A reporter called me a little while ago, and told me that Rep. Gabrielle Giffords had been shot at a public event. She is in critical condition.
I'm going to let others comment on what this means for America. I just want to say what it means to me.
Gabrielle Giffords and I served together on the House Committee on Science and Technology. She was the Chairman of the Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics, and I was a member of that subcommittee. Her D.C. office was one floor above mine.
I saw Gabby dozens, if not hundreds of times, during our two years together. And nearly every time that I can remember, she was smiling.
Gabby is one of the most cheerful, charming and engaging people I have ever known. She's always looking on the bright side. She has something good to say about pretty much everyone. Bad news never lays a glove on her. She loves life, and all the people in it.
No matter what is going on in your life, after fifteen minutes with Gabby, you'll feel that you can touch the stars.
Everyone knew that Gabby would have a tough race in 2010. (She actually won with 49% of the vote.) But I always thought that if each of her constituents could spend that fifteen minutes with her, and see what she is really like, then she would win with 99.9% of the vote. (Same thing about Harry Teague of New Mexico, who lost, and a few others that I could name.) You would want her as your Congressman, because you would want her as your friend.
I know nothing about the man who shot Gabby, and what was going through his mind when he did this. But I will tell you this -- if he shot Gabby out of hatred, then it wasn't Gabby he was shooting, but rather some cartoon version of her, drawn by her political opposition. Because there is no way -- no way -- that anyone who really knows Gabby could hate her or hurt her. She is a kind, gentle soul.
My heart goes out to Mark Kelly, Gabby's husband, and the many, many people who love her. Gabby, we don't want to lose you. Please stay here with us.
Follow Alan Grayson on Twitter: www.twitter.com/alangrayson
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What a nice tribute to someone you have worked with. I must agree with most of the posts that you have served your District/State/Nation as one should. As are others, I am saddened that you lost your seat since I did like to watch you speak, with the compassion that few in Congress have, to the things that would help many. You have made a difference in more lives than you will ever know.
Stay in it for those of us that need someone just like you to stand by our side.
Very kind words about Gabrielle. Very classy.
Grayson's intent is clear: "I'm going to let others comment on what this means for America. I just want to say what it means to me."
He adds, understandably as a friend of the victim, that the peculiar picture the shooter may have had was "some cartoon version of her, drawn by her political opposition". That appears to be supported by evidence.
"Most polarizing?" comment - hardly.
In an attempt to create the illusion of value (read: compensation & job security --- things humans inherently strive & work towards -- including myself & unapologetically i will add)...Congress has resorted to heavily negative campaigning, rhetoric, posturing, self-serving behavior. This coupled with a code of protecting their brethren that is right out of the wall street playbook.
I do not know representative Gifford, but I am certain she was a good person and her family is grieving and I completely understand that. I just feel that this should be a wake up call to everyone in Congress...I (and i am certain many many others (spanning the spectrum of a nuts & bolts education to a platinum education), that american politics is beginning to resemble theatre & not community service. This isn't a nostalgic rant at all, just an acknowledgement of the incredibly sharp sword the new new media has the ability to wield. So many avenues to penetrate american minds and so many ways to market it as pure fact, gospel if you will. A call to sanity is long overdue.