Democratic Congresswoman shot, in critical condition (Federal Judge & a 9 y.o. girl among dead)

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Update #4 To take over Jack’s diary a bit more, WaPo’s website has a pdf screen capture from Sarah Palin’s Facebook page, which has Rep. Giffords among electoral targets with crosshair imagery. Here’s the link.

I don’t know how others are feeling about this. I was shocked and then glum… now I feel so angry I probably shouldn’t be around other people for a little while. I realize that’s probably not helpful. — odum again

Update #3: Lost in the understandable concern about the Congresswoman is the fact that, in the same incident, 17 people were injured and the list of those killed includes Rep. Giffords’ Outreach Director Gabe Zimmerman, an unnamed 9-year old girl, and Federal Judge John Rall.

Here’s a clip from last March, in which Rep. Giffords expresses concern about being “targeted” by Sarah Palin over her politics. It’s disturbing to watch, given today’s events (h/t TPM):

I mean, people don’t — they really need to realize that the rhetoric and firing people up and, you know, even things, for example, we’re on Sarah Palin’s targeted list. But the thing is that the way that she has it depicted has the crosshairs of a gunsight over our district.

— odum

Update #2: Welch statement on Arizona shooting –julie

HARTLAND, VT – Rep. Peter Welch issued the following statement

Saturday in response to the shooting of Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, a

fellow member of the House class of 2006.

“Gabby Giffords is one of my closest friends in Congress. A persistent

and effective legislator, she stands out for her warmth, genuine

attentiveness and concern for all. Gabby is one of the best listeners

I know. Her kindness and graciousness know no bounds.

“As this tragic situation develops, Margaret and I are keeping Gabby,

her family, her staff and the many others involved in this horrific

episode in our thoughts and prayers.”

UPDATE: There’s a lot of conflicting information, but Rep. Giffords is still alive, but in surgery. She was reportedly shot at point blank range.

– odum


This just in, reported by TPM and other sources.

Giffords Shot Dead By Assassin

 

Josh Marshall | January  8, 2011,  2:13PM

       We now have apparently confirmed reports that Rep. Gabrielle Giffords  (D-AZ) was shot and killed this morning by an as-yet-unidentified  assassin at a “Congress on Your Corner” event outside a grocery store in  her district in Tucson, Arizona.

I would concede that even the most unhinged Tea Party Republicans probably don’t intend to incite their followers to violence and political assassination. On the other hand, what message do they think they’re sending when they say it may be time to exercise our “Second Amendment remedies”?

35 thoughts on “Democratic Congresswoman shot, in critical condition (Federal Judge & a 9 y.o. girl among dead)”

  1. Hospital spokesperson on phone reported to CNN confirmed Rep. Giffords is in surgery and is still alive. Situation grave.

    That said, CNN had earlier reported on its Website that she died.

  2. Several months ago, Sarah Palin tweeted: “Commonsense Conservatives & lovers of America: “Don’t Retreat, Instead – RELOAD!” Pls see my Facebook page.”

  4. Not only was she on Sarah Palin’s very explicit cross-hairs hitlist of Dems that she wanted to take out, but Giffords’ opponent had a rather unpleasant approach to dealing with her last summer, see here. Free speech, 2nd amendment and all that, but if you combine the willfully ignorant mouthbreather rhetoric with that level of encouragement to violence from leadership figures on the sadly-not-so-fringy-right, then it’s a question of when, not if, someone gets hurt.  

  5. At 2:53 pm Fox is reporting Boehner has stated to Fox Giffords is in critical condition & in surgery.

  6. from Arizona. Nine are also injured & in same hospital, 12 were shot, condition of the others is unclear.

  7. Congresswoman Giffords Shot in Tucson

    Condition of Rep. Gabrielle Giffords Remains Unclear

    By J. DAVID GOODMAN 18 minutes ago

    The Democratic congresswoman from Arizona was shot in the head at a public event at a grocery store, according to her spokesman and news reports. Several other people were injured. Their conditions remain unclear

    http://www.nytimes.com/

  16. From the NYTimes recent update

    Last March, after the final approval of the Democrats’ health care law, which Ms. Giffords supported, the windows of her office in Tucson were broken or shot out in an act of vandalism. Similar acts were reported by other members of Congress, and several arrests were made, including that of a man who had threatened to kill Senator Patty Murray, Democrat of Washington. …

    During the fall campaign, Sarah Palin, the former Republican vice-presidential candidate, posted a controversial map on her Facebook page depicting spots where Democrats were running for re-election; those Democrats were noted by crosshairs symbols like those seen through the scope of a gun. Ms. Giffords was among those on Ms. Palin’s map.

    http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01…

  20. Palin and company bear responsibility, however direct, indirect, or vicariously for what happened in Arizona today.  This is a consequence of what they have been whipping up since the fiasco of the healthcare debate began.  It would be nice to see them held accountable, though, of course, that will never happen, but one can at least dream about its happening.  Thanks for putting that youtube vid up. You can almost see how nervous she is.    

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