If you didn't get to see and hear the memorial service in Tucson last night, it not only had me weeping, but also appreciating what a class act our president is.
I watched the entire event, which unfortunately was not broadcast on the networks (they caught Obama's speech but not the other elements of the evening's program). I missed the days when most people watched the three main networks and an event like this would have been televised by all of them, and as a result most "Americans" (i.e. those who live in that part of the Americas that is the USA) would have had the shared experience of viewing the event together in real time.
All the participants in the event rose to the occasion (see David Hernandez's at top below to experience one of the exceptional moments, though watching it in real time and in order gave it a more profound impact). Coming at the end of the evening, our president (and he is the president of all citizens of the U.S. which back in the day no one would have to be reminded of) showed his old style and understanding of the needs of his fellow citizens as he did so often during his campaign for the presidency and gave a speech that I think was, and will be remembered as, one of the great presidential speeches our our history.
If you didn't see it, you can watch it below, at the bottom, and judge for yourself (but make sure to give him a few minutes to get into saying the things I suspect most of us wanted to hear and are grateful he for).
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It saddens me that the first comment on this post about our president's call to "sharpen our instinct for empathy" and not point fingers, had you know who referring to "the lunacy of the left" in what I'm sure he thought was a positive comment since he was saying it was nice to see the president pull back from that.
From a synopsis of the speech:
“I want us to live up to her expectations,” he said, his voice rising. “I want our democracy to be as good as Christina imagined it. I want America to be as good as she imagined it. All of us — we should do everything we can to make sure this country lives up to our children’s expectations.”
Wow.
Lal, I couldn't agree more. The President hit every note right on pitch, but was also blowing some awesome riffs. I'm truly proud to have him as my President.
President Obama's speech in Tucson contained many noble sentiments. Un-
fortunately, such sentiments do not keep guns out of the hands of disturbed people.
False statement: "guns don't kill people. People kill people."
True statement: "People with guns kill people."
What is needed: massive overhaul and legislative control banning or drastically limiting: gun ownership; gun sales (and ammo); depiction of gun use in media (film, tv, vid games etc);
Emphasis in educational system on dialoging, deepening understanding, expanding perspective, increasing tolerance, speaking multiple languages, nurturing faith and the ability to create mental/spiritual/emotional roadmaps around obstacles and brick walls where the only response in a situation is blind rage and deadly violence.
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