Congresswoman's condition stable; 8 hospitalized

Seeded on Mon Jan 10, 2011 1:52 PM EST (msnbc.com)

— Filed under: health

Andy Horning

I've heard/seen almost exactly squat about the federal judge who was killed.

I understand that the congresswoman's story continues and the judge's is done. I understand that the other deaths/injuries were "little people."

But haven't we gone a little too far with this intense focus on one tragedy to the exclusion of others that seem, in some cases, even more heartbreaking?

3 votes

#1 - Mon Jan 10, 2011 2:10 PM EST

propellerdiver

This kind of medical news is so mixed...it's horrific that they had to remove half her skull, but comforting that they do this routinely now for military injuries. It's terrible that they'll measure her recovery in months or years- but so WONDERFUL that they speak of recovery at all, that she's in that fortunate 5% of survivors at all. It's all in all a bright spot in this tragedy. If only we could have some good news for the families of the deceased, like that poor little girl.

2 votes

#2 - Mon Jan 10, 2011 2:55 PM EST

Dan-779427

Andy......... a piece was run yesterday somewhat detailing the lives of the deceased. My heart goes out to the family of the 9 year old girl. Such a senseless tragedy.

1 vote

#3 - Mon Jan 10, 2011 5:50 PM EST

Andy Horning

Thanks, Dan. But I can't help but think that our culture has descended into a very bad place when ordinary folk, living everything but charmed lives fall off our sympathy scale; while the privileged elite get all the perks as well as all our attention when things go wrong.

Maybe I'm the one who's wrong.

But when I see how people bleed for Princess Diana, or a Kennedy, and just drive by tragedies in their own neighborhoods every day, I get a little disgusted.

We could help our neighbors and thus make the whole world a better place. But instead we look for our enemies and tragedies overseas and raise up idols.

Sorry about the rant...I'm just feeling that too many deserving people get the short end, while those who already have rewards beyond anything we'll ever see get the emotions that should be closer to home.

3 votes

#3.1 - Mon Jan 10, 2011 6:08 PM EST

countrygirl78

The news groups have one maxim: if it bleeds, it leads.

If a child is killed, the gender, socioeconomic and ethnic status determine whether the story "grows legs"

The girl that was killed is a story. The judge is a story. Rep Gabby Gifford's story "has legs"

#3.2 - Mon Jan 10, 2011 7:08 PM EST

bckm

Andy, i didnt read your previous post, but this one is beautiful, and anyone who finds fault with this post has a screw loose somewhere. thank you for raising the bar.

1 vote

#3.3 - Mon Jan 10, 2011 7:33 PM EST

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