Faced with the unenviable task of hosting a political comedy show in the wake of a tragedy, Jon Stewart returned to the air Monday admitting he didn't know what to say about the Arizona shooting massacre. But as he so often does, Stewart said it better than anyone else.
While many have blamed toxic political discourse for the rampage, Stewart said, "I wouldn't blame our political rhetoric any more than I would blame heavy metal music for Columbine. And that is coming from someone who truly hates our political environment."
But at the same time, he said those involved in political debate have a responsibility to tone down the vitriolic rhetoric.
"I do think that it's a worthwhile goal not to conflate our political opponents with our enemies, if for no other reason than to draw a better distinction between the manifestos of paranoid mad men and what passes for acceptable political and pundit speak," Stewart said. "It would be really nice if the ramblings of crazy people didn't in any way resemble how we actually talk to each other on TV. Let's at least make troubled individuals easier to spot."
Watch the video of Stewart's poignant remarks.
See Also:
� Cartoons on the Arizona Shooting Tragedy
� Stephen Colbert on the Shooting Blame Game
� Stewart Takes On Congressional 'Quick Fixes' In Wake of Shooting
� Tom Tomorrow: Don't Go Blaming Guns
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