XPost: dc.urban-planning, wa.politics   
   From: reatardbs@gmail.com   
      
   We give awards to morons because a shooter was a bad shot now?   
      
   By Debbie Goffa   
   March 8, 2013, 10:57 a.m.   
      
   Former U.S. Rep. Gabrielle "Gabby" Giffords, who was critically   
   injured in a shooting two years ago, on Friday was named this   
   year's recipient of the John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage award   
   for her work to reduce gun violence.   
      
   Giffords, a Democrat from Arizona, has been undergoing   
   rehabilitation after being shot in the head during a public   
   appearance in Tuscon on Jan. 8, 2011. Six people died, including   
   District Judge John Roll; Gabe Zimmerman, one of Giffords'   
   staffers; and the 9-year-old granddaughter of former   
   Philadelphia Phillies manager and Chicago Cubs general manager   
   Dallas Green.   
      
   “Gabby Giffords has inspired the world with her bravery and her   
   dedication to making change through the political process,”   
   Caroline Kennedy said in a statement. “Instead of retreating   
   following the tragic shooting that ended her Congressional   
   career, she has recommitted herself to fighting for a more   
   peaceful society free from hate and violence.”   
      
   Giffords and her husband, retired astronaut Mark Kelly, have   
   become vocal supporters of universal background checks on gun   
   purchases. They formed the group Americans for Responsible   
   Solutions to encourage elected officials to support measures   
   that would prevent gun violence. The two have made a number of   
   recent high-profile visits to various states in support of gun   
   control legislation.   
      
   The statement cited the "political, personal, and physical   
   courage she has demonstrated in her fearless public advocacy for   
   policy reforms aimed at reducing gun violence."   
      
   The award is presented annually to those who have demonstrated   
   political courage without regard for personal consequences. The   
   John F. Kennedy Library Foundation created the award in 1989 to   
   honor President Kennedy’s commitment and contribution to public   
   service. Previous winners include Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.)   
   and former Sen. Olympia Snowe (R-Maine).   
      
   The award is scheduled to be presented to Giffords at the John   
   F. Kennedy Presidential Library in Boston on Sunday.   
      
   http://www.latimes.com/news/nation/nationnow/la-na-nn-gabby-   
   giffords-to-receive-jfk-courage-award-20130308,0,2482533.story   
      
                 
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)