Tony Perkins Washington Update
Texas Insider Report: Washington D.C. What was meant to be a triumphal week on Capitol Hill -- a time for new leaders to bring new hope--has turned solemn marred by unspeakable tragedy to one of the Houses own. The peoples business has been postponed by the peoples grief. A gunman a mentally twisted 22-year-old opened fire on a crowd of innocent people that included Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords (D-Ariz) who was in Tucson for the sole purpose of meeting and interacting with constituents.
In the end she only heard from one citizen whose message of hate and violence tears at the very fabric of the American family. His was not an attack on 19 people but an assault on the entire nation who suffers with them.
When something like this happens it whittles away at our sense of liberty and security. But on that sunny Arizona Saturday freedom wasnt the only victim.
For six Americans that morning was their last among them: Gabriel Zimmerman one of Rep. Giffordss congressional aides was engaged to be married; John Roll a federal judge--who came of all things to thank Rep. Giffords; nine-year-old Christina Taylor Green born on 9-11 had just been elected to the student council; Phyllis Schneck a homemaker was a 79-year-old widow with three children; Dorwin Stoddard a retired construction worker will be remembered for ministering to sick people through his church; and Dorothy Murray 76 who was with her high-school sweetheart husband when she was killed.
Congresswoman Giffords who appears to be the shooters main target is holding her own doctors say. Her survival is thanks in large part to the brave response of Giffordss new intern Daniel Hernandez.
After just five days on the job Hernandez--who was trained as a nurses assistant--rushed to the Congresswomans side and helped her sit upright putting pressure on the head wound until the emergency teams arrived. When they did Daniel stayed by her side making sure she knew someone was with her and she wasnt alone he said.
Since the shooting people have called Hernandez a hero--a title hes quick to shrug off. The real heroes he says are people like Congresswoman Giffords who have dedicated their lives to public service and helping others. A resolution to honor his boss and the fallen is scheduled for Wednesday.
In the meantime we hope for an end to some of the finger-pointing. Since the tragedy some onlookers have tried to pin the blame for this heartbreak on certain political leaders or campaigns. That more than anything puts a strain on the moral fiber of America .
Nothing is more indicative of this breakdown than the response of some people who are trying to exploit this attack for political gain. A catastrophe like this one should bring our nation together--not tear us apart. One man was responsible for this shooting--not a piece of legislation not a political movement. Suggesting otherwise as Franklin Graham said today ... before an investigation has occurred is in itself inciting hatred.
In the end the gunman has something in common with all us: hes a fallen human being. And that wont be cured by peace rallies or kinder dialogue. The only thing that can save this man is the only thing that can save any of us: Gods grace. Today we pray for that grace for our nation. By that I dont mean a moment of silence. I mean earnest prayers to the Creator and Sustainer of humanity. We ask for Gods physical healing for the hurting emotional healing for the grieving and spiritual healing for this a deeply conflicted America.
