Violent speech and consequences

Perhaps enough time has now elapsed since the gun rampage in Tucson that we can begin to talk about the very real link between violent speech and violent consequences.

Let me repeat: there is nothing to link the apparently non-political, non-ideological insanity of Jared Loughner with the prominent use of gun imagery by the conservative, political ideologues, including that map with cross-hair targets on it. Jared seemed simply psychotic and paranoid enough all by himself.

Yet, the parallel is striking: he thought the government was trying to control his mind (a typical psychotic delusion), while the far right message is that the government is trying to control our lives. Let's stipulate that there is no direct blame being suggested in this particular case.

But there are plenty of examples where violent political speech -- even laws -- do seem to lead directly to violent action. Witness all the attacks on abortion clinics and the murders of abortion doctors.

And now another tragic example, this time the brutal murder of a gay activist in Uganda, where homosexuality is illegal and where a bill still is pending in their parliament that would make certain homosexual acts punishable by death. And that is already true in some nations.

David Kato was a prominent gay rights activist in Uganda. His picture had been published, along with other gay men, on the front page of an anti-gay tabloid under the headline: "Hang Them."

There is bitter irony in the fact that Kato and two other activists had sued the paper for violation of their constitutional rights to privacy -- and they won the case, including the judge's granting an injunction that banned publication of the identities of homosexuals.

Officials are saying that there is no evidence that Kato's murder was connected with anti-gay motives, citing the frequency of crimes involving robbery in the area. Those in the gay activist community believe otherwise.

I do too.

Ralph