We had it coming

She was nine years old, born into tragedy on Sept. 11, 2001. To her family she was a hope for a better future.
She died Saturday in a hail of gunfire, along with five others including a federal judge. The primary target, U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, remains in critical condition after being shot in the head.
It is sad to say that something like this happening isn't a surprise.
We have become a nation filled with hate. Filled with anger.
There's nothing wrong in having differences in opinion, religion, nationality. Upon such things we would like to believe our nation was founded -- except for that slavery thing.
But increasingly the differences are hardening into "my way or else."
Had Hillary Clinton won the Democratic nomination in 2008, I fully expected at least one attempt on her life.
The open hatred conservatives had for the former First Lady went far beyond reason.
As it turned out, Barack Obama was the Democrats' choice and became our president. And the new target of conservative hatred.
While there aren't any instances of attempts on his life that we know of, it would be of little surprise to find out that any number of plots have been brewed up. Maybe they never hatched, or maybe they were stopped before becoming public.
The Republican Party, and conservatives in general, are in some part to blame. Fired by those who use inflammatory language in search of ratings and personal gain -- Rush Limbaugh, Glenn Beck; politicians who stoke frustration and anger to gain support (Sarah Palin ring a bell?); a recession bordering on depression; all have increased national anger.
Is the left innocent? No. But then one or two smart-alecks on MSNBC (Keith Olbermann) don't balance out 24 hours of Fox News Channel, Limbaugh and the horde of right-wing radio talking heads.
And besides, to quote an old song from the Sixties, "Nobody's right if everybody's wrong."
For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. Hate, regardless of where it comes from, breeds more hate.
Labeling politicians as targets and drawing crosshairs on their images may be simple political rhetoric to some. To others, it's pouring gasoline on fires of anger and hatred. On minds twisted even before the gasoline is added.
One of those fires burst forth Saturday in Tucson, Ariz.
There will be more. How many more depends on how soon we remember that God-fearing includes compassion and humility.