It has been an awful start to the year for the community in Tucson, Arizona. However that has been made worse in my mind by the manner in which it has been reported.
The shooting of the congresswoman and killing of six people has been widely reported around the world. The politician has received the greatest attention followed by the eminent judge - which suggests they are more important than the rest. I have to disagree with that premise and feel that for anyone who supports the weapon carrying amendment to be killed or injured is unfortunate but also quite possibly poetic justice: promote weapons and expect the consequences. I don't condone the act - just recognise the principle of cause and effect.
A child was killed - she, rather than her 9/11 birthday, should be mourned first.
The deranged young man who carried out the shooting is deserving of our prayers and sympathy. His family must be in absolute despair.
We will no doubt hear a great deal about the need for justice in order to avenge these killings. The question that should be upper-most, though, is how to prevent a recurrence. Sadly that will be a call for the death penalty and more guns rather than real help for the vulnerable and mentally ill in our society.
