I have been reading with interest what is being said and written following the tragedy in Tucson. I came up with the following observations:

Rhetoric (the art of effective or persuasive speaking or writing). The first thing we do as a modern society is to point the finger of blame and, in all too many cases, it is political. How do we, as a modern society, stop this type of senseless rhetoric?

Washington, no, our entire country, is laced with corruption at all levels. What does this corruption breed as it is fueled by bias? Inflammatory rhetoric.

As I did research to determine how and why the system failed, it became apparent that we, the people, have accepted this failure. Neither party will or can fix it, as they are both guilty.

The proof of this is we can’t quote a national figure unless we put “R” or “D” next to their name. This is called “automatic finger pointing.”

I found it interesting that the head of Fox News came out immediately to say he has cautioned all of Fox News to closely measure their rhetoric. Unfortunately, I find myself wondering if he did this as a matter of conscience or guilt.

What part of our current economic and cultural crisis belongs to the Republicans during the George W. Bush years and what part belongs to the current administration under Barack Obama’s leadership?

Answer: It belongs to us.

Norm Smith, Poland