R&D: President Obama’s Speech Last Night in Arizona, Americans Don’t Believe Political Rhetoric Caused Arizona Shooting, and Lebanon is the New Berlin Wall

Here is your R&D for January 13th:

President Obama’s speech in Tucson, Arizona
Here is the text of President Obama’s speech at a memorial service last night in Tucson, Arizona.  The memorial was a tribute for the six people killed and fourteen wounded in the assassination attempt on Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords.

Most Doubt Political Rhetoric a Major Factor in Ariz. Shootings from Gallup
In a move that may give pause to legislative moves against incindiary political speech, a recent Gallup poll shows that only 20% of Americans believe that heated political language was a factor in the assassination attempt on Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords over the weekend.  42% believe that it was not a factor, while 22% thought it was a minor factor.

Lebanon: the Berlin Wall of the new Cold War from the UK Telegraph
After Hezbollah caused the collapse of the Lebanese government, the UK Telegraph poses an intriguing question:  is Lebanon a 21st century Berlin Wall between the West and Iran?

Illinois taxpayers wake up to new reality: 67 percent hike from the Chicago Tribune
Illinois state legislature agreed to a 67% tax increase in an attempt to soldify the state’s finances.  The move may be risky politically, but likely heralds moves other states may have to take if they are to better their financial prospects.

Belarus Intensifies Efforts Against Former Candidate from the New York Times
Security services in Belarus conducted a search of the home of Andrei Sannikov, a former presidential candidate, yesterday, as the country intensifies its crackdown on political dissidents.  The moves come despite concerns from the EU about political freedom in the country.