When a tragedy strikes especially a senseless one as was experienced in Tucson over the weekend the initial reaction is to "fix" it. All of us share this reaction so it won't happen again and apply our own experiences to this.
These are real people like our sisters and brothers, mother or fathers, our children. The profound loss and pain they now endure is real and we must respect and respond to that first.
Whether right, left, or center on any of the great and polarizing issues of today, no matter how heartfelt and sympathetic to any and all involved in the tragedy it is inappropriate at best and immoral at worst to try to step into any of their shoes.
These polarizing outbursts coming to conclusions before we can even view facts can only serve to deepen the tragedy for those involved who need time and support from people who care for them.
The use of this or any tragedy to further any agenda is immoral and needs to be seen clearly that way. How do you help them by taking their humanity and making them a cause?
If we are still "one Nation under God, Indivisible, with Liberty and Justice for All" it also means upholding the hands of them as well as those similar in circumstance, and if we are willing to lose one of these characteristics for any of us it is we who are lost and tragic.
Who am I to weigh in on such things?
I was involved in a tragedy a few years ago that had the same results in a microcosm. I tried to help two people to no avail. Because of the circumstances a county was heatedly split and polarized for months. Some tried to make coin on the suffering, some through empathy cried on my shoulder that "if they were only there", and some spoke in a derogatory fashion concerning those that were lost and my own efforts.
At the same time I was nominated for the highest private award this county offers, and called a hero by a US Senator, and a state Governor, and a coward by many others who were not there.
I bring this up not to toot a horn but give a warning. All the people involved need at least compassion and understanding as do their families. They need the time to sort this through with those they love and trust and not be thrust into a hard or harsh debate.
Otherwise they may endure the nightmares that come with unfounded or warrantless talk, and we may find we have truly failed as a moral people.
Let us opt for healing instead.
Keep focus where it needs to be today, consoling families.