Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords was shot and killed during an open meeting with her constituents today. Already, recriminations are echoing through the blogosphere, although motive has not yet been established for the shooting.
The shooting is to be deplored, regardless of the motivation. If the shooting was political in nature, it needs to be shouted from the rooftops, that in our country, political differences are settled by the ballot box and not the barrel of a gun.
Dr. Steven Rayle, a former emergency room doctor who now works in a hospice, said that he had witnessed the shootings. He said the congresswoman was standing behind a table outside the Safeway greeting passersby when the gunman approached her from behind, held a gun about a foot from her head and began firing.
I fully expect the knee jerk, gun ban crowd to be out shortly. As horrific as this crime is, there is no harm in waiting until all the facts come out before anyone starts assessing blame, other than that which would naturally fall to anyone who would commit such a vile and evil act as this assassin did.
Ms. Giffords was a motorcycle enthusiast, married to a former NASA astronaut and Navy pilot, Cmdr. Mark E. Kelly. Rest in peace, Ms. Giffords. Our prayers go out to her family and friends.
Update: According to a hospital spokesperson, she is alive but in critical condition.
H/T Memeorandum
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