Sunday, January 9, 2011

Jared Lee Loughner

A tragic act of mass-murder took place yesterday in Tucson, Arizona. As The Report tweeted, we pray for the recovery of Rep. Gabrielle Giffords and others who were wounded in the shooting. We also offer our condolences for those who were lost, including Federal Judge John Roll and 9-year-old Christina Taylor Green.

The person responsible for these heinous acts of mass-murder and violence is not Sarah Palin or the Tea Party, as some on the left have tried to blame. It is one man: Jared Lee Loughner. Loughner is a self-described terrorist. Loughner is a man who believes in burning the United States' flag, as well as a man who supports discrimination against of homosexuals and members of the Jewish faith. Additionally, Loughner is a supporter of socialism, which is the complete opposite end of the political spectrum from the Tea Party. Further, Jared Lee Loughner, for the overt acts of assassination of a Federal Judge and attempted assassination of a Congresswoman is a traitor. There are certainly more than two witnesses. However, since first-degree murder is a capital offense in Arizona and Loughner can be charged with no fewer than six counts of it*, he can still be executed without a treason charge.

Most importantly, the acts of Jared Lee Loughner cannot be allowed to defeat democracy. Rep. Giffords was shot while at an event designed to allow her to connect in person with members of her constituency. Ms. Green was there because she had recently been elected to her school's student council, and as a constituent representing other constituents of Rep. Giffords, she wanted to meet the Congresswoman. This is the way Congress should work. Representatives and Senators should reach out to their constituent, and hear them, and act based on their input. John Boehner, Speaker of the House, is right to say that "this inhuman act should not, and will not, deter us from our calling to represent our constituents."

President Obama said "such a senseless and terrible act of violence has no place in a free society." Jared Lee Loughner has the right to a speedy trial under the United States Constitution. That right must be granted to him -- not for his sake, but because the the faster Loughner is found guilty, sentenced to death, and executed, the better off our free society will be.

* At the time of this post, there are six dead from his actions, and others could still succumb to their wounds in the hospital.

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