Who or What is Responsible?

Ever since Adam and Eve had one son, Cain killed their other son Able the world's parents have had children that stray from their teachings. Sometimes the parents have taught by example and by word what is moral, right, and just. Other times either the parent is ill, passed away, or incapacitated in some way to where they are unable to do the job that is their privelege. And then there are children that are abandoned or live in abusive or currupt situations without parents or whose parents are compromised from previous generations or other influences.



On January 8, 2011 we saw the devastating result of a mentally unbalanced person Jared Lee Loughner.  His actions reaked havoc on the Kelly-Gifford family, our federal government, numerous families of the victims, the city of Tucson, the state of Arizona and affected the entire planet when he chose to attempt to assasinate Congress Woman Gabrielle Giffords.

To avert this kind of calamity from happening community members, family, and church leaders must be on the alert. There were many signs that Loughner was not a stable member of society. Perhaps if teachers, counselors, and agencies had acted proactively six people including a federal judge and a bright nine-year old girl would still be alive and enjoying life.

The loss of six lives, and injury of thirteen others caused blame  to start  the second the first tweet blasted the news into twitter world. Vitriol was charged as an inciting factor. As much as we love our freedom of speech in this country, I hope that we may curb our tongues, and corral our verbiage in printed materials. At the memorial service for the shooting victims, President Obama pleaded for us to use words that heal and not wound. Common courtesy and respect for others seems to be lacking in today's society.


Almost four months after her gunshot wound in the brain, Giffords is medically cleared to attend her husband, Mark E. Kelly's launch with the Endeavor crew for the next to last shuttle mission this coming Friday, April 29th, 2011 at Cape Canaveral.  She has made remarkable steps to recovery, but speech is minimal and she has limited use of her right arm and leg.

As Congress woman Giffords climbs the steep mountain to recovery, our society must do so also. Priorities must be given to Safety, Family Health and Welfare, and caring and effective Community outreach.