On Saturday, J. Eric Fuller came to be the spot light of the Tuscon shooting after he threatened a Tea Party leader at a televised forum. Trent Humphries, founder of the Tuscon Tea Party, had just suggested that all discussion about gun legislation be postponed until after the funerals of the dead victims of last week's shooting. He then started to comment that he too was affected by this tragedy because his neighbor was among those who were shot. At that point Mr. Fuller yelled "You’re dead!"
Mr. Fuller has stated that Republicans "appeal to simple-minded rednecks." And that Sarah Palin, and other Republican leaders, were partially at fault for the shooting because they had created a toxic environment. He described the Tea Party as a "crime syndicate."
He has been charged with two misdemeanors in connection with his statements on Saturday.
It is people like Mr. Fuller who have kept this wound open longer than it should have been. Mr. Loughner should be executed for what he did. However, innocent men like Mr. Humphries should not have to be threatened. And national leaders of the Republicans should not even come up.
In the wake of these events, what should be done?
Mr. Humphries should publicly forgive Mr. Fuller for his comments. He then should offer his help to prevent this from happening again. He should not take offence and he should show that the Tea Party is about love and not hate. This way he would deflect Mr. Fuller’s passion.
Mr. Fuller is just a product of passion. Passion is a good thing as long as it can be controlled, but Mr. Loughner was passionate too. And so was Timothy McVeigh, the man who caused the Oklahoma City bombing. Passion is a dangerous tool and we should make sure it never gets out of hand.
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