Randi Rhodes: Flag this message Guns, Blame & Hate

Jared Loughner, the accused shooter, made his first court appearance, after first evidently stopping by the makeup department and saying “give me the stereotyped crazed killer look.” Loughner’s headshot is the most disturbing police photo this side of Tom DeLay’s original booking photo. More on Delay in a moment…

Despite this tragedy, nobody is talking about gun control. That’s possibly because they don’t want to rattle the gun nuts. Those people are armed. Arizona is one of three states that allow people to carry concealed weapons without a permit. Pretty soon you’ll be able to get cited for not packing heat in Arizona.

President Obama is heading to Arizona tomorrow. At the very least he can offer an example of leadership. And if there’s any place in America that needs to be led, it’s Arizona. In his speech tomorrow, the President hopes to transcend politics. Given the level of politics today, that shouldn’t be too tough. It’s so bad that the Senate’s Sergeant At Arms felt he should urge Members of Congress not to carry guns for personal protection. And this guy’s title is Sergeant At Arms, OK? Personally, I don’t want any lawmakers packing concealed firearms. For one thing, you know David Vitter and John Ensign would never be able to keep it in their pants.

Meanwhile, Bill O’Reilly accused the left of exploiting a political tragedy. Really Bill, is that the best you could come up with to exploit this political tragedy? O’Reilly excused Sarah Palin’s gun imagery by saying that Democrat Joe Manchin also used gun imagery. The difference is that Democrats are embarrassed by Joe Manchin.

And from the Much DeLayed Good News Department: Tom DeLay has been sentenced to three years in prison for his money-laundering scheme. Now he’s going to spend three years laundering sheets in the prison laundry. Hey Tom, how is that American flag pin going to look on a prison-issue orange jumpsuit? Right now Tom DeLay is free, pending appeal after posting a $10,000 bond. Where did the money-launderer get that cash? Was it rattling around in the dryer? DeLay never showed any contrition. He said “I can’t be remorseful for something I don’t think I did.” Pathetic! Tom DeLay is so cocky he can’t even fake remorse. “I’m sorry” may be the only lie Tom DeLay is incapable of making.

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Rep. Giffords’ brother-in-law, astronaut Scott Kelly, delivers a message from the International Space Station…