Last night I watched the “Memorial Service” for the victims of the shooting by Jared Lee Loughner in Tucson last Saturday. I did not see the entire service so I cannot comment on the remarks of the preliminary speakers. I did, however watch and intently listen to the remarks of President Obama.
As Obama began his remarks I thought he was taking the correct tone and the content of was appropriate for the event. About two minutes into the President’s remarks the 30,000 assembled in the McKale Center on the campus of the University Of Arizona cheering at his words. This brought a question to my mind. What was happening here — was this a solemn and respectful memorial service or was it a political rally?
As Obama’s 34 minute speech drew on the cheering continued with faintly heard remarks yelled out from the student’s peanut gallery of “We love you” and “right on.” By now I was beginning to question the purpose of this service. Was it a memorial for the victims or a political rally?
At the time I was unaware of the 14,000 blue T-shirts emblazoned with the slogan “Together We Thrive, Tucson’s America” that had been hung over the backs of the lower seats in the auditorium. No mention of this was made on Fox News when Charles Krauthammer and Chris Wallace gave their endorsement of Obama’s address. It was not until this morning, in reading the reports of the event that I learned of this. Had I known of this fact while watching and listening to Obama’s, oft interrupted address with cheers and whistles, I surely would have been more critical of the President’s remarks.
As Obama’s “eulogy” continued he played to the audience with a few perfectly timed phases. In a stunning moment, Obama announced that Giffords, who is in critical condition, opened her eyes for the first time after he left her intensive care hospital room before the service. First lady Michelle Obama held hands with Giffords' husband, Mark Kelly, as the news brought soaring cheers throughout the arena.
"She knows we are here and she knows we love her and she knows that we will be rooting for her throughout what will be a difficult journey," he said to thunderous applause and a standing ovation.
Obama, the consummate politician knew that he would get a boost on the polls if he played this right. A gave a few bones to satisfy the conservatives and a great deal of one-liners for his left wing base. The students in the auditorium were rhapsodic.
When Ronald Reagan, Bill Clinton and George W. Bush gave similar addresses after the Challenger explosion, Oklahoma City Bombing and 9/11 they spoke in a solemn tone offering both condolences and hope. Their addresses lasted about 15 minutes. Obama, in typical community organizer fashion, spoke for double this time. This was his big moment to take advantage of the crisis.
When Arizona Governor Jan Brewer took to the podium the little minded, spoiled collage kids greeted her with boos and hoots. When DHS secretary Janet Napolitano was introduced the peanut gallery erupted with cheers and whistles. Final when Obama was introduced the assembled mass rose to their feet and began a thunderous ovation, so much so that Obama had to quiet them. All we needed was Queen’s “We will rock you” played over the PA system.
I have been to several memorial services and they certainly did not have this tone. Only an Irish wake approaches the decorum displayed by the assembled masses in the McKale Center. While Obama was the recipient of this horrible display of decorum it was the President of the University of Arizona needs to take the blame. He is in charge of the university and should have told his student body that this was not a pep rally and they should act with respect to the families of the victims. This was an embarrassment to the student body, the university and the President. Had I been a family member of one of the victims I would have gotten up and walked out. The politicians were using the deaths and injuries of innocent people for political purposes.
If you read Obama’s words they talk about civil discourse and the value of free speech. I have seen all of this after prior murders and assassinations and believe me nothing will be different two or three months from now. The left will continue to demonize conservatives and their allies. Democrats in Congress will attempt to use the tragedy as a lever to get their anti free speech and gun control legislation passed all to the cry of “do it for Gabby.” Sarah Palin, Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity and other conservative talkers will be blamed for Loughner’s actions.
In my opinion Sarah Palin gave a far more cogent and concise comment on her Facebook page. She said; “There are those who claim political rhetoric is to blame for the despicable act of this deranged, apparently apolitical criminal. And they claim political debate has somehow gotten more heated just recently. But when was it less heated? Back in those “calm days” when political figures literally settled their differences with dueling pistols? In an ideal world all discourse would be civil and all disagreements cordial. But our Founding Fathers knew they weren’t designing a system for perfect men and women. If men and women were angels, there would be no need for government. Our Founders’ genius was to design a system that helped settle the inevitable conflicts caused by our imperfect passions in civil ways. So, we must condemn violence if our Republic is to endure.”
