thoughts on the news of the day: shootings

hmmm…..

            Yesterday, Rep. Gabrielle Gifford was shot in the head at a political rally at a grocery store in Tucson, AR. The attack killed at least five other people and wounded many more. The sheriff of Pima County, Arizona said that “all this vitriol” in recent politics might be connected to the shootings.  “This may be free speech, but it’s not without consequences,” said the sheriff.

            Has politics become too personal, too nasty and even, too dangerous?  Whatever your political leanings, wouldn’t you say attempted assassinations in public places means the rhetoric has gotten a little out of hand? 

            What we say matters.  The tongue is a two edged sword. The old nursery rhyme “Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me” is not true when you consider what words can incite people to do.  Yes, we shouldn’t let what other people say influence our feelings about ourselves, or really, anything else. But is many cases, people are aroused by what is heard.

            Maybe it’s time to cool the hot words that politicians have for one another.  Gunshots and shootings are not the answer; inflammatory words spoken in anger are not the answer; stating your political leanings with violent actions is not the answer.  Calm, deliberate, thoughtful reasoning and peaceful debate is.

            My prayers go out to Rep. Gifflord and her family and the other victims and families of the shootings.  May they find healing and peace in the days to come.

            hmmm…..