A New Landscape in Political Arena

For members of Congress, public appearances won't be the same — not for a long time.

In the days after the horrifying shootings in Tucson, Ariz., in which Democratic U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords was the primary target, dozens of questions crossed the minds of those who watched news reports of the massacre on TV or read about it in newspapers or via the Internet.

One is just now starting to emerge: "Where was the security?"

It's certainly a fair question for those who don't follow politics or the movements of those who practice it closely. After the rampage in which six people were killed and 18 wounded — including Giffords — many are wondering why police weren't staffing the public political event in the parking lot of a grocery store.

The answer is simple: They almost never do.

Indeed, one of the great qualities of the citizen legislature in America is that members of the House of Representatives in particular have a tight relationship with people who live in their districts and visit freely without fanfare.

Rep. Walter Jones, R-N.C., makes public appearances all the time. Usually, these include a couple of aides who staff his Washington office.

Other representatives, Democrat and Republican, frequently travel alone all around.

In an interview with WRAL-TV in Raleigh, N.C., former Congressman Bob Etheridge estimated that he attended similar events to the one in Arizona nearly every weekend. Some people may also recall seeing the video of the awkward scene last year after Etheridge, walking alone down a Washington street, was confronted by two students.

Police or any semblance of a security detail aren't usually part of a congressman's entourage.

That could change.

Already, some members of Congress have announced that they plan to take security more seriously. Democratic Rep. Heath Shuler, a former pro football player from the North Carolina mountains, says he plans on carrying a gun to future meetings in his district. Shuler received a death threat in 2009 and has had a permit to carry a gun ever since.

While most have stopped short of Shuler's precautions, other members of Congress acknowledge that bulking up security at offices and public events might be wise. One, Democratic Rep. Mike McIntyre, told the Fayetteville Observer that he might be more selective about locations where public events are held, seek police protection or even install metal detectors.

Such measures are perhaps wise in the world as it is today. But it's sad nonetheless.

REPRINTED FROM THE JACKSONVILLE DAILY NEWS.

DISTRIBUTED BY CREATORS.COM