Arizona congresswoman among 12 shot at Tuscon grocery

[JakeYonkel]

http://www.cnn.com/2011/CRIME/01/08/ari ... 1&iref=BN1

At least 12 people were shot at a Tuscon grocery store on Saturday, and U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords was among them, a Democratic party source told CNN.
Giffords was holding a constituent meeting at the grocery store when the shooting occurred, according to a schedule posted on her website.
Neither Giffords' condition nor that of any of the other wounded was immediately available. The Democratic source described the situation as "pretty serious."
The shooting occurred at a Safeway shortly after 10 a.m. MST, according to sheriff's spokesman Deputy Jason Ogan.
Pictures from the scene showed a Giffords banner hanging from the storefront.
At least two victims with gunshot wounds were transported at Northwest Medical Center, according to spokesman Richard Parker.
"They've been coming in the last 10 minutes. I'm not sure of the severity of their injuries," he said.
Ogan said he did not have conditions on any of the wounded and said the motive for the shooting is unclear.
"We're just trying to sort this out right now," he said.
An employee of a nearby business, Jason Pekau, told CNN that he heard "15 to 20 gunshots."
Giffords, a Democrat, was first elected in 2006. She has served as chairwoman of the House Space and Aeronautics Subcommittee and also holds seats on the House Science and Technology and Armed Services committees.

[MasterOfMeatPuppets]

http://www.npr.org/2011/01/08/132764367 ... in-arizona

Rep. Gabrielle Giffords and six others died after a gunman opened fire at a public event on Saturday, the Pima County, Ariz., sheriff's office confirms.

The 40-year-old Democrat, who was re-elected to her third term in November, was hosting a "Congress on Your Corner" event at a Safeway in northwest Tucson when a gunman ran up and started shooting, according to Peter Michaels, news director of Arizona Public Media.

At least three other people, including members of her staff, were injured. Giffords was transported to University Medical Center in Tucson. Her condition was not immediately known.

Giffords was talking to a couple when the suspect ran up and fired indiscriminately from about four feet away, Michaels said.
Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, D-Ariz., poses with House Speaker John Boehner Wednesday on Capitol Hill in Washington.
Enlarge Susan Walsh/AP

Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-AZ) poses with House Speaker John Boehner on Capitol Hill on Wednesday.
Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, D-Ariz., poses with House Speaker John Boehner Wednesday on Capitol Hill in Washington.
Susan Walsh/AP

Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-AZ) poses with House Speaker John Boehner on Capitol Hill on Wednesday.

The suspect ran off and was tackled by a bystander. He was taken into custody. Witnesses described him as in his late teens or early 20s.

Giffords was first elected to represent Arizona's 8th District in 2006. The "Congress on Your Corner" events allow constituents to present their concerns directly to her.

More details to come.

I wonder what set that guy off or if it even had anything to do with her beyond name recognition. She didn't seem to have any radical views that draw out the usual wingnuts.

[cantstopthemusic]

In Surgery.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/us_usa_shoot ... Jlc3N3b21h

[EvilRockPosh]

Between assassination and retirement, only another 16 to go. That'll teach those commies! Go USA!

In all seriousness, this is a genuinely horrifying incident and I feel for the families of the victims.

By the way, this was posted two hours before on Gifford's Twitter: "My 1st Congress on Your Corner starts now. Please stop by to let me know what is on your mind or tweet me later."

Jesus.

[LitaJett]

I am sure there will be many more, if the country doesn't get under control. When people get down on their luck and have no hope, these kind of things are a guarantee. Why couldn't they have gotten Bitch McConnell first?

[MasterOfMeatPuppets]

Between assassination and retirement, only another 16 to go. That'll teach those commies! Go USA!

In all seriousness, this is a genuinely horrifying incident and I feel for the families of the victims.

By the way, this was posted two hours before on Gifford's Twitter: "My 1st Congress on Your Corner starts now. Please stop by to let me know what is on your mind or tweet me later."

Jesus.

If I were a Republican politician, I would avoid using imagery which is even remotely suggestive of shooting my opponents.

[cantstopthemusic]

NPR reported "dead," although she's actually alive and in surgery.

That's NPR for ya.

[LitaJett]

NPR reported "dead," although she's actually alive and in surgery.

That's NPR for ya.

No, she is dead dipshit. Her husband wasn't notified yet.

[cantstopthemusic]

NPR reported "dead," although she's actually alive and in surgery.

That's NPR for ya.

No, she is dead dipshit. Her husband wasn't notified yet.

LOL @ your idiocy.

You're in vanitybinge territory, moron.

[LitaJett]

NPR reported "dead," although she's actually alive and in surgery.

That's NPR for ya.

No, she is dead dipshit. Her husband wasn't notified yet.

LOL @ your idiocy.

You're in vanitybinge territory, moron.

So she is just going to jump back from the dead?

[cantstopthemusic]

No, she is dead dipshit. Her husband wasn't notified yet.

LOL @ your idiocy.

You're in vanitybinge territory, moron.

So she is just going to jump back from the dead?

She was never dead, dumbfuck.

