What Sarah Palin and other public figures should learn from the Arizona Shootings?

After reading and listening to mass media, Internet and FB comments, I conclude the same thing I have said for many years; public figures and celebrities have a responsibility to act and speak in a manner that represents a positive image in the public. I have heard countless people in these positions downplay being role models, particularly when their conduct is despicable. Unfortunately, being a role model comes with their career choices whether they like it or not.


In the case of Sarah Palin, the map that she choose to use as advertisement which depicts guns pointing to Democratic congressional representatives is a image of violence to a great deal of the American public. While the map and other rhetoric of hate by some members of the Tea Party and other organizations may or may not be responsible for the actions of Jared Loughner, one can conclude Giffords was the intended target as indicated on the infamous “electoral” map.

No one in Sarah Palin’s camp, including Sarah Palin tried to defend the use of the guns on the map prior to the mass shootings, even when it was challenged by her constituents. Few members of the Republican Party stood up and denounced the advertisement or any other of the bigoted actions surrounding Tea Party events leading up to the November elections of last year.

If someone points a gun at me regardless of whether it is on a map or in the person, I conceive that as a violent act. There simply is no excuse or reasoning. While I do not think Sarah Palin is directly responsible for the actions of a deranged young man, I hope the lesson learned is “what you put out is what you get back.” The consequences of negative actions are negative results.