We are at a very strange place in American political discourse. When a tragedy occurs, or a horrible crime, noise machines reflexively try to bend facts to score zingers against people they disagree with politically. The disgusting shooting in Aurora, CO is no exception. ABC News got the ball rolling when investigative reporter Brian Ross suggested that there was a “James Holmes” from Aurora, CO who had once attended a Tea Party rally. Different James Holmes, of course, but if Ross had nailed it you can rest assured there would have been a frenzy of chin stroking about what should be done with this dastardly Tea Party and its homocidal inclinations. We’ve already been there once.

It turns out that the James Holmes who is alleged to have killed a dozen and injured over fifty in the shooting rampage may be neither a leftwing kook or a rightwing nut. TMZ has discovered the young man’s Match.com profile and he described his political views as “middle of the road.”

This should put an end to the aggressive groping for a political angle to this story. Or it might shine a white hot light on moderates. Who knows these days.