Local members of Congress react to Arizona shooting
by George Bennett | January 8th, 2011Members of Palm Beach County’s congressional delegation are reacting to today’s shooting of U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, D-Ariz.
Giffords was doing the kind of thing members of Congress in South Florida and across the country routinely do — conducting a “Congress On Your Corner” event with constituents at a shopping center in her district — when a gunman opened fire, critically wounding her and killing a federal judge and at least four other people.
Click here for a story on local reactions.
Read after the the jump for complete statements by local members of Congress and both Florida Senators….
U.S. Rep. Alcee Hastings, D-Miramar: “Gabby is truly a nice person, highly principled and tenacious. The attack on her, staff members, constituents and bystanders is incredibility senseless. My prayer and hope is that Gabby and all who were injured will be made whole. My condolences go out to those who have lost loved ones. Once all the facts are known, appropriate authorities should see to it that her attacker is brought to justice swiftly. All persons in America should call for our society to teach tolerance, love, and civility,” said Hastings.
U.S. Rep. Allen West, R-Plantation: “It is with great sorrow that I have learned of the incident which led to the critical injury of Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords and several members of her staff. Today, the prayers of myself, my family, and my staff go out to the family of Congresswoman Giffords, her staff, and the constituents of the Eighth Congressional District of Arizona. The United State House of Representatives and all Americans are praying for these faithful servants to our Republic.”
U.S. Rep. Ted Deutch, D-Boca Raton: “I am deeply saddened to learn that my colleague, Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, as well as members of her staff and other individuals, were shot at a constituent gathering this morning. Such acts of horrific violence tear at the fabric of our democracy, which is woven together by the everyday conversations that occur between ordinary people and those they elect to represent them. At this moment, as Congresswoman Giffords fights for her life, I offer my prayers to her and her family and all those suffering on account of this senseless tragedy.”
U.S. Rep. Tom Rooney, R-Tequesta : “I hope we all take a minute to pray for Gabby, her family and all the victims of today’s shooting. I have gotten to know Gabby over the last two years on the House Armed Services Committee. She is a remarkable public servant and truly a nice person. Tara and I want to send all our best to her and her family, and we look forward to seeing her back in Washington soon.”
U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson: “I am deeply saddened to learn of today’s events in Tucson. My prayers go out to Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords and all the victims, as well as to our NASA family, which includes her husband, who is training to be the next commander of the space shuttle mission slated for April, and her brother-in-law, who is currently serving aboard the International Space Station.”
U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio: “”My family and I pray for Congresswoman Giffords, all the victims of this horrific tragedy and their families. This senseless act has shocked our state and nation today, and I join my fellow Floridians in praying for her recovery. My family and I also mourn the loss of Judge Roll and others killed today. May they rest in eternal peace, and may their families find some comfort in their memories and in knowing that Florida’s prayers are with them.”
January 8th, 2011 at 6:13 pm
He tells his supporters to make his political opposition scared to come out of his house and hires his best bud as chief of staff who said “if ballots don’t work, bullets will,” and then feigns sorrow at this incident. This incident is indirectly caused by Allen West, Joyce Kaufman, and the rest of their cronies. Allen and Joyce, screw you both for all the hatred you both have brought into the world.
January 8th, 2011 at 6:21 pm
Shame on West for trying to wash his hands of this. Everything being reported right now states the assassin was an anti government zealot. West made statements telling masses to be “well armed” against this “tyrannical government”, and urged this same crowd to “grab their bayonets”.
His former chief of staff pledged to “start a militia” and “take back her government with bullets” if West lost.
While West was/is certainly not alone in enticing and inciting the disgruntled loonies, I guess we now know the dangers Mr West, of what happens when “we need to go beyond the Democratic Process”.
January 8th, 2011 at 6:48 pm
All politicians need to take this incident as a wake up call. The citizens have had enough.Democrats and Republicans need to stop screwing Americans over. They all need to remember it’s “We the People” not “We the Politicians”.No one particular party is to blame, Each share in this equally.
