Crooks and Liars called him a “right-wing extremist” while Patterico finds that he was a “9/11 Truther and an anti-Bush nut case.”
The reality? He appears to be, as the New York Times explains, angry with the U.S. Further, CNN reports that he had a history of mental health problems, a recent arrest for possession of marijuana, and fights with family members.
Conclusion: John Patrick Bedell was a disturbed man. All else appears to stem from that.
Reporters, commentators, and bloggers have a responsibility not to jump at every perceived opportunity to point fingers at their opposition. In this case, charges that Bedell was a right wing extremist turn out to be both wrong and rather silly. These false accusations that Bedell was a right wing extremist are just as bad as the hate filled extremists that he appears to have parroted.
Accusers lose credibility – at least they should; they are further damaging the vital role of informed debate in U.S. politics.
Folks; We the People need to find our way back to intelligent debate or we’ll continue this destruction of our political process.
