# 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:** 4
**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 8, 2011, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/congresswoman-gabrielle-giffords-shot-in-the-head/566904/61 "2011-01-08T20:17:01Z")
> [@Sampiro](#): > > Has there been a Congressperson shot since Leo Ryan (Jonestown)? no, and i was thinking of him as well. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2011, 8:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/congresswoman-gabrielle-giffords-shot-in-the-head/566904/62 "2011-01-08T20:18:02Z")
> [@Sampiro](#): > > Has there been a Congressperson shot since Leo Ryan (Jonestown)? No. ---
**Author:** ![Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2011, 8:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/congresswoman-gabrielle-giffords-shot-in-the-head/566904/63 "2011-01-08T20:21:58Z")
> [@tnetennba](#): > > Yeah, killing politicians isn’t political. Telling people to kill them isn’t political. But when they actually get killed, saying it was political is political. We do not yet know what the motivations of the [del]gunman[/del] [del]gunwoman [/del] assassin were. It is irresponsible to draw conclusions without data. I will be happy to blame Sharron Angle or other such persons if we learn that the assassin conspired with him or her. I will be happy to assign blame (but less blame than is due the assassin) if we learn the assassin was inspired by the words of prominent Tea Partiers. But I will NOT blame Tea Partiers as a class no matter what happens, nor will I blame anyone but the assassin until I have information about the assassin’s motive. And people who want to use this as an excuse for gun control can suck it. –Skald, gun-toting progressive ---
**Author:** ![GIGObuster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gigobuster/32/421_2.png) [@GIGObuster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GIGObuster)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2011, 8:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/congresswoman-gabrielle-giffords-shot-in-the-head/566904/64 "2011-01-08T20:21:59Z")
I’m really livid right now over here. If there had been no previous threats I would have more doubts. But, since a “fair and balanced” outfit is assuming that the suspect is a left wing nut, I have to say that my suspicion is that it was a nut that followed right wing radio and news. All congresspeople that voted for health care or are singled out as unamerican by right wing radio should assume that they are now targets, and not only in the political sense. Before the recent elections the Sarah Palin website or flier had a graphic where the Arizona democratic representatives had rifle cross-hairs on the map over the democratic representatives districts, including Gifford’s. > **[Sarah Palin's PAC Puts Gun Sights On Democrats She's Targeting In 2010](https://www.huffpost.com/entry/sarah-palins-pac-puts-gun_n_511433)** > > Sarah Palin's PAC Puts Gun Sights On Democrats She's Targeting In 2010 > **[Sarah Palin's gun-imagery takes aim at political targets](https://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/2010/0327/Sarah-Palin-s-gun-imagery-takes-aim-at-political-targets)** > > Caught in Sarah Palin's rifle sights, liberals warn of the threat of violent rhetoric. Will it marginalize passionate discourse, or will demonizing hot-headed conservatives backfire at the voting booth? Even a representative from Kentucky reported that they got a threatening message saying that they would get a bullet to the head if they passed the health care bill. Considering that the same level of threats are made to scientists too, I would say that they are also at risk in this environment. ---
**Author:** ![Duke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e8c25b/32.png) [@Duke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duke)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2011, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/congresswoman-gabrielle-giffords-shot-in-the-head/566904/65 "2011-01-08T20:23:17Z")
AFAIK Ryan was the first Congressman killed in the line of duty. If so, this incident may be the first incidence of a Congressperson being killed in the line of duty on American soil. I can’t tell you how sad a day this is, thinking that in over 200 years it’s never happened up to now. ---
**Author:** ![boytyperanma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/4491bb/32.png) [@boytyperanma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/boytyperanma)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2011, 8:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/congresswoman-gabrielle-giffords-shot-in-the-head/566904/66 "2011-01-08T20:24:50Z")
> [@JSexton](#): > > “Hey, all I did is yell Fire in the theater! I don’t know why everyone stampeded for the exits, maybe there was a bee or something. Who knows if they even heard me! Geez.” > > Actions have consequences, asshole. Come on now these people were just sponsoring well intentioned recreation. Who could have foreseen these actions. [![](https://i.huffpost.com/gen/235407/GABRIELLE-GIFFORDS-DEAD.jpg) ](https://i.huffpost.com/gen/235407/GABRIELLE-GIFFORDS-DEAD.jpg) Yes I believe we need to get the facts to determine what actually happened. At the same time I have no issues taking advantage of the incident to point out public officials advocating violence is never a good thing and can drive crazy people to do very bad things. Even if in this case it hasn’t been proven to be the reason. ---
