, including speech, have consequences; even if disregarding that is legal, it is unacceptable in national leaders.