[EvilRockPosh]

If I were a Republican politician, I would avoid using imagery which is even remotely suggestive of shooting my opponents.

What, like this?

[TheInfiniteStaircase]

I just heard that reports are coming in that a Federal Judge might have also been hurt in the shootings, but on top of that they just read a statement on the news from Arizona law enforcement sent to Law enforcement in DC saying for other politicians and such to take extra precautions at work and at home... sounds to me that there's something bigger going on here.

[vlad]

I figured something like this would happen eventually, but I am still stunned that it actually did.

A federal judge may has been shot and may be dead as well.

I also see that the Palin target map had been removed..ooops, too late.

I hope Giffords recovers, point blank to the head is a tough one to come back from.

The irony is that Giffords is/was a Blue Dog and pro-gun.

This how far the bat-shit crazy has gone. Anyone with a D behind their name is a "target"....

Oh, and any whiny fucks that want to go on about "socialism" and Obama and Congresspeople like Giffords? If you can not see that none of them are socialists, but rather pretty centrist...then you are a fucking idiot. A tool. Did I say fucking idiot?

[EvilRockPosh]

She's not dead, unlike LitaJett's credibility. BOOM, I went there.

[vlad]

She's not dead, unlike LitaJett's credibility. BOOM, I went there.

Well a bunch of other people are (including a little kid)are....and it wasn't for lack of trying that Giffords will pull through.

[EvilRockPosh]

A nine year old child is among the dead. My god.

[KneelandBobDylan]

Between assassination and retirement, only another 16 to go. That'll teach those commies! Go USA!

In all seriousness, this is a genuinely horrifying incident and I feel for the families of the victims.

By the way, this was posted two hours before on Gifford's Twitter: "My 1st Congress on Your Corner starts now. Please stop by to let me know what is on your mind or tweet me later."

Jesus.

If I were a Republican politician, I would avoid using imagery which is even remotely suggestive of shooting my opponents.

No you wouldn't. And there in lies the rub.

[ijwthstd]

I just heard that reports are coming in that a Federal Judge might have also been hurt in the shootings, but on top of that they just read a statement on the news from Arizona law enforcement sent to Law enforcement in DC saying for other politicians and such to take extra precautions at work and at home... sounds to me that there's something bigger going on here.

The DHS wants to expand their "administrative searches" from beyond the airports to more public spaces. Rapiscan Systems, the makers of the Strip Search machines have been heavily lobbying Congress. Congress is mostly in their pocket and also of the "anything for security" mindset. There is a minority but some meaningful resistance in Congress against this further encroachment or even what's currently happening in the airports. There are now cases in Federal court. Our last line defense of our freedom is the federal judiciary. Add it all up.

Someday, "If you don't like it, don't fly" will become "If you don't like it, don't eat."

[Tenacious_Dio]

Dude is a nutjob:

http://www.youtube.com/user/Classitup10 ... HoaZaLbqB4

[EvilMadman]

Dude is a nutjob:

http://www.youtube.com/user/Classitup10 ... HoaZaLbqB4

Aren't all people who go on shooting sprees?

While no details about Loughner have been confirmed, some unsettling YouTube videos filmed just weeks ago have been attributed to him. One video consists of a mix between delusional rants and harrowing warnings. After explaining his opposition to what he calls “treasonous laws,” he goes on to write, “In conclusion, reading the second United States Constitution, I can’t trust the current government because of the ramifications: The government is implying mind control and brainwash on the people by controlling grammar.” He continues “No! I won’t pay debt with a currency that’s not backed by gold and silver! No! I won’t trust in God!”

In early October, Laughner posted an eerie video in which he, wearing a trash bag and a hoodie and a giant mask, sets an American flag on fire, with the song “Bodies” by Drowning Pool playing in the background.

Pictures have also surfaced allegedly showing Loughner volunteering at a book festival, and from his MySpace profile. Loughner listed reading as his favorite interest, and identified a slew of classics as his favorite books, including: Animal Farm, Brave New World, The Wizard Of OZ, Aesop Fables, The Odyssey, Alice Adventures Into Wonderland, Fahrenheit 451, Peter Pan, To Kill A Mockingbird, We The Living, Phantom Toll Booth, One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest, Pulp,Through The Looking Glass, The Communist Manifesto, Siddhartha, The Old Man And The Sea, Gulliver's Travels, Mein Kampf, The Republic, and Meno.

Like The Daily Beast on Facebook and follow us on Twitter for updates all day long.

What a fucking paranoid lunatic asshole.

[EvilMadman]

So, what are you trying to get at there, ERP?
Yeah, I'm pretty sure there was NO evidence found yet indicating that this nutter had any connections whatsoever to the "Tea Party"/Palin, or that he was even a Republican.

http://motherjones.com/mojo/2011/01/jar ... e-giffords

Simply insane.

[dtmfs]

So thousands of hypocritical Left wing loons have been calling for Sarah Palin to die for a couple years now, and sure enough she's already a focus of the blame for this idiot whack job's actions these fucking idiot liberal and conservative radical scumbags are the reason this country is fucked, but Oh they only blame the other side, fucking sheep.

