On Jan. 8, just a week past the turn of the new year, the entire nation recoiled in horror at the tragic shooting outside of Tucson, Arizona grocery store that left six dead and another 14 wounded.
The brutal act transpired during what should have been a peaceful publicity meeting with Representative Gabrielle Giffords.
The New York Times stated that among the casualties were a young girl, a federal judge, three retirees and a member of Gifford’s staff.
Gifford herself suffered a close range shot to the head and has just begun to emerge from her comatose, unresponsive state.
As of Jan. 18, reports said that she is now capable of breathing on her own and responding to basic verbal cues, though her recovery process is ongoing.
The 22-year-old shooter, Jared Lee Loughner, was detained by heroic bystanders before he could reload his weapon and continue the carnage.
He was charged the next day with five federal counts.
Despite his mental instability and his history of being rejected from the military for drug-related incidents, the murderer purchased his weapon without difficulty from a local gun store.
This seeming incongruence has sparked fierce debate over arms control laws in Arizona and the rest of the nation.
In addition, the inflammatory incident has also drawn a host of notable political opinions.
Senator John McCain, Arizona native and close friend of shooting victim Judge John M. Roll, spoke out in vehement condemnation of the bloodshed.
“Whoever did this; whatever their reason, they are a disgrace to Arizona, this country and the human race, and they deserve, and will receive, the contempt of all decent people and the strongest punishment of the law,” McCain said.
Among those to comment was also former president Bill Clinton, who broadened the scope of the discussion by stressing the importance of political unity in the face of calamity.
“I think this is an occasion for us to reaffirm that our political differences shouldn’t degenerate into demonetization in the sense that, you know, if you don’t agree with me you’re not a good American,” Clinton said.
Fueling the sensationalism surrounding the tragedy, noted personality and Alaskan governor Sarah Palin was accused of prompting the shooting by depicting Gifford’s district under cross-hairs.
In a venomous accusation against the media, she committed the extra mistake of using the expression “blood-libel,” a term historically used in the persecution of Jews.
In a touching and powerful speech to the saddened American public, President Obama personally addressed the Arizona shooting.
First and foremost, he affirmed the unique strengths and virtues of American society that the six victims died exemplifying.
“On Saturday morning, Gabby, her staff and many of her constituents gathered outside a supermarket to exercise their right to peaceful assembly and free speech,” Obama began.
“They were fulfilling a central tenet of the democracy envisioned by our founders—representatives of the people answering to their constituents—so as to carry their concerns to our nation’s capital…That is the quintessentially American scene that was shattered by a gunman’s bullets. And the six people who lost their lives on Saturday—they too represented what was best in America.”
Obama proceeded to honor each victim with individual anecdotes, calling upon the accounts of their respective loved ones to give meaning to their life and death.
He began with Judge John Roll, Arizona’s chief federal judge, who was making an appearance at the event on his way to attend church services.
Next, Obama addressed the victim Dorothy Morris and the loving attempt of her high school sweetheart turned 50 year husband to protect her from harm.
“When gunfire rang out, George, a former Marine, instinctively tried to shield his wife. Both were shot. Dot passed away.”
Loving mother and grandmother Phyllis Schneck was next to be honored, followed by the touchingly tragic account of Dorwan Stoddard who sacrificed his life for that of his wife Mavy by throwing himself in the way of the bullet.
Gifford’s devoted outreach director Gabe Zimmerman was remembered for his gregarious love of people and passion for his work.
“He died doing what he loved: talking with people and seeing how he could help,” said Obama. Last to be honored was nine-year-old Christina Taylor Green, an upstanding student and passionate athlete with aspirations far beyond most children her age.
While Obama acknowledged the tragedy in all its horror and complexity, his parting message to the American people was one of hope, perseverance and thankfulness.
“Our hearts are broken by their sudden passing,” he said.
“Our hearts are broken and yet our hearts also have reason for fullness… May God bless and keep those we’ve lost in restful and eternal peace.
“May He love and watch over the survivors. And may he bless the United States of America.”
Jeffrey Palmer can be reached at jeffrey.palmer@spartans.ut.edu.