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January 8, 2011

Congresswoman shot and recovering

By Thomas Lifson

Updated substantially based on news reports: 

U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-AZ) and a reported 12 others have been shot during a public event outside a supermarket in Tucson, Arizona. She is recovering from surgery

We picked up NPR's report that she had died, but thankfully this was not true. The bullet reportedly went through her skull completely. Federal is Judge John M. Roll is reported to have died. The total number of deaths is 5 or 6 at this writing, with others wounded.

Witnesses reported the gunman shouted before opening fire. He menthodically shot his victimgs, before he was tackled by members of the crowd, and taken into custody. His name is reported to be Jared Loughner, and from the snippets about him leaking out so far, he sounds like a kook. Shepard Smith of Fox has read excerpts from videos he made (here's one YouTube channel
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nHoaZaLbqB4&feature=youtu.be ( He writes about The  Constitution, treason). Apparently, he has some military background.

In addition to talking about dreams, he mentions a "second Constitution," and rants about the gold standard. He had a MySpace page which has been taken down.  
Politico has published an excerpt from the video, giving some flavor of a demented mind:

If there's no flag in the constitution then the flag in the film is unknown.
There's no flag in the constitution.
Therefore, the flag in the film is unknown.
Burn every new and old flag that you see.
Burn your flag!
I bet you can imagine this in your mind with a faster speed.
Watch this protest in reverse!
Ask the local police; "What's your illegal activity on duty?".
If you protest the government then there's a new government from protesting.
There's not a new government from protesting.
Thus, you aren't protesting the government.

Expect much more from the left demonizing conservatives and especially the Tea Parties.

The Congresswoman was in favor of border enforcement, second amendment rights. She received a 100% rating from NARAL. (corrected)

Conservatives are used to being blamed for political violence (recall Mayor Bloomberg's speculation that the Times Square bomber [a jihadi] was upset about ObamaCare). Expect the worst.

We pray for her and her family.

Update. President Obama has just spoken on television, and describes Rep. Giffords as fighting for her life, speaking warmly and admiringly of her, calling her Gabby. He asked for prayers for all the victims, and promising to get to the bottom of it, and to get through it.  

Richard Baehr adds:

A president of a community college and friend of Giffords just blamed "the right "on CNN for creating a climate of hate in the state, and said that the state was gun happy. The friend admitted she is a gunowner herself, and shoots. 

Giffords had a very bright political future. After winning in a big GOP year, she was a likely Democratic candidate for governor or senator at some point. Robert Reich a couple of years ago said she would be 1st or 2nd woman president. 

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