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Calmer heads prevailing, so far

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* The Arizona shooting rampage has nerves a bit on edge in Springfield. Statehouse security yesterday was normal, which means fairly light. Nobody was stationed at the end of the northern drive entrance when I went by a few times, but a handful of guards were inside the building.

As I’ve already told you, security at today’s Inauguration events will be tightened, but it won’t be over the top…

Illinois State Police plan to beef up security a bit when Gov. Pat Quinn and other state officials are sworn into office.

Spokesman Scott Compton says there won’t be any major changes in the aftermath of an Arizona shooting spree that left a member of Congress critically injured.

But Compton says some additional officers will be present for Monday’s ceremony. He says they will be visible to the public in an effort to discourage anyone who might be thinking about causing trouble.

And this is heartening…

While most Illinois lawmakers said they planned on being more cautious and working with local police departments when holding big, public events, not one said he or she was about to scale back from what they say is the most important part of their job, meeting with constituents — even without security.

So is this…

Rep. Don Moffitt, R-Gilson, said “Senseless! This is just a senseless attack on democracy. We can not let an incident like this cause elected officials to be afraid to speak-up on issues that are important. We cannot be afraid to meet with our constituents. And our constituents cannot be afraid to meet with us.”

As is this…

Treasurer-elect Dave Rutherford (D)-Illinois says, “It’s a horrible occurrence that took place out there but you just can’t stop continuing to work with people and to say hello to them, be out and shake hands.”

And that’s exactly what happened in Springfield Sunday night. Still, mixed in with the politicians and the public, plenty of security.

Scott Compton, Chief Public Information Officer with Illinois State Police says, “We changed our plans somewhat but not substantially. Additional officers in uniform were added to the detail but at this point that’s been the main change as a result of the shooting.”

Among the politicians there, Senator Mark Kirk (R)-Illinois, who has a town hall meeting of his own scheduled for Monday in Collinsville.He says he’ll do a total of six in the coming weeks.

It’s extremely important that our leaders, the media and the people not grossly overreact and succumb to fear. Fear leads to some very bad public policy. Caution is wise. Irrational moves are not.

* Meanwhile, in Chicago, the media initially pounced on a report that Congressman Danny Davis had received an e-mail threat…

U.S. Rep. Danny Davis said his office received an e-mail threat on Sunday.

“It was some person who emailed one of my staff persons and said that ‘Danny Davis is next,’” Davis said. Davis, a Chicago Democrat, said the Capitol Police and Chicago police have been notified.

Howevever, Fox Chicago reported that the threat was actually a question…

It said “Could Danny Davis be next?”

And Davis says he believes he knows the guy…

Davis says he knows the person and suspects it was a prank, but the Congressman was taking it seriously.

But threats reportedly increased bigtime last year…

According to published reports, members of Congress reported 42 cases of threats or violence in the first three months of 2010, which is nearly three times the 15 cases reported during the same period the year before.

That Arizona gunman was obviously insane. The big worry right now is about copycats, insane or not. Davis was right to forward that e-mail to the authorities, but he’s also right to continue on without worrying too much.

* Note to commenters: Do not allow this post to devolve into a finger-pointing exercise or I’ll just shut down comments and start banning people. Keep a cool head or you’ll be asked to leave. Thanks.

posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Jan 10, 11 @ 9:56 am

Comments

“Dave” Rutherford? (”D” IL) ?

Comment by wilecoyote Monday, Jan 10, 11 @ 10:03 am
If nothing else, maybe folks can recommit to conducting their public business with the civility and good manners their parents taught them.

Comment by wordslinger Monday, Jan 10, 11 @ 10:05 am
wilecoyote, misspellings happen. They made a minor error. Try to focus on the topic at hand and not the trivial. Thanks.

Comment by Rich Miller Monday, Jan 10, 11 @ 10:06 am
– “It’s extremely important that our leaders, the media and the people not grossly overreact and succumb to fear. Fear leads to some very bad public policy. Caution is wise. Irrational moves are not.” –

Rich, I really appreciate your balanced, smart reporting and reaction. Keep up the good work.

Comment by collar observer Monday, Jan 10, 11 @ 10:14 am
This tragedy was about one unstable, deranged man who had lost all touch with reality. From what we know so far, really has nothing to do with politics. Entertainment celebrities have similarly been the magnet for deranged people from time to time.

But statistically it’s still a lot more dangerous to be an innocent child living in certain parts of Chicago than it is to be a congressman. I’m getting sick of the politicians using this as an excuse to tell us how important they are.

