As John wrote yesterday, Rush Limbaugh was spewing his usual incendiary language yesterday and aimed some of it at Pima County Sheriff Clarence Dupnik. Unlike many elected officials, particularly Republicans, who cower when Limbaugh attacks them, Dupnik went on ABC News and criticized Limbaugh by name for his role in inciting hatred and violence:
The Arizona sheriff investigating the Tucson shooting that left U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords critically wounded had harsh words today for those engaging in political rhetoric, calling conservative radio host Rush Limbaugh "irresponsible" for continuing the vitriol.This, of course, makes Dupnik vulnerable to attacks from the entire GOP. They'll all do anything to protect Rush. But, Dupnik is absolutely right. And, most of the GOPers know it.
"The kind of rhetoric that flows from people like Rush Limbaugh, in my judgment he is irresponsible, uses partial information, sometimes wrong information," Pima County Sheriff Clarence Dupnik said today. "[Limbaugh] attacks people, angers them against government, angers them against elected officials and that kind of behavior in my opinion is not without consequences."
Limbaugh today railed against the media and Dupnik for trying to draw a link between the heated political climate and the shooting rampage, calling the sheriff a "fool." But Dupnik stood by his assertions.
"The vitriol affects the [unstable] personality that we are talking about," he said. "You can say, 'Oh no, it doesn't,' but my opinion is that it does."
Here's the video:
