Sunday, January 9, 2011

Senseless Tragedy

By now, I would guess that most of my readers have heard about the horrible shooting in Tucson Arizona that critically wounded Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords and killed 6 other people including a well respected judge and a 9 year old child.  I have met Ms. Giffords on several occasions and found her to be an intelligent, gracious, and down to earth person; someone you instantly like.  As I write this, we still don’t know the motives of the young shooter only that he did have some anti-government views. 

When I think about senseless things like this I wonder how anyone so young could be filled with such hatred that he commits such a horrific act of violence.  I certainly don’t have the answer but I will say that I do think we Americans have to tone down the inflammatory rhetoric and revive the art of civil debate with respect for each other’s opinions. 

I took a drive down to the State Capitol this afternoon after the Governor ordered the flags to be flown at half staff.  The photo above is of the capitol building. 

The smaller photo is of the line of news trucks that have gathered in front where a candlelight vigil is going to take place in the evening.

17 comments:

Kathy said...

Well said, Sharon.

Kate said...

A senseless tragedy. Toning down the rhetoric is a good goal; hope that is one of the outcomes of this horrible affair.

irinapictures said...

I did not know. I am very sorry.

Anonymous said...

Absolutely. You get a big "Yay" vote from me on that opinion. I have read that the nine year old was born on 9/11 and included in the book "Faces of Hope". I am beginning to wonder if we really did lose everything that day.

Randy said...

I agree with you 100% Sharon at what point will it stop. I just read a story about how Sarah Palin had listed her on a top 20 list of people who need to be replaced. It's this kind of stuff that some people like this young man take to heart and then look at what we are left with. It just breaks my heart.

Judy said...

It just bring tears to my eyes thinking about it. Why oh why does something like this happen? The little girl, born on 9/11, to be taken from her loving family in such a hateful and violent way, is so horrible. All of those innocent people and their families will never be the same. Sarah Palin's US map with the cross hairs of a gun sight on Tucson, as well as other places, comes to mind. Did she not understand the danger in that kind of thinking? Do we want to be led by violence or do we want to be led by kind, gentle people trying to do the best for their country and its people, like the woman fighting for her life right now.

Jack said...

I think it is sad, too. But, I also think we need to wait a bit to learn if the idiot who pulled the trigger was really politically motivated or just disturbed. The early reports make me think he was pretty unbalanced.

Dave-CostaRicaDailyPhoto.com said...

Sharon,
Excellent, moving and obviously timely post. I worked on Congressional staffs for 12 years. I attended countless functions. I never thought anyone would do something like this, even though we did deal with some unbalanced people at times.

The political rhetoric, particularly the talk radio and some (emphasize some) cable TV does get people worked up and turns people into thinking that government is an enemy. It is not an enemy. It is us, acting collectively and through the political processes that provide methods of solving issues without violence.

Unknown said...

Absolutely awful... once again! I will try to find some information on what Sarah Palin did as I have no idea what you are talking about, although, from all I've heard of her, I believe I'm already getting the picture.

Birdman said...

Again, another sad day for this country. After the most recent political season, all the negative, vitriolic, nasty words from all sides spewing forth from cable tv, gives 'birth' to nuts like this! All I can do is shake my head. For shame!

Lowell said...

So sad. But you're absolutely right about the rhetoric! It's really out of hand and this is but one in a series of recent incidents!

That BioScience High School looks great. I did my student teaching at Phoenix Union HS, many long years ago!

RedPat said...

A horrific thing - my prayers are with all the victims and their families.

glenda said...

Such a shocking senseless act. Lots of things I would like to say but I'll leave it at that.

Sara said...

It truly was a senseless act...

Magpie said...

So very sad...what a lost young man to have done such an awful thing. We need to learn something from all this tragedy.

T. Becque said...

I don't understand the notion of resorting to violence to solve a problem. It's disturbing.

Leeds daily photo said...

Here in The UK this is and was a big story and I know my friends and I all thought this was a terrible and that perhaps the likes of Sarah Palin did not fully think through some of their words and actions.
From all I have read Gabrielle Giffords is a hard working person who was out meeting the people of Tucson, sadly Christina Taylor Green a child of 9 11 wanted to meet her. I have never been to the US but I have friends and family there and these two people represent the brightest and best of all that make America a great country. Words fail me.