Posted by AzBlueMeanie: Thankfully Fred Phelps' church of hate will not be disrupting these funerals. Church gives up protest plans, gets radio airtime. Advertisement The funerals are, however, expected to attract many Tucsonans who want to pay their respects. St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church is not a particularly large church, and I would hope that you … Read more

Posted by AzBlueMeanie: (Excerpt) They believed, and I believe that we can be better. Those who died here, those who saved life here –- they help me believe. We may not be able to stop all evil in the world, but I know that how we treat one another, that’s entirely up to us. And … Read more

Posted by AzBlueMeanie: Former editor of the Tucson Citizen, Billie Stanton, now the managing editor of the Montrose Daily Press in Colorado, wrote this editorial opinion for her friend, Rep. Gabrielle Giffords. Hate speech? Just bite that bullet (Montrose, CO): The slender young woman with long chestnut hair slipped onto the patio at the Shanty one Friday evening … Read more

by David Safier Not much to say, except that Obama was excellent — thoughtful and inspiring enough but not too inspiring, respecting the somberness of the occasion — and Daniel Hernandez was the surprise, for me, of the evening. This is a young man who could have a bright and important future. Who knew he … Read more

by David Safier Guns are a part of U.S. history and culture, and always will be. That’s simply a fact not worth fighting about. People own guns and rifles because they feel the need for protection and because they like to use them for recreation. Some people love collecting and firing guns the way other … Read more

Posted by AzBlueMeanie: Greg Sargent writes at The Plum Line – Can "paranoid" political culture trigger violence in the unhinged?: I'm going to second Steve Benen's claim that this column by Harold Meyerson is an important addition to the debate over the shooting: The primary problem with the political discourse of the right in today's … Read more

Posted by AzBlueMeanie: I could not believe this story in the Arizona Daily Star today, 2 talk hosts advocate peace, but rants go on: In the wake of the Arizona shootings, conservative talk-show host Glenn Beck issued a challenge to all Americans to reject violence. Liberal talk-show host Keith Olbermann voiced his own call for … Read more