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SW-User
He bears some responsibility for the hostile climate that he's helped foster as do other politicians and talking heads who have followed him into the gutter. However, he does not bear responsibility for the direct actions of individuals. Those individuals own their own actions. Of course a decent human being and real leader would engage in self reflection and acknowledge his contribution to the hostility he has brought to political discourse in this country, but we all already know that the current president falls short of any standards of human decency and is incapable of self reflection.
windinhishair · 61-69, M
Helpinghands · M
RodionRomanovitch · 56-60, M
@SW-User You make good points , but as far as I am concerned by his words and his actions he incites hatred and violence. When that manifests itself as it did today then he also bears some[b][/b] responsibility for it. To claim that it has absolutely nothing to do with him (as many will)is to be complicit in his little games.
SW-User
@RodionRomanovitch I'm definitely not saying he doesn't have a role as an influencer, because he clearly does. It's earned the name "bully pulpit" for a reason. I wouldn't absolve him for setting the tone that would inspire his fringe to do something like this. However, it's not like he mailed them himself or leaned into the car window of one of his brainwashed acolytes and said "do something witchy" like Manson did.