I was hoping that this tragedy might have become an opportunity to promote dialogue between the political parties, and dial back the rhetoric and draw a clearer distinction between broadcast news and opinion. That hope was short-lived as I read the transcripts from various media hosts....Perhaps the members of Congress will be less combative and a little less entrenched in their positions after this, for a while anyway.

Personally, I am still deeply saddened by these events and looking for ways to channel my feelings into a constructive direction. I hope to attend the memorial at the University of Arizona tomorrow.

Here is a quote by Gabrielle Giffords herself, though I don't know the original context of the remarks:

"We know that silence equals consent when atrocities are committed against innocent men, women and children. We know that indifference equals complicity when bigotry, hatred and ignorance are allowed to take root. And we know that education and hope are the most effective way to combat ignorance and despair".