Wounded U.S. congresswoman is expected to have her breathing tube removed Friday
Article Source: msnbc.com
from:msnbc.comDoctor 'actually confident' of Giffords' recovery
Seeded on Tue Jan 11, 2011 9:58 AM EST (msnbc.com)
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God Bless her and all of those who are trying to recover from the unspeakable violence that was committed.
Let us also hold in the Light the families and all the medical staff caring for the victims.
May our future words and actions help RESTORE RESPECT--for one another & for LIFE itself.
She's a fighter, that's going to help.
A speedy recovery to Congresswoman Gifford and to all of the victims. There are a lot of people praying for you all.
My heart really goes out to the little girls family. To lose someone so young that will never have a chance to enjoy lifes wonders is heartbreaking!
This woman's a real tiger! I'm still praying for her.
Amen. She did not deserve this it does not matter if she is a Democrat or Republican or Tea Party member or Sarah Palin no one deserves to be shot like she was shot like that by a crazed insane member of society. Sadly, as much as we can people like him will fall though the cracks and go and do horrid things to others who do not deserve being shot or harmed. We are a republic and have as far as it still holds Freedom of speech and this is a blessiing for every legal American and we need to make sure the our Bill of rights and Constitiution is upheld and our laws are upheld . the insane "kidman" who did this not only to Gabby and others needs to be taken to court and the laws of our Country be applied. We are not a country of Vilgilantys . Gid Bless Gabby and the others who are doing their best to recover and God Bless those who need comfort who lost their loved ones in this tradgey. Love always a Fellow Citizens of American
It sad when a kid with no life and no prospects chooses to shoot someone who is a benefit to society. Note to next lunatic with self worth issues, when face with the thought of killing to prove you are someone, turn the gun on yourself and do the world a favor, no one and I do mean "no one" will miss you. Good luck in the long recovery process for the Congresswoman and heartfelt sympathy for those six people who lost their lives, those people will be missed.
This kind of tragedy is so senseless, so terrible, because it can happen to any of us, at any time. They have to start looking a lot closer to people who apply to own a gun, cause this guy, should've never have been allowed to own a gun. The shooter's own friends and schoolmates say, he's always been strange and scary. Until the Government steps in, and ban these Gun shows where anybody can buy a gun, without any kind of Background check. I'm sorry if that bothers some of you, but this insanity has to stop. One thing though, the shooter has obvious mental problms, and the Prosecution have to have him spoken to by their psychiatrists to determine if he's fit to stand trial. Personally, I think he's going to be deemed unfit for trail and be remanded to the State Pyschoward, were he'll get the mental help he obviously needs.
After days of watching the news of this sad event unfold, and listening to the spin it is creating, I really only am interested in hearing one thing, ....what do the victims and their loved ones think about this, and hopefully at some point, what does Ms. Giffords have to say, if she is capable of reasoned thought again.
I am completely tired of all of the partisan banter that has developed in this country and that is poisoning the minds of otherwise good people. I am saddened beyond belief at this latest murderous event perpetrated by a mentally unstable individual that is living in an aggressive and unfriendly environment of hatred broadcasting.
We must stop these devisive things and go back to lively, but respectful, discourse, debate and discussion. The current style of angry and loud spewing of opinions based on fabricated or truncated data, or other untrue "facts" is doing nothing of lasting value, except boosting ratings and creating wealth for those individuals and organizations involved with the promotion of the anger....and this shooting is a direct and final outcome of unbridled anger in the hands and mind of an unstable man living in a hateful climate....this is not the first example of this, and without making changes it will not be the last.
This kind of tragedy is so senseless, so terrible, because it can happen to any of us, at any time. They have to start looking a lot closer to people who apply to own a gun, cause this guy, should've never have been allowed to own a gun. The shooter's own friends and schoolmates say, he's always been strange and scary. Until the Government steps in, and ban these Gun shows where anybody can buy a gun, without any kind of Background check. I'm sorry if that bothers some of you, but this insanity has to stop. One thing though, the shooter has obvious mental problms, and the Prosecution have to have him spoken to by their psychiatrists to determine if he's fit to stand trial. Personally, I think he's going to be deemed unfit for trail and be remanded to the State Pyschoward, were he'll get the mental help he obviously needs.
Fringe......
He didn't buy the gun at a gun show he bought it at a gun store/sporting goods store and a back ground check was done..........I fail to see how banning gun shows would have prevented this tragedy................It is the instant check system that is flawed, U know the one... the one the gun control folks put in place to end this type of thing....... just sayin
I really wish Glen Beck and Rush Limbaugh would just go away! I never listen to them but wouldn't you know it, in reporting this horrible massacre, who does the media shove in our faces to listen to, these two and their continuous ranting and ravings. Someone needs to tell them to put a sock in it and shut up! Same goes for the liberals who do the same thing, if I could think of them, I would name them, it's just that these two are and have been for some time the loudest voices of discontent and the media just thinks we all love listenting to their rhetoric! Please, please remove them from the air waves!
Jacque, if you never listen to Rush Limbaugh or Glenn Beck, how would you have any idea how"horrible" they actually are? Ohh, that's right. the liberal media told you they were. Do you really think suspending the First Amendment is the answer?
I really don't think Jacque said anything about suspending the first Amendment..just asking for some diecretion
Sarah Palin pals around with the terrorists.
Is that what you were told to say to those who dare not agree with the tea-bagger violent propaganda campaign?? Use your head. Do you really have any ground to argue how ridiculous those 2 morons are???
@)(*&*#(*!@ tea-bagger
Here's some violent, hateful rhetoric for you:
“If they bring a knife to the fight, we bring a gun,” Barack Obama 2008
What, no hand wringing?
