my congresswoman was shot today

[lph]

While I personally am strongly against private gun ownership, I don't think one can put the blame on a single element.

I like Knot's take on it - we all bear responsibility for the world we are living in, by our actions or by our passivity. We're all both the good guys and the bad guys.

[OakLeaf]

My take...

Loughner used his second amendment right exactly as responsibly as a lot of people have been using their first amendment rights.

Both are important political rights. Both have the potential to do great harm.

I could go on about the lack of civic education and what I think has CAUSED the irresponsibility, but I'll stop there. I too agree with Knott.

[azfiddle]

Though my first response to the shooting, like many others, was to attribute a political motivation to the shooter... both information and reflection have caused me to focus on working to for positive change.

Gabrielle Giffords' husband has suggested donations to the Red Cross or Community Food bank as a way of expressing your support or feelings.

[channlluv]

...Loughner used his second amendment right exactly as responsibly as a lot of people have been using their first amendment rights.

Wow. That's excellent. I'm going to be quoting you today.

azfiddle, thanks so much for sharing the bike vigil link. What a moving experience that must have been. Even second hand, I got a little teary.

I'm amazed that the young man who saved Giffords' life is only 20 years old. Has he been trained in emergency medicine, or was all of that just instinctive? He ran TOWARD gunfire. Who's going to do that? I'm pretty sure I would have been diving behind the nearest column or car.

Roxy

[OakLeaf]

More on her progress, for those who haven't seen it.

Have your tissues ready.

http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-...an-schultz-abo

[Desert Tortoise]

Channlluv, he has some emergency response training. In interviews he talked about how he stayed with Giffords until the paramedics arrived and then moved out of the way to let them do their jobs. But, he would not leave her alone and stayed with her, talking to her and she squeezing his hand in response.

Hopefully you'll get to see some of his interviews with the media. Normally I'm not a big fan of this stuff but this young 20 year old is articulate and thoughtful. If I didn't know how young he is, I would have sworn this was a mature and experienced man.

And he just started his internship with Giffords 5 days before Saturday. Does Giffords know how to pick them or what?!

[hebe]

This article has been on my mind very much these last few days. It's a very simple profile of those who lost their lives in this senseless attack. My thoughts remain with the families and communities affected.

[Trek420]

More on her progress, for those who haven't seen it.

Have your tissues ready.

http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-...an-schultz-abo

Thanks for the warning Very moving.

[KnottedYet]

I am profoundly moved that the National 9/11 Flag Quilt was at Christina Green's funeral. As one commentator said, she was born on one day of national mourning and died on another. http://edition.cnn.com/2011/US/01/13...morial/?hpt=C2

I am also deeply grateful that so many people organized to help protect the little girl's funeral from the Baptists who publicized their plans to protest and demonstrate in front of it. And grateful to Ms. Brewer, who passed emergency legislation to protect the funerals of the other victims from the Baptists.