There was a tragic shooting today so Sarah Palin should make it all about her in 3..2..1...here we are.

Can't we all just get along? And for God's sake pay attention to me?

So apparently after all of the dust settled from that unfortunate shooting today in Virginia, which wounded Rep. Steve Scalise and three others, and resulted in the death of he gunman, Sarah Palin saw an opportunity.

So she contacted perhaps the only media outlet that still takes her calls. Breitbart News which itself is currently hemorrhaging advertisers at an alarming rate.

I will link to the website here, but feel in no way obligated to provide them with any clicks.

Here are the pertinent portions:  

“Prayers for healing are raised for all victims of today’s horrific violence, while we with lift up thankfulness that lives were not lost,” Palin told Breitbart News. “While justice is now sought upon the capture of the deranged attacker, an additional prayer must be for no acceptance of a rush to destroy anyone else in this horrible incident. Those seeking political advantage reacted so recklessly and irresponsibly the last time a member of Congress was brutally attacked, as media inexplicably played a knee-jerk blame game assuming that attacker’s motives. Today’s shooter appears to be a Bernie Sanders supporter and campaign volunteer. But Bernie Sanders is not to blame. Maybe the media have matured enough to allow coverage of this most recent violence to focus on facts, because media integrity will be crucial as America witnesses today’s events unfolding and, on behalf of our Congressional Representatives, we all seek justice.” 

Palin’s call for unity, and media responsibility—and her statement standing up for Sanders despite the shooter being a Sanders supporter—comes after she has been the target of vitriolic media rhetoric for years. Perhaps the worst example of the media targeting Palin was in the wake of the shooting of Giffords, where Palin was blamed inaccurately.

That's right Sarah Palin, who has fanned the flames of partisan rage and violence for years now, is suddenly calling for unity.

The only problem with the comparison of the Gabby Giffords shooting and what happened today is the existence of this:

Yes there are reports that this gunman once worked for the Bernie Sanders campaign, but there is no evidence that HE ever posted a map with gun sights on it that singled out a ball field in Virginia.

Not only that but Sanders IMMEDIATELY came out to condemn the shooting:

"I have just been informed that the alleged shooter at the Republican baseball practice is someone who apparently volunteered on my presidential campaign," Sanders said. "I am sickened by this despicable act. Let me be as clear as I can be: Violence of any kind is unacceptable in our society and I condemn this action in the strongest possible terms. Real change can only come about through nonviolent action, and anything else runs against our most deeply held American values."

By contrast Palin came out four days after the shooting of Gabby Giffords and gave her incredibly insensitive blood libel speech during which she made it all about her.

Gabby Giffords, by the way, also issued a timely response to the shooting today in which she said the following: 

"It doesn't matter if you're a Democrat or a Republican, nor if you're a senator or a representative, nor a staffer or a sworn officer," Giffords said. "If you serve the institution of Congress, you're connected to your colleagues, current and former, by a shared sense of service to ideals far greater than yourself. This shooting is an attack on all who serve and on all who participate in our democracy."

"I am heartbroken for the pain of Congressman Scalise, the other victims, and their family, friends, and colleagues who survived," Giffords continued in her statement. "I am thankful for the great courage of the Capitol Police, who were my protectors after I was shot and became my friends. I also know the courage it takes to recover from a shooting like this, and I know Steve and everyone there this morning have such courage in great supply."

Another very appropriate, non-partisan response that offers good wishes and a speedy recovery to others while exerting no effort to engage in blaming the media or shining the spotlight on herself.

THAT is the difference between what happened today and what happened back in 2011.

As for unity, yes we can all stand together against gun violence, and I welcome my Republican brothers and sisters to join us in that fight, but as for the partisanship, so long as the Republicans are attempting to do away with everything that President Obama accomplished in eight years, I fear that battle is only just beginning.