Shooting in Tucson, Mindset in Arizona on Guns
As the shock of the recent assassination attempt on Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords settles in, the national media has swarmed all over the town, and the local hospital on Campbell Avenue in central Tucson. The emotional gravitas on the city weighs heavily on all of us and has provoked an outburst of reactions from the sublime to ridiculous, and on reflection, what one might expect after a traumatic event that has visited on a community.
As E J Montini of the Arizona Republic newspaper in Phoenix said, " it could have happened anywhere, but it didn't - it happened here." And, shocked, shook up, we are suffering for it.
One has only to examine the photos of the suspected shooter, caught red handed at the scene, read the hand written notes left behind, computer notes, internet blogs, and now, the FBI investigation's history reveals his background reveals an extremely disturbing history here in the Tucson community that I have to a conclusion - the shooter has come off his rails.
Most telling to me, in my opinion, is his booking shot on television. Reminds me of the picture of the old man aired during the mass killings in San Diego during the Haley's Comet.
About guns: the media has tried in vain in the last 48 hours to tie handguns and access to them as the progblem. So far, I see their efforts failing, and as well they should. The shooter bought the handgun legally, as the Virginia Tech killer did. The Tucson killer had plans, it appears, to kill himself, but failed. The Virginia Tech killer and the Tucson killer so far, bear striking similarities as of this writing.
The challenge is not in the instrument of murder, but in the intent and the ability to obtain it. Both young men were mentally unstable, loners, isolated, in need of mental help and didn't get it. They slipped through the cracks. Pima Community College caught up with him, but didn't go far enough.
We have to think before we act, then do the right thing. And, while we are at it, pray for the Congresswoman.
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As E J Montini of the Arizona Republic newspaper in Phoenix said, " it could have happened anywhere, but it didn't - it happened here." And, shocked, shook up, we are suffering for it.
One has only to examine the photos of the suspected shooter, caught red handed at the scene, read the hand written notes left behind, computer notes, internet blogs, and now, the FBI investigation's history reveals his background reveals an extremely disturbing history here in the Tucson community that I have to a conclusion - the shooter has come off his rails.
Most telling to me, in my opinion, is his booking shot on television. Reminds me of the picture of the old man aired during the mass killings in San Diego during the Haley's Comet.
About guns: the media has tried in vain in the last 48 hours to tie handguns and access to them as the progblem. So far, I see their efforts failing, and as well they should. The shooter bought the handgun legally, as the Virginia Tech killer did. The Tucson killer had plans, it appears, to kill himself, but failed. The Virginia Tech killer and the Tucson killer so far, bear striking similarities as of this writing.
The challenge is not in the instrument of murder, but in the intent and the ability to obtain it. Both young men were mentally unstable, loners, isolated, in need of mental help and didn't get it. They slipped through the cracks. Pima Community College caught up with him, but didn't go far enough.
We have to think before we act, then do the right thing. And, while we are at it, pray for the Congresswoman.
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