Congratulations Jacquep08...it only took 12 posts for someone to bring in leftwing/rightwing political comments to a thread that is all about the well being of Gabrielle. Yuppper, congrats to you Jacquep08...you're a real pip!
Self-respect... Respect for others... Respect for Life... Maybe we can work on these while Gabrielle and the others who are wounded work on regaining their health and strength? It would show them--and the families who lost loved ones--that we care and want to create positive change in response to what they have suffered and lost.
hey oliverb , if you think that those two morons doesn't influence the crazyy people out there you are badly mistaken . i know a person that listens to them and fox news and goes crazy if you even mention the name of Obama . no i do not think that we need to abolish our first amendment right but i do think that slimbaugh and moron beck need to watch there mouths and the hatred that comes from these two morons .
You idiots that try and use this tragedy for a political soapbox are truely what's wrong with our country. Read the news! This shooting had nothing to do with anything political. It has to do with a deranged individual whom fixated on a person in the news. That's it!!!
Are you sure about that? The individual in this article is a political representative, many government workers were shot or killed at a political public rally, and I'm sure the killer tried to kill her for her political beliefs.
Ummm... yeah it's not political. Yup, the killer decide to roll out of bed and just randomly kill someone.
@ Tony
In AZ there is no waiting period or background check. You can walk in,buy a gun, ammo, and clip and walk out. You can load up in your car. All this within an hour or two.
Screw the pundits and screw the mythical sky-fairy.
Thanks to the hard-working doctors who have made sure she will live, and that the other injured were well-cared for and in good health.
Oh, and screw the morons who would rather execute another mentally-disabled (probably schizo, though I'll wait for proper diagnosis) person than try to prevent this tragedy in the future.
Hell ya, just got home and heard the fantastic new! Damn I am happy for her!
OK folks, let's drop the he said/she said rhetoric and realize that yes it is political because the primary victim was a politician, but it was also the action of a madman, who had no concern for anything other than his own twisted version of reality.
It's not about liberals or conservatives, it's about we as humans accepting our differing views, and working together to make a better world for our children.
The Liberal Republican
WOW Congresswoman Giffords is an amazing woman. Go GABBY!
Someone go tell that smirking bastard Loughner that he is a phenomenal screw up, he botched this so badly by killing a 9 year old instead of his target, he is nothing but a waste of flesh and resources. Tell him the world is going to laugh in his face when Gabby can walk up and tell him what she thinks of him.
Would you really want this clown for your doctor? He thinks he is a demi-god. And he knows nothing about chances of survival. He doesn't understand the best it will ever be is 100?
Wow thinker, I guess in all your thinking you forgot to consider the thought that the doctor is being facetious in how he says what he's saying, which is really good news.
Really these doctors are to be applauded for the amazing effort they put forward in saving both Gabbie's life and as much of her brain function as they appear to have. The effort they put forth in performing a surgery like this, and the years and years of unending study and practice is nothing short of breathtaking. UA has a great level 1 trauma center, and I wish more cities and states had one as top-notch as theirs.
Having completed a residency in a Level 1 Trauma Center I can say that the dedication of physicians is matched by the nurses, technicians, and the supporting staff. The learning never stops. What few people realize is that the expertise and skill that has been gained has been a direct result of the violence and devastation wrought by the "war on drugs." A vast majority of the trauma in this country is related to drug-related crime.
I for one am getting really tired of this tea bagger comment. The left does it, but, I guess we have forgotten the comments that were made about Bush, and Chaney. Before that it was the right with Clinton, and before that it was the left with Bush Sr, and Reagan. This hate speech has been going on by both sides forever. Have we forgotten Tameny hall? Lincoln? and most every other political race that has happened in this country? Christine O'Donnell called a witch? The ranting of Micheal Moore, and Ganine Gerafalo(sp.)? I guess we don't listen to MSNBC, or NPR? Or since they are more in step with our way of thinking, we don't consider that hate speech?
This was one man who like others have before, was anti-government, and decided to do something stupid. The only thing you can say was he was a loner, and probably pushed aside by society, because he didn't fit into the "norms". Be it his fault or those around him, his views were a little screwed by drugs, or by becoming an outcast. We will probably never know. But, the only person that is responsible for this is the gunman. Not glen beck, sarah palin, rush limbaugh, or chris mathews, or rachel maddow. The gunman, that is it.
I personally don't want to see the first amendment hurt by taking any of these people off the air. That is censorship, no matter what reason you give it. Just saying Lock and Reload, does not make a person culpable of murder. Now if she would have planned it out, and provided the means to carry out the actions of this gunman, then she would be guilty. But, if you had listened to her speech she immediately said that this was NOT a call to arms. She was just targeting the districts that she wanted to see the representative defeated. Anything more is your speculation of the meaning of her words. Could she have used better words to do this? Yes, but it was not the reason this happened. This man had written and confided in friends his thoughts about the congresswoman in 2007, way before the cross hairs came out. and probably would have found some target, if this opportunity had not presented itself. Lets just be glad it wasn't some day care center like timothy McViegh took out when he bombed the Murrah Building. I live in OKC, and Know first hand what true domestic terrorism is about. I saw the bloody faces of the innocent, and saw the Pictures of the children who died that day.
That being said, I pray for all who were affected by this tragedy. All I can say is go home and kiss your kids, and your families. Spend some time with them. Let them know that they are not alone in this world, and that they can come to you if they have problems. And when they do, LISTEN TO THEM. Don't brush them aside because you have more important things to do. let them feel Love, not distance. Maybe then we can stop the home grown terrorists. But, it will not be by curtailing the first amendment, or by Gun Control.