[vlad]

So thousands of hypocritical Left wing loons have been calling for Sarah Palin to die for a couple years now, and sure enough she's already a focus of the blame for this idiot whack job's actions these fucking idiot liberal and conservative radical scumbags are the reason this country is fucked, but Oh they only blame the other side, fucking sheep.

But then, it's still a Democratic Congresswoman who was shot at point blank range in the head....along with many of other people shot and, in several cases, killed. By a guy who rambled on about a "second constitution" and returning to the gold standard.

I know, I know...it stings that it happened in AZ to someone who had just this last spring gave an interview talking about death threats and her office being vandalised. Kind of prophetic.

The right wing is scrambling to do damage control.

The best one was someone who scoured the Daily Kos site and found a very recent diary from someone who was very, very upset with Giffords and stated that she was "Dead to Him"....it has been suggested that the author if that diary was the shooter (Ah good old Free Republic)....but that would be a really neat trick as the guy has been posting on KOS today since the shooting.

And Palin isn't the sole focus.

[dtmfs]

And Palin isn't the sole focus

not the sole focus no, but wait til olbermann and maddow get ahold of it, they'll be calling for her arrest. As I said in the other thread the map was stupid, but she's a stupid bitch who hunts and thus would make something like that, no one smart can believe she was wanting people assassinated.

[vlad]

And Palin isn't the sole focus

not the sole focus no, but wait til olbermann and maddow get ahold of it, they'll be calling for her arrest. As I said in the other thread the map was stupid, but she's a stupid bitch who hunts and thus would make something like that, no one smart can believe she was wanting people assassinated.[/quote

I hunt...I wouldn't put a target on a human being, especially on a national political blog. But you are right about the stupid bitch part. By the way, I've got MSNBC on in the background. I haven't yet heard Olbermann call for Palin's arrest.

You're letting Beck off the hook, btw,,,,he's been raked over the evil liberal coals since this happened. He had made fun of Pelosi for once crying over concerns about politicians being killed...ooops. Of course, Pelosi vividly remembers when another nut job killed the Mayor of SF and one of the Supervisors.

[ijwthstd]

2nd suspect = Woman in polka dot dress.

[dtmfs]

I hunt...I wouldn't put a target on a human being, especially on a national political blog. But you are right about the stupid bitch part. By the way, I've got MSNBC on in the background. I haven't yet heard Olbermann call for Palin's arrest.

You're letting Beck off the hook, btw,,,,he's been raked over the evil liberal coals since this happened. He had made fun of Pelosi for once crying over concerns about politicians being killed...ooops. Of course, Pelosi vividly remembers when another nut job killed the Mayor of SF and one of the Supervisors.

She didn't put a target on a human being though, the left jumped on that shit and as much as said "Palin is wanting these people dead" She targeted the districts, it wasnen't a smart thing to do with so many unstable fuckers out there, but anyone trying to pass blame on Palin for this is dumb as shit. She's not the brightest bulb but she's not inciting people to kill either.

[vlad]

I hunt...I wouldn't put a target on a human being, especially on a national political blog. But you are right about the stupid bitch part. By the way, I've got MSNBC on in the background. I haven't yet heard Olbermann call for Palin's arrest.

You're letting Beck off the hook, btw,,,,he's been raked over the evil liberal coals since this happened. He had made fun of Pelosi for once crying over concerns about politicians being killed...ooops. Of course, Pelosi vividly remembers when another nut job killed the Mayor of SF and one of the Supervisors.

She didn't put a target on a human being though, the left jumped on that shit and as much as said "Palin is wanting these people dead" She targeted the districts, it wasnen't a smart thing to do with so many unstable fuckers out there, but anyone trying to pass blame on Palin for this is dumb as shit. She's not the brightest bulb but she's not inciting people to kill either.

I am sure that Palin really didn't think that anyone would target the people she (or her PAC) named, not just their districts by the way.

And THE LEFT has not jumoed like you have said. SOME on the left have (you should see the bloody battles going on on some the big leftist blos). As I said here or in the Lounge thread, I figured this would happen eventually because of the rhetoric. That doesn't mean I am happy that it did. It's really horrific, but sadly, not that unexpected. Here's what the Sheriff of Pima County said:

When you look at unbalanced people, how they respond to the vitriol that comes out of certain mouths about tearing down the government. The anger, the hatred, the bigotry that goes on in this country is getting to be outrageous. And, unfortunately, Arizona I think has become sort of the Capital. We have become the Mecca for prejudice and bigotry.

Of course I am sure that he will be found to be a Democrat pink Mexican lovin' godless liberal socialist lefist any minute.

[EvilMadman]

Of course I am sure that he will be found to be a Democrat pink Mexican lovin' godless liberal socialist lefist any minute.

Form what I've read, his beliefs were a screwy mix. He was calling for revolution to take property away from elites, and at the very same time, he favored a gold or silver standard.

Now, the property rant sounds familiar. Marxism. But the currency one sounds like Ron Paul & Libertarianism. And he was also paranoid that the government was spying on him. Plus, his crazy book collection. No easy task to label him either Rightist or Leftist. I guess plain old nut job will just have to suffice.