"We in the U.S. have more people in jail than anywhere else in the world, we spend more on our military than the whole world combined, we have more guns, yet people somehow feel insecure," notes Bill Quigley of the culture in the U.S. Questions about guns aren't the only questi0n to be asked in the wake of the shooting of Gabrielle Giffords, Judge John Roll, and several others in Arizona this weekend. There are many questions to be asked, about priorities, motives, and more.

The New York Times this weekend told the story of Dr. Hawa Abdi, a Somali physician who runs a clinic, school, and food program that supports tens of thousands of Somali people who live without a functioning government.

Immigrants rights activist Salvador Reza wasn't as shocked as the rest of us when he heard that Gabrielle Giffords and several other people had been shot in Tucson, Arizona. He's used to what he calls the "climate of hate" in Arizona lately, especially around immigration and children of immigrants. From Sheriff Joe Arpaio and the Minutemen to State Senator Russell Pearce and bills that demonize immigrants while loosening gun regulations, Reza notes, Arizona has been building its reputation as a state on the brink.

"On the eve of the shooting that left her critically injured, Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-Ariz.) wrote an email to Kentucky Secretary of State Trey Grayson (R), asking his help in toning down the partisan rhetoric in the country." Amanda Terkel reported that Giffords had been asking for help, as one of the few Democrats and the only woman remaining in a Republican district, toning down the anger and violence running through much of political discourse.

"In a very human way you just don't ever think something like this can happen," says Tucson Representative Raul Grijalva, whose district is near that of Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, shot on Saturday at a community event. Six people died in the shootout, which left Rep. Giffords and others in critical condition.

"In a very human way you just don't ever think something like this can happen," says Tucson Representative Raul Grijalva, whose district is near that of Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, shot on Saturday at a community event. Six people died in the shootout, which left Rep. Giffords and others in critical condition.

Christina-Taylor Green was nine years old. She was born on September 11, 2001. She died on January 8, 2011 in Tucson, along with a federal judge and four others in a shooting targetting her Congresswoman. Green had recently been elected to student council. She was going to meet Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords. Giffords remains hospitalized, a bullet having passed through her brain. Christina was the only girl on her Little League team.

"The new face of American racism is in the prison system," says Johanna Fernandez, producer of the film Justice On Trial, about Mumia Abu-Jamal and the American justice system. Adds reporter Linn Washington, "The issue is not hiding what has been hidden in plain sight. The issue is doing something about it."

"The new face of American racism is in the prison system," says Johanna Fernandez, producer of the film Justice On Trial, about Mumia Abu-Jamal and the American justice system. Adds reporter Linn Washington, "The issue is not hiding what has been hidden in plain sight. The issue is doing something about it."

There are many unknown factors about the incoming Republican House majority. How indebted to the Tea Party will they be? Will they shut down the government out of spite? Will the renege all responsibility to govern, or will they at least manage to get a couple things right? But one thing is certain: John Boehner will be dropping some big ol’ crocodile tears when he’s sworn in as Speaker of the House.