Within minutes of the tragic shooting in Arizona the political rhetoric and vitriol started flying. It makes you wonder what these people’s mothers taught them. I’m speaking of the media and political ideologues.
I came across this Twitter conversation which is truly interesting. Caitie Parker apparently attended school with Jared Loughner, the accused gunman in Saturday’s attack against Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, and was asked a few questions by some folks on Twitter. The conversation reveals some interesting insights. First, her impression of Loughner indicates he was a “left wing . . . liberal” and one of her questioners was surprised because the media made it seem like he was under the influence of the Tea Party. Read on for yourself.
| Anthony De Rosa (@antderosa)
1/8/11 2:11 PM “The aforementioned page on Jared Loughner’s MySpace has been taken down. It had a photo of a Glock on a book, possibly the Constitution” |
 Caitie Parker (@caitieparker)
1/8/11 2:16 PM @antderosa I went to high school, college, & was in a band with the gunman. This tragedy has just turned to horrific. |
| Anthony De Rosa (@antderosa)
1/8/11 2:16 PM @caitieparker can you confirm that is his MySpace and YouTube? |
| Caitie Parker (@caitieparker)
1/8/11 2:20 PM @antderosa I can. That is him. |
| Anthony De Rosa (@antderosa)
1/8/11 2:21 PM @caitieparker was there anything unusual about him that would give you indication of his state of mind? |
| Caitie Parker (@caitieparker)
1/8/11 2:26 PM @antderosa As I knew him he was left wing, quite liberal. & oddly obsessed with the 2012 prophecy |
| Karuna Venter (@lakarune)
1/8/11 2:28 PM @caitieparker thanks for speaking out about ur experience. so odd u knew him as liberal; reports now that he’s neo-Nazi Teaparty guy
|
We have no idea what motivated Jared Loughner, but what you see here is the result of the media jumping to conclusions. His personal acquaintances label him “left wing” and the media labels him “right wing.” It just goes to show, you can’t believe everything you read.
DanCMos 
January 11, 2011 at 15:46
I didn’t have a reaction to her answer. I just asked her questions to try and get the facts. I have no interest in framing Jared as right or left wing. I was simply interested in what his classmate’s impression of him was based on her interactions with him.
I could have easily asked if he was a liberal. It wouldn’t have mattered to me.
January 11, 2011 at 16:13
I thought your questions were reasonable. In fact, you brought out the complexity of the situation. Miss Parker made it clear things change over time.
January 11, 2011 at 16:19
And to clarify further, I wasn’t pointing fingers at you. I guess my conclusion is poorly worded. The bottom line is there is history to the shooter, it could be politically motivated but not in a traditional way, more in an internal thought process on the part of the shooter. I think your questions revealed the complexity of the situation.