Gabrielle Giffords Will Resign to Focus on Recovery: Right Decision?
SodaHead Politics
2012/01/22 21:47:04
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In a video released on Sunday, Representative Gabrielle Giffords announced that she would be resigning from Congress to focus on her recovery. It has been a little over a year since the Arizona Democrat was shot in the head while meeting with constituents outside a supermarket in Tucson.
During the January 8, 2011 shooting rampage, carried out by 22-year-old Jared Lee Loughner, six people were killed and thirteen others were wounded. Loughner is currently undergoing treatment in Springfield, Missouri and is being forcibly medicated in an effort to make him mentally ready to stand trial. In federal court, Loughner plead not guilty to 49 counts stemming from the shootings.
In the video Giffords explained in a halting voice, “I don’t remember much from that horrible day, but I will never forget the trust you placed in me to be your voice. Thank you for your prayers and for giving me time to recover. I have more work to do on my recovery, so to do what is best for Arizona I will step down this week.”
She also hinted at a possible return to public service in the future. “I will return, and we will work together for Arizona and this great country,” she said.
According to her website, “Before she leaves office, Giffords will finish her Congress On Your Corner event that was interrupted by a gunman on Jan. 8, 2011. In a private gathering in Tucson, Giffords will meet with some of the people” who attended last year.
Giffords will submit her letter of resignation later this week to House Speaker John Boehner and Arizona Governor Jan Brewer. Under Arizona law, Brewer has 72 hours from the day the vacancy is declared to set the dates for special elections. Primaries must take place 80-90 days later followed by a general election 50-60 days after that. The winner of the special election will hold office until Giffords’s term expires at the end of this year.
Democratic officials had held out hope for months that Giffords might recover sufficiently to run for re-election or possibly even to run for retiring Republican Jon Kyl’s Senate seat. Now some are hoping that Giffords’s husband, the retired astronaut Mark Kelly, will run in her place. However, friends of the couple say that this is unlikely and that Kelly would be more inclined to spend his time helping his wife recover.
What do you think about Giffords’s resignation? Is she making the right decision?
During the January 8, 2011 shooting rampage, carried out by 22-year-old Jared Lee Loughner, six people were killed and thirteen others were wounded. Loughner is currently undergoing treatment in Springfield, Missouri and is being forcibly medicated in an effort to make him mentally ready to stand trial. In federal court, Loughner plead not guilty to 49 counts stemming from the shootings.
In the video Giffords explained in a halting voice, “I don’t remember much from that horrible day, but I will never forget the trust you placed in me to be your voice. Thank you for your prayers and for giving me time to recover. I have more work to do on my recovery, so to do what is best for Arizona I will step down this week.”
She also hinted at a possible return to public service in the future. “I will return, and we will work together for Arizona and this great country,” she said.
According to her website, “Before she leaves office, Giffords will finish her Congress On Your Corner event that was interrupted by a gunman on Jan. 8, 2011. In a private gathering in Tucson, Giffords will meet with some of the people” who attended last year.
Giffords will submit her letter of resignation later this week to House Speaker John Boehner and Arizona Governor Jan Brewer. Under Arizona law, Brewer has 72 hours from the day the vacancy is declared to set the dates for special elections. Primaries must take place 80-90 days later followed by a general election 50-60 days after that. The winner of the special election will hold office until Giffords’s term expires at the end of this year.
Democratic officials had held out hope for months that Giffords might recover sufficiently to run for re-election or possibly even to run for retiring Republican Jon Kyl’s Senate seat. Now some are hoping that Giffords’s husband, the retired astronaut Mark Kelly, will run in her place. However, friends of the couple say that this is unlikely and that Kelly would be more inclined to spend his time helping his wife recover.
What do you think about Giffords’s resignation? Is she making the right decision?
Read More: http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/01/22/gabr...
Of course she is making the right decision!! One's health and mind must be in top notch shape in order to be a good and responsible public servant. I'm sure the Democratic Party puts itself "collectively" ahead of any one member or representative, but her husband's place is at her side supporting her through her recovery as well. I think only a devoted communist would consider anything other than what they must have already decided together.
She showed a ability not to continue in her profession as a representative of her district.
Unlike some other politicians like Strom Thurmond and Robert Byrd who had to be almost
carried to their seats in the senate. I applaud her for her courage, and if I were from her district I would certainly vote to reelect her to Congress after her rehabilitation
Freedom isn't free but that is what Republicans want. Freedom without the pain. It is very clear here who is in need of mental assistance.
First of all, you failed reading comprehension in school. Read it again. "Take a hint and get a clue from this Obie!" That meant that he is not mentally fit to run office. He is a failure and out of his league mentally.
I already served in the military 30 years ago. How about you? What have you done for your country? Except maybe take a welfare check?
How dare you talk about the military at all. Scum like you should feel shame instead of putting the welfare of your own sorry butt before the welfare of ALL Americans.
I didn't die when I was deployed to Lebanon, but at least I went when called to serve.
It's you liberal fools who have no clue what it means to put America instead of yourselves first.
And don't you make up what your idea of freedom is, you don't deserve to utter the words.
In the future, i'd expect some respect from clueless small minded punks like you.
And where's all the so called liberal passion for all the other folks that died that day, including the little girl? They got about 30 seconds of air time, while she got hours and TV specials. The liberals are more concerned about losing her vote than anything.
How about any mention of Mark Kirk, the Illinois Senator who just suffered a stroke? Almost no men...
First of all, you failed reading comprehension in school. Read it again. "Take a hint and get a clue from this Obie!" That meant that he is not mentally fit to run office. He is a failure and out of his league mentally.
I already served in the military 30 years ago. How about you? What have you done for your country? Except maybe take a welfare check?
How dare you talk about the military at all. Scum like you should feel shame instead of putting the welfare of your own sorry butt before the welfare of ALL Americans.
I didn't die when I was deployed to Lebanon, but at least I went when called to serve.
It's you liberal fools who have no clue what it means to put America instead of yourselves first.
And don't you make up what your idea of freedom is, you don't deserve to utter the words.
In the future, i'd expect some respect from clueless small minded punks like you.
And where's all the so called liberal passion for all the other folks that died that day, including the little girl? They got about 30 seconds of air time, while she got hours and TV specials. The liberals are more concerned about losing her vote than anything.
How about any mention of Mark Kirk, the Illinois Senator who just suffered a stroke? Almost no mention of his medical condition in the news.
You're one big giant hypocrite who doesn't deserve to breath the same air as I do.
If you don't know the difference between being shot and having a stroke then I question your credentials. Mr Kirk show step down as well but Republicans just like some Democrates with Ted Kennedy are afraid of losing power. The difference between you and I is I can respect an opinion without resorting to the old lame get out of American route Republicans seem to believe. My Great Grandfather, Grandfather, Father and I all served this nation's military; even though this nation and people like you would not stand up support our rights as Americans. Deserve to breath your air, the air of freedom I breath, I've earned! I refrain from calling you any names but if by chance we ever meet in person, I would love for you to freely express yourself and take advantage of the space and opportunity to physically prove your point. It is easy to call people names on the internet. I would love for you to do it face to face. I live in DC.
Your move!
The liberals love to hand pick the martyrs that support their cause and dust under the rug those that don't. How cliche.
I never said some American are more entitled than others. That is an assumption you make. I only say that Mrs. Gifford is a brave women who was neelessly shot by a sick young man and should be allowed to focus on her recovery. I thought it improper to bring in any questions about the President. I thought it was a cheap shot at her and him.
It's not your fault. You took the blue pill. Wake up, The matrix has you.
God Bless the United States of American and Our President.