Man who lost wife in Tucson shootings says Giffords makes him sick

[KathieG]

"A 77-year-old Arizona man whose wife was killed in last year’s mass shooting in Tucson said the sight of fellow victim Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords and her husband, astronaut Mark Kelly, makes him want to vomit, according to the UK’s Daily Mail online.

George Morris, 77, was shot in the leg and back in the attack just over a year ago as he tried to protect his wife from the gunman. Dorothy Morris, 76, was killed after the couple had gone to the Safeway supermarket to quiz Giffords on her political opinions.

Morris, who describes himself as ‘ultra-conservative’, even refused a visit from President Obama while he recovered in hospital following the shootings in Arizona."

more...


http://blog.sfgate.com/hottopics/2012/01/10/man-who-lost-wife-in-tucson-shootings-says-giffords-makes-him-sick/

Wow.

[greatauntoftriplets]

1. I love the way Kelly looks at his wife.

As for Morris...least said.

[ProudToBeBlueInRhody]

2. Yup, if Giffords and Obama hadn't been such dirty libruls.....

.....Laughner wouldn't have had to go shoot her.

Sad.....sad. I'd like to think the man is just emotional, but apparently, he just has the sickness of being a right-wing hatemonger.

[Riftaxe]

11. Are you privy to some information

that so far has eluded the prosecution, the media and everyone else?

[ProudToBeBlueInRhody]

12. In what respect, Charlie?

I'm referring to the state of mind of the husband in the article.

[Riftaxe]

22. In the fact that Loughner was from all reports

apolitical. Sure he was a Truther, but we keep a few tame Truthers here on DU over in Creative speculation.

Just inquiring as to what evidence you have that Gifford and the others killed and injured that day were part of a political act.

The exact statement that raises the question is your assertion

"Yup, if Giffords and Obama hadn't been such dirty libruls.....
.....Laughner wouldn't have had to go shoot her. "

Maybe I am just sarcasm impaired tonight

[yardwork]

39. I think that was sarcasm.

[ProudToBeBlueInRhody]

49. Again, I'm only speaking of this man in the article's state of mind

He's essentially blaming the victim. I have no doubt he projects that if Gabby wasn't a dirty librul Dem, this wouldn't have happened.

[obamanut2012]

15. The man himself stated he is ultra conservative

???

[MADem]

18. And he refused a visit from the President while in hospital. He's got issues, and they predate this

unfortunate shooting.

[obamanut2012]

24. Exactly

As someone said down thread, they were there to fuck with their Congresswoman.

[MADem]

29. Heh heh--that was ME!

He didn't deserve to get shot, but you'd think it would open his eyes to the "Big Picture" of suffering, as so many were maimed and killed that day. He has so much in common with them, but he won't acknowledge it. Instead, he continues on the "I'm A Big Dickhead and I LIKE It" path, for the few remaining years of his sorry-ass life.

Some people just don't get it; he's one of 'em. His loss. He'll figure it out in his final days, and he'll probably be sorry. Or maybe not. Ya never know with mean people.

[obamanut2012]

37. Oh! hahaha

Right.

[RZM]

53. Hold on a sec

She was holding an open meeting where the goal was to hear from constituents, whether they supported her or not. He was a constituent and attended so he could be heard. There's nothing wrong with that at all.

[obamanut2012]

63. As per his own words, that isn't why they were going

As MadDEM put it, they were going to fuck with her. The article makes it clear they weren't going to express concerns, but to be tools, to disrupt. It's especially ironic because Giffords is basically a conservadem, but to them, she was a Commie Socialist Pig.

I also wonder why he refused Obama.

Perhaps you care to take to task the other posters who also expressed this opinion, not just myself.

[RZM]

64. I don't think that matters much

I don't know Gabby Giffords. But I'll bet that if you asked her on the eve of the event what she thought about people who hate her coming to voice their concerns, she would have said: 'Well, they are my constituents and that's why I'm having this event. I look forward to hearing the concerns of people in my district.'

And he probably refused Obama because he's a crotchety old man who's set in his ways and doesn't like Obama. Not what I would do, but whatever. I'm sure many DUers would refuse George W. Bush coming to visit them in the hospital.

And why are you taking me to task for responding to you on a message board? You posted your opinion and I'm responding to it.

[SaintPete]

65. Funny, I would love for GW to visit me in the hospital

because then I could say all things I want to say to the bastard, and not get tackled by his Secret Servicers.

[RZM]

66. Ideologically speaking

That's more or less the same as refusing him. It's a sign that you hate him, just as refusing him would be. In fact, I'd say taking the time to berate somebody while you're full of holes means you dislike them even more than somebody who just says 'go away.'

[SaintPete]

67. I wasn't really serious, you know

I think they would tackle me

[roguevalley]

48. he's 77 and tried to save his wife, failing. I give him slack. PTSD.

[Bake]

72. I doubt PTSD made him "ultra-conservative."

Sounds like he doesn't really trust the Constitution he took an oath to defend, since, you know, screw the voters, just throw Gabby out "posthaste."

I bet this guy was a real peach before the shooting, too.

