Photographs and memories!
Seldom have we ever seen any more contrasting photographs than those taken over the last few days of Congresspersons Gabrielle Gifford’s and those of Anthony Weiner of New York’s ninth district. Some of the first pictures of Ms Gifford’s, wife of a shuttle astronaut, were taken when she boarded the aircraft that would take her down to Cape Canaveral to see her husband pilot one of the last two shuttle fights into space on a mission to the International Space Station (ISS). These shots were taken from a distance when the Arizona congressperson was slowly going up the stairs to the plane that would take her on a miraculous flight not only to be close to her husbands side when he flew, but, also, the beginnings of her public reappearance from the gunshot wound to the head that almost ended her life some four months ago on a January Saturday morning that has burrowed its way into the minds and psyches of so many who happened to be watching televion that fateful day when so many lives were changed in front of a grocery store.
In a year that has seen so many disturbing and downcast evens from earthquakes to failed and continuing revolutions, the early evens out in Arizona that have provided so much inspiration to so many are in stark contrast to those of individuals such as Anthony Weiner. His latest pictures of an apparently virile man using the internet to show his physical prowess to women all across the country sicken one when compared to the simple smile of a woman who represented the very best that this country’s elected officials can place on display. The simple sign “Congress on your corner” that was displayed at the site of her shooting represents so many positive things about this or any other democracy. It also shows our very worst side when we think of the killing of a sub teenage young woman who was born on September eleventh, 2001 and who died with a friend who had brought her there to see democracy in its most simple and effective form, a representative listening to her constituents concerns while they prepared to shop for the simple ingredients to a life that became so complex and horrible to so many that morning. We have watched with great pleasure as we have heard of the remarkable progress that “Gabby” Gifford’s has made over these past few months since the true miracle of her survival has turned to an inspiration for anyone who cares to think deeply about it.
We have found no pleasure at all in the goings on of Anthony Weiner.
Weiner has never been a favorite of so many who inhabit the halls of capital hill. He has flailed away at those from his own party as much as so many others in his attempts to “tell it like it is”, or ought to be from the dais of the house floor. His predilection for preferring to be the next mayor of New York City have also not won him many close friends. The state of New York is to lose two congressional districts in the 2010 census realignment process and Weiner’s actions have almost assured him that his district will be the democratic district to disappear when the announcements are made in the very near future. It is interesting to note that so many in Wieners district desire that he remain in congress, as is the rumored desires of his new, and newly pregnant, wife of Middle eastern descent. Weiner is a Jewish representative in congress and his marriage to a person who is of Arab descent might have been a source of hope that long standing geographic and cultural barriers might some day be broken down. However, there are some long standing barriers to moral disgust that should never be overcome.
The pictures of Gabrielle Gifford’s staring happily into the camera with an intelligent and compassionate gaze will, in our mind anyway, always contrast with the Weiner photographs, taken by himself of some of his most private areas, things need not to be seen by anyone but a loving and caring new bride. Congressman Weiner has lied to the American people and his constituents just as well before being forced into a harsh reality and emotion laden baring of the truth that will long be remembered by many Americans and those around the world. And, so, we have these two contrasts of a view and an idea of public service. A nice, attractive young woman lying in a blood stained splatter on the sidewalk of a grocery store, and the reputation of a male congressman lying in tatters where ever he might step over these next number of years. It is questionable if Gabrielle Gifford’s will ever retake her seat in Congress because of her injuries, and it is just as questionable if Anthony Weiner will ever retake his seat among the minority that both of them represent. There are so many rooting for Gifford’s to return to Congress and so many who are rooting for Weiner to step away.
In the broad scheme of things, and over the long haul, neither of these two so disparate events will long affect our national discourse. But, we would like to think that we will always remember the photographs of Gabrielle Gifford’s and so soon forget the memories of Anthony Weiner. Perhaps, if we are very fortunate and blessed, Ms Gifford’s will return to a congress that has forgotten and placed Anthony Weiner in his place. We feel so sorry for his spouse of less than one year and their new child that is now on the way. And we hope that a forgiving nation will not visit the sins of the father on a child yet unborn. And we can always hope that a child born of a Jewish-Arab union might one day help to lead the world to a better place.
IOVHO,
Regards,
Joe
To say that "God exists" is the greatest understatement ever made across space and time.
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