One of the most consistent themes in the right's response to this past weekend's tragedy in Tucson

[Atticus]

has been their effort to narrow the issue and limit the public's interest.

No one I know of is accusing any Republican of having explicitly ordered this attack or even of wanting it to occur. But, to ignore the recurring breathless "grab your gun" calls by Republicans across the country is to ignore the facts, and we cannot afford to do that.

The question most people would like answered is whether the extreme attack rhetoric of conservatives in general, having been a fixture of political discourse for the past decade or two, contributed to this shooting or made it more likely to occur.

But, that is not the inquiry that the right wants.

Again and again over the past several days, various conservative figures have appeared on TV to protest loudly that "There is not one bit of evidence to support the riciculous liberal accusation that Jared Lee Loughner is a member of the Tea Party!"

What I have not ever heard is anyone actually accusing Mr. Loughner of being a Tea Party member. I'm not even sure there is such a thing. Do they issue membership cards? Do people "register"? Do they collect dues?

I'm not sure you could prove that anyone was a "member" of this amorphous astroturf society. But, that is the issue to which conservatives want us to respond: "Can you PROVE Jared Loughner is a Tea Party member?" When such proof is not forthcoming, ALL inquiry into the causes of the tragedy will be painted as "over the top liberal accusations shamefully politicizing the tragic shooting of one of their own!"

Personally, I use the terms "Tea Party" and "Tea Bagger" in the same way I use the term "Kleenex": generically. I know that not all tissues are Kleenex brand, but I often call them Kleenex even when the box says "Puffs". The essential characteristics are virtually the same. Any differences are relatively minor and don't really concern me.

Similarly, "Tea Party" and "Tea Bagger" are interchangable, in my opinion, with any and all extreme right wing ideologues. They all share the same essential characteristics. Any differences are relatively minor and don't concern me.

Even if someone did refer to the "Tea Party" as being responsible for much of the hateful rhetoric poisoning our political atmosphere, we should not allow the term to be used as a strawman by those desperately trying to change the subject and move the inquiry onto safer ground.

[eleny]

1. And because Giffords survived it'll be harder for them to tamp down or minimize the discussion

[bettyellen]

2. "There is not one bit of evidence ..." is the talking point they emailed out....

it's all over here too.

[HuckleB]

3. Kick.

[GeorgeGist]

4. Reagan said it best.

"The nine most terrifying words in the English language are: 'I'm from the government and I'm here to help.'"

Jared Loughner agreed. Any Doubts?