different standards
In case you haven't yet heard the news, a U.S. Representative was shot in the head at a public event today. Miraculously, she has so far survived the assault, although at least 6 other people have died, with many more wounded. The culprit is already in custody and asserting 5th Amendment rights ("No person... shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself...") , so I assume that means he is not cooperating with investigators trying to identify his motive.
Authorities are searching for another person who assisted the man by driving him to the scene. Early on, authorities on television said they were checking with all Representatives to make sure they were safe and that this incident was not part of a coordinated effort. Sad, but that's how far America has fallen already. When people talk for long enough about overthrowing their duly elected government, eventually the sick reality of what it means will seep in: overthrow means mass murder.
I'm disappointed that Prensa Latina news has no mention of this important story at all. It did make headline news at the BBC, Times of India, and even Al Jazeera (although they chose a photo of Mrs. Giffords with a man in U.S. military uniform). A British reporter is already lamenting how politicized this event has become in America, but that's exactly where I'm taking my comments too. I'm pessimistic enough to assume this young man was motivated by Tea Party rhetoric. That he was apparently also batshit crazy does not reduce my pessimism in the least.
You see, I'm going to offer views of two different female politicians in the landscape of America's national government. One is Sarah Palin, previously a nominee for Vice President, presumably running for President in 2012. The other is Gabrielle Giffords, the U.S. Representative who was shot in the head today while holding a public discussion at one of her local grocery stores.
U.S. REP. GABRIELLE GIFFORDS TO HOST FIRST "CONGRESS ON YOUR CORNER" OF THE YEAR ON SATURDAYJanuary 7, 2011
TUCSON - U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords will host her first "Congress on Your Corner" of the year on Saturday, Jan. 8 at a supermarket in northwest Tucson.
"Congress on Your Corner" allows residents of Arizona's 8th Congressional District to meet their congresswoman one-on-one and discuss with her any issue, concern or problem involving the federal government.
Giffords has hosted numerous "Congress on Your Corner" events since taking office in January 2007. As in the past, the congresswoman's staff will be available to assist constituents.
Previous "Congress on Your Corner" events in Tucson, Oro Valley, Green Valley, Sierra Vista, and Douglas have attracted between 75 and 150 people.
For the media, "Congress on Your Corner" is an excellent opportunity to view the congresswoman interacting with constituents or ask questions about any topic.
This Saturday's "Congress Your Corner" comes at the conclusion of the first week of the 112th Congress. Giffords took the oath of office for a third term on Wednesday and on Thursday she participated in a reading of the U.S. Constitution on the floor of the House.
Among the congresswoman's first official acts this week was a vote for Speaker of the House and theintroduction of legislation to cut congressional salaries by 5 percent. Giffords was interviewed about her bill this morning on Fox news.
WHAT: "Congress on Your Corner" with U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords WHEN: 10-11:30 a.m., Saturday, January 8, 2011 WHERE: Safeway, 7110 N. Oracle Road (southeast corner of Oracle and Ina)
Notice that one of Sarah Palin's targets in gun site crosshairs is Gabrielle Giffords, the woman who was shot today.
I wanted to cheer Sheriff Clarence Dupnik when I saw him on CNN television saying these words to our nation:
When you look at unbalanced people, how they respond to the vitriol that comes out of certain mouths about tearing down the government. The anger, the hatred, the bigotry that goes on in this country is getting to be outrageous. And, unfortunately, Arizona I think has become sort of the capital. We have become the Mecca for prejudice and bigotry.
And later, he reportedly added:
Let me just say one thing, because people tend to poo-poo this business about all the vitriol that we hear inflaming the American public by people who make a living off of doing that. That may be free speech. But it's not without consequences.
That's what I've been warning all along. Even if you're not pulling the trigger, you're providing the rationale and urgency. Someone with less self-restraint eventually listens to your plea.
Authorities are searching for another person who assisted the man by driving him to the scene. Early on, authorities on television said they were checking with all Representatives to make sure they were safe and that this incident was not part of a coordinated effort. Sad, but that's how far America has fallen already. When people talk for long enough about overthrowing their duly elected government, eventually the sick reality of what it means will seep in: overthrow means mass murder.
I'm disappointed that Prensa Latina news has no mention of this important story at all. It did make headline news at the BBC, Times of India, and even Al Jazeera (although they chose a photo of Mrs. Giffords with a man in U.S. military uniform). A British reporter is already lamenting how politicized this event has become in America, but that's exactly where I'm taking my comments too. I'm pessimistic enough to assume this young man was motivated by Tea Party rhetoric. That he was apparently also batshit crazy does not reduce my pessimism in the least.
You see, I'm going to offer views of two different female politicians in the landscape of America's national government. One is Sarah Palin, previously a nominee for Vice President, presumably running for President in 2012. The other is Gabrielle Giffords, the U.S. Representative who was shot in the head today while holding a public discussion at one of her local grocery stores.
U.S. REP. GABRIELLE GIFFORDS TO HOST FIRST "CONGRESS ON YOUR CORNER" OF THE YEAR ON SATURDAYJanuary 7, 2011
TUCSON - U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords will host her first "Congress on Your Corner" of the year on Saturday, Jan. 8 at a supermarket in northwest Tucson.
"Congress on Your Corner" allows residents of Arizona's 8th Congressional District to meet their congresswoman one-on-one and discuss with her any issue, concern or problem involving the federal government.
Giffords has hosted numerous "Congress on Your Corner" events since taking office in January 2007. As in the past, the congresswoman's staff will be available to assist constituents.
Previous "Congress on Your Corner" events in Tucson, Oro Valley, Green Valley, Sierra Vista, and Douglas have attracted between 75 and 150 people.
For the media, "Congress on Your Corner" is an excellent opportunity to view the congresswoman interacting with constituents or ask questions about any topic.
This Saturday's "Congress Your Corner" comes at the conclusion of the first week of the 112th Congress. Giffords took the oath of office for a third term on Wednesday and on Thursday she participated in a reading of the U.S. Constitution on the floor of the House.
Among the congresswoman's first official acts this week was a vote for Speaker of the House and theintroduction of legislation to cut congressional salaries by 5 percent. Giffords was interviewed about her bill this morning on Fox news.
WHAT: "Congress on Your Corner" with U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords WHEN: 10-11:30 a.m., Saturday, January 8, 2011 WHERE: Safeway, 7110 N. Oracle Road (southeast corner of Oracle and Ina)
Notice that one of Sarah Palin's targets in gun site crosshairs is Gabrielle Giffords, the woman who was shot today.
I wanted to cheer Sheriff Clarence Dupnik when I saw him on CNN television saying these words to our nation:
When you look at unbalanced people, how they respond to the vitriol that comes out of certain mouths about tearing down the government. The anger, the hatred, the bigotry that goes on in this country is getting to be outrageous. And, unfortunately, Arizona I think has become sort of the capital. We have become the Mecca for prejudice and bigotry.
And later, he reportedly added:
Let me just say one thing, because people tend to poo-poo this business about all the vitriol that we hear inflaming the American public by people who make a living off of doing that. That may be free speech. But it's not without consequences.
That's what I've been warning all along. Even if you're not pulling the trigger, you're providing the rationale and urgency. Someone with less self-restraint eventually listens to your plea.