Jim Bagwell: Put aside the accusations, and let the system do its job

Sadly, we are always going to be vulnerable if we want to have the freedoms that are the very core of our system of government. It is unfortunate that we have those among us who will go to the extreme to voice their viewpoint. You have heard it said over and over again, "Freedom is not free."

As we did with the shootings of Presidents Lincoln, Kennedy and Reagan, we as a country must again experience an assault on one of our political leaders. Even though I spent half of my lifetime fighting crime, I cannot understand what occurs in a person's mind to feel they have no peaceable avenue to solve an issue no matter how great.

U. S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, D-Ariz., was shot early Saturday morning. Rep. Giffords was involved in exactly what I would desire - she was meeting her constituency and opening her political door to those who wished to discuss issues with her. A very noble gesture that ended catastrophically.

We need to remember that six others were killed and 12 injured. One of those killed was a federal judge. Those injured and killed are just as important in the political scheme as the congresswoman. They were there to take part in the most fundamental and basic part of our government.

In all of this we shouldn't forget those present that were not physically injured but probably are mentally scarred.

As I would expect, pundits have begun painting various political elements as responsible. Let's blame the tea party, or the Republican Party or how about the Communist Party. Others might look at the past few years when a Republican couldn't get floor time or an amendment attached to a bill. I say bull. Let's take at least one step back, control our natural desire to speculate, and let the system work.

One thing I know we do not want to do is overreact. The shooter is in custody, let's see what law enforcement can ferret out as to cause.

These political pundits do a great disservice by creating an atmosphere that requires conjecture and hyperbole that generally is not factual. Then they want to place blame based on this speculation. In due course authorities will arrive at a motive, however illogical, and we can all become experts when we have the facts.

I am sure there will be calls for drastic changes to our system of security. Do we want to insulate our leaders more than they are now? If we do we will only make our political leaders less approachable and further remove the people from their government. Is freedom worth the assault that will surely occur again?

• Jim Bagwell of Carson City is a Vietnam veteran and graduate of the FBI National Academy who worked 31 years in law enforcement. He and his wife Lori own Charley's Grilled Subs.