my congresswoman was shot today

[Owlie]

Thus far, apparently not, though I'm going to keep my guesses to myself.

[Trek420]

Thus far, apparently not, though I'm going to keep my guesses to myself.

I don't mean to politicize the board. Obviously Mrs Palin was not the nut to pull the trigger (and bring an automatic weapon with enough firepower to ....) but did he take her list and advice too literally? I don't know.

Sarah Palin posted images of Rep. Giffords’ name and location in crosshairs on her Takebackthe20 website, which encourages getting rid of Democratic elected officials in Republican districts. Palin is no stranger to getting people riled up. She famously tweeted, “Commonsense Conservatives and lovers of America: “Don’t Retreat, Instead – RELOAD!”

http://www.businessinsider.com/gabri...it-list-2011-1

People, please. This is America. Can we have discussion? Can we agree to disagree? Can we find some common ground instead of having to run for higher ground?

[Kerry1976]

There are so many disturbing and sad things about this whole event....but what really struck me is that she was in her community trying to talk to her constituents when this happened. She was trying to do the work of a good congresswoman - being out there with those whom she represents. How many congressmen do this? Mine sure doesn't.

I hope she and the others injured have a full and speedy recovery - and thinking of those who did not escape from the gunman with their lives.

As far as Sarah Palin's Target List, which apparently uses gun sights on districts - this is appalling, no matter what side of the political spectrum you fall. She should take this down immediately (it should never have been designed as such but too late for that now) out of respect.

[Trek420]

She was trying to do the work of a good congresswoman - being out there with those whom she represents. How many congressmen do this? Mine sure doesn't.

Mine does! And we in his district sure appreciate it. Whenever congress is out of session he is right here holding public meetings, listening to his constituents. I've never gone but mean to someday.

We need that kind of discourse in a Democracy I think. Not just between rep and constituent but between the people themselves.

With an event like this will he and others continue?

I now hear per MSN she is alive, responding to some verbal commands, still under anesthesia. And her husband has arrived there by NASA jet.

[KnottedYet]

This reminds me too much of the gunman (inspired by Beck and O'Reilly) who went to a Unitarian church's childrens' service to kill religious liberals. (and succeeded)

I don't recall Jesus advocating murder...

[Trek420]

I don't know if this is correct but it's being reported that 4 elderly men took the automatic weapon armed 20 something gunman down

Go elderly men!! My heroes.

Following this on the boob tube. While there's no telling what went on in the mind of this obviously very troubled young man early indications are that he's very disturbed and might not so much a politically motivated. The Congresswoman's office was vandalized recently in response to her position on health care (for it). But it may well turn out that this was the action of a very troubled individual.

Again, not to politicize the board but I think what is not said enough in the health care debate is that mental health care is health care. Access to it is life saving. Sometimes we could save is the individual effected and in other cases many others.

If that's the case I hope he gets some care and finds some peace. He has changed the lives of many who died and even those who survived will never be the same.

[Crankin]

How true.
This is bothering me more than I care to admit. I know part of it is that I still feel like I'm a "Zonie" in some respects. But part of me is thanking G-d I made the choice to move back here, where I can be in my little blue state bubble.
The other part that bothers me is that I have relatives who probably are cheering...

[emily_in_nc]

The other part that bothers me is that I have relatives who probably are cheering...

How horrible! I seriously can't imagine that anyone would be so cruel or callous. I hope that you are wrong.

[KnottedYet]

How horrible! I seriously can't imagine that anyone would be so cruel or callous. I hope that you are wrong.

Giffords was on the Congressional LGBT Equality Caucus.

There is a lot of cruelty and callousness in this world. Be grateful you've never had to face it. There are people who cheer "God's Success" whenever a gay or gay-seeming child kills himself. There are people who tell the children of gay parents that God and Jesus want them to kill themselves (my minister's children were told this by two of their teachers in public school.)

It's ugly in the real world, and far too few people give a damn.

[emily_in_nc]

While there's no telling what went on in the mind of this obviously very troubled young man early indications are that he's very disturbed and might not so much a politically motivated. The Congresswoman's office was vandalized recently in response to her position on health care (for it). But it may well turn out that this was the action of a very troubled individual.

Yes, from everything I've seen so far, it sounds like the gunman was probably paranoid schizophrenic. He talks politically, but it's generic railing against the government, thought control, etc. He thought the government could read his thoughts...stuff like that. Knowing that he is mentally ill is a somewhat of a relief to me. Sounds like maybe any government official could have been his target, and not specifically a progressive Democrat. Maybe she just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time, in a public space, where he could have access to her and quell the monsters in his head.

A terrible, terrible day. I was on Twitter most of the afternoon, and all the early reports said that she died. I am so very glad that she is alive and may actually survive this, but it's so terribly sad that others died.

ABC devoted their entire newscast to this tragedy tonight - a good choice.

[Kerry1976]

A terrible, terrible day. I was on Twitter most of the afternoon, and all the early reports said that she died.

Recently our State Representative died of cancer. What was sad was days before he actually died, rumors were flying saying he had already died.

[Crankin]

Emily, this is why I have cut off all contact with them, despite the fact they are my only links to my mom, who died about 15 years ago and they live near me. I *hope* they aren't cheering, but they are gun toting rabid right wingers, who get the gospel from talk radio. One of my cousins is not quite as conservative, but he got super religious, which caused other issues. I've been reading Facebook posts from my friends in AZ (Phoenix area) and they are all really upset.

[channlluv]

...
Again, not to politicize the board but I think what is not said enough in the health care debate is that mental health care is health care. Access to it is life saving. Sometimes we could save is the individual effected and in other cases many others.

If that's the case I hope he gets some care and finds some peace. He has changed the lives of many who died and even those who survived will never be the same.

Trek, this is the most ironic thing I've read or heard in all the coverage of this horrific event. Thank you for posting this.

Roxy

[Trek420]

Trek, this is the most ironic thing I've read or heard in all the coverage of this horrific event. Thank you for posting this.

Roxy

Well? In the health care debate when some (disclosure: that some include me) observe that people without health care tend to find, get diagnosed, get treatment later on and be in worse condition when care starts which costs us more .... we are not just talking about the cancer found at stage 4 instead of early when a lumpectomy will do.

We are and should be talking about mental health and what we pay for lack of access. And what we all paid yesterday, some with their lives.

It was over 25 years ago that I had a bout of deep depression. Somehow I managed to get the care I needed. I don't recall exactly how because at the time I did not have insurance or my insurance didn't include mental health. But somehow I did. I am thankful every single day that I got the care I needed.

Could this young man have been turned around?

[azfiddle]

My initial cycling destination today was the site of Congresswoman Giffords' office, where candles, flowers and messages have been brought, and people have come to reflect and share their feelings.

When I got home from my ride, my brother-in-law called to tell me my photo was on the cover of the NY Times (www.nytimes.com). You can tell it's me- I'm in a bike helmet....

I stayed for about 1/2 hour, just looking, thinking, and talking before going out for a little more private reflection time at Saguaro National Park.