Montgomery, AL – Outgoing Gov. Bob Riley says he hopes the shooting of a congresswoman and a federal judge in Arizona won't stop government officials from going out in public and talking with citizens.
Riley said he used security throughout his eight years in office when he went to public functions. But he and first lady Patsy Riley often went to restaurants, movies and shopping without security at night and on weekends. Riley said no one was ever rude to them, and he doesn't think he could ever adjust to having security all the time.
In an interview with The Associated Press, Riley cautioned against overreacting to the shootings in Arizona. He said public officials have been attacked periodically throughout American history, and it's ``almost the price we pay to be free.''
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