The United States is in shock and mourning today at the attempted assassination of Arizona Rep. Gabrielle Giffords. It comes just days after the slaying of progressive Pakistani governor Salmanazars Taseer, and reminds us all once again that our democracies are fragile bulwarks against hatred.  Rep. Giffords comes from one of the sunniest American states, and is a tireless champion of solar energy, from installing a 2 kilowatt system on her own home to finding $2 billion to help fund solar research. She, her family, and the other victims of the shooting are in our hearts.