There is goodness in Tucson

To think that just a week ago in this space we were worried Arizona might become the laughingstock state of the nation. If only that were the case now after the shootings Jan. 8 at U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords’ constituent event at a Safeway supermarket that left six people dead and 14 others injured, including Giffords.

And so the events and circumstances that create public perceptions has taken yet another turn on Arizona – and specifically Tucson. Our own Pima County Sheriff Clarence Dupnik called this “the mecca for prejudice and bigotry.” Whatever one thinks about the sheriff pointing the finger at those in the media and “the vitriol that comes out of certain mouths about tearing down the government,” a perception is there: Not only is Tucson and Arizona dangerous, we’re a population of angry people filled with hate and carrying guns.

Of course that’s not true. By all indications the suspect in the shootings, Jared Lee Loughner, is a crazy loner.  

But that’s not who we are in Tucson.

Tucson is exemplified more by the six people who lost their lives that day:

• Christina Green, 9, born on Sept. 11, 2001, was already showing the promise of the possibilities that could be as a veterinarian, or through her interest in politics, or as an athlete; she was the only girl on her Little League team.

• Dorothy Morris, 76, known for readily lending a helping hand to anyone who would ask.

• Federal District Judge John Roll, 63, who may have been at the event to thank Giffords for her work in helping to get more resources for the courts to handle the increased workload created by a surge in felony cases related to drugs and crime along the border.

• Phyllis Schneck, 79, a vibrant retiree from New Jersey who sewed aprons to sell at church fundraisers.

• Dorwan Stoddard, 76, a retired construction worker who was the handyman at his church who couldn’t say no to anyone who needed help. During the shootings he laid on top of his wife to protect her.

• Gabe Zimmerman, 30, outreach director for Giffords office and known as the peacemaker when it came to handling particularly angry constituents.

And, of course there is Giffords herself, constantly working for the good of her district with such a positive outlook. Consider over the years just how few photos there are of Giffords where she isn’t smiling.

There are plenty of other examples of the goodness and strength of the people in Tucson and Southern Arizona who are in shock and heart-broken over what has happened starting with Patricia Maisch, who stopped the gunman from reloading his gun, Bill Badger and Roger Salzgeber, who tackled the man, and Joe Zamudio, who helped keep him pinned to the ground. Amid what must have been chaos, these four people in an instant had the presence of mind to act. There were the first responders to the shootings – starting with the very human response coming from the 9-1-1 operator who said “Oh my God.” There was also the incredible work that was done by physicians and other at the always very busy trauma center at University Medical Center.

These people and the rest of us are what make Tucson.

In last week’s editorial we said Arizona’s goal was to try to avoid the embarrassment of any more appearances on Comedy Central’s “The Daily Show.” That wasn’t the case but in a rare, serious first segment of the show on Monday this week, host Jon Stewart encouraged focus on the goodness of people if only “to make it easier to spot the crazy people.”

Tucson is a good place. Tucsonans have to consciously choose to live and model the goodness we have to the rest of the world. It’s a mountain to climb but we can do it.