Yes, chatty, the whole city is in shock. But at least we can help the families by making sure the funerals and memorials for the dead are not disrupted by outside organizations. So many people have volunteered because otherwise they would just feel helpless.

Although an unbalanced man did the shooting it was politically driven. She is a congresswoman. He'd gone to one of her meetings before and she sent him a letter thanking him for attending. She was against whatever was in his head and he acted upon that. I don't think they will find him 'insane' but I do think they will find him mentally ill.
I disagree that this was not politically driven and that if this woman had protection this would not have happened. President Regan had secret service all around him and was still attacked. When someone wants to do someone harm they will find a way. This man came to gundown a political figure and take out as many of her supporters as possible.
Perhaps this should be a wakeup call to end the retirec that promotes hate and insightment of negative behaviors from those who are and are not balanced. There seems to no longer be any forethought before speaking one's mind. There doesn't seem to be research for facts before putting out info. And for those who present the facts seem to get rebuked by those who may be proved wrong in their summation of going ons.
I'm so glad the congresswoman is still alive and God willing will pull through her ordeal and be whole again. The travisty is that anyone was shot and killed because of their beliefs. I listened to Sarah Palin's comments about the map with targets on them and how polite she's suddenly become. Perhaps if she'd been this polite from the beginning as well as other politicians on both sides, the atmosphere in this nation would be less stressful and less violent. It was refreshing to hear FOX TV's producer tell his reporters to tone down the retoric and stick to the facts and to use intelligence in their reporting...finally, someone taking responsibility for what is put out to the public. Politicians and citizens need to stop using hate language and threats of violence to make their voices heard. I understand everyone is passionate about their beliefs, but that doesn't mean we have to be hateful in how we respond to those we disagree with.

Well said, Dee. Whether this man acted because of what he heard may never be known. He is mentally unbalanced and evidently has been for some time. I don't believe he can plead insanity because there is evidence he planned this attack. The requirements for an insanity plea have, I believe, been tightened to only include those acts where the person acted on impulse and could not differentiate between right and wrong. I don't think the shooter fits that description. Just my opinion, of course.

I know that both sides have used violence-laced rhetoric, but some have at least apologized for their words; most haven't, and I find that unconscionable. These are the people who will never admit they may have been wrong, under any circumstances. Please, all of us are wrong some times; a decent human being would admit it.

Has anyone spoken of the 16 bystanders who were shot? I haven't heard or seen any of their names or if they are okay or still in hospital or what? They were victims too and should be thought of and prayed for.

The political atmosphere in the country today is dangerous but it has always been in the past as well but with the internet, 24 hour TV and talk radio, we see/hear much more of the news. Before now it was only nightly news and newspapers caring anything. But with whats available now it makes for more people watching, reading and listening thus becoming involved and emotional about what is going on on both sides of the political coin. At a few rallies I atended I heard so many, women especially, saying this and the last campaign are the first ones they have taken any interest in except to vote. I suppose that is good and bad in some ways. What kind of an example is given to our young children with the open pointing of fingers and meanspiritedness??? And guess what, it will never be any different either, because man/woman do not learn from their mistakes. The past, and today proves that loud and clear...

There are still six in the hospital, Chatty, Gabby is still in critical condition but has been moving and making purposeful movements, good signs that the brain is working well for movement. She has made it past the 72 hour mark with no increase in brain swelling and no infection. Two people are in serious condition, and three people are in fair condition.

CNN has covered who was shot, posted their photos and included them in their coverage. It's not only been about Gabby.

As I type this they are showing everyone's photos so it's not that the others have been forgotten. The main person who was meant to be murdered is still alive and she's the state's congresswoman so naturally they are going to focus on her...but, as I've been watching TV for the past 4 days I can say that the others have not been ignored at all.

No, they haven't been forgotten. They are mentioned often in local media and in the daily briefings from the hospital.

I just watched the memorial from the University of Arizona campus. So many people there in the basketball arena plus another crowd that overflowed the football stadium. In total there were upwards of 40,000 people attending the memorial. It was broadcast live and also live streamed over the internet. It was sad but uplifting at the same time.

Thanks for the update Dee and Yonuh. I haven't had time to watch TV much but when I have I missed the naming of the others who were shot I guess. I've been wondering who they were and how they were doing.