There has been a lot written recently about the shooting of Rep. Giffords in Arizona this past Saturday by Jared Loughner and two things have popped into my head as a result.

The first is that everyone, bar The Grauniad, seems to be calling him Jared Lee Loughner. Why is it that when you shoot, or attempt to shoot, someone famous you automatically graduate to three name status? I’m reasonably certain that anyone who knows the shooter would refer to him as Jared Loughner. Is it possible that we might confuse him with the other, more famous, Jared Loughner if the middle name was left out? (Hint: there is no other, more famous, Jared Loughner)

The second is the looking for a reason behind the shooting, either by those who immediately rushed to judgement, or by those who counselled to wait for all the facts to be determined.

I’m all for waiting for the facts to be determined but the most important fact in this case seems to be Mr. Loughner’s apparent mental illness. What valid reason might he possibly have?

I’m sure he has a reason, but a valid one? Not likely.

The best that can be hoped for is the full recovery of those who survived and the commitment to a secure mental facility for Mr. Loughner.