There is an elephant in the room.

If you watch any TV news at all, you have heard about the shooting that killed six and wounded thirteen people in Tucson on Saturday. Because one of the wounded is Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, this tragic event is worldwide news. We thought, for the sake of our out of town friends, we should put something up.
We knew nothing until Casey called to make sure we were not involved. We wouldn't have turned on the TV until later in the afternoon to watch the UA basketball game. Because half the victims were transported to University Medical Center, both UA and Tucson city police were heavily tasked for security and traffic control. Both as a sign of respect, and because police officers who normally work at the basketball games were otherwise engaged, the game was postponed until Sunday.
The Safeway where the attack took place is not one we normally use. It is located at the busiest intersection in NW Tucson making ingress and egress difficult. We have two supermarkets closer and easier to use. However, we do stop there sometimes on our way home from somewhere else to use the Walgreen's, Safeway, or Beyond Bread eatery. It is normally inconvenient to go anywhere in Tucson from our house without using that intersection. Ina Road is the major E/W route, and Oracle Road is the major N/S route. Both roads were closed for hours as the Pima County Sheriff's Office and other agencies investigated the scene. I certainly hope that most or all of the people caught in the subsequent traffic snarl understood what was going on. We had had no intention of going out that day, anyway. We were glued to the TV for the rest of the day.
A nine-year-old girl was killed. She attended the same elementary school Casey went to. All information about her indicates that she was the best of the best. A loss for now, a loss for the future.
I want to acknowledge several brave people who subdued the gunman, preventing additional deaths and wounds to bystanders. The killer had 93 more rounds loaded into clips, ready to use. I fervently hope that professionals will be able to work with him to learn things that may help prevent others from carrying out such acts in the future. In virtually every such case, the gunman dies, usually by self-inflicted gun shot, or unavoidable police action. Then nobody ever knows why? Were there signs? Could anything have been done?
Congresswoman Giffords occupies the seat and the local office of her predecessor, Jim Kolbe. Casey was an intern with Kolbe several years ago. It was an intern who helped to staunch the blood flow from Giffords' wound while awaiting the arrival of EMTs.
Deep breath.
Thank you, God.