Shame and Tragedy in Arizona

I had every intention this Saturday to enjoy my morning coffee, watch the news and have a bite to eat before settling down to watch the NFL playoff games. That was all spoiled by the 10am report this morning of a deadly shooting in Tucson, Arizona involving Representative Gabrielle Giffords of the 8th Congressional District of Arizona.

As more information developed, we learned that Representative Giffords was conducting a "Congress on Your Corner" public meeting at a Safeway Market in her effort to meet with her supporters. She had won reelection this past November as a "Blue-Dog Democrat" in a well known conservative district. The news was shocking and not good. Apparently, an unknown person had opened fire with an automatic weapon and fired one shot at almost point blank distance hitting her in the head. Early reports declared her dead at the scene. I am quite happy to say that thank God that is incorrect. She was rushed to the hospital and with the finest doctors and neurosurgeons available, has been stabilized after surgery. The report is that they are are optimistic while guarded in her critical condition. The next few days will certainly be crucial to the degree of her recovery. I must report that a total of six others were killed in this tragedy including Federal District Court Judge John M. Roll; a congressional staff aide of Rep. Giffords, and a nine year old female who was a innocent bystander.

As a more middle of the road Democrat in Congress, she has been well respected by both sides sides of the aisle and certainly by her constituents. She is the only United States Representative with an active duty spouse, Captain Mark Kelly, a Navy pilot and NASA astronaut. My prayers and thoughts are with her family this night for a successful recovery and to the other families who are victims of this senseless brutality.

Those who know me and have followed by writings at this blog site will agree that I am pretty much a conservative and my political thoughts have been quite critical of the liberals in Congress and the present Administration. But I know in my heart that there is no place under our Constitution and this Republic for such unspeakable acts of violence as displayed this morning. It is truly a disgrace to our citizens, to our nation and to the guiding principals of our society.