U.S. Congresswoman shot; at least 5 killed, 17 wounded.

[Jordan]

"TUCSON — Representative Gabrielle Giffords, an Arizona Democrat, and 17 others were shot just outside Tucson in Pima County, Ariz., on Saturday morning when a gunman opened fire outside a supermarket where Ms. Giffords was meeting with constituents for a “Congress on Your Corner” event.

... An official with the Pima County Sheriff’s Department said that six people had been killed, including a child about 9 years old and John M. Roll, the chief judge for the United States District Court for the District of Arizona. He had been involved in immigration cases and had previously received death threats."

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/09/us/politics/09giffords.html?_r=1&hp

Giffords isn't exactly the most liberal politician, but in a toxic political landscape--one made even more nasty by the controversial immigration law passed in Arizona last year--it was only a matter of time before someone was pushed over the edge. This might be an act of terrorism. It's ironic that the right wing stirs up fears of liberalism and terrorism when every Democratic politician might as well be a target for a talk-radio obsessed nutjob with a gun. Arizona law also allows for persons to carry concealed weapons.

The assailant, if preliminary reports are true, [edit--suspect was never in the military and applied but was rejected by the army] has posted bizarre videos online about mind-control and global currency fears.

FYI:

(edit to add that Gifford's offices were vandalized last year)

Yesterday, a package addressed to Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano--former Democratic governor of Arizona and appointed to her current position by President Barack Obama--ignited at a DC post office, soon after two other packages that addressed to a federal building ignited in Maryland.

I wish Gabby Giffords and the other injured a fast, speedy recovery. My deepest condolences go to the families of the dead.

This is abhorrent. This must stop, now. Please don't let this happen in your country.

[Unit]

This is all too common over there now, whether it's a politician or not, all I heard is that a child is dead. It's fooked up, yes we had our Raul moat's and Derek Birds but they were our two big events last year in terms of gun crime. I can't understand how they can justify gun ownership.

Oh and here's some weird stuff:

The shooters Youtube channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/Classitup10

They're linking palin to it now: http://twitter.com/#!/SarahPalinUSA/status/10935548053

Edit: You're completely right about it being the health care bill, a year ago a gun was dropped at a town hall meeting she had (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/08/10/gabrielle-giffords-town-h_n_255656.html)

9 months ago her windows got done in (http://www.tucsonweekly.com/TheRange/archives/2010/03/24/smash-sensation-congresswoman-gabrielle-giffords-isnt-the-only-one-with-broken-windows)

fooked up people over there mate, good luck.

[purpleronnie]

This is all too common over there now, whether it's a politician or not, all I heard is that a child is dead. It's fooked up, yes we had our Raul moat's and Derek Birds but they were our two big events last year in terms of gun crime. I can't understand how they can justify gun ownership.

Oh and here's some weird stuff:

The shooters Youtube channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/Classitup10

They're linking palin to it now: http://twitter.com/#!/SarahPalinUSA/status/10935548053

Edit: You're completely right about it being the health care bill, a year ago a gun was dropped at a town hall meeting she had (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/08/10/gabrielle-giffords-town-h_n_255656.html)

9 months ago her windows got done in (http://www.tucsonweekly.com/TheRange/archives/2010/03/24/smash-sensation-congresswoman-gabrielle-giffords-isnt-the-only-one-with-broken-windows)

fooked up people over there mate, good luck.

Unfortunately there's always the possibility that someone can do this we've seen it in our country which has the tightest gun controls in the world. I doubt you could ever stop it.

Politics in the US is much more incendiary than in england, the apathy towards politics in england just isn't there in the US, it reminds me a little of the red v blue mid 80's politics in england.

The difference is no matter how personnel politics get in england theres always a comedy element to it, a lightheartedness if you will, you dont seem to get that in the US its bitter and nasty.

[davieG]

Unfortunately there's always the possibility that someone can do this we've seen it in our country which has the tightest gun controls in the world. I doubt you could ever stop it.

It doesn't help when politicians are party to stirring hatred in such a volatile gun ridden country.

Well that's how it comes across to outsiders

[purpleronnie]

It doesn't help when politicians are party to stirring hatred in such a volatile gun ridden country.