Comment by just sayin' Monday, Jan 10, 11 @ 10:16 am
Thanks to Illinois lawmakers (and their over-vilified and under-appreciated staffers) for keeping constituent contact in the forefront of their decision making.

– MrJM

Comment by MrJM Monday, Jan 10, 11 @ 10:31 am
If a person wants to commit an act of violence on a congressman it can be done. Outside of the President I don’t know of any elected official in the United States who isn’t vulnerable to attack from time to time.

I appreciate the State Police remarking that they had changed a few things for the upcoming events, however the State Police and Capitol Security were doing a good job before and will continue to do a good job into the future. It is constant vigilance that is needed to assure everyone’s safety. God speed to those who provide that vigilance everyday.

Comment by Living in Oklahoma Monday, Jan 10, 11 @ 10:35 am
Good post, Rich

Far, far, FAR too often, when a tragedy happens, or there is some vandalism, we immediately get hyper partisans saying “it was because they were Democrat or Republican”, or some group gets blamed. In a LOT of cases, the initial “it was because of X” is proven to be completely false.

This guy was a nutjob, plain and simple. If anyone can make any sense of what he wrote on youtube, you deserve an honorary doctorate in pyschology. His attack didn’t have anything to do with Sarah Palin, the Tea Parties, etc. It was a random act of lunacy. She was his Congresswoman, he tried to explain his rantings to her, she didn’t understand, and he went crazy. The same thing would have happened if she was a Republican.

The MUCH more interesting question is that this is a young man who showed a LOT of signs that this kind of act was possible and I don’t know if anything was done. That would be an interesting question to pursue.

Comment by Ghost of John Brown Monday, Jan 10, 11 @ 10:36 am
Ghost while I agree with all you wrote. It is not illegal to be crazy and although I am not very familiar with Az. I do know in Illinois not much is done with these people in need of help because thier isn’t much help availble anymore. It will be telling to see how blame is assigned but this doesn’t appear to be about politics as much as it is about mental health.

Comment by Fed up Monday, Jan 10, 11 @ 10:42 am
Right, fellow posters. No freaking out.
There is an important policy question here. How can a young person so obviously sick get a Glock as easy as he can get a six-pack of Bud? How can registries be improved to get guys like this (or the Virginia Tech shooter) onto “no gun” lists?

Comment by Ray del Camino Monday, Jan 10, 11 @ 10:43 am
FedUp - no disagreement here.

Comment by Ghost of John Brown Monday, Jan 10, 11 @ 10:46 am
>Outside of the President I don’t know of any elected official in the United States who isn’t vulnerable to attack from time to time.

The President, and Ed Burke.

Caution is always justified, but I spent the morning handing out fliers at a transit station, and my candidate was supposed to be there (he got sick though) and it didn’t even cross my mind that that was a potentially similar situation - a public outdoor meet and greet with a candidate. While it does concern me just a little bit that some people have used violent rhetoric in recent campaigns, I still think the odds of violence at a political event are extremely low.

Comment by irv & ashland Monday, Jan 10, 11 @ 10:46 am
I think Saturday’s incident shows why you still need the death penalty. I don’t know if Arizona has it or not. Certainly, this issue was not part of the campaign in November and I think the voters would have had a visceral reaction against abolishing the death penalty that would have been reflected in the election. But–I guess those in charge knew that so they didn’t talk about it.

Comment by yikes Monday, Jan 10, 11 @ 10:46 am
@Yikes–
There is a federal death penalty and I believe someone killing a Federal judge and a Congressional aide and grievously wounding a congresswoman would qualify.

Comment by Responsa Monday, Jan 10, 11 @ 11:01 am
Yes, the death penalty. Let’s execute a crazy person to deter the crazy actions of the next crazy person. Yeah, that’ll work out well.

Comment by 47th Ward Monday, Jan 10, 11 @ 11:31 am
I think things would get worse if our representatives didn’t make themselves available to their constituents, but in the interest of safety for our elected officials and citizens who attend their events, everyone needs to tone down the rhetoric. There is too much at stake for us to waste time in attacking each other’s views.

Comment by Wensicia Monday, Jan 10, 11 @ 11:33 am
Surprisingly, the Arizona rhetoric makes Illinois campaigns seem reasonable. Further, the post-election meetings by Alexi-Kirk and Quinn-Brady are all the more honorable and important demonstrations of what should be done after campaigns.