Bake

[roguevalley]

73. No it didn't and I agree he was probably a dork for a long time but his wife of all

his life was shot down before him and he couldn't save her. That is PTSD. This whole story is a lose-lose proposition. I tend to give this sort of thing a little bit of slack.

[LonePirate]

3. I feel for the loss of his wife; but his anger and/or stupidity is directed at the wrong people.

[RBInMaine]

27. What else could be expected from a racist asshole TeaNut. Piss on him. His loss is no excuse.

[rustydog]

35. I hear Walmart has a sale on hearts...maybe you should get in line.

This guy probably dislikes all Democrats. The shooting would not necessarily change his political bent.
But to minimize his horrible loss, the person he loved dearly is not a good way to go about it.

[southernyankeebelle]

4. I saw that on the Daily Mail Online. It even had a picture of him. Sorry ole fool. If he wants

blame someone why doesn't he look at Palin.

[JI7]

5. so he didnt like her before and still doesn't like her after

but you would think he would have some sympathy for what they have all gone through no matter what the politics are.

[Ecumenist]

6. Apparently, he sustained brain damage in the shooting...

bless his pointy little head...

[zbdent]

43. methinks it was a "pre-existing condition" ...

[MattBaggins]

7. I wish nothing but peace for this man

He lost his wife and I will not fault him for his misplaced anger. I will chalk this up to grief and not perpetuate his hatred.

[madmax]

16. You're a good man MattBaggins.

He's still grieving and you've shown wisdom and compassion. If only there were more like you.

[Mimosa]

33. MattBaggins, I agree

He's a brokenhearted old man.

[YvonneCa]

60. You are right...

...and are a compassionate person. The man is in pain. This is not the time to judge his politics.

[NYC Liberal]

68. The hatred was there before he was shot. But I still wouldn't wish that suffering

on anyone.

[MADem]

8. So, he went to fuck with the Congresswoman and got way more than anyone deserved, yet he blames HER?

Not the nutcase who shot him?

Sick fucker. Hate like that can rip you up. Looks like it's doing a bang-up job on that guy.

[opihimoimoi]

9. Hate will get ya to that "State"...Oh the Irony

[Tuesday Afternoon]

10. This is the reason for the saying: Bless his heart.

[zbdent]

44. Isn't "Bless your heart" Southernese for

"Go f*ck yourself"?

[Tuesday Afternoon]

51. not necessarily. so much depends on inflection.

[Still Blue in PDX]

75. Sometimes.

I've used it both ways. For me, it depends on whether it is a day when I remember that we are all part of the human race and deserve the benefit of the doubt. And whether I've taken my meds.

[hlthe2b]

13. Ugly emotions, but I'm sorry for his loss. Even more sorry that his bitterness is so misplaced &

will surely consume him.

[obamanut2012]

14. I am very srry his wife died and he was injured

That being said: it sounds like they were 'Baggers, and they went to the Safeway to berate and, it sounds, try to publicly humiliate Giffords. And they got shot. That isn't karma, because karma doesn't work that way. It isn't vengeance. It is ironic.

No, they didn't deserve this, but Giffords wasn't the cause of this, and Gabby will suffer her whole life because of that day.

[The Straight Story]

17. How many DU'ers in the same situation would meet with bush

and have nice things to say about a republican?

[marmar]

20. I might not have had nice things to say about him privately.....

...... but I wouldn't have refused a visit in the hospital. Like him or loathe him, I'd give him the respect of being president.

[Mimosa]

36. You can't know what you'd do if you were shot, the love of your life murdered...

I wouldn't want to hear from any politicians at all during such a time.

This old man is in grief, his health was ruined. He is probably more depressed than any of us can know. That may manifest as inappropriate anger.

I imagine since the Giffords shootings all Congress reps have changed how they meet with constituents. They also must be using armed guards or off duty police during the meetings.

[MADem]

23. If anyone got shot along with me, I'd be more concerned about getting better than perpetuating a

grudge against a GOP politician, even Porgie, particularly if that person was suffering as well as a consequence of the behavior of a nutcase. Life is too damn short.

It's not like Giffords was one of those "gun grabbers" that people like to rail about, either, so he can't be after her on that score. He apparently was just "ultra conservative" and probably Rick Perry is too "lib-rul" for him, too.

[Raine]

30. I honestly don't know but I would hope

that I would be a better person after having such an experience otherwise the suffering would've been for nothing.

[zbdent]

45. In the sense of "If you have nothing good to say, don't say anything" ...

the silence from me would be deafening.

I would be "respectful" ... respectfully silent.

[deutsey]

54. I hate to say it but I think I could imagine

myself saying a lot of angry things in a similar situation with Bush. I'd like to think I'd rise above my baser self, but having been through trauma before I know it can leave me very raw and vocal about my anger.

I'm not proud of that, just being honest about how I've been before.

[JI7]

55. i sure wouldn't say "she/he makes me sick" about someone who was shot and a victim

i don't care about his refusal to meet with Obama. but his comments on Gabby Giffords and her husband are disgusting.

[YvonneCa]

62. They are. But no one would know them...

...if news outlets hadn't printed them.

