"Politics, makes strange bed fellows"

With the developments of the past week regarding the congresss woman giffords senseless shooting and the deaths of those doing nothing more than expressing their right to support a political position, it is with a sad heart that this blogger takes to the keys. While we are a country of varying positions, and differing political parties, we are also still a part of this one big country we call the United States.
While the motive is not clear, what is clear is that a politician has been targetted for assasination. If there is one thing that goes against everything this country stands for, it is the actions of the shooter Loughner.I do not believe there are to many other more unpatriotic actions anyone could take than the actions this coward  took.
My sincerest condolences go out to the families of those who were killed or injured and the families who remain to try to make sense of this tragety.
In my opinion, this event highlights what those of us who take to the public forum to speak out on the politics of this great nation, need to be mindfull of whenever we engage our audience. Whether it be a speech delivered in a mosqe, or a conservative radio talk show host or a blogger such as myself, we need to realize that what we say and write can influence those in unintended ways. Speach is protected, and there is no one responsible for the actions of this gunnman other than the gunman himself, but Politics spark intense beliefs and emotions. There is no evidence that this gunman was motivated by any particular voice or publication, but I believe we have a responsibility to be sure we are not encouraging those who are more impresionable, and may take our thoughs and opinions in ways which are unintended. Yes, Politics do make strange bed fellows.
My prayers go out to those who lost a loved one, who know someone who was injured, and yes, the family of the gunman.
There will no doubt be calls for more protected forums for political figures and yes, some will call for restrictions on guns, but this is not about a political advantage we can gain by this tragety. It is about families and communities which will be forever changed by these events. This is where our energy needs to be focused.