Well that's how it comes across to outsiders

Exactly, like I said is completely different to politics over here, Its hard to explain but british people in general are funny, laid back people in the US people seem to take things a lot more personnel and when there's easy access to guns then exremely bad things can happen.

Having said that if you put a gun in every home in britain then I wouldn't be surprised if we had huge problems too.

[davieG]

Exactly, like I said is completely different to politics over here, Its hard to explain but british people in general are funny, laid back people in the US people seem to take things a lot more personnel and when there's easy access to guns then exremely bad things can happen.

Having said that if you put a gun in every home in britain then I wouldn't be surprised if we had huge problems too.

Considering how difficult it's supposed to be to get guns here there's already a level to suggest you're correct but they'd probably be more gang / crime related than political but with a society that seems to get more and more pleasure at being unpleasant and nasty to each other, these forum clearly demonstrates that trend then who knows.

[MC Prussian]

Shooting your own politicians (and killing innocent bystanders along the way), eh? Sometimes, it's really hard to understand the way Americans treat their politicians (and the way politicians treat the people).

Then again, in a nation of close to 300 million inhabitants, the chance of a nutjob with a gun killing innocent people is higher than in other countries.

From what I gather, Giffords is one of the few who actually cares about her job and her relationship with the people who made it possible for her to get that far - the voters.

Apparently, she was at the shopping mall for one of her regular meetings with the local population, to discuss politics and the likes.

As of right now, seeing that she was a liberal democrat, you can't but jump to the conclusion that the actions were lead or influenced by right-wing ideology.

Speedy recovery.

P.S.: That Palin "crosshairs" poster is bang out of order. Can I just call her a Republican ****?

[AmericanScott]

This is why i don't vote.

[Webbo]

This is why i don't vote.

I'm sorry I don't see the logic in that. A Congresswoman was shot by a lone gunman while meeting her constituents, ie doing her job, and that justifies not voting?How?

[wurmer]

Hopefully this 'link' to Palin will put-paid to her political ambitions - hope there is a big enough backlash.

[FoxyPV]

According to bits I've heard on the radio a 7 year old was killed in the gunfire.

[cambridgefox]

Just do not understand peoples state of mind to do a wicked crime like this,a 9 year old girl murdered also.

Arizona i believe has the death penalty,let justice be done!

[Zingari]

Just do not understand peoples state of mind to do a wicked crime like this,a 9 year old girl murdered also.

Arizona i believe has the death penalty,let justice be done!

yes i tend to agree ,

but the argument will be that the death penalty did not prevent this senseless massacre

[Jackirius]

It's amazing that these days a woman can be shot in the brain from point blank range and still be saved, a compliment to modern day sciences and medicine. I hope she and any of the others that were injured in the cowards attempts, make it through and my thoughts are with the family's of those who didn't.

[BoneDog]

Horrible news.

What the hell is with that Sarah P target map? And did she take the target off Gabrielle Giffords (whose husband was a pilot on STS-108 and is the commander on the next Space Shuttle launch in Feb/April ) district after the attack? Some of the comments I've heard her (Palin) make to the American public seemed way over the top and very likely to stir up acts of violence (which is good for certain folk in the US govt. and is what they want for future plans to be made easier to enforce).

And I also heard that there was no personal security for Giffords at this public meeting even though she has been targeted / threatened before. That's a bit strange for a Congress person in that situation (if true).

Just seen the shooters mugshot and he looks like a right nutter.

[Rocket-Ron]

Was it not Obama that said

“If they bring a knife to the fight, we bring a gun,”

[Thracian]

Tragic though it is, these things are inevitable. I have friends at a US university who cannot leave their campus without their car and chauffeur. They are not even allowed to travel in the cars of fellow students, their security is so tight.

I was speaking to one of them this morning about another friend who's just married and moved into a country house yet is already concerned at being home alone when her husband is away on duties for several days at a time.

The student's reaction was that she should be okay so long as she keeps her gun handy at all times.

Guns are a way of life. Another friend in the southern states had a gun collection left to her that you could start a small war with.

Imagine their house had been raided by some wackos!

These are just everyday examples. For Americans guns are a part of life - with lots of people practising in gun clubs or taking regular hunting trips into the wilderness. The wonder is that such shootings aren't more commonplace. But, despite a sizeable anti-gun lobby, I don't see the American psyche changing soon.