True that Maybe... Back in the 90's I was studying to be an EMT and spent several days at the University of Arizona Trauma center... The doctors were, no suprise, amazing, but the dedication of the nurses blew me away. One night an elderly man came in suffering from Congestive heart failure, and the doctors and nurses told me to expect to see a patient die. Instead, by the time I left my shift (24 hrs) the guy was busy being checked out and getting back to his life. During that time, the nurses stayed by his side and did most of the heavy lifting in taking care of the patient.
With so many people of so many different faiths praying for her, she's got to come through this. Beyond that, these are exceptional people. I looked at her husband's picture in the hospital room and can't imagine what he must be thinking. The unfairness of it all would get to me, but he's been where most of us will never be and must be one strong and courageous individual. I hope that they know how many of us support them at such a difficult time.
This discussion started out well until Jacques08 brought in the inflammatory, political rhetoric. Prior to that, I hadn't seen anything in the article or any previous comments that mentioned politics but only the human side of the story and the congresswoman's medical prognosis.
Jacques08: If you have to rant and rave, why don't you at least save it for another discussion? You totally wrecked this one, so I'll be signing off now.
Agree waterdog, for respect to Rep. Gifford at least one time can you all act with civility. Leave the vitriol for another time. It is so hard to do that. My prays for the recovery of congresswoman Gifford.
How come no one is this upset about all the kids shot in inner-city violence everyday?
Every day I wake and look to see how she is doing. That is all that matters at the moment, nothing else matters for her right now.
I had a similar thing happen with my brain and my parents were told the best thing was for me to just pass on, that I would be a vegetable if I were to live. I am now 63 and a walking talking miracle who is grateful for the life I have.
She can do it and that is all that matters to me
Lynn: I understand your anger at Loughner but DO keep in mind that the individual has mental issues. If anything.... look to yourself if you want to blame someone. We need to be doing a LOT better when it comes to helping people with mental issues.
As to Gabby... you go girl! I hope and pray that you come through this well and quickly. My prayers are also with your husband. Dang... to have to wait by someone like that and not know what the end will be for her. This guy has seen some military action. I'm sure he's seen head shots. Strength, prayers, and good wishes sent their way.
I would really love to see the day that Mrs. Giffords is able to address the "issues" surrounding her ordeal.
I get the impression she'd be just as appalled at the ridiculous finger pointing, as any other rational person.
That hole thing is just so sad. I can't believe that we live in a world so out of control. God bless you and your family Mrs. Giffords.
Good Luck to a beautiful and tough lady. may she continue to improve.
This woman is tough. She is awesome and this is the kind of politician I admire. Some of these rabble rousers (and we know who they are) need to change their ways and behave more like this lady. She was re-elected which proves you can make a difference and become a leader without the hateful rhetoric.
LynnGrant 1.26...great post
waterdog 1.34........ ditto
Alex 1.14.....Grow up.
Um, last I checked the shooter was tackled by bystanders and held till the police got there. So unless it took them hours to arrive, the author of this article needs to fix that.
God be with you Congresswoman, and to all who have loss loved ones and those who were injured as well. As for this evening's service in Tuscon, I can only say "Thank you God for people who share your love and mercy."
As a clergyman for 25 years, I have written many a funeral sermon. President Obama wrote and delivered an outstanding message tonight that did what all funeral sermons should do: give healing, hope and love for all concerned. He reminded us that all of us live as a human family who share human hopes and dreams and tragedies as well. No one lives in isolation! That is why I believe in this President in spite of my disagreements with some of his policies. He understands, and has personally experienced, pain and hardship. He knows and believes what scripture states, that we are indeed our brother's and sister's keeper. We HAVE to take care of one another at all levels of society whether they deal with the heart of compassion or the mind of politics. Good job Mr. President. Good job indeed.
May you fully recover Rep. Gifford!
Seems GOD sort of messed up Jared's plan. Guess that puts an end to Westboro Baptist Church theory too!
Godspeed!
No one can deny this is a true miracle!
Poll by MSNBC was taken and 85 percent Obama done the right thing that's 85 percent of the stupid people in this country.
@ FedupwithFed... You are congratulating God for messing up Jared's plan. If God wanted to intervene in a benevolent way, why wouldn't God simply jam Jared's gun or crash Jared's car into a tree on the way to the political rally? I would hope that God could intervene in a more effective way that wouldn't leave a 9 year old girl and five others dead...and Rep. Giffords and twelve other innocent people in the hospital, struggling to survive.
Keith olberman, Chris Mathews, Randi Rhodes, Rachael Madow. I can keep going and going.
@Allen: I take it from your comment that you put yourself in the 15% not-stupid bracket. Hard to say though, considering how incomprehensible it was. Mmm... congratulations?
"God be with you Congresswoman, and to all who have loss loved ones and those who were injured as well. As for this evening's service in Tuscon, I can only say "Thank you God for people who share your love and mercy.""
Amen.
"God Bless her and all of those who are trying to recover from the unspeakable violence that was committed.
Let us also hold in the Light the families and all the medical staff caring for the victims.
May our future words and actions help RESTORE RESPECT--for one another & for LIFE itself."
AMEN. (by this, please read a ole-down-home fire-and-brimstone-pentacostal Ayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy-MEN!!!!!)
All I have to say on this is Sarah Palin hates ----- people.
you are an idiot
I wish all you political anals would just go away. This is about a human being in distress not a who said she said game you play. All you are worth no more than the dirt under my feet. If you really want to do something good, pray for Gabby and all the ones that were'nt as fortunate. Especially pray for yourselves because you sure do need it.
I think everyone needs to lighten up over this. This is a despicable act, but these senseless acts of violence happen on a daily basis in every city across the country. Philadelphia had over 50 kids killed last year from stray bullets, they averaged 0.8 homicides overall a day.
