The Rogue Speaks:
HOW DARE YOU!! YES, YOU! JARED LEE LOUGHNER!!!HOW CAN YOU JUSTIFY WHAT YOU HAVE DONE TODAY??? BECAUSE OF POLITICS?? WHAT GIVES YOU THE RIGHT TO SHOOT SOMEONE IN THE HEAD BECAUSE YOU DISAGREE!!! HOW CAN YOU STAND IN A CROWD OF PEOPLE, SWINGING A WEAPON, SHOOTING AND KILLING PEOPLE YOU DON'T EVEN KNOW??? WHO ARE YOU?? YOU SHOT A FEDERAL OFFICIAL AT POINT BLANK RANGE, AND IN YOUR RAGE, YOU SHOT INTO A CROWD OF PEOPLE, KILLING A 9 YEAR OLD CHILD AND INJURYING A TOTAL OF 13 PEOPLE!! YOU ARE A MONSTER!!
I am heartsick. I am so angry that I cannot even cry. I know I will cry, though. Maybe later tonight when the whole of this finally sinks in. I will cry when the names of the people who were senselessly killed today are published. I will cry for Mark Kelly, Gabrielle Giffords' husband. I will cry for her parents and her extended family. I will also cry for the state of Arizona, and for America, that this horrible, disgusting, ignorant, sick element has wormed its distructive way into our political system.
The Republican governor, and the Republican government in Arizona has taken us just about as far back into the Old West as they possibly can! Now ANYONE can carry a "gun to town." Yes, readers, it is a new law here!! And the latest on the agenda is a law that allows GUNS ON CAMPUSES!!
And now for the media: Good old CNN, in its rush to get THE SCOOP, announced that Gabby Giffords had DIED!!!! As I write, Gabby is in surgery, but she's not dead yet!! So, what do you say, CNN? Do you say ,"Oops!" and smile sheepishly?
Wake up, America! This could happen in your hometown. It could happen to YOU! It could have happened to me, if, after leaving my meeting this morning, I had chosen to stop at that Safeway on my way home. This is my neighborhood, and I have shopped in that strip mall, and in that store. We are no longer safe. No one is safe. If you have a political bumper sticker on your car, take it off today. The crazy people have been turned loose in this country, and you could be sitting at a stop light, and kapow! You are dead because someone didn't like your bumper sticker, your politics.
I am sure that the people who went to the Safeway to hear Gabby today had no thought that they would never come home again, and their families would be mourning their loss at this very moment. Maybe some of those people were just curious shoppers who happened to stumble onto the scene, and whose grocery carts are sitting in the parking lot with ice cream melting in the bag.
I can't write any more. I am just too sad, and angry, and scared. I hope to God that this never happens in your neighborhood, but if it does, you will know just how I feel.
59 comments:
I share your outrage and your sadness.
PLease! When you read this, please share this with your followers so people know just what happened today in Tucson can happen anywhere! I want the world to know about this horrific act perpetrated by one sick individual who was bombarted into a fever pitch by self-centered people who are so bent on forcing their cold, heartless, and narrow-minded ideas on America that they now have no thought for human life or for the ideals on which our country was based.
Judie,
I've been thinking about you all day. What a horrible thing for the world, but so much harder on those closer.
You are right; disagreement used to be just that, but it has become a license for violence.
I will keep you in my thoughts through this difficult time.
Christine
We need to pray constantly for this country. WE are in need. I am so very sorry for you Arizona...
When I heard about this on CBC my first thoughts, after the horror at death and injury, was for my friends, blog and otherwise, in Arizona. I was heartsick for you, as I am for your country.
Yes, the terrible, disgusting act was done by one man, but it's very hard to understand how a legitimate politician can have a website with gun cross-hairs pointed at people and not take some responsibility. I love your country very much, but there is part of me that is nervous at the knowledge that the person in the next car could well be carrying a gun.
I'll pass your post along.
It's just disgusting. Acts of violence like this sicken me. People are entitled to not agree. They entitled to calmly express their viewpoints. They are not entitled to shoot people who they don't agree with and others that are listening to the person they don't agree with.
Violence in any form is not tolerated. I'm ashamed for my country today.
I'm so upset - I just feel numb. My kids are frightened and I don't know what to say to them to make them feel better and safe - I don't even know what to say to myself. Such a sad, sad day.