Comment by D.P. Gumby Monday, Jan 10, 11 @ 11:47 am
If this guy’s as nuts as he seems, I seriously doubt a death penalty would have been a deterrent. Heck, were I him (and sane, yet inexplicably still planning to do it) I would have expected to die in the attack.

As for blame, I agree with Rich, but it’s complicated. This guy did it because he’s nuts, not because of what any media talking head said. But he targeted a politician, so yes, this was political, even if it was the politics of a literal madman. And he seems so out there, I can’t believe the ravings of any Tea Partier or liberal equivalent served as more than background noise…a laugh track to whatever disturbed sitcom was going on inside his head.

But I will say that I am proud of the reaction the public and media had, at least initially, even if it was probably not as relevant to the killer. We seemed ready for an excuse to finally admit that the rhetoric has gotten too heated, too demonizing.

I have my political biases, so I know who I think the bigger offenders are in the rhetoric wars. I reject embracing false equivalence just to soothe hurt feelings. And I think we WILL need to start calling people out on it more forcefully no matter their affiliation, especially when violence and elimination are being hinted.

But none of that changes the fact that it may not have influenced the killer either way (that’s my hunch, anyway). And yes, we all need to think critically about what we’re saying, be more civil, avoid cherry-picking and spinning, etc. It is NOT wrong to offend or upset someone with honest expression, communication and debate, but try to be nice wherever possible, or at least not a jerk. And you probably shouldn’t argue politics or religion with your grandma on her deathbed.

Comment by jaranath Monday, Jan 10, 11 @ 11:53 am
If any have been to Washington in recent years, you know Capitol Hill is an armed camp. The amount of firepower on the streets around The Dome is quite remarkable.

Comment by wordslinger Monday, Jan 10, 11 @ 12:20 pm
I don’t know whether the campaign rhetoric of the last two elections had any bearing on this awful act or not but I have been troubled by the constant use (on both sides) of violent terminology. It has become so commonplace we don’t even view it as violent but have you noticed how every candidate promises to “fight” for this cause or for that constituency? Who are they fighting? What ever happened to WORKING for a cause or a group? When did it become normal to cast a leader’s (or would-be-leader’s) promises in the language of violence?

Comment by Anonymous Monday, Jan 10, 11 @ 12:44 pm
I’m not sure I’d lump “fight” in with violent rhetoric. I’ve always read it in that context as to (as you say) work for or against something, to resist something or accomplish it despite resistance. We’ve actually had national figures hinting, subtly and not so subtly, that violence should or could be used against the opposition, to effect policy changes, coups, etc., and I don’t see “fight” in common usage as being comparable. Still, I understand your point. I do think “fight” is a stronger, more polarizing version of “work for” that preemptively assumes there will be no compromise or civil interaction.

Comment by jaranath Monday, Jan 10, 11 @ 1:15 pm
The word fight in conjunction with weapons or reference to blood, taking someone out, is when it becomes violent rhetoric. It’s also a terrorist tactic and one we shouldn’t stoop to.

Comment by Wensicia Monday, Jan 10, 11 @ 1:51 pm
It is time for all politicians and talking heads to stop using guns on their web sites and in their speeches. Palin’s web site is a prime example. It had a map of Democratic districts with crosshair symbols like those seen through the scope of a gun. She also stated “Don’t Retreat-Instead Reload.”

For God’s sake, she may run for President sometime. Yes, the shooter was not mentally stable; however, the use of these symbols reinforces that it is okay to use violence to resolve political differences in society. IT IS NOT OKAY, but I am not surprised that it has happened!

Comment by Anonymous Monday, Jan 10, 11 @ 3:25 pm
Sure, it’s all Palin’s fault.

Sheesh……

Comment by Doug Monday, Jan 10, 11 @ 4:12 pm
Many good posts today, but this is going to be a “scare tactic” and I hope they do not use it that way. We had our own scare a few years back with the shooting of at the state house. WE should all feel the pain and it seems this happens to everyday people on the street; drive-bys, St. Louis, etc. Security will not stop someone that is unstable or committed to performing a violent act.

The gun issue is an emotional issue to many, either pro or con. Don’t blame Sarah Palin or any other politico for using our right to protect ourselves and our homes. Just maybe if there was a conceal/carry law, the victims would number only one.

God speed to all those that were harmed and their families.

Comment by Ain't No Justice Monday, Jan 10, 11 @ 4:17 pm
Ain’t No Justice,

Palin was not protecting your right to bear arms with her crosshairs directed at specific congressional districts.

