On recent events...

Unfortunately, Tucson has been in the news a lot over the past week.  It's been kind of surreal.  In case anyone is wondering, we are fine, and we do not know anyone who was directly involved with the tragedies of last Saturday.

I've overdosed on news reports and talk shows and gossip, and it has been exhausting.  I probably can't say anything about what has happened that will be very useful to anyone, but I felt like at least saying something.

Although I have never actually met Gabby Giffords, I have been to fundraising events for some of her previous campaigns.  She has always seemed like a very down-to-earth and genuine person.  Her local office is only a mile from our house, and I pass it on almost every one of my bike rides.  The amount of support and the constant stream of well-wishers in front of her office for the last 6 days has been astounding.  The community has really risen to support Gabby, and the families of the victims, and all the others affected by this horrible incident.

Although we did not attend in person, I thought the president's memorial speech was quite moving.  (For those who had problems with the memorial event, please see Jon Stewart's comments here.)  I think the media coverage has been pretty awful, on all sides.  I also think it is unfortunate that people around the country are being given an unfairly biased impression of Tucson.  There are many things about the state of Arizona that make my blood boil, and I can't say that I'm ever thrilled about the general politics of this state.. but Tucson is different.  Tucson has culture and history and beauty and arts and diversity and education and acceptance that is rivaled nowhere else in this state.  It's not just another gun-toting Arizona town.  It's just not.  This deranged individual could have lived anywhere, and this could have happened anywhere.  Unfortunately, this happened in Tucson.  It has very little to do with gun laws, or political rhetoric, or left-versus-right, or anything that would actually make sense.  Because it doesn't make sense.  Things like this don't make sense; they are awful and tragic, but not logical.

Our city is still mourning, and still burying the victims of this senseless crime.  Being so close to such a terrifying event has shaken me up a bit, and it has been a very somber week here in the Old Pueblo.  But as these things go, the people of Tucson have really stepped up to support one another and to work as a community to begin the healing process.  Tucson, I don't care what anybody says... you've got class.

And c'mon, Gabby!  We're all rooting for you.