You can attribute it to whatever you want, but it's the country we live in now.
We talk about the rest of the world as uncivilized but when I read the local news I wonder are we civilized. It takes a VIP catastrophy to be an eye opener is sad. Sad that the rest of the innocence or just plain violence is second nature and not thought of as events of interest.
My heart goes to all who are victims of unnecessary death or violence.
We should be looking at each individual as the same not VIP and peons. The truth is the violence that happens everyday can happen to you.
As with drug addicts and thiefs we need to understand the mind set of this 22 year old so we can help those who are on the verge of disaster before they become dangerous to those who don't expect their last few seconds to be now.
Premptive strike is not an option, Understanding what went wrong is the only answer. Or loose even more civil liberties.
Yes I have lost loved ones to violence.
That 22 year old is now a loss (who cares you might say) but if we could of saved him look at who else would of been saved.
@chrisfromucaipa
There is a difference in being taken into custody and officially arrested. So there could have been hours between these two events as they decide the exact charges.
@bklynj
Sorry but no.
"An arrest is the act of depriving a person of his or her liberty usually in relation to the investigation and prevention of crime."
Both the definition and the accepted usage of the word in day-to-day vocabulary refer to physically detaining the suspect. Later on after an arrest they can CHARGE him.
I hope she recovers fully.
If that is your pic, you are hot anywhere
So far, the news is OUTSTANDING! Keep praying.
Good for her. Hope she has no complications. Her moderate views are needed.
Hot in Miami makes me glad I live in South Florida.
I feel the same way, as well, and hope she'll recover fully.
Blessings to all and the miracle of miracles---modern medicine and exceptional physicians who tend to the ill, injured, and infirmed in unforeseen circumstances and in emergency & acute care in the US.
Gabby Gifford's age and excellent health and physical condition, coupled with so many prayers of goodwill resulted in this wonderful milestone and recovery; in addition to the marvelous healthcare staff who tended to her.
Hopefully, this will be a segway to exceptional healthcare for all Americans should they find themselves in need of emergency medical aid and care.
I know its bad when a child of 10 years old is killed and another person too, But they were a lot more alive that could have been dead. For one time stop down grading God for this. When will people learn any thing bad does not come from God, I pray for those that were hurt and the family's that lost there loved one. Also for the one's that are getting better and continue to do so. Blessings to all.
Very good news. Fingers crossed for an excellent recovery for this wonderful woman.
Very good news indeed. Very encouraging.
FINGERS CROSSED for Full Rcovery! So far Wonderful!
God speed Ms. Giffords, millions are praying and hoping for your full recovery. Strength sent to your family, as well.
Truly miracle. I hope she can resume her job and continue doing what she thinks is right. I will bet she is glad Obama care hasn't kicked in yet. I'm just saying.
G Wussy: You are flagged "inflammatory" and "no value"! She voted for Health Care you vile nit-wit! BOO!!!
"none-year old"?
So Chevy~ I'm assuming by your post that you have never made a typo? Made an error? Congratulations on achieving such perfection. {{golf clap}}
NoKidsByChoice:
What's the deal with your hostility? You really feel the need to attack someone for a correction? This site CONSTANTLY posts articles with typos. It's very annoying & they obviously need better editors.
It's a published article. A respected news site should not be publishing something with such a glaringly obvious typo. Also, when talking about victims, it's extremely important to get information correct.
Thanks for your pointless attack on me, though. I'm sure you feel soooo much better about yourself now.
Have you children been cooped up together for too long? Play nice-nice & your father will take you out for icecream when he comes home.
I understand about the misspelling being pointed out. Journalists are professionals.. they use computers that come with spell check so there is no excuse.
Accepting mediocre guarantees that is the best you will get.
Spell checkers do not catch correctly spelled words. The thing is a software program, not a mind reader.
You kids keep this up and I'm turning this car around! I mean it. Not another word.
This was a tragedy and deserves your respect.
Imagine if you were the childs parents reading this article. That typo would sting quite a bit.
Nokidsbychoice who's choice? Never mind I have a visual.
Behind the woodshed NOW!
"About 1.7 million people in the United States suffer traumatic brain injuries every year, with about 20 percent of them caused by violence, including gunshots. About 52,000 people die as a result of their injuries and about 275,000 are hospitalized, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention."
If 1.7 million are injured...52,000 die...275,000 are hospitalized...that leaves 1,373,000 people who do not die and are not hospitalized...who are they, the uninsured? How does one suffer a traumatic brain injury without being hospitalized?
Perhaps concussions are lumped into the 1.7 million statistic.
I don't believe that is what the stats are saying. The stats are referring to levels of functioning and morbity rates. Many people have mild TIA's and are not hospitalized or other mild events that do not require hospitialization but are treated with medications, generally after the fact. The stats would also include individuals with other illnesses that create or exacerbate lesions forming in the brain, i.e. Multiple Sclerosis, ALS, and other neurologic conditions.
1.7 million suffer from traumatic brain injuries - this includes everything from violence to car accidents to falls to concussions.
Of those 1.7 million, 20% are from violence such as gunshots (340,000 people).
Of those 340,000 people, 52,000 die and 275,000 are hospitalized. This would leave about 13,000 people who are not hospitalized for their injuries. Probably because they are not serious enough to report or they happen due to gang violence which often goes unreported as well.
About 75 percent of traumatic brain injuries are mild, experts say.
Nice "Cut & Paste".
Thank you, JoNel. I have had at least two concussions, so I can attest to that fact personally.
this is a dumb statement if their not reported HOW WOULD THEY KNOW?
My daughter has had several concussions, due to participation in her very atheletic sport. Although I had her evaluated by a physician each time, none required hospitalization; hence, they were likely "not reported."
