Tucson Shooting: HuffPost Bloggers React

This past Saturday's tragedy in Tucson, Arizona, which left 6 dead and 14 injured, has predictably set off a storm of commentary. Who is Jared Lee Loughner? Does his violent act tell us something about how we deal with mental health in America; or, what role, if any, has the political atmosphere of late played in encouraging such violence? Do inadequate gun control laws enable it? How has the media performed in covering this story? Below is a slideshow of HuffPost blogger reactions to the shooting that seeks to answer these questions, as well as many others, from a wide range of perspectives. Readers are encouraged to vote on each slide, as well as leave comments below.

Drew Westen

Professor, Departments of Psychology and Psychiatry at Emory University

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Gun Violence and the Lessons of Tucson: Will the Chambers Once Again Be Loaded Against the American People?

Saturday was not the first time Gabby Giffords -- or countless other lawmakers, candidates, and elected officials, including President Obama -- was confronted at a campaign rally or town hall meeting by gun-toting bullies, whose primary goal (at least until this weekend) was intimidation. That bringing a concealed weapon within that proximity to an elected official could be legal in the world's longest-lasting democracy is both surreal and shameful -- and now it threatens that democracy.

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Comments

[asiclilpup]

02:09 PM on 01/10/2011

Can't vote-the trends and activity box is overlapping the ballot area. Not my puter, I reloaded (bad choice of words I know ) and r freshed, but still no go.

[godipo]

01:20 PM on 01/10/2011

We are living in a time in which the search for truth, for reality has been sidelined. Many people reject the idea that the search is a cooperative venture. I believe it is one and that working together - to be the government - to live in a civilized society - is the basic tenet of Democracy. Our current politic climate thrives on polarization. We are losing the traits of civilization learned over centuries...we are throwing them away. Instead we are reverting to tribalism. People want to be agreed with, they want to be surrounded by people who think like them, as though life were a football game. I think this is at the heart of the anger: the loneliness that ensues. Because a bunch of people saying rah rah does not touch the heart or mind, or reassure people on a deep level. Superficial bonds in politics or in friendship leave people lonely and very insecure about finding solutions to real problems. Being resilient and being able to be self-critical and to give and take criticism have been part of what has made this country great. We need to celebrate that kind of strength, not the kind that makes us sound like kids. We need to embrace complexity, not sound bites. Violence would not seduce so easily in an environment that acknowledged the need for humility and for working together.

[JDZSB]

10:52 PM on 01/10/2011

You just made my day. Very well said and you got right at the heart of the matter of what is missing in our country at this time in our history. Maybe our most recognized leaders need to think about providing the real kind of leadership that brings the country back together once again and stop this polarized approach to running the country. We need to see it in action.

[maxfax]

09:32 AM on 01/11/2011

What you missed is "respect" there is a total loss of respect for people, individuals, groups, beliefs. No matter one's politics, differences, there should be respect, instead you're seeing if someone is different, thinks different it is okay to victimize, even hate them with words even actions. And to your point of working together, when people don't who benefits? What's the payoff? People who are power hungry and greedy rely on divisiveness to achieve their goals. It's as old as the hills, it worked then, it works now, there is always someone on the receiving end reaping the benefit.