Cooler heads and tongues should prevail

Can one deranged individual make a bigger impression on the U.S. Congress than dozens of former colleagues?

How many millions of airline passengers still remove their shoes because one unhinged terrorist-wannabe tried to set fire to his sneakers? How many billions have been spent on all-seeing X-ray machines because one delusional guy stuffed explosives down his boxers?

The senseless shooting of 20 people, including Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, in Tucson has rocked the nation. It has also given the new Congress a powerful incentive to lay aside the vitriol, whether the gunman was politically motivated or just nuts.

Some say they never saw it…