As you all know by now, Sen. Ted Cruz offered via tweet to work with Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez on investigating Robinhood’s blocking retail investors from buying stock, and Ocasio-Cortez instead told Cruz to resign because “you almost had me murdered 3 weeks ago.” While we wait for Twitter to put Birdwatch into motion and add the appropriate “context” to that tweet (i.e., it’s a flat-out lie), conservatives are pointing out that it’s that sort of over-the-top rhetoric that led to a Bernie Sanders supporter shooting up a Republican baseball practice.
What very few people are pointing out is the shooting of Gabby Giffords, and there’s a good reason for that; the shooter’s motivation wasn’t political. Still, CNN political commentator Doug Heye is “constantly reminded” of the shooting and warns Republicans that they’re “playing with matches.”
I'm constantly reminded of that awful Saturday morning 10 years ago when Gabby Giffords was shot. The GOP is playing with matches. More people will get hurt if they don't do something. https://t.co/nTJ6FWzFpz
— Doug Heye (@DougHeye) January 28, 2021
What?
Are you also constantly reminded that the Giffords shooting wasn't political?
— Social Distance Champion (@realchrishynes) January 28, 2021
Why was she shot, Doug?
— I got your #Unity right here (@jtLOL) January 28, 2021
The Gifford shooting wasn't political.
— Back off, War Child (@silver_shots) January 28, 2021
Yep. Well, if anything, it was intramural since the shooter's mother was very involved with the Democratic party.
— AmishDude (@TheAmishDude) January 28, 2021
Umm, Doug you sure about this one bro?
— JonathonSnyder (@JonathonSnyder) January 28, 2021
He's sure.
He's totally wrong, but that doesn't make him any less sure.
— Al Sadius (@Alsadius) January 28, 2021
@jack What's your platform's rule on intentionally spreading disinformation, again?
— MAC Address Miller (@BrandonEffDub) January 28, 2021
Any birdwatchers out there?
— HacerNoMal (@muyalazar) January 28, 2021
This is a lie. Time to birdwatch this. https://t.co/PDUmVNxW0A
— Dr. Señia #larésistance PhD (Doctor of Resisting) (@SeniaVJ) January 28, 2021
This is CNN.
— KilroyFSU (@KilroyFSU) January 28, 2021
Is there a single person at CNN that is capable of being honest?
— Cognitive Dissonance (@LogicIsGone) January 28, 2021
A better comparison would be the Steve Scalise shooting since the Gifford shooting was not political
— Britt (@britth30) January 28, 2021
That shooting had nothing to do with politics. This just adds to polarization.
— Jeremy Stein (@jst3in) January 28, 2021
The Giffords shooting was NOT political. The Scalise shooting WAS political. We need to all remember that nobody from CNN should be taken seriously.
— Dustin Call (@dlcall5) January 28, 2021
The Giffords shooting was not a political act. This has been documented over and over again and retracted in the New York Times which is in litigation over that claim. This is a CNN reporter still spreading a lie. So ask why he is doing it. https://t.co/HGYjUaipGS
— Stephen L. Miller (@redsteeze) January 28, 2021
Furthermore, perhaps someone should ask @DougHeye why he is not referencing the Alexandria baseball field shooting instead, which was in fact, a political act and attempted assassination.
— Stephen L. Miller (@redsteeze) January 28, 2021
Because @DougHeye works for CNN
— Jeffrey Philistine (@TejasGator) January 28, 2021
Holy shit. This guy is a reporter?
— Britt (@britth30) January 28, 2021
That is super disappointing. He seemed like a decent voice of reason at one point. Hoping he will correct but not counting on it.
— Alex (@Alex_Z_01) January 28, 2021
Gotta love it when people tweet before doing their homework
— ajay (@ajay95302352) January 28, 2021
He’s constantly reminded.
— Scott Terzian (@scott_terzian) January 28, 2021
The shooting itself wasn't political.
Giffords and Mark Kelly have spent every day since then doing everything they can to MAKE it political, though.— SparklyBon (@SparklyBon) January 28, 2021
It turns out he did tweet about the Steve Scalise shooting back in 2017 …
The more I see the ad using the shooting of Steve Scalise to score cheap political points, the more outraged I become. Appalling.
— Doug Heye (@DougHeye) June 19, 2017
Related:
Your move, Twitter! Citizen fact-checkers are using Birdwatch to call out AOC for accusing Ted Cruz of attempted murder https://t.co/oas8YqDeZI
— Twitchy Team (@TwitchyTeam) January 28, 2021
