Since the bloodbath in Tucson last Saturday there has been much talk of ratcheting down the rhetoric in what presently passes for political discourse in this country. I'm sorry to say I'm pessimistic that has even the slightest chance of occurring.

The reason for my doubtfulness lies in my belief that, since the days of the late Lee Atwater, the political right in this country is a one trick pony. They are simply not equipped to back off the vitriolic rhetoric since it's just part of the way they operate politically. They have but one gear — forward — and only one mode — attack. They know no other way.

In their perpetual mantle of victimhood, Sarah Palin and many others on the right make my point for me. Why would any sensitive, thinking individual use the word and imagery of blood when responding to the idea that words have consequences in the wake of the events in Tucson? An utterly inappropriate and unhelpful response. At a time when one would expect to hear at least some degree of contrition, we hear strident defiance and a weak school yard paean of, "Oh yeah, well they did too!" Nonsense. To draw some sort of equivalency when the right has such a vast echo chamber in the various broadcast media and in the blogosphere is ridiculous. The right does lock-step very well when it comes to messaging.

Would I like to see the dawning of an era of simple common decency and respect? Absolutely. Do I see that happening? Not so much.

Donald J.B. Thomann, Bel Air