Remember victims in Tuscon attack

Remember victims in Tuscon attack

It is a horrible tragedy that occurred on Jan. 8 in Arizona. However, what is also tragic is the political spin so many immediately started rooting for, like swine in search of food.

First, an Arizona sheriff who, in an extreme act of unprofessionalism, gave an unsubstantiated opinion instead of facts, which he himself admitted he had no evidence for. This seemed to ignite an unholy fire fueled by political agendas empty of facts. Sarah Palin became a scapegoat. But what about the targets on a map a major Democratic national organization used, or Joe Mandrin’s (D-W.VA) commercial where he fired a rifle at a copy of the cap-and-trade bill, pinned to a tree like a target?

Can we look at the facts for a change? The authorities’ investigation thus far has uncovered evidence that the gunman is a deeply troubled, mentally unstable individual. He was planning Gifford’s assassination back in 2007-long before Palin came on the scene. His behavior made people uncomfortable around him. Former college classmates feared for their lives. All paint a picture of a deadly deranged individual, not motivated by any recent political rhetoric, but rather by his own sinister apocalyptic fantasies of self-glory. Leave the blame on whom it belongs.

Can we instead as a nation come alongside the living victims, their families and families of the murdered with prayer, love and support? How about the same for the gunman’s parents, now living a nightmare? Finally, how about prayer for the gunman himself? Jesus said “Love your enemies, pray for those who spitefully use you, so that you may be children of your Father in heaven.” (Mt. 5:44-45). He needs help beyond what any human has the capacity of providing. Hate is easy and cowardly; love requires godly guts.

Rev. Carlene Appel

Bloomingdale