The National Conversation Sparked by the Tragedy in Tuscon

We devotes today's entire show to the shootings in Tuscon, which have prompted national reflection and debate in their aftermath. The nation finds itself engaged in emotional conversations about political rhetoric, civil discourse, assigning blame, gun control, free speech and partisan politics, in the wake of a shooting spree which left six people dead. Fourteen others were wounded, including US Representative Gabrielle Giffords, who authorities say was the target of an assassination plot.

 


 

Banner image: Messages and candles are placed at a makeshift memorial that continues to grow in front of University Medical Center, for those killed and wounded during an attack on US Representative Gabrielle Giffords (D-AZ) on January 11, 2011 in Tucson, Arizona. Photo: Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images