“Too often we… enjoy the comfort of opinion without the discomfort of thought. ” ~John F. Kennedy
A few years ago one of my best friends took a job with then newly elected House of Representatives member, Gabrielle Giffords. You know when you think about something that happened so long ago and at the time was not newsworthy? At the time it was something I would never have thought to write about or think twice on. Just a job with a House Member. Now some three years later every conversation is remembered and replayed. Quite honestly, Gabby’s staff adores her. Meet enough politicians and you know who the good ones are a fact not based on the bills introduced or leadership positions held but because of their staff.
And now…Now I find myself at a loss for words. It’s probably easier to comment on a situation when you don’t feel close to the subject matter. Hence the ability for reporters and the whole of Twitter to chatter off to anyone and everyone. Meanwhile all I feel is that complete sadness and helplessness that occurs and overwhelms when the inexplicable happens. This isn’t some random, far off person, this is someone I know and people I know and love have long loved Gabby. It was my already precarious state that made me so livid on Saturday; the who said what that caused what instead of genuine feelings of sadness and sorrow. We’ve become a mass of people who are able to provide our every thought, discuss our every whim and more importantly able to provide color commentary for any event. With all of these things comes some sort of responsibility…at least I would hope or maybe the knowledge that as adults we should know to keep the hateful rhetoric down and yet we aren’t.
I spent the better part of Saturday oscillating between grief and being furious. Angry not just at the situation but the piss poor behavior of those bearing witness to the events via social media. I love good political back and forth more than the next person but we should all know that there is a time and a place for speculation and the blame game and four hours after a horrific event might not be the best time. Who benefits from such a thing? It made me feel no less better about the previous hours to hear Liberals blaming the entire Tea Party movement and vice versa.
This is a complete stream of conciousness so you must forgive me but the last thing I must say is this: What happened was awful and incomprehensible and it happened at a public event with a Congresswoman doing her job. Now never mind my overwhelming love of our bicameral legislature but I have a bit of a soft spot for the House. Though all 535 members of Congress can be seen roaming the halls of the Capitol, saying Hi to passersby it is the House that has representation mastered. Which is their job of course and I feel honored to know so many members who take that role seriously. I enjoy the unfettered access to our representation as part of living in a representative democracy. What happened on Saturday affects all of us and the life to which we are accostumed hings that I along with others have taken for granted. I think of the number of political events, rallies and the like I attend each session and never before have I given any of what I do second thought. But now? I don’t even know. I’m not fearful I am just…well…I don’t even know.The one thing I do know is that this changes everything and that’s what scares me most.
3 Comments
I worked on the Hill when the police officers were assassinated in the Capitol, and I can remember feeling so much of what you are right now. Please know that my thoughts and prayers are with you and your friends.
What a well-written article. I couldn’t agree with you more. I live in Tucson and these events took place while I was in my house about 1.5 -2 miles away. I don’t know Gabby, but I’ve seen her around town. My husband has been at fundraisers for her and heard her speak. We like and support her. She’s so sane and normal and middle of the road and happy and smiley – it’s hard to believe that anyone could have set out to do such a thing to her and to other innocents. It’s hard for us to wrap our heads around. And it hurts. Boy does it hurt. And it does change everything. For a while you’re going to be afraid – for a while I’m going to be afraid to go to the store. But time will heal. Gabby is slowly healing and doing better and soon we will be too. Hang in there sweet lady.
Indeed, this will change things. I just wonder which things it will change, and whether as a country we will come out better or worse for this horrible thing that happened. I get a lot of crap from the gun lovers and gun owners I know, but really. To me, it seems like it really shouldn’t be so easy to buy a gun.. Yes, people can still kill people with their hands, with knives, with bombs, with sticks or what have you – but I think things like this send a message – at least to me – that shit’s getting out of control around here. Be safe, Heather! Thinking of you and all of the other caring, brave souls who work hard every day to make our America better.