No politics or ruminations or jokes or YouTube clips or, well, much of anything to say at this point except to extend best wishes for a speedy recovery to our friend “Ashleigh Burrows,” who styles herself in comments here as “a/b.” She was apparently one of those injured in yesterday’s shooting in Tucson. According to another RAMH favorite, Nance, a/b was hit by three bullets, which did not hit any organs but did shatter her hip. She’s awaiting surgery on Wednesday, as we understand it.
Quite possibly she likewise awaits — almost as eagerly — the arrival of an Internet-connected keyboard, so she can say something pithy about the whole experience.
If you get a chance, stop by at The Burrow and wish her well.
[Thanks again, Nance!]
[Update 2010-01-12: Comments are now closed on this post.]
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P.S. In a slightly not-quite-macabre coincidence, at the time I learned about a/b I’d already begun reading this article at the NY Times — about what happens to your cyberself after your earthly one moves on. May be something to think about, if you haven’t already.
Nance says
I’m just a mess today thinking about A/B. I had one of those compelling feelings yesterday afternoon when I first heard about the shooting. I pulled up maps of Gifford’s district, A/B’s neighborhood, the locations of Safeway stores, and the location of University Medical Center; when they all converged on a small area close to A/B’s home, I knew my hunch had been right. When she didn’t respond to my various queries, my heart sank.
She would not have missed the opportunity to shake hands with Gabby Gifford, take some pictures, offer active support. They are two of a kind: smart, articulate, careful, moderate, responsible democratic women who get busy and get involved.
I am sad and angry beyond words to think that irresponsible and inflammatory rhetoric of the sort that Tucson’s sheriff condemned might well be responsible for my friend’s fear and pain.
marta says
Tragic for everyone. I hope she recovers quickly. It is hard to imagine how that could affect a person’s life.
Sherri says
Thanks for letting us know this, John. I’ll leave my good wishes for her as well. The whole thing is just terrible.
whaddayamean says
oh my gosh. we’ve been following this story assiduously, but this makes it feel even closer to home. thanks for the update, and i’ll go leave her a note.
John says
Thanks, all.
Updates: a/b’s daughter reports, in a post at The Burrow:
…and adds, in a comment some hours later:
I understand (again from Nance) that she is now out of ICU.
Querulous Squirrel says
Thanks for posting this. The whole massacre is horrifying. As for cyberspace immortality, you can always save your blog to a word processor program and delete it from the internet if you want. I’ve done it several times. It really disappears from cyberspace though apparently I’ve also heard Google backs up everything that has ever been on it and saves it forever. I think that’s a cyberspace myth. Even with this shooting, many Palin and other Tea Party posts referencing shooting opponents are suddenly disappearing from the Internet. On the other hand, other than my blog, I don’t think I have control over anything else about me on the Internet.
John says
Update: Our friend whaddayamean has set up a very cool contest in response to the shooting.
From her announcement:
Deadline for entries is Thursday, January 13, at 5pm EST. Winners will be selected in a completely subjective process by the judges, at least one of whom is very experienced at subjectivity. *cough*
For complete information, including information about the prizes, just follow the link above.
marta says
@John – I’ve never been to Arizona but I tweeted about it anyway just to show support. (And I work with a few people from there, including a fellow whose parents live in that Tuscon neighborhood.)