COMMENTARY | Three months ago, Arizona Democratic Rep. Gabrielle Giffords visited a local supermarket to meet with her constituents. Soon thereafter, America was in shock, hearing reports of a shooting which left six dead and Rep. Giffords critically wounded. It was soon learned that the accused gunman, Jared Lee Loughner, had targeted the representative for what, based on his Internet postings, seemed to be fanatical reasons not linked to any particular political party.
Since that time, Rep. Giffords has made much progress in her recovery. In fact, doctors have referred to her as making "leaps and bounds" and have recently speculated that she may be able to return home sometime in mid-April. Now that politicians have had time to digest the tragedy and Rep. Giffords is on her way to recovery, how has America's political landscape been affected?
Shortly after the shooting, President Obama spoke to Americans from Tucson and challenged the nation to practice civility, especially during this time of fierce political debate. Legislators began to request beefed up security, most recently requesting measures such as security cameras and even a Plexiglas barrier over the House floor. Unfortunately, the enthusiasm for greater security has not carried over in answering President Obama's plea for civility.
Within a week of President Obama's speech, Democratic Rep. Steve Cohen of Tennessee was on the House floor discussing Republican views about health care reform. In doing so, he compared Republican claims to the lies that Nazis told and led to the Holocaust. A few days later, he issued a statement saying that his words were taken out of context.
A little over a month after the shooting, Rep. Mike Capuano, a Democrat from Massachusetts, was speaking to a group of union members in Boston during the height of the intense Wisconsin battle over union collective bargaining rights. Rep. Capuano urged the crowd to do more than send emails and said that every "once in a while you need to get out on the streets and get a little bloody when necessary." He later apologized, saying that he regretted his choice of words.
Apparently, the uncivil rhetoric that has become commonplace in the political arena is not going to disappear. The tragedy has, however, resulted in attention to various areas that may have not been much of a priority before.
Prior to being injured, Rep. Giffords was working on a bill to improve safety along the U.S.-Mexico border. Her idea was to shore up cell phone service because, apparently, it is currently so inadequate that people in some areas are unable to call 911 when necessary. Rep. Ted Poe of Texas had been working on the bill with Giffords and recently introduced the bill on her behalf. The bill is certain to receive more attention in Congress out of respect for Rep. Giffords.
It is not surprising that gun control issues, which was a fiercely debated topic even prior to the Tucson shooting, have been discussed. One of the people killed in the shooting was Gabe Zimmerman, a congressional staffer who was to be married to Kelly O'Brien next year. O'Brien has been working hard to advocate a bill authored by Arizona State Rep. Steve Farley which would ban magazines that can hold more than 10 rounds.
Another issue gaining attention in Arizona is reforming the way background checks are conducted before guns are sold. Groups are advocating the passage of the federal Fix Gun Checks Act, which would close loopholes in the current law by creating a national database of people who are forbidden from buying firearms. The measure has received words of support from President Obama but has not gained enough traction to be passed as of this writing.
Only months after the shooting, it appears that much of the fervor to bring civility to the political landscape has been forgotten. As we approach the presidential election cycle, the uncivil rhetoric and vitriol that has become all too common will likely continue. This will be especially true in these times of high gas prices, starkly contrasted political views, and spending cuts being made or proposed that will affect just about everyone.
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