[aikoaiko]

19. Proof positive that grief doesn't cure meanness.

Some people are mean and just get meaner.

[bigtree]

21. I hope he can find some respite from the grief

What a tragedy. I don't hold anything against this man for his anger (even though I'd disagree strongly with the direction of his scorn). I hope he can find some peace.

[Major Nikon]

38. If he wanted peace, he wouldn't be talking to the media

The only reason anyone is putting a microphone in his face is because he was also a victim. Now he's using the death of his wife and his own injuries to make political statements and even went so far as to blame Giffords and her husand for his woes.

[bigtree]

46. that kind of behavior has roots in some tragedy

. . . the most obvious, the killing of his wife, which he's not in any way responsible for. I hope he finds some peace and healing. That's the kind of attention he needs.

[Major Nikon]

58. His warped sense of reality has a lot to do with it also

If this guy is 77 and pulling this kind of crap, I don't hold out any hope he's going to find peace in this lifetime. It sounds as if he was this way well before the shooting ever occurred. More than likely he's going to die a very bitter and hateful old man. He's shit in his own bed and I can't find any sympathy for him. I'll save that for people more deserving. I don't blame you for feeling the way you do and consider it very benevolent. I just can't share your sentiment.

[The Second Stone]

69. Bless his heart. If he hadn't insisted on going trolling with his

awful hatred, he would have been safe at home, and the other hating man wouldn't have taken his wife from this life in the collateral damage.

I bet it really does make him sick and want to vomit.

[book_worm]

25. sorry the old guy lost his wife in that tragedy but he sure is carrying a lot of hate

inside him and it's directed at the wrong people.

[arthritisR_US]

26. Sounds like he is stuck in the anger phase of the grieving process, pair that with

his rabid ideological bent....sad, very sad

[Raine]

28. I'll cut him slack because he's grief stricken

but really he needs to let the hate go because that's what put him and his wife in the situation in the first place. I think he knows that and instead of dealing with it is still passing it off on someone else.

[BigDemVoter]

31. Poor Old Geezer has a screw loose somewhere. . . .

Doesn't even know whom to blame. . . Poor befuddled old goat. . . Perhaps HE was shot in the head?

[Politicalboi]

32. You watch, he's going to try and sue

"He also blamed Kelly for his wife’s death, adding: ‘I’d like to debate our dear captain astronaut (and ask) why he didn’t have security. My wife would still be alive."
I bet Medicare took care of his sorry ass too. He went to the rally because Giffords voted for the health care bill. I bet he tries to sue in a few months.

[gulliver]

34. Ouch. So he might be to blame for his wife being there...

...in the first place. The world is strange.

[Loudly]

40. Obviously loves guns and ammo more than life itself.

Did not learn anything from his experience.

[Tommy_Carcetti]

41. I'll take "People who learned absolutely nothing" for $500, Alex. nt

[cherokeeprogressive]

42. None of us can know the kind of grief this man feels, yet some are quick to judge...

Would that have been me, I probably would have already taken my own life if my high school sweetheart and wife of 54 years was killed in such a senseless act.

His comment ‘Every time I see them on TV, it makes me want to vomit.’ may not be in the context some wish to attribute to it. Is it possible that he wants to vomit because every time he sees them and the love they share it makes him miss the love of his life a little more and that emotion is so deeply felt that it affects him physically?

Of course not. After all; he's a republican, so "piss on him".

Just a little more of the hate and intolerance I've come to expect here... Way to go!

[TwilightGardener]

47. He seems genuinely angry that Gifford survived.

Also seems to blame her and her husband (weirdly) that his wife died. His political views are ugly, his reaction to grief and a survivor's healing equally ugly. Just an ugly man.

[Major Nikon]

61. The context was pretty clear to me, YMMV

This guy was a hater before the shooting ever happened. Being tolerant does not require me to tolerate people who hate.

[emilyg]

50. I wish him peace.

[Marrah_G]

52. I can't get angry at this man

He lost his partner, maybe the love of his life. He has a different world view then I do. I can't say if I were in his shoes I would want W dropping in to say hi for a photo shoot either.

Whatever we think of his views, he is suffering enough.

I wish him and his family some peace.

[pipi_k]

56. I feel sorry for him

He's old. Lost his life partner in a most tragic way.

He couldn't save her, and probably felt/feels helpless. Powerless.

Anger is often an easier emotion to deal with than grief.

[tabasco]

57. Sounds like a really stupid motherfucker. n/t

[mysuzuki2]

59. I'm very sorry this man lost his wife and I'm sorry he was shot himself.

No one deserves to have those things happen. That being said however, fuck him.

[nadinbrzezinski]

70. You know the reaction, even if he rationalizes it as political

may have a lot more to do with grief... and the sight reminds him of a real deep trauma, just saying. And yes, he basically tells you this in such a way because that is the way he can verbalize it.

Consider that.

At least I like to think that at times there is more to the world than just politics.

[Puzzledtraveller]

74. Well said

Humanity first, no matter what.

[ellisonz]

71. I think it's sad this thread has so many comments...

...and my threads on the Tucson anniversary in GD got so few.

I'm kicking them all up because of this thread