I agree with Mr. Joe Cooper of Redmond that it was unfortunate that he had to write the letter (Redmond Reporter, Jan. 14 edition) that he did about the shootings in Tucson, Arizona.

These were such horrific and needless murder of Americans’ young and old, that we all wish had never occurred. The recovery process for many of those injured will be very long and painful. Our prayers go out to all of these individual and their families.

Yes, these people were gunned down and murdered in cold blood by Jared Lee Loughner, one very deranged, sick individual. However, the question is why? I am confident that authorities are working on that answer and maybe one day we will all be privy to those answers. Until then, Mr. Cooper should have kept his unfounded, hurtful speculation to himself.

Mr. Cooper has used this tragedy to trumpet his liberal politics and with no evidence, to blame Sarah Palin, Rush Limbaugh, the Tea Party, Fox news and anyone else that might disagree with his views, for these murders. Of course he did not blame them out right, he just suggests that somehow “their political speech” may have had an influence on Loughner’s motive. Is not this type of “innuendo” that goes to the root of what President Obama has been talking about when he addressed the lack of civility in our political speech? It would appear that Mr. Cooper believes that it is right to stand up and be heard only when one shares his view. A contrary view somehow makes you less American and a “hate monger” like Rush Limbaugh. That is not the kind of thinking that made America the great country that it is.

If you want to read a good example of lacking civility, read Mr. Cooper’s letter once again. It is a classic example of hate speech wrapped in sheep’s clothing.

Doug Knight, Redmond