Don't surrender to violence

I had a different column written for this week. But that was before Saturday.

Saturday, I sat glued to my computer and TV as the events unfolded. A madman shot 20 people, killing six of them, at a meet-and-greet event held by U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords at a supermarket in Tucson.

Among the dead were federal judge John Roll, 9-year-old Christina Green, and the recently engaged Gabe Zimmerman, a member of Giffords' staff. The congresswoman, shot in the head, remains in critical condition.

It was the event - "Congress on Your Corner" - that shook me.

Over the past several years, I've attended a number of gatherings like that.

Former 2nd District Rep. Glenn Nye held events with that same name during the last couple years. Prior to that, former Rep. Thelma Drake held "Coffee with the Candidate."

These open, public events are the way - sometimes the only way - that many people interact with their representatives.

So instead of Dorwin Stoddard, Dorothy Morris or Phyllis Schneck, it could have been me - or you - on the receiving end of a bullet from a lunatic.

Stoddard, 76, attended the event with his wife, Mavy. When he heard the shooting start, he covered her body with his. Mavy Stoddard was hit in the legs but survived the shooting.

Morris, 76, was standing in line with her husband and high school sweetheart, George, when she was killed. He is also among the injured.

Schneck, 79, a widow, admired Giffords' stance on border safety and had come to shake her hand.

Metaphorically, we all had a brush with death, and none of our lives will ever be the same.

Ironically, one former congressional staffer told me that these "Congress on Your Corner" events were considered safer than town hall meetings.

We have seen the results of mass shooting before, primarily new laws and more security. I have my doubts that any law or increase in security will make a difference if someone is determined to perpetrate such an act.

What we will likely see is a reduction in the interaction between our congressional representatives and us.

Based on the 2010 Census, each congressional district will have a population of about 700,000 people. Two hundred years ago, it was about 50,000. With numbers like that, it is impossible for a representative to know each person in his or her district. It is equally impossible - or at least impractical - for security to be provided to the 535 members of Congress.

The opportunity to meet and chat face to face with our representatives has diminished because of the actions of one man. They will likely become further removed from the likes of Dorwin Stoddard, Dorothy Morris, Phyllis Schneck - and you and me.

As I watched Saturday's events, my horror quickly gave way to anger. In the space of a few minutes, one madman took the lives of six innocent people, injured 14 more and ruined countless others. More than anything, though, his actions further eroded the sense of security that we expect as Americans.

I have no idea what his motivations were - and, frankly, I don't care. Far more important is that we not allow this single, senseless violent act to keep our representatives away from us.

Someone wrote on Twitter Saturday, "I hope every member of Congress will hold a 'Congress on Your Corner' event next Saturday to show that violence will not defeat democracy." And if they do, I'll be there.

Vivian Paige writes about local politics and other topics at blog.vivianpaige.com. E-mail: blog@vivianpaige.com.