Let's pause to remember in our thoughts and prayers the victims and families of yesterday's senseless and brutal attack in Tuscon, AZ that left Rep. Gabrielle Giffords in critical condition and took the lives of six individuals.

• John M. Roll, 63, a federal district court judge.
• Gabriel Zimmerman, 30, Giffords' director of community outreach.
• Dorwin Stoddard, 76, a pastor at Mountain Ave. Church of Christ.
• Christina-Taylor Green, 9, a student at Mesa Verde Elementary.
• Dorthy Morris, 76.
• Phyllis Schneck, 79.

According to the New York Times, "The shootings raised questions about potential political motives, and (Pima County) Sheriff Dupnik blamed the toxic political environment in Arizona. There were immediate national reverberations as Democrats denounced the fierce partisan atmosphere in Ms. Gifford’s district and top Republicans quickly condemned the violence. " - NY Times 1/9/11

Sheriff Dupnik's statement: "When you look at unbalanced people, how they respond to the vitriol that comes out of certain mouths about tearing down the government. The anger, the hatred, the bigotry that goes on in this country is getting to be outrageous," the sheriff said. "And unfortunately, Arizona I think has become the capital. We have become the mecca for prejudice and bigotry." - msnbc.com news services.

"A Turning Point in the Discourse, but in Which Direction? http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/09/us/politics/09bai.html?ref=politics

"Bloodshed Puts New Focus on Vitriol in Politics" in today's NY Times http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/09/us/politics/09capital.html?hp

Pete Stenson