“Vigorous and spirited public debates during elections are among our most cherished traditions. And after the election, we shake hands and get back to work, and often both sides find common ground back in D.C. and elsewhere. If you don’t like a person’s vision for the country, you’re free to debate that vision. If you don’t like their ideas, you’re free to propose better ideas. But, especially within hours of a tragedy unfolding, journalists and pundits should not manufacture a blood libel that serves only to incite the very hatred and violence they purport to condemn. That is reprehensible.” You can read Palin’s entire address by clicking here or watch the video here.
By the way the term Blood Libel, according to Alan Dershowitz, the esteemed Harvard liberal law professor and a Jew, is a commonly used term today and does not reflect anti Semitism. It merely refers to a false accusation or claim.
John Hinckley shot Ronald Reagan, because he wanted to impress the actress Jodi Foster. No one called on Jodi Foster to justify herself in that tragedy. So why should Sarah Palin? Why should she answer for someone else's actions, especially since that person is by all indications a left-wing lunatic?
During his eulogy Obama said; “At a time when our discourse has become so sharply polarized — at a time when we are far too eager to lay the blame for all that ails the world at the feet of those who think differently than we do — it's important for us to pause for a moment and make sure that we are talking with each other in a way that heals, not a way that wounds.” This is good prose, but not for the committed left.
Sarah Palin will continue to get death threats from the unhinged left — some posted threats rising to actual criminal actions. Obama’s words will not change anything. The left has a committed ideology that does not allow dissent to their beliefs. There is no hate that can equal the vicious hate that emanates from the left. They cannot accept that someone could disagree with them. Where was the civility when Bush was in office? There was even a movie made about the fictitious assassination of George Bush. This was considered free speech and art by the left. You can read some of the posted threats to Palin by clicking here.
Upon reflection on last night’s memorial service for the victims of January 8th I can come to only one conclusion. It was a pep rally for the committed left. We will hear numerous and banal comments in the day to come as to how we need more civility and how Congress wants to help us attain that civility by passing laws that will infringe on our first and second amendment rights. Politicians like Bernie Sanders (D-VT) will use the shooting to raise funds for his reelection campaign. Pundits and the media will continue to attack conservatives who oppose the agenda of the left as threats to our civil discourse. Don’t be taken by the smooth delivery of Barak Obama. He will stand above the debate and allow his left wing minions to carry out the attack on the right.
As Obama began his remarks I thought he was taking the correct tone and the content of was appropriate for the event. About two minutes into the President’s remarks the 30,000 assembled in the McKale Center on the campus of the University Of Arizona cheering at his words. This brought a question to my mind. What was happening here — was this a solemn and respectful memorial service or was it a political rally?
As Obama’s 34 minute speech drew on the cheering continued with faintly heard remarks yelled out from the student’s peanut gallery of “We love you” and “right on.” By now I was beginning to question the purpose of this service. Was it a memorial for the victims or a political rally?
At the time I was unaware of the 14,000 blue T-shirts emblazoned with the slogan “Together We Thrive, Tucson’s America” that had been hung over the backs of the lower seats in the auditorium. No mention of this was made on Fox News when Charles Krauthammer and Chris Wallace gave their endorsement of Obama’s address. It was not until this morning, in reading the reports of the event that I learned of this. Had I known of this fact while watching and listening to Obama’s, oft interrupted address with cheers and whistles, I surely would have been more critical of the President’s remarks.
As Obama’s “eulogy” continued he played to the audience with a few perfectly timed phases. In a stunning moment, Obama announced that Giffords, who is in critical condition, opened her eyes for the first time after he left her intensive care hospital room before the service. First lady Michelle Obama held hands with Giffords' husband, Mark Kelly, as the news brought soaring cheers throughout the arena.
"She knows we are here and she knows we love her and she knows that we will be rooting for her throughout what will be a difficult journey," he said to thunderous applause and a standing ovation.
Obama, the consummate politician knew that he would get a boost on the polls if he played this right. A gave a few bones to satisfy the conservatives and a great deal of one-liners for his left wing base. The students in the auditorium were rhapsodic.
When Ronald Reagan, Bill Clinton and George W. Bush gave similar addresses after the Challenger explosion, Oklahoma City Bombing and 9/11 they spoke in a solemn tone offering both condolences and hope. Their addresses lasted about 15 minutes. Obama, in typical community organizer fashion, spoke for double this time. This was his big moment to take advantage of the crisis.
When Arizona Governor Jan Brewer took to the podium the little minded, spoiled collage kids greeted her with boos and hoots. When DHS secretary Janet Napolitano was introduced the peanut gallery erupted with cheers and whistles. Final when Obama was introduced the assembled mass rose to their feet and began a thunderous ovation, so much so that Obama had to quiet them. All we needed was Queen’s “We will rock you” played over the PA system.
