The early morning peace of a public ball field in Alexandria, Va., was shattered Wednesday when a man wielding a rifle opened fire on House Republicans.
There are mass shootings every day in this country--154 this year--and each one is its own tragedy, to be grieved and regretted. But there is something especially chilling and loathsome about a shooter ambushing elected officials who are just playing a little summer ball hoping to have some fun and raise money for local charities.
The men and women who serve their country through elective office give much of themselves and know they can become targets at any time. Rep. Gabriel Giffords was shot in the head--and remarkably survived--during an open event she held in 2011 to meet with constituents.
House Speaker Paul Ryan brought his colleagues to their feet when he proclaimed Wednesday from the House floor: "An attack on one of us is an attack on all of us . . . . We're all being tested right now . . . join me to resolve to come together to lift each other up, to show the country, to show the world that we are one House, the People's House, united in our humanity."
Throughout the day, Republican and Democratic colleagues could be seen holding hands and comforting one another in the aftermath of the shooting. That message, that united front and caring for one another as humans, is what ultimately defeats violence and hatred. We hope it continues.
Editorial on 06/16/2017