I think 275,000 are permanently hospitalized - in some form of extensive care.
Could they are referring to permanent hospitalization as opposed to those that recover, maybe?
how do traumatic and mild go together?
"Traumatic" refers to the method of brain injury; not illness but rather a blow, projectile, etc. The injury occurred as a result of trauma. "Mild" would refer to the extent of the damage. Therefore, traumatic and mild can and do go together for purposes of the subject matter at hand.
I think I have a concussion from banging my head on the desk from reading posts that have nothing to do with the point of the article.
its good news... i hope she recovers fast
How could anyone be anything but hopeful that the Congresswoman will be able to have a full physical and cognitive recovery? She is such an active, vibrant person who seems to be dearly loved by her colleagues and constituents. Prayerfully hoping for a full recovery.
This is wonderful news that she is breathing on her own I pray for her that she makes a full recovery This was so senseless I don't understand our world anymore. I don't understand how a human can have no heart or compassion..My prayers are with you Congresswoman
Representative Giffords deserves--as do we all--the finest and most compassionate medical care. Fortunately, her medical team is realistic and optimistic and, apparently, compassionate and supportive. This is not always so. My wife developed a rare blood disorder at age 28 that caused her to suffer several strokes that left her with severe brain damage, leaving her comatose for a month. One forceful physician insisted that my wife be repeatedly given IV therapy to quiet the blood disorder, which saved her life. But then another physician made it her purpose to angrily berate me that my wife was in a persistent vegetative state and would never recover. I went home in utter, suicidal despair after speaking to this physician. I had a gun and was ready to blow my brains out. Fortunately, I retained enough presence of mind to call a suicide help line and two wonderful strangers talked me back from the brink of death. My wife recovered enough to return home, though she remains disabled. Today is her 54th birthday. Medical crises like these mark you for life. They bring out the love and the evil in people. Today, there seems to be far more evil than love in this society, and but must be fought. Never give up. Never give the bastards the victory. I wish Rep. Giffords and her family--and anyone suffering brain injury--all the best.
Shame you are not in Europe those that are called doctors would have been servery dealt with by their attitude i e prison for what they did to you
Thanks
Happy 54th birthday to your wife . Sometimes we have an intuition about things , thank god for that wise physician that kept your wife alive !!!God bless ...Dwyer Jones and his wife .
Well said, thank you! Happy birthday to your wife and may you both enjoy the preciousness of life.
godspeed and here's to hoping that whatever time you and your wife have together will be as much of a comfort and blessing to you both.people are the most important element of our lives and the wasted time we spend carping about lifes problems detracts from enjoying the companionship of friends and loved ones......if any good can come from this insanity let it be a reawakening of compassion and understanding for our fellow human beings.and let's all try to be more tolerant of those we have differences with.
Almost 22 years ago my son was shot with a 38 caliber. The bullet entered just behind one ear and exited straight across behind the other ear, tearing out bone and tissue. It went through the sight path. I thank God his life was spared. I thank God for the doctors and all the hospital staff who tended him. My husband and I know what is meant by swelling of the brain, infections, and all the things that can hinder the survival. Our son was in a coma for 40 or 41 days! He was packed in ice, and so swollen he looked like the Pillsbury Dough Boy. There were people from all over praying for him and for us. Our only child, 27 years old. I can't help reflecting back on it from time to time but especially now. He had to relearn to walk, he is now left handed instead of right. He has short term memory but we are amazed at what he does remember. He does not remember what actually happened. He was hospitalized from March to September of 1989. Two months of this was spend in rehab. It was listed accidental. I am so grateful God is not a respecter of persons. We are not people of importance. We just come from a line of hard working, God loving people. My heart and prayers go out to the families of all involved. This includes the parents of the young man who did this. From what I have heard and seen of the Congress Woman who is fighting for her life she will also have compassion on these parents. I heard the father of the nine year old and I know he is grieving. I just felt I wanted to say this. I am sorry if I have taken so much space but please, all who is taking a part in these comments, be careful what you say, words hurt. There is no need for adding salt to the wounded. Pray for our country.
Exactly right Dwyer, do you really think that John Q Public is going to get the same special treatment and care as this Congresswoman is getting ? I don't think so !!! If John Q Public was a White, Hispanic, Black, Asian, Native American man or woman, the doctors wouldn't give a rats ass if they lived or died, and on top of that they all would be stuck with an outragous hospital bill starting at $30,000 to $100,000 or more for these doctors to pronounce them dead because they just didn't want to waste their time on someone so meaningless to them and the hospital. As you stated one doctor berated you, so that bed could be occupied by someone with alot of money who can pay for it and not waste the hospitals and doctors time. I dout Congresswoman Gifford got big the stitches. Oh, Beenthere I sympathize with you on what you've been through, but what I see is some Media jackwagons getting the Public to sympathize with someone whom I've never heard of or know anything about her all I know is if she wasn't a Congresswoman she wouldn't be getting any or all of this attention by the Media, and don't you think that the other victims in this tragedy should get some sympathy and love especailly the parents of the little 9yr old girl who lost her life. All I have to say is Congresswoman Gifford doesn't deserve all this attention by the Media and the holy rollers and people who sympathize with her just because she got shot in the head. Pray for the recovery of the other victims, pray for soul of the 9yr old girl who was killed, not for someone who'll raise your taxes vote, yes on earmark from another Congressperson that screws you and all of us the John Q Public. Their agenda in Congress is to make sure we, all of us don't have a rats ass in hell to seek the pursuit of happiness to obtain wealth from a hard days work and become as they have, hell our votes don't mean a damn thing to them cuz they got what they wanted and couldn't give a damn about keeping any of the promises they made if you voted for them, that got them in Congress ! SO BOO Fricking HOO Gifford!!! And thats all I have to say about that. (Forest Gump)
Bad Dog,
You're a bit riled up. Read the post by beenthere a few more times. Take a breath, try a little prayer, put yourself in the Giffords shoes. Consider some compassion and sympathy. You might feel better, maybe even smile, perhaps brighten someone elses day.
