January 10, 2011 02:59 PM
The Day They Shot Up Congress - March 1, 1954
Getting a little too close to home in 1954
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Under the heading of "never say never", an unprecedented attack took place on Capitol Hill during a session of Congress on March 1, 1954. A group of Puerto Rican nationals opened fire from the gallery, spraying the floor of the House of Representatives in a hail of some 30 bullets. Five Representatives were shot and seriously wounded in the attack before the Nationals, Lolita Lebron, Rafael Miranda, Andres Cordero and Irving Rodriquez were arrested.
It served as an unpleasant wakeup call to those who felt the Halls of Congress and elected officials were immune to acts of violence. Something which, no doubt makes it all that much more apparent today. And something which, sadly is taken for granted in 2011.
...I got to know Lolita Lebron quite well at the Federal women's prison at Alderson, WV. She was a strong, idealistic, interesting person who didn't compromise. Nor did she suffer fools.
"Courtesy is owed. Respect is earned. Love is given." --Unknown author, found in Guide to Texas Etiquette by Kinky Friedman
I just know I can't scream it any louder.
Rogue State? The United States, Unilateralism, and the United Nations.
"No man is so foolish but he may sometimes give another good counsel, and no man so wise that he may not easily err if he takes no other counsel than his own. He that is taught only by himself has a fool for a master." - Hunter S. Thompson
In a state like Arizona, she should have met her constituents in a room where the entry was covered by security and a metal detector. There had been threats. Perhaps all members of Congress should do that. It wouldn't offend me if I was in a line waiting to pass a security check.
would make more sense.
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