Tragedy in Arizona

Tragedy is perhaps an understatement.

I was shocked and surprised and on another level not shocked or surprised.

I think this sums up where I am on this right now:

In an emotional news conference late Saturday, Pima County Sheriff Clarence W. Dupnik (D) denounced the nation's vitriolic political climate and noted Arizona's part in the rancor after a controversial crackdown on illegal immigration.

"The anger, the hatred, the bigotry that goes on in this country is getting to be outrageous, and unfortunately Arizona has become sort of the capital," Dupnik said. "We have become the mecca for prejudice and bigotry."

The fiery rhetoric that has taken hold in politics, Dupnik said, "may be free speech, but it's not without consequences."

Now will start the great blame game and the duck and cover game. The pointing of fingers. The rationalization and justification for whatever point of view is out there. In the end everyone will avoid taking any sort of responsibility for the tone that is being set in this country.

I agree with the sheriff point that there is free speech but there are consequences to everything that we not only say but what we do as well.

My main point here is it's time that everyone grows up and starts acting like adults. Start acting like responsible adults instead of spoiled little children who have to get their way on everything. Start thinking that words and actions do indeed have consequences and realized what those consequences might be.

A few days ago Congresswoman Giffords took part in reading the Constitution on the House floor. She got to read the First Amendment:

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

In a tragic irony, Giffords was attacked while exercising here right to do just that.

I have a suggestion for a New Year's Resolution, if it is not too late for one, that all the politicians and the pundits and the talking heads well for that matter everybody tone the rhetoric, tone down the name calling. Start acting like the adults we are supposedly suppose to be.