**Author:** ![Saint\_Cad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saint_cad/32/18907_2.png) [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2011, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/congresswoman-gabrielle-giffords-shot-in-the-head/566904/67 "2011-01-08T20:27:59Z")
Suppose she survives: what happens if a Congressman is rendered incompetent. Remember that was a big issue after Kennedy was shot leadting to the 25th Amendment. Suppose she dies: Since it was a “Meet the Congresswoman” event, wwould she be considered the second Congressman to die in the line of duty (the other to be Rep. Leo Ryan). ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2011, 8:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/congresswoman-gabrielle-giffords-shot-in-the-head/566904/68 "2011-01-08T20:28:14Z")
[QUOTE=Duke] AFAIK Ryan was the first Congressman killed in the line of duty. If so, this incident may be the first incidence of a Congressperson being killed in the line of duty on American soil. I can’t tell you how sad a day this is, thinking that in over 200 years it’s never happened up to now. [/QUOTE] I’ve started a thread asking about that in GQ: [How many elected federal officials have been assasinated in the US?](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=592260) **friedo** has already posted a list of about half a dozen congresspeople and senators. However, I would say Congressman Ryan was killed in the line of duty, [since he was in Jonestown as part of an official delegation to investigate allegations of abuse of US citizens](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leo_Ryan#Travels_to_Jonestown). ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2011, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/congresswoman-gabrielle-giffords-shot-in-the-head/566904/69 "2011-01-08T20:29:55Z")
> [@Oakminster](#): > > You people throwing the political barbs around make me wanna puke. Take that drivel to the pit. We do not know who did this or why. Try and not embarrass the human race for five fucking minutes, please. It was a nutcase or a terrorist (homegrown or otherwise) - what other options are there? Note: The two groups are not mutually exclusive. I’m very sorry to see this - you guys are having a tough time down there, and this isn’t going to help. ---
**Author:** ![Sampiro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/2acd7d/32.png) [@Sampiro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampiro)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2011, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/congresswoman-gabrielle-giffords-shot-in-the-head/566904/70 "2011-01-08T20:29:55Z")
I detest the Tea Party as much as any sane person can, but I echo the “Please for the love of all that is or may be sacred don’t make assumptions!” comments. In addition to common decency there are selfish incentives: if it turns out you’re wrong you’ll never live it down. ---
**Author:** ![Cisco](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ccd318/32.png) [@Cisco](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cisco)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2011, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/congresswoman-gabrielle-giffords-shot-in-the-head/566904/71 "2011-01-08T20:30:35Z")
Anybody know where I can watch the press conference online? ---
**Author:** ![Sampiro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/2acd7d/32.png) [@Sampiro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampiro)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2011, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/congresswoman-gabrielle-giffords-shot-in-the-head/566904/72 "2011-01-08T20:31:47Z")
> [@Duke](#): > > AFAIK Ryan was the first Congressman killed in the line of duty. If so, this incident may be the first incidence of a Congressperson being killed in the line of duty on American soil. I can’t tell you how sad a day this is, thinking that in over 200 years it’s never happened up to now. Also amazing considering there have been 10,000s of Congresspeople in 200 years during which four presidents and numerous other high ranking public officials have been killed. ---
**Author:** ![Sampiro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/2acd7d/32.png) [@Sampiro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampiro)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2011, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/congresswoman-gabrielle-giffords-shot-in-the-head/566904/73 "2011-01-08T20:32:48Z")
> [@Cisco](#): > > Anybody know where I can watch the press conference online? CNN has streaming video; I’m **assuming** they’ll switch to the press conference. It’s been postponed to 1:45 p.m. Arizona time. ---