Just a thought.
Thank you for not hurting yourself, Dwyer. You are a loving, loyal and wonderful person. We need you in the world.
I wonder if her family knows a whole nation is pulling for her.
I think they know. It would seem to me that they would have been told and indeed that the congresswoman would also have been told. I do hope so.
Not just her nation, but others, too. I know most Canadians are pulling for her as well. I know I am.
I'M in this nation and I am NOT pulling for her. Don't make these generalized comments. You may be surprised how many are NOT pulling for her or any other goverment members.
And all Jamaicans too
I love Jamaica...just sayin
Get real , most of the world dose not give a crap about her or the U S A they dont care about are senator's congressman or any thing to do with it they would say what do you expect , when they love guns and you are such a violent country my self i hope she make100 % and the America dream dose not exist its a big con
John your sentence(s) are really hard to understand. Care to try again?
John, not all people in the world think that way, just the ones that make it to the news.
I have been sending her office emails whenever I hear of an improvement in her condition. I have asked Jesus to heal her.
Way to turn this into a Anti American rant John (not the) baptist. How selfish.
John,
You are in no position to speak for anyone else. I think everyone who heard about this is rooting for her.
John - how sad you are so negative. Actually, people all over the world are praying not just for her but for all of the victims. It is sad that you can't see the goodness in people. And, yes, the American dream is still alive - just a little harder to see right now.
I'm Not !!! Oh, never trust a Politician, broken promises and speak with devil tongue !! Just ask George W. Bush and Dick Cheney.
I'm afraid of you Bad Dog. There's certainly a degree of difference in your comments and the ravings of McVeigh and Loughner, but it's not 180 degrees...
Charles Manson is probably delighted right now. And, I recently read that a cell phone was found in his prison cell. Perhaps Manson should know what is happening out side of his cell?
Ann Geeck
6 FEBRUARY 2011
There is no dought this guy pulled the trigger, don't waste a lot of money keeping him alive 10 to 15 years. This afternoon would be fine
Knowing the system, he'll probably get off with an insanity plea. Such a waste of everyone's time, effort and money. Just get it over and save everyone alot of additional grief and kill the SOB now. I cant believe he was smiling in his mug shot either.
The thought is that because he planned this event, as the evidence will show, the insanity plea is not going to work. Apparently there is a difference between being disturbed and insane. The act was premeditated, therefore he is not insane. The Federal charges for killing a judge, aide to a congressperson, and attempted murder of a congressperson, carries the death penalty. Then there will be the State's charges for the citizens killed.
This congresswoman will be a symbol of the strength most of our representatives have and a reminder to those whose words are meant to be harmful to those they are directed toward, that they should think of who may be hearing them.
He has been assigned the same attorney who represented Ted Kazinski (?). She will try everything in her power to get him off. He was not insane at any time. He talked to Gabbyand didn't like her answer. He created a FB page, a MS page and had videos shot. He bought the gun in November and the bullets the day he shot 20 people. He shot Gabby in the back of the head. He had the brains, but not the cajones. Only a person who doesn't want their presence known would do that. He knew exactly what he was doing. He might be a paranoid schizophrenic, but he functions at a high level. Don't be fooled.
Well, that is, after all, her job.
er actually countrygirl the medical professionals handling ms. giffords medical treatment stated this morning that she was shot front to back........a good reason to withhold speculation until the truth emerges.
I read an article recently in Japan where a man held two women hostage in an office building, leaning out and threatening to kill them. A Japanese police negotiator opened the adjacent window, fired two rounds into the man's head and ended the situation. Justice was served quickly. No long, drawn out court case. No long prison term on society's tax-paying dime. The cost of the bullets were 29 apiece. More justice like this should be exacted on scum who give nothing to society but misery and death.
Knowing the legal system, I am aware that it is not that easy to "get off on insanity." Frankly, the death penalty is rarely carried out, even when given. However, this person, as so we all, deserves a fair and Contitutional trial, no matter what the circumstances. Our system isn't perfect, nothing is, but it beats the alternatives. Summary execution absent impartial adjudication would be contrary to everything this nation was based upon.
If all you can do is whine about the cost of justice, you probably don't deserve any.
Premeditation does not negate insanity pleas.. It does however negate the death penalty and incarceration in a penal facility. He will be remanded to a mental health facility of the states choosing until said time that he is found to be competent to stand trial. If he never is, he never will.
The hardest thing for me to accept is that child dying. She was born during a tragedy and died during one. Shameful.
Someone also needs to do something about Fred Phelps and his lowlife scum of a "congregation" showing up for her funeral...
PHELPS IS GOING TO THAT LITTLE GIRLS FUNERAL?
You have to be kidding, but sadly, I suspect you are not.
We had a bunch of bikers show up for a funeral here of a dead soldier that was being protested by this group. The bikers showed up early, and took the corner that this group had the permit for, and spread out far on all sides. The church gave up and went home, and the Soldiers family was able to bury him in peace. The Police didn't do a thing about the bikers taking over the corner. The Police could have, but just looked the other way. That is all you have to do, I doubt the police will say anything about it. Get the whole town out there and line both sides of the street. Don't give these people a place to hold their protest, but don't hurt the first amendment by doing so. they can protest all they want, just let them know not here, and not now. That is how to take care of these people, not by curtailing the first amendment, For some day someone might do it to you, and censor what you have to say, even if it is not as vile as these people.
