no, and i was thinking of him as well.
No.
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
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.
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.
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.
Come on now these people were just sponsoring well intentioned recreation. Who could have foreseen these actions.
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.
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).
I’ve started a thread asking about that in GQ: How many elected federal officials have been assasinated in the US? 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.
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.
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.
Anybody know where I can watch the press conference online?
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.
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.
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.
Hahahaha. So liberals think a conservative must have done it, and conservatives think a liberal did it.
People. :rolleyes:
Sometimes they crack me up!
the hospital is holding the news conference.
It is being reported that Giffords is responding to doctors’ commands.
This article states this:
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.
Video feed here.
According to this page,
He was also young:
Most gun-rights activists are over 30.
I’m thinking an immigration rights activist. Perhaps even an illegal alien.