There were about 30 emails on my office computer this morning. About the Tuscon shooting. And safety. Although Congress wasn't in session today, there was a gathering on the east front for a moment of silence for the Arizona victims.
The Sergent at Arms and the Capitol Police sent information on personal safety that included how to avoid a terrorist roadblock while driving, how to avoid being boxed in while driving, and how to alert the police if someone acting abnormally comes into your office. In addition to safety briefings, we were given hoods to be worn in case of chemical, biological, or nuclear attacks. We received two one-way alert radios connected directly to the Capitol Police. And two shelter-in-place packs the size of large carry-on bags.
Where do you draw the line between accessibility and safety? Where do we set the gauges on any spectrum? And whom do we trust?
Salmaan Taseer couldn't even trust his own guard.
Sunday
3 weeks ago
I really do think that the media and politicians have begun to play this for their own gain. You cannot possibly blame a grown, political, or otherwise, for the acts one person chooses to commit. I think some form of security is prudent, but to make it now that the American people have to be security checked to speak or interact with their reps seems like painting all of us with one very big brush. I think everyone needs to take a step back and seriously look at why they are reacting the way that they are. And if it is really based fact, or what people want to see.
ReplyDeleteI have no words except to send blessings to you and yours.
ReplyDeleteIf you are supposed to alert the police if someone acting abnormally comes into your office, it sounds like there could be a lot of phone calls.
ReplyDeleteBe safe.
This sounds remarkably like what we heard in Saudi when I was there during Desert Storm. It is all nonsense. If you live like life is that dangerous, it will be (and if it isn't, you will never know). This guy was a lone nut. There always were and always are lone nuts. Everything provokes such exaggerated responses today. If Henry Clay did not require a body guard, then today's midgets do not either. They should get over themselves.
ReplyDeleteArizona's event was tragic, but not part of a plot. My sense of Rep. Giffords from what news clips I have seen, is that she would not be running for safety if the tragedy happened to someone else. The problem in Washington, and its failure to put any reasonable fixes in place in any tough or controversial issues is the political cowardice of the elected. Why add physical cowardice to the mix? I suggest Congress adopt a resolution assuring the public that they are not worth shooting.
Many people are killed by their spouses. Should we all then have plexiglass installed down the center of our beds?
This is not (yet) Pakistan. If some of these 'safety' measures are adopted, it soon will be. An odd thing I have noticed is that the people with the most guns seem to be the scaredest.
It’s terrible what happened in Tuscon & also in Pakistan. The sad thing at some point in the near future, some loon, somewhere will do likewise by firing shots into innocent bystanders – there’s unfortunately precedent. We can by all means take all the necessary precautions when out & about, but this kind of thing tends to happen right out of the blue, so we can’t live in fear. We musn’t.
ReplyDeleteWellll, I'm not a Sarah-fan but I hardly think it's fair to say she, in particular, caused the Tucson Goober to kill people. From the sounds of it he was destined to do that at some point to either politicians, classmates, or his own family. The dude was just frickin' crazy. That said, I think the angry tone that has been set by politicians and pundits affects all of us. The whole country seems angry about SOMEthing. Those not angry are scared shitless.
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