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Subscribe to RSSGabrielle Giffords, the Arizona congresswoman who was shot in a January assassination attempt, will make a rare appearance Thursday in a retirement ceremony for her husband at the White House.
Giffords's congressional office announced Wednesday that the Democrat was on her way to Washington to participate in a brief ceremony for her husband, NASA Astronaut Mark Kelly, marking his retirement from the U.S. Navy.
Vice President Biden will preside over a ceremony for Kelly, who will deliver brief remarks. The event will not be open to cameras, however; a print pool reporter will cover the event, photos from which will be released through Giffords's Facebook page. Giffords will not go to Capitol Hill or participate in any official congressional duties, her office said in a release.
This trip marks the sixth time since January that Giffords has left Houston, where she has undergone intensive rehabilitation since being shot in the head in January during an event in her Arizona district. Giffords had traveled this spring to Florida to watch the launch of a shuttle mission that her husband commanded. She also made a memorable, surprise appearance on the House floor this summer for a high-stakes vote on a deal to prevent a default on U.S. debt.
NBC's Kelly O'Donnell contributed to this report.
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Gabby is nothing short of miraculous!
She is truly an inspiration!
You GO Girl!
Congrats,
And much love to Gabby and her family.
A truly amazing comeback.
First Read gives us some good news.
Finally.
Good news, indeed.
But does The White House ALWAYS throw a ceremony when an astronaut retires?
Because, if not, then maybe it should.
There better not be one negative remark on this post from a Republican, or I will collapse them so fast, they won't know what hit them!
I don't think the RWNJ's venture over here - positive stories set their hair on fire! ;o)
However, if they should dare - you can count me in!
I am a Republican, and I hold nothing more than the utmost respect and admiration for Gabby, and for the support Mike and the rest of the family has given her. What happened to Gabby could happen to anyone, whether Republican or Democrat. So Amy, PLEASE do not politicize this triumph of the human spirit.
Amy shows her bias instead of her support for Rep Giffords...shame on you!
One can only marvel at her amazing recovery and Rep. Giffords' incredible personal toughness and courage...
Actually I was looking forward to atleast ONE story where there wasnt any petty arguments between the right and the left. This is a truly amazing woman.
No, dangerfield: Shame on the Republicans who lobbied to have her seat replaced while she was recovering. Shame on the Arizona NRA for raffling the same kind of gun used to shoot Giffords (and murder those other people) with the procedes going to her Republican opponent. Shame on the Republicans who made graphics with crosshairs over Giffords and use words like "Use second ammendment remedies" and "don't retreat, reload!"
There's plenty of shame around this issue, but guess which side of political aisle most of it falls on? Amy from Portland didn't make this a political issue: it was already a political issue when the Republicans created it.
Amy -- YOU are the one who politicized this -- NOT any Republicans. SHAME on YOU!
(And, btw, I'm an independent.)
And there are still right-wingers out there who advocate and encourage the throwing of bricks through Dem offices. Hmm, let's see, what just happened in California while the president was there?
It is great to hear about Gabby. Keep in mind that her husband in NASA as well as Gabby's Blue Dog record helps garner conservative support--though in Arizona she's been considered a socialist. Don't get me wrong, I am hoping Gabby can run for Sen. Kyl's seat. But giving conservatives credit for begrudgingly withholding their usual vitriol in this case doesn't fool me.
Am I wrongly politicizing this news? I don't feel I am, because I don't believe anything has changed in this country in regard to civility. And that starts at the top with leaders like Boehner showing disrespect to our president. I'm not going to sweep this under the rug to be PC.
Gabby -- May you recover fully as soon as possible!
And now you'll all argue about WHO "politicized" this..
Rep. Giffords is a remarkable human being, try to make your remarks live up to her standard instead of bringing them down to the usual...
TP+###
Am I wrongly politicizing this news?...Yes in this instance you are and big time...
If there is a case of progressives vandalizing, shooting, what ever please provide it. And then compare it to the number of incidents against Dems.
That the right-wing shouts "You lie" on down to their supporters cheering executions, yelling let him die, to booing a soldier in Iraq is an indicator of what we as a nation do not want to become. That conservatives can't learn this lesson is a fact, and that fact stands whether you like it or not, and you can pretend all you want that you are PC but you're not.