I think it should be up to the families to pass judgment on him. I say fry him !!!!!!!!
Don, I know some of the bikers and I can tell you that the plan is on for today, as well.. Good for them..
This is an innocent child for Heaven's sake..
I thought Phelps church made an agreement not to show up at the child's funeral if they could have some radio time on a particular radio station and something else, can't remember now (might have been commercial time on a t.v. station). Unless they didn't get those things. If not, then I guess they'll be there.
I am so thankful for the news that Rep. Giffords is breathing on her own!! I (and most of the nation) have had her in our daily prayers and will continue. It sounds like she will recover from this terrible tragedy, although we won't know how much she recovers for months if not years. I hope that she will recover enough to get back on "Capitol Hill."
Thank you, Bruce.
Lord, I ask that You use each and every one that has prayed that You step in to do what they asked for. I thank You that more and more of us and willing to invoke Your name and are willing to step into the gap for those who were affected by the shooting. I thank You for what You have done and for what You will do. In Your Mighty Matchless Name Amen.
Well this is good news. That and she was feeling pain earlier. Not that she should be in pain, but it sounds like things are "normal" in her brain. I hope she fully recovers.
I never really knew much about this women, but from what i've seen, she is the kind of women that should be running for president..She is smart, articulate, and gets along with both the left and right. One can only wish..
I am so happy she is doing well...
I am happy this "woman" is doing well too
Although its sad to see any victims..the fact the intended target the congresswoman is gonna survive means this jackass assassin looses.
I think we all lose on this one.
touche you irritated rodent ! a wise observation indeed!
TenAngryHamsters:
"I think we all lose on this one."
WHAT?
Are you saying that you wanted her to die?
If so, you are one sick puppy.
And, Maddog, to see that you agree with the "irritated rodent" saddens me.
Linda-
Are you nutty or something? There is no winning in this situation. Who said anyone wanted anyone to die?
Linda, I think the point "10" was trying to make is that when something like this happens...when violence of this nature and this level occurs...everyone suffers. I don't think they were referring to her recovery.
TenAngryHamsters:
I misread your post and I apologize.
I also misread another one of your posts below, and I apologize for that, too.
I'm suprised any of you people actually graduated high school, you all sound like a bunch of childish morons, " Your grammer is wrong"! "Can you spell"! DUH and DOH to you all !!!!!!
Linda-
We all make mistakes. The ability to recognize them shows character.
Thanks for the apology, for that you get the rarest of the rare - an AngryHamster smile! :)
Proof read people!
The little girl that lost her life was a NINE year old not as typed: none-year-old girl.
My prayers go out to all affected by this tragedy. There is nothing we can say to take away the pain.
Have you always been a moron, or did you develop into one?
Debra,
Get off your high horse, you'll be better off for it.
Debra, are you displaying an intolerance toward improper grammar? Loughner did.
debra: Try to be nice. Don't point out others mistakes.
Wow Debra, Really? We can all only wish that we were as perfect as Ewe. How's THAT for proof reading!!!!
Thank you! I agree.
Don't worry about all this negativity, I posted about the same thing and got attacked by people too. People seem to get really pissed off when you point out typos or grammar issues. I guess it's because most Americans have such poor writing skills.
The point is that this was posted by a respected news site. They should take the time to edit what they're publishing. I don't care how bad a person's grammar is in the comments section, but seriously, these are supposed to be journalists. Do a better job!
You got attacked because you act like you are the only one who notices. Everyone knows it's a typo. Instead of posting here, email the writer.
It's your lack of self control and hubris that are the issues.
Well, Chevy, I personally think that contractions have no place in proper writing either. So there!!! (tounge in cheek)
Seriously folks, this article is about the congresswoman's health, period. Rants regarding politics, grammar, etc. are completely pointless here. Your (generally speaking) misdirected petty posts say far more about you (and none of it good) than they do to effectively address the actual subject.
Best wishes for Congresswoman Giffords as well as all others affected by this senseless act.
spelling police are understaffed-debbie needs a bailout.
o si yo a-ni-tsa la-gi a-gi-vy...(hello Cherokee woman)
I just keep hoping that she will somehow recover and be able to return to her place in the house of representatives.
Debra, for many of us english is our second or third language. We may not be perfect in our grammer and spelling, but I do believe that we have as much right to be here and make our mistakes as anyone. In fact, many times we learn from the mistakes we make on the NV...
Chris,
Save your comedy routine for another time.
I agree about the need for quality work. While everyone should be allowed the occasional mistake, journalism in general has been displaying a marked decline in quality and integrity. While a simple spelling error isn't the end of the world, when spelling and accuracy are supposed to be your business, it begins affecting your credibility. Proof-reading, verifying sources, and fact-checking are critical when your job is to present facts and events in written form.
Most of us are SMART enough to understand what was meant.
I'm glad the woman is doing well. It's always welcome news with a tragedy such as this.
But I had a hard time getting past the title of the article. What's 101% chance of recovering?
I didn't realize the writers were from the Maury show, you know, the ones who are 200% (or whatever crazy number past 100%) sure one of the 5 guys "be the baby daddy".
f yu cn rd ths u cn bcm a sec n gt a gd jb
Spell check that!
101% as in super-hopeful!
If you can read this, you can become a 'sec' and get a good job. WTF is a sec?
Arizona - As I said, it's a question of accuracy. The human mind can generally figure out what a word means if it's given the first and last letters...the middle letters usually don't have to be in correct order. But if your job is factual accuracy, then proofreading is critical, regardless of whether your readers are "smart" enough to figure out what you were trying to say.
Wonderful news! God bless you, Congresswoman.
Our hearts and prayers should go out to this woman and all that were hurt or worse in this senseless act of violence.