Amylynn Bright
Thanks to all of you who have carried my message out to the world. I hope you will continue to do so, and I want every one to know just how senseless this killing is. There is a family who is mouring the loss of their daughter, only 9 years old, who will never grow up, never marry, never have children, and never enjoy all that this world has to offer. Please keep this message going around the world!
My heart is so heavy, I am so shocked at this horrible act. I cannot even imagine how these families must feel. My prayers are with them. Thank you for reading my blog, that is so minor to what has happened today.
I hear you loud and clear on all of this. I was sick at the media outlets rush to report, to get the "scoop" no scoop is worth the terror of what is happening in America, the trauma of reading a false headline like that. I am so sorry, I know this hits harder to those closest to it, many of have experienced a terror of some sort in our home towns and the fear strikes far and wide. I am sending a big Colorado Hug to all in the country tonight and especially to those closest to this latest tragedy.
Even in the face of adversity, we simply must support each other. This is part of what makes us human beings. We must join together and fight to keep our country and our world safe from all who wish to destroy our spirit.
I heard your news on our local TV here in Australia ths-morning. It washed over me, as news from other parts of the world often does. But your personal account has made me very aware that we are all inter-related. I have to tell you that American gun-laws absolutely amaze Australians!
i am having a hard time responding to this ... it is a tragedy ... and the greater tragedy will be the years and years of appeals this less than human being will get, and the "fan" mail and the "fame" that will stroke his ego and allow him to feel bigger than us all ... clearly laws have to change, legal actions have to be swift and actually punative ... and the media has to just report the news then back page the story ... let the focus be on the victims and not the creep ... I am totally sad for you today ...
Judie, I was devastated when I heard this. The news feed I got at first didn't have a lot of details. When I found out that this was at a political gathering, my heart just sank. What in the world has this country come to? I'm so sick of politicians filling people full of rhetoric and lies and then just winding them up and sending them out to perpetrate their madness. And I'm sick of people not taking the time to check facts and think for themselves and taking everything they are told at face value. THIS is exactly what that behavior leads to. And we are afraid of terrorists. Please, this is the biggest threat to our country. If we don't learn to discuss our differences rationally and with respect, we might as well hand over the country right now. My thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families. And you are exactly right Judie, this could happen anywhere. If this isn't a wake up call, I don't know what will be. Kat
Judie, my first thought was of you, my friend, and whether you had been a casualty of this sick incident. I believe that this is happening throughout the country and will probably escalate until people STOP listening to lies, particularly from Republicans. It is kindred to inciting to riot. Not one city or town in this country is exempt from this same danger. I thank God you were not there and I pray for all the victims of yet another senseless act of violence. Is there any such thing as a moral compass anymore?
Cher, thanks for your comment. I don't think anyone knows just what the anwer is to this issue. It has gone so far beyond common sense and common morals at this point that I am really afraid for our future.
I am heart sick too. I am so so so sorry for the families, your town, and the good people of Safeway. What a tragic loss and shame. I do pray for us all.
I was a young girl of thirteen in southern california for the summer. The mcdonalds closest to us was one town over in San Ysidro. A gunman walked around inside killing 22 people. I will never forget those days after and seeing the bicycle on it's side that carried a little boy the gunman shot off it as he tried to get away. He was my age.
Killing is never the answer.
My son called me about this earlier. It's his neighborhood too, as he is a student at U of A. He works in the med school at a research lab and is in that area nearly every day. He, like you, is just heartsick about this senseless killing.
It's a tragedy, for the families involved and for Tucson, Arizona, and our country.
I am keeping all of you in my prayers. The healing is not going to be easy.
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Judie, I saw this new on the internet after it happened, and was speechless.
You've raised so many thoughtful questions for everyone to contemplate..What rights do we have when we don't agree with someone? None, nada..everyone has the rights to their own ideas, feelings, and perspective..
Just said a silent prayer, Judie!
So sad, such a senseless tragedy. Hugs, hugs, and prayers for us to find a better way to accept our differences.
