Tucson shooting

[triangleforge]

Doesn't seem like there was much 'security'.

Actually, that's normal for most of them. While things have changed a lot since I worked there, most of the security for Members of Congress is focused on Capitol Hill. Being that accessible back home is pretty typical for your average Member; there's just not enough "security" to go around to cover all 435 of them at home and in DC, and hardly any of them would want a really restrictive protective detail anyway. It's not a job that tends to attract introverts.

[ducpainter]

Actually, that's normal for most of them. While things have changed a lot since I worked there, most of the security for Members of Congress is focused on Capitol Hill. Being that accessible back home is pretty typical for your average Member; there's just not enough "security" to go around to cover all 435 of them at home and in DC, and hardly any of them would want a really restrictive protective detail anyway. It's not a job that tends to attract introverts.

point taken...

[herm]

this is the suck...

http://www.philly.com/inquirer/breaking/sports_breaking/20110109_Dallas_Greens_granddaughter_killed_in_Arizona.html

[Speedbag]

 

[Kopfjager]

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/40992437/ns/us_news-crime_and_courts

[hbliam]

Actually, that's normal for most of them. While things have changed a lot since I worked there, most of the security for Members of Congress is focused on Capitol Hill. Being that accessible back home is pretty typical for your average Member; there's just not enough "security" to go around to cover all 435 of them at home and in DC, and hardly any of them would want a really restrictive protective detail anyway. It's not a job that tends to attract introverts.

Yep.

I run into a local Congresswoman at work all the time. I see her having lunch where I eat, jogging in my patrol area, etc. She is approachable and neighborly. Like she should be.

[Turf]

Giffords is an avid motorcyclist, on the ama's our friends in congress list. She rocks on old school BMW. She's cp-chair of the congressional motorcycle caucus. 

[ungeheuer]

Incidents like this transcend politics.  There is no set of issues in a modern democracy where the only recourse is to open fire on group of people.  And there is no rationale or any political ideology that you can apply to justify the acts of a sociopath.  What political issue requires that we kill a nine year-old girl to be persuasive?  Is it healthcare?  Immigration reform?

This is a reminder that the tone of the conversation matters.  There is no decency to hate or intolerance no matter what direction you aim your vitriol.  This is a tragedy that is -that among decent people should be- devoid of politics.

Well said. Well and eloquently said.

[Monster Dave]

Just got back to Tucson and will post some pics taken at UMC this morning shortly.

[Le Pirate]

I'm pretty bummed about this

Largely, I think, because a 9 year old girl seemed like a suitable target to that D-bag 

but also because he chose what I would consider a good congressman. Someone who was accessable, and who was known for voting both sides...not running the party line. She stood for 2 of the things I love (motorcyclist and space exploration).

My heart goes out to the families of all involved...


I hope Giffords pulls through. She's a tough one to take a bullet to the head and still be kickin.

[herm]

i believe she was also a gun rights advocate...

the congresswoman that is...

[ducatiz]

i believe she was also a gun rights advocate...

the congresswoman that is...

D rating from GOA
D+ rating from NRA

don't think so.

[fastwin]

I heard a clip from her on NPR Saturday from a previous interview (obviously) and she stated she owned a gun and so did members of her family. That was it.

Read some more on the psycho shooter. Sounded like he was a major loser on all counts and it is really looking like he had some mental issues too. Gee... what a surprise. My sympathies go out to all effected and yes, even to his family. Can you imagine having your own son do something like that? Jeez.

[Drunken Monkey]

Just to get mildly political, I think this sums up my feelings on the matter:

Many people will use this terrible tragedy as an excuse to put through a political agenda other than my own. This tawdry abuse of human suffering for political gain sickens me to the core of my being. Those people who have different political views from me ought to be ashamed of themselves for thinking of cheap partisan point-scoring at a time like this. In any case, what this tragedy really shows us is that, so far from putting into practice political views other than my own, it is precisely my political agenda which ought to be advanced.

Not only are my political views vindicated by this terrible tragedy, but also the status of my profession. Furthermore, it is only in the context of a national and international tragedy like this that we are reminded of the very special status of my hobby, and its particular claim to legislative protection. My religious and spiritual views also have much to teach us about the appropriate reaction to these truly terrible events.

Countries which I like seem to never suffer such tragedies, while countries which, for one reason or another, I dislike, suffer them all the time. The one common factor which seems to explain this has to do with my political views, and it suggests that my political views should be implemented as a matter of urgency, even though they are, as a matter of fact, not implemented in the countries which I like.

Of course the World Trade Center attacks are Arizona shooting is a uniquely tragic event, and it is vital that we never lose sight of the human tragedy involved. But we must also not lose sight of the fact that I am right on every significant moral and political issue, and everybody ought to agree with me. Please, I ask you as fellow human beings, vote for the political party which I support, and ask your legislators to support policies endorsed by me, as a matter of urgency.

Found originally here, author unknown.

[sbrguy]

This is a reminder that the tone of the conversation matters.  There is no decency to hate or intolerance no matter what direction you aim your vitriol. 

when people remember that rhetoric and spin may have negative consequences, then maybe we are getting somewhere.

sadly that will NEVER happen with todays political climate with ANY of the political parties.

RIP to those that died.