The attempt to make sense of the deaths of six innocent people and the injury of 13 others last weekend in Arizona has led to an unnecessary and harmful blame game. After the attempted assassination of Rep. Gabriel Giffords (D-Ariz.), the nation has fruitlessly tried to rationalize one man’s irrational behavior, to find a justification for something that was unjustifiable to begin with.

From the first reports of this crisis, the media has mishandled the incident. They have offered at times incorrect information and politically tainted insight into the motivations of this crime. Both sides of the political aisle have attempted to utilize this act of violence in order to forward a political agenda. Paul Krugman, a columnist for The New York Times, blamed Republicans for the rise in threats against members of Congress over the last few years. His direct attack, along with those of a long list of other notable columnists has skewed the commentary on this crime. Advocates for stricter gun control laws, toned-down rhetoric in the political arena and reforms of the mental health system in this country have all used the events in Tucson to forward an agenda.

In fact, the reasoning for this deadly attack remains unknown. The evidence that is available shows that this crime was not driven by politics; Jared Loughner, the individual charged with the crime, demonstrated signs of serious mental illness. In attempting to understand the motivations of the accused, commentators have made many connections that in fact lack any grounding.

In instances of national tragedy such as this, sometimes the best response is to simply recognize the moment as one of mourning. Individuals in Congress and the White House have demonstrated outstanding leadership. This incident cannot be seen as anything more than an unfortunate rampage by a clearly sick individual. In his memorial speech on Thursday, President Obama was the leader this country needed, merely asking everyone to “remember it is not because a simple lack of civility caused this tragedy.” Members of Congress from both sides of the aisle have risen above the pandering in the media in solidarity for their injured colleague.

The United States has always shown a popular lack of tolerance for political violence. Our government institutionalizes conflict in deliberative bodies like Congress in order to eradicate commonplace violence in human affairs. The hallmark of the American political system is a peaceful exchange of power that has led to continued prosperity.

For all of its faults, the United States has cultivated the sort of community that condemns this type of violence in its desire for peace and prosperity. During his speech on Thursday, President Obama, stated the mood of the nation succinctly, “that for all our imperfections, we are full of decency and goodness, and that the forces that divide us are not as strong as those that unite us.” As we continue to put the pieces together from this tragedy, let us not forget the futility of pointing fingers and laying blame.

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