# Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords shot in the head? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [January 8, 2011, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/congresswoman-gabrielle-giffords-shot-in-the-head/566904 "2011-01-08T18:36:18Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 19
**Author:** ![Askance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/askance/32/8281_2.png) [@Askance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Askance)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2011, 4:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/congresswoman-gabrielle-giffords-shot-in-the-head/566904/361 "2011-01-13T04:43:12Z")
> [@Rilchiam](#): > > My dad has an interesting take on this … if it hadn’t been this guy shooting Giffords, it would have been some other redneck shooting someone else. Just sharing. Umm, what? In his world there can only be a given number of shootings, and if this one hadn’t occurred there would have been a replacement tragedy? I can’t begin to understand the thinking behind that statement. ---
**Author:** ![Sampiro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/2acd7d/32.png) [@Sampiro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampiro)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2011, 5:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/congresswoman-gabrielle-giffords-shot-in-the-head/566904/362 "2011-01-13T05:37:00Z")
I think it’s safe to say that had it not been the supermarket meet and greet it would have been the community college or a movie theater or someplace else. This guy was on a collision course with a coalition of gun and crowd from way back it seems. Such a shame that he was given so many passes, but even if they are very obviously crazier than a shithouse rat unless somebody actively and clearly threatens or endangers another person it’s next to impossible to commit them against their will. I wouldn’t be surprised to learn that his parents had been trying to get him put away for years. ---
**Author:** ![Leaper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/4bbf92/32.png) [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2011, 5:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/congresswoman-gabrielle-giffords-shot-in-the-head/566904/363 "2011-01-13T05:39:28Z")
> [@Mach Tuck](#): > > They just had the memorial service. Look at the expression on John McCain’s face in the photos accompanying [this artitcle about it.](http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/us_congresswoman_shot_obama) I’m more morbidly amused about the URL they decided to use. ---
**Author:** ![fuzzypickles](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/9d8465/32.png) [@fuzzypickles](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fuzzypickles)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2011, 5:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/congresswoman-gabrielle-giffords-shot-in-the-head/566904/364 "2011-01-13T05:40:32Z")
> [@Le\_Ministre\_de\_l\_au-dela](#): > > Humourous photo - [In a moment of sobriety, Glenn Beck finds his son.](http://www.dangerousminds.net/comments/in_a_moment_of_sobriety..._glenn_beck_finds_his_son/) I was wondering who he reminded me of… > [@Alice\_The\_Goon](#): > > Yeah- I’ve been pretty dispassionate about the whole thing, except for when I was watching yesterday’s daily news conference update, when they had the family members of the victims speaking. I’ve been soaking my brain in brandy ever since this happened. My emotions will probably catch up with me eventually, but for now it feels like I’m awake but dreaming at the same time. (Ever feel like that?) ---
**Author:** ![Cisco](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ccd318/32.png) [@Cisco](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cisco)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2011, 6:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/congresswoman-gabrielle-giffords-shot-in-the-head/566904/365 "2011-01-13T06:44:58Z")
> [@fuzzypickles](#): > > I’ve been soaking my brain in brandy ever since this happened. My emotions will probably catch up with me eventually, but for now it feels like I’m awake but dreaming at the same time. (Ever feel like that?) Did you know one of the victims? ---
**Author:** ![Rilchiam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/2bfe46/32.png) [@Rilchiam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rilchiam)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2011, 6:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/congresswoman-gabrielle-giffords-shot-in-the-head/566904/366 "2011-01-13T06:45:06Z")
> [@Askance](#): > > Umm, what? In his world there can only be a given number of shootings, and if this one hadn’t occurred there would have been a replacement tragedy? No, he meant that a lot of pro-gun, anti-government tension has been building up, and someone was bound to snap. ---
**Author:** ![Raguleader](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/258eb7/32.png) [@Raguleader](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Raguleader)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2011, 7:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/congresswoman-gabrielle-giffords-shot-in-the-head/566904/367 "2011-01-13T07:36:54Z")
> [@Rilchiam](#): > > No, he meant that a lot of pro-gun, anti-government tension has been building up, and someone was bound to snap. I didn’t really think about it much until a friend of mine pointed out the similarities to the militia movement back in the early 90’s, so now I’m starting to get a bit concerned rather than just mildly bemused. ---