I have been to several memorial services and they certainly did not have this tone. Only an Irish wake approaches the decorum displayed by the assembled masses in the McKale Center. While Obama was the recipient of this horrible display of decorum it was the President of the University of Arizona needs to take the blame. He is in charge of the university and should have told his student body that this was not a pep rally and they should act with respect to the families of the victims. This was an embarrassment to the student body, the university and the President. Had I been a family member of one of the victims I would have gotten up and walked out. The politicians were using the deaths and injuries of innocent people for political purposes.
If you read Obama’s words they talk about civil discourse and the value of free speech. I have seen all of this after prior murders and assassinations and believe me nothing will be different two or three months from now. The left will continue to demonize conservatives and their allies. Democrats in Congress will attempt to use the tragedy as a lever to get their anti free speech and gun control legislation passed all to the cry of “do it for Gabby.” Sarah Palin, Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity and other conservative talkers will be blamed for Loughner’s actions.
In my opinion Sarah Palin gave a far more cogent and concise comment on her Facebook page. She said; “There are those who claim political rhetoric is to blame for the despicable act of this deranged, apparently apolitical criminal. And they claim political debate has somehow gotten more heated just recently. But when was it less heated? Back in those “calm days” when political figures literally settled their differences with dueling pistols? In an ideal world all discourse would be civil and all disagreements cordial. But our Founding Fathers knew they weren’t designing a system for perfect men and women. If men and women were angels, there would be no need for government. Our Founders’ genius was to design a system that helped settle the inevitable conflicts caused by our imperfect passions in civil ways. So, we must condemn violence if our Republic is to endure.”
“Vigorous and spirited public debates during elections are among our most cherished traditions. And after the election, we shake hands and get back to work, and often both sides find common ground back in D.C. and elsewhere. If you don’t like a person’s vision for the country, you’re free to debate that vision. If you don’t like their ideas, you’re free to propose better ideas. But, especially within hours of a tragedy unfolding, journalists and pundits should not manufacture a blood libel that serves only to incite the very hatred and violence they purport to condemn. That is reprehensible.” You can read Palin’s entire address by clicking here or watch the video here.
By the way the term Blood Libel, according to Alan Dershowitz, the esteemed Harvard liberal law professor and a Jew, is a commonly used term today and does not reflect anti Semitism. It merely refers to a false accusation or claim.
John Hinckley shot Ronald Reagan, because he wanted to impress the actress Jodi Foster. No one called on Jodi Foster to justify herself in that tragedy. So why should Sarah Palin? Why should she answer for someone else's actions, especially since that person is by all indications a left-wing lunatic?
During his eulogy Obama said; “At a time when our discourse has become so sharply polarized — at a time when we are far too eager to lay the blame for all that ails the world at the feet of those who think differently than we do — it's important for us to pause for a moment and make sure that we are talking with each other in a way that heals, not a way that wounds.” This is good prose, but not for the committed left.
Sarah Palin will continue to get death threats from the unhinged left — some posted threats rising to actual criminal actions. Obama’s words will not change anything. The left has a committed ideology that does not allow dissent to their beliefs. There is no hate that can equal the vicious hate that emanates from the left. They cannot accept that someone could disagree with them. Where was the civility when Bush was in office? There was even a movie made about the fictitious assassination of George Bush. This was considered free speech and art by the left. You can read some of the posted threats to Palin by clicking here.
Upon reflection on last night’s memorial service for the victims of January 8th I can come to only one conclusion. It was a pep rally for the committed left. We will hear numerous and banal comments in the day to come as to how we need more civility and how Congress wants to help us attain that civility by passing laws that will infringe on our first and second amendment rights. Politicians like Bernie Sanders (D-VT) will use the shooting to raise funds for his reelection campaign. Pundits and the media will continue to attack conservatives who oppose the agenda of the left as threats to our civil discourse. Don’t be taken by the smooth delivery of Barak Obama. He will stand above the debate and allow his left wing minions to carry out the attack on the right.
Wow... even the fox news commentators agreed that Obama managed to remain somber even as he was faced with an inappropriately rowdy crowd that was "not of his making". Secondly I (a liberal) never thought the AZ shootings were politically motivated or motivated by much other than the twisted mind a sick guy. Thirdly, I talk often with people who disagree with me. Fourthly, not all of us liberals fall in line with Bernie Sanders! Unlike Obama, he actually *is* a Socialist -- self-proclaimed. Well, he's unlike Obama in myriad ways. I certainly could go on, but I should get rolling. Best to you and yours.
ReplyDeleteAndrea