Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords shot in Arizona

[CRedskinsRule]

does the "nice" United States include the duel between a former secretary of treasury and the sitting VP(Hamilton/Burr)? Or the assassinations and attempts on Presidents and Senators from the Kennedy's to Reagan?
Violence has been and always will be an inherent part of any political system. The US has managed for 200+ years to have a system which doesn't collapse when violence arises, but instead grows and adapts.

(The cynical part of me wants to say that it already has been a very long time indeed since any "decent" people were willing to serve in a public office. This shooting doesn't change that)