State Democratic Party Chairman Shot At State Party Headquarters.
@lloydanthony111 (4698)
United States
August 13, 2008 1:23pm CST
I can't believe that someone has gone to these lengths to express there dissatisfaction with the political process here in the United States.
What is going on? Are we now copying the actions of the opposition parties in Zimbabwe, Russia, North Korea, Lebanon or the many other dispicable countries that practice this type of behavior.
This is America. We should be able to enjoy our Democratic process without resorting to violence.
This is not the first episode of violent speach or violent actions towards those who support the Democratic party. This has to be nipped in the bud. It is TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE. It is a DISGRACE.
Here is the article. What is your opinion?
(Little Rock, Ark.) KTHV -- The Arkansas Democratic Party says the chairman, Bill Gwatney, is hospitalized in critical condition after shooting at party headquarters in downtown Little Rock. Little Rock police say a suspect in the shooting was shot after after a chase that ended near Sheridan in Grant County.
A sales clerk at a flower shop across street from the party headquarters said that around noon, Gwatney's secretary ran into the shop and asked someone to call 911. She said a man had come into the party headquarters and shot Gwatney several times.
The suspect reportedly entered the party headquarters and asked to speak with Gwatney before firing three shots.
Officers said they pursued a white man in his 40's that fled the scene in a blue Dodge pickup truck. Police say the suspect was apprehended following a high-speed chase that stretched into Grant County, south of Little Rock. Police say the suspect was shot by Arkansas State Police troopers during his capture near Sheridan. The suspect's condition was not immediately known.
6 responses
@mscott (1923)
• United States
13 Aug 08
Violence in no way is acceptable. However you mention that it is against democrats and then compare us to Russia and North Korea. Well, the democratic government wants to expand the role of federal government in such things as health care and even taking over oil companies. This is moving towards those countries you mentioned. It is no excuse for violence but I find it very ironic that the party you seem to support is moving closer to the actions of the countries you reference as being very bad. I do not believe they want a communist country but they are trying to turn America into a socialistic one and that is not how we were formed or what I would want to see happen. 
@lloydanthony111 (4698)
• United States
13 Aug 08
What does bringing health care to over 45 million uninsured Americans have to to with violence against a people who support a political party?
Are you suggesting that the Democractic platform, of which many Americans agree, is something equivalent to the actions of the Russians or the North Koreans?
It's this type of thinking that make people cross the line and do irresponsible things such as shooting someone.
If we can spend 10 to 12 billion dollars per week on a ill-advised war in Iraq, then we can stop this un-Godly war and use those resources to provide healthcare for those who are uninsured.
What do you want them to due, just sit back and suffer? Do you want them to just die and go away?
The United States is the only World Superpower who doesn't care for it's most needy citizens.
What is your solution to the healthcare crisis that face our nation?
Lloyd
@ElaanR2 (277)
• United States
14 Aug 08
You can't say violence is in no way acceptable when, in the same breath, you compare what the Democrats are offering to the same things that are happening in Russia and North Korea. Your writing shows that you're educated and, therefore, aware that what you state is not really what the Democrats are offering. You're exaggerating for the sake of effect. Many uneducated people do not understand that. They take your exaggerations as statements of fact and that scares them into taking the kind of actions you claim are not acceptable.
@jillmalitz (5131)
• United States
14 Aug 08
That is sad indeed. The last thing I heard was that the suspect had lost his job. Where did he work? I have not heard anything said that would indicate he had any association with the Democratic party there.
@lloydanthony111 (4698)
• United States
14 Aug 08
If the suspect's behavior was based on him loosing his job, then why did he take it out on the head of the Democrat party in Arkansas?
This just goes to show how everything wrong with this country seems to blamed on the Democrats, even though under the last Democratic administration, we had 8 years of peace and prosperity.
Democrats are not to blame for the situation that those loosing their jobs face today.
His reaction to loosing his job was irresponsible and unacceptable. This cannot and should not happen again.
Lloyd
@Bluepatch (2476)
• Trinidad And Tobago
14 Aug 08
When its around it spreads.
The decline in the standards by which we live don't confine themselves to only one thing alone.
As time goes by there will be more of this and more again as the standards continue to drop.
@lloydanthony111 (4698)
• United States
14 Aug 08
It doesn't have to be this way. Our American standards don't have to stoop this level.
We have to nip this behavior in the bud. It is unacceptable in a free and Democratic society.
Lloyd
@mcat19 (1357)
• United States
13 Aug 08
As terrible as this is, I'm surprised that it doesn't happen more often. With the vitriol I experience between the parties, the hate is overflowing. We don't seem to be able to agree to disagree anymore. Some of the responses I've been getting on MyLot illustrate this sad fact. You can disagree with someone without resorting to name calling and spewing hatred. I've seen it done in the past. No longer, I guess.
@lloydanthony111 (4698)
• United States
14 Aug 08
I know the debate can get very heated and that people are very passionate, but this is extreme.
I hope everyone will look at this and begin to tone down the rhetoric.
It is possible to be passionate about a particular candidate without resorting to name calling or spewing hatred.
Lloyd
@Barb42 (4214)
• United States
13 Aug 08
I wonder if this was really over the political party or perhaps it was a personal matter. Looks to me that, if it was a political matter, he would have shot more than this party chairman. Anyway, this was inexcusable!
@lloydanthony111 (4698)
• United States
13 Aug 08
If it were a political matter, then who best to shoot than the head of the Arkansas political party?
This guy wanted to send a message. He wanted to send a message of hate. Hate for a political party that he is opposed to. Hate to a political party that he doesn't see eye to eye with.
There are no excuses. Only hate can make you do what this individual did.
I cannot think of any person that I would go to these lengths to do something like this.
He needs to be held accountable for his actions. He needs never to be be released in our society.
Lloyd
@N4life (851)
• United States
14 Aug 08
Things like this really make you lose respect for the human race. Then again, that may be just the problem. The people who carry out these acts have no respect for human life. It may be because they can not respect the fact that people have differing political views (which is likely the case in this instance) or it may be simply that the perpetrator is a psychopath. Agree that people should be able to take a step back and put things in perspective. These are very important times, but there have been other important times in world history. This does not mean that we as Americans can not and should not be together in our common cause of building a stronger nation. No matter who we support or don't support.
@lloydanthony111 (4698)
• United States
14 Aug 08
It does seem that many people have lost respect for humans. How can you just take it upon yourself to end the life of another human being?
It's inhumane, irresponsible and just not right. Can you imagine the pain and suffering that both families are going through because of his selfish actions?
This is just a bad situation anyway you look at it.
Lloyd