So far as the kid that pulled the trigger, I say put him in the general population and let them handle him.
Why?
Better to fry him now & save the taxpayers the expense of supporting this lunitic scumbag.
That's probably how Loghner himself would feel. No due process, no law -- only hate.
La Grenouille, as much as I would like to see that happen we must act according to the rule of law. It is justified to feel as you and I do, but we must remain above it. I'm sure that he will be punished for what he did, if there really is an punishment that fits his crime.
Double-Digit-Apoplectic-Small-Furry-Things-on-Treadmills:
From the way you're talking, I'd say this cracker-barrel is your hero.
- And you'd probably see nothing wrong with someone attaching a bomb to the underside of an ex-Capitol Hill employee's car and timing it so it will explode when she pulls into her garage, killing her instantly and setting her house on fire.
(That happened in Washington, DC over the weekend, too)
I'd say that you're anti- US government - but I think you're just misogynistic.
Linda -
I didn't see anything in Ten's post that showed support for the assassin, for car bombings, or violence. I also don't understand where you're coming up with your "anti-government" or "misogynism" accusations.
I believe Ten's point was in support of due process, and that he was pointing out that reacting to unbridled violent hatred with even more unbridled violent hatred is giving the killer, and people like him, what he wants.
As I said above, I misread this post, too, and I apologize again.
Unfortunately, Andor, violence begetting violence and hatred begetting hatred has been a part of the world's history for ages and, from what I've seen, it's not going anywhere anytime soon.
Imagine a world in which we all get along, without hatred, without prejudice, without bigotry. Where just because a person's skin color is darker than yours, or they have a different sexual orientation than you do, or they speak with a different accent than yours, or they don't vote the way you do, or, though they worship the same God you do, they call Him by a different name, it doesn't mean that they're inferior to you or deserve to be erased off the face of the Earth.
It'd put the ultra-liberals, ultra-conservatives, and the majority of news media out of business!
Linda-1308552#20.6:
I agree with you and cannot add any comment.
Linda-
I agree 100% with your post above. Well said.
:)
Happy to hear of the progress being made.
Hey worried in Myrtle Beach, this is a civilized society. Not Iran. The courts handle these things, not a crazy mob. An organized crazy mob were the Nazis.
And the type-o has been corrected.
Well whatever willl you do now that there's nothing left to criticize???
lol..touche
Our ewe four reel Debbruh?
You know you may not like the correction Debra referred to but all of you who have made your comments about her need to correct a typo are in bad taste as well. You think your retribution against Debra's comments is any different then hers? You're wrong as you all sound just as rude. So, just count yourselves in the same boat.
She's a BEAST!!! Hang in there Congresswoman! : )
The wonderful thing about the brain is that is has the capability of re-wiring itself with the proper therapy.
Ms. Giffords seems to be the type that exceeds expectations in all areas of life and will face this with the same perseverance.
Totally agree! I fractured my skull (bike accident) 37 years ago and had to remember how to read & write...I am and have been a financial analyst/accountant for at least 30 of those years.
My prayers are deep and I believe she will work through this. We need people like Ms. Giffords.
Amy: You go, girl! That is amazing, and very positive to hear as we all worry about Congresswoman Giffords and her tough road ahead.
(And I'm sorry, this is totally inappropriate, but I did giggle at you saying "for *at least* 30 of those years" - I guess the memory bit didn't get back up to 100%, huh?) ;)
Peace out :)
Amy...kudos to you for working through your injury as you said. People such as yourself give hope to Congresswoman Giffords that she will make a full recovery! God Bless!
The problem with the re-wiring aspect of the human brain is that its at its greatest potential in the earliest years. However the outlook so far looks more positive than any of us had any right to hope for so enough pessimism. This woman survived getting shot in the head, through and through, and recently gave doctors a thumbs up. She deserves to live.
Keep fighting lady.
This story truly amazes me. I suffered a ruptured aneurysm and compared the destructiveness to that of a gunshot to the head. People say well that kills you I say not always, the stories are far and few but do exist. The recovery is a LONG process. I would go into details of mine but has proven to be a FORBIDDEN SUBJECT. Just talking and writing in my journal has landed me in jail at the hands of the Gahanna Police Department.
God Bless Gabrielle and let no one stand in the way of her recovery.
Raymond Drum Jr.
your first amendments tells you what you can do, your right,no police department has the right to break it, they must uphold and obey this sacred law of the U S A
John Baptist,
Please try to make sense.
Raymond, what police department was that?
countrygirl78,
Gahanna is a town (city) in Ohio - and I'm guessing the police in Gahanna had something to do with Raymond's TBI, so it's in their best interest to keep his story from coming to light.
john baptist,
While, for the most part, our freedom of speech is a right granted to us under the First Amendment, courts in the US have ruled that, if such speech is found to be of a threatening nature (a right-wing blogger from my home state was found guilty in August, 2010 of making death threats against three US Circuit Court judges when, in a post protesting their decision to uphold handgun bans in Chicago and Oak Park, Illinois, he quoted Thomas Jefferson, saying, "The tree of liberty must be replenished from time to time with the blood of tyrants and patriots"), then it is no longer a protected right.
With freedom comes responsibility.
Gahanna is a bedroom community of middle class people near Columbus. If you read Raymonds post, I believe he stated he had an aneurysm, which can cause confusion and difficulties in perception. Perhaps this may have affected his attitude? These are small town police and usually have little crime to face. The people in this town are almost all employed and friendly. Lived there for 3 yrs near the stables and found the police and officals laid back and kind.
My mom died of a ruptured aneurysm.
So sorry to hear that, tygrr94. So did my mother in law.
Good news indeed. May Congresswoman Giffords recover fully!!
She is in our prayers everyday.