After Tucson shooting, several congressmen vow to carry guns more often

He thinks it might be a good idea to bring his Glock 23
By Sandhya Somashekhar
Washington Post Staff Writer

When he's traveling to meet constituents, bumping along the back roads of central Utah in his Ford F-150 truck, it's not unusual for Rep. Jason Chaffetz (R) to have a handgun strapped to his hip.

A longtime gun owner, Chaffetz said that in light of the attempt last weekend on the life of Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-Ariz.), he thinks it might be a good idea to bring his Glock 23 even more often when he heads out into the country.

"It's just that you never know when you might find yourself in a most unfortunate situation," he said Wednesday. "I'd hate to be in a situation where I don't have the tool to do what needs to be done, and I hope and pray I'm never in such a situation."

Chaffetz is among several lawmakers who have stated publicly that the Arizona incident persuaded them that they need to keep their guns at the ready more regularly, even when meeting with constituents.

Rep. Heath Shuler (D-N.C.), a vice-chairman of the House sportsmen's caucus, told Politico that he would be carrying his gun more often in light of the incident.

Tucson Shooting

The shock of the news spread across the country
The Spectrum.org

Americans routinely seek answers as to why certain events take place. That's particularly true when tragedy strikes. We want to know what we can do to prevent such things from transpiring again.

Sometimes that search for answers leads to a jump to conclusions. Such may be the case in the horrific shooting that took place Saturday in Tucson, Ariz.

Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, D-Ariz., remains in intensive care continuing her recovery after suffering a gunshot wound to the head from close range during an event near a supermarket meant to allow the congresswoman to meet one-on-one with constituents. In all, 14 people were shot, with six people being killed, including a judge and a 9-year-old girl.

As the shock of the news spread across the country, people started to ask why such an event took place. Some analysts started to speculate that the suspected gunman, 22-year-old Jared Lee Loughner, targeted Giffords for political reasons and that the nation's rising angst and rhetoric on any number of conservative-vs.-liberal issues prompted the action.

Indeed, the rhetoric is high in the nation. It has been for some time. And critics have seized on that point by tying political speech to this horrible act. Some blame conservative voices such as Rush Limbaugh, Glenn Beck and Sarah Palin. Others blame liberal members of the media, including the editorial pages of the New York Times for fostering such discontent.

While many Americans would agree that the vitriol should be toned down in an effort to unify the country, these critics are missing an important point: No motive for the shooting has been identified as of yet.

Fees for US Passports Increased

KNN Staff
Dimona, Israel-The Village of Peace


Effective July 13, 2010, the U.S State Department has augmented the fees for US Passport Books, US Passport Cards, US Visas, T, the fee for an Adult Passport which was $75, has been increased to $110. The fee for minors under 16 years was $60, and has increased to $80.

Adding extra passport was a free service before, but will now cost $83.

The cost of a new passport for an adult 16 or over is rising to $135 from $100, while a new passport for a child will cost $105 instead of $85. The cost of renewing an existing passport is increasing too — to $110 from $75.

The cost of applying for a U.S. passport jumps from $100 to $135 today. Renewal fees are being hiked by and even greater amount, from $75 to $110.

A passport card will now cost you $55, up from $45. And renouncing your U.S. citizneship, which used to be free of charge, will now set you back a whopping $450.


The U.S. Passport Book (required for US Citizens for international travel) has gone from
Adults: First-Time (Age 16 and older) $110 to $135
Adults: Renewal (Applying with DS-82) $110
Minors (Under age 16) $80 to $105

U.S. Passport Card (for travel to countries such as Mexico, Canada, Carribean Islands)
Adults: First-Time (Age 16 and older) $30 to $55
Adults: Renewal (Applying with DS-82) $30
Minors (Under age 16) $15 to $40

Other Service Fees
Additional Visa Pages $82
File Search Fee $150
Expedite Processing $60

To view more details of the fee increase, please click here and scroll down to the bottom of the page.

Preparing for a Disaster - Emergency Supply Kit

Prepare a emergency supply kit - What this kit should include
Hometimelife.com

A disaster defined is: A sudden event that causes great harm to people and property. This could include severe weather, such as tornados or hurricanes, snow events, ice storms or floods. Disasters can also include man-made events such as large fires that involve chemicals, transportation accidents either by rail or on the highway or terrorist activity. Regardless of how these events happen being prepared is key to your safety and survival.

Being prepared starts with talking to your family. Talk about the type of things that are likely to happen in southeast Michigan, such as tornados, ice storms, snow storms and the man made causes mentioned above.

Prepare a emergency supply kit. This kit should include:

-A three-day supply of non-perishable food and water.
-Flashlight with extra batteries.
-A battery-powered radio with extra batteries.
-A change of clothing for each family member.
-An extra set of car keys and a credit card.
-Personal needs such as, medication, extra glasses and sanitation needs.
-Important phone numbers of friends and/or relatives who may be able to help you.

Place the supplies in a container that you can take with you in the event of an emergency where you have to leave your home.

Sometimes during a disaster you or another family member may be out of town. Or emergency officials may ask you to leave your home. In either case you will need a meeting place other than your home. This should be a place outside your neighborhood or even in another state.

Wherever this place is, pick it before a disaster occurs and make arrangements with friends or relatives in case you need to stay there during or after a disaster.

Make sure each family member in your household knows where to meet and has a telephone number if it becomes necessary to leave your home, they can't get home or you become separated either during or after the disaster strikes. Remember your key to safety is to be prepared.