Other Than the Shooter, Who is Responsible for Synagogue Carnage?

After the tragic Saturday shooting that claimed 11 lives at a Pittsburgh synagogue, there has been, lamentably, a predictable response. Seizing upon the incident, leftists are blaming President Trump and his supporters for creating a "climate of hate." In response to this and the notion that it justifies suppression of speech, others will say that only one man is responsible, mass murderer Robert Bowers. Yet there's far more to this matter than either position indicates. Let's start by acknowledging that words can influence others. Sayings such as "The pen is mightier than the sword" attest to this, and it's why we offer opinion and render commentary: we're hoping to influence people, to spur them on to proper remedial action.