Sarah Palin "Blood Libel": She Just Can't Stop with the Violent Imagery

Sarah Palin's latest phrase, "blood libel", proves that she just can't stop with the violent imagery. So what exactly is "blood libel", and why will the use of the term continue to make it difficult for some to feel sorry for Sarah Palin for being placed in the media spotlight the way that she has unrightfully been recently?

Sarah Palin finally reacted to the aftermath of the Tucson shooting, which included many references by the media to her infamous crosshairs map (in which shooting victim Gabrielle Giffords was one of the targets). Sarah Palin could have used her response to her name being dragged into the fray as a time to rise above it all and show that she can take the higher ground when others do not, but instead she used her video response, something she knew was going to get tons of media attention, to use more violent imagery with the words "blood libel".

Sarah Palin actually had some wise words in her response, stating that "acts of monstrous criminality stand on their own," an idea many Americans clinging tightly to their politics can't seem to wrap their minds around in the midst of all the political "vitriol" they've been exposed to. But then she has to go and say "journalists and pundits should not manufacture a blood libel that serves only to incite the very hatred and violence they purport to condemn." It would have been fine if she would have just called out the journalists that placed blame on her (it would be crazy not for to defend herself in such a situation), but she just had to use the term "blood libel", a term that some are definitely condemning her for using.

Blood libel is a term anti-Semites used ages ago as an excuse to murder Jews, according to Democratic political consultant Hank Sheinkopf. According to Politco, the term "blood libel" dates back to the Middle Ages, when accusations used to be made that Jews killed Christian children in order to use their blood to make Passover matzoh.

Needless to say, "blood libel" is just more violent imagery in a time where we need to see less of it. And, since Gabrielle Giffords is Jewish herself, it's hard to imagine that she'd be thrilled with Sarah Palin using the anti-Semitic term. Sarah Palin stated that "we must condemn violence if our republic is to endure," but yet she just can't stop with the violent rhetoric herself. Of course Sarah Palin fans will write off her use of the term "blood libel" the same way they wrote off her use of the crosshairs map, but she won't be winning over any new fans during such a terrible time in our country if she just can't learn to turn down the "vitriol" and stop with the violent imagery.

SOURCES: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0111/47477.html#ixzz1Aq54lRNA
http://www.njdc.org/site/page/gabrielle_giffords