A political shooting in America

The attempted assassination of U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords Saturday at a local constituency event looks appallingly like something out of a Third World republic. Although the United States has had a history of heated political rhetoric at least since the time of Presidents Adams and Jefferson, violence and murder have generally not been part of the political process. This nation's few assassinations and attempted assassinations of top leaders have usually been the work of mentally deranged or delusional figures, such as Squeaky Fromme or John Hinckley.

The shooting of Giffords and 17 others at a supermarket comes at a time when angry political rhetoric is at its worst and is abetted by the Internet and social media. Partisans think nothing of placing bull's eyes or cross hairs over portraits of political rivals and speak of "knocking off" opponents. The president of the United States has the advantage of Secret Service protection, but rank-and-file members of Congress generally have no security details. Their work and their future electoral success require them to meet and listen to constituents on a near-daily basis. This kind of contact with voters is essential to the workings of democracy, so a shooting like Saturday's in Arizona is especially threatening to our political system.

Even if it is shown that the gunman was mentally ill or deranged and acting alone, this incident should provide the impetus for a toning down of political rhetoric and a lesson in the need for respect and courtesy, even on the campaign trail or in overheated talk radio and television. Giffords, widely known as a Democratic moderate, was the epitome of the kind of politician who was not ideological and was willing to compromise for the common good.

The American system has forged a successful democracy despite great ethnic divisions and political diversity. History has shown that American elections often bring sweeping changes without violence. Arizona is not Islamabad; we must not allow an individual or group of individuals to blur that distinction.