**Author:** ![rocking\_chair](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rocking_chair/32/2918_2.png) [@rocking\_chair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rocking_chair)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2011, 2:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/congresswoman-gabrielle-giffords-shot-in-the-head/566904/368 "2011-01-13T14:06:22Z")
i watched the memorial last night. the news that she opened her eyes is fantastic. hopefully she will keep making progress forward. ---
**Author:** ![fuzzypickles](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/9d8465/32.png) [@fuzzypickles](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fuzzypickles)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2011, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/congresswoman-gabrielle-giffords-shot-in-the-head/566904/369 "2011-01-13T16:00:44Z")
> [@Cisco](#): > > Did you know one of the victims? Does it really seem like I do? Because it feels like I did, even though they are all random strangers to me. ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2011, 4:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/congresswoman-gabrielle-giffords-shot-in-the-head/566904/370 "2011-01-13T16:13:23Z")
I thought Obama made a fantastic speech, even if it was a little too Goddy. ---
**Author:** ![rocking\_chair](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rocking_chair/32/2918_2.png) [@rocking\_chair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rocking_chair)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2011, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/congresswoman-gabrielle-giffords-shot-in-the-head/566904/371 "2011-01-13T17:24:41Z")
the medical press conference today explained the context of the eye opening. they mentioned that her family has been getting response, and her eyes were cracking. she would respond to thier questions. when her visiting coworkers started speaking to her, her eyes cracked, and then her left eye fully opened and tracked toward them. the context seemed to me that the familiar sounds of her family seemed normal to her, but the sounds of her coworkers triggered a “what are they doing here” type of thought and that made her open her eyes to see if it was real. the doctors also said she opened her eyes last night when the tv was showing the memorial service. very good news. they said that today she is keeping her eyes open longer and tracking what is going on. ---
**Author:** ![Cisco](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ccd318/32.png) [@Cisco](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cisco)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2011, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/congresswoman-gabrielle-giffords-shot-in-the-head/566904/372 "2011-01-13T17:52:58Z")
> [@fuzzypickles](#): > > Does it really seem like I do? Because it feels like I did, even though they are all random strangers to me. From one stranger to another, you should be concerned about your drinking. ---
**Author:** ![fuzzypickles](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/9d8465/32.png) [@fuzzypickles](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fuzzypickles)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2011, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/congresswoman-gabrielle-giffords-shot-in-the-head/566904/373 "2011-01-13T18:09:38Z")
> [@Cisco](#): > > From one stranger to another, you should be concerned about your drinking. Oh, I see what you’re driving at. There’s no need to worry – I rarely drink at all, not even socially. It’s just been an extraordinary holiday season, in both my private life and on the cable news networks – not necessarily pleasant, but certainly extraordinary. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2011, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/congresswoman-gabrielle-giffords-shot-in-the-head/566904/374 "2011-01-13T18:32:07Z")
> [@rocking\_chair](#): > > the medical press conference today explained the context of the eye opening. they mentioned that her family has been getting response, and her eyes were cracking. she would respond to thier questions. when her visiting coworkers started speaking to her, her eyes cracked, and then her left eye fully opened and tracked toward them. > > the context seemed to me that the familiar sounds of her family seemed normal to her, but the sounds of her coworkers triggered a “what are they doing here” type of thought and that made her open her eyes to see if it was real. the doctors also said she opened her eyes last night when the tv was showing the memorial service. > > very good news. > > they said that today she is keeping her eyes open longer and tracking what is going on. Oh, that sounds like very good news! Most of what I know about recovering from severe brain injuries comes from my nephew, who wasn’t shot but suffered “diffuse brain injury” in a very bad car accident. Two years later he’s doing a lot better but still in the process of recovering skills. He didn’t open his eyes for _weeks_ after his injury, but today he’s back in college and getting his life back on track. Things will never be as easy for him as before, and I won’t be at all surprised if Congresswoman Gifford also has long term problems, but I really do hope all the surviving shooting victims recover enough to get back to some sort of normal and happy life. ---