January 8th, 2011 at 6:51 pm
Jerry, you are in essence blaming this on Gabby giffords and other politicians…awesome, u r a true american hero
January 8th, 2011 at 6:56 pm
“and other politicians who did nothing to encite this violence” sorry, i deleted that by mistake
January 8th, 2011 at 7:26 pm
Unreal, All politicians Have ignored the citizens long enough. When you kick someone enough times even the meekest will fight back. Ms Giffords might not be personally to blame, However she is complicit in the current attitude in America. Earmarks,Entitlements and simply the “Good ol’ Boy” club attitude needs to stop.
January 8th, 2011 at 7:38 pm
Please stop. This wasn’t a coherent person. Read his rants and you will see he makes no mention of Allen West or anyone else. This guy is off the charts mental, and he could have gone off on anyone, Rep or Dem.
http://www.cnn.com/2011/CRIME/01/08/arizona.shootings.suspect.social/index.html?hpt=T1
January 8th, 2011 at 10:31 pm
Rush takes your paper. James Golden (Bo Snerdly) does as well, and probably Ann Coulter. I hope they sleep well tonight. I am sure they will.
January 8th, 2011 at 11:51 pm
Nascar Dad, when West, Boehner, Palin, or any other person encouraged people to put their government officials “in their crosshairs”, or “take up arms” against them, or threatening “bullet box if the ballot box doesnt work”, its not just sane people that hear these words, and if you think they are not partially to blame, you need to wake the f up!
January 8th, 2011 at 11:56 pm
Better words on the subject come from the Pima County Sheriff:
Sheriff Clarence Dupnik:
“When you look at unbalanced people, how they respond to the vitriol that comes out of certain mouths about tearing down the government. The anger, the hatred, the bigotry that goes on in this country is getting to be outrageous. And, unfortunately, Arizona I think has become sort of the capital. We have become the Mecca for prejudice and bigotry.
“It’s not unusual for all public officials to get threats constantly, myself included. And that’s the sad thing of what’s going on in America. Pretty soon, we’re not going to be able to find reasonable, decent people who are willing to subject themselves to serve in public office.”
Like I said, these people that played on the strings of anger the past couple years have blood on their hands.
January 9th, 2011 at 8:09 am
I indirectly blame Allen West for this. He is part of the problem in our country. Politicians willing to say anything, no matter how incendiary, to attract the radicals to their side. F-Allen West. He is laughing on the inside about this senseless killing.
January 9th, 2011 at 10:11 am
Just who were Alan West and the other radical right wing nuts suggesting we take up arms against if not Democrat legislators? Perhaps judges? 9-year olds?
The right’s reliance on vitriolic rhetoric and paranoia will lead to more of this kind of insanity.
If Hitler had Glenn Beck and the Fox News propaganda behind him we would all be dead or speaking German today.
January 9th, 2011 at 5:54 pm
It was a terrible tragedy especially about the child. Now get over it —- people die every day. The perpetrator was (from news reports) obviously mentally ill. I feel very bad for him too (I know most people are not capable of understanding that). It appears his mind set combined with the great public disgust of congress to cause this event. Frankly, I would now enjoy hearing some news that is NOT related to this. Congress will surely (as usual) over react. In response to this event, it will enact onerous and liberty stealing laws. The continuous repetitive reporting on this topic is very irritating.
January 9th, 2011 at 7:44 pm
Don’t turn away. Don’t bury your head in the sand. Get over the rage. Don’t believe the lies.
January 10th, 2011 at 11:31 am
Update: Allen West will be holding a Fundraiser at a local shooting range to benefit the victims of this senseless tragedy.
January 10th, 2011 at 12:11 pm
Democratic leaders calling for that political rhetoric to become “cooled”. Meanwhile, the radical left will carry on utilizing h@te simply that’s the only strategy to keep non thinking ground troops riled up and pushing for increasing, unsustainable amounts of socialism.
January 10th, 2011 at 2:15 pm
Yes, she(PALIN) should be held responsible!!
When people say and do things that has anti government rhetoric towards harm to others they are causing some to pass judgment before knowing the facts.
If I say or even suggest this at work and on my job I will be fired and probably arrested if I mention this rhetoric.
This is what is needed when public figures and politically charged talking heads create an atmosphere of hate and anger against the government . They inflame the public and cause division in our country.
There are consequences with such actions and these people need to be held responsible. They are quick to call the shooter a mad man but these are right wing tea partier words put into action.
WE HAVE A LOSS OF CIVILITY IN OUR COUNTRY AND THE TEA PARTY IS FUELING THE FIRE!!