my congresswoman was shot today

[Trek420]

I think if any good can come of this is if learn to tone it down especially the hate. For one thing you never know who it will incite. So I think right now you can hear from Alaska a relieved "whew".

We may find out the suspect (innocent till proven ...) is nucking futs; not right or left or fundamentalist or any 'ist just nucking futz.

Say he wasn't (although by definition shooting unarmed helpless people including children .... nucking futz) but say he got his motive from either Red or Blue .... we'd have mayhem and chaos in this country.

And for a moment today I think we came close.

People please if you want to target someone you disagree with target them for lunch, target them for "I'm gonna invite you out for a beer and conversation", "I'm targeting you for a bike ride or at least the recovery beverage".

We hate and fear the unknown.

[Catrin]

I am speechless, this is the first I heard of this terrible event. I do not understand how anyone can ever think that murdering people you do not agree with is the answer.

Knotted, my jaw dropped when I read what was said to your ministers children...

[OakLeaf]

How about some sympathy for Judge John Roll, too.

[Koronin]

We heard about this on our way home from checking on a couple of housing communities. We're just starting to look at possibly buying a home. We had a sports radio channel on and they mentioned a college basketball game being postponed due to a mass shooting. We were like WHAT? Our thoughts and prayers go out to all the families of those who were injured and died.

[Aggie_Ama]

My biggest problem with this is that whatever the motive (politics, crazy, etc) someone thought this was the right course. I have a lot of problems with handguns (report I read said this was one) due to my personal experience with a murder of someone and the shooters known problems with mental illness. If he was indeed known to be mentally ill how was he allowed a gun? Was it an illegal acquisition? Red/blue it doesn't matter, there are people on many sides who see little value in a life that doesn't agree with them. No one's difference in opinion from mine is even worth a slap let alone their life. Differences in opinion make the world one I enjoy, sadly not everyone can live this way which is just beyond my comprehension.

[badgercat]

I heard that the weapon was a 9mm handgun, and was acquired legally, but I haven't really confirmed that.

Anyway, I'm also a Tucsonan, and today was a bit surreal for me. I work at a performing arts venue on the U of A campus, where we're just a few days into a 3-week run of the musical "Wicked." While the university did postpone today's scheduled basketball game, we took the "the show must go on" approach--patrons were a bit more subdued than normal, but I think were glad for the distraction, especially during the matinee (which started ~4 hours after the incident, when details were still unknown).

It was kind of uplifting, actually, to see perfect strangers talking about what had happened, times that they had met the Congresswoman, looking updates up on iPhones and Blackberries and sharing them with seat-neighbors at intermission.

I don't think Gabby Giffords has a mean bone in her body, and she is someone who really seems dedicated to her whole constituency, not just the ones who agree with her. I'm proud to have her as my representative, and I do hope we see her back in the House, though I'm sure she has a difficult road ahead. My heart really goes out to the folks who lost loved ones today, especially that lovely little girl.

[hebe]

My heart goes out to all the families and communities changed and hurt by this, and especially to the families who have lost loved ones. I can't understand how someone felt a gun was the answer.

[emily_in_nc]

I heard that the weapon was a 9mm handgun, and was acquired legally, but I haven't really confirmed that.(

Last night on ABC news, they said it was a semi-automatic Glog (?? I know nothing about guns so that may be the wrong term) and was indeed obtained legally a few weeks ago by the shooter.

I could say a lot about that, but I will bite my tongue.

[azfiddle]

Thank you all for your comments and concerns. I really believe Gabby Giffords exemplifies the best qualities of an elected representative. I am heartsick over the extent of the tragedy and the injuries and loss of innocent lives. No matter what- if Gabby pulls through, her life will be irrevocably impacted.

Although the shooter seemed to be unbalanced, some of his postings refer to topics such as returning to a currency backed by gold and silver- currently in vogue among some of the more extreme voices out there.

No matter what one's politics are- civil discourse is essential for solving our problems. In this age of the 24 hour news cycle - we need those in the media to distinguish clearly between fact and opinion, and political leaders to actively speak up against threats or intimations of violence - and not to condone or turn a blind those who espouse violence against those they disagree .

It has been a very sad day in Tucson