Suspected gunman Jared Lee Loughner is accused of killing six people and injuring 13 more on Saturday, Jan. 8, including Rep. Gabrielle Giffords at a Safeway parking lot in Tucson.
Since then, people have said many things about the lives of the innocent victims. Much has also been said about the need for stronger gun control, the inadequate services for mental patients and the political rhetoric that could have contributed to the gunman’s deranged motives.
The one thing the media, commentators and politicians have overlooked is the one thing that seems obvious. But, there couldn’t be a more ideal time to consider it.
Public officials, like Giffords, selflessly dedicate their time to uphold democracy, yet people fail to recognize that.
Citizens should take time to consider that politicians are worthy of the utmost respect. They run for elected positions because they genuinely want to make a difference in their community.
They spend countless hours working to help constituents and sacrifice considerable amounts of time that could be spent with their families and friends.
It is naive to think that everyone in the United States will agree with their elected officials’ opinions.
But it is important for constituents to remember that respecting a politician’s opinions is much different from respecting his or her service to our country.
For example, I do not agree with the opinions of Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., but I do respect him as an elected official.
This distinction is very fine and hard to recognize, but it is a very important distinction to make.
Unfortunately, suspected gunman Jared Lee Loughner did not make that distinction. The sad thing is some Americans do not know that difference, either.
According to a recent article in The Arizona Republic, threats to public officials have been on the rise, even before the tragic shooting in Tucson.
Threats to federal judges and prosecutors were up 69 percent from 2003, the U.S. Marshals Service reported in 2008. The threat number approached nearly 100 each month nationwide.
Violence and threats are not reputable ways to express discontent with public officials, and there is absolutely no excuse for such actions.
There are several other ways for citizens to express their opinions. They can vote, talk with elected officials, or peacefully protest. But we should not resort to violence.
House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, said in response to the shooting in Tucson, “An attack on one who serves is an attack on all who serve. Acts and threats of violence have no place in our society.”
The tragedy in Tucson cannot be reversed, and the lives of innocent victims are gone forever. But if one thing can come of this tragic day, hopefully it will be a renewed appreciation for public officials and a stronger condemnation of violence.
9-year-old Christina Green, one of the innocent victims, saw the importance of all these ideals. Why can’t we?
Emilie is a freshman majoring in journalism. You can reach her at eeeaton@asu.edu.
