Giffords shooting: Husband willing to meet suspect's parents

[JonLP24]

TUCSON - The husband of Rep. Gabrielle Giffords says he would be willing to meet with the parents of the 22-year-old man accused in a massacre that critically injured the Arizona congresswoman, killed six people and wounded 12 others.

"I don't think it's their fault. It's not the parents' fault," Mark Kelly told ABC's Diane Sawyer in an interview to air Tuesday. "You know, I'd like to think I'm a person that's, you know, somewhat forgiving. And, I mean, they've got to be hurting in this situation as much as anybody."

The suspect, Jared Loughner, remained in federal custody in Phoenix. Investigators have described him as a mentally unstable man who was kicked out a community college last year and became increasingly erratic in recent months.

<snip>

His parents have remained in seclusion since the shooting at a Safeway supermarket on Jan. 8, only releasing a statement that said they, too, were grieving for those dead and injured.

Read more: http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/2011/01/18/20110118giffords-shooting-husband-suspect-parents.html#ixzz1BSrlSS00

Sorry if already posted. I just saw this today. I think Mark Kelly is a class act.

[jobycom]

1. I realize being an astronaut has got to be more exciting than running for Congress...

But if Mark Kelly retires from the space program, he's the kind we need more of.

As someone with a mentally ill brother who at least once came about a step away from something scary if not quite deadly, and as a parent, I can feel a lot of sympathy for what Loughner's parents are going through. Mark Kelly's concern can probably go a long way to helping them come to grips with this. Counter that to Palin and Limbaugh and the others whose first thoughts are for themselves.

You said it. Class act.

[pacalo]

3. Well said, jobycom, & I'm right there with you.

Those parents have to deal with their devastation, but the shame of what their son did.

Kelly's gesture would go a long way in helping them to deal with their horrible pain.

[JuniperLea]

2. He's an awesome Space Man...

Astronaughts really are cut from a finer cloth.