I guess it's OK for Amy to politicize the story - just not OK for anybody else.
Nice.
OK, just hold on one second. Boehner showing disrespect to the President? Really? Hmmmmm, just so I have this straight...if ANYONE dares to question the policies of the President that's disrespect....but it's ok to call everyone on the right side of the aisle tea-baggers, rethugs, republinazis, racist and a myriad of other names. THATS not disrespect? The names the left called President Bush werent disrespectful?
Now, lets talk about the cross hairs over her district. If ANYONE really thinks the Republican party was advocating her to be shot you really are over the deep end. The man that shot her was mentally deranged. He wasnt republican, he wasnt democrat, he was bat-sh#t crazy.
Next, we can discuss all the wrongs being done to Democrats. You rail on the two idiots who booed the Soldier, I bring up the few thugs who intimidated voters....same same.
No, you're still missing the point. It is legitimate to ask why not one candidate in these Teapublican debates would stand up and show some leadership, like President Obama saying don't boo--vote, or McCain (who was born in Panama) correcting the woman who said the president is an Arab, telling her Obama is a citizen and decent person. I actually commend the usual right-wingers who have not posted in this thread for at least not being hypocrites.
I do not embrace making fat jokes about Christie because that is bigotry (the related health issues and being president is legitimate, but not about his appearance). Christie, Romney and other conservatives have defended Muslims probably because they know what persecution feels like. Likewise why I commend Ron Paul for his consistency and honesty, and don't in regard to Herman Cain about Sharia Law or accusations of brainwashing. The reason religions promote procreation is because there's nothing like keeping your membership strong via indoctrination of children.
I don't understand women like Palin and Bachmann who fight against women's rights, or Herman Cain who was slammed by Limbaugh for his remarks about Perry's racist rock being "insensitive," or working class Teabaggers who want to bust unions or abolish the minimum wage. The whole lot are clueless, often hateful, and a poor example for America.
The day conservatives like Glenn Beck stop excusing someone like Hank Williams Jr., and start stepping up and taking a stand against the crazies who promote violence--which is not protected speech and has contributed to several tragedies such as the massacre in Norway--is the day I would accept their sympathies as sincere.
You go, Gabby! Don't let anyone bring you down!
There is a National Rifle Association, there is no Arizona NRA. The National Rifle Association had nothing to do with the raffle here at all.
The raffle and choice of weapon had nothing to do with Mrs. Giffords and was not making any statements. This weapon is one of the best selling and most popular handguns in the entire U.S. and therefore the choice of most raffles because it draws the most in sales of tickets.
I think it was in poor taste and in light of current events I would have chosen a different weapon to raffle for apprearance sake, but one had nothing to do with the other.
I wish her and her husband the best.
Being a republican or democrat is nothing. even being a president, lawyer, doctor, scientist or engineer is nothing. But being a true child of GOD is something to be proud of, for GOD is Love and and the Lord loves us so much that He gave His only begotten Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, to receive the full wrath of GOD as punishment and die in our place for our sins. So shall we love one another, our brothers and sisters, as GOD the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ love us regardless of having different opinions and issues. Praise the Lord God the Father of Our Lord Jesus Christ, for He still performs miracle today.
"He still performs miracle today."
For sure. Just ask the folks in Texas that are enjoying all that rain.
Hmmm ... I'm kinda thinking the doctors performed the miracles -- along with her own grit!
Hallerlujer - Madea
God speed to Congresswoman Giffords and her husband Mark Kelly. You have both served your country well and we hope nothing but the best for the both of you.
What an inspiring couple. Prayers and best wishes to them both, along with thanks for their service to our country.
Good for you Gabby and wish and Mark all the best
Sorry, I meant to say Good for you Gabby. I wish you and Mark all the best.
Surely she is not running for office is she?
She already has one.
I realize she is still a Congressman/woman, I am talking about the 2012 election.
Congrats! God bless.
To Beth-440386
You are spot on in your assessment! The doctors who have worked so hard to restore Gabby's health are nothing short of miracle workers and YES, I agree with you as well in regards to her grit. I'm hoping she recovers fully and is able to once again contribute to society through her office as congresswoman.
Frankly, I wish she was running to call the White House her new home. The Democratic party needs a blue dog to run for president.
great, how much more money will this cost the taxpayers!