Comment by So Blue Democrat Monday, Jan 10, 11 @ 4:29 pm
SBD…give me a break. I am surprised your not blaming Bush!

Comment by Ain't No Justice Monday, Jan 10, 11 @ 4:40 pm
Ain’t No Justice,

I stand by my statement. Palin’s web site with crosshairs directed at congressional districts and statements about reloading on political issues and elections has NOTHING to do with your right to bear arms. How does this relate to your right to own a gun?

Comment by So Blue Democrat Monday, Jan 10, 11 @ 4:44 pm
SBD, metaphors are used all the time. If your district were not in trouble, you wouldn’t be bringing this up at all. If you were brought up in the military, hunted, or taught respect for guns and what they could do maybe you would have a different outlook on this issue. State troopers say “lock and load” all the time. Yes, it maybe politically incorrect, but isn’t EVERYTHING these days.

Comment by Ain't No Justice Monday, Jan 10, 11 @ 4:48 pm
Ain’t NO Justice,

I have no idea what you are talking about regarding “my district in trouble.” You also did not answer my question. Gifford’s district was not in trouble. She won the election.

Comment by So Blue Democrat Monday, Jan 10, 11 @ 4:57 pm
Calmer heads prevail.

Comment by Ain't No Justice Monday, Jan 10, 11 @ 5:04 pm
Ain’t No Justice,

Using political statements such as Reload and crosshairs on website does not classify as calm. You still did not answer my question. I guess when you have no rational ideas to discuss, you have to use such tactics. Palin is not prevailing now.

Comment by So Blue Democrat Monday, Jan 10, 11 @ 5:50 pm
what a horrible weekend, although it is a miracle that Gabby is alive and doing well for the injury. It’s never one thing with violence. Not just poverty. Not just guns. Not just rhetoric. Not just evil. And certainly not just mental illness…we don’t know until the tests are done exactly what his state is. not every person who kills is mentally ill. The entire picture taken together, sadly after, makes us not surprised that it happened around Gabby. She felt under threat by the crosshairs ads. She was already under threat from this particular individual and perhaps others….incidents at her office, a scare with a gun dropped at an event.

Was there some mental health link that could have been posted that would have prevented him from getting a gun? Sounds like not, although the rules, promulgated after Virginia Tech, are apparently not being followed….a couple of states not reporting to the Feds, Louisiana posting one report, Arizona about 120,000 reports behind posting.

The mental health community needs to get behind some sorts of changes because access to guns is not changing. Although one change did happen…..the Federal Assault Weapons Ban included a ban on the kind of clip that Jared used. Some would still have been wounded and perhaps died, but it would have been fewer shots than 31 in a first round. (although Mayor Daley sounded not coherent on his ideas on firearms. so that does not help.)

and, yes, I do think about the death penalty and this kind of crime. there is a Federal death penalty that would cover the judge and probably the Cong. staffer…. yes, Federal needed, unless you think McVeigh deserved to live…..but what about the three retirees and the 9 year old who wanted to go into politics? I believe that the death penalty is a form of justice. And while not desired by all survivors, it is desired by some. And if this were to happen in Illinois, I trust Anita Alvarez of Cook County and Robert Berlin of DuPage as the State’s Attorneys who can, and will, do the right thing in making a decision, seeking justice.

mostly I’m exhausted sad about the loss of life and the wounds, mental and physical left with others. hats off to the people who responded….that intern for Gabby was amazing…..and the doctors who simply rock in every interview. Peace and love to all.

Comment by amalia Monday, Jan 10, 11 @ 5:56 pm
BTW,

Crosshairs have been used by both political allies. I saw one ad from the Obama presidential campaign that used one. In fact Obama said during a campaign speech in Pennsylvania that if the other side brings a knife, his side will bring a gun - rhetorically speaking and not disturbing in context IMO.

Plain and simple - psychotics have engaged in political assassination long before the invention of the printing press, let alone the internet and talk radio. I refer to the DSMV when I paraphrase that the psychotic is mostly responding to INTERNAL stimuli, not external. The fact that a person in the 1800’s had a delusion that he was Napoleon and a person in the 1900’s believes he is Hitler is mere background noise to the psychotic. A person with a violent persecutory delusion who has targeted a specific individual is at once very dangerous and virtually impossible to stop.

Unfortunately, our own Senator Durbin has made partisan noise about this horrible event. A pity.

It is a sad fact of life that we must witness these horrors from time to time. May God bless the victims and their families.

Comment by dupage dan Tuesday, Jan 11, 11 @ 9:14 am