Keith Burgess-Jackson, J.D., Ph.D.

To the Editor:

Re “Congresswoman Is Shot in Rampage Near Tucson” (front page, Jan. 9):

I read with deep shock, horror and sorrow of the massacre in Arizona on Saturday and write to express my outrage at this barbaric event and my condolences to the victims.

There are, tragically, extremists among us who seek to divide, polarize and destroy our nation by fomenting just this kind of violence, which runs contrary to the cherished principles of democracy upon which our great nation was founded.

Our country does have many problems needing solutions, but violence will not resolve them.

We must do all that we can to work together as fellow citizens of a democracy and civilly debate these polarizing issues (like immigration reform) until we resolve them, instead of resorting to violence, which will consume and destroy us all.

Michael Pravica
Henderson, Nev., Jan. 9, 2011

Note from KBJ: The most divisive and polarizing politician in the United States today is Barack Obama. He doesn't have opponents; he has "enemies."