**Author:** ![fuzzypickles](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/9d8465/32.png) [@fuzzypickles](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fuzzypickles)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2011, 1:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/congresswoman-gabrielle-giffords-shot-in-the-head/566904/375 "2011-01-14T01:27:15Z")
> [@Broomstick](#): > > Most of what I know about recovering from severe brain injuries comes from my nephew, who wasn’t shot but suffered “diffuse brain injury” in a very bad car accident. Two years later he’s doing a lot better but still in the process of recovering skills. He didn’t open his eyes for _weeks_ after his injury, but today he’s back in college and getting his life back on track. Sorry to hear about your nephew, but at least he’s doing _extremely_ well, compared to so many others who’ve suffered traumatic brain injury. As for Giffords…well, I don’t use this word often, but the fact that she’s rapidly recovering from such a perilous injury is nothing less than a bonafide MIRACLE. She didn’t just “get lucky” – some type of angel must have been watching out for her. There’s no other rational explanation. ---
**Author:** ![Sampiro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/2acd7d/32.png) [@Sampiro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampiro)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2011, 2:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/congresswoman-gabrielle-giffords-shot-in-the-head/566904/376 "2011-01-14T02:12:30Z")
> [@rocking\_chair](#): > > the medical press conference today explained the context of the eye opening. they mentioned that her family has been getting response, and her eyes were cracking. she would respond to thier questions. when her visiting coworkers started speaking to her, her eyes cracked, and then her left eye fully opened and tracked toward them. She also raised her arm and gave a ‘thumbs up’ with her hand when requested to, and fondled her husband’s hand and wedding ring. The significance of those is that they’re not just random spontaneous movements but obviously deliberate, as was her opening her eyes. ---
**Author:** ![Sampiro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/2acd7d/32.png) [@Sampiro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampiro)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2011, 2:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/congresswoman-gabrielle-giffords-shot-in-the-head/566904/377 "2011-01-14T02:16:41Z")
> [@Boyo\_Jim](#): > > I thought Obama made a fantastic speech, even if it was a little too Goddy. I didn’t mind the Goddiness since if it had been lacking we’d have heard all about THAT, though considering Giffords’ religion I wished Holder had done a little less St. Paul & Jesus. The only thing that bothered me was the continual clapping and shouting from the audience. Obama had no control over that, though his critics called it ‘pep-rally’ ish as if that was his point all along. :rolleyes: Obama reminds me of the old joke Jesse Jackson told when he was running for president (that may or may not have been original to him): if he walked on water in front of a thousand eyewitnesses half the newspapers in the country would lead the next day with ‘Obama Can’t Swim’. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2011, 4:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/congresswoman-gabrielle-giffords-shot-in-the-head/566904/378 "2011-01-14T04:46:53Z")
> [@Sampiro](#): > > She also raised her arm and gave a ‘thumbs up’ with her hand when requested to, and fondled her husband’s hand and wedding ring. The significance of those is that they’re not just random spontaneous movements but obviously deliberate, as was her opening her eyes. Considering the path the bullet took that is beyond good news. That means she can recognize her husband and the relationship. That is a complex mental function. It will be nice to confirm she has retained short term memory and normal emotion range of behavior. ---
**Author:** ![rocking\_chair](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rocking_chair/32/2918_2.png) [@rocking\_chair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rocking_chair)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2011, 5:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/congresswoman-gabrielle-giffords-shot-in-the-head/566904/379 "2011-01-14T05:00:42Z")
sanjay gupta had bits of interviews with doctors at the hospital on cnn today. another piece of newish information was given. the doctor stated that went he was checking her condition in the trama room, he asked her to squeeze his hands. he said that she squeezed strongly with the left, less strongly with the right. not unexpected. he also said that she was making “grunting” noises. that she was clearly trying to communicate. hopefully her recovery will continue to go well. ---
**Author:** ![Bijou\_Drains](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bijou_drains/32/2814_2.png) [@Bijou\_Drains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bijou_Drains)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2011, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/congresswoman-gabrielle-giffords-shot-in-the-head/566904/380 "2011-01-14T18:52:16Z")
Nice story about her wedding from 2007 [http://www.cnn.com/2011/LIVING/01/14/gabrielle.giffords.marriage/index.html?hpt=C1](http://www.cnn.com/2011/LIVING/01/14/gabrielle.giffords.marriage/index.html?hpt=C1) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/congresswoman-gabrielle-giffords-shot-in-the-head/566904.md?page=18) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/congresswoman-gabrielle-giffords-shot-in-the-head/566904.md?page=20)