Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-AZ) in critical condition, 6 others killed in Arizona

[Lunar]

I believe Svens is correct re:Leo Ryan.

An assassination, wow.

Some tempers could be cooled in this thread folks though.

[Lunar]

http://twitter.com/rep_giffords

[Lunar]

cool it everyone, the reports (and posts in this thread) are piling up faster than I can read them.
 
I will be wielding an infraction-points hammer.

[Lunar]

Catch it before it gets taken down.

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

Myspace was too quick.

wtf?

[Lunar]

I doubt we're ever going to know a particularly coherent motivation for someone who, judging by his YouTube, is probably a paranoid schizophrenic.

Well actually his motivation is pretty obvious, but it seems a little pointless given that they already got control of the House.

STOP IT. STOP IT. STOP IT, YOU IGNORANT, PEDOPHILIAC CHICKENHAWK.

If it was a GOP Senator, your side would be running with it saying it was proof of the danger of the "Progressive Radicals" that Glenn, Limbaugh, Palin and others always screech about, and you know it.

Looks like Svensson got scared of possible infraction points and deleted his post

Yeah...that's totally what happened *cough*

[Lunar]

I've issued 44 infraction points so far in this thread.  Please keep it cool.

[Lunar]

http://andrewsullivan.theatlantic.com/

5.47 pm. A reader writes:

I'm a licensed psychologist with 20 years experience. I've watched the Jared Loughner Youtube videos. They show evidence of delusions of persecution. Loughner's less than coherent language also suggests a formal thought disorder. While Loughner can't be diagnosed without a full exam conducted in person, there are significant indications in the videos that he suffers from a psychotic disorder.

I would not rule out drugs as a factor, but he is within the age range that psychotic patients often suffer their first psychotic break. If I had to guess, I'd go with paranoid schizophrenia. If that's the case, his politics are irrelevant. He may not even be fit to stand trial unless and until his psychotic thinking is brought under control with medication.

[Lunar]

Respect where it is due:

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/09/us/politics/09giffords.html?pagewanted=2&hp
[quote]
Senator John M. McCain of Arizona, a Republican who serves in Washington with Ms. Giffords issued one of the strongest statements, saying: “I am horrified by the violent attack on Representative Gabrielle Giffords and many other innocent people by a wicked person who has no sense of justice or compassion. I pray for Gabby and the other victims, and for the repose of the souls of the dead and comfort for their families.” He added: “Whoever did this; whatever their reason, they are a disgrace to Arizona, this country and the human race, and they deserve and will receive the contempt of all decent people and the strongest punishment of the law.”

[Lunar]

I agree, gun rights and politics are not completely unassociated with assassination attempts on political figures, although it certainly muddles the discussion on a board like this one!

Well, in most countries, it is very difficult to have a semi-automatic weapon. In Quebec, it must be kept locked, in an hunting club, you must follow a use course and an psychological evaluation, if I remember well.

The 2nd amendment isn't absolute, there are legal restrictions for certain groups of people, e.g. people with a history of violent crime, mental illness.

The problem is, there's a significant portion of the country that doesn't particularly care for those as legitimate exceptions, or say they do, but are only paying it lip service.

And not to be a total dick. But it's completely legitimate to talk about gun rights and the political environment from all the rhetoric in the last year or two in regard to this incident. I think it's irresponsible to throw around accusations, but would this have happened if the rhetoric on the right was not so incendiary? It's a legitimate question in my mind that shouldn't be shot down by your shaming.

[Lunar]

House Majority Leader Eric Cantor has said the House has postponed all legislation for next week, including the symbolic health-care repeal vote.

I'm working on getting a link, but I got it on a tweet text from Politico.

http://twitter.com/politico

"Next week's health repeal vote (and all other legislation scheduled for next week) postponed, Cantor's office says in a statement"

[Lunar]

Can people reading this thread please not report posts just because they find the political angle of them distasteful and/or stupid? Obviously emotions are running high (and that's fine; normal even) but, you know. I mean, within reason of course. Trolling is trolling.

a screenshot that counts roughly 24 of my most recent reports in my email inbox:

[Lunar]

I haven't see that immigrant theory thing in this thread either, even among the many posts I've deleted

But, like I've said, an assassination of a political figures is inherently political.

[Lunar]

But, like I've said, an assassination of a political figures is inherently political.

The discussion is political but to assign a specific political motivation/ideology just after this happens is ridiculous.

Of course, of course.  But I guess I mean it's a political act, an assassination of this type. It's not a political act from the opposing party (an easy misconception) of course, but it's not easy to separate from politics altogether as sad as it is

This one is particularly rough as people assign preconceived stereotypes to the situation

[Lunar]

Indeed, good post above.

It'll certainly be easier for this guy to make an insanity plea lookin' like this:
1

[Lunar]

I just realized I was born in her district and grew up (until I was 3 years old) about 8.5 miles away from the shooting, huh

[Lunar]

her website has been updated

http://www.giffordsforcongress.com/

[Lunar]

Her condidtion has been upgraded to "serious".

I had to look up whether or not that was a good thing, hah

[Lunar]

Sorry... I thought upgraded made it clear enough (although, to be honest, I've never understood the rating system, because serious has always sounded worse than critical to me).

I'm fairly unfamiliar with it --  I was thinking the phrase "the threat level has been upgraded" would mean that it has increased in severity, but that this was probably a good thing (which it was)

[Lunar]

apologies if that has already been posted, but just weird

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2011/01/15/AR2011011501922.html?hpid=topnews

After checking into the Motel 6, Loughner went to a nearby Walgreens to retrieve the film he had developed. The photos showed Loughner wearing a red G-string and holding a gun near his buttocks, according to law enforcement sources.



edit: and what's this part about?

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