Newswise — Binghamton University faculty members are available to discuss a range of issues related to the tragic shootings that took place on Saturday, January 8, 2011, in Arizona. Topics include the dangers that public officials face, the recent magnification of public anger and the dangers of inflammatory rhetoric.
David Cingranelli, professor of political science: “While press reports about this terrible event have emphasized the dangers that public officials must face, most of the threats have been made against politicians on the left, not the right. Leftwing politicians face the most danger, in part, because they have been responsible for the major national policy changes that have been enacted in the past two years--a national health care law, the ending of the military's "Don't ask, don't tell" policies, increasing national government spending to stimulate the economy, the signing of a new nuclear arms control treaty with Russia, and bailing out General Motors.
Public anger against the left has been magnified by irresponsible, hate-filled messages from the right--especially as voiced by talk radio hosts like Michael Savage and by TV talk show hosts such as Glen Beck and Bill O'Reilly. Other actions such Sarah Palin putting Democratic politicians "in the cross-hairs" have also fueled the anger.
If we don't find a way to tone the heated rhetoric down, serious, rational debate over important public policy issues will become increasingly difficult. This will affect our ability to find the best solutions to the serious problems our nation faces.
National law enforcement agencies say that the attack on the Congresswoman was not an act of terrorism. But what separates this act from terrorist acts? The assassination attempt was probably designed to strike fear into the leaders of a social movement and damage the ability of representatives in a democratic society to meet with their constituents. If something like this happened to a leader of the Iraq or Afghan parliament, don't you think we would classify it as an act of terrorism against their governments? Why the double standard?”
Expertise: Cingranelli has general expertise on the American Constitution and he maintains a longstanding research program focused on ethics and American public policies, with a particular interest in human rights and worker rights in America and globally.
Jonathan Krasno, associate professor of political science: “Call someone a Nazi enough and a deranged individual might take it to heart. We’ve kind of lost track of who hasn't been the target of that kind of language -- Nazi, fascist, etc. –since it has been pretty widespread - as widespread as the violent imagery of targeting someone with an actual gun and not just as a figure of speech.”
Expertise: Krasno's research focuses on public opinion, congressional elections, campaigns and campaign financing.
John McNulty, assistant professor of political science: "It's pretty clear at this point that the perpetrator was a deranged man acting on based on delusions un-tethered by reality. I think there's very little to learn from this, other than that the human race has, thankfully, a tiny subset of time bombs in it that occasionally go off and that prominent people are somewhat more at risk due solely to their prominence.”
Expertise: McNulty’s areas of interest include political behavior, voting behavior, campaigns and elections, political parties, American politics, technology and politics, and methodology.
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