**Author:** ![Walmarticus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Walmarticus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Walmarticus)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2011, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/congresswoman-gabrielle-giffords-shot-in-the-head/566904/74 "2011-01-08T20:33:10Z")
It really is quite stupid to make assumptions about motives when you probably don’t even have to wait thirty minutes for the actual truth. Jackasses. ---
**Author:** ![Starving\_Artist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/aeb1de/32.png) [@Starving\_Artist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Starving_Artist)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2011, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/congresswoman-gabrielle-giffords-shot-in-the-head/566904/75 "2011-01-08T20:34:14Z")
Hahahaha. So liberals think a conservative must have done it, and conservatives think a liberal did it. People. :rolleyes: Sometimes they crack me up! ---
**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 8, 2011, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/congresswoman-gabrielle-giffords-shot-in-the-head/566904/76 "2011-01-08T20:39:00Z")
the hospital is holding the news conference. ---
**Author:** ![Pierrot\_Le\_Fou](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f475e1/32.png) [@Pierrot\_Le\_Fou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pierrot_Le_Fou)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2011, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/congresswoman-gabrielle-giffords-shot-in-the-head/566904/77 "2011-01-08T20:39:57Z")
It is being reported that Giffords is responding to doctors’ commands. ---
**Author:** ![Try2B\_Comprehensive](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/try2b_comprehensive/32/65_2.png) [@Try2B\_Comprehensive](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Try2B_Comprehensive)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2011, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/congresswoman-gabrielle-giffords-shot-in-the-head/566904/78 "2011-01-08T20:41:09Z")
[This article](http://www.comcast.net/articles/news-general/20110108/US.Congresswoman.Shot/) states this: > [@](#): > > C.J. Karamargin, a spokesman for Giffords, said the congresswoman was in surgery as of 1 p.m. local time and that an unspecified number of Giffords staff members were injured in the shooting. Karamargin said he had no other information on the conditions of the injured or on the circumstances of the shooting. That’s 40 minutes ago… I admit I thought of the teabaggers’ threats of violence when I saw this story. I’ve been worried about something like this for months. But- at this point I agree it could be literally anyone responsible. ---
**Author:** ![MsRobyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/90ced4/32.png) [@MsRobyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MsRobyn)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2011, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/congresswoman-gabrielle-giffords-shot-in-the-head/566904/79 "2011-01-08T20:41:44Z")
> [@rocking\_chair](#): > > the hospital is holding the news conference. Video feed [here](http://www.kold.com/global/video/flash/popupplayer.asp?vt1=l&d1=0&ClipId1=mms%3A//a1925.l2053733750.c20537.n.lm.akamaistream.net/D/1925/20537/v0001/reflector%3A33750&LiveURI=mms%3A//a1925.l2053733750.c20537.n.lm.akamaistream.net/D/1925/20537/v0001/reflector%3A33750&h1=KOLD%20live%20stream&at1=News&LiveURITitle=KOLD%20live%20stream&LaunchPageAdTag=News&fvCatNo=undefined&secure=undefined&akPort=undefined&akProfile=undefined&rnd=29176783). ---
**Author:** ![Crafter\_Man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crafter_man/32/458_2.png) [@Crafter\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crafter_Man)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2011, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/congresswoman-gabrielle-giffords-shot-in-the-head/566904/80 "2011-01-08T20:41:54Z")
According to [this](http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/2011/01/08/2011-01-08_us_congresswoman_gabrielle_giffords_shot_in_arizona_multiple_wounded.html) page, > [@](#): > > The Congresswoman is known for cracking down on illegal immigration, urging deployment of the National Guard and new technology to protect the Arizona border. He was also young: > [@](#): > > The shooter, described as a man in his teens or early 20s… Most gun-rights activists are over 30. I’m thinking an immigration rights activist. Perhaps even an illegal alien. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/congresswoman-gabrielle-giffords-shot-in-the-head/566904.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/congresswoman-gabrielle-giffords-shot-in-the-head/566904.md?page=5)