The Hill News

Arizona has been in the national spotlight for several years now. The Tucson shooting catapulted us back into the limelight, this time for a shocking tragedy none of us could have even imagined. While it’s clear to me that no one is responsible for this horrific tragedy save the alleged shooter, this tragic episode of violence has provided an opportunity for reflection on politics in Arizona and our country.

Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-Ariz.), like many of us in Arizona politics, has been calling for a return to civility, an increase in civil discourse, for several years.  We’ve all watched as politics in Arizona and the U.S. has become increasingly divisive and vitriolic.

Personally, I think the 24 hour news cycle has contributed to this increasingly hostile climate. With a taste for the outrageous, media seeks out the most radical, divisive, and eye-popping comments and behaviors in order to make headlines and attract ratings. Meanwhile, th! e ability for lawmakers on differing sides of the aisle to forge common cause, to maintain friendships, and to enjoy dinner together after a day of healthy debate has dwindled.

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