Judie,
I am so sorry, for you, for Representative Giffords, for all of the innocent lives brought down by this vile madman. I hope and pray for peace and tolerance and a better way. The political vitriol in this country is out of control right now and everyone needs to step back and remember the very foundation that this country was founded upon--Freedom and the right to express your opinion without the fear of retaliation in any form. Rep. Giffords was a centrist, known for her ability to reach across party lines. She was excited to read the Constitution last week on the House Floor with her fellow representatives. Her portion? The First Amendment.
Stay strong, Judie. I will keep you, the state of Arizona, the innocent victims and the people of this country in our prayers as I pray for a better path, one of peace and tolerance.
There is a photo on the internet of a man whom officials believe to have been with the shooter at the time. They are now searching for this "person of interest." I hope and pray that this man is found. If it turns out that he was indeed connected with these viscious and senseless killings, I want to know just what roll he played and why.
The Gun People will offer the inevitable solution that if MORE people had been carrying guns on that corner, this wouldn't have played out this way. Unsaid is that another couple dozen people would have been shot as well. But at least no one's 2nd Amendment rights would have been infringed.
Meanwhile Fox News, AM Talk Radio and the Palin camp are rubbing their hands raw, trying to wash off any stain of culpability.
I never understand the lunatics who say guns don't kill people, people do. So why give people better killing tools so we can all be in danger? MONEY! More guns, more money. They care about the blood money, not people's lives. The backward party will never admit it.
I watched Arizona governor Jan Brewer's statement on the shooting yesterday, and the woman actually looked afraid for her OWN life.
Judie. Oh sweet lady. I caught up on this issue this morning and I am so torn.
Spreading it far and wide, gives the insane guy more fame. Not spreading it far and wideis tough.
A horrible, confusing conundrum.
I will link on my blog later today if cox stays running.
This is frightening and frustrating and maddening...
What can we do! We speak up against gun control....it's not heard...we speak up for harsher mandates against criminals and it falls on deaf ears.
What a world we live in.
Sending you a hug of comfort and many prayers for everyone caught in this relentness insanity infecting the world right now.
This would be unthinkable just a few years ago. That law they've passed is downright outrageous. NH just passed a law that allows guns back into the State House. Kids visit there regularly.
Our government has gone totally crazy. These laws allow mentally ill and enraged citizens to roam around with guns.
I'm heartsick over what's happened. The damage done in a few short minutes will never quite heal. I'm so sorry this was in the heart of your city. I know it could have been mine.
I know exactly how you are feeling, for us, here in Australia, the gun laws were changed after a horrific incident at Port Arthur in Tasmania. I knew some of the people involved and had met the perpetrator so it was difficult. But this horror made our Government face reality and make changes. Problem is I don't think the changes made a whole lot of difference.
My thoughts and prayers go out to all those involved.
Blessings to you, your community, your state, your country, your world. We are desperately in need of some loving kindness. Thank you for posting this heartfelt response.
What you have said here is such a good expression of the horror, frustration, sadness and fear we are all feeling. Thank you for your effort in putting it into words for us to feel and share.
I don't know what the anwer is, but I think our freedom is in danger. We can't have freedom without an educated and ethical popuation...
My thoughts and prayers are with the families and the people of this nation. My sister and I had a discussion this afternoon about all of the staged emotional television that comes from what should be "news" shows. Instead it is staged, oppositional, argumentative bantering that serves to incite very strong emotions/reactions. Is there a time and a place that we hold some of these rating-seeking personalities accountable for inciting some of these actions? And guns allowed everywhere, including educational campuses...
We are all outraged. This has nothing at all to do with politics. Certainly, more gun possession is not the answer. Neither can we hold hands and sing Kumbaya. Unless we change our silly ideas that have never worked in any society and get back to reality, we have a tough road to hoe. I am sorry for my grandchildren's world.
I think you have said what many are thinking.
I am horrified, just like so many of your commentors. Thank you for expressing the words that so many feel at this point. I will keep the families and friends of the victims in my prayers.
It could have been my neighborhood. We have much the same gun laws & don't you dare speak against them & their constitutional rights (we who do not conceal & carry apparently don't have rights). It's a scary & violent country we live in right now & I don't know how we can change it. I also have a 9 yr. old g'son who would have wanted to go to this meeting like the little girl who died. My prayers are for those who were wounded & that those who died will not have died in vain. Jan
This is horrible. Thank you for writing about this.
My thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families.
Kind regards,
Anna
I heard about this on the BBC news this morning - its the top story here in England. I immediately came and checked your blog as I know this is where you are.
Oh Judie, I am so sorry this has happened, just the absolute senslessness of it all.
I live in a country where the gun laws are super strict, our police are unarmed. Of course we still have the occasional terrible incident where someone has gone crazy with a shotgun, but the very thought of people having guns indiscriminately, in their homes, on their person, and on a college campus, just sends shivers through me.
My thoughts and prayers are with all those affected by this outrage.
Smiles and blessings dear friend.
Just like the other international folks who commented, I, too, saw this on the Japanese evening news and then read it from your blog. It's a really big story since it made it out to other countries outside of the US.
I share the same sentiments that many of the others have commented. I'm appalled and sickened by this heinous crime and it also saddens me that something like that happened in your neighborhood. The fact that it happened at all is quite disturbing. The worst part is that this tragedy takes away your sense of security and safety from your everyday life. People will wonder if they will be killed as an innocent bystander just for going to Safeways or any other place. I feel like everyone is already paranoid enough...this tragedy probably renewed everyone's own fear.
It also highly disturbs me how there are so many gun advocates there are in the US and how easy it is for one to obtain a gun. Japan has strict gun control laws. It's also really hard to obtain a license to own one too. Heck, even the policemen here don't carry a gun most of the time since they don't want it to go off suddenly or have it stolen.
My heart goes out to the families of the victims and to you because it affects you too.
We all mourn with Arizona today over such a tragic loss. It is high time we denounce these bloody insurrectionists. Disagreeing with someone's political views does not give anyone the right to shoot up a public area and slaughter children.
Hi Judie,
Though I tend to like the lighter side of things.....the violence that has taken place is unspeakable. Our country is on a precipice. I hope that this incident will open people's eyes so that the downward slide is disrupted. Guns have no place in freedom of expression.
I commented yesterday (Sunday) morning on this tragedy, my comment hasn't shown up. It had been the first thing I knew through blogworld before I saw it in the morning News in Belgium.
We in Europe will never understand that you can buy a gun in America like a toy in a shop.
In Belgium and also in other European countries, nobody is allowed to have a gun unless he has a real special reason, like a jewelry shop owner. A policeman is not even allowed to take his gun home and has to leave it in the office.
Of course we have attacks too without any reason, but then with a knive and you can't kill or hurt lots of people at once.
I am so sorry that people still think guns are the solution against crimes. That's so stupid.
It's time for the citizens of this grand country to take a stand against the negative, contempuous rhetoic being spewed by our politicians.
It is truly scary how inept we are at civil political debate. Fear, threats, and calls t arm have no place in the US political arena. Questioning an opponent's love of this country based on allegiance to a particular party of an antiquated 2-party system is ignorant.
We can and must do better.
ENOUGH!
My thoughts and payers go out to all who are impacted by this senseless act of terrorism.
Hello Judie,
I tweeted this post for you!
This is truly awful and I can't believe that these type of things are still happening. It's so sad & scary at the same time :(.
My heart goes out to all of you!
Xx TJ
I just hope that this is a wake up call for the kind of America we all want -- one where we do not fear other Americans.
Too much to comprehend...I'm thinking about you and your community, with tears, prayers, and love.
xoRobyn
News like this always leave me speechless. Life is so precious, so beautiful, and yet there are people like this who think nothing of taking a human life. I'll never understand. One thing is certain: fear breeds hate, and hate fear. And out of that lethal combination are born acts of horror and destruction.
It's just so senseless and sad. The way this country is so polarized worries me. It seems there are many people who like it that way and want it to be more so.
Judie, I share in your outrage. I am still trying to wrap my mind around this derranged person's actions. I can't fathom how he could justify taking a life because he dissagreed on political issues.
I have a sister in Tucson. I was so scared to call for fear there would be no answer. I am crying along with you and everyone else. Saying prayers for everyone. Hugs~Ames
Hi Judie, it is dreadful what happened in your town on that day. But I think it's important that ordinary people, like yourself and all of the other commenters on this post, denounce such senseless crime. As a teacher, it reminds me of the important role we play, but also of the insurmountability of the task we have. How do you teach people how to reason and debate when the example of violence is so strong in the world today.
I saw the pictures of all the people directly affected by this senseless act of violence on the news today, and my heart broke. Whenever innocent people are killed it makes you question what it is all about. It's so sad that anyone would think that this kind of thing is the answer to any disagreement.
I'm glad you are speaking out about this.
My heart goes out to everyone who has been touched by this.
Thank you for sharing! What awful things people think to come up with and what lousy excuses they make! I remember growing up when they were worried that violence in cartoons would make us a violent society and now the kids games, moveis, TV are filled with it and that is what we have become, a sick and violent society who think we can take guns and kill people if we want. I am so sad. I want you to know how well you expressed these heart felt emotions and I am thankful.
Dear Judie, It's really hard to finds words to express how I feel when terrible things like these happen. Here in the Netherlands the media also regularly reports about this horrible act. It's unbelievable that someone is so disturbed that he can shoot innocent people, even childeren. My thoughts go out to the the relatives of the victims.
When senseless acts of vilence happen
we can all pray for peace, harmony and for the victim's relatives. Let's not get angry. There is too much of that in the world already.
stay well,
never let anger take charge of your mood.
It's the late 60s all over again. Have we learned nothing?
Hi Judie,
I'm just reading back in a previous post, again saddened by all that has taken place. For 21 years, I was a forensic nurse at San Francisco General, in the heart of San Francisco's Mission District, where countless gang shootings took place on a regular basis...kids shooting kids, really. Sometimes, I wondered if I wasn't crazy, responding to a rape case at 3AM in the morning. Even testifying in court was risky, in front of gang members. Some of the kids I saw, carried box cutters, the weapon of choice in the lower grades. What is happening in our world?
First, Judie, allow me to say "I'm sorry for this belated reply."
__I had read your post... but I hadn't all the facts. Oh... I'm certainly a gun 'control' supporter, but I now think, with the additional facts learned, there were pleanty of warning signs, and this killer should have had some 'control' too, prior to, and perhaps eliminating his 'bursting.'
__This tragedy reached deeply into me, for all concerned... those injured, those murdered, and for Gabbie, but in a very special way... for that poor little girl; nine years of innocence... gone in a controllable instant. It's good to know that since, some of her organs live on... as her donations to others in need. Too, it seems Gabbie has a far better chance of recovery than once expected. That day, you already know, the media had said she had expired. (more below)
__I'm glad you weren't there, and that your son wasn't in harms way, but still... he was there, and he heard, and saw and felt; I expect, a sorrowful experience for him.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
__Here I must add: years ago I read a book entitled. 'The Dead Ride Hard'
no, not a Western novel... it is a novel based on fact, centered around the Hungarian Revolution. There the author, Louis Joseph Vance, coined a two word phrase that I will never forget,
--'pistol journalism'--.
__That phrase, in context, I saw as his metaphor for journalists that spewed stories without -proper facts-to support their words... just to be first in print. It would seem, here, we still face that problem.
__My best wishes to all. _m
Hi, Judie, I've been saying this since 2004 since Bush, Cheney and Rove were busy sending out the political storm troopers here in Louisiana to anyone who dared oppose them - like "moi."
Several Democrats wrote letters to the editor during that presidential campaign. What did we get? Death threat phone calls from the state Republican Party and lots of hate mail.
How did they get our addresses? The local newspaper is staunch Republican and demanded to post your address if you wanted your letter to be printed. The punks knew what would happen and sure enjoyed themselvs. Quite the conspiracy of fear, intimidation and hate.
Instead of making me fearful, they enraged me so much I started several blogs like The Social Poets and Dennys Global Politics just to stomp on their stupid bullying heads. So, yeah, I totally understand what it is to not put a bumper sticker on your car because of all the gun-toting and Glenn Beck watching crazies living all around me. I have got to leave this state. :)
Fortunately, since then I've managed to convince quite a number of hard line Republicans to at lease go Independent. It sure was a whole lot of talking, talking and more talking to show them the error of the facts they thought they knew. But when you have talk show hosts like Rush in their ear all day long at work and in the car, just how much can one person do to counter all that propaganda? At some point you just have to turn it over to God and say, "YOUR turn!" :)
On the brighter side, how are YOU and your family and friends doing since this incident?
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