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Tucson Tea Party Co-Founder Says Tea Party Is Victim Too
By
Ben Yakas
Published Jan 13, 2011
Modified Jan 13, 2011
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By
Ben Yakas
Published Jan 13, 2011
Modified Jan 13, 2011
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Sarah Palin and the Tea Party have received a lot of criticism in the wake of last weekend's tragic shooting in Tucson, Arizona, prompting Palin to defend herself in a video yesterday, using the antiquated claim of "blood libel." Now, Tucson Tea Party co-founder Trent Humphries has gone one step further, calling the Tea Party victims of the shooting, and arguing that Rep. Gabrielle Giffords is partially responsible for having a lack of security. Regarding Palin's controversial gun-target map, he told the Guardian UK: "It's political gamesmanship. The real case is that she [Giffords] had no security whatsoever at this event. So if she lived under a constant fear of being targeted, if she lived under this constant fear of this rhetoric and hatred that was seething, why would she attend an event in full view of the public with no security whatsoever?"
Last night during his speech at a memorial in Tucson, President Obama revealed that Rep. Giffords had opened her eyes for the first time since being shot in the head on Saturday, a story corroborated by Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, who was holding her hand at the time. The latest report from doctors is that she is making a "miraculous recovery," opening her eyes, responding to commands, moving both legs and arms and doing specific things with her hands. Doctors are even hoping to begin physical therapy later this week. "Yes, miracles happen every day. A lot of medicine is outside of our control…We're wise to acknowledge miracles," said Dr. Michael Lemole, head of neurosurgery at University Medical Center in Tucson.
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arizona
gabrielle giffords
jared lee loughner
tea party
tucson shooting
Ben Yakas
Ben Yakas